After an amazingly fun week with Pablo, we took him home to his dad and mom on Sunday afternoon. He was happy to be home and made the cutest happy whining sounds when he realized we’d pulled up in front of his house!
We weren’t too sad to return Pablo because he’ll be returning this Friday for another visit while Daniel and Jess go to Ireland for a week.
Running
Once again my weekday runs were solo and in the wee hours of the morning. Temps were still in the 40’s and 50’s so I was good in shorts and a tank both days. The humidity was 100% so even though it was cooler, there was still some sweating going on! Running back-to-back days I could tell that I wasn’t as rested on Wednesday and my average pace was a full minute slower (9:32 on Tuesday versus 10:33 on Wednesday).
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting friends for a longer run for the first time in several weeks. It was a nippy, windy day (41°, but with a windchill of 32°), and it felt fine after that first half-mile warmup. I eventually had to take off my nylon shell, but that’s the great thing about layering!
We saw two different sets of friends after we turned around. Something I love about running on the W&OD Trail is the abundance of seeing running friends and other familiar faces.
Just as we finished our 8-mile run (9:41 average pace) and had gotten in our cars, Bill rode his bike into the parking lot to say hi – he was at mile 16 of his 51-mile ride.
The ladies and I drove to Starbucks, but there weren’t any tables open so I suggested we get our drinks and drive the short distance to my house where I had homemade chocolate chip banana bread I’d made on Friday afternoon.
Biking
No excuses, it just didn’t happen, neither indoors nor out…
Weight Training
As I preach in my fitness for older adults class that I teach twice a month, strength training is all the more important as we age. I feel so much better for it, and I’m convinced that I had many years of successful marathon running as a result of cross training in the weight room. Just like most weeks unless I’m traveling, I hit the weights three times this week.
Yoga
I can’t complain about the view out of my basement windows as I do my yoga, especially this time of year. All too soon, those trees will be bare and unless there’s snow on the ground the view will be bleak for the next five months.
Gardening
Zero fall cleanup happened this week… When it wasn’t raining (we had a lot of rain), I was either working or rushing off to another appointment. I had huge plans to spend most of Saturday outside getting everything done and put away for the winter, but it was so cold and windy that I didn’t venture back out. Today’s forecast looked much nicer for being outside doing that sort of thing, so guess where I’ll be all afternoon; you got it, I’ll be gardening!
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- Sunday – Catch Me If You Can And The Perfect Downward Facing Dog
- Wednesday – Wednesday Word Wrap Up
- Thursday – Nikki Kimball, Bringing Attention To Women’s Running While Raising Money For Girls On The Run
Looking ahead to this coming week…
- On Wednesday I’ll be revisiting my annual birthday letter to myself. Check in to see what one thing I choose to mention as an important factor in my life this past year.
In addition to the runs I mentioned above, here’s a complete run-down of my workouts from this past week (completed mostly in our home gym)…
- Questions:
- Do you occasionally meet friends after running for coffee?
- Do you enjoy gardening? ~ I love it, but enjoy the spring planting much more than the fall cleanup.
- Did you race this weekend?
And that’s a wrap… Have a great week!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
*********************************************************************
I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking The Long Way Home for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Mmmm, banana chocolate chip bread would hit the spot!
My group almost always goes for breakfast after our runs, but I don’t always actually order anything (instead bring along a protein bar — mostly because I’m usually going out to eat with Mr. Judy later on).
I did pull up one of the raised planters but not the other. I discovered a strawberry plant had planted a daughter from one planter into the other and I had no idea . . .
Regular breakfast dates after runs sounds fun!
Well, we don’t necessarily meet up every weekend, either. It’s all very loosey-goosey. 🙂
Our running club never goes out for coffee after a run. We usually run in the evening and go out for, um, adult beverages instead! We have a thing called “First Saturdays” where a group of us meet and carpool to a trail running destination, then run for about 2 hours on the first Saturday of each winter month. We go out for lunch after that (which often includes adult beverages also!)
Well, that sounds even better!
I agree…I love yard work MUCH more in the spring than in the fall. We have 4 big trees in our front yard (3 oak and one walnut), so there’s constant clean-up from them this time of year.
Yeah, raking leaves doesn’t do it for me either!
yumm, starbucks and chocolate banana bread would hit the spot right now! I’ve been loving the 40 and 50 temps in November, but is got chilly here Saturday too due to the wind! I hope that doesn’t stick around!
Starbucks and banana bread was a good combination!
I”m actually baking chocolate chip cookies–I’ll send some back to college with the boy. But chocolate chip banana bread sounds yummy to me!
I’m actually going to add a real CrossFit class to my regimen after Thanksgiving! The strength training has just been so rewarding. It’s amazing how our fitness needs change with age, isn’t it?
Yum, I love homemade chocolate chip cookies. I’m sure your son appreciated them!
Post run coffee dates and snacks are my fave too. Always fun to see friends out on the trail
In person is even better than virtual!
It was so windy yesterday! Yard work would have been a challenge. I did enjoy the fall colors this weekend. Hopefully we’ll have them for a few more weeks before all the leaves are down. That banana bread sounds yummy!
At least the weather on Sunday afternoon cooperated! Our leaves are slowly turning brown and falling off the trees.
Love your basement views – awesome porch
I tend to grab coffee post run, but we live in different directions so it’s usually solo. Your bread sounds delicious – and I’m hungry
You’re brave for shorts in 40s. I’m already in long sleeves —
Thanks! And the banana bread is long gone by now. That stuff doesn’t hang around. LOL
I already miss shorts and tanks…40/50’s are the best running weather. Minneapolis got down to the teens and we had ice.
Coffee post-run is always a great way to warm up!
Oh my, I can only imagine how cold your winter runs must be. Stay safe out there!
We had tons of rain here too this week. I was thrilled to see the sun this weekend. The trees in your yard are very pretty. We don’t have much color yet, but there are a lot of leaves for raking out there. Starbucks is my favorite place to hang out. Have fun when Pablo visit next week! Thanks for linking.
When do the trees in your area peak? I guess I’d always thought it was too warm down your way for a colorful fall.
I love meeting friends after a run for coffee or food too. My trail running friends and I have discovered a cute breakfast place that’s not too far from the trailhead – we’ve now become regulars.
That sounds like a lovely tradition!
Yes, going out for coffee is the best after running. My group always plans the breakfast place even before our run. I love brunch…it’s my favorite meal.
I agree, brunch food is pretty amazing!
Thanks for the reminder – I need to be more diligent about getting some strength training done each week!!
It’s so important, especially as we age!
I love your comment about having several successful years as a marathoner because of weight training. That’s something that I am seriously lacking and in the new year I will really need to make it a huge focus area.
I think you will find it well worth the time you put into strength training. Good luck!
[…] last week when I commented about what a great view I have while doing yoga, and remember the snow that I said […]
Great to hear a runner recommend both weight training and yoga! More than 10 years ago I got into weight training because of running. Running 8-10 miles fairly often did create some issues over time and weight training helped a lot! Eventually, I stopped and now just do weight training and yoga.
In the summertime I still like do a few sprints though 🙂
Marcus@strengthery recently posted…Theragun Vs Jigsaw – Is The DIY solution comparable?
I’m convinced that I was a successful marathoner for many years (running multiple marathons per year) because of strength training.