Enjoying all the light: 6/14 – 20 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

The Summer Solstice, which starts tonight, is a little bittersweet — because from here on out the days get shorter. Even knowing that we can still enjoy the long days of Summer and extra sunshine while we have it!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing my week in activity — and my Solstice Yoga video for you to enjoy.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (50 min), 3 miles TM, Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 2 mile recovery run, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Filmed Yoga video (60 minutes)
  • Thursday: Yoga (20 min), 8 mile LSD, Yoga (15 minutes)
  • Friday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, 2 mile recovery run, Filmed Yoga Video (60 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Short Hike
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk

Running Mileage: 15 (NC)


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Monday Intention: much slower intervals
I woke up to pouring rain and thunder & lightning. It looked like there might be a break around 8 am — nope. I had planned a treadmill run, and then I had hopes I could squeeze my run in outside — but it wasn’t worth risking it. I’ve been caught in a thunderstorms on the run. 3 times.

Of course it was fine the whole time I was running on the treadmill

I did a 45 Peloton Rock Run, but I made sure I wasn’t pushing as hard as my last Intervals run. I’ve been pushing a few weeks now, and it’s time to cut it back just a bit. I was still doing intervals, but not as fast. All was well until the last 10 minutes when my Ipad lost Wifi apparently — I just did a steady pace until I hit 3 miles and called it good.

After I showered and it was still clear, so I walked Bandit. We had already turned around but were still at least half a mile from home when I heard more thunder. Luckily he seemed to sense the need to get home, and by the time we got there, of course the thunder has stopped — for a while.

This is what I see before most runs

Tuesday Intention: recover
Easy two mile recovery run. Really not much to say (or apparently remember) from this one.

Not much to see on the runs this week. A sketch of 3 ladies chatting as I cooled down

Thursday Intention: increase distance
I really feel for those of you out in the west & midwest! Meanwhile we have been enjoying some damn nice weather this week (don’t worry, our luck ran out on Saturday, the day we were hiking). I took advantage of that to run 8 miles. 8 very slow miles. At some point I saw either a groundhog or a beaver — I was too far away to tell which. Still nothing terribly exciting on the run!

There are fewer rabbits this year but they’re BIG!

Friday Intention: recover
Another cool, dry morning. It’s heating up, but not quickly. I know it’s almost Summer, but this is the Spring weather we skipped and I love it! We walked Bandit first, because although not super hot, no cloud cover. The  running pace was quicker than the long run pace again — but far shorter.

Photo credit Lloyd Litt. Not long after I got up on Saturday, I looked out my kitchen window and this is what we saw. I shouted to Mr. Judy. I’d heard there was one in our area, but we’d never seen an albino squirrel before. Mr. Judy got some great shots! Apparently not all white squirrels are ablinos, but we think this one was.

Favorites of the week
Seriously? The weather! Except for Monday we had great weather this week. I wrote that before Saturday dawned really hot & humid! Well, most of the days were great.

Short hike at Falling Waters Preserve. At least there was still some water falling!

A nice day hiking, eating outside, and time with family yesterday. It’s so nice to get together with people without masking. And hugging them!

If you’re caught in the heatwave, how are you coping? 

If you do a recovery run, ever have it be faster than the long run?

Did you know the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year is Monday?

GWY Summer Solstice Flow 2021

ICYMI: I’ve got a great Summer Solstice flow that will tone you from top to bottom. It’s Beginner-friendly but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! You’ll find the video here. Keep your eyes peeled on my FB pages on Monday — I’m hoping to have Yin Yoga practice for the Solstice up tomorrow (if that’s your thing).

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up June — wow, halfway through 2021! On Friday I’ve got a few things to get off my chest. It’s Runfession time!

32 thoughts on “Enjoying all the light: 6/14 – 20 WRD”

  1. I love that sketch you did of the 3 ladies! I am not very good at drawing/sketching/painting. That is interesting about the albino squirrel. How do you know whether it is white or albino? During a heatwave I avoid going out unless necessary and going out very early in the morning to run.

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  2. Great shot of the albino squirrel! Props to Mr. Judy! I’m glad to hear you had cooler weather as we sure did not. It’s been a steam bath here, although now we’re getting a little, much-needed rain.

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  4. It’s so nice that you do yoga on a daily basis!

    I’ve been caught in pouring rain once when running (a long time ago) but it’s one of the clearest memories I have. Water running down my face!

    I’ve seen some pretty big rabbits lately too…but never an albino squirrel. Wow!

    I am not excited for the days to start getting shorter. Time flies by!

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    1. I enjoy my Yoga. I like the way I feel after!

      I can run in pouring rain, have many times, although I don’t really enjoy it that much. Thunder & lightning are different, but you sure run faster!

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  5. How cool that you saw that albino squirrel! I’ve never seen one!!!

    They keep predicting rain here, but it just dries up before anything happens. We need rain so badly!

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  6. I love that albino squirrel! (Of course, I love all little furry critters). In Michigan, black squirrels were dominant in our area, but we also had brown and grey ones…and an occasional albino). I am a strong believer in recovery runs (at least for myself), and I just run them “easy.” Sometimes, that “easy” pace is much slower than other times, but my goal is to mainly shake-out the legs with what feelslike minimal effort…if that makes sense.

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  7. I’ve never seen an albino squirrel before – how cute! Heck, I didn’t even know they existed. Zenaida saw black bunnies this week which is something new to me as well. I need to start looking for more ‘exotic’ animals during my walks and runs!

    I don’t really do recovery runs, but I love to do recovery walks or take a spin class to flush out my legs.

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    1. I did a little research on the black bunnies. I was thinking maybe they were released pet. I found one old article that said there are wild black bunnies. And one said there wasn’t. Who knows? I’ve never seen one either.

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  8. I almost forgot about the summer solstace. Kind of bittersweet. I love the longer days but could do without the heat. I’ve never seen a white squirrel! Had no idea you drew sketches-how cool. Have a great week!

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  9. Don’t run the day after a long run. I may hike but that’s it. Now your long runs are longer than mine. I have no plan. I just do what feels right. 10 used to feel right and now brunch with friends feels better lol.

    Yes looking forward to our longest day. But what I am really enjoying that that group evening runs are back. I missed them last year.

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  10. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as an albino squirrel! It’s beautiful.
    I wasn’t aware that tomorrow is the solstice (guess I need to look at the calendar more often) and it does feel a little melancholy that the days will be getting shorter.
    Sounds like you had a great week- nice eight mile long run!

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    1. Well, it was a very slow 8 mile run, LOL! I actually wasn’t feeling good off & on last week, and Wednesday I really didn’t feel good. Feel better now, just tired from having to get up early to run again!

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  11. Great photo of that squirrel! I’ve seen black ones too – who knew there were so many different kinds. We had fantastic weather until yesterday — now the humidity is back to summer levels.

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    1. If you go to a studio that’s a class. There’s a reason for that too!

      We saw the albino squirrel again but he was trying to hide in the pine tree during a rainstorm so not so good photos.

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  15. I feel the same way, always a little down with the Summer Solstice even though we still have plenty of long summer days left.

    That squirrel doesn’t have pink eyes and I think pure albino animals have pink eyes. Whatever the case, he’s gorgeous! We have gray squirrels where we live (red squirrels at the farm). Back when I was coaching a marathon group in Maryland, I got super excited when I saw a black squirrel and pointed it out to my runners. They must have thought I was nuts because black squirrels are common in Maryland and as the summer went on, I saw a ton of them.

    Last week while we were visiting my mom the weather was gorgeous (cool and low humidity) both there and at home. This week we’re at the beach (on our way as I type) and the weather’s supposed to be nice at home again after a hot and humid weekend. Fingers crossed it’s equally as nice at the beach!

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    1. Actually we’ve looked closely at the squirrel’s eye on the larger photo & we do think they’re pink!

      I only lived in MD 1 year, but I don’t remember black squirrels. It was a really long time ago though! I’d be excited about them, too.

      Enjoy your beach time!

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