Clear Goals: March 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 18 Comments

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Spring is a natural time to start becoming more active. Activity is really its own reward, but it doesn’t hurt to have some goals.

All good performance starts with clear goals.
— Ken Blanchard

I may not be planning a performance any time soon, but clear goals in my life are important. No clear goals leads to too much time trying to decide what to do — better known as analysis paralysis. Who wants to waste time dithering about what to do?

Getting in scheduled runs
I ran 3 x week, as planned. Even three times a week seems challenging right now! I may not work at a paid job (right now), but that doesn’t mean I don’t keep myself busy, cause I sure do!

Grade Earned:  A 

Recording my runs
Like March: started out strong, sort of petered out towards the end of the month. Again keeping myself busy with other things.

Grade Earned: B

Dynamic Warmup
I was quite good at my dynamic warmups as my runs began to become a more normal length. Still working on a few residual niggles that have been niggling at me a long time (making progress) so I know that this is important.

Grade Earned: A

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Foam Rolling
This has become an entrenched part of my morning routine (see more about morning routines here). I do it because it makes a difference. Sometimes I do it both before and after a run. And I work on my feet pretty much every day to keep them happy (see my routine here — I redid it, and I swear there was audio! Ugh. I may have to refilm the whole thing).

We’re going to be working on flexibility in the Facebook Group (join here) next month, and it’s going to be a combination of SMR (self myofascial release & Yin Yoga). So not only does it help with flexibility, it can help with some annoying aches & pains, too — win-win! 

Grade Earned: A++

The starter is now in the freezer, and the bread bakery is closed for now.

Nutrition
Not really quite sure what happened here. I was doing great up to my birthday — and I got back on track right after my birthday, too. But the weight has crept up a little. I have some ideas, and I’ve been implementing them. It may just be a seasonal adjustment. I hope!

Grade Earned: B

Cross Training
Yoga, running, a little hiking, walking, a little bit of indoor cycling. I’m doing pretty well, but slacked a bit on strength training. Although the first ST I did recently, I was so sure I was going to have some DOMs — and I didn’t. There’s been a lot more Yoga as I do short practices in the Facebook group — I guess it’s working for me too.

Grade Earned: A+

March 2021  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. Probably should’ve been an A-, there was definitely some room for improvement in a few areas. I did feel really run down for about a week there in the middle — which is why there was so little ST — but gave my body what it needed and bounced back pretty quickly.

February Goals:

  • Continue to lengthen out my long run. Y. I started the month with a long run of 4 miles, and slowly worked my way up to 6 miles. Taking it slow & easy to keep my body happy. I don’t plan to go much over 7 or 8 miles any time soon (and it depends on my body), as I am still not training for anything.
  • Do some longer ST. Y/N.  Y. I did once, LOL! Most of the little ST I did, if you’re not counting Yoga, was short. ST is so important, but listening to your body is more important.
  • Balance + Core Challenge. Y. I had fun coming up with a variety of routines in the Facebook group and on YouTube (here). I know my balance still needs work! Watching my parents age, I know just how important this is. May I also say that it’s important to use a cane/walker if that is necessary, no matter your age. Pride goeth before a fall, indeed! I hope I can stave that off for a long, long time. I just had a conversation with my mom about that. She’s good at using her cane, but is reluctant to use a walker, and I think she’s at the stage that she needs to. So just gentle nudges for her for now and pray there are no falls.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. It’s time for a little Spring cleaning. I’ve started, but it’s not always easy!

Which leads me to April Goals:

  • Continue to lengthen out my long run. I am not going to make any goal for how long I want my long runs to be. My body will tell me. I would definitely be happy to be at 7 miles by the end of April, but a happy body is more important to me.
  • Do some longer ST. I will continue to the short practices in the morning, as it’s really working for me right now. Time to do a longer one at least a one day a week — on the days I don’t run.
  • Flexibility Challenge. I am having fun coming up with some very different — and effective — practices.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Always a goal. Over the years I’ve gotten much better at it, but it’s always a work in progress.

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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Learning my Garmin: Runfessions March 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

blearngarmin

I’ve had my Garmin Vivoactive 3 for almost 2 years now? Something like that. I know I was actually able to race with it . . . it’s amazing what I still don’t know about it! But first my car is making its way into my runfessions.

I runfess . . .
My car did not get driven for 6 weeks at the beginning of this year, mainly due to illness. I did go to see my mom in that period, but I take my husband’s younger car for those drives. I did not go to the grocery store at all in that period! I swear I heard it sigh with relief when I finally drove it — not to mention she started right up. I call her Old Faithful for a reason!

I runfess . . .
The first time I did drive my car was to the grocery store. I’d been cooped up so long, that even that seemed like an adventure!

I runfess . . .
Apparently what I really think about on the run (outside) is counting my run intervals (as opposed to what I wrote about here). I often just run when I’m on the treadmill, but am still using run/walk intervals outside. I know that I have approximately 4-5 run intervals per mile — and then I drink a little water.

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I runfess . . .
It took me years, but I finally realized that the vibration my Garmin Vivoactive 3 makes for a run/walk interval is shorter than the vibration it makes for each mile. If I’m paying attention and counting those run/walk intervals, I can usually tell when I’ve hit a mile just by the longer vibration. Which means I don’t have to look at the watch at all.

I runfess . . .
When we went on our hike last week, we crossed a road that crosses a path I used to run at often, although I haven’t run on that portion in a very long time. Winter, Pandemic. I have spent so many miles there.

Since I wasn’t driving, as we crossed the road that bisects the bike path, I looked up for some reason. Obviously I never do when I run, because I was astounded to see the McMansions that are perched on the hill above the path! Who knew?

How long does it take you to figure out your GPS watch? 

Have you been surprised by something on a route you run regularly?

What do you have to runfess from March? Come join us

Runfessions

I am also linking up with:

bfitfivefriday

5 Tips to Prep for Spring Running

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

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There is so much to love about Spring Running: more sunshine, flowers, leaves on the trees, birds chirping away. It’s not all daffodils and lilies, though! Best to be prepared for the curveballs Spring might throw you — or just prepare for Spring in general!

red lens sunglasses on sand near sea at sunset selective focus photography
Don’t run without these! |Photo by Nitin Dhumal on Pexels.com

Protect your eyes!
It’s the rare day I run without sunglasses on, no matter what the season. It happens — sometimes when it’s raining or it’s so cold they’ll just fog up. If you’ve gotten out of the habit of wearing sunglasses — or never started — Spring is the right time to get back in the habit!

Did you know cataracts often start forming at age 40, but generally don’t start impairing vision until after age 60? My eye doctor has already told me a couple of years ago that I have cataracts, but at least then they didn’t require surgery. Pretty sure my vision hasn’t changed much since then, but still, I know that day is coming.

Wearing sunglasses is one of the ways we can hold off those cataracts from forming.

Don’t put away the Winter clothes just yet
This depends on where you live; if you’re in the South you’re probably pretty safe putting them away. We can get snow in April (often as an April Fool’s Day joke — not joking!) — even into May. When it comes to weather and dressing in Spring, you need to be prepared for just about anything.

Take an inventory of your shoes and your Spring running clothes
Is it time for some new running shoes? Do you have any idea how many miles are on your shoes? Do you have any annoying aches and pains? It might be time for a new pair — or two. I like to rotate through a couple of pairs year round, for a variety of reasons. If you get caught in a Spring downpour or run on a muddy trail, that means you’ll always have a fresh, dry pair ready to run in.

Do your Spring running clothes still fit? Or maybe last season you thought you’d find a Spring running jacket in the end of the season sales, but you didn’t. Maybe it’s time for a new bra or socks. Just take stock of what you have and start to fill in any holes!

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Get ahead of the allergies
Thankfully I don’t suffer with allergies, but I know it’s pretty debilitating. Start your allergy medicine (of course also consult with your doctor) before you’re really suffering. Starting sooner rather than later helps to calm your immune system down and keep inflammation down.

Schedule your runs for when pollen is lowest:

  • Later in the day
  • Cooler, wetter days (oh joy!)

One switch I’ve made this year was to crack a window year round. Even on the most bitterly cold days — although not at night, and not all day. Because COVID loves poor air circulation. Unfortunately, letting that fresh air in lets the pollen in too.

Be mindful of having the windows open in your car for the same reason. Not to mention those little pollen carrying quadrapeds, aka our dogs and cats who go outside. Of course they need to be outside at times, but if you let them sleep in bed with you, you may make your seasonal allergies worse. Click here for 10 tips to help you live with allergies and your pets.

Now that the weather is nicer (maybe! hopefully!), what about races?
Spring is one of my favorite times to race. Races are sparse in Winter in these parts – but that oh so fickle weather can also you get you. Not to mention the Pandemic still chugging along.

Take stock of how you trained through the Winter. Are you really race ready, even if all you want to do is have fun? Consider building a base if you haven’t run as much during Winter. Have you kept up with strength training? Now is definitely the time to get back to it!

Consider hiring a coach to help you ease back into racing. We’ve got some great ones in these linkups!

You may also like 5  Spring Running Tips here

What’s your Spring weather like? 

Do you have RL racing opportunities? 

Any tips with for the runners with allergies? 

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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Sighting Spring: 3/15 – 21 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

Spring is slowly unfurling, bit by little bit. No we don’t have flowers yet or leaves on the trees, but we can see they’re coming and that’s always such a hopeful sign. What will you plant this Spring? Literally? Spiritually?

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy with 4 20 sec hill repeats, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short hike/Dogwalk
  • Thursday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, 2.5ish TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Led Yoga (30 min), PB Cardio/ST (25 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 6 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11.5 (+.50)

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

First bulb sightings!

Tuesday Intention: tackle some hills — easy (seems to be my mantra lately)
It was cold. Like December cold. Mid 20s anyone? And gray. But not windy! It actually wasn’t my intention to do hill repeats when I left, but I decided I would give it a try. I was working on a video which took far longer than anticipated, so I got out much later than planned (and still so cold). That first mile was speedier than I’ve been in a while, although the hill repeats naturally slowed me down.

A strong run, though; I’ll take it!

Thursday Intention: get in a short one
Lots of things to work on today. Got out before the cold rain started (for the rest of the day) to walk Bandit. I’ve been waking up later this week due to the time change and getting up in the wee hours, then finally falling back asleep. I knew I wouldn’t be able to have breakfast & get out there before the rain & I was right.

Did a 10 minute warmup run followed by a 20 min Peloton recovery run. Fell a bit short of the usual 3 miles I’d run midweek but that’s all I had time for this day. Something is always better than nothing!

Oh what a beautiful morning! Can you see my geese friends?

Sunday Intention: go the extra mile
For the first time in forever (do you watch the Holdernesses on YouTube? I don’t, but Mr. Judy does, and therefore I often see their videos; they are cute) I was actually looking forward to a run. It promised to be a lovely morning with little wind, and it was.

Which isn’t to say this was an easy run, oh no! I again chose a route with a lot of hills. I took my time, I walked extra when I felt the need, and I soaked up some Vitamin D. Plus I ran 6 miles, which is the longest I’ve run this year.

Thanks, Nuun!

Favorites of the week
I can’t say I’ve been a good Ambassador for anything lately, but I was happy to see my new Nuun Immunity samples arrive. Stay tuned!

And thanks, Honeystinger!

I also got a surprise from Honeystinger!

Up & down the hills, through the mud & a little ice & snow

We took a short, steep, muddy, even icy in a few spots, hike this week too. Mr. Judy and Bandit were troopers. 

What signs of Spring are you seeing?

Does Spring make you feel hopeful? 

How did you celebrate the Spring Equinox? 

GWY Balance 3

ICYMI: We’re on week 3 of my Better Balance + Strong Core Challenge! You’ll find the video here. This week I also did a bonus Facebook Live mini balance + core workout I could definitely feel the next day; I also led kneeling sun salutes in the group yesterday. You can join here. But wait, there’s more! A meditation to help you spring into balance here (aka think about what you want this Spring). A kind friend informed me that my Happy Feet video had no audio; you can view it with instructions now here.

Coming up on Tuesday: 5 ways to prep for Spring Running. Friday I’m getting a few things off my chest at Marcia’s runfessional here.

5 Ways to Turn Your Thoughts Around

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 26 Comments

5 Ways to Reframe Your Thoughts

Is it just me, or do you also have “Turning the Beat Around” stuck in your head now?  #sorrynotsorry

We all have runs that are harder than they should be — simply because we allow all those negative voices in our head free reign. What if you could turn that voice around?

bfitfivefriday

I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida and Run Laugh Eat Pie for Fit Five Friday. Today I am sharing a simple technique: reframing. Reframing is simply taking a negative thought and turning it into a positive thought.

Of course, it doesn’t always feel so simple!

Thought #1: Why does this feel so hard?
Reframe it:

  • This run is making me stronger
  • I can do hard things
  • I choose this run to help me grow stronger
  • Running is a privelege
aerial view of road between green grass field
 Hills make me stronger | Photo by TruShotz on Pexels.com

Thought #2: I hate hills!
Reframe it:

  • I conquer this hill
  • I move closer to the top with every step
  • I fly down this hill
  • Hills make me stronger

Thought #3: I’m walking already?
Reframe it:

  • Walking helps me stay strong
  • I respect my body
  • I listen to my body
  • Walking keeps fatigue away

Thought #4: Why am I so slow?
Reframe it:

  • I run to my full potential
  • Forward is a pace
  • I run the perfect pace for me
  • I run to feel at peace with the world
road between pine trees
Choose to embrace the weather or not — it’s all in your mind! | Photo by veeterzy on Pexels.com

Thought #5: I hate the heat/cold/wind/rain
Reframe it:

  • I choose to run in any type of weather
  • Running in all sorts of weather makes me a stronger runner
  • I grow stronger with every run
  • Rain brings rainbows

Final Thoughts
Thoughts. That’s the key word! A thought can always be changed. When we think the same thought over and over again, we actually create grooves in our brain. The good news is that we can use a new thought to overwrite those grooves!

What thoughts do you need to reframe?

Do you have a different way to reframe one of these thoughts? 

Are you positive or negative on the run, or does it vary run to run — even start to finish?

Download Your Thoughts!

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

bdownload1

I noticed a trend a couple of  weeks ago when I wrote about my running thoughts here: a lot of us write the perfect blog post in our heads while running, and then can’t for the life of us recall that perfect wording when we’re done!

It’s so frustrating, isn’t it?

What if we could somehow download those thoughts while running?

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All my great ideas in one place!
Ever since this idea came to me, I’ve been wondering just how this could be engineered. I don’t think anyone would want to have something inserted into their head — I know I definitely wouldn’t.

What if it was a little pod, like the foot pods you use in your shoe — only it attached to a hat, visor, glasses or headband?  Press a button and it’s quietly collecting your thoughts as you run. Come home, take it off, plug it into your computer and voila! Just think how your blog posts would improve!

Or maybe it’s an app on your phone. So maybe a pod that just connects with your phone, and all those thoughts are waiting for you when you’re done with your run. No more angst about forgetting stuff.

Creepy, right?
We all need our own space, and sometimes that’s just going inside our mind. A little mental vacation if you will. It would be too easy for someone to hack an app on your phone or steal your pod.

Final “Thoughts”
Running isn’t the only thing that allows thoughts to bubble up; I often get great ideas while meditating. That’s when the idea for this post came to me. I know almost everyone thinks meditating is about not thinking — nothing could be further from the truth!

In case you thought I was serious, just joking! The idea of someone actually being able to hack into my thoughts — because you know it would happen — is super creepy!

Want Alexa in your head? 

Creeped out by the thought of someone getting into your thoughts somehow? 

Did you think I was actually serious, LOL?  Sometimes you gotta lighten up!

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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Celebrating the Good Times: 3/8 – 14 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

Every little bit of sunshine, every Robin sighting, makes Spring feel just that little bit closer. We had very windy — but also warmer — weather this week. We had to try to soak up as much sun as possible this week since it got cold and windy by the weekend — but still sunny! I even got to film a video outside on the deck!

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (15 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (35 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk
  • Thursday: Yoga (40 min), walk/hike at Olana
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min), 5 miles “easy”, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11 (+1.50)

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 some snow hanging in there!

Tuesday Intention: easy — enjoy the sunshine & warmer temps!
I was actually a little overdressed for this run. It wasn’t that warm, 40 and windy, but compared to last week it felt great even if I was battling wind most of the run. Although the easy miles didn’t feel easy, my V02 Max nudged up again. So the cardio comeback is complete. I saw a cardinal on my cool down walk at the end — I almost thought it was a robin!

Post run but water always makes me happy

Friday Intention: keep it easy
I like to take a rest day after going to visit my mom — and a crazy busy week — but I couldn’t pass up the chance to run on a semi-warm day when the sun was shining (but the wind was blowing). My least three longish runs have been the same distance, completed in the same time, but I swear each one has felt harder. The wind didn’t help, and the path I chose is somewhat hilly. 

We had sighted our first Robins at Olana the day before, which is south of here, but I saw a Robin on this run, too. I also saw 5 deer running across a fairly major road that’s not far from the airport — that was a huge surprise! I’ve never seen deer there at all.

Happiness is snow & ice free streets & lawns!

Sunday Intention: focus on feeling powerful
I wasn’t tackling major hills — or major wind (although it was windy) today, but there are plenty of little inclines in my neighborhood (plenty of hills, too, but today was not the day for that). I focused on flowing up those inclines. Now robins are everywhere. The next thing to look out for are Spring bulbs; Mr. Judy planted some in the Fall.

Celebrating a day late

Favorites of the week
We could have gone to visit my mom on her actual birthday, but the weather was warmer the next day so we agreed that was the better day to visit. Bandit is not allowed inside, so we had to meet outside. Feeling blessed that it was a nice enough day that we could do that. Yes, my mom has been vaccinated — but I haven’t been.

It was a chilly morning but we enjoyed our al fresco brunch before heading to mom’s

We had made our usual stop at Olana for a bathroom break and brunch outside. Usually I go by myself, but since it was my mom’s birthday, I thought it would be nice if Mr. Judy came too. Which meant Bandit had to come. Which meant meeting outside.

St. Patrick Day’s Cactus?

Speaking if hanging in, here is my St. Patrick’s Day cactus, as I’m now calling it. I had buds around my birthday, but apparently I didn’t water it enough and they dried up and fell off. I’m guessing these will be my last blooms, but only time will tell.

What are you focusing on these days?

Snow all gone or hanging in there? Ours is gone! Finally! Makes running a lot easier.

Did you race this weekend? 

GWY Balance 2

ICYMI: We’re on week 2 of my Better Balance + Strong Core Challenge! You’ll find the video here. This week I also did one bonus Facebook Live core workout in the Facebook group; you can join here.

Coming up on Tuesday: What if you could download that perfect blog post you wrote in your head on the run? Friday I’m going to help you turn some of those common negative thoughts on the run into positive mantras.

How I Defeated Achilles Tendonitis

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

bachilles

I have often been nagged by aches and pains that aren’t too bad, but just won’t go away. I actually enjoy going to Physical Therapy, but not so much in a Pandemic — plus my insurance doesn’t pay for it. I have had a time or two when the pain was either bad enough or I was in the midst of training for something and I had to seek out help. Even with the help of a great PT, it can still take diligent months of exercises to feel relief.

When my Achilles Tendon started to act up in the Summer, I dropped my mileage and I began to explore various remedies. Dropping my mileage definitely helped with the more intense pain, but the ache continued to linger. Until as suddenly as it came, it seemed to go away (fingers crossed — so far, so good). Here’s what I felt to be the most important contributors to my healing.

bfitfivefriday

I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida and Run Laugh Eat Pie for Fit Five Friday

Daily Foam Rolling
With particular attention to my calves — not forgetting to work toward the inside (distal) side of the calves, too! Also paying attention to my feet and hamstrings. I often did more — especially on run days — but if I was short on time this is what I hit.

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Foot exercises to keep our feet happy; even if I don’t look happy, LOL!

Foot Stretches
I started out with almost daily foot stretches/strengtheners, too, but as the pain subsided I typically did these only pre-run. I put up a video on my YouTube Channel here. I do the foot holds on the ball almost every day — the other exercises I usually only do on the days I run. 

Kept my mileage low
Although I’ve had the occasional aches in my Achilles over the years, it usually went away quickly. Until it didn’t. Until it was severe enough to cause limping. Not training for anything, I had no desire for a serious injury. Dropping my mileage was a no-brainer for me.

Calf Exercises
It’s all connected, of course, and often a pain in one area is actually cause by an imbalance in another area. The Achilles attaches to the calves, so for months I did walking on my toes, my heels, and the sides of my feet most days. I haven’t been doing these as much lately, as I’ve found the other things I do seem to keep my Achilles happy — so far. These are always good drills to do, though, especially if you’re a trail runner! 

You can see what I used to do in this video here, although I’ve changed up my routine quite a bit with some of the things I’ve since learned.

gwy foot compression2

Best thing for unhappy feet!

Foot Compression
It’s not what it sounds like! Basically it’s draping your foot over a ball and putting your weight on it. I have about five spots that I move through. This is also great for Plantar Fasciitis! You will note that I don’t actually roll my feet in this practice — and I very rarely roll my feet at all any more. Even if I’m just feeling a slight twinge in the morning, this will usually make it go away.

Final Thoughts
Of course I am not a medical professional or a physical therapist — you know the drill! I can’t diagnose what’s causing your pain. I can tell you that if you suffer with foot pain, there’s a good chance these practices will help you, too. I have slowly increased my mileage (although it’s definitely still not high mileage, not even close) without feeling a return of the problem — so far, knock on wood.

I can also say that if I had seen a Physical Therapist, maybe my issue would have been resolved much quicker — and maybe not. I’ve had to do PT exercises for months in the past before finding any relief. I really do recommend you see a PT if you’re in pain, but all of these exercises are great for runners — whether your feet bother you or not. Final, final thought: always listen to your body and stop at once if you feel pain or an ache worsens.

What do you do to keep your feet happy?

Are there any PT exercises you still do? 

What do you do to keep running injury free?

We’ve come a long way, baby!

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 42 Comments

It’s Women’s History month — what better time to take a little stroll through the long and winding road of women’s running. I think women have been running through the ages, in one way or another, but it’s humbling to remember that not so long ago running and women were rarely heard in the same sentence.

I have to admit I was pretty much blissfully unaware of most these events, or at the very least not really impacted emotionally by them: because I didn’t grow up running. I wasn’t athletic, I certainly wasn’t interested in running, and it definitely wasn’t encouraged — except, ironically, in gym class.

1954: First women runs a sub-5 minute mile
Diane Leather ran 4:59.6 on May 29, just 23 days after Roger Bannister ran his 3:59.4 mile.

1962: Women are allowed to run the 800 meters again
That is the year I was born! Women had been able to run that “long” previously: 32 years ago, in 1928, ironically the year my mother was born. Women were deemed too frail to run that distance after that first Olympic race.

1967: First woman to officially run the Boston Marathon
Pretty sure that everyone reading this blog knows that that was Katherine Switzer, and that the officials allowed her to register because she used initials — they thought she was a man. Woman had run Boston before Switzer, but they were bandits, often hanging out in bushes near the start so no one would see them and tell them they couldn’t race.

1975: Title IX Goes into effect
Although actually becoming a law in 1972, it wasn’t until 1975 that Title IX began to seep into sports. Title IX discouraged unequal federal financial aid and university support for men’s vs women’s programs.

1984: Joan Benoit Samuelson wins the first women’s Olympic Marathon
Isn’t it mind boggling that women were not allowed to run the marathon in the Olympics until I graduated from college? It is to me, anyway! Officials seriously thought women’s uteruses could fall out if they ran a marathon.

Skirt Sports lets me carry what I need with me

2004: Nicole DeBoom founds Skirt Sports
You know I had to go there, right? Nicole, who last year gave the reins of Skirt Sports (click here) over to Sarah Ratzlaff, knew the power of competing, looking cute while competing — and pockets. I am forever grateful that she had that vision and saw it through. I still can be found in Skirt Sports many days.

Do you have a favorite memory of running from long ago? 

Who would you add to this list? There are so many more, but I wanted to keep this short!

Do you consider the creation of the Jogbra to be key to women’s running? As a small chested woman — not the mention the fact I didn’t run when it was invented — it didn’t impact me that greatly. What about you?

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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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Marching in: 3/1 – 7 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

I’d like to say that Spring is marching in, but it sure seemed much more like Winter this week. A few dustings of snow, frigid temps with howling winds. Our hawks came back to roost, though, so surely Spring is on its way? I could have also titled this Breaking Away (remember that movie?), since I finally got to run a little outside my neighborhood today.

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), PB Cardio Abs (12 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (15 min), 1.5 TM Bootcamp, SB 3.86 mile (15 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Abs (15 min), Filmed Yoga Video (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (20 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (20 min), Rest Day — ST was planned, but I was super tired & passed
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min) — another rest day while the wind howled
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 9.50 (-1.25)

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

Tuesday Intention: a little speed, some strength, cut back
I wanted to finally try a Peloton Tread Bootcamp, and I chose a 45 minute Classic Rock Bootcamp. It was a good class; although I had intentions of doing a cool down run because I ran even less than I thought I would — well, that was before I did the class. Note to self: if you want more miles, do a warmup run. I did follow it with a stationary bike cool down, though.

I thought about a 60 minute bootcamp — probably would have gotten me the mileage I wanted — but I’ve been a bit tired (and busy) the last couple of weeks so I was trying to take it a little easier. Insert evil laugh there!

A lot of snow has melted, but Winter temps have been hanging on

Thursday Intention: Take it Easy!
I was feeling a little off this week. Tuesday’s workout was a bit intense, plus there were various minor frustrations yesterday. It was gray, cold, and windy. It was also a very consistent run, and while I won’t say it felt great — the pace was a bit faster than it’s been in a while.

Both photos from our lawn. I expect this to be gone by the end of next week!

Sunday Intention: go the distance
Just 5 miles. Don’t let the sun fool you — it was cold, but not as cold as Saturday! I walked out and thought I was overdressed, but then the wind kicked up — nope, it was just right for me. the first three miles passed fairly “quickly”, that last mile was a bit of a struggle.

Favorites of the week
I had to ask Alexa if hawks go south for the Winter. Yup, indeed. I noticed that they hadn’t been around, but I also noticed them flying around and then coming to to rest on “their” trees opposite from our house (where we saw what I’m calling a young eagle last week). I look forward to watching them ride the thermals in the Summer. Sorry no photos.

It was a busy week, but nothing terribly exciting happened and I barely took any photos . Actually, I did finally get my new Yoga props, but I never took any photos of them. Oops!

Training or just running?

Snow all gone or hanging in there? Ours is mostly gone (for now) although it’s been so cold & we’ve had some flurries so there’s still some hanging on.

Did you race this weekend? 

GWY Balance 1

ICYMI: It’s the first video in my Better Balance + Core Challenge! You’ll find the video here. This week I also did two bonus Facebook Lives — one core, one for the back in the Facebook group; you can join here.

Coming up on Tuesday: Some historic moments in women’s running for Women’s History Month. Friday I’m sharing what I did to heal my Achilles Tendonitis. Of course I am not a medical professional and don’t really know which — or if all — of the things I did worked.