Yoga

Steaming away: 1/17 – 23 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 28 Comments

Our windows steam up quickly with the very cold air we’ve been experiencing, often turning to ice crystals as I shared last week. Meanwhile I’m quietly over here, steaming away at running, Yoga, and working on a little Yoga Spring reboot. Because yes Spring actually is coming!

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing my running and a productive week.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (40 min), PB Walk, Dogwalk, Shoveling, Yoga (60 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga AM (30 min), PB Cardio Toning, Yoga Midday (30 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga AM (60 min), 2.5 easy miles, Dogwalk, Yoga PM (30 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (45 minutes), Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (45 min), Barre with Weights (15 min), 2.5 TM Miles
  • Saturday: Yoga (60 min), Lots of Yoga filming (60 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (45 min), Peloton Elton Cycle WU (10 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk? Not sure if it’ll be too cold; maybe some Barre later

Running Mileage: 8  (+2) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

I didn’t notice this snowman when I ran earlier in the day. Too tired from battling wind? Or was he built after I ran?

Wednesday Intention: get some fresh air
I do run on cold days. On cold, extremely windy days even. Sometimes, anyway. Today was one of those days. My energy is rebounding, thankfully, so I headed out on warm-ish day (low 30s) that unfortunately had wind that was even higher than had been predicted. It was definitely tough, but I survived and we even got Bandit out for a short walk later in the day.

Trying to capture the full moon. It was about -4F when I took this photo with the sliding glass door open (because the ones I tried to take through the glass weren’t that great).

Friday Intention: take it easy
I think I should have run inside on Wednesday and outside on Friday! It was very cold (barely any degrees) this morning, but sunny and little wind. On Tuesday it was 20+ mph winds. I didn’t sleep well Tuesday night, either — I knew I needed that rest day on Thursday.

I woke up this morning, after a good night’s sleep, feeling much better, but this treadmill run still felt really hard. I walked more than normal and my pace was deliberately slow. I guess some days are just like that. The treadmill usually feels harder, but not this hard.

Someone’s ready for Valentines Day

Sunday Intention: still easy + hills
I warmed up with a 10 minute Elton ride, which I really enjoyed. This was the best run of the week! Not fast, oh no, but not bad considering the cold and extremely consistent with the last mile the fastest. I didn’t set out to do hills, in fact I was going to avoid them, but then I thought I’d run in solidarity with Darlene’s (and Cari’s) hilly half today. Just not for 13.1 miles. 🙂

The windows steam up so quickly that you just have to hope Bandit isn’t doing something he shouldn’t.

Favorites of the week
I am grateful for Mr. Judy’s help in filming this week’s videos. I think we filmed at least 6 of various lengths. I’m using the “good” camera, not my Ipad, hence Mr. Judy’s help. It’s nice because it records audio well without me having to wear a mic.

It can only record for about 25 minutes before it shuts down, though. Otherwise I might learn to do it myself because the quality is better, although the tradeoff is I always feel as though I’m rushing through so I don’t get cut off.

Other than that it was a relatively quiet week. I did make an effort to cook and eat a little bit better than I have been — not that I’ve really been eating badly, but relying too heavily on frozen or prepared food.

I wanted to capture video of him rolling around in his bed. By the time I’d grabbed my phone this is what I got.

ICYMI: This week it’s all about your adrenals. They’re tiny little glands, but they play an important part in our stress reaction and can easily get overwhelmed in our modern day life. I explain a bit about them in this week’s short vlog, and then there’s a restorative practice that will help to nourish your adrenals. I might be doing this practice later today . . .

Restorative Yoga to Prevent Burnout click here * Adrenals vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday it’s a quick review of the Iphone Photography course I took. Friday it’s time to cough up some runfessions; even with a new year and less running, I’ve got a few to share!

Slowing Expanding: 1/10 – 16 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

I am determined to respect my body and give it the rest it wants — while trying to move gently, too. I seemed to find a good balance this week. What I didn’t find? Myself, outside, as much as usual. The ice stuck around for days because of the the mostly cold temps — I went food shopping one morning and getting back up the very icy driveway (we live on top of a small hill) was definitely tricky.

The subject also refers to our slowly expanding daylight!

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and moving and resting in equal-ish measures.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min) AM, Yoga Midday (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), 2 TM miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga AM (40 min), Yoga Afternoon (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 minutes), 2 miles easy, Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (45 min), PB Walking with Weights (25 min), Walking around Olana
  • Saturday: Yoga (35 min), PB Cardio Toning (25 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (20 min), 2 TM miles, PB ST (25 min)

Running Mileage: 6  (+2) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

This photo wasn’t actually taken on this day, but it’s our bathroom window. Yeah, it’s been a very cold most of the week.

Tuesday Intention: take it easy
It was cold and windy, and if I were feeling normal maybe I’d run outside. Still fatigued but wanted to run so it was a treadmill run. Did the Rent run — but failed to notice that it was only 20 minutes & an outdoor workout as well, so also had to tack on some cool down. A rock musical is a good soundtrack to run to. Felt good after, seemed to feel okay the next day. #sorrynotsorryiranonthemill

No, I didn’t have the gaiter over my nose while running. Notice the ice on the side of the road. That’s what my entire driveway looked like, and probably will look like again after tomorrow’s storm.

Thursday Intention: still easy
After days of cold, wind, ice — or all three at once! — I finally got outside to run. I had to gingerly walk down the driveway because the ice hadn’t yet melted, although it was gone when we walked later in the day. It was slow, I felt tired, but it was definitely nice to be outside.

Sunday Intention: a slight push
I did the Peloton ABBA run today, so there were some surges and some hills. I also tacked on some strength training post run. Tomorrow I’ll probably be doing some shoveling. I can remember long ago watching Mama Mia while running on the treadmill (it was still negative temps when I ran) — it’s another great soundtrack to run to! Even though it was going to be very cold today, the wind was absent and the sun wasn’t, but I didn’t want to wait until later in the day when we actually had some degrees.

There will probably be a lot of photos from Olana this winter

Favorites of the week
Hard to believe it had been almost three weeks since I’d visited my mom. It wasn’t much of a visit, really, as I had some important stuff I needed to take care of for her which had me in the business office for much of the visit. I got it done, but no doubt the insurance company will come back with more requests. Truly hoping I’m building up some good karma so someone’s gonna help me out with this stuff when I’m her age!

I am very grateful that the treadmill is an option again. Even though I’m not training for anything, I still want to run, and super cold weather and lots of ice has made that difficult lately.

I have also observed the longer daylight and that makes me happy too! It’s not getting dark until almost 5 pm now. Don’t laugh, for us in December it’s full on dark by 4:30 pm, so this is a welcome sign of the warmer, longer days ahead. This week I’ve slowly been feeling better, and I’m sure the slowly expanding daylight is also partially responsible for that.

Probably a lot of bored Bandit in the coming weeks too. Although I do try to play with him more since it’s mostly been too cold to walk!

ICYMI: It’s all about the hips & glutes this week guys — I might even sing. Just a tiny bit. I go a little bit deeper into what Satya is in this week’s vlog.

Yin Yoga for Hips & Glutes click here * Satya vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday: is it ever too cold to run outside? I started to write this post before all the cold descended on us! Friday: will strength training make you a faster runner?

Decluttering & Organizing: 1/3 – 9 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

I didn’t feel great in the beginning of the week (left over from last week), rested but did stuff (more on that in the Favorites of the Week), felt better, got more active — and then had to rest some more. I still learned a lot this week and accomplished a lot while moving (some) and some major rest, too.

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and organizing for a new year.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min) AM, Yoga Midday (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), 3 TM miles easy, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (40 minutes), 1 mile recovery run, Dogwalk, PB Weights (25 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (20 min), Dogwalk, Moved Treadmill — that was a workout!
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), perhaps a walking workout inside later, we’ll see how I feel

Running Mileage: 4  (-4) 

Not off to a great start, but hoping I will get in a few more miles next week.


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

It was another blustery, cold day. Treadmill came at right about the right time!

Wednesday Intention: take it easy
It was cold and blustery, and as I was finally feeling a bit better, I wanted to stay nice and warm inside. I did a couple of the Taylor Swift runs (one run, one cooldown run) and I enjoyed both. I took it very easy and am glad to report I felt no worse for wear the next day — okay, maybe some slight muscle protest at being used again, LOL!

It was pretty cold today, too, but far less windy. Roads were okay & I got myself out to a park I hadn’t been to in a while.

Thursday Intention: recover
After quite a few days at home, except for walking Bandit, it was time to bust out of the house! I decided to take a short walk around a local park and take photos, and then do my recovery run there. We’d had a dusting of snow overnight which allowed me to try out my new hiking boots and I used screw shoes for the run, just in case.

I doubled up on jackets while walking around, and I was fine — except for my hands! I’d chosen my medium weight convertible gloves and my hands were so cold. I ditched the overcoat & grabbed my heavier gloves — and of course you can do anything for a mile. On the faster side for a recovery run but it was nice to walk around and look for photos.

Despite the smile this was quite the project!

Favorites of the week
Although I wasn’t filling great in the beginning of the week and rested a lot, I also got a lot of stuff done: decluttering digitally and in the house., and worked on the Spring Yoga Challenge I hope to offer.

I had also signed up for a iphone photography course, and I did a lot of that when I was relaxing, too. I was trying out some of the stuff I learned during the week. I learned a lot but I’m not quite sure my photos improved! I had fun taking photos though.

Here are a few of my photos this week (as seen on FB here too):

We had some really stunning sunrises & sunsets this week. I climbed all over Mr. Judy to take these photos.
So nothing truly amazing but I did learn a lot & am still absorbing it. You have to take a lot of photos to get one really good one; I don’t think I got a really good one this week but I did take a lot of photos, LOL!

ICYMI: If you want to wind and calm down so you can sleep deeply, I’ve got the perfect practice for you! The holidays are over and it’s time to go inside, destress, and practice a little self care. I also have another very short vlog with the two questions you must ask yourself each morning. This is quick, folks!

Deep Sleep Restorative Yoga click here * 2 Must Do Morning Questions vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday: do you really need to exercise so much? Friday I’m sharing five ways you can connect body and mind while you run — and why that’s a good idea!

Getting What I Need: 12/27 – 1/2 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

Pretty sure I’ve used that title before! I was supposed to be at my moms for New Years. Then a couple of days before there were several cases of COVID in the workers, the day before more and cases in the residents as well. It was a difficult decision, but I decided to stay home. The upside to that was I was already feeling very run down, so I have been able to rest a lot.

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and trying to welcome a new year — cautiously.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (40 min), 1 mile recovery run, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min) <== Treadmill Arrives!
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Wednesday: Yoga (40 min), 5 miles easy, (20 min), Dogwalk
  • Thursday: Yoga (40 minutes), 2 mile treadmill recovery run, Dogwalk
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Saturday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), probably more Yoga later & hopefully it stays dry enough for our Dogwalk

Running Mileage: 8  (+3) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Because we all need more joy

Monday Intention: Recover
It was a cold one with no sun, but also very little wind. I was tempted to go more than one mile, knowing this week would still be iffy weather-wise and travel-wise, but I felt that after a week of little running better to be cautious rather than push it.

Snow had melted by the time I finished

Wednesday Intention: go long-er
I again missed the gently falling snow of earlier in the day. I wore trail shoes, just in case, and there were some snowy patches going out, which were almost all melted by the time I came back. Took exactly as long as last week’s snowy, slightly slippery in spots run. Slow but upright.

Who doesn’t have two treadmills in their family room? I still manage to practice yoga in there too!

Thursday Intention: recover & treadmill test
Yup, I have a functioning treadmill again. It goes up and down, too (the old one stopped doing that years ago). Man, this slow run on it still felt hard! But quieter. I actually used the incline with the Peloton recovery run I did. I even made it 2 miles because there still wasn’t a whole lot of running this week.

No, we didn’t go to an actual theater | Photo on Pexels.com

Favorites of the week
We did watch some of the new movies released to streaming this week. Mostly hits, with one big miss: Don’t Look Up (Netflix). Well, if you enjoy dumb humor and a boring movie — seriously, I didn’t even want to finish watching it. And it was a long movie. Such a waste of talent!

We enjoyed Unforgiveable (Netflix). We also enjoyed Being the Ricardos (Amazon Prime) — Javier Bardem totally nailed Desi Arnez.

There was also the annual viewing of Love Actually last week, and I also watched Sleepless in Seattle too.

Having a functioning treadmill again is definitely a favorite!

ICYMI: I got talkative this week! Above is the thumbnail from post-run where I’m talking about what you can do instead of resolutions (although resolutions are fine too). I also counted down my top ten most viewed videos in 2021, with a few surprises — to me, anyway. Another short talk about how to battle the loneliness of the season, and yet another one about how to do a quick morning routine.

Top 10 videos click here * What will you resolve vlog click here
Feeling Lonely vlog click here * Quick Morning Routine click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday borrowed from my Channel video countdown and am sharing my most viewed blog posts in 2021. Friday of course I’m grabbing some hot chocolate to catch up with y’all!

A Plan B Kind of Week: 12/20 – 26 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 36 Comments

I did have a reaction to the booster, but it wasn’t as bad as with the second shot, thankfully. Still ran a fever for roughly 24 hours which kept me on the couch all last Sunday. Couldn’t even walk Bandit — and therefore Bandit refused to walk with Mr. Judy. He often refuses to walk with Mr. Judy when I first leave, but then when he realizes I’m not coming back quickly, he’s happy to walk with him: must patrol the neighborhood.

If you celebrate, I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas!

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing how even a little movement can make a big difference in how we feel.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking with Weights (25 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), 3 mile hike at Falling Waters Preserve
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB Walking with Weights (25 min), Walk
  • Thursday: Yoga (40 minutes), PB Cardio Walk (35 min), Walk
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min), PB Walking with Weights (25 min), 1.62 mile hike at Montgomery Place
  • Saturday: Yoga (60 min), PB Cardio Toning Walk (35 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (60 min), 5 miles easy, a dogwalk after lunch, maybe weights & Yoga later

Running Mileage: 5  (-6) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Falling Waters Preserve, larger falls

Tuesday Intention (hike): Self Care
When I’m at my mom’s, even with a live in aide, it’s beck and call time. The apartment is very warm. There are clocks chiming, oxygen machine going, and I sleep on a couch. So yup, I need a little time in nature before and after these visits.

Montgomery Place view of Hudson River & Catskill Mountains

Friday Intention (hike): self care
I had planned to stay through Saturday, originally, but the forecast was for freezing rain on Saturday and I would be back for a few days next week. So I left Friday, stopped at Montgomery Place and explored the trail to the lake. After our light snow it was a tiny bit slippery, but I just went very slowly and had a walking pole too.

Then I decided to walk out to get a closer view of the mansion. Turns out there’s beautiful views of the Hudson and the Catskills from behind the mansion! There’s a trail that takes you closer to the water’s edge, apparently, but I needed to get home and again — a bit slippery. Another time maybe. Like Spring, LOL!

I didn’t get far on the path, which wasn’t as icy as the parking lot, but there was just enough ice to make me decide to head back home.

Sunday Intention: maintain some semblance of a base
Ironically I had brought my running stuff with me to my moms (although I did forget the water bottles that fit in my pockets), but I ended up not running. Either bad weather or too busy helping the temporary aide and my mom.

Don’t let the bright blue sky fool you — although a “warmer” day, there was a lot of wind that made it harder to run and certainly made it feel colder. Plus I ended up back in my neighborhood. But five miles done.

Thanks to Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly for this collage. I didn’t run this week until today & shared a selfie from one hike just for fun but she included me anyway — thanks, Kim!

Favorites of the week
A temporary aide was found! There was a tiny bit of drama where the regular aide thought her replacement wasn’t going to come, but I had faith and she did. The good news is she’s extremely attentive to my mom. The bad news is she’s just there for two weeks. My mom always seems to like the temporary aides better (and so far both have had the odd coincidence of sharing the same name), but I don’t know if they could keep up that level of attention for months on end. I know I couldn’t, not 24/7!

So very grateful that it didn’t all fall to me.

Oh, I also took my mom to the audiologist while I was there. She was complaining she really couldn’t hear even with her hearing aids. Now she’s complaining that everything is too loud because she can actually hear.

Finally, of course, this week’s hikes. I do treasure my time out in nature.

ICYMI: I have a short Vlog with tips to keep you healthier this Winter. Most are based in the science of Ayurveda. I’ll also explain a bit about the energetics of Winter according to Ayurveda. While most of us are happily making our way through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there are many people who struggle at this time of year. I created a short, guided meditation for you — or pass it on to a friend that’s struggling.

10 Winter Tips Vlog click here * Guided Light into Darkness Meditation click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday I’m wrapping up 2021 and Friday I’m getting a few things off my chest at the Runfessional — take a break from the holiday bustle and join us here.

Got Boosted: 12/13 – 19 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

Warmer temps earlier in the week degrading into a day of Wintry mix (the worst!) yesterday. Not a running day for me, but I did have to go out to get my booster. Thankfully it was warm enough so that the roads were fine, although that Wintry mix continued to fall as the sun and the temps went down.

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing how even a little movement can make a big difference in how we feel.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk (no problem missing a Monday)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (45 min), 5 mile run, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking with Weights (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (60 minutes), 5 mile run, Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (10 min), Dogwalk, 1 mile recovery run
  • Saturday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, Cardio Toning (post booster – gotta keep the arm moving!), Yoga (15 min — again, keeping that arm moving)
  • Sunday: Yoga (15 min), probably more Yoga later & not much else

Running Mileage: 11  (NC) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

I ran right by this decorated tree on the way out & didn’t notice the ornaments u til I came back. I love finding “hidden” Christmas trees

Tuesday Intention: go long-er
Mostly the same plan as last week. A big difference in weather this week though, and that was very helpful! Warmer temps and less wind. I finally got somewhere I hadn’t been for a while, needing a little change in scenery, and I wore my “speedy” shoes. I didn’t feel speedy, but it was a bit faster than I’ve been running my 5 milers lately.

This guy was not amused when I started to take his photo

Thursday Intention: go long-er
I’m not sure my body is really on board with the two 5 milers, although this one was faster than Tuesday’s. I’m sure the warmer weather didn’t hurt. Another bell curve run (probably due to the small uphill in the middle) with the last mile fastest, but not on purpose. It was in the 50s, but cloudy and windy so still difficult to decide what to wear and I was a little overdressed — I actually took off my hat the last mile or so.

I love all the sparkly decorations. I tried hard to take a selfie with this wreath but with the sun in my eyes I just couldn’t see to get the right angles.

Friday Intention: recover + endurance
A simple one mile recovery run. Warmer, but very windy. I was a little overdressed again, but it was only a mile. I was also nice and warm from walking Bandit right before the run.

Nurse Bandit is on the job post booster

Favorites of the week
Next week I am at my moms to help a temporary aide transition in as her regular aide takes a holiday vacation. Except . . . the replacement aide is now sick and unable to come. Which could mean I’m the replacement aide. Fingers crossed the agency can find someone, as I definitely wasn’t planning on being there for two weeks . . .

Other than that it was a week filled with laundry and cooking and working on my passion projects (this blog and my YouTube channel). I got a lot done but it was tiring!

We watched Tick, Tick, Boom on Netflix last night. Quite different from Lin Manuel Miranda’s first two movies. If you like musical theater I highly recommend it!

ICYMI: Do you find your SI joint easily gets irritated? This quick stretch (paired with simple breathwork) might help. Of course check with your doctor if you have an active injury. Filmed at beautiful Lake Minnewaska!

3 Minute SI Joint Stretch here

Keep an eye on the channel — if you’re feeling frazzled before the holiday, I have another very short pranayama I’ll be releasing on Wednesday. And then Friday there’s a short meditation if you’re struggling at this time of year!

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday I’m sharing some charities with ties to running if you want to make a last minute donation and Friday I actually will be sharing that 2022 word!

The Rain Washed it All Away: 12/6 – 12 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 25 Comments

There were a couple of snowy runs this week, but yesterday it rained, and the snow is all gone for now. I am much happier without snow!

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I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and just moving through the stress.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking with Weights (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (45  min),  5 mile run, Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min), Dogwalk, Filmed Yoga Video (40 minute)
  • Thursday: Yoga, (60 minutes), 5 mile run
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min),  Dogwalk, 1 mile recovery run
  • Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk
  • Sunday:  Yoga (40 min), Walking with Weights (25 min), 2ish mile hike at Montgomery Place Campus, Bard College

Running Mileage: 11  (+2) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

It wasn’t even supposed to snow this day yet I ended up running in a snow squall that pelted me from every direction

Tuesday Intention: go long-er
I rebooted last week’s plan — try for a couple of long-er runs and one recovery run. The second long-er run never happened last week, hopefully it will this week. You know how I’ve been frustrated that the snow flurries stope when I start to run?

This run wasn’t snow flurries, it was a full-on snow squall for the first half that was not fun (think snow basically pelting you from every direction). It was also an unusual positive splits run, but hey, it happens. I know just how tired I was, and forward is a pace, after all!

At least it was supposed to snow this time. The neighborhood roads were clear, thankfully.

Thursday Intention: go long-er
I managed to get in two long-er runs this week, despite the snow, cold, and wind. It was another slow run with positive splits with a “speedy” last mile. I guess I’m just ready to be done by that last mile!

Now it seems penguins are a Christmas thing

Friday Intention: recover + endurance
The recovery runs have gotten shorter, but I’m still doing them with no walk breaks. This one was a bit on the “speedy” side for recovery, but only a mile and no walk breaks. I was a bit surprised by the pace when I finished, as I’ve been on the slow side this week.

I was at moms today, briefly, although with the driving it’s still an all day thing; Bandit’s waiting for my return

Favorites of the week
We finally ordered the treadmill! At the moment it looks like it might arrive when I won’t be here — hopefully we’ll be able to actually get a time when we’re both home.

Found a new waterfall today

My mom doesn’t get moving early in the morning, so I stopped at Bard College, Montgomery Place campus to do a little hiking — I was so happy the bathrooms were open, too! I only had time for a couple of trails, and not sure it’ll stay snow free long enough for me to go back and explore more any time soon, but with the Winters the last few years, it could happen (we get a lot of snow, then it warms up & melts).

I’ve got an appointment for my booster next weekend. It was not easy to get an appointment near me and it wasn’t really on the day I wanted, but I’ll have time to get stuff done before it just in case there’s a reaction — and enough time to recover before I’m at my mom again.

ICYMI: Need some help getting a great night’s sleep? How’s that digestion been? This Restorative Yoga practice will help with both issues! If you have a heating pad or hot water bottle, grab it for this one! Trust me this is a soothing practice that can really help those muscles relax with the addition of heat.

30 Minute Better Sleep & Digestion click here * 5 Minute Do You Need Music for Yoga? Vlog click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday I’ll help you keep running through the holidays and Friday it’s time for the big reveal — my word for 2022.

Hanging On By a Thread: 11/29 – 12/5 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 35 Comments

I knew going in this would be a tough week; luckily I didn’t know just how tough it would really be!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing moving through some major stress.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (60  min),  5 mile run
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min),1 mile recovery run, Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga, (40 minutes), 2ish mile hike at Olana
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min),  2ish mile walk at mom’s
  • Saturday: A walk at mom’s
  • Sunday:  Yoga (40 min), 2ish mile hike at Harrier Hill Park

Running Mileage: 9  (-3) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Am I the only one that sees a face in this tree trunk?

Tuesday Intention: go long-er
I started the week knowing that a long run probably wouldn’t happen this week. So I decided to see if I could get the miles in with two long-er runs this week — first up was 5 miles. My pace went back and forth the entire run — I’ve no idea why! It was also quite cold, but not nearly as brutal as last week’s long run.

Snow continues to taunt me. We’ve had snow showers for several mornings in a row, and it can be lovely to run in a light snow shower. Only the snow stops every time by the time I’m starting my run.

Christmas, meet Thanksgiving

Wednesday Intention: recover
I started Tuesday with a tweaked shoulder, no idea why as the day before was a rest day, but by the end of the run yesterday it was gone. Tested out new Saucony trail shoes. Oddly enough the first time I wore Saucony was for trail shoes, and I had to go up a half size (different model). I decided to try my regular running shoe size and I think it’s okay, although they do seem a bit short. A dull, gray run — Winter may not technically be here, but the weather has mostly felt more like January than late Nov/early December lately.

Scenes from Olana, my mom’s menorah, & a very muddy hike today

Favorites of the week
I was able to get in a little hiking this weekend, with varying results. i stopped at a new park which had lovely views on one side, and lots of mud on the other — and not many views, either, although there were supposed to be. Apparently I didn’t take the right trail. Thank goodness for wool socks.

I wasn’t able to get in much running, though. I went on Thursday to take my mom to her cardiologist. On Friday there was an assessment for Palliative care, which apparently is a branch of Hospice, but she passed right over that and qualified for Hospice. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (remember two years ago my father was on Hospice, but very different reasons).

After the assessment a nurse basically does another assessment, and hopefully gets the go ahead to admit her onto Hospice. That appointment hadn’t been scheduled yet, as the initial assessment was relatively late on Friday.

Unfortunately much later that night my mom had a panic attack. Because she hadn’t yet been admitted onto Hospice, we couldn’t get help from them. The aide and I spent several hours trying to calm her, which worked at first but she got worse and worse and I finally had to call 911. My sister met her at the hospital while I worked the phones at home, and I’m so grateful that we were able to get an appointment for later on Saturday to get her admitted to Hospice — rather than to the hospital.

If this sort of thing happens again, at least we now have some meds at home that might help her calm down, and also can have a Hospice nurse come out and access her needs.

Needless to say, it was a very grueling four days, with not a whole lot of sleep either. Fingers crossed that things will begin to stabilize for her now and she will not be so anxious.

ICYMI: I know 18 minutes isn’t really a “short” warmup, but for Yin Yoga it is! I really like doing Yin Yoga before a run when I have the time.

18 Minute Yin Yoga Runner Warmup click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday it’s what to look for if you’re shopping for a new treadmill. Friday I’m sharing my top five Yogi Tea flavors.

Free at last!: 11/22 – 28 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 31 Comments

I managed to escape completely unscathed from jury duty! For the last 30 years, I’ve been called regularly and usually picked. Very grateful to break that cycle. No Turkey Trot for me since we were on the road by the time any race would have started.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and ramping things up just a bit before cutting back next week.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk, 1.25 recovery mile, Yoga (40 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (45  min),  Dogwalk
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min), 3.5 mile with fartlek, Dogwalk, 1 mile recovery, PB ST (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga, (45 minutes), Multiple short dogwalks on the way to & at moms for Thanksgiving
  • Friday: Yoga (40 min),  Yoga Booty Ballet (a blast from the past!, 30 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (45 min), 6.41 miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday:  Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk, 1 mile recovery run, ST & Yoga later

Running Mileage: 12.16  (+2) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Who has to be up late to catch the moon?

Monday Intention: recover & endurance
I often miss a Monday — but not always. Just depends how running works into my week. Added a quarter mile to my recovery run — no walk breaks — just working on endurance. A little. Because running has been on the back burner a long time. I actually don’t see that changing anytime soon, but we do what we can when we can.

This tree always made me smile. It was a showstopper when the sun hit it just right.

Wednesday Intention: a splash of speed + adding distance
I wanted to go somewhere new to run, but I also had things to do, so I settled on a route near my neighborhood I hadn’t run in a long time. I threw in a fartlek by the row of trees midway, and just decided to go a little bit further, too. It was a surprisingly good run with negative splits, too.

When your boat is bigger than your house

Saturday Intention: increase time on long-er run
I met my intention and increased this run by 5 minutes — but I gave myself the grace to quit earlier if I wanted to. Because this was a very cold, very windy, very tiring run — even though it was just shy of 7 miles! One tiny bit of black ice (even though I waited til the afternoon to run) threatened, but I managed to get through it unscathed. Pace was all over the place.

This glove was on the street, then someone put it on this bush — and there it stays

Sunday Intention: recover
I got in my four runs this week, knowing getting in three next week won’t happen — which is okay. This was a slow one but that’s okay. It’s all about recovering and working on endurance (no walk breaks).

Help!

Favorites of the week
We decided to give Bandit a bath before going to my mom for Thanksgiving. It was much needed — I really didn’t want do it; it’ has been a busy day but it needed to be done. Normally we bathe him outside, but it’s too cold for that now. I actually think it might be easier doing it inside, although getting him dry took forever.

Another week, another stop at Olana, still playing with new zoom.
It warmed up later in the day, but the morning was chillier than expected! I had to borrow some gloves from Mr. Judy
The only photo I took. My mom wasn’t feeling great & I was busy doing things for her.

I’m not sure it was really a favorite, but I’m glad that we were there for my mom for Thanksgiving. Just me, Mr. Judy, my mom’s aide, and Bandit. Despite not having to cook, between cleaning up and doing my mom’s meds, it was a busy day. My brother came the next day, and my sister and her family also came up to visit the next day. The weather was decent on Thanksgiving, but I don’t think we would have wanted to drive down the day after, which was a mix of rain, sleet, and snow.

She enjoys having Bandit around, not sure he feels the same way, although he always cozied up to my Dad

I am glad we could be there when the rest of my family couldn’t be. I am also very grateful that there was little traffic — both going and coming.

ICYMI: I am sharing exactly how I stretch in bed & get energized in the morning this week. It’s a really short practice. Bandit totally got into the act, which he actually doesn’t do in the morning! I have a couple of videos dropping on Thanksgiving Day, too.

Morning Energizing practice  click here

Live now:

Guided Gratitude Meditation (filmed by a waterfall!) click here * Flow for when you’ve overeaten click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday it’s time to wrap up November — and I have begun contemplating a word for 2022. I haven’t picked one yet, but I have considered a lot of words starting with C. Stay tuned on that. Friday I’ll be joining up with my hot chocolate in hand and sharing the other odds and ends that went on in November.

Will Shop for Chocolate: Runfessions November 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 25 Comments

bshopforchocolate

We are fast approaching December, so some shoppingfessions have crept into this runfession post. Mostly revolving around food & drink, but I could certainly share about all the clothes I have bought recently. All the sales in November and December always seem to get me. 

I shoppingfess . . .
I went to the grocery store one morning because I was out of my favorite chocolate. Do I have other chocolate? Of course! The  heart wants what the heart wants, right? It wasn’t the only thing on my list, but I probably would have put off the trip until another day if I’d still had my chocolate.

btjtea
I really need to go back & get a few more boxes so I don’t need to ration again this year!

I shoppingfess . . .
I have become a hoarder. Of my favorite decaf green tea from Trader Joes. I was haunting the store for weeks waiting for it to make its appearance. Then I snapped up nine boxes. I’m hoping they still have some left so I can make it an even twelve (you know, twelve months).

I runfess . . .
Between helping my mom and the hiking the last few months, I haven’t been hitting those four runs a week. There will be more time in Winter, when I’m not hiking — assuming we get that new treadmill.

gwy yin pre run warmup
Working on hamstrings & hip flexors

I runfess . . .
I had some great runs last week. I also did way more Yoga than normal because I was trying to take advantage of Mr. Judy being out of town and filmed a lot of Yoga videos.

gwy digestion2
More leg strengthening

I even got to film early in the morning, when there’s almost no chance of the phone ringing (which had happened on a few other videos recently).

I runfess . . .
I have had to pull out my short sleeve Wonder Wool running top from the dirty clothes at least once. It may seem like I have lots of running clothes — and I do! — but there are some things I only have a few of. Good thing that wool really does wick away sweat, dry quickly, and usually not get smelly the way regular running clothes do.

Do you ever wear the same running top more than once? Not me usually, but with wool, I runfess occasionally

What one thing would get you to the grocery store if you ran out of it?

What do you have to runfess from November? Come join us

Runfessions

I am also linking up with:

bfitfivefriday