Hellooo! Welcome to the Weekly Rundown, hosted as always by Kim and Deborah (thanks, ladies!) A big shoutout to San for hosting NaBloPoMo again this year (30 blog posts for 30 days of November).
This week I had a lot of extra things going on, and as a result I shifted my workouts around. It worked out great- I should change things up more often! Here’s how it all went down.
Monday
4 mile run to start the week!
Later in the day I did Adriene’s yoga for lower back pain.
Tuesday
In the morning I did the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout (which is really catching on around the blogosphere, and causing people to think of me every time they see a bug) and an upper body strength workout. My original plan was to run on Wednesday morning, but we had a crazy early start for that day, so I got out for a 4 mile run late in the afternoon today instead.
Wednesday
My daughter had rehearsal for an all-county jazz band. Somehow, “all-county” always means the host school is as far away from us as it could possibly be. We had to go to Jupiter, which is an hour away WITH NO TRAFFIC, so yeah. Grr.
Since I don’t work on Wednesdays, I was the driver! I drove a car load of people up to the rehearsal, spent the day up there (don’t worry, I had fun) and then drove back later in the day, conveniently hitting rush hour traffic both ways.
Before I left in the morning I did Carline Girvan’s 4×4 abs workout. (Glad I got that run in the day before!) And in the evening I did Adriene’s low back pain yoga again.
Thursday
I started the day with the CG deadbug workout, then went to the gym for leg day.
Once again, I decided to do Future Jenny a favor. I knew we would have a late night, so I got out for a run in the afternoon…
… and then we drove up to Jupiter again for the jazz concert! It was fun and yes, a very late night.
Friday
Wow. I’m glad I did that run yesterday! I was able to sleep in a little and I really needed it. I did my hip stability exercises in the morning, and in the afternoon I meant to do yoga… but I took a nap instead. Heh heh.
At night we had a football playoff game- we won, which means we have the next game on Black Friday.
Saturday
Another big day. I worked in the morning, then took our cat to the vet (update on that coming soon) and THEN… my runs later in the day have been going so well… why not get my long run done?
I decided to do the first part on the trail, figuring I could get off the trail before it got too dark and finish on the road. The sun was getting pretty low and then I saw this:
I originally thought it was some kind of feline- like a bobcat? I froze in place, but got out my phone to take a photo (as one does). He/she looked around and then ran back into the grass. I turned around and HIGHTAILED IT OUT OF THERE. I was cursing my stupidity for being out on the trail at dusk. We’re right on the edge of the Everglades, and the animals are out there, even if I don’t usually see them.
I finished the bulk of this run on the roads with my headlamp, and in the words of Taylor Swift, it was “miserable and magical.” My low back was aching and I wanted to be home- but there was also something cool about running in the dark like that.
Sunday
On tap for today- sleeping in, OBVIOUSLY. Cleaning my wreck of a house. Shopping because oh yeah… it’s almost Thanksgiving!!! Yoga. Every week I vow to do yoga every day and every week I fail. You never know… this could be the week.
How was your week? Do you like running at night?
How is your Thanksgiving prep going?- I just have to start.
35 Responses
Oh gosh seeing that animal on the tree would have freaked me out! I am glad you turned back and stuck to the road. I do not enjoy running in the dark. In fact, I refuse to do it. I know that is limiting for me, but I feel so uncomfortable and off when it’s dark, even with a headlamp on!
I just need to bring a veggie tray and dips to Thanksgiving. It is a pretty labor intensive thing since I have to cut everything up but it’s obv less labor intensive than making the whole meal! I am also making some fall-shaped sugar cookies to bring so the boys and their cousins can decorate them as a birthday activity for Will’s 5th bday which we will celebrate that day. I wanted to do something a little extra special since we aren’t having a family party for him this year. Usually we have my family over the day after Thanksgiving to celebrate but it just felt like too much this year. I’m trying to limit my stress levels since my brain is still not quite right after the fire incident.
Yes, you need to limit your stress and I’m sure everyone understands. And it’s a LOT to have Thanksgiving, and then another family party the next day. Decorating cookies will be a fun activity for the kids.
Running in the dark takes some getting used to, but I like it. Maybe it’s from living all these years in Florida where the sun is so intense- it’s nice to have a different experience.
well done with the long run! that feline looks a bit scary. you are so brave to even take a pic!
I have never ran in the afternoon/evening. my energy level tanks by then.
The thing is, my first instinct was to stop and stay still- so I might as well take a pic while I’m doing that!
Usually my energy levels tank in the afternoon- honestly I would rather take a nap. But somehow when I got running it was okay.
Congrats on getting that long run done, but yikes to the wild animal sighting. Coyotes are pretty frequent sightings around here, but they aren’t looking for people. Usually, small animals. One time I did find a deer leg down by the creek on my trails, which was disturbing..
I hope your back feels better–can one of your colleagues give you a massage?
I will try to get a massage this week- I think what I really need is an adjustment, but I just haven’t wanted to face the hassle of getting to the chiropractor.
I agree coyotes aren’t normally dangerous to people. And… a deer LEG??? Eeek.
I hate running in the dark! But if I want to run outside during the week, it’s the only way I can do it. I thrive for my weekend runs in the daylight! Good luck with cleaning and hopefully you get some yoga done today! We are traveling for Thanksgiving and do not need to bring anything because it’s a very long car ride.
I think I would trade a long car ride for cleaning the house nd cooking! That sounds fun.
Somehow running at night in the dark felt different than running in the morning before the sun comes up. Maybe it was just psychological.
Looks like you did have a very busy and very productive weeks. Sometimes when I am most busy, I get the most done. Kudos to you for blogging daily in November tough month for that-I’m slacking on my IG
Yes, November is a hard month for NaBloPoMo! Why can’t it be, say, June??? Anyway you’re right though- sometimes when you’re super busy, you just end up doing more and more.
I’m more of a dark o’clock in the morning runner than an evening runner, but these days even if you run at 5 pm it would be dark! Way to get those miles in!
Yesterday I went to the farmer’s market, Trader Joe’s, and my usual grocery store to get various items for Thanksgiving. Needless to say that took all morning!
Yes, that would take all morning! I’ll be doing shopping today. And- yes, I didn’t realize it was going to get dark so early! Here it’s dark by 6 pm, and I wasn’t ready for that.
Yikes!!! What WAS that?!?! It looks feline to me, too – a puma??? Scary! I am very glad you took your run elsewhere.
I used to run at night in college, when I couldn’t sleep. It was so peaceful and cool and I had that complete confidence in my safety that comes with being 19 or so.
My first thought was that it was a bobcat. It didn’t look big enough to be a panther, but definitely bigger than a normal dog. It also looked bigger than the coyotes I’ve seen, but my husband thinks that’s what it was.
Yes- funny how we were so fearless in our teens! I kept to well-traveled roadways (not the road, but the sidewalks) once it was dark.
Oooh we have bobcats around here. We rarely see them though, but once in a while one will saunter by. It’s wildlife central out here. I see coyotes frequently, and of course deer, and then we had bears again! There were five bears in total this fall but they were mostly just passing through. It’s a good reminder to always be careful when you’re out and about I guess!
Yes- most of these things aren’t dangerous to us, but you have to be careful with all wildlife.
I’m not a night runner, but I used to be a “carry a light and suck it up” early morning runner. I had to ban myself from running in the dark after taking a few falls. All of which is to say that I don’t run in the dark because it’s not smart but yes, there was something kind of zen and fascinating about it.
If I had seen whatever that cat/coyote is that I would have gone from a run/walk to a six minute mile!
I’m sending good wishes for Miss Charlotte<3
Haha- yes I did find some unexpected speed in my legs after that animal sighting! And I was hyper aware of the risk of falling in the dark- I made sure my headlamp was illuminating the ground in front of me.
You did have a great week! And yes, you reminded me to bring deadbugs back into my routine and occasionally I think of you when I do them, but not when I actually see a dead bug. LOL
Hmmm, that’s a suspicious looking animal and could be from either species – maybe it’s CatDog! Be careful out there! I loved running (now walking) in the dark, but before sunrise, not after sunset.
My next long run will most like be in full daylight, so I’ll be bck on the trail- but it should be a little safer.
Yes, I think it was a very large CatDog!
Wow, 18 miles #check. Way to go! As you know, I do a lot of night running (and early morning running as well), especially this time of year. I don’t worry about wild life or traffic ((much)) since I have great light on the streets in my area. Also, I’ve been an in-the-dark runner forever, so it’s an issue for me, and I have all the necessary gear. Great job on your week!
Thanks Kim! Yes, I did think of you and your full moon runs. I think running in the dark gets easier the more you do it.
I’m so impressed you got 18 miles done with so many miles in the dark! When I do runs of that distance, I’m usually starting earlyish (but not before the sunrise) just so I make sure I’m not running when it gets dark. But I probably should practice more nighttime running because I will be doing that for my 125 miler. It just freaks me out a bit, mostly all the animals out there, that I don’t mind seeing as much when it’s light out but would definitely scare me more in the dark! And for some reason, I feel ok running in the dark before the sunrise but not as much after sunset.
Um…. friend…. I don’t know if coyotes have that kind of fur pattern…. But I still feel an incredible urge to say psspsspss. I’m glad you’re safe. Be caerful!
I’m not a nighttime runner at all. My body is not into it.
Good luck on Friday night! I feel kind of lost without marching band. However, A has so much free time and I love getting to see him and spend time with him.
i agree, colouring and body/head shape do not look like coyote to me, we have a ton of them here. i also think it looks feline. Glad it was just a close call!
Yikes – I think that looks like a bobcat. I don’t think the coloring looks like a coyote, but I could be wrong. There was a dead coyote at the side of the road when I went for a run last weekend. He looked like he was stunned, no sign of trauma . . . but he was definitely dead. I don’t run at night, but I’ve been known to go for a late afternoon walk and end up walking home in the dark, not realizing how early it was getting dark.
I would be scared running in the dark and meeting animals like you did would absolutely freak me out! Especially in parts of the US! (perhaps I’ve seen too much animal attacks on YouTube) Here the most scary animal I’d see would be foxes… and I’m not sure they are even close to dangerous to humans.
It looks like you had a good week of workouts and I’m happy to see no complaints about hamstrings and whatnot (other than low back)!
That cat is scary!
No prep. just a bottle of wine. Done!
O run where there is lights. I don’t like it but sometimes that’s my only time.
So scary!! I don’t like to run at night because I’m a clumsy person who trips and falls when I can see the sidewalk!
If I saw that coyote/bobcat/whatever, I don’t know what my reaction would be. I’m tempted to say I’d be like you and get out of there, but I also think I might be the kind of person who tries to get closer for a better photo.
Good job on that long run! I agree, something cool about running in the dark but also scary – especially when you see animals like that! I will be hosting Thanksgiving and I think all is going well. The house is all cleaned up awaiting for my college kids to be back home. I CAN’T WAIT!
I love the palm trees all decorated. I was going to put our outdoor lights out but decided to wait for the kids to help me out. A fun tradition.
I usually don’t run in the afternoon anymore but I have had a few afternoon runs lately that also felt really good… sometimes it’s worth it (esp. if that means you can sleep in the next morning!), but I didn’t even think that you’d have to be aware of any animals that come out at dusk .I am curios if this was a coyote (we have those around here) or something else?
I hope there’re no running races left this year, Jenny.
Yikes!!!!!! Glad you steered clear.
I have ZERO Thanksgiving prep because our Thanksgiving was over a month ago. Haha. I have to admit I really love celebrating in October. There is zero competition for Christmas at this point in the year for me as a Canadian.
I’m actually going to agree with your initial thought: that definitely looks like a bobcat. We had a very young bobcat come through our yard/under the carport several times earlier this year – and I saw an adult on my way back from the library a few weeks ago – and that definitely matches.
(We’ve got coyotes too, and they are infinitely more mangy, LOL!)
Goodness me, though it looks like a bobcat not a coyote to me. I am impressed you can do a whole deadbug workout – before I got this whatever it is virus I could manage 3 x sets of 10 standard deadbugs and that’s it!