It was a busy but quiet week, if that makes sense. I thought it would be a cut back week but I finally added in a fourth (short) run this week. Mainly because of the cooler weather at the end of the week! Next week it’ll be a juggling act to get in three, I think, so it’ll be my cutback week.
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and running hot and cold (literally!).
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), Walk with a friend, Yoga (30 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy (last mile fartlek), PB ST (25 min), Yoga (20 min)
- Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Filmed Yoga Video(60 min)
- Friday: Yoga (30 min), 6 mile LSD, Dogwalk, PB Toning (20 min), Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), 2 miles recovery, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 minutes)
- Sunday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, Filmed Yoga Video (45 min), Some sort of ST at some point
Running Mileage: 14 (+3)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running Update
Monday Intention: recover
Is it wrong that my recovery run was slightly faster than my long run and also just slightly negative splits? I blame the lovely weather. A cold front had come from the afternoon before, I didn’t have to hustle to get out early, and it was perfect running weather.
Wednesday Intention: try to add just a little speed
I was a bit apprehensive about this run, suddenly Summer made a brief appearance again, but there was a lovely breeze by the river and the bugs were AWOL. The middle mile was rather slow, accommodating the still warm temps (about 70 at the beginning), but I decided to do pickups during the last mile, which just kinda turned into run a bit faster as long as I felt like it. Which resulted in a much faster pace for the last mile than expected.
Sadly I forgot my phone at home so no photo. It’s such a lovely spot. The trail is very short, but fine for 3 miles. I share this quick sketch I did after the run — journaling and doing a quick sketch in my journal has become a favorite way to relax after a run. Now that it’s getting warmer, though, and buggier, it’s not always quite so enjoyable.
Friday Intention: distance + speed
I have been to this bike path, and fairly recently, but I guess I’ve always gone the other way. Suddenly one way the benches have multiplied! On mile 3 and mile 6 I decided to do intervals within intervals — so sort of a fartlek in my run/walk intervals. Mile 6 was actually the fastest mile.
The weather had dropped 40F (from 90 to 50) since Wednesday, so no reason to get out there early — and it did make for some lovely running weather.
Favorites of the week
I got together for a walk with a friend whom I hadn’t seen in a while (working on trying to meet up with a couple of other friends!). Speaking of parks changing, we went to a park I hadn’t been to in a long time (because it’s usually fairly crowded). My how that one has changed! No photos, we were too busy chatting.
We did not wear masks. We are slowly inching our way back to normal. Mr. Judy had mentioned that he was ready to eat indoors, I wasn’t so sure, but when we decided to get some restaurant food on Friday, he decided he didn’t want to do that after all. I just hate all the extra plastic that goes along with getting takeout!
Have your parks been upgraded during the Pandemic?
Enjoying the maskless freedom?
Anything fun going on this weekend?
ICYMI: Do you always run out the house feeling scattered and unfocused? This quick 10 minute, guided meditation can change all that. It will help you get in touch with all your Chakras, too. You’ll find the video here.
Coming up on Tuesday: It’s time to wrap up May. On Friday I’ll be sipping some hot chocolate and catching up with what’s going on in your world — and mine.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I’ve still been wearing a mask indoors (We have to wear them at work) and sometimes outside. When we go to the playground I just wear it when we are close to other people. I was surprised that alot of people were wearing them at the playground today, but I think its nice since there are so many kids there and they haven’t been vaccinated. We had some crazy jumps in weather this week. it was 90 on Wednesday and not even 50 today.
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I wore one when I we went to the grocery store today. I don’t wear them outside & rarely did — even though in winter it could feel nice!
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Fun this weekend?? Ha ha. It was supposed to be boating, bbqing and running a race. Well, you know how the race went – cold and wet and the same for our plans.
I so wish I could relax after a run or race. It’s always a rush to get back in time to work or go somewhere and meet someone.
Once I got both my vaccines, I felt able to go maskless (unless it was required) and see my friends indoors. Before that I did see my family and friends but usually outdoors.
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Believe it or not, I often have things I have to get back to after a run, too. That particular day my husband texted me to let me know he’d walked Bandit, but since I forgot my phone I didn’t stay long anyway.
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Good thing you didn’t it. The one time I forgot my phone I broke my ankle.
The one day I do enjoy my run is on Saturday because I can stay and chat with my friends for hours
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I saw a big woodpecker like yours a few weeks ago but when I approached to photograph, he flew away! Today some big bird flew out of a bush right next to me. Scared the you know what out of me. My husband says it was probably a turkey.
We still have to wear masks at work and I’m wearing mine at the stores. I’m still not completely comfortable without it.
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Turkeys are VERY large. I wear my mask at stores, too. Most still require anyway.
We are going to visit my mom tomorrow & won’t have to wear a mask in her apartment at least!
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I love the post-run sketch. Photos are nice, but it’s nice to see something different like that.
I’m enjoying my maskless freedom whenever possible. We still have to wear them at work, but i haven’t been wearing it most other places. At first that felt weird, but like you said, we’re inching towards normal.
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I still don’t go too many places! I’m back to shopping at the grocery store close to us, but they require masks. It’s a relatively small store though so I’m in & out quickly. Some of my sketches were better, but that one just happened to match that day.
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Great photo of the woodpecker — gorgeous! We came ^thisclose^ to going to see Cruella this weekend, but couldn’t agree on going to the small theater with blocked off seats that already had sold a fair number of tickets or the big theater with no blocked off seats but only 4 tickets sold — so I guess we’re not ready yet! I’m with you on the take-out plastic. I’m even grumbling (to myself) that our church is still serving Communion wafers in paper cups (like you’d squirt ketchup into), but I understand and appreciate the caution.
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Actually I have Mr. Judy to thank for noticing the woodpecker. We both took photos of it & I ended up using my own (just a little easier), but I didn’t notice it until he pointed it out.
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Love the photo of the woodpecker!
I’m still wearing my masks whenever I go anywhere indoors – supermarkets, Target, etc. I still run with a buff around my neck so I can pull it up when I pass people. I think it’s hard to break out of the routine of what we’ve been doing for over a year.
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I haven’t been using a gaiter or mask while running.
I got a nice short video of the woodpecker, too, including it flying away.
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I love the post run stretching now and miss it if I skip it. I should set intentions for runs but I do not. I am just going with whatever feels good right now. My races are so far away I am just on cruise control. Have a great week ahead!
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Race? What’s that? 🤣
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I think that pink wildflower is the Dame’s Rocket. It’s very pretty.
For fun this weekend, we took a day trip to South Haven, MI.
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Day trips are always fun!
Dame’s Rocket. Interesting; never heard of it! Now I’ll have to look that up.
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Oh, I love your post-run sketch! If I wasn’t (usually) in a rush to get to work, I’d love to take the time to do something like that. I can imagine how relaxing it would be!
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I don’t do it after every run — never when I run in the neighborhood. I keep thinking I should but often I’m running there because of time anyway! It is really relaxing. Usually I do a quick stretch & then journal. I used to keep a journal & sketch it I regularly, especially when we traveled; now not so much.
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Our weather here has been all over the place too! I think today is suppose to be beautiful and hopefully it is the start of some consistent summer weather!
Thanks for the stretching reminder! I’ve been real sore lately, not from running, but from playing baseball with my family…lol. It’s been a while since I hit some balls and used those shoulder muscles…lol
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After a very nasty weekend it’s moving towards heat & humidity again . . .
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I have mixed feeling about woodpeckers since they enjoy pecking holes in out house and nesting there. Ugh. The cooler weather was a running game changer this week. I am looking forward to warmer weather though too. It’s just about June after all.
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My SIL has had problems with woodpeckers, too, but so far, knock on wood (so to speak) we haven’t. It’s not that I don’t want warm weather, just give me a little time to get used to it!
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Love the woodpecker. Those are cool birds.
I’ve started eating inside; Minneapolis still has a mask mandate (when not at your table) so we just stick to Minneapolis vs. any of the burbs now that there isn’t one there! Glad you could meet up with a friend.
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I do get together with a few friends fairly regularly, sometimes life just gets in the way.
For the most part I’d rather eat outside in summer anyway!
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All restrictions here in Massachusetts were just removed this weekend but there are still many places that are requiring masks. I’m holding off on indoor dining until I’m fully vaccinated – just 10 more days to go, but honestly, I’ll probably still opt for outdoor dining more often.
Nice shot of the woodpecker!
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I always enjoy eating outside when it’s warmer, anyway!
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I am still required to wear my mask at work. I have never seen a woodpecker. Ha, I just remembered how much I loved the cartoon about the woodpecker. 🙂 Nothing too exciting this weekend. It is supposed to warm up this week and that is exciting after this cold weather.
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Yes, our weekend was not great weather wise at all. The sun came out as we were driving home!
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Oh, I am so glad Mr. Judy is feeling more comfortable. I still get a little spazzy about indoor eating, but I’ve done it a few times and it’s getting easier.
Beautiful flowers and I love the bunnies!
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I’m sure at some point we’ll get back to indoor dining. I have some cousins coming up next month & my sister wants to eat out somewhere. Still kinda hesitant cause it’s a larger group, although only 8 people. We’ll see.
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I had no idea you enjoy sketching. You’re pretty talented!
I’m glad the bunnies are leaving your Hostas alone.
To answer your question, YES! From the time we left the airport in Fort Meyers on Saturday until we returned to the airport today, I didn’t have my mask on a single time and it felt amazing. None of the restaurants or stores required masks if you’ve been vaccinated. Virginia is slooowly creeping that way.
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Some of the grocery stores here still require masks, although the state doesn’t so it may not be long.
I used to actually draw (once in a blue moon I still do), paint — I was a graphic designer.
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Ah, yes, I’d forgotten that you were once a graphic designer. Very cool!
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I’ve never seen a woodpecker! Only hear them doing their thing in the park!
I am going to continue wearing masks in stores, etc. Our population is also split on getting vaccinated, so I’l be erring on the side of caution for a while. One of my friends posted on facebook the other day that she was so glad (and it was meant genuinely) that the lockdown and all restrictions were over. Um. That’s not true. But I honestly think a huge percentage of people here think so. It will be a while before we dine indoors I think. We’ll see.
Can you do take out from any known restaurants that do paper takeaway? We order burgers every week from a local cafe here and they have the coolest paper boxes. I also hate all the trash that takeaway lifestyle has created.
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I don’t know of any restaurants that do paper takeaway (not quite sure what it is, either).
We know a fair amount of people who refuse to get vaccinated.
Now a lot of states are trying to pass laws so things like mask mandates would be harder to do. Seriously, what is WRONG with people?
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