Weekly Run Down

Typical February Week: 2/15 – 21 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 42 Comments

Snow. Ice. Cold. Not nearly as much as forecast, though — in fact, much, much less (except the cold part). I was able to run outside twice. My heart goes out to my friends in Austin, even while I’m actually glad (for once!) that we live here and not there. I’ve been without power. I’ve been without water. Neither is fun. Throw into that burst pipes — yikes!

I am ready for some good news, I truly am!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (40 min), PB Legs (11 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), PB Balance + Core (10 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Easy 3 miles, Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), PB Legs (10 min), A little touch up shoveling, Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), PB Arms (10 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 4 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 9.5 (+1)

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

This is how it looked by the afternoon when the temps had risen above freezing and the ice was melting. Made the shoveling easier, but I stuck to the mill in the morning.

Tuesday Intention: just a touch of speed + more time
I chose a 45 minute intervals run today. I’ve been using 45 minute runs, but just running for 30 minutes. I continue to slowly increase time and length of my runs, so this week I wanted to run for 35 minutes. Which I did.

Another cool ice photo. Makes plastic mesh look like chain mail!

I kept my “speed” relatively low, walked the last 10 minutes, and then cooled down with a 10 minute indoor bike ride. I’ve been doing 15 minute cycles, but it was getting really close to lunch and no one wants Mr. Judy hangry.

No killer storms here but lots of days with just a few inches of snow & lots of cold means the snow stays. Until next week when we’re supposed to get more seasonal temps.

Thursday Intention: opt outside + easy miles
No wind for the win again! Which is good because it was just barely above 22F. Definitely took it easy, but a good run overall. Except for when I turned around at the end of one street and almost literally ran into a woman running on the wrong side of the street — I had no idea she was there. Otherwise uneventful except for V02 Max nudging up a little and my last mile being a pretty normal pace.

Typical February scenes

Sunday Intention: add some more distance (again!)
Another cold in the low 20s run, but wind not too bad and bright sunshine! It still felt more difficult than Thursday’s run. No idea why. Back up to 4 miles. Woohoo! Although I did stop after mile 3 to make sure Mr. Judy had been out to walk Bandit — he just won’t walk if I’m at home and Mr. Judy takes him solo, but he usually will walk if I’m not at home. Looking for me, no doubt. I was worried I’d get home and then have to go back out to walk him — which I do a lot — but I just wasn’t feeling that today. He’s such a weird dog.

Rarely seen sunshine outside; but no way to get Vitamin D from that sunshine so gotta get light somehow

Favorites of the week
I want to thank everyone, again, who took time out of their love day to wish me a happy birthday last week; I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Mr. Judy actually put his thinking cap on and got me a great gift: a new light box for the mornings. I’ve had a small one for many years, but the rechargeable battery was slowly dying. The new one is much larger. I still get tired in Winter, but I do think it helps! I also asked for something like a water pick — food is always getting stuck in my teeth — and he got me that, too. It took some getting used to but my teeth feel so good after using it.

He also chipped in with his family, and there are some new Yoga props on their way, too.

Of course birthdays aren’t about what you receive, but it’s always nice to know that people are thinking about you.

Favorite recent birthday gift?

How’s your motivation holding up as Winter grinds on?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a free virtual Yoga class here! 

GWY Yin Yoga Hamilton

ICYMI: It’s a Hamilton Yin Yoga practice! I had so much fun working on this. You’ll deeply stretch your whole body. I will give you a quote from the play for each Asana (posture). I can’t play music from the soundtrack due to copyright, but maybe you can entertain yourself with it in your mind as we practice together. You’ll find the video here. If you’re looking for some inspirational morning reading I’ve got some suggestions here.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing something calming each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up February (just a few days early). Friday it’s time for some runfessions!

Private Yin Yoga Class Giveaway: 2/8 – 14 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

I visited my mom for the first time in almost 6 weeks, which made  her very happy. It was a very busy, tiring week though, but I feel as if I accomplished a lot — including three runs, a tiny bit of indoor cycling, and some short strength training sessions. I’d like to say today will be restful, but I’m running and still working on some stuff — maybe tomorrow???

There is also a lot of snow in the forecast for next week. I’m really trying to run outside at least occasionally, but Mother Nature isn’t making that easy! Perhaps we’ll get lucky and be on the low side of the forecasts. I think a lot of my strength training could be shoveling next week!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running and strength training.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, PB ST Arms (10 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (90 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short Hike at Olana
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (13 min), Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM miles progressive, CD walk (15 min), CD Cycle (15 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (30 min), PB Standing Abs (6 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3.5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 8.5 (+2)

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

Tuesday Intention: work on endurance
Back on the treadmill. I was excited when I got up and it wasn’t snowing yet, but it wasn’t long before it started. Endurance run, slight walk to cool down, then hopped on the stationary bike for the rest of the cool down. The endurance run was 45 minutes, but I only ran 30 — I think I like using the stationary bike for a cool down after a shorter run. Good to change things up!

Friday Intention: a little (very little) speed
I could have run outside. Yes, it was very cold, but not very windy and even some sun. I had a lot of balls to juggle though — or maybe I just didn’t want to freeze my butt off! I chose a progression run, keeping it very moderate. This did feel a tiny bit harder than the endurance run on Monday (same amount of time). I again enjoyed a cool down cycle.

This is what 59 looks like. Notice the rabbit tracks behind me.

Sunday Intention: add some more distance
I had many lovely birthday gifts today, but not gonna lie: this was  one of the best. a run that felt pretty darn good. It’s still relatively short and slow, but my longest run in over a month. I realized on this gray day, that the lack of wind is even better than sun in Winter, although of course both would be lovely. Now unfortunately it’s time to batten down the hatches and most likely more treadmill runs if the forecasts for next week are to be believed.

Clearing the air as I drive

Favorites of the week
I took my portable diffuser with me on the road to my mom. I loved using it in the car! I also wanted to show it to my mom to see if she’d have any interest in it.

Flour. Salt. Water. Baking Soda. Pretty amazing!

For months every morning I’d get up and say “this is the day I’m going to start a sourdough starter again”. It’s really not that hard. But I didn’t do it. Until finally I did. It didn’t go moldy this time. I made sourdough pancakes from the discard again. Yesterday I finally baked my first loaf!

Bandit channeling Lola. So many memories of her (and Chester) popped up for me on FB today.

How are you dealing with the snow (if you have it)?

Cake, cupcake, donuts, cookies, brownies? What’s your favorite dessert?

If you bake sourdough bread, what do you do with the discard? 

gwy MR yin

ICYMI: A “short” Yin Yoga practice that will ground you and energize you for your day. This is the last piece of my morning routine practices. Yes, it’s longer, but today is Valentine’s Day so maybe try this for an afternoon energy burst! I don’t suggest doing this practice in the evening because it’s designed to be energizing. You’ll find the video here. You can also read a blog post about morning routines here for a little more information.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing at least one of these routines each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: Five Pandemic Running Pet Peeves. Friday I’ll share how to ease back into running after an illness — which is a little different from coming back from injury..

February at its best: 2/1 – 7 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 43 Comments

There was nothing remarkable about this week — except for the fact that my mom got her first vaccine. Otherwise, pretty much same old, same old. February is doing what February does best: cold, gray, and snowy. Although I’d still say despite that we’re “enjoying” a somewhat mild Winter.’

I have to admit I don’t really quite remember what I did when in the beginning of the week — it was mainly Yoga, walking, and a little shoveling. I ran three times this week, and even squeezed in a short full body ST session yesterday.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and easing slowly back into running.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (90 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (90 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (90 min), 2 TM Miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Shoveling
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, PB ST (10 minutes)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 2 miles very easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 6.5 (+3.25)

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

Wednesday Intention: work on endurance
Still on the treadmill. I took a “fun” run — seriously, Peloton has to rename these. Every “fun” run I’ve taken is speedwork, and I go in intending to take it easy and then don’t. I did love the 60s soundtrack!

Unfortunately I had to battle wind & of course the sun came out later

Friday Intention: fresh air + a little further
Why yes, I did finally venture outside for a run. It was a lot warmer than it’s going to be next week, although the winds were definitely fierce. Since my Garmin is set to run/walk intervals I just went with that. I was hoping the forecast flurries would fall during my run (and not the Wintry mix, also in the forecast), but there was just wind. No black ice, though, so very happy about that.

Trying to find the beauty in Winter but it’s a Charlie Brown shrub! We need to take a hint from the plants: rest up now to be ready to bloom in Spring.

Sunday Intention: early start (if not snowing) + ease back on distance
Met my intention completely. Much colder than Saturday, but no wind for the win. Running from my house very short distances — so much easier than getting in a long run. It would be hard to run long in my neighborhood in Winter. I was not nearly as tired after this run as I was after Friday’s — that wind makes a big difference.

Because it’s rechargeable, I can literally use it anywhere

Favorites of the week
My new portable essential oil diffuser! I’ve been wanting this forever, but it was always sold out. I freakin’ love this thing, especially the fact that I can move it around from room to room; it’s been used in my Yoga room, the family room, and the living area (which is quite open).

I also love the AirX essential oil I bought at the same time. I’ve had a very slight nagging cough, just enough that I had to take cough medicine in the morning and evening. After the first time I started diffusing AirX I was able to stop the cough meds. I won’t say I don’t cough at all, but it’s much less.

An immunity dessert!

Add Nuun Immunity tablets to the juice and let them dissolve completely to make immunity jello.

Bandit says February is for snuggling

How are you dealing with the snow (if you have it)?

Favorite type of chocolate — dark or milk? As a kid it was milk, now it’s dark — very dark!

Signing up for any real races? Not me, not yet, I think it’ll still be a while for me.

GWY Yin Yoga Saucha

ICYMI: Yin Yoga doesn’t always get into our upper body that much, but this practice will. It targets the Small Intestine — not to mention the hips and hamstrings in addition to the upper body. We’ll be discussing Saucha (decluttering/cleanliness — you can read more about it in this post here). I really encourage you to pay attention to what feels right in your body — always important. You’ll find the video here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Five things you may or may not know about me + takeaways for you. Friday I’ll be talking a little about one of our most important muscles. Can you guess which one it is?

Commencement: 1/25 -31 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 46 Comments

As in let the runs commence. A little, anyway. For much of January we had decent Winter running. Not too cold (mostly), not to snowy (mostly). Unfortunately I also wasn’t feeling up to running. Naturally now that I am, we’ve already had snow & bitter cold & a Nor’Easter maybe on the way — my return to running commenced with treadmill runs.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and #alltheyoga + return to running.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (60 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (90 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Yoga (90 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 1.5 TM, Yoga (30 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (90 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (60 min), 1.75 with 4 x 20 sec strides TM, dragging Bandit? (well, we’ll see if he wants to walk, because it’s been a few days and likely to be a few more), Yoga (15 min)

Running Mileage: 3.25 (+3.25)

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

Just a wee bit chilly (and windy)

Friday Intention: take it easy!
I took to the treadmill — see the temps above! — and figured I’d do an easy 2 miles. Peloton really doesn’t have easy or recovery run as an option, so I just chose a progression run and kept my pace slow. It actually felt pretty good, but I started to feel tired (I didn’t take any walk breaks!) at 1.5 miles so I called it quits there. I didn’t even break a sweat! 

I suppose I could have chosen a run/walk workout, but I’m happy with my choice.

Sunday Intention: easy + a little further?
While it’s a little warmer, 11F is hardly warm. I did go a little further (not much!), I kept the pace slow, and I discovered Peloton does have a few recovery runs. That darn lack of a search feature! Anyway, I found some, I did one, and I just adjusted to my needs. I broke a tiny sweat, LOL! And there were no DOMs from my first run a couple of days before.

Favorites of the week
My sister has pulled the plug on the FL move. A long story. They still plan to move, but not in 2021 (although who really knows?). While I feel badly for her, I have to admit it takes a huge weight off my shoulders.

Somehow I missed season 3 of Outlander on Netflix, and season 4 was recently released. I’m set for what to watch for a while. I’m a huge fan of the series (as in the books).

Did you read the Outlander books, or get introduced to it on Netflix?

Obsessed with time travel themed books/movies? I always have been!

What is your favorite genre to read? Not sure I have a favorite. I’m open to most things!

GWY Yin Yoga Ahimsa (1)

ICYMI: This longer Yin Yoga practice is going to help you get into everywhere a runner needs to get into! We’ll also be focusing on loving kindness, or the Yama Ahimsa. You’ll find the video here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m recapping January. There wasn’t much running, but there was still a fair amount of movement. Friday I’ll be grabbing some hot chocolate & meeting up virtually with some other bloggers here — join us!.

A week of creativity: 1/18 – 24 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

Even though I felt even better most of this week, there were a few days I didn’t. Very annoying. Even more annoying? I managed to tweak something in my dominant arm shoulder, not once, but twice! After a lot of SMR (self myofascial release), both times, the pain quickly went away — although it took some working on!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and still not running. Yoga + walking to keep the body moving.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (10 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (10 min), Yoga (15 min)

Running Mileage: 0 (NC)

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

Still not running

Thanks for giving me a reason to be creative, Liz!

Favorites of the week
I had fun drawing Liz’s cats for my Happy Birthday sign for her. Thanks, Cari @ Travelingwithcari for the heads up and glad you had a good birthday, Liz!

I made chicken soup yesterday from the bones of a chicken we cooked. Nothing quite like home made chicken soup on a very cold day!

We split the certificate so not all the chocolate stuff was mine!

We also finally used a gift certificate our SIL had given us for hannukah. Above is our haul.

GWY Web Logo

ICYMI, I did a soft launch on my Yoga Website here. Yes, a second blog. Some freebies. Still a work in progress, in fact hoping today to set up a Yin Yoga FAQ page to link up to all the short videos I’ve been created on that. Not being as active gave me the time I needed to work on that, and it was a lot of work — even though I used to design Websites as a living! That was a long, long time ago though. They were much simpler back then.

Have  you ever tried to run two blogs simultaneously?

How would you fill your time if you weren’t able to run?

What would you love to do, career wise,  other than your current job?

GWY Meditation for Unity

ICYMI: Before the inauguration I felt called to do a Facebook Live, leading a meditation for unity. I’ll help you move your body a little first so you can relax. guide you through a healing meditation, and we’ll spend a little time in gratitude. You’ll find the video here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m sharing six favorites from 2020. Yes, 2020 was challenging in so many ways, but there were good things that came out of it, too. Always better to focus on the positive. Friday it’s time to get a few things off my chest at the runfessional here — join us!.

Down but not out: 1/11 – 17 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

No running; still tired, but walking every day. This should be a pretty short post!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and still not running. Yoga + walking to keep the body moving.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)

Running Mileage: 0 (-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

Zero, zip, nada

Look closely; you can just see my red pajama bottoms Bandit’s snuggling up against

Favorites of the week
There have been more snuggles with Bandit. One day he actually snuggled with me a long time, but since then he’s mostly back to “I’ll lay on you when I want something from you” mode.

When I get up Bandit’s quick to claim the warm spot

Despite the extremely gray week, it was somewhat warm (for Winter) and mostly not too windy. In other words, good running weather for Winter — except Saturday, when we had a wintry mix. Although I don’t think I had COVID, I did get tested on Friday. Not sure when I’ll visit my mom again, but I just felt I had to make sure before I did. Still waiting on results.

I have definitely not been a complete couch potato, but I did finish up Bridgerton on Netflix. Lovely costumes, attractive actors, beautiful sets. If you’re looking for something light, you might enjoy this.

I’m also in the middle of Tiny Pretty Things, also on Netflix, which is pretty much a complete 180 from Bridgerton. It’s about high school aged ballet dancers at a fancy ballet school in Chicago, and opens with a mystery about who pushed one of the dancers off the roof.

It’s pretty dark, and lots of sex, but the mystery is interesting and the dancing is great. If you enjoy ballet, you might like this.

Finally we watched One Night in Miami on Amazon Prime last night. It was interesting and I’d recommend it.

What do you do when you feel stiff & achy?

Seen the sun lately?

Watching anything good on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

gwy banish aches

ICYMI: Movement is lotion — even when you’re not feeling 100%. This short practice will help you banish stiffness: when you’re sick, when you wake up — it also works as a great warmup for a longer Yoga practice. You’ll find the video here.

Coming up on Tuesday: What has the Pandemic taught me about running? Friday I hope to reveal another project I’ve been working on while I haven’t been running — but we’ll see, it’s been slow going.

God laughs at plans: 1/4 – 10 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 40 Comments

Another fresh week, another fresh start . . .or so I thought. Apparently God and I weren’t on the same page when it came to my plans for this week.

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and not off to a running start in 2021.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  3 TM miles, Dogwalk, a little touchup shoveling
  • Tuesday: Yoga (10 min), Sick day (some sort of stomach bug)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Better, still mostly resting, Noon Yoga (30 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk (rest day!)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk (rest day!)
  • Saturday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk (rest day!)
  • Sunday: Some Yoga, some MFR (myofascial release), Dogwalk if it’s not too cold for Bandit

Running Mileage: 3 (-10)

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

This was why I was on the treadmill in the AM

Monday intention: easy — but oops! speed work
It’s been a while since I ran two days in a row. If I had waited for the melting in the afternoon, I could’ve run outside, but I wanted to get done in the morning, so treadmill it was. I had planned an easy run, chose a Peloton fun run, and got sucked into speed work (some, anyway, I also just took it easy at times). Achilles felt fine.

Bandit is my sick-o-meter

Favorites of the week
There was a lot of snuggling this week. although most of the time it feels as though he wants to push me off to get the warm spot. Generally he doesn’t lay with me much, but he seems highly sensitive to when I’m not feeling good.

I had been battling something, I knew, from the beginning of the year. I had a sore throat one day, which quickly went away, and my RHR was higher than normal in general, but I usually felt okay after running (and during). In hindsight I guess I really should have rested more.

Tuesday I woke up dizzy and nauseous. It was so weird — but thankfully passed after a few hours. I wasn’t hungry — always a pretty clear sign I’m sick! As each day has gone by, I definitely feel better and better but am still tired.

It wasn’t the week I planned, but it was the week I needed. I’d been thinking about taking some time off of running — with nothing on the calendar, it seems far easier to do. My body voted yes! So much for my new goal of walking outside everyday (you can read about that here), although I only missed two days of walking this week.

Winter does give us some amazing sunsets

I was confused about my mom & the vaccines last week. They got tested (not vaccinated) last week, due to the small outbreak of cases there, and now they are open again for activities and visitors, although I am not planning to go anytime soon for obvious reasons. Happy for my mom that she can interact with more people again and eat dinner with friends.

We sometimes ate “together” (via the Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Affiliate link here) — one time we chatted for over 40 minutes during our dinner. My mom doesn’t have a smart phone, although we have tried that in the past. She also has a pretty significant palsy in her hands, and the Echo works well for her because for the most part she doesn’t have to type anything; sometimes when I’m there I adjust things.

It’s quirky, though. It comes on when it shouldn’t sometimes, and I had to turn it on and off one day this week because Alexa wasn’t responding. It turned on close captioning in the video chats when I’m pretty sure I didn’t do it, and it took a while to figure out how to turn it back off.

I wish we’d bought one while my Dad was still alive. He was so hard of hearing he could no longer talk on the phone, but with the close captioning it might have helped. Hindsight is so very 2020, right?

How is your 2021 going?

How are any new challenges/goals going?

Have you reflected on 2020 or just moved forward?

GWY Releasing 2020

ICYMI: I am reposting the meditation/journaling exercise I led on NYE in my private Yoga group (you can request to join here). Everyone needs to reflect back and look forward! You’ll find the video here. Since it was a Facebook Live, the video quality isn’t as good but it should load a lot faster.

Coming up on Tuesday: You’re familiar with SMART goals, but what about outcome vs process goals?

Bye Bye, 2020!: 12/28 – 1/3 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 39 Comments

It was that sort of week: one filled with little frustrations. Nothing big, nothing terrible, but when you pile them all on — well, I made it out of 2020 and while I know it will be a long time before we see truly good news, I am always hopeful at the start of a new year. The weather outside might be frightful, but there’s just something about turning the page to a new year that is hopeful.

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and running into 2021.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (50 min),  Dogwalk, Walk in the park
  • Tuesday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, 3ish TM miles (Peloton WU + 2010s run), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk+extra mile, PB ST (25 min), Moon Salutations (because, full moon)
  • Thursday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk (rest day!)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 7 mile LSD, Yoga (30 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (20 min), Shoveling ice off the driveway, Peloton Beatles Vol. 1 (30 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, 3 TM miles, PB ST, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 13 (NC)

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

Tuesday intention: a little speed play
I had high hopes for the 2010s run; I really liked the playlist. I don’t know why, but it was good, not great. What was great was its mix of endurance with a little speed play. What wasn’t great was how tired I felt running. 

It was nice when I started (for Winter) but got cloudy & then felt really cold!

Friday intention: add a mile (work on distance)
Paths were finally clearing out, but with more snow/ice predicted over the weekend, I knew if I wanted to add a mile today was the day. Despite the sun and almost no wind, I had great trouble getting out the door. I’d been feeling run down again this week (I think 2020 is just the year of feeling rundown for me — grateful to actually be healthy), but I felt really good on the run.

It was slow, though, because there were still patches of black ice. Teeny, tiny patches, but even walking very carefully over them I’d slide. I stayed upright. I ran some around the preserve that I parked at at the end (the rest was on a fitness path), and decided to stop and walk around and take some photos before my last mile. Which was a mistake, because the sun disappeared and it felt a lot colder.

I finished though. Unfortunately my Achilles was mildly irritated afterwards, and still tight the next morning, but with some myofascial release it felt fine. It was a little tight (not as much) again this morning, with an active rest day yeseterday, but again myofascial release had it feeling fine.

Sunday intention: recovery run
Can it really be a recovery run if it’s been a couple of days since you’re long run? Maybe better titled easy run. Actually Peloton has no recovery runs — or if they do, they’re hidden — so it was technically an endurance run (or steady state). I made it through 30 minutes and then I needed a short walk break. This run was also just ok. Well, the Peloton part, the run was fine — nothing great, nothing terrible.

I’d been here half a dozen times in the last few months; who knew there were turkeys?

Favorites of the week
Discovering the turkeys. They’re beauties, aren’t they?

Someone’s ready for dinner! As seen on the Beatles ride.

The Peloton Beatles ride (vol. 1). So much fun to sing along as a pretty good recovery ride, if you modify a bit. Loved it!

That I finally (mostly) got the Echo Show at my mom’s to work, at least to the point that we can video chat. There were several more COVID cases right before New Years, so they are back on an almost complete lockdown (getting food delivered to their apartment instead of eating in the dining room, no in person activities, no visitation).

At least my brother & I can video chat with her and brighten her day. As much as it sucks for her, I could use a little break. Supposedly vaccines will be offered next week, but we haven’t heard anything further so not sure it will happen.

Embracing virtuals again or do you have real races on the brain?

Thought about goals or a word for 2021?

Feeling hopeful with a new year?

GWY Sleep Course 4

ICYMI: Today it’s a deep relaxation practice which is similar to, but not the same as, Savasana. You’ll find it here. The Better Sleep playlist has 9 videos all aimed at helping you get a better night’s sleep. Check it out here!

Coming up on Tuesday: Looking for a challenge or two for 2021? I’ve got way more than that for you. On Friday it’s the big reveal — my word for the year!

What goes around comes around: 12/21 – 27 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

The subject refers to the snow! It warmed up on Thursday and Friday, rained, and the snow was almost all washed away. Then the temps took a dive, it immediately snowed just a bit Friday night — so much for clear places to run.

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and coasting towards the New Year.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (50 min),  Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min), Walk with a Friend
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 6 mile LSD, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), Walking around Olana, visit to mom
  • Thursday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk (rest day!)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 3 TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (40 min), PB ST (30 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (60 min), 4 miles easy, Core? (probably not, but maybe since I put it here), Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 13 (+1)

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

Finally found some real snowmen

Tuesday intention: go the distance but keep it EASY
Good thing my long runs are not very long. Because I did a long run on Sunday, and another one today. I knew Thursday and Friday would be a washout. It was going to turn very cold again on the weekend. A 6 mile run is totally doable midweek, so better to get it out of the way. I didn’t quite count on the longer walk with my friend the day before, but she’d lost her second (and last cat) so I knew she needed some support. This run was actually a couple of minutes faster than Sunday’s — I chalk that up to not having to worry about slipping on ice.

Friday intention: building up endurance
I thought I would be working on endurance again today, but when I saw a Beatles run on Peloton, I knew I had to do it! I was a bit afraid I’d be disappointed like I was with the Whitney Houston run, but I definitely enjoyed this run and I think the Beatles are great to run to. It was a 45 minute run, but it was speedwork, which I definitely hadn’t planned on. So I just used the last five minutes to walk for my cool down, since I hadn’t planned on doing a harder run today! Some random underarm chafing (not too bad thankfully).

Did Santa have a bit too much fun?

Sunday intention: now work on endurance
Cold, but no wind and sunny — a great day to run. I mostly ran without walk breaks. I walked a bit to sip some water each mile, and in the last mile, I did do a few walk breaks. Mostly positive splits, although sort of bell curve (faster, slow down, fast) — well, none of it was really fast but I was pleasantly surprised by my paces. I thought I was running a lot slower and it felt hard.

Exploring Olana in the snow. The next day the rain took care of the snow.

Favorites of the week
Glad I got in another visit to my mom, because there’s been another case so they’ll be closing visitationuntil everyone is tested again. Although they allowed visits on Christmas anyway, which seemed odd, although I get it, too. My sister and her daughter visited my mom on Christmas day, and we did a video chat with everyone using our Echos. I have not seen them in person since my birthday (February).

There’s a slight reprieve in that department: my sister was actually ready to back out of the sale of her house, but the buyer really wants their house and will wait until the summer. My sister realized that she didn’t want to travel right now, and they need to go and look at condos at some point.

Do you enjoy your holiday if you celebrate?

Any live races coming up?

Any plans for NYE? The normal for us: stay in, probably a movie. We watched several movies over Christmas. Movies that are favorites. Action movies. Christmas action movies: Die Hard, Lethal Weapon. And of course Love Actually (not action obviously, but a tradition!)

GWY Sleep Course 4

ICYMI: Today I’m releasing the final short Yin Yoga flow to help you wind down for bed. You’ll find it here. It’s paired with a Savasana video — so simple, but great to do along with some guided relaxation like I’ve got for you in this video (it’s linked up at the end of the video above). There’s one more video in the series to be released next week. I hope they’ve helped you if you’ve tried them!

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up the last month of 2020. I’m ready to embrace 2021! On Friday say hello to 2021 and join the blogger coffee date here.

How Lucky We Are: 12/14 – 20 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 29 Comments

I spent some quality time with my treadmill this week. As I type this, there were two treadmill runs. Will there be a third? You’ll have to read on to find out.

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and coasting towards the New Year.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk/short hike through the woods
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 3 TM miles, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), PB ST (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (60 min), 3 TM miles, Shoveling roughly 60 min, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Dogless Dogwalk (too cold & wet for Bandit), PB ST (25 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (40 min), Dogless Dogwalk (still — I’m pretty sure Bandit would’ve balked at 19F with some snow still on the road; we have been playing/training with him to help him from missing his walks too much)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 6 miles easy, Short, Snowy Dogwalk (Bandit says Yay!), Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 12 (+1)

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

Tuesday intention: keep it steady
I did think about running outside, despite the crazy wind giving it a real feel of teens. In the end I chose the mill and Peloton Whitney Houston run + warmup due to time. So much faster not having to get into and out of all the layers.

As much as I love Whitney, I wasn’t in love with running to her. The playlist was good, but I don’t think I’d do this run again. I kept it relatively slow and steady, doing my own thing mainly because I knew that’s what I needed today. Arm still a little sore but almost back to normal.

Thursday intention: building up endurance
I thought I might do the Peloton Bon Jovi run today, but I settled on an endurance run — proud to say I ran about 35 minutes straight, no walking breaks. This was the second run I’ve done on Peloton that used only instrumental music, and I find I really like that. I took it nice and easy — as the snow was really coming down,  I knew I’d need to save something for the shoveling later in the day.

Never know what you’ll see outside

Sunday intention: stay upright
It actually wasn’t that hard to stay upright. I wore screw shoes, but they really weren’t needed. Better safe than sorry. It still felt really hard. Because . . . Winter and all the layers and heavy clothes. Pace was on the slow side and all over the place, but not terrible in the end. I found about halfway the chorus from several Hamilton songs, “How lucky I am to be alive right now” popped into my head and I felt better.

One last walk through the woods before they were buried in snow

Favorites of the week
We took Bandit to one of the nearby preserves for a quick walk through the woods — because winter is coming (and come it did).

Saved the last carrots before the snow

I pulled the last of the carrots before the snow, too. They needed a little more time but I wouldn’t be wading through two feet of snow to pull them. As Mr. Judy was dumping the soil from the grow bags, he discovered I had 2 other small potatoes growing. I have since learned that if I cooked them before they thawed, they would have been okay. I guess they’re compost now.

And cooked up the garden’s potatoes — they were tasty!

I could have had more if I’d known I could use my little frozen potatoes, but oh well, live and learn.

I’m going to have to research if you can get it to bloom at other times of the year; they really are lovely — and low maintenance. My kind of plant.

Our Christmas cactus — which we thought was a Thanksgiving cactus due to the shape of its leaves — is beginning to put on its show.

Any recent garden fails/saves?

Looking forward to the COVID vaccine?

What are you most looking forward to this week? Just a normal week for me!

GWY sleep 1

ICYMI: Last week it was all about short practices to change your energy (you can see them all at this playlist here); this week it’s all about better sleep! Today is the first two videos in a whole series of short practices to help you wind down for bed. You’ll find it here. The good news is that these Yin Yoga practices will also help quickly stretch you out after a run/workout. There are four short Yin Yoga practices, three meditations, a Savasana video, and a longer, deep relaxation video — yes, I’ve been working on this for a while! Keep an eye out on my Facebook page to see when new videos are released (or subscribe here to my YouTube channel).

Coming up on Tuesday: My opinion on the Peloton Beginner 5k Course. Friday it’s time for the last Runfessional of 2020 here! I’m sure we’ve all got something to get off our chest before 2021. If I don’t see you there, for everyone celebrating, I hope you have a great holiday.