Hiking

All the Seasons of Spring: Tea/coffee Date April 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

Ultimate-Coffee-Date-1-300x300

Thanks,  Coco and Deborah, getting us altogether virtually for a coffee date. It may be Spring, with all that applies — swinging back & forth between Spring & Winter — so I’m still drinking hot chocolate. 🙂

bteaapril21

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you a couple of weeks ago I was having serious vaccine envy. It seemed as though everyone I know — aside from my sister & BIL — is vaccinated. I whined to everyone about it and I apologize! The next week they opened it up to 50+.

It says “Own Today”

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you the day I learned that I would be eligible to try to make a vaccine appointment the next day — (3/22) — was also the first day I was able to use the Yoga platform in 2021. I got a little goofy trying to take photos of my wrap after I wrapped that practice. It was a good day! My appointment is 5/29, although I’m hoping to move that closer.

ETA: the day after I made the 5/29 appointment (3/24), I made an appointment for 4/26. It was at a site a bit over an hour from me; the 5/29 appointment was much closer. Then I made one for 4/15 (same place, longer drive). This was all the morning of the 24th. Then Darlene told me there was a more local place that had a lot of appointments for that day (the 24th — are you following all this?).

Yup, I made an appointment for that afternoon and prayed I wouldn’t have a reaction so I could go visit my mom the next day as planned, which also happened to be my Dad’s birthday. My mom is pretty stoic, and rarely mentions those sort of anniversary dates. Still I thought it would help brighten her day to have a visit. I knew it would brighten her day to hear I’d had my first vaccine!

On top of all that, my brother is in the middle of getting his vaccinations, and planning a trip out to see my mom in June. He hasn’t seen her in over a year. Plus I also have to fill out a jury questionnaire by the beginning of April; I don’t know when/if I might be called, but the thought of jury duty was definitely freaking me out. As long as it’s not on the date for my second shot . . . 

 

This photo was less than a week before the photo above — Spring is nothing if not changeable!

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I’ve been doing my best to dragtake Mr. Judy out for hikes. Any day that is even reasonably warm and dry (and by warm I’m including windy, cloudy, and about 50 sometimes). Bandit doesn’t need any prodding.

 

I really needed these brownies

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I have been jonesing for a cookie. I’ve also been busy and not baking. Then I spied a container in the freezer — lo and behold, it was brownies! I’m usually fairly good at mentally keeping track of what’s in there, but I had no clue they were there — and so happy they were!

If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
We started to watch Upload (Amazon Prime). The first episode was silly, but mildly entertaining, and it’s definitely light fare, but it got better after the first episode. Although I’m beginning to think we should consider an HBO subscription. You’d think Netflix and Amazon Prime would be enough, wouldn’t you?

Does your beverage of choice change with the seasons? 

Have you been able to put away Winter running clothes? At least I’ve fairly certain I won’t need the stuff for 20 and below anymore, but I don’t want to jinx it!

What are you watching these days? Always looking for recommendations.

Also linking up with:

bfitfivefriday

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.

Muskrat Love: 12/7 – 13 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

I spent two of my runs this week at a local preserve. Each time I went I saw different wildlife. Once I saw what I thought were baby beavers, but Mr. Judy thinks they were muskrats — I didn’t share the photo because all you see are two little lumps in the water. Whatever they were, they were cute!

bwrd

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  3 miles, 2 mile nature walk, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, PB ST (30 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), Snowy rest day/dr. appt./ tetanus shot, PB ST (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), 3+ TM (Peloton Shakira + Alicia Keys), Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 4 mile hike, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), complete post tetanus-booster rest day
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11 (-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

A very chilly yet pretty day

Monday intention: take on the trails
I was going to run/hike where I’ve been going, but then I thought about the park I visited a few months back with the dogs. They’re nice, flat, unpaved trails. I was a little sad, thinking about how much Lola enjoyed going there, but despite the cold and wind, I enjoyed my run and nature walk. I also got to see two muskrats? Beavers? The photos I took are just specs, but it was cool watching them swim around.

Thursday intention: a little speed
I really wanted to stack 2 Peloton artist series runs today, but I couldn’t find two 20 minute runs I wanted to do. So I did the Shakira run (30 min) and then the Alicia Keys (20 min). As I was running the second run, which was going to give me more miles than I wanted — or felt this particular day — it dawned on me I could just walk the last 10 minutes for a cool down. Which worked perfectly.

All those times I’ve run under that bridge. Who knew all I had to do was ha ha right I to this preserve?

Sunday intention: take it easy
This run almost didn’t happen. I got a tetanus booster on Wednesday, and while the injection site was quite sore the next few days, it wasn’t too bad. Then Saturday night my armpit started to hurt — WTF? — and I had body aches and slept really poorly. I determined that the armpit was probably the booster getting into the lymph nodes there (which aren’t swollen), and that none of this was out of the ordinary, but it was weird it happened two days after the shot. To me, anyway.

I was very tired on Saturday and the armpit was bothering me; I’d never intended to run Saturady anyway, not after a run Thursday and a hike/visit to my mom Friday. Thankfully today I woke up feeling much better (although the armpit is still somewhat sore, but less so) so I headed out back to the same preserve as Monday. I got tired easier than normal, so I decided to cut the run just a little short, but all in all glad I got out there (even if I got rained on for about a mile).

So glad I took the scarf! The day warmed up but it was in the 30s while I was hiking.

Favorites of the week
Got in a nice hike at Olana before visiting my mom Friday. Which worked out well, as they were having a Hannukah celebration, and I got to be there for most of that.

I wish I’d started running at this preserve (which I ran at twice this week) a while back — we’re expecting a decent snowstorm this week so its days as a running venue are probably numbered.

I am way behind on comments since I was gone all day Friday and needed that rest day yesterday. Hope to catch up in the coming week.

Anything you wish you’d done sooner this year?

Like my froggy friend? I was surprised he didn’t move as I crept closer & closer!

How are you celebrating with your family for the holidays? 

GWY 1 Minute Energizer

ICYMI: Beginner friendly and quick, today is the first video in a series of six short videos you can do anytime you feel you need a burst of energy ; you’ll find it here. A new video will be released every day through Friday next week!

Coming up on Tuesday: What to try on Peloton. It’s just my personal opinion — you know several bloggers have tried way more than me! Friday I’m sharing the things I’m loving/not loving recently. Haven’t done that sort of post in a while!

In & Out: 11/30 – 12/6 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 41 Comments

Last week I managed to get all my runs done outside. This week the weather was crappy on and off, and there were two treadmill runs. I’m totally fine with that — I still get outside to walk Bandit — except yesterday. Cold rain all day long? No thank you. Peloton does make the treadmill more bearable.

I’m totally digging a short hike before my run. Soon it’ll probably be too icy/snowy to do that — I wouldn’t be surprised if this week’s were the last. You can bet next Fall I’ll be revisiting these trails before my runs (in the Summer it’s really buggy on this path).

bwrd

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  3.5 TM miles (Peloton Hamilton Run), Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Peloton Hamilton Ride, Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), 6 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Hiking, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), 3 TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), Recovery Ride (20 min), PB ST, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 12.5 (+3.5)

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

Monday intention: easy run (not so much)
I’m finished with the Peloton 5k training, so I finally got around to the Hamilton run. Aside from finding it — and the instructor talking too much despite saying at the beginning that he wouldn’t, it was fine; but not great. Mainly because of the instructor talking almost non stop (slight Hamilton reference there).

The next day I took the Hamilton cycle, and I actually enjoyed that much better. The instructor did talk, but not as much. Not such a great choice for a recovery workout though.

Never know what you’ll see in the woods

Thursday intention: easy does it
The sun was calling my name, and the weekend weather sounded iffy at best. I warmed up with a 1 mile hike — and didn’t get lost this time! I even saw another woman walk up onto the trail as I was doing my cool down walk. I haven’t encountered a soul back there, but I could see bike tread in the mud.

My main goal was to keep it an easy long run. No negative splits, since it’s a decline out and an incline back — no need to push so I didn’t. Mostly pretty consistent. It was a good run — that sun and lack of wind helped so much!

Saturday intention: work on endurance
It was a cold, rainy Saturday, so I chose a Peloton endurance run. With no real races and less mileage, I know my endurance has suffered in 2020. Hopefully 2021 will bring some races — and it’s time to do some more steady state type runs. I was proud of no walk breaks during this run!

Squint & you can see the hawk in the tree (lower branches)

Favorites of the week
I draggedwent with Mr. Judy to another park for a short hike this week. We got lucky and we saw a hawk up close!

It was actually quite close and the photo doesn’t do it justice.

My local peeps know where I am. Gloomy day but brightened by a nature walk.

I’m sure Bandit could’ve climbed down, too, but it would’ve been more difficult for the human holding the leash.

We both also climbed down (separately; someone had to hold onto Bandit) the steep trail to get closer to the falls.

It wasn’t much of a harvest but those are the first two potatoes I’ve ever grown

These potatoes! I truly didn’t expect anything, and seriously, it’s not much, but it took almost no work at all.

Are  you working on any running goals?

I asked for Netflix recommendations on our coffee date — anyone didn’t chime in yet?

How are you dealing with the looooong nights right now? 

GWY FAQ 1

ICYMI: With a name of GoWithYin Yoga, obviously, I dig Yin Yoga (now). Have you ever wondered how Yin Yoga differs from other types of Yoga? How it can benefit you? I’m starting a series of short videos that will eventually make up a Yin Yoga FAQ. The first one explains the 3 principles of Yin Yoga here. If you have a question, drop it in the comments and I’ll cover it — eventually!

Coming up on Tuesday: What can lead to injury? Friday I’m TOL (thinking out loud) about how to make sense of what seems needless loss.

Hello Mother!: 11/23 – 29 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

This week I was actually able to go into my mom’s apartment. Which meant I was actually able to use a bathroom. I stayed a little longer than I’d planned on, although less than the time limit — and since I was working on her Echo Show, we weren’t as socially distanced as I would have liked. I’m trusting in a higher spirit to look out for us!

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing “recovery” week.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), 1 mile hike, 3 Miles Easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), 6 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Hiking, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), runHike 3.5 miles, PB ST, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 9 (-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

Yup, I can get lost on a 1 mile hike!

Tuesday intention: recovery run
I decided to explore the trails here (which are really bike trails) before my run as a warmup. Then I ran 3 miles easy. Wearing the Zensah mask the entire time; definitely helped that it was a cold day. Sunny though! Sun makes everything better. I managed to get lost just halfway into a 1 mile hike, but obviously I found my way out; not the same way I came in though!

Someone’s in a holiday mood!

Thursday intention: keep it slow long run
It was a cloudy day, but somewhat warm for Thanksgiving — I’ve been bombarded by memories of the dogs running through half a foot of snow six years ago on Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving I should have worn a skirt!

I set out to just take it nice and easy. As I headed towards the college, I decided maybe I’d go 6 miles, which is the longest I’ve run in a while. It’s a couple of miles downhill to get there, so of course that means a couple of miles back uphill. I tried to do a fartlek using the trees, but I had to take a few breaks here & there.

Overall it was a surprisingly consistent run and I was thankful I missed the rain. Not quite as thankful for the family (or friends?) doing a virtual Turkey Trot in the neighborhood but running on the wrong side of the road.

Always lots to explore

Favorites of the week
I was able to go inside to my mom’s apartment for the first time in ten months. I was able to partially set up the Echo Show and we were able to video chat with Mr. Judy, who had to stay home because they are not allowing dogs inside. There’s still more work to do; we haven’t been able to initiate a call yet, but hopefully I’ll fix that soon. Maybe.

I stopped on the way at Olana, as has been my custom in the last few months. It was quite busy but since I hiked away from the house, mostly I had the trails to myself.

We zoomed with my family the day before Thanksgiving, and with Mr. Judy’s family Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving was relatively low key. I made an apple crisp, cornbread, and air fried some veggies. The star of the show was the Trader Joe’s Turkey en Croute, which just needs to be baked.

Flowers, my mom’s silver & table runner, & our China

Trader Joe’s Turkey en croute never disappoints

Someone was not amused there was no turkey en croute for him

Finally some decent sized carrots from the garden!

Enjoying a beautiful late Fall day; Bandit refuses to look at the camera!

When Mr. Judy says hey, it’s a nice day we should go somewhere (which he rarely does) who am I to say no? So I traded a hike for a run today. I was going to leave Bandit with Mr. Judy at the end so I could hike a bit more, but Bandit’s tail just drooped to the ground until I took him with me — so Mr. Judy was left to his own devices while we explored some more.

What are you grateful for this week?

Any great Black Friday deals?

How was your Thanksgiving? 

GWY Detox

ICYMI: More doubles this week: on Thanksgiving eve I shared a restorative Yin Yoga flow for digestion here. Today its a short, more Yang flow focusing on detox and digestion you’ll find here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up November. Friday I’ll share some tea — or maybe some hot chocolate if I do my long run that day — come join us here (see the info on the sidebar).

Goodbyes are hard: 11/16 – 22 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 27 Comments

I wrapped up my Peloton 5k Training with the virtual Champion for the Chesapeake 5k (folded into my longish run this week). Unfortunately a week of bad news.

bwrd

But first I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing “race” week.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, 3ish TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), PB Walking + Toning, Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Walk with Friend, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 5 mile LSD (including Champions for Chesapeake Virtual 5k), Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3 recovery miles, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11 (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: easyish run
Will I or won’t I for my next virtual 5k? Haven’t really decided yet, but I think I’m going to try to run it this week. So if it’s “race week”, it’s time to take it a bit easier. Enter a Peloton Disco Fun Run + 10 min warmup & cooldown runs. There were still some intervals in the fun run, but I kept them conservative.

Zensah Mask. Surprisingly breathable. Definitely not cute, although I think I managed to put it on inside out!

Friday intention: how hard can I push for a virtual 5k?
Not too bad. First mile was the fastest, rookie mistake. I was doing pretty good until 2.5 miles into the “race” portion. I just couldn’t push anymore. Pushed pause, walked around a bit, then finished up with a fartlek. Hardly my fastest 5k, but the fastest I’ve run outside in a while, for sure.

Virtual is done, now I can wear the tee.

I also warmed up with a short walk, 1 mile run, cooled down with a 1 mile run. I wore a mask for the WU & CD, and I’ll write more about that on Tuesday. Then I walked some more, and did a short hike — I would have gone longer, but Bandit had been alone for about 3 hours by this point. He can go longer, but we’re rarely gone that long anymore and it makes him anxious so I needed to get home.

I’ll go back and hike that path some more there on a day when I don’t run — assuming it doesn’t really snow soon, which I don’t anticipate in the near future.

Many in the neighborhood seem to want to skip right over Thanksgiving in favor of Christmas. Don’t blame them!

Sunday intention: recovery run
It was cloudy and in the low 30s, but minimal wind. I kept it deliberately slow — I was rewarded with a nudge up on my V02 Max finally. Guess I haven’t been running my easy runs easy enough. Somehow I continue to pick the right running outfit, which isn’t easy in the transitional weather.

It was chilly but always good to catch up

Favorites of the week
My walk & talk with my friend & the scenery.

Off the beaten path

My short hike. It wasn’t super scenic. The beautiful Fall foliage is long gone. For me it’s about time in nature. Of course I love conquering a mountain, or more scenic hikes, but just being out in nature, walking through the woods — even if there’s no major scenery, it’s self care that I need — and there may only be a short time before snow makes it impossible.

Surprised to find this small bench in the woods

Mostly this week was marred by sadness. The past month hasn’t been easy. Of course there was the loss of Lola, and I still find myself blindsided by sadness fairly regularly.

My friend and her husband that I asked you to pray for — well, your prayers worked in that he was finally able to come home and be with his loved ones. On Hospice, though. I prayed for a miracle, but he has passed away.

One of Mr. Judy’s aunts lost her battle with breast cancer this week. Far too young at 77. We didn’t really know her well, as she was a step-aunt, and for much of her marriage to Mr. Judy’s uncle, we lived too far away to see them; there was no Zoom back then.

We attended a Zoom Shiva sitting session? Meeting? I don’t know what to call it really. We will also be attending a Zoom memorial service today.

On top of all that, one of the most recent COVID cases where my mom lives was just diagonally across the hall from my mom. My mom has been tested, which was negative, and they tested her again. They actually tested all the residents, and I’m happy to say that they’ll reopen dining for them again tomorrow.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer this week but unfortunately, like so many, that’s just what’s going on. I am one of the lucky ones, so far, knock on wood; those closest to me are okay.

Do you have to do conquer something outside, or just enjoy being out in nature?

If I wasn’t running I would ___________?

What are you grateful for this week? Friends & time in nature for me.

GWY Love Your Lower Legs

ICYMI: I’m still showing my lower legs some love. This will get into your feet, ankles, hamstrings — and especially your calves, too. It’s (mostly) not Yoga; it’s some of the exercises I do in the morning every single day, including foam rolling my calves. You can find it here.

Also, the Cacao Bliss I reviewed on the channel (and in this blog post here) has an offer for 5 travel packets for $9.95 right now here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’ll share my thoughts about the Zensah gaiter & mask I bought for running way back in March or April — I finally wore both on recent runs. Friday I’m musing about how to celebrate the losses in life.

I Come Back Even Stronger: August 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 20 Comments

bcomebackstronger

August was relatively busy in a good way. 2 trips to mom, one with a side trip. More day trips.  Slight increase in running. Slight increase in walking, too. Made an effort to get in more steps. I collected my mug from June’s virtual xc runs (with a side trip on that trip too).

August’s song is throwin’ it way back, but man I remember belting this song out when I was young. It’s a classic — Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman”.

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer

These lyrics really speak to me! Do you still have goals? Has 2020 broken you or made you stronger? Do you feel that you’ve grown because of every thing you’ve gone through in 2020?

I did it. I didn’t always like it.

Getting in scheduled runs
I’ve slowly begun to try for 4 runs a week — some weeks, anyway. When I feel like it. So upping the ante just a bit. A virtual race (in September) isn’t the same as a real race, but I can still challenge myself a bit.

Grade Earned:  A

Recording my runs
I record them here. Someday I’ll get back to journaling!

Grade Earned: F

Dynamic Warmup
Dynamic warmups were often really short — 5 minutes — but every little bit helps. As we merge into Fall and the mornings are cooler, it should be easier to do longer warmups. And necessary with cooler temps!

I’ve even done a little Yin Yoga some mornings before a run. In fact, I’ve also filmed three short Yin Yoga Pre Run Warmup videos! I was inspired. Not quite sure yet when I’ll be sharing those.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
Mostly just foam rolling before runs — once or twice after a run too.

Grade Earned: B+

Nutrition
Nutrition has been meh. Not terrible, not great, and the scale reflects that. I already feel the pull of wanting to eat more as the weather heads towards Winter. It’s natural . . . but some clothes are feeling a wee bit snug, sometimes (because I go back & forth around a few pounds).

Grade Earned: B-

Support

  • Massage? Nope. We all know why.
  • Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
  • Do I need a hair appointment? I need to schedule that appointment. We are in a very good situation with COVID right now, but I could see that changing with more time spent indoors and school restarting.

Grade Earned: F

Getting stronger with a little hiking & extra walking

Cross Training
Stationary cycling fell off the grid this month, but the rest is still going pretty strong. There’s only so many hours in a day & I find I need to be careful not to overdo things.

Grade Earned: A

August 2020  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. A couple of Fs again, but mostly August was a busy month and I did the best I could with the time I had and by listening to my body.

August Goals:

  • Run 4 x week. Y/N. Sometimes. Some weeks I just wasn’t feeling it, so I didn’t. Other weeks, I did.
  • Set an intention for each run. Y.  Sometimes it’s after the fact, though. Not as effective that way. I need to work on that!
  • Finish the irest course I started. Y. I did, then discovered that there was an audio book version on Audible. So I bought that (I’ve got a lot of credits), because I enjoy the practices (which are included with the audio book).
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. I’m trying, but it’s crept up just a bit beyond where I’m comfortable. It seems the Winter creep has started early. So Y to eating intuitively; unfortunately Y to creep, too. I mostly know what I need to do — but I need to do it. #youfeelme?
  • Add in more Pilates when I can.Y.I feel that Pilates does helps to shape my body. Yoga can be really tough, but most Pilates (done correctly) is tough in a different way. They are similar, but not the same, and I enjoy both. The problem is always time!

Which leads me to September Goals:

  • Run 4 x week. It all depends on how I feel. I’m enjoying the Peloton Bootcamps and runs — still have to try one of the walk/runs — so it adds a little variety to my life. Plus the weather should make outdoor running more fun again.
  • Set an intention for each run — before the run! It’s not really an intention if you set it afterwards, now is it?
  • Meditate when I get up. Meditating first thing in the morning is centering and sets me up for a calmer morning.
  • Explore new places when I visit my mom. There are quite a few places that are pretty much on the way. Easier to explore on my own, and then size up if it’s somewhere we want to go back to.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. In the last few months my choices haven’t always been the best. I can feel that in some of my clothes — and I don’t like that feeling!
  • Look around for the next virtual to motivate me. I don’t need to do #allthevirtuals, but it’s not bad to have something to work towards sometimes. Makes life feel a bit more normal. The cool Fall weather is my fun season to run (if it’s not raining).

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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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Silver Linings Playbook: 6/4 – 10 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 32 Comments

I can’t say as I was super happy about the unseasonably cool weather this week — except when it comes to running. On the other hand, running in unseasonably warm weather the previous few weeks set me up for a good race last weekend. There’s always a silver lining, right?

I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to wrap up another week of training, dodging raindrops, and silver linings.

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Workouts update

  • Monday: Dogwalk, 6 miles (6 x 400m hill repeats)
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, 5 miles easy, PB Total Body Toning (15 minutes)
  • Wednesday: Dogwalk, Abs, Hips & Glutes
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk, YFPR Hips, 4 miles easy
  • Friday:  Dogwalk, Pilates Legs & Arms
  • Saturday: YFR Hips, 8 Mile LSD
  • Sunday: Short Hike

Mileage: 23 (+7)

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 Updates

 

The view never gets old, even though the workout is damn hard!

Monday
Careful what you ask for, right? Downhill repeats on the schedule since my upcoming half has a 3000 ft drop. I was blessed with a unseasonably cool day (and the rain had ended earlier). It’s still hard. I’m sure it will always be hard.

I was pleased that it was faster than when I did downhill repeats last year — not that I was trying to be faster, in fact the warm up miles were quite slow — and most of all, that my body felt fine the next day.

It’s the only color they come in & I have nothing they match!

Tuesday
I ended up hanging around most of the day, waiting for the guys who were working on our trees to finish. The upside was that my new Newtons arrived. As usual, when I’m in a bit of a time crunch, I run faster (it was a theme for this week). Picked Bandit up for the cool down and he managed to keep a decent pace, too.

Thursday
Or the day I broke Bandit. No, no really, but . . . Thursday wasn’t a frustrating day overall, but there was some frustrating incidents. By the afternoon I was more than ready to take it out on the road.

After 3-speedy-for-me miles (frustration/anger almost always makes me run faster) I picked up Bandit for my cool down. I knew it was a bit warmer than he’d been running in, but he seemed game and didn’t seem tired while we ran. It was only 3/4 of a mile.

When we got home it was a different story. As soon as I took his harness off he just plopped down, which isn’t like him; he’s part JRT and though he does a good couch potato act, he’s got a lot of energy. When we went upstairs and I refilled the water bowl (Giz is constantly draining it), Gizmo of course called first dibs, and Bandit again flopped down while waiting his turn. And afterwards he plopped down on the floor on his side.

None of this was normal behavior and we were getting concerned. Long story short, he’s just fine, but let that be a cautionary tale to those who run with dogs — they don’t always have the good sense to stop before they’re overheated/tired and we have to be mindful of them.

Lovely day along the Hudson

Saturday
If I could dial up weather for my races, this would be it. Although I met up with several friends, I had longer to run so I started solo earlier. The plan was to meet up more friends for breakfast afterwards, and knowing I’m in a time crunch almost always makes me run faster. Again!

Or maybe it was the Nuun with caffeine in it. I like to use caffeine for my races, but most of the time in training I don’t. But as usual, I’m playing around with new stuff and one of the things I decided to try this morning was to have Nuun prior to my run (not during, not after). I had one tube of Nuun with caffeine, and it’s only useful before a run.

Or maybe it was the new Newtons (a different model). I didn’t say I couldn’t find them at all, just that I couldn’t find them cheaply. I do wish they came in more colors!

I ended up with a pretty consistent pace, and quite a fast pace for me. The sort of pace I might run if I were running with Darlene (except I wasn’t). I felt a little knee tightness at one point, but it seemed to open up and I felt okay afterwards. And still feel fine.

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Come join me!

Favorites of the week
I took advantage of Global Running Day and signed up for the inaugural Best Damn Race Savannah. In 2019. I’ve wanted to go to Savannah forever, but most of the halfs there are in months that are almost guaranteed to be hot. This half is in February. Even better, it’s two days after my birthday.

I did the inaugural Best Damn Race NOLA last year (read about it here), and I enjoyed the race (if not the heat) and felt it was in general well run — awesome medal, too!

You can join me by using my link here. I get $25 off if five of you sign up. Considering I could barely give away a race entry to UT last year, I’m not expecting any signups but I had to throw it out there. How about it, my Southern runner friends?

Mr. Judy wasn’t happy about the tick possibilities

Today I managed to get Mr. Judy out for a short hike at a nearby preserve. We were hunting for the waterfalls, but we never found them. Of course, we only hiked about a mile. Bandit and Lola were with us, too. I would have gone further, but I was happy to be out there and also to have some hills to climb. I much prefer the hills when I’m hiking . . .

We’ve also been doing a little more landscaping around the house

We stopped at a nursery/farmer’s stand on the way back. We wanted to get some shrubs for various places in the yard. We took the dogs with us, then I saw the “no pets” sign as we were checking out. Whoops! Well, the employee we were talking with didn’t say anything about the dogs. I picked up some corn to grill with our steak tonight.

The shrub above is actually giving us some fits. There were tree roots where we wanted to put and and we’re having the darndest time trying to figure out where it should go. Stay tuned . . .

Blog posts that caught my eye this week:

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This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.

Let’s get the conversation started:

Are you still planting?

What’s for dinner tonight?

Do you enjoy the act of hiking for itself, or must there be a great view?