A short visit to my mom, who seems to be doing well. I suspect the change in some meds and the fact that she’s on oxygen accounts for that — although the oxygen is literally a drag. The rest of the week was run, hike, rinse, lather, repeat!
Fall is in full swing here, so for those who don’t get Fall, you’re welcome.
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and another week strong on activity, a bit weak on rest.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy + surges, PB metcon (25 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Anniversary Hiking Moreau Lake State Park, Yoga (20 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk AM, PB Walking with Weights (25 min), Yoga (20 min)
- Thursday: Yoga, (40 minutes), 2 mile hike
- Friday: Yoga (40 min), PB 5.17 long-er run, Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk AM, 1 mile recovery run, PB Walking with Weights (25 min)
- Sunday: Yoga + Dogwalk + Rest Day (except, packing — for me & Bandit)
Running Mileage: 12.17 (+1.17)
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
Running Update
Monday Intention: mostly easy + a little speed
I seem to be visiting race courses lately — totally unplanned. Since I’d pushed myself a little yesterday, I wanted to take it easy — but also remind my legs they can go faster. So I inserted some surges randomly through the second mile. Started out slow but negative splits for the win. My Garmin seems happy with my efforts lately. Summer running just isn’t my jam, and we are clearly out of Summer.
Wednesday Intention: EASY!!!
It’s a busy week of run, hike, run, hike, visit mom, etc. Our hiking yesterday was about 2 miles easy, 1 mile moderate. So I was determined to take it easy today — except I don’t watch my pace. So negative splits again; sue me! Mr. Judy offered to walk Bandit, which I took him up on, only they hadn’t gotten very far by the time I was walking home, so I ended up adding another mile on so they could both get some movement in, too.
Friday Intention: go long-er (working on endurance)
Normally I like at least one rest day before a long-er run, and visiting my mom tends to be stressful. It’s easier to just visit for a few hours compared to staying overnight and driving her all over.
Today went out for a long-er run determined to take it easy, and I mostly did. Splits all over the place, last mile fastest, but the overall pace was easy and felt it. A bit windy but I told myself how much better that was than running in heat & humidity!
Saturday Intention: recovery + endurance
Walked Bandit as a warmup and then headed out for the one mile recovery run. Except . . . I can’t seem to run slowly (for me) for just a mile with no walk breaks. I definitely wasn’t trying to push the past like I did last week with my 1 mile run, but it still ended up a little speedy for a recovery run (okay, a lot). Just a mile, though.
Favorites of the week
We are making up for previous lack of hiking this month! This is the second week of day hiking (with a second hike for me on the way to see mom) — and guess what? Booked an AirBnB for next week to finally test out Bandit away from home and a short getaway. Fingers crossed that the forecast changes because there are just amazing hikes where we’re going — but a not-so-amazing forecast (including 90% chance of rain one day).
Albie (and of course, many Alvins) still sighted on the regular. Mr. Judy finally got a nice shot of Albie!
ICYMI: Are you ready for some de-stressing and self care? God knows I am and that’s why I created this video! This Yin Yoga Practice will help you open and strengthen your hips and lower legs and is perfect for runners even if you don’t need to destress like I do.
Relaxing Yin Yoga | Post Run Stretch click here * How Long to Hold Yin Poses? Vlog click here
Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Why pumpkin is good for runners & how to deal with pie pumpkins. Friday it’s time to cozy up to the runfessional with Marcia @ Marciashealthyslice!
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Looks like you have some gorgeous spots to hike in. Fall is my fave seasons well. Often, I do have negative splits on longer runs as it takes me a few miles to warm up. I try not to go out too fast and peter out.
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Since I’m not training, just running, I just don’t watch my pace.
There are many great places to hike jere. Just wish they were closer!
Enjoy Fall, Deborah!
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So happy to hear your mum is doing well 🙂
Happy Anniversary – wishing you both lots more hikes in new places.
Mr Judy got some fantastic shots of both Albie and Alvin 🙂
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Thank you, Shathiso. Mr. Judy is a talented photographer.
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Happy belated anniversary. It’s nice that it falls in time for fall hiking. Mine is Jan. 16. We ignore sometimes. Lol.
Weird weather. Or maybe normal for fall. Cold one day. Hot the next. Back and forth. I never seem to dress right.
Yes. Rain predicted for almost everyday this week. Not that it will happen. Enjoy your vacation.
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Well you know when my birthday falls. Thanks, Darlene.
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touché.
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Speaking of rain…. yeah. Welcome to my Sunday 🙂 I’m so glad your mom is going better ❤ Our leaves have changed dramatically this week…all those cold overnight temps worked their magic (though cold temps = brrrr).
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Sorry to hear it’s a wet Sunday. The leaves sort of make up for the cold — until they’re gone!
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Looks like fall is finally popping! Glad to hear that your mom is doing better. Enjoy your getaway!
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Thanks, Wendy. Fall is popping. One tree at a time, it seems!
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Happy belated anniversary.
Glad to hear that your mom feels better.
Good job on the negative splits, they help a lot to improve the speed.
Alby and Alvin are lovely.
Let’s enjoy this fall weather even if today I have run in short sleeves.
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Thank you! Definitely enjoy the Fall weather. I’m working more on endurance than speed!
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Lovely photos and great creatures!! My Garmin is refusing to see my walks as being active and keeps telling me I’ve done nothing at all, which is a bit rude, though it doesn’t really matter!
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Luckily my Garrmin doesn’t have the active thing. Because that would annoy me!
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Looking good Judy! I’m off to check out your video now! I definitely need some relaxing yoga in my life!
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Well, that was one thing I did right before COVID hit, my first Yoga TT. I have plenty of relaxing Yoga on my channel — it can be a bit different though.
Sounds like you’re really busy!
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An anniversary hike sounds like a lovely way to celebrate. Mr J got some great pics! I just noticed a “fastest” final mile on yesterday’s run. In my case it’s probably because it took me that long to warm up. Great to hear your mom is doing better!
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Normally we travel somewhere but that hadn’t been the case in a while. It’s definitely true it takes me a couple of miles to warm up & most of the time I’m not running longer than that! 🤣
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Ha yes we definitely don’t get fall down here so thank you for the pictures! I hope you have a nice getaway this week with good weather. And I think chipmunks should get points for being extra cute, to partially make up for their dumb noisiness.
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🤣 chipmunks are definitely cute . . . until your cat brings in their “toy” and you have to try to herd them back,out. Forget birds, I swear they are God’s dumbest creatures. We would practically line things up & make a route to the door & it still took hours! On more than one occasion.
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Great photo of the albino squirrel! We have a lot of those here and I like to say its good luck to spot one. My dogs go nuts when they do!
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Wow, we had never seen an albino squirrel until this year & he’s the only one so far (don’t really know if he’s a he or she).
He’s actually quite easy to spot — even from a distance — now. But in Winter he’s going to blend!
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Great picture of the albino squirrel! I feel like that is some kind of lucky sign when you see one, don’t you think? I’ve never seen one around here. Enjoy your getaway! I hope the weather ends up being great for you.
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We see Albie a lot, actually! He’s just camera shy.
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60 minutes. NOpe. Could not.
Great shot of Albie. Love chipmunks, mainly because they’re so rare here. Love the witch into the tree.
Hang in there my friend
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Chipmunks are everywhere here & super annoying. They make this extremely loud chirping noise. Drives me nuts!
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Glad your mom is getting better! I like your anniversary hike tradition, and love the fall colors. There was a hint of changing colors in the Shenandoah this weekend, but it’s been so warm I think the brilliant colors are a few weeks off.I hope the weather cooperates for your getaway.
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I think we’re definitely at peak but it’s been kind of muted this year. There’s still enough to enjoy, for sure.
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Happy Anniversary! Mr. Judy took some great photos. The cooler weather has finally settled in for good here and with it, the colors are slowly popping.
Good to hear that your mom is doing better!
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Yes, Mr. Judy gets great photos! I get squirrel specks so I don’t even try.
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I’m so glad your mom is feeling better! Happy anniversary! I love seeing all three of you in a photo! And that foliage is gorgeous!
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Thanks, Jen! Fall foliage is fleeting so gotta get out there.
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I love how you set intentions for every workout-I think that’s a great way to start a workout. Fall is my favorite season, I just wish the trees would hurry up and completely change over here! We have some yellow and a few red leaves but not the whole tree yet! And yay for Mom doing well!
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Often my intention is set on the run, but I do have a loose idea beforehand.
You’re quite a bit south, so it will come to you (the fall foliage) later. Even though you’re further north now.
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That is excellent news to hear about your mom. I hope that she continues to improve and feel better. I know this has been such a stressful time for all of you.
Love that up close photos of Albie! We don’t have any albino squirrels here. One time I saw a black squirrel a few years ago, but then he never visited again.
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I don’t know if we’ll see Albie next year but this year he’s a “frequent flyer”, LOL!
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Thank you, Mr. Judy, for the awesome picture of Albie! I think I told you that someone posted a picture of a white squirrel seen very near to my back yard. I still haven’t him, though… Agreed, chipmunks are little jerks.
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You never know, you might get to see the white squirrel too! We heard about Albie before we ever saw him. They are definitely hard to miss when they appear in your yard!
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