Weekly Run Down

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?

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.

bwrd

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!

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.

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.

Sunrise, Sunset: 11/9 – 15 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

As I go over in my favs of this week, there were amazing sunsets this week — and some beautiful Monet-like sunrises, too. No, I’m not outside to see them, although I’m beginning to think maybe I need to grab the patio heater to watch the next one.

It was another week with minimal movement. It’s funny, on Tuesday I had a great short run, and the next day I felt run down. I went from running in a skirt and light long sleeve top on Tuesday, to bundling up in a beanie, neck gaiter, jacket, and tights on Friday for my longish run.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and a strange week of strong running while feeling rundown.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, 3 miles easy-ish with fartlek/pickups (whatever you want to call it), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 5 mile LSD, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3ish TM recovery miles (includes WU & CD runs), Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11ish (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

Couldn’t pass up running outside on such a beautiful day. Yes, that’s a tree decorated for Christmas behind me. I say whatever makes you happy in 2020!

Tuesday intention: Push pace a little
It was way too nice to run inside and I had no pressing appointments for once so I ran outside. In a skirt. Thank God I changed from the heavier Watch Me Go Top to the Cool It Top — I could’ve worn a tank top!

Basically the second half of every mile I threw in short bursts of speed, aka  pick ups, totally randomly. Then the last half mile did a set of 5 x 30ish second strides. Nice negative splits. The first time that I felt I had some energy in a long, long time. The weather certainly helped.

Cold & gray but a good run. I didn’t run with the gaiter pulled up, but my sunglasses would fog up when I had to pull it up because of other people on the path.

Friday intention: take it easy, go a bit longer
I picked a park closer to me this week. It wasn’t great weather, so I felt fairly sure that it wouldn’t be as frustrating as last week’s “long” run and I was right. There were still almost no one wearing masks, but I also didn’t have to run through groups of people 5 deep.

Beauty even on a gray day — you have to open up & look around you

I wasn’t sure if I should take another rest day or not, but this run went surprisingly well. Pretty consistent and a decent pace — best of all, my running outfit was prefect for the weather.

Sunday intention: recovery run
Cold and windy but the rain held off so far. Today I was happy to run on the treadmill. I took it very easy, and enjoyed my recovery run (even if the Peloton instructor mixed up Nutcracker for Swan Lake at one point; yes, it was set to orchestral music).

I actually had to filter this photo to get it to approach how it really looked,  but it was even more stunning in RL

Favorites of the week
This sunset (as seen from our deck). The sky was on fire!

Bandit isn’t usually a fan of the photo shoot but he cooperated & those ears!

We finally got the results back on Bandit’s cysts. One is just a lipoma, which is pretty common in older dogs (and cats) and nothing to worry about. The other had a few suspicious cells, but the pathologist felt there were few enough that it’s most likely benign so we’ll just keep an eye on it. So good news finally!

First chicken wings in the air fryer

Neither one of us likes Buffalo wings, but Mr. Judy does enjoy roasted chicken wings. I’d been wanting to try these out in the air fryer for a while. In fact, I did the whole meal: wings, cauliflower, and fries, in the air fryer.

I had to use two oven racks, as you don’t want to crowd stuff in the air fryer. I put the potatoes below the wings intentionally so they would soak up some schmaltz (chicken fat). It worked beautifully.

Yummy final results

Because Mr. Judy likes his wings crunchier than I do, I put his in first. He was happy with his. I’m not particularly fussy about it, but mine could have used some more time in the oven, too.

The first carrot I pulled was a carrot nub; a few weeks later a real carrot

I didn’t cover the carrots last night, though, and we had a hard freeze. They still need a bit more time. Hopefully I didn’t freeze them all.

Do you have an air fryer, or have you considered one?

Are you a fan of chicken wings?

How’s running going for you right now?

GWY Yin Yoga for Calves

ICYMI: I’m showing my lower legs some love this week. This will get into your feet, ankles, hamstrings — and especially your calves. Because I have really tight calves! You can find it here. It is a longer practice, but I also spend some time demoing several options for a pose towards the end; so it’s not as long as you think it is. If you have tight legs and feet (and what runner doesn’t), this will help you.

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m jumping ahead on the Tuesday Topics linkups and sharing why I’m still grateful for running in 2020 — kind of a rebuttal to my own post this week on whether or not I will ever run another half marathon (which you can read here). On Friday I’m talking about recovery hot chocolate, my simple recovery hot chocolate recipe — and sharing some of my favorite healthy hot chocolate mixes.

New Normal Deja Vu: 11/2 – 8 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

I won’t lie: life is much easier without Lola. The sadness lingers, though, of course, and I’d trade the easiness for more time with her, but it is what it is. Is was the right decision. My heart has been heavy much of this week, but we laugh, too, because life truly does go on.

The only thing certain in life is change. Speaking of change, while I’m very happy that Biden/Harris are the apparent winners of our elections, I also caution people: don’t gloat. Show grace. See my post here about compassion and respect, even though it wasn’t written about the election, it applies to it.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and healing through movement and time in nature.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), TM Peloton 5k Prep + WU + CD (3.20 miles), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB Walking + Toning (30 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Peloton Intervals (3ish miles), Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), Short walk/hike on way to moms, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), Long walk/hike with friend, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 5 mile “LSD”, Couple of miles walking WU & CD, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 11ish (+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: 5k Prep
I could definitely have run outside, as the rain stopped early, but since I’m using the Peloton 5k Course, I’m sticking with the treadmill for a couple of runs during the week. So far, anyway. This was mostly intervals, at 5k and 1 mile pace (whatever that may be). It was definitely not easy, but I did my best.

Thursday intention: More speed work
Bandit was due for a long overdue annual (mostly because of all the problems with Lola). Plus I was headed to my mom the next day, and there’s always some prep for that, more so this time because I was getting the Echo Show ready to take with me.

The mill would be faster even though it was a great day to run. I did a 45 minute interval run, and I didn’t need extra run time on that, so I did a quick 5 minute stretch before & after. Go me.

Beautiful day but masks in hands does nothing people! You never know what you’ll see outside.

Sunday intention: longer run
It was a lovely day to run today, but I learned my lesson: don’t go up to this park on a weekend when the weather is unseasonably warm! Very few people felt the need to wear a mask, and the path isn’t that wide. 

I grew increasingly frustrated as I pulled my doubled over gaiter up and down constantly — and many people walked around with their mask in the their hand. Even with my early warning of “coming up on your left”, people felt no need at all to actually put that mask on. I definitely grumbled (somewhat under my breath) at one point that wearing your mask on your hand does nothing. Maybe I should’ve saved this for runfessions this month!

Now I know how to get to this trail!

Favorites of the week
I hate the reason, but not having to take care of Lola meant more time for walking/light hiking/visiting mom. First we visited a small park Darlene @ Myfirst5k goes to sometimes with the running group.

As I drive to mom, I’ve often seen this path along the highway leading off into the woods. I wondered where the heck it was. Now I know. Oddly enough this was the park that Darlene and I tried SUP 4 1/2 years ago — I know this because it was the day we would end up adopting Bandit, the day before the fourth.

We helped Chester cross the bridge a day after New Years. Lola on Halloween. Adopted Bandit the day before the fourth. What the heck is it with our rescue dogs?

Watching seasons change at Olana

I never have enough time when I stop at Olana, but the bathroom continues to be open and I continue to use this as my pitstop. Not bad, eh?

Long walk & talk with a friend

Yesterday it was a long walk/hike with a friend who has gone through many of the same things I have since I moved here. We get each other. She works crazy hours (still), so we only get together once in a while, but we always have so much to catch up on when we do.

Not so favorite: I was astounded that I was able to get an appointment for Bandit so quickly. The news was mixed, and we’re waiting on some test results on the cysts on his chest.

The vet did tell us she heard a very slight heart murmur. I am 3 for 3 for dogs & heart murmurs. That doesn’t really worry me, though, it’s very slight right now. Lola had a slight heart murmur detected at about the same age as Bandit is now, but while it effected her, it never was a big deal and wasn’t what got her  in the end.

Still questions this week. Love on your loved ones.

gwy calm heart meditation

ICYMI: I have thought about creating a meditation for grief for a long time. Sometimes you create what you need for yourself. Yes, I’ve been using this meditation daily since we lost Lola. You can find it here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I have a fun blog on the lessons runners can learn from dogs (no doubt with many Lola photos — that girl was a great sprinter). On Friday I’ll be musing about if I’ll ever run another half marathon.