Yin Yoga Class Giveaway

Typical February Week: 2/15 – 21 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 42 Comments

Snow. Ice. Cold. Not nearly as much as forecast, though — in fact, much, much less (except the cold part). I was able to run outside twice. My heart goes out to my friends in Austin, even while I’m actually glad (for once!) that we live here and not there. I’ve been without power. I’ve been without water. Neither is fun. Throw into that burst pipes — yikes!

I am ready for some good news, I truly am!

bwrd

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (40 min), PB Legs (11 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (20 min), PB Balance + Core (10 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (10 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), Easy 3 miles, Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), PB Legs (10 min), A little touch up shoveling, Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), PB Arms (10 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 4 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 9.5 (+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

This is how it looked by the afternoon when the temps had risen above freezing and the ice was melting. Made the shoveling easier, but I stuck to the mill in the morning.

Tuesday Intention: just a touch of speed + more time
I chose a 45 minute intervals run today. I’ve been using 45 minute runs, but just running for 30 minutes. I continue to slowly increase time and length of my runs, so this week I wanted to run for 35 minutes. Which I did.

Another cool ice photo. Makes plastic mesh look like chain mail!

I kept my “speed” relatively low, walked the last 10 minutes, and then cooled down with a 10 minute indoor bike ride. I’ve been doing 15 minute cycles, but it was getting really close to lunch and no one wants Mr. Judy hangry.

No killer storms here but lots of days with just a few inches of snow & lots of cold means the snow stays. Until next week when we’re supposed to get more seasonal temps.

Thursday Intention: opt outside + easy miles
No wind for the win again! Which is good because it was just barely above 22F. Definitely took it easy, but a good run overall. Except for when I turned around at the end of one street and almost literally ran into a woman running on the wrong side of the street — I had no idea she was there. Otherwise uneventful except for V02 Max nudging up a little and my last mile being a pretty normal pace.

Typical February scenes

Sunday Intention: add some more distance (again!)
Another cold in the low 20s run, but wind not too bad and bright sunshine! It still felt more difficult than Thursday’s run. No idea why. Back up to 4 miles. Woohoo! Although I did stop after mile 3 to make sure Mr. Judy had been out to walk Bandit — he just won’t walk if I’m at home and Mr. Judy takes him solo, but he usually will walk if I’m not at home. Looking for me, no doubt. I was worried I’d get home and then have to go back out to walk him — which I do a lot — but I just wasn’t feeling that today. He’s such a weird dog.

Rarely seen sunshine outside; but no way to get Vitamin D from that sunshine so gotta get light somehow

Favorites of the week
I want to thank everyone, again, who took time out of their love day to wish me a happy birthday last week; I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Mr. Judy actually put his thinking cap on and got me a great gift: a new light box for the mornings. I’ve had a small one for many years, but the rechargeable battery was slowly dying. The new one is much larger. I still get tired in Winter, but I do think it helps! I also asked for something like a water pick — food is always getting stuck in my teeth — and he got me that, too. It took some getting used to but my teeth feel so good after using it.

He also chipped in with his family, and there are some new Yoga props on their way, too.

Of course birthdays aren’t about what you receive, but it’s always nice to know that people are thinking about you.

Favorite recent birthday gift?

How’s your motivation holding up as Winter grinds on?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a free virtual Yoga class here! 

GWY Yin Yoga Hamilton

ICYMI: It’s a Hamilton Yin Yoga practice! I had so much fun working on this. You’ll deeply stretch your whole body. I will give you a quote from the play for each Asana (posture). I can’t play music from the soundtrack due to copyright, but maybe you can entertain yourself with it in your mind as we practice together. You’ll find the video here. If you’re looking for some inspirational morning reading I’ve got some suggestions here.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing something calming each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: I’m wrapping up February (just a few days early). Friday it’s time for some runfessions!

Private Yin Yoga Class Giveaway: 2/8 – 14 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 38 Comments

I visited my mom for the first time in almost 6 weeks, which made  her very happy. It was a very busy, tiring week though, but I feel as if I accomplished a lot — including three runs, a tiny bit of indoor cycling, and some short strength training sessions. I’d like to say today will be restful, but I’m running and still working on some stuff — maybe tomorrow???

There is also a lot of snow in the forecast for next week. I’m really trying to run outside at least occasionally, but Mother Nature isn’t making that easy! Perhaps we’ll get lucky and be on the low side of the forecasts. I think a lot of my strength training could be shoveling next week!

bwrd

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

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, PB ST Arms (10 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM, 4.5 SB, Shoveling, Yoga (90 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Short Hike at Olana
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), PB ST (13 min), Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2.5 TM miles progressive, CD walk (15 min), CD Cycle (15 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (30 min), PB Standing Abs (6 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), 3.5 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 8.5 (+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

Tuesday Intention: work on endurance
Back on the treadmill. I was excited when I got up and it wasn’t snowing yet, but it wasn’t long before it started. Endurance run, slight walk to cool down, then hopped on the stationary bike for the rest of the cool down. The endurance run was 45 minutes, but I only ran 30 — I think I like using the stationary bike for a cool down after a shorter run. Good to change things up!

Friday Intention: a little (very little) speed
I could have run outside. Yes, it was very cold, but not very windy and even some sun. I had a lot of balls to juggle though — or maybe I just didn’t want to freeze my butt off! I chose a progression run, keeping it very moderate. This did feel a tiny bit harder than the endurance run on Monday (same amount of time). I again enjoyed a cool down cycle.

This is what 59 looks like. Notice the rabbit tracks behind me.

Sunday Intention: add some more distance
I had many lovely birthday gifts today, but not gonna lie: this was  one of the best. a run that felt pretty darn good. It’s still relatively short and slow, but my longest run in over a month. I realized on this gray day, that the lack of wind is even better than sun in Winter, although of course both would be lovely. Now unfortunately it’s time to batten down the hatches and most likely more treadmill runs if the forecasts for next week are to be believed.

Clearing the air as I drive

Favorites of the week
I took my portable diffuser with me on the road to my mom. I loved using it in the car! I also wanted to show it to my mom to see if she’d have any interest in it.

Flour. Salt. Water. Baking Soda. Pretty amazing!

For months every morning I’d get up and say “this is the day I’m going to start a sourdough starter again”. It’s really not that hard. But I didn’t do it. Until finally I did. It didn’t go moldy this time. I made sourdough pancakes from the discard again. Yesterday I finally baked my first loaf!

Bandit channeling Lola. So many memories of her (and Chester) popped up for me on FB today.

How are you dealing with the snow (if you have it)?

Cake, cupcake, donuts, cookies, brownies? What’s your favorite dessert?

If you bake sourdough bread, what do you do with the discard? 

gwy MR yin

ICYMI: A “short” Yin Yoga practice that will ground you and energize you for your day. This is the last piece of my morning routine practices. Yes, it’s longer, but today is Valentine’s Day so maybe try this for an afternoon energy burst! I don’t suggest doing this practice in the evening because it’s designed to be energizing. You’ll find the video here. You can also read a blog post about morning routines here for a little more information.

I’m running a fun challenge in my private Facebook Group. I’ll be trying to help you get into the “routine” of practicing at least one of these routines each morning. I will be raffling off a free thirty minute private Yin Yoga class via Zoom. You can join here. You can only enter to win if you’re in the Facebook group, and you have until the end of the month to enter. No pressure, it’s supposed to be fun!

Coming up on Tuesday: Five Pandemic Running Pet Peeves. Friday I’ll share how to ease back into running after an illness — which is a little different from coming back from injury..