Running

Thoughts on Running through a Pandemic

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 32 Comments

brunpandemic1

Back in August, I wrote about the good things in a Pandemic (you can read that post here). It’s easy to find bad things, but what you focus on grows, so why not focus on the good stuff? The topic today is what did I learn about myself in the Pandemic, but I sort of covered that so I’ll share some thoughts about running through a Pandemic.

Running can be your friend
Some people are comfortable running with friends, some aren’t — and we all have different circumstances. Running can absolutely be like getting together with an old friend:

  • Running can push you
  • Running can cheer you up
  • Running rituals (warmups, foam rolling, post run drinks) can be comforting
  • Running can take you away — literally — from all the bad that surrounds you

Last but not least, running is always there for you. If you have to take a break, running will be waiting.

Virtual Races can serve a purpose/s
There are plenty of avid runners that never race. There are plenty of runners that are over virtual races. Again everyone is different; it’s a no judgement zone!

We all run for different reasons, but one of my reasons is to challenge myself. I don’t go all out training for a virtual race and I definitely don’t push as hard during. I do make sure I’m in shape for the distance and I like to push a little. It’s just good for the body and soul.

Virtual Races can also help support your favorite running groups and charities.

Running during a Pandemic can be freeing
For some of us. There are those that #runallthemiles (again, whatever floats your boat) and there are those that found it freeing to relax their running a bit. Both reactions can serve a purpose.

As much as I miss my racecations, I have also turned my thoughts to regular vacations. Maybe we’ll actually take one when we feel comfortable traveling again. I will definitely bring my running gear and I will definitely run — so fun to run in a new place! — but there is a certain amount of stress that comes with the racecation.

Right now I am embracing Winter, because you should never wish your life away, but I am definitely looking forward to warmer days and exploring new places and old favorites without fearing I’ll fall or donning a gazillion layers. I think it will still be a while before we travel. Maybe in the Fall? For our anniversary?

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Final Thoughts
My running has definitely changed during these “interesting” times. Much less of it — which can be freeing — there’s definitely more to life than running for me. Completely solo (although walks with friends when I can). Less hard running.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m pretty sure it will hold more running

What would you add to my list about ways running can be your friend?

If you ran a virtual race in 2020 — why? 

How are you embracing the now? 

You’re invited: I’m going to a lead a Facebook Live meditation on unity tomorrow, at 11 am EST. You can join in here.

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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Down but not out: 1/11 – 17 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 37 Comments

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

bwrd

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

Workouts update

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

Running Mileage: 0 (-3)

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

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

Running Update

Zero, zip, nada

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What do you do when you feel stiff & achy?

Seen the sun lately?

Watching anything good on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

gwy banish aches

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

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

Outcome vs Process Goals

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

Have you heard about SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound) goals? That’s usually all you hear about this time of year! Of course it’s important for your goals to be SMART, or smart, for that matter!

boutcome vs process

What about outcome vs process goals?

Outcome Goals
Outcome goals are the end result you’re looking for. They’re proverbial marathon, not the sprint! Examples of Outcome goals:

  1. Run a PR at __________ distance
  2. Run a faster 5k
  3. Run without walking breaks

Outcome goals motivate us in a big way. The problem with outcome goals? They are usually things we don’t have total control over. We’ve all trained hard for a particular race or distance only to come up short on race day. That’s why runners say that you never know what race day will hand you. That’s why we try to train for the things we think race day will hand us, but we’ve all had races where unexpected things went wrong that no amount of training could have prepared us for.

Process Goals
This is exactly where process goals come in. These are goals that we can control.

Let’s take the outcome goal of running a particular race without taking walking breaks. The process goals are relatively simple:

  • Start with organized run/walk intervals
  • Gradually begin to increase your run interval and shorten your walk interval
  • Practice running shorter distances with no walk breaks at all when you think you’re ready
  • Gradually begin to increase your runs with no walking until you know you can run the distance without walking
  • Give yourself peace of mind by going further than the race distance (depending on how long it is, there is the law of diminishing returns, so if you’re training for a marathon, running beyond that distance opens you up to injury or illness — although there are those that swear by always running longer than the race distance)

There could be a lot of other process goals in that list: hire a coach; find a training plan that suits your desired outcome; make sure you have a solid base before training for your race; do running drills; strength train; make sure you work in rest days; make sure you leave yourself extra training time in case of injury or illness.

By now you’re probably thinking of some outcome goals for 2021, and what process goals will move you towards that outcome.

I admit I’ve struggled with enjoying the journey sometimes. I love to tick things off a list though! I look forward to exploring outcome goals vs process goals more. — Chocolaterunsjudy

Final Thoughts
We hear all the time that it’s the journey, not the destination. Of course outcomes are fantastic when we achieve them, but they can be oh-so-elusive, too.

There is a lot of satisfaction — and ease of mind! — in ticking off all your process goals. You will know that you did your very best. You will feel proud of every step you took towards your goal. You will feel a sense of accomplishment, whether or not you manage to meet your outcome goal.

ICYMI: I’ve covered Who & What in the Yin Yoga FAQ; now it’s time to explain when you should practice, which you’ll here.  If you have a question, drop it in the comments and I’ll cover it — eventually!

What outcome goals are you working on?

Have you thought about the process goals you need to complete to achieve your outcome goal? 

Or would you rather not think and just run? 

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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God laughs at plans: 1/4 – 10 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 40 Comments

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

bwrd

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

Workouts update

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

Running Mileage: 3 (-10)

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

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

Running Update

This was why I was on the treadmill in the AM

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

Bandit is my sick-o-meter

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

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

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

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

Winter does give us some amazing sunsets

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

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

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

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

How is your 2021 going?

How are any new challenges/goals going?

Have you reflected on 2020 or just moved forward?

GWY Releasing 2020

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

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

What will keep you moving in 2021?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 28 Comments

bmovinginto2021

Motivation can be hard to come by in the North during Winter. Motivating yourself out the door when the wind is howling, the snow is flying, and often it’s bitterly cold. Then there’s all the layers — you just feel weighed down. Or is it just me?

The things that normally motivate me in Winter — the post run brunches, the handful of races, the occasional racecation around my birthday — they’re not things I can do in 2021. Or even did in 2020. So what can you do to stay motivated? I went looking for some running challenges to tackle. They are endless, and once you start searching, of course even more will pop up in your FB feed.

Here’s a few you can consider, and also search on your state. Because every state has a challenge or two.

Run Across America Winter Warmup
Choose your goal to run/walk 50km, 100km, or 250km before Daylight Savings on 3/14. Your $45 entry includes either a long sleeve tech shirt or a winter beanie. Medals are extra. It sounds like a fun challenge, although a bit pricey for what you get. They will match your donation to their charity of choice, Feeding America. Sign up here.

2021 Invincible Challenge
The 2021 Invincible Challenge was designed to keep you moving all year. This challenge is totally flexible to your abilities and goals. You can run, walk, cycle, swim, or row the miles in any combination you see fit. All exercise miles count, indoors or out. Select either MILES or KM.

I have to admit I think the tee designs are cool. I know I’m not doing 2021 miles. But 2021 KM? Reasonably priced at $32 (includes just the tee), but no charity component. Sign up here.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Winter Mile Club
All Winter Mile Club Participants will get access to a 12 week half or full marathon training plan (including mobility, stretching, strength), you’ll log miles on RunSignup to show on our leaderboard, will receive our awesome Boco Gear Winter Beanie, and receive an exclusive Customized CSWS Running Mileage Goal Sticker with your accomplished mile tier.

It’s pricey, again, $50 for a 3 month training plan — plus $7.50 shipping. But I do like a training plan (even if I’m probably not running a Spring half). Sign up here.

I Live to Run Gold Challenge
Run/Walk 500 and/or up to 2000 miles in 2021. $50 for a tee and medal, $34 for just the medal. I’m not a bling-driven runner, but it’s a cool medal. I don’t think it’s cool enough to pay $34 for, but maybe you will. Sign up here.

Race Through the States Challenge
Each month, race through a different state and get a medal representing that state. You choose the distance for each “race”. 20% of your registration goes to feeding America. You can purchase a tee separately. Sign up here.

The same company has a similar challenge with Zodiac signs here. Actually, they do have a lot of cool themed virtual races that can keep you “racing”, including their Neptune Challenge (here) which allows you to pick a running/ walking goal for 2021.

Jenny Hadfield’s Winter Warrior Challenge
This challenge aims to keep you running strong through the Winter, and includes: 3 virtual races of varying distances; nutrition, health, and training tips; access to Jenny’s training plans; a finisher’s medal; access to Jenny’s warm-up, cool down, strength, and stretching workouts. It’s $49 for the Winter Challenge or $147 for the full year. Sign up here.

Zooma Run Club
The Zooma Run Club is free, and you can pick your mileage challenge. You can also choose to pay for some swag, but you’ll get the camaraderie, the mileage trackers, and the monthly challenges for free. Sign up here.

AMR Many Happy Miles
AMR Many Happy Miles is a year long program. It includes a training journal, monthly workouts, guest coaches, expert workshops, and a lot more! It’s $185 per year. Sign up here.

Final Thoughts
There is a challenge out there for everyone! From free to inexpensive to a bit of an investment. One of the good things to come out of 2020 was all the way runners and race companies were forced to get creative. Will I sign up for one of these? Stay tuned.

I have also come up with an easy challenge for myself in 2021: walk outside every day, unless I’m injured, or am getting sick, or am actually sick — or the weather is really too dangerous to walk outside. I already do this for the most part; Bandit gets walked most days. There are days it’s too cold for him to walk outside, though — but not necessarily too cold for me (except for that dog mom guilt he always gives me when I walk out that door).

I need gentle challenges, because I tend to cling too tightly to them sometimes. I just need something that will push me to do a little more. Anyone want to join me?

Have you ever signed up for a challenge to keep you moving?

Have you participated in a state themed challenge in 2020? 

Do any of these challenges sound interesting to you? 

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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Bye Bye, 2020!: 12/28 – 1/3 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 39 Comments

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

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

Workouts update

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

Running Mileage: 13 (NC)

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

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

Running Update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thought about goals or a word for 2021?

Feeling hopeful with a new year?

GWY Sleep Course 4

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

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

Fighting Stronger: December 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 26 Comments

bfightingstronger

No races for me in December, virtual or otherwise. I did have a pretty well rounded fitness routine for most of December, including shoveling!

This month’s song selection: who doesn’t love Rachel Patton? I probably already used her, but I think it’s totally appropriate for going into 2021, because the COVID vaccines allow us to take back our power and fight back — along with giving us hope for a better new normal. We’re all weary of fighting, but we just have to stay the course and believe:

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

Running inside, outside, seeing new “friends”

Getting in scheduled runs
We finally got the really big storm we almost always get in December. That makes running more difficult — there are few places to get in more than a few miles, and often the streets are slippery due to snowmelt that refreezes. Not to mention shoveling all that snow is tiring & a multiday affair! Then there’s juggling my trips to my mom, which I do twice a month (if it’s open). I may not be running #allthemiles but I’m still running, outside & in.

Grade Earned:  A+

I started using my planner again. But not for runs.

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

Grade Earned: Incomplete (due to pandemic)

Dynamic Warmup
Still going strong with warmups. Generally I do the dynamic warmup inside, unless I go somewhere, and then walk a bit before I start my run. Mainly because we live on a dead end and it’s usually not cleared great and still pretty slushy/icy for a while.

Grade Earned: A+

Foam Rolling
I continue to make foam rolling (or some form of myofascial release) an almost daily occurrence.

Grade Earned: A+

Nutrition
Nutrition has been okay. Not great, not terrible. I definitely suffer from SAD (seasonal affective order) — or maybe it’s my low vitamin D levels — but too often I just don’t want to cook. Or maybe the reality is I just don’t want to clean up! Still maintaining, though, so not terrible.

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: I

Cross Training
I’m doing pretty good with cross training. Still walking — not as much as I was, but still out there most days (in addition to pacing in my house when my Garmin says I need to move). Some indoor cycling. Strength training. Still on my AM Yoga streak. I think it’s over 2 months now.

Grade Earned: A+

December 2020  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. Except for a few extra pounds and chafing at a restricted life due to COVID and Winter, in general things are good.

December Goals:

  • Continue to run 3 x week + 1 cycle class. Y. I do struggle with getting in that cycling. Mainly because I feel like it should be a recovery workout, and somehow I am still struggling with how that fits in my week.
  • Choose a word for 2021. Y/N.  I have not yet chosen my word, but it’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about. Stay tuned!
  • More strength training! Y. This has been a goal for a while. I feel as though I should be doing more, but I am proud to say I’ve been doing two Pahla B strength workouts a week; they’re usually about 30 minutes. 
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I’m maintaining. A little higher than I’d like to, but it’s not terrible. Doing my best to make peace with that. Having a partner who truly doesn’t care about his own nutrition/fitness — it makes it more difficult. I know some of you feel me on that. Ultimately we’re in charge of what we put into our bodies.

Which leads me to January Goals:

  • Continue to run 3 x week + 1 cycle class. I’m ok with running 3 x week, but I do feel my body could benefit from something other than walking & hiking, and both walking and hiking are harder to get in during Winter.
  • Focus on endurance. This began in December. With no races anywhere in sight for me in the beginning of the year, it’s time to feel strong. In my body and my runs. Let’s hope Winter doesn’t make me endure the wrong things! Doesn’t mean there can’t be a little speed here and there.
  • Continue to strength train 2 x week. It’s important for women of a certain age (ok, all women!) to fight against muscle loss.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. There was some holiday creep. Not initially, a few days afterward. Weird. Anyway, gotta keep those clothes fitting.. 

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

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

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

bwrd

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

Workouts update

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

Running Mileage: 13 (+1)

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

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

Running Update

Finally found some real snowmen

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

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

Did Santa have a bit too much fun?

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

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

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

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

Do you enjoy your holiday if you celebrate?

Any live races coming up?

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

GWY Sleep Course 4

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

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

I Tried It: Peloton Road to the 5k

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 25 Comments

Straight from the Peloton Website:

Run a 5k you’re proud of with this six-week training program designed for first-time racers or those getting back into racing. 

So did I?

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The Program
It’s a six week course, with usually five workouts per week — although some weeks have an extra workout.

  1. Week 1: Runs ranging from 10 – 30 minutes. 1 run also had core work.
  2. Week 2: Runs ranging from 10 – 30 minutes, 1 run had legs & glutes work.
  3. Week 3: Runs ranging from 30 – 45 minutes, 1 bodyweight session.
  4. Week 4: Runs ranging from 20 – 45 minutes, 1 run had hill work & 1 run had core work.
  5. Week 5: Runs ranging from 10 – 45 minutes, 1 bodyweight session.
  6. Week 6: 3 20 minute runs — because it’s race week!

Some of the runs do repeat (hello, run + core), but mostly there’s quite a variety, including fun runs, recovery runs, HIIT runs, even run/walk in the beginning.

I didn’t follow the program to the letter. Not even close. Because I’m only running 3 x week at present. I jumped in at week 2, in fact, and skipped week 6 entirely. Usually I only ran two workouts from each week, because I didn’t want to do all my runs (including a longer run on the weekend) on the treadmill. Sometimes only one run from the program.

I was “training” for a virtual 5k at the time, and I enjoyed not having to think much about my training, the variety of the workouts, and the variety of instructors — there were videos from 5 different instructors.

What I didn’t like was that it very explicitly says it’s a program for your first 5k, yet there are several intermediate runs and even one advanced. The one fun run I took wasn’t at all what I would have considered a fun run — it was intervals and it was not easy.

I realize that Peloton is trying to appeal to a wide audience, and I realize how difficult that can be. It would be great if they put out a program that is truly aimed at beginners. The instructors often give suggested paces, too, and as a slower runner — yup, that can be off-putting.

It’s not really that bad for me, I know where I should be. As a new runner though? I might have believed their suggestions, and I could very well have ended up injured. It’s hard to say what they should do, though; plenty of beginners can run those paces. Maybe a better thing to do would be to talk about how you know you’re running too fast (talk test, feeling lousy after the run, etc.).

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This program got me to the “start line” feeling strong

Final Thoughts
I do think this is a nice program for the more experienced runner. I’m still not convinced that it’s really right for beginner runners. I didn’t PR, not even close, but I wasn’t trying to or training as if I was trying to. I felt as though I got to the “start line” feeling strong and ready to push through my 5k.

The real question always is: would I do this program again? The answer is yes, I may very well may revisit for the next 5k.

GWY Sleep Course 2
ICYMI: The second short video Yin Yoga practice designer to stretch you out — or help you sleep — is being released today and you’ll find it here. Don’t skip that meditation that’s linked up at the end if you’re using it for sleep, either. Interested in joining a private Facebook group to talk about Yoga, running, general fitness and healthy living? You can join here.

Have you ever used an online course to train for a 5k other than C25K?

Have you tried this Peloton program? Thoughts? 

Do you have some sort of holiday 5k on tap? 

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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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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.

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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.