Hamilton Touring: 7/13 – 19 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 42 Comments

We got even further out of our neighborhood this week with a small day trip. The dogs and I enjoyed it, anyway. Mr. Judy enjoyed the ice cream.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and getting lucky with the weather for my runs this week. Mostly.

Workouts update

  • Monday:  3.24 non technical trail miles, Yoga (20 min), Pilates Arms (10 min)
  • Tuesday: Daytrip — not super taxing but roughtly 10k steps when all was said & done & a good mental boost
  • Wednesday: 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min), Pilates Arms (10 min)
  • Thursday: Dogwalk , SB Intervals + Arms (30 min)
  • Friday: Dogwalk, Abs (10 min)
  • Saturday:  7 mile LSD, Yoga (30 min)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min), SB (20 min), Pilates (30 min)

Mileage: 13.24 (-.1.5)

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

#allthebugs

Monday: intention — attention to breath & foot turnover
Well, that was the intention. Except it was so buggy that this short run was actually torturous. The upside was that I ran faster trying to get it over. The downside is I can’t easily run that pace using nasal breathing — but you do what you gotta do. 

I ate my post run snack (which was basically breakfast) outside afterward, but because of the bugs, it just wasn’t pleasant. 

He tried to blend into the tree

Wednesday: pick it up + breath attention (always)
I worried that I got out too late & would need the cooling towel I didn’t take. I knew it was cooler — but how long would the sun stay hidden? Thankfully the entire run. This was the nicest day I’ve had to run in a month!

I took advantage of that to consciously pick up the pace. It was still slow, of course, but a steady first two miles and slightly faster the last mile. I had to breath through my mouth on some of my walk breaks & my V02 Max remains stuck, but I’m ok with both!

This guy stayed put as I ran past him twice, and I swear he was still in the same place when I walked the dogs this morning!

Saturday: intention — time on my feet, taking it easy
Friday was so nice and cool (mid 60s — I actually wore a hoodie to walk the dogs), I wished I’d felt up to running Friday morning. I haven’t been sleeping great for a few weeks — due to heat & dogs — and I knew I was better served by a rest day.

It wasn’t really quite that hot — but it felt like it was!

Saturday was relentlessly sunny, but thankfully the humidity hadn’t been turned on yet, and I chose a route that had a fair amount of shade. This was a surprisingly strong run, relatively steady, with the last mile being the fastest.

I took it relatively easy because of the heat and sun, but while certainly not fast, it was quite a bit faster than most of my long runs have been recently — despite more walk breaks when I felt like it.

We all explored a sculpture garden

Favorites of the week
We headed out and about on Tuesday — the heat had subsided briefly, and I needed to escape from home! Other than going to my mom, the last time we went anywhere further than our town was 8 months ago.

*I* had a lovely time. Mr. Judy tolerated it (although I think the ice cream at the end helped). The dogs did quite well. I think Lola’s serious hiking days are over, though (there were no serious hikes on this trip).

I had downloaded the Hamilton soundtrack to play as we drove. Which was a lovely bit of synchronicity, as we drove through Schuylerville and close to Philip Schuyler’s (Eliza Hamilton’s father) house — I knew the house was closed, although unsure of the grounds, so we didn’t stop there. Maybe another time.

Lettuce, Chard, Squash, Beets, Scallions & Parsley

We got our first CSA (community supported agriculture) box this week. Mr. Judy will need to step up his veggie consumption!

Not always easy doing Yoga around the dogs!

A impromptu photoshoot on the Yoga platform. Bandit was briefly my Yoga buddy again this week when it was cooler. When it’s hotter he comes and checks on me, but doesn’t hang out with me.

So you or have you done a CSA? 

What was your last daytrip? 

Got a non-DEET bug spray that actually works?  I’m still looking.

Divine Unity Meditation

ICYMI: You’ll need a mirror for this 15ish minute meditation. If you’ve been feeling scattered, alone, and unconnected, this meditation should be a lovely practice. Excuse the skirt. Last time I’ll film a video in skirt! Watch it here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Dealing with fear. On Friday I’m thinking about ways you can make hard runs more fun. Don’t forget that Skirt Sports is selling off its inventory, so check out the sale here — inventory & prices are decreasing!

Newsflash: It’s not always fun

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 16 Comments

bfun

Wendy @ Takingthelongwayhome recently made the comment of why do it if it’s not fun (or words to that effect) when she decided to drop down from a 50k to a half.

This is not a rebuttal to Wendy’s post — we all have our reasons for training or not training, for skipping runs or not, for dropping distances. Hers were very valid! You can read it here. It did, however, spark the idea for this post.

Fairytales and Fitness

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Some days I’m really glad I’m not training for anything

Some days it’s just not fun
I’ve been getting out there earlier and earlier this Summer. Mostly it’s been hot & humid & it’s just what I had to do to make my runs more funcomfortable.

I made the decision early on during this Pandemic to do my utmost to run outside — unless there was truly dangerous weather or real stay-at-home orders were enacted. So far, so good.

It isn’t always fun, though. I do my best to get out on the most runner-friendly days of the weeks, but most of us have been experiencing an unseasonably hot Summer, and even upstate NY is not immune.

There have been days it’s so buggy I must look like an insane person while swatting constantly. There are days that have been so hot|sunny|humid — or worse yet, all three! — that I feel as though an elderly grandmother using a walker could pass me.

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I keep running because some days I end with a smile on face

So WHY am I out there anyway?
I say it frequently on this blog: your why is the most important thing in anything you choose to do. It’s what will keep you motivated. It’s what keeps the tough going when the going gets tough.

I am out there because I don’t want to break up with running. Oh sure, some days for sure I do want to break up with running. Ultimately, though, I want to keep running the rest of my life — even if I am never able to race again.

Running has taught me so much, has made me so much stronger, has shown me that I am stronger than I think I am. I hope to keep adding states to my tour of the States eventually. It’s all part and parcel of why I keep running, even when it’s not fun.

More about MY why:

Just Keep Running
Some days it won’t be fun. Some runs you’ll think running is really stupid and ask yourself why you’re torturing yourself this way. The answer is simple: because some days running is just what the doctor ordered. Some days you’ll feel like you can conquer the world because you ran.

Keep running through the bad runs so you can run through the great runs. — Chocolaterunsjudy

What is your WHY?

Has your why changed because of the pandemic?

Have you ever considered hanging up your running shoes? Have you ever actually done it?

 

It all adds up

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 23 Comments

badds up

You don’t have to spend an hour — or more — at a time to get fit. In fact, I would argue that if you work out for an hour, then sit on your butt the rest of the day, you’re probably losing more fitness than you’re gaining.

It’s much easier to fit in 10 minutes than a full hour. It can be a lot harder than you think, too!

Fitness here . . . fitness there . . .
I’m know Mr. Judy isn’t fond of when I pace around the house (although the dogs have pretty much gotten used to that). I try to pay attention to when my Garmin tells me it’s time to move.

Sure, there are times (plenty of them!) that I ignore it, but for the most part, I’ll get up and walk around until my move bar is cleared.

blittle bursts

A little bit goes a long way
I’m really fond of sprinkling fitness throughout the day, rather than one big chunk at a time. Yoga in the morning. Or a run. Maybe some stationary bike action before lunch. Strength training or core work or Pilates in the afternoon.

With the exception of running, a lot of these things may take only 10-20 minutes. Almost everyone has a 10 minute break here and there throughout their day. You’ll feel more energized if you move through it.

All those little 10 minute bouts of fitness? They add up. They also keep your metabolism humming along much better than going hard for an hour and then sitting the rest of the day.

gwy 21D bed
It feels great to stretch out before you even get up!

It starts when you wake up
On the rare occasions Mr. Judy is up before I am, I take advantage of it to stretch out before I even leave my bed. As I wait for my tea to steep first thing in the morning, I’m doing pushups against my counter and squats. Gotta break up that fascia when you get up! For more on fascia, see this post here.

Even 5 minutes is better than nothing
You may think that you can’t break a sweat in just 5 minutes. There are lots of 5 minute workouts out there that can change your mind! No gym? No problem.

YouTube is overflowing with free fitness videos. Check out Marcia’s YouTube Channel here. Check out Pahla B’s YouTube Channel here . And search for her Hot 100 series from a couple of years ago — they’re short, but they’re not easy! The Peloton App here is chock full of short (and long) workouts! It’s not free, but it can be free for 30 days. Of course there is my own channel which you’ll find here.

Do you try to sprinkle fitness throughout your day? 

Do you think short workouts can still be hard?

What’s your best tip for getting fitness into your day? 

btuesdaytopics

Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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The one where I leave my neighborhood: 6/6 – 7/12 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 32 Comments

Obviously I have left my neighborhood: to shop, to see my mom, to take Lola to the vet. This week was the first week in many that I took one of my runs out of the neighborhood.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing pushing through the heat this week.

Workouts update

  • Monday:  4.72 non technical trail miles, Yoga (34 min)
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, SB Lady Gaga (30 min), Pilates (8 min), Yoga (30 min)
  • Wednesday: 3 miles easy, Pilates (Booty) + Peloton Crush Your Core (15 min) Shot Yoga Video (60 min),
  • Thursday: Dogwalk , Pilates (30 min), Yoga (15 min)
  • Friday: 7 mile LSD — that’s all she wrote, folks!
  • Saturday:  Dogwalk, SB (15 min), Pilates Arms + Abs (20 min)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min), Pilates Legs (10 min), SB planned for later

Mileage: 14.72 (+.72)

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

It’s a lovely, but short, path

Monday: intention — easy recovery run
For the first time in months, I got in the car and drove somewhere to run. I’m signed up for a virtual series of trail runs this month, with the swag being a bowl or mug at the end (hence the odd mileage for this run). One of my friends is running the series with me (not literally with me, though).

I took it to one of my favorite non technical trails, which is by a river. There’s a lot of grass around most of it, so I knew even if it was busy I could just step aside (as I did several times).

Eating my post run snack looking out over the water . . . heaven

This run was enjoyable (always love running by water) and felt really tough at the same time. It’s a short trail, so I ran back and forth a few times. I slowed down the last two miles, and put in some extra walking the last mile because I felt just the teeniest bit light headed. Week one done.

That was a hot one — and it only got hotter as the week went on!

Wednesday: easy does it + breath attention
Despite rain predictions the night before, I laid out clothes for this morning. Very humid, yes. Also cloudy and breezy. Not so bad except for when the bugs closed in — which was about half the run. Glad I got it done so I can try to pick the best day weather-wise for my long run, not that any day this weekend is looking great.

I think he was trying to blend with the tree

Friday: intention — survive the heat
I got up earlier, but somehow I got out the same time as my long run last week. I didn’t think I was procrastinating. Or maybe it was the interrupted sleep last night that slowed me down (getting on out the door & on the run!).

I’m sure my FL friends are laughing at me. It wasn’t too humid, actually. The bugs weren’t horrible. But it was about 80 by 7 am (half an hour into the run) and the sun was relentless.

It started out not too bad, but I was definitely feeling that heat by mile 5. I chose the slightly less steep side, which helped. Not training for anything? Yup, I’m gonna walk more if I feel like it.

This was a 7 mile run (using intervals) with no big walk break in the middle though. A big slow down miles 5 & 6, but I rallied the last mile — no mile was fast, but I was faster on the last mile than miles 5 & 6. Glad I chose Friday — Saturday & Sunday were even worse humidity-wise (although there was cloud cover).

These make a great pre- or post run snack

Favorites of the week
I’ve mentioned Bobo’s Toaster Pastries before (Amazon Affiliate link here) but they’ve been a great light-ish snack before early morning runs — or after the run. They do have a lot of sugar (hello, pastry) so it’s not something I eat all the time. The nut butter ones have a little less sugar.

Not sure how she stays on there

We also got lobster rolls on Friday. We picked them up and brought them home to eat. Sorry, I didn’t take a photo. I had thought to get some for the Fourth, maybe, but that didn’t work out. It also allowed us both to go out at the same time briefly — want to make sure the dogs don’t get too used to us being around all the time.

We also watched Hamilton again, as well as a documentary about it and Lin Manuel Miranda. The documentary was interested (One Shot to Broadway on Amazon), although a little dry. I’m sure we’ll watch Hamilton at least one more time before our month is done.

I also googled if Hamilton County here in upstate NY was named after Alexander Hamilton. It was. I’d suspected as much. I then googled if Elizaville was named after Elisabeth Schulyer/Hamilton — couldn’t find out if it was. I suspect it was. A couple of years ago I read the novel My Deal Hamilton. I recommend that, too!

The things dogs do with their beds . . .

How would you caption the photo of Bandit above? 

Where would you rather run: by water? In the mountains? On the trails? On the road? Someplace I haven’t mentioned?

What animal do you see most on the run?  Really, my answer is probably birds. The rabbits are out in force this summer, though.

GWY Cooling Yin Yoga

ICYMI: The heat is on, #amiright? This Yin Yoga practice can help you cool down after a run or a vigorous workout — both literally and figuratively. Watch it here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Fitting in fitness; it’s the topic for the Tuesday Linkup here on the 28th, but since I’ll be wrapping up July then, I decided to write about that on Tuesday. On Friday I’m sharing some thoughts about running being fun. Don’t forget that Skirt Sports is selling off its inventory, so check out the sale here — inventory & prices are decreasing!

5 Hacks for Summer Running

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 16 Comments

bsummer running hacks

It seems I’ve written running tips/hacks for every season but Summer. Summer running can be really hard, but there are ways to make it at least a little more comfortable.

Fairytales and Fitness

Here are five of my tried and true running hacks for summer:

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Stick that water bottle in the freezer the night before, then top off with cold water before your run. Nothing worse than warm water on a hot run!
  1. Freeze your water bottles. I’ve shared this before, but it’s a good one: fill your water bottle halfway with water and stick it in the freezer. I generally do this as soon as I’ve used a bottle/s, so there’s always bottles ready to go. Top off with refrigerated water right before your run.
  2. Leave the top off your water bottle if . . . you do the freeze your water in the bottle trick above. Otherwise the top can freeze to the bottle and it can be difficult to open initially.
  3. Wear a cooling towel. I really do think they make a difference, and if nothing else, it is something that can wipe the sweat away.
  4. Bring more water than you think you’ll drink. Because that cooling towel can dry out really quickly — you can rewet it on the run. You can also pour a little cold water over your head (if  you’ve frozen those water bottles). I’ve tried wetting my visors — they dry out in a flash.
  5. Use anti chafing gel on bug bites. That’s on bug bites that you already have. So they don’t get irritated when they get rubbed on the run.
Cooling towels help. Rewet with your cold water on the run!

Here’s a few other ways I’ve been changing up my running routine lately:

Insulated bag to keep all that water cold if you drive to your destination
  • I keep a PackIt bag (Amazon Affiliate link here) in my freezer year round. It does a great job of keeping cold things cold (the sides are actually gel packs — no need to add any. I see they now have zip closures — that’s awesome. Mine does not, but it still does a great job. As you can see, I can fit a 21 oz water bottle in there.
  • Usually I like to drink Nuun before and after my runs (not during; I don’t like sweet things on the run). I have to get out so early that I just don’t have time to drink that much. I’ve switched to electrolyte capsules instead.
  • I used to have a fairly long, slow pre run routine when it’s cold (it might just be a form of procrastination). I would do PT exercises, Yoga if I had the time, foam roll, and then a dynamic warmup. Now it’s foam rolling and a 5-10 minute dynamic warmup (depending on how early I started). Those two are the things I think are most important before a run.
  • This isn’t a change; I just thought I’d mention it. I put calendula ointment on the bottom of my big toe and my heels before I put on my socks. It helps the skin stay moist and provides a friction barrier. Often in the Summer the bottom of my big toe would dry out so much that the skin would begin to peel!

What are your Summer running hacks?

Is your pre run routine different in the Summer than it is in the Winter?

Are you enjoying hot runs lately?

GWY Yoga Wrist Warmup

ICYMI: It’s a great idea to warm up those wrists before tackling table top, down dog, and planks. This short video is also a great midday (or anytime) stretch if you’re stuck at a desk — even at home! Especially if you do a lot of typing.  Practice with me in this short video here.

On the street where I live

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 33 Comments

bhouse names

Quite a few years ago I wrote a post about the runners I seemed to see often on the paths, and what I named them. There was Forrest Gump, of course (runner dude with a long beard) — I don’t remember the others.

My husband and I also have nicknames for some of the houses in our neighborhood.

Don’t ask me why I dubbed this Hobbit House, but it’s stuck

Hobbit House
I think this was the first house I named. It’s definitely stuck. When I’ve run, or we don’t have as much time, or Mr. Judy is walking the dogs, we’ll go to the Hobbit House. I don’t know why, but I imagine that’s what a Hobbit house would look like.

Little Dog House
The house on the corner of our block with a chain link fence used to be home to three little dogs. Getting Lola and Bandit past the running and barking dogs was always “fun”. They moved this year and the new people don’t have dogs.

Running Dog House
Running Dog house is opposite little dog house. There’s a fairly young golden? Irish setter? that lives there. The minute he sees us coming, he’s usually running his fence line. Another house where it can be fun getting Lola & Bandit past without waking up the neighborhood — especially when the little dogs were out, too.

Cat Lady’s House
That’s where second Bandit lived. Yup, she had a fearless cat named Bandit. We almost died laughing when we finally found out his name. She had all sorts of cat stuff on her front door patio, which is why I called it Cat Lady’s house. Turns out she inherited Bandit from someone else in the neighborhood, and she’s since moved & found Bandit a new home in the neighborhood. So she really wasn’t a cat lady after all but we still call it Cat Lady’s House. Never judge a book by its cover!

Rabbit House
I recently dubbed a house on our “route” rabbit house after there were three bunnies there one day, a couple the next. Apparently the rabbits like to move around, as I don’t see them there anymore. Our neighbor’s house became Second Rabbit House when I saw rabbits there several days in a row — culminating in 5 bunnies one day! That’s the most I’ve ever seen on one lawn at a time. Apparently they’ve moved off to greener pastures, too.

Do you think they’d mind if I helped myself to some?

Tomato House
These people have their garden all along their driveway. Lots of tomato plants, hence the name.

As you can see, many of the house names revolve around animals. It’s kind of a short hand between us: I can tell Mr. Judy to walk the dogs to the Hobbit House, or even just go to little dogs house (even though there are no longer little dogs there).

Do you have “pet” names for the houses in your neighborhood? 

Do you have some sort of verbal shorthand with your SO?

Are you going to start thinking about naming houses in your neighborhood now? 

btuesdaytopics

Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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It’s Getting Hot in Here. . . : 6/29 – 7/5 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

. . . Again!

The heat wave is coming, and it heated up this week culminating in a horribly humid Friday with quite the short storm that night. Lucky for me that ushered in nicer weather for my virtual race the next day.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and finishing my annual Fourth of July race virtually this year.

Workouts update

  • Monday:  3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min), SB (20 min), Pilates (30 min)
  • Wednesday: 3 miles easy, Dogwalk,  Arms (20 min), Yoga (20 min),
  • Thursday: Dogwalk , Pilates (30 min), Yoga (15 min)
  • Friday: Dogwalk
  • Saturday:  Virtual Firecracker 4 (1 mile WU, 4 miles race, walking back up hill 2.5 miles, 3 mile CD), Pilates (20 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk, something more at some point . . .

Mileage: 14 (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

This week it was celebrating seniors

Monday: intention — easy recovery run
This was the earliest I’ve gotten out so far! The rain had cooled things off, too. My focus this week was the graduating class decorations. A decent run, although legs felt heavy. I managed to squeeze in Yoga outside in between rainstorms for the win — but did I mention I got poured on on the run? It’s all good, a warm rain is almost always welcome.

Senior display complete with lights!

Wednesday: truly easy run
I kind of kicked myself for not making today my virtual 4th of July race. Cloudy, cool, just a touch humid — perfect weather for a Summer race. They’d predicted rain in the morning (it did eventually start, after my run) and possible thunderstorms. So 4th of July it will be. Nothing terribly memorable about this run — not always a bad thing.

Catching an eagle & fireworks on the 4th (LOL!). You better believe I ran through every sprinkler I could!

Saturday: intention — Virtual Firecracker 4; pay attention to turnover, breathing, and push a little
My “training” (aka my dry run last week) helped me prepare pretty well for today’s long run + virtual race. I got out fairly early, but of course not as early as I wanted to, mostly because I didn’t want to get up at 4 am — which is probably what I would’ve done had I run the real race.

I took an easy warm up mile. Then I (mostly) ran downhill for 4 miles, although I won’t lie: there were quite a few photo breaks on this run. Which might explain why it was 3 minutes’ faster than last week’s dry run. Overall it was the slowest time for this race, which is hardly surprising. Almost negative splits, and the last mile (with the steep hill) was the fastest mile I’ve seen in a while.

Walked back uphill 2.5 miles (I tracked it this time — just curious). Then I finished with a cool down of 3 miles. Yes, 8 miles running (but not consecutively) + 2.5 miles walking. I lucked out because the cloud cover held almost the entire time I was out there. Not long after I finished it there was not a cloud in the sky. In fact, I finished around the time the race would have normally started.

Love this Skirt Sports top for all the pockets (including this cleavage alley pocket)
My Garmin went nuts on the floors again. I mean, it was a hilly course, but still!

 

Bandit is always happy when I’m back
I know my mom wouldn’t be happy with this photo, but it was good to see her

Favorites of the week
I went to see my mom again this week, by myself. No dog drama, still many hours in the car, but always good to see her. Feels so wrong not to hug her, but I’m grateful that where she lives has kept her so safe through all of this.

I liked the Boco face mask

Bandit has officially been with us 4 years now. I joke it seems like 10. He is not the easiest of dogs, but thankfully has become so much easier with time.

Poor Bandit being tortured by Mr. Judy for a cute photo

It kills me that had he had better care in his first two homes, he could have been an awesome dog. The first owner — well, we won’t go into that. His second owner loved him, but she didn’t give him the structure and discipline dogs need to feel secure. Maybe it was also her husband, she was getting divorced and couldn’t keep her animals, which was how we ended up with Bandit at 8 years old.

He usually only lays with me if I’m sick or he wants something, but occasionally he snuggles — for like a minute

No one meeting him now would ever suspect the dog he was in the beginning. Mr. Judy posted a photo talking about 4 years of begging — only in the first few months it was a struggle to get him to eat at all — I guess I have a longer memory!

Once in a while he still goes on a short hunger strike, but they’re fewer and farther between. Most of the time he spends his days begging for pretty much anything — cucumber or steak, it almost doesn’t seem to matter!

Lola is our old girl now, though (and most of the doghair in the photo is from Bandit — our first short hair dog is also the worst offender when it comes to shedding)

Thanks to Coco @ Runningwithperserverance, I got the bee in my bonnet about Disney+ and Hamilton. Except we don’t have cable, we have a TV, a Tivo, and antenna and that’s it. Thanks to Mr. Judy we were able to sign up and watch it yesterday. He got Disney+ on his laptop and connected it to our TV. We both enjoyed it!

How did you celebrate the Fourth (if you do)? 

Have you seen Hamilton?  Do you want to?

If you adopted your furkid, do you celebrate their adoptaversary?  Bandit’s is easy to remember. It was July 3rd.

GWY Heart's Desire Meditation

ICYMI: Are you pondering life’s big questions, like why are you here? This short meditation will calm and ground you, and get you in touch with your heart’s desire. Watch it here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Do you have pet names for the houses in your neighborhood? We do! On Friday I’ll share some of my Summer running hacks and how I’m adapting to the Summer heat. Don’t forget that Skirt Sports is selling off its inventory, so check out the sale here — inventory & prices are decreasing!

The grass is always greener: Tea/coffee Date July 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 30 Comments

btea720

Ultimate-Coffee-Date-1-300x300

Pull up a chair and mug with Coco and Deborah and me for the ultimate coffee tea date: I’m sharing how I finally used the dogs picking up habits (usually the bad ones) to my advantage this month.

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Better together? Or not?????

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you Lola occasionally has gagging/coughing attacks. They’re generally gone within 24 hours. Usually when I notice her having issues, I give her something for allergies, and it seems to help. I forgot to do that with her most recent episode, and paid the price with her waking us up at midnight coughing.

I also have cough medicine for her. Unfortunately she hates it. Even mixed with a little honey. Although apparently mixed with a little tuna works.

The funny part is we were trying to give her some before bed the next day. Bandit was there, tail going. So what the heck, I thought, I’ll give him a little, and sure enough, he liked it. The really funny part was after seeing Bandit eat it, Lola deigned to lick some without me having to try and smear it on her mouth.

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you sometimes my Garmin just loses its mind. I don’t know why. Sometimes it’s a bogus heart rate reading. Other times, like last week, it tells me that I’ve climbed 50 flights of stairs. Before noon. Twice! I can assure you I didn’t. My run was a little hilly, but nothing out of the ordinary. I swear it’s possessed some days!

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Sunshine & no clouds — not what I want to see on a Summer run!

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you in the Winter I long for sun. In the Summer, I pray for clouds! I can’t tell you how good cloud cover feels when it’s hot and humid outside — and how good sun feels on a very cold day.

#neversatisfied

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you thankfully our backyard isn’t too buggy, but I got some bites when I visited with my friend last week. On my hip. An area that’s sure to rub.

Then I got a brilliant idea: why not put my anti chafing gel on it? It definitely does seem to help. I swear I only seem to get bites in places that are sure to rub.

Do your furkids imitate each other?

Figured out a new running hack lately (or life hack, I guess!)? 

Do you care about sunshine & cloud cover? 

I am also linking up with:

I am also linking up with the  Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness from Fairytales & Fitness.

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Let’s Lift Each Other Up: June 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 26 Comments

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The weather in June was all over the place. Mostly lovely, so I can’t complain. A couple of weekends were so chilly that one day I had to take my Yoga inside. Then it heated up quickly! Luckily I picked the right spot for my Yoga platform. It’s nice and shady and even on days in the low 90s I am comfortable back there.

Now the ants are a different story . . .

I am taking a break from stronger lyrics (strong is my word for 2020), but “Hey Girl” from Lady Gaga & Florence Welch (a song not familiar to me) caught my eye — I thought it was a good message for the times.

Hey girl, hey girl
We can make it easy if we lift each other
Hey girl, hey girl
We don’t need to keep on one-in’ up another

Although aimed at women, it’s a good message for everyone. Stop tearing people down to make yourself feel better. We all rise together.

Chasing rainbows & trying to stay cool (literally)

Getting in scheduled runs
I’m still happy with 3 x week for the forseeable future. It gives me more time for my stationary bike, strength training, and Yoga. I kept thinking I would go a little longer for my long run, but then someone turned the thermostat to hot and humid.

Grade Earned:  A

Recording my runs
Maybe this sections just needs to go away . . . like many of us think about 2020.

Grade Earned: F

Dynamic Warmup
I’ve been doing good with a pre-, and usually a post-run stretch, thanks to Peloton.

Grade Earned: A+

Foam Rolling
I’ve been exploring a lot of new things, so I’m back to foam rolling only before I run. I know my body would be very happy if I tried for more again. It still needs to be a goal!

Grade Earned: B

Nutrition
Mostly good. The extreme heat towards the end of the month had me not so hungry. Definitely room for improvement though. Isn’t there always?

Grade Earned: B

Support

  • Massage? Nope. We all know why.
  • Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
  • Do I need a hair appointment? While we can get haircuts again, my hairdresser is actually opening a new salon. Which hasn’t happened yet. It’s braid season; I can wait.

Grade Earned: F

Yoga inside, outside, plus stationary cycling & more!

Cross Training
Running less means I have more time for other fitness activities, which I enjoy. Yet it still seems as though there’s not enough hours in a day to get everything done!

Grade Earned: A+

June 2020  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. A couple of Fs again, but mostly June was a decent month.

June Goals:

  • Continue exploring Peloton App. Y. There’s a lot to love, but there are some things I’m not as fond of. Nothing’s perfect, right?
  • Continue running 3 x week. Y. I also made an effort to keep those runs outside — it wasn’t easy when the second half of the month was stacked with heat waves but I persevered.
  • Set an intention for each run. Y.  I like to work towards goals, and since I don’t actually have a running goal right now, having an intention for every run gives me a “goal” (read more about intentions here).
  • Continue almost daily foam rolling. N. I foam rolled before my runs. That’s all.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is basically in maintenance mode, and that’s okay.
  • Explore a Backbend Course Y/N. As I wrote last month, I couldn’t find a specific build to Wheel course. I should have just modified this goal to work on strengthening my arms and core — which I did. I have a feeling that it will take a lot longer than a month, and may not be a pose that works for me. We’ll talk again at the end of the year.
  • Take the tests for the online Reiki course I’m taking. N. I am taking a meditation course in July. I’m still practicing Reiki on myself, and when I have time/remember, the dogs. Even occasionally Mr. Judy.

Which leads me to July Goals:

  • Continue exploring Peloton App. I haven’t tried a meditation yet. I’ve only done one Yoga class. Then there’s the Artist series that Kim @ Kookyrunner turned me on to.
  • Continue running 3 x week. If it ain’t broke . . .
  • Set an intention for each run. I enjoy this goal!
  • Learn more about meditation. I’ve been meditating for several years. I enjoy creating meditations for my YouTube channel (here). I’d been looking into meditation teacher trainings — but when someone I’d been following offered a shorter (30 hour) , discounted course, I signed up. Hopefully I’ll be adding more meditations with what I learn.
  • Extend either a weekday or long run. I will admit, summer running is not my jam. I have extended some weekday runs. I’d like to run a little longer for my long runs, but I just haven’t been feeling it with the weather.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. I think this is another permanent goal.
  • Complete virtual July 4th race. This may not happen in July — it might have even already happened! 

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Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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Raindrops are falling on my head: 6/22 – 28 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

We had some really nice weather this week once it cooled down, so I was back outside as much as I could be.

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Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and my training for the next virtual race.

Workouts update

  • Monday:  3 miles easy, Yoga (40 min), Legs (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, Pink Cycling (30 min), Yoga (50 min)
  • Wednesday: 4 miles with 6 x 20ish strides, Dogwalk,  Arms (20 min), Yoga (20 min),
  • Thursday: Dogwalk , Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: 7 mile LSD (1 mile WU, 4 miles practice virtual race, 3 miles walking uphill, 2 mile CD), Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min), SB Show Tunes Pride (30 min), probably core later

Mileage: 14 (+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

Today’s rainbow was my new suncatcher — it came from France!

Monday: intention — easy recovery run — like, super easy!
Although it didn’t feel easy, but it wasn’t horrible, either. I got out earlier, which helped, although of course not as early as I’d planned. I scratched the fartlek and slightly longer run idea in favor of bowing to the weather gods and just taking it easy. Considering the day’s high ended up being 93F, I think that was the right move!

Close up. The light was nice.

Wednesday: intention — pay attention to foot turnover during strides
I got out later than intended (what’s new) but that was mostly because I was debating between treadmill (potential for thunderstorms) and running outside. So glad I #optedoutside — the thunderstorms missed us, and with the cloud cover, it was almost pleasant.

I almost didn’t do the strides at the end; I heard a crack of thunder as I headed back home. I never heard more thunder, it didn’t seem to be darkening (although the wind picked up — which was actually nice!), and since I do them in front of my house, I felt fairly certain I could just head on in if need be. I did forget abut the foot turnover until the last two strides . . . oh well. Another decent run.

Another fountain in the works. It’s been changed, but there are some creative differences going on. Stay tuned.

Friday: intention — dry run for Virtual Firecracker 4
I learned from last week’s long run and took more water with me. I did a dry run for my virtual Fourth of July race (it might actually be the race, we’ll see).

1 mile warm up, 4 miles mostly downhill. Walked about 3 miles back up the very steep hills, then finished up with a 2 mile cool down. Not gonna lie, those last 2 miles were tough. Probably because it was 9 am already.

The weather was really nice for a change (which is why this might be the race I report). I pretended I was hiking in OR (my race would’ve been there yesterday, I would hopefully have met Laurie @ MeditationsinMotion). Ah well, it was not meant to be.
This run was pretty strong and pretty consistent. I didn’t push (well, maybe a tiny bit) but let the downhills carry me down. Right now the Fourth actually looks like good weather, but we all know how that can change!
Animal sightings: groundhog and maybe a bald eagle. I didn’t think it was big enough. I’ve never seen one this close to home. But it was quite large and it had a white head . . .

Lola likes to check out what’s going on on the Yoga platform.

Favorites of the week
I met up with a friend in my backyard again this week. Always good to chat with someone other than Mr. Judy!

Bandit likes to come out on the deck for lunch. He often gets some treats from our meal out there. But he likes to lay on the deck, too.
Drying out my Yoga mat

I practiced Yoga after I walked the dogs this morning. Rain was in the forecast, and yup, it sure did rain. But I chose the location of my Yoga platform wisely — it’s under a lot of tree cover. Yes, I got a little wet, but we don’t melt people! It felt great. Luckily the thunderstorms hadn’t started yet.

I did head on in for the reclined positions at the end, because my mat was getting pretty wet and I didn’t want to lay down on it. I’m still in the clothes I was wearing, 3 hours later — the Go Longer Skirt Sports skirts dry quickly! If you’re an XS or S, you’re in luck, they still have some in stock. I wear a S, but if you’re in between sizes I’d size up.

Is there a planned race you’re mourning right now? 

Spending more time in your own backyard (if you have one)? 

Ever done Yoga in the rain? 

 

GWY Yin Yoga for Mindfulness

ICYMI: I titled this practice Yin Yoga for Mindfulness, obviously, but it is definitely a great practice for runners. It’ll help you get into the fascia that tightens up so much on us. And yes, it will help you really tune into your body, too. Watch it here. This is a longer practice, so if you’re getting rained on like we are, enjoy!

Coming up on Tuesday: It’s time to wrap up June. Friday it’s time to virtually gather over the tea/coffee pot. Don’t forget that Skirt Sports is selling off its inventory, so check out the sale here — inventory & prices are decreasing!