It was coming down to the wire to complete my RRCA Coaching test this week — it was hard, but I got it done! Now just need to do the First Aid/CPR courses and I’ll be a certified running coach (or maybe just certifiable).
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and running easy while reflecting back on the past year (since it was Yom Kippur, and the Jewish New Year was 10 days ago) while looking forward to the new year — and yes, that included a fast on Thursday. And lots of reading, Yoga, and meditation on that day, too!
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (30 min), 4 mile run, Yoga (20 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 2 recovery miles, PB ST (25 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, AM/PM,1.5 mile TM test
- Thursday: Yoga, (30 minutes), Dogwalk, AM/PM, Yoga (60 min)
- Friday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk AM/PM, PB ST (25 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk AM, Walking with friends
- Sunday: Yoga (50 min), 4 miles easy, hopefully more ST
Running Mileage: 11.5 (+2.5)
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
Running Update
Monday Intention: go long-er
Another long-er run was on tap because I wasn’t sure how this week would play out. Except somehow it turned into sort of mile repeats and negative splits. Most likely because I knew Mr. Judy was waiting on me. It wasn’t exactly fast, still, but fast-er paces than I’ve seen in a while.
Oh, and I’d slept poorly the night before. We’d had some rain, and there was one of the leaf bins under the roof. It sounded like a drumbeat. Mr. Judy didn’t even hear it. I had to get up and go sleep on the couch (which is where I sleep when I visit my mom). Good thing I don’t have a bad back!
Tuesday Intention: recover
I don’t know why I ended up doing speedwork yesterday, my body just seemed to want to do it, so I made sure that I took this recovery run nice & easy. It may have helped that due to errands in the morning, I ended up running around midday, which I usually try to avoid.
Wednesday Intention: treadmill test
I am probably going to start my treadmill search soon. Any recommendations? How did you get rid of the old treadmill? Mine is too heavy for us to get into a car! Mr. Judy, however, isn’t ready to throw in the towel yet.
I had no desire to run three days in a row, and was quite tired actually, but he had done some tweaks so I did a second recovery run. Oddly it went much longer before it started to slow down — about 19 minutes. Still it is not keeping pace and not going to do me much good if the weather is bad.
Sunday Intention: easy & enjoy cooler weather
The weather was gorgeous and the run was slow. I did run 4 times this week, and two of those were 4 miles — which is what is passing for a long run for me at the moment — plus the RRCA test stressed me out! The top of my back was completely covered by mosquitoe bites from yesterday’s chat with friends, but I have an essential oil blend for that that helps a lot! It also helped that I got to a park I haven’t been to since last year.
Favorites of the week
I completed and passed my RRCA Level 1 Run Coach test. I’d signed up for it back in May, before the drama with my mom. I took this course really to expand my own information; I’d actually wanted to do it for many years.
The test wasn’t easy. It’s 100 multiple choice questions, and while many weren’t hard, some were very hard (to me, anyway). Plus you need an 85 to pass. I definitely don’t think I could go from there to coaching someone, but I learned some new things, and you know I’ll be passing along some tips!
I was supposed to have gone back to my mom to take her to the doctor on Friday, but something happened that moved up the appointment (she’s okay, kina anyway) so my sister ended up taking her. I needed a little rest after the last few weeks!
Mushrooms aren’t a favorite, especially since I have to pick them so Bandit doesn’t eat them. Bandit has never really shown interest in them, but there are so many of them after the wet Summer we’ve had. I often wonder what’s in our soil that makes bright yellow mushrooms! Now we have a new kind of wrinkled mushroom I haven’t seen before, too.
ICYMI: Fall is coming quickly. I have a 15 minute meditation that will relax you, get you grounded, and also have you thinking about what you need to let go of — like the trees let go of their leaves. I also have a shorter discussion on the changing of Summer into Fall, with a few tips of what you might need to change up as you move into Fall.
Fall Meditation here * Fall Vlog click here
Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Yes, we’re done with colonoscopies! On Tuesday it’s why C is the most important letter. Friday I think it’s time for Runfessions — that’s what I’ve written, anyway!
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Definitely sounds like it’s time to do some mill shopping. I have a Pro-Form treadmill and really like it (as much as I can like a mill LOL).
Congrats again on your RRCA test!
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Unfortunately, it’s also time for new phone shopping, and then there’s the car. You know how things come in 3s!
Thanks, Michelle.
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Congrats on passing your test! It was not an easy one. You could always have one of those junk pick up companies come get it if it is not usable. Hope you find a new one that works for you
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Thanks, Deborah. 1-800 junk is something I’m planning to check out at some point if it’s never resuscitated!
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Congrats again on passing your test.
Zim is always buggy. Luckily I remembered to put on bug spray
I’ve needed a new tm since before I started running. Obviously it’s not a priority.
We need a new washer and my hubby a new phone. Always something. $$$$
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Yup, I need a new phone. The car. Our washer/dryer are 16 years old.
I seriously have about 15 mosquito bites. We were checking out rainfall here & in seattle. We’re at 40” so far this year; seattle 20”! What’s wrong with that picture????
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Congrats on passing your test.
I got rid of my old treadmill giving it back to the dealer when I bought the new one. But the new one didn’t work very well and I gave back it too.
Now I am happy to run without a “dreadmill”.
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My treadmill is 20 years old. Not sure the manufacturer is even still in business!
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I have a NordicTrack and I really like it. We picked a higher end one because we wanted it to last a long time and we knew there would be two people using it fairly regularly. Congrats on passing your RRCA test! I actually thought the vdot certification test was harder than the RRCA one…but I did RRCA 7 years ago so maybe I just don’t remember how hard it was!
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Never done VDOT so it totally could be harder!
I did the same thing with my first (and so far only) treadmill. It’s served me well but nothing lives forever!
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Congrats on passing your RRCA exam, and you’re correct, it had some hard questions!
I have a Life Fitness Club Series treadmill. I bought it because I knew I’d have clients using it and wanted to be sure it could support all clients’ sizes at all speeds. Years ago I bought a treadmill from Sears and after two motor replacements in the first year, the repairman recommended I return it because the motor for that treadmill wasn’t strong enough to support me running on it. I didn’t want that to happen again.
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Wow on replacing the motor twice in two years! I am the only one that using the treadmill, but I need a good one. Thanks for your input, Deb!
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I’ve thought about doing that RRCA certification- like you, just to increase my own knowledge.
Sounds like you had a nice week. Those mushrooms are crazy- I’m also not a big fan of them, but I like those weird and colorful ones you have growing!
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You do learn a lot. I do think some things should’ve been covered more in depth & probably could’ve been.
Even online, though, they sell out quickly!
Our mushrooms are just funky!
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Bummer about the treadmill…ours had a lifetime guaranty, but I don’t know exactly what that means, as nothing actually lasts forever, ha!
Mushrooms are so weird, but fascinating looking. Smart to make sure the pup doesn’t eat one!
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Well, Bandit still could eat them. I mean, there is an entire back lawn of them. It feels like that anyway. I filled 3 poop bags full of mushrooms lately. No joke!
My treadmill is 20 years old. Long past warranty, not sure the company is still in business! Mr. Judy has tried a couple of new things. Haven’t tested it yet.
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Congrats on the RRCA certification! I’m sure the preparation was really interesting.
When my TM died, I bought another ProForm. Nothing fancy and it was $600, which is what I paid for the original one 24 years ago, lol. It works great and I’m so glad I have it. We just dragged the old one to the curb and the scrappers came and took it away. Do you have them by you?
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No, we don’t have that. People will put stuff out for free, but since it doesn’t work I can’t see anyone wanting it. If it worked we’d put it on Craigslist & no doubt someone would want it!
$600 is not a bad price. I think we paid more for this treadmill originally but we certainly got our money’s worth.
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Congrats, again, on the RRCA test! That’s exciting 😉 I, too, have considered taking the course (also just for my own knowledge). I have been seeing weird mushrooms popping up in places I’d never seen them before. I don’t think we have any in our yard, though. I need to start my quest for a new treadmill, I believe….
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Our yard has a LOT of mushrooms! It didn’t start out as a wet summer but it really became one.
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I can’t say enough good about my treadmill as it is well over 20 years old and still chugs away as well as it ever did. The Caveman oils the deck from time to time but knock, wood, it’s never needed maintenance or repair. I’m sure the brand is no longer in business though.
Congrats on passing RRCA! I don’t remember the test being tough, although back when I took it 10+ years ago, the classes were in-person over a weekend so maybe it was the instruction and hands-on learning that helped.
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They actually said people are getting better scores taking it online. It might also have been the circumstances, I’d just brought my mom home & come home the day before the course — then home 2 days & off to ME.
Same on the mill for me. Have had it 20 years, although it has been repaired several times. I think it’s time though. Someone is fighting that.
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Congratulations on passing the RRCA Level 1 Run Coach test – that’s awesome!
That’s a bummer about the treadmill 😦 If you’re looking for a new one, I’ve heard great things about NordicTrack. I’m not sure of the price tag but I have a few friends that own that brand and love it.
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Lisa also said she likes her Nordicktrack. I’m definitely willing to pay for quality! Thanks, Kim!
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Congrats on the RRCA test! New treadmill choices are overwhelming. I’ve been taking notes for when mine needs to be replaced I want a tread that’s not locked into a specific Platform (Peloton or iFit). I’ve heard complaints about treads that are really slow to change pace, so responsiveness could be something to look at.
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Thanks, Coco. I agree on not wanting a Peloton. Or rather,mi’d like it but don’t want to pay extra $$ for Peloton & Bandit is small enough I’d worry about him, too.
Safe travels Coco!
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Congratulations on passing the coaching test! I’m sure you learned a ton!
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Thanks, Donna. I definitely learned a lot! Now I have more questions though — after taking the test, LOL!
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Well done on the test, that’s great work, especially under the circumstances!
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Thanks, Liz.
How was Matt’s appointment? I’m really behind on commenting. I hope that it went well & sorry that it took so long to get one with the good dr!
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Ah, thank you for remembering, that’s so kind. It was good, he felt listened to and reassured and he’s starting his diabetes medicine today.
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Very happy it was a good appointment. The medication shouldn’t be a problem, my mom is on meds for her diabetes, although I realized at some point she was off them for a month after I brought her home! I guess she was ok because she’d lost a lot of weight & hers isn’t that bad.
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The mosquitoes have been vicious this year. Started getting chewed in May when I was upstate and it never stopped
The rain has been great for your lawn and flowers I see
Yay on the coaching test! I think I said that somewhere-at least I hope I did as I remember seeing it.
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Thanks, Cari. That lawn isn’t mine, but it is in my neighborhood & on my regular running routes here.
Usually mosquitoes aren’t so bad here, and they actually weren’t until late August I’d say. Now I’m putting on copious amounts of bug spray every time I step outside & still suffering. Not running so much, but even just walking. Stop the rain already!
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We don’t have a treadmill, but I would probably just drag the old one out to the curb and someone will take it. I lack the patience of selling things from home.
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I don’t think someone’s going to just take a treadmill. They’re very heavy. Especially if it’s not working. Another test today.
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