Weekly Rundown- Plugging Along
Hey there! It’s time for the Weekly Rundown, hosted by Kim and Deborah (thanks, ladies!) While I wouldn’t describe this week as exciting, it was satisfying- I continued on with Caroline Girvan’s Iron Series, threw in a few runs and mixed it up with some yoga. I’m liking the Iron Series (for now) because I don’t have to figure out what I’m going to do or think about it too much- I just do the next workout in the series. Here’s how the week played out! Monday I reported to the gym directly after work, and ran 4 miles on the treadmill. The AC felt great, and I threw in a little speed work. Tuesday Iron Series Day #9- full body. I did this in the morning, because after work I GOT A MASSAGE! I came home and collapsed into a puddle for the rest of the evening. Wednesday It was my day off, so as soon as I got my daughter off to school, I ran 4 miles. Later in the day I did Adriene’s yoga for psoas. Thursday In the morning I did Adriene’s yoga for tired legs. Later in the day it was Iron Series Day #10- back and biceps. Friday In the morning I did Adriene’s yoga for low back mobility. In the afternoon, I debated between running or doing the next Iron Series workout, which was legs. I decided if I did a leg workout today, I would bitterly regret it on my run tomorrow. 4 mile run! Saturday Iron Series Day #11- legs. If you like lunges, this is the workout for you! Soooo glad I did this today and my run yesterday, instead of vice versa. Sunday On tap for today- Iron Series Day #12, chest and triceps. So, this week was nice, if a little on the dull side. Next week will balance it all out- we have several band events, including two concerts and a banquet. Onward to the end of the school year! When was the last time you got a massage? If you have kids- is the end of the school year in sight? Do you have a lot of events before it ends? Top photo by Delaney Van on Unsplash
April Runfessions!
The first thing I should runfess is that I seem to have forgotten what month it is. When I went to write the title of this post, I thought “March- no, May, no, APRIL…” Got it right on the third try. Anyway, it’s the last Friday of APRIL, and that means it’s time to join Marcia for Runfessions. I do have a few! Let’s get started. Running has been confusing lately. Most of my runs have not been enjoyable, and I blame strength training for that. I’m making my way through Caroline Girvan’s Iron Series, and after a lower body workout, my legs are trashed. The next time I run, I feel like I’m wearing 20 pound ankle weights. I have to remind myself that this is the time to prioritize strength. I have no upcoming races… or do I??? I runfess that I have my eye on a 50K in November, the Treasure Coast Ultra. It’s in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which is only about an hour from my house. The timing is great, the location is great- training for an ultra in the Florida summer will not be great, though. The trails down here get pretty terrible, unless you like running through a swamp. Well, I’ll figure it out. The last thing I’ll runfess is that it’s already too hot for me, and summer hasn’t even started yet. We had some beautiful running weather over the winter, and now we’re going to pay for it, big time. I’ve been taking some of my runs to the treadmill in my lovely, air conditioned gym. Sigh. It’s going to be a long summer… but once again, I’ll figure it out. I’ve gotten through 26 Florida summers so far… this one won’t kill me (right???) Are you looking forward to summer running? If you lift weights, how do you work it out so your legs are fresh for a run?
Blah
You guys, I can’t shake off this feeling of… ennui? Listlessness? Those words seem too strong. It’s not like I’m profoundly bored, or apathetic, or depressed. Things are going pretty well. But when I sit down to write a blog post, I have trouble because I feel like my life just isn’t that interesting. I was mulling this over, and then today I listened to the latest episode of the Happier podcast. Gretchen asked one of her “know yourself better” questions- Are you nostalgic, or expectant? Aha! I’m definitely expectant. As a matter of fact, nostalgia makes me sad (on the podcast, Elizabeth shared that her son feels the same way). I have a limited tolerance for looking at old photos. I think there’s a small box of my kids’ baby and toddler clothes somewhere, but I don’t care to take them out and look at them. I get sad when I think back too much about when they were little- BUT- as an “expectant” person I’m very much looking forward to grandchildren. Paul and Isabel tell me I’ll have to wait five years, and I’m patiently counting down the days. I know I have to lean into the moment and embrace this phase of life. But I still feel like I’m waiting for something to happen, rather than being actively engaged in a project. Is it time to sign up for another race???? HMMMM! Meanwhile… let’s look at the things making my life good right now: MORE SLEEP. I’ve moved my workouts from early morning to after work. This schedule definitely won’t work when I’m doing longer runs, but for now I’m enjoying sleeping an extra hour. Not only that, but just the fact that I’m getting up at 6:15 instead of 5:15 feels luxurious and relaxing, so I’m less likely to worry at night. THE CATS. I know I go on and on about them, but they really do bring me so much joy. They’re all getting along great with each other, and they’re each so lovable in their own unique ways. READING. I was just at the library and came back with this haul: The top book is Stone Monkey, the fourth in the Lincoln Rhyme series. Bottom book is Lake Effect, which I’ve already started. I’m liking it so far! Are you “expectant” or “nostalgic?” What’s making your life good right now? Top photo by Farhat Altaf on Unsplash
It’s Earth Week!
Hi there! Once again it’s time for Tuesday Topics, and this week’s prompt is: It’s Earth Week. How do you stay active outdoors responsibly? I have to admit that this question stumped me a little. When I’m on a trail, of course I follow the rule of leaving nothing behind. But that’s setting the bar pretty low- I hope it goes without saying that I’m not throwing trash around. Sometimes the trails I run on will get overgrown, and then a few weeks later they’re magically cleared. Who does this? Is it the job of the city? Or is it… volunteers? Every once in a while a race director will reach out to the ultra community and send an email announcing an upcoming trail clean up day… but it’s always been a trail far enough away from me that it seems like a job for Other People. What I’m realizing is, I’ve been pretty lame. Trails do not maintain themselves! I’ll find out who’s responsible for clearing the trails in my area. Abruptly changing the subject- let’s talk a little about shoes! I took myself to DSW on Sunday to browse around and I found the perfect pair for the wedding: Okay, seriously. WHO wears shoes like that? Who CAN wear shoes like that? On the other end of the spectrum, I liked these: I just need something in between these two shoes. I am thinking of going back and getting those flip flops, just for everyday life. They really were comfortable! Link Up With Tuesday Topics Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts! You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter Have you ever participated in a trail or beach cleanup?- We did a beach cleanup once when the kids were little. Have you ever worn super high heels?- Absolutely not.