Business as usual: 3/23-29 WRD

March 29, 2020March 29, 2020 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 44 Comments

Sort of. Ok, obviously it’s not completely normal, but in general things are going along okay so far here. I hope that it is with you guys, too. We adjust and we just pray and have to have faith that we will get through this.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing more doggy cuteness, because why not?

Workouts update

Monday: Dogwalk, SB 20 min
Tuesday: Dogwalk, SB 10 min, 4 miles easy, Yoga (30 min)
Wednesday: Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
Thursday: Dogwalk, SB (15 min), Yoga (30 min)
Friday: 8 mile LSD, Yoga (30 min)
Saturday: Dogwalk, FB Live Yoga (35 min)
Sunday: 4 miles easy, no doubt some Yoga later

Mileage: 15 (+3)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

Snow in Spring? Now that actually is normal

Tuesday
I’m trying to remember this run, I truly am. I think it was a decent run. Obviously nothing memorable. The only thing memorable was the 6″ of snow the day before, of course, but that’s the nice thing about Spring snow: it melts quickly.

**There was lots of walking coming up this hill**

Friday
Initially Saturday looked like the better day, but my body didn’t want to run Thursday, Sunday looked to be a washout, so Friday it was for my long run. Turned out it was a beautiful day. The run was hard, because I chose a very hilly path.

I got further on this particular path than I have before, and there’s one really steep hill then lots of rolling hills. I discovered there’s also an insanely steep hill further on after the really steep hill, LOL! There was a lot of walking, it was slow, but I finished. Too soon, as it turns out . . . I could easily have made it a 9 mile run but I just had a very long cool down walk.

Sunday
The radar showed a potential break in the rain, but good thing I had mentally prepared myself to get wet, because I did. At least I didn’t get poured on. 4 miles to burn off a frustrating morning.

**Trying to keep local restaurants afloat & trying new ones, too**

Favorites of the week
We’re still going around the world with delivered food. This week it was Greek, and it was yummy: mine was Spanokopita appetizers and a Vegan Gyro. Both were yummy. I do kind of feel divided, worrying a bit that maybe we’re putting ourselves at risk. We get the food out of the packaging, wash our hands, then spritz the counter with cleaner. After all, I’m still grocery shopping too (although not as often).

**It was cold out there yesterday — I feel for those swimsuit models!**

I really needed a good head shot for a project I’ve been working on for my YouTube channel (you can check it out here, of course) and although we’ve tried a few times, we just weren’t successful . . . until yesterday. We got quite a few good ones. This is not one I’m using, unfortunately Lola came out blurry. Hadn’t planned to have the dogs in there but they wanted to participate. 🙂

Are you doing all the cooking?

Are you afraid of going live on Facebook? I know I’ve been resisting it!

#teamtraining or #teammaintenance? For now I am still training, at least until I find out if the half end of June is a go or not. If it’s cancelled, I’ll be back to maintenance.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up March. I am hoping to get out another Yin Video and Mediation video next week, but not quite sure how that will go yet.

gwy grounding meditation

ICYMI: I’ve got a new grounding meditation for you here. I went live on Facebook yesterday –you can catch the replay here. You wanted Yin? You got it! If you do like these meditations, please press the like button — it helps me continue to bring everyone free videos.

Be the first to know when I release new videos: sign up for my newsletter here to find out when I add new videos, and you’ll receive a free Self Love Affirmation PDF and a bonus audio-only version of this self love meditation.

Life hasn’t changed too much: 3/16-22 WRD

March 22, 2020 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 46 Comments

Yet. After a lot of back and forth (I’d feel perfectly fine, then not great — never terrible, by any means), I do believe I turned the corner — finally! this week, and feel 100%. Or maybe 95%? My life hasn’t changed that much. Not yet, anyway. Of course there are changes, but in general, being an introvert and a homebody has served me well.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing more doggy cuteness, because why not?

Workouts update

Monday: Dogwalk
Tuesday: Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
Wednesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
Thursday: Dogwalk, Pilates (15 min), Yoga (30 min)
Friday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
Saturday: Dogwalk, PB Walking + Toning, Yoga (40 min)
Sunday: 7 miles easy, no doubt some Yoga later

Mileage: 15 (+3)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

Sorry for the graininess, didn’t want to disturb them too much

Wednesday
I figure as long as I’m able to get out for a run, I will try — there could come a day when we’re not supposed to at all, as I’ve read has happened in some places in Europe. We had walked the dogs at the trail by the river on Monday, so I made plans to come back and run there. It’s a very short, packed dirt with a little crushed gravel trail.

It was a beautiful day, perfect for running, and I enjoyed this run greatly. There were feathers on the trail that looked like eagle feathers. I’ve never seen an eagle there, but I’m sure they are probably around. A little further down, though, I almost literally ran into 4 chickens. This would not have been at all odd when I lived in Austin, but this is something I’ve never run into before here.

They definitely didn’t look wild. I’ve always wanted to have chickens . . . anyway, as I continued on pondering whether or not I should call animal control or grab one on the way back, by the time I got back to that point on the trail they’d vanished. You just never know what you’ll see when you #optoutside!

**I may have been rained on, but I enjoyed this run**

Friday
Today I had to try to outrun the rain. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. It was a warmer day, but my run was in the morning and it was only in the 50s with wind — and yes, light rain. It was still a good run!

Sunday
I headed up to a path I haven’t been to since last year. I guess I’d forgotten it was mostly uphill the way out . . . but of course that means mostly downhill on the way back. Path angels were busy with postive chalk art messages & I loved them!

I didn’t notice this leprechaun in the opening of a tree, but some walkers did and I asked them what they were oohing & aahing over. Of course I waited until they had moved on to take my photo.

**Palak Paneer & Potato Cauliflower Fritters (Aloo something?)**

Favorites of the week
You can still get delivery/take out from restaurants. I have always made about 90% of my own food — that includes way back when I worked outside of the home — but I like a break once in a while. This week it was Indian food, last week it was Chinese, I guess we’re doing a virtual world tour. I was surprised the Palak Paneer was in a cream sauce, I haven’t had it that way before. It was very good — no doubt pretty fattening too!

Part of the protein bar, a little bit of the scone, and some of my mom’s birthday cheesecake (remember, her birthday was the 10th!) just may have been lunch. Don’t judge. The brownie will probably get frozen. I don’t think I need all that and the cheesecake. Not for 7 miles.

I called my order in, and then I didn’t have to wait online. It was ready & waiting for me when I got there. Easy peasy.

**I lured him with a protein bar I was eating, then didn’t share. Bad Mommy.**

**Finally found a relatively cheap quilt at Target. We’d been using an old sheet, and that was beginning to tear. So far Lola hasn’t decided to eat it. That tail, though!**

Are you having to learn new skills now?

Are you working from home?

How are you destressing?

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m gathering up some of the many low cost and free resources that are being offered. Seriously, there are just so many things you can do to keep fit at home!

ICYMI: I uploadeed this meditation to help you reduce anxiety here. I’m working on more meditations. I have a lot of ideas and a couple already sketched out! If you do like these meditations, please press the like button — it helps me continue to bring everyone free videos.

Running down a virus: 3/9-15 WRD

March 15, 2020 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 33 Comments

Yes, I was mildly sick last week. Still a little back and forth this week. No fever, no congestion, no coughing, no sneezing (at least no more coughing and sneezing than normal). I don’t meet the criteria to be tested, so I haven’t been.

Out of an abundance of caution I did’t go to my normal WW meeting, didn’t meet up with friends to run. and we canceled my Yoga with Cats for this month. About the only thing I have been doing still is grocery shopping. I worry a little that maybe I shouldn’t even be doing that.

My mom turned 92 on Tuesday, but that was the day her senior living community closed their doors to visitors. They said that we could come pick her up and take her out, but we couldn’t come in. This seemed silly to me, so we didn’t go. I’m not sure when we’ll be able to see her again, but we talk pretty much every day.

She was supposed to go visit my brother in CA in a couple of weeks, but they’ve canceled the trip (there were a lot of moving parts to that visit, and let’s just say a lot of it just imploded). She’s taking it all in stride. My brother’s MIL, who also lives in a senior community in CA, is on total lockdown. A friend of my mom’s, who also lives in a senior community in NY, had traveled to Europe with family, and was not allowed back into his apartment (part of why we canceled my mom’s trip to CA).

No half anytime soon for me (or anyone, it seems). I’d been in contact with the RD from the Coastal DE Running Festival just days before they decided to cancel it.

Here’s what I know: it’s important to take precautions, and even more important to try to stay calm and not stress over the things you can’t control. I plan another meditation on my YouTube channel next week about trying to take your anxiety down a notch. This will pass. My heart goes out to those who are sick and to those who lose loved ones — and especially to small businesses that are so hard hit. We will get through this and we will come out stronger the other side. — Chocolaterunsjudy

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing a little bit of doggy cuteness, healthy and not-so-healthy food, and a little bit of activity.

briots

And linking up with Jenn @ Runswithpugs, Brandi @ Funnerrunner, Anna Louise @ Graciouswarriorprincess, Briana @ Matsmilesmedals, Meghan @ Meghanonthemove, and Elizabeth @ Trainwithbainfor RIOTS(running is our therapy)

Workouts update

Monday: 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (30 min)
Tuesday: Taught Yoga (60 min), Yoga (30 min)
Wednesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk
Thursday: Dogwalk, Rest Day
Friday: Dogwalk, Rest Day
Saturday: Dogwalk, Rest Day
Sunday: 5 miles easy

Mileage: 12 (+8)

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
I felt better, although still tired. It was such a nice day, though, it was time to run. The first mile felt pretty good, and then the next 2 miles dragged. It was a really lovely day, though, so I was glad I got out there (I even filmed this week’s Yoga video on our deck outside!).

**Still tracking the bulbs’ progress; nothing flowering yet**

Wednesday
Much cooler, but still a nice day. Still hunting down the signs of Spring. I went out to do 3 but ended up with 4 — it felt a lot easier than Monday’s 3. Otherwise I really don’t remember a lot about this run.

**A lovely if slightly chilly run, with I swear a headwind both out & back!**

Sunday
Thursday afternoon I suddenly felt worse again. My RHR was elevated the next two mornings. Lots of rest. Just as suddenly on Saturday afternoon I started to feel normal again, and with a normal RHR this morning, I set out to see if there was any food left at the grocery stores — there was, with the exception of onions and potatoes ?? and frozen veggies, at least at the small market I shop at frequently.

Then I set out to do a shorter long run. I had 5 miles in mind, and that’s what I did. It felt good and it was a pretty normal HR and pace for me.

Favorites of the week
We’d cooked a whole chicken quite a while ago, and threw the bones in the freezer. So I decided to make some bone broth.

**Sorry mom, I’ll bring some next time we’re together!**

Since I don’t know when I’ll get to see my mom again in person, I ended up eating some of the cheesecake slices I’d bought to bring to her. If her birthday had been Monday instead of Tuesday, I could have gotten to her. Probably just as well I didn’t, since I have been just mildly sick. I just ate smaller pieces of some of the slices (brownie, apple, and raspberry). I also got to enjoy the flowers I’d bought for her, but I’ve sent the address book to her in the mail.

**Lola likes to snuggle with Mr. Judy on the couch in the mornings**

Just a little dose of doggy cuteness.

How have you been effected by Coronavirus?

Are you doing virtual races?

Have you had trouble finding food?

ICYMI: It was supposed to be a Vinyasa Yoga video today, but I wasn’t feeling great this week, so I filmed a Healing Meditation here for you instead. I know there lots going around (not just Coronavirus). Be the first to know when I release new videos: sign up for my newsletter here to find out when I add new videos, and you’ll receive a free Self Love Affirmation PDF and a bonus audio-only version of this self love meditation.

A little break (hopefully): 3/2-8 WRD

March 8, 2020 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 48 Comments

After my run on Tuesday, I just didn’t feel well the next day. Nothing serious, basically just fatigue, slight temp, and muscle aches. Unfortunately it persisted the rest of the week. No big goals, so I gave my body some much-needed rest. Hoping to pick up where I left off next week. So very little activity.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing that sometimes the best thing you can do for your body is not to push.

briots

Workouts update

Monday: Rest day!, Dogwalk, Yoga (60 min)
Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), 4 Miles easy, Dogwalk
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Dogwalk, Rest Day
Saturday: Dogwalk, Rest Day
Sunday: Dogwalk, Rest Day

Mileage: 4 (-12)

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

More bulbs pushing through and aren’t these Brooks the cutest? Too bad I have pretty much nothing that matches them! They were really comfortable, too.

Tuesday
I really lucked out and got out there before the rain, while the sun was still brightly shining. It was 59F by the time I finished, y’all! Loving these hints of Spring. Not loving how tired I was, so I decided to make it an easy run, which was a good call, I think (especially as I got sick the next day). My HR went really high for no reason at one point, which meant a slow pace, but all in all, an enjoyable run — I just wish I’d worn a skirt! Always so hard to figure out those transitional days.

Favorites of the week
Bandit did the rare lay on me thing (usually he only lays on us when he’s cold or wants something – and sometimes when I’m sick or really stressed). I had to get Mr. Judy to capture the moment.

I also started seeing robins this week, like many other bloggers. Although our weather is still bouncing back and forth between Spring and Winter, Robins are always the first sign that Spring is truly on its way. Today is quite lovely, and I was tempted to run. I have a long day on Tuesday, though, and tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, so I’m giving rest another day.

I did go to the Women’s Festival with a friend today. We both bought this pillow above. It’s a pressure-activated massage pillow. It takes either 2 D batteries (which were included) or you can plug it into a USB port. You can put it pretty much anywhere — we had it behind our backs — then the salesman had us put our feet on it. They’re on sale at the Website here, although we got a better deal at the expo.

My friend and I also each bought one of these wraparound bracelets (not the same one). I got a good deal on Bamboo Sheets, which I really needed. Ours are getting threadbare and I’d actually been keeping an eye out for a good deal for a while now.

de coastal running festival

I am still unsure if I’ll do the April half, but this is the one. We booked a hotel today. Just in case. Rooms were definitely going quickly!

Are you more tired with changing over the clocks?

Do you run through illnesses?

Celebrating International Women’s Day today somehow?

Bring Your Yoga on Your Run

August 23, 2019August 22, 2019 ~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 24 Comments

byogaoffmat

I’m not talking about busting out some yoga moves during your run, but if that’s your jam, go for it! Personally, I’m usually too focused on wanting to finish to stop and bust out some yoga moves.

YTT isn’t just about learning yoga posture and how to string them together and cue them; it’s about how to live a yogic life. Which could fill many blog posts.

Fairytales and Fitness

I found myself thinking about how yoga had naturally crept into my runs during a recent run, and the idea for this post was born. I do get some great ideas for blog posts on the run! Sometimes I even remember them.

Just breathe
I even have a Momentum bracelet with that motto. If you’ve ever attended a yoga class, no doubt at some point the teacher told you to breathe. Maybe multiple times during the class.

Breathing is good. It helps us shuttle some oxygen to our hard working muscles, hopefully allowing them to go a little further and faster. Form in running and alignment in Yoga are all about creating more space in our spine, allowing us to take deeper breaths.

When you’re tired you probably slump down. Stand up; let your back slump. Now try to take a deep breath. Not happening, right?

Now pay attention to your breath
Your Yoga teacher probably also tells you to pay attention to your breath. If it get short and choppy or shallow, you’ve gone too deep into your pose; you need to back off.

If you’re running and your breath gets short and choppy, it may definitely may mean that you are pushing the pace. If it’s an easy run, you’ve pushed too hard. If it’s a race, especially if you’re just starting, you may not want to back off (although maybe you should), but at the very least you want to bring attention to your breath and see if you can take deeper, more relaxed breaths.

The M Word
Yup, I’m talking about meditation. Many, many posts could be written about meditation, but there’s a simple way to turn your run into a more meditative experience. It started for me with my dog walks during our course work on meditation. I’ve actually had a regular meditation practice for the last few years (ironically enough that sort of flew out the window with my YTT), but I notice when I have and haven’t meditated.

We learned a very simple meditation: repeating SA on the inhale, and HUM on the exhale. In a nutshell, it reminds you that you are connected to the universe. When you breath in thinking “Sa” you are bringing in energy; when you breathe out thinking “Hum” you are letting go of your ego.

I started to do that on my dog walks. At first it seemed pretty difficult to keep that up the majority of the walk, but I must say for the most part, I noticed being calmer when I did and also enjoyed my dogwalks more.

Lately I’ve even found myself turning off t he radio in the car. I find more peace by breathing deeply. I’m not saying I’m always completely zen while driving, but it does help.

I’ve taken that on the run with me, too — seriously, who couldn’t use some more energy on the run, and probably need to release some ego (you can read my post about ego and running here)? I don’t do it the whole run, although I bet it would greatly benefit me. Several times throughout a mile I check in with my breathing, and think to myself SA on the inhale through my nose, HUM on the exhale through my mouth.

Practice body scanning
This is something I’ve done for years — it can take your mind off a seemingly-never ending run, and help you see if there’s anywhere in your body that needs some attention (adjusting your form, breathing into a tight spot, and so on).

Lately I’ve been really noticing my feet. As you run, think about how your foot is contacting the earth. Not so much whether you’re heel striking or not, but think about the top of your sole on the pinky side and the big toe side, then think about the middle of your heel.

Are you rolling more to your pinky side, or your big toe side? Can you flatten out a little so that your foot is more grounded? How are you striking front to back? Is your whole foot pointing out to one side? Wouldn’t it be great if you could fix things like over pronation just by thinking about where your feet are connecting to the earth?

You can do a slow scan of your whole body, but pay particular attention to your calves, hamstrings, knees, hips, core, and shoulders (are they coming up to your ears? Relax those shoulders to get rid of some unnecessary muscle tension, elongate your spine, and yes, take a deep breath).

Do you ever scan your body while running?

Do you think observing your breath could help your running?

Do you ever think about yoga when you’re not on the mat?