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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / |week 6| giving the bare minimum

|week 6| giving the bare minimum

February 7, 2021      26 Comments

This was one of those weeks where the bare minimum was really all I had to give. Lots of difficult news, lots of big feelings, and lots of bad weather, meant that I just didn’t have more to offer. Meh.

bare minimum

Sunday – 2.03 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 31

I got in a little walk and then put my legs up the wall for some restoration and recovery.

bare minimum

It does a body good.

Monday – 4.67 miles, speedwork/walking + Balance Challenge Day 1

So, originally, I planned to take myself to the nearby bridge for some hill repeats. This plan fell apart very quickly, with the horrible wind and rain, so I resorted to my neighborhood run instead. I just wasn’t feeling it, so I dropped to 1/10 mile sprints with 1/10 mile recovery for 1.5 miles. Not super impressive, but faster is faster.

bare minimum

Tuesday – 5.01 miles, running + .46 miles, walking + Balance Challenge Day 2

Tuesday runs are always a bit quick, and since it was cold, I didn’t mind. I also didn’t put much effort into the cool down walk, either. Bare minimum. I told you.

bare minimum

The groundhog did not see his shadow, and neither did I, so here’s hoping for an early start to spring!

A had a lot of evaluations for school, so we spent a portion of the day making sure he was in the right conferences, and classes. Good times.

Wednesday – 3.77 miles, walking + Balance Challenge Day 3

Hurray for Hump Day! I really needed this walk, and all the gorgeous sunshine. Vitamin D is just so vital.

bare minimum

All the cold means I’ve been extra achy in my leg and ankle, and I confess to sneaking some afternoon “rests” to lay down and stretch out. It’s really frustrating to constantly feel uncomfortable, and I do hope I stop noticing it at some point.

Thursday – 5.01 miles, running + 1.69 miles, walking + Balance Challenge Day 4

The real-feel this morning was 28F. Twenty. Eight. But there was no help for it, so off I went.

bare minimum

Yes, I’m flying, but somehow I forgot my smile.

Friday – 3.64 miles, walking + Balance Challenge Day 5

I didn’t have a great night. For some reason I was restless, and felt the stirrings of an anxiety attack. I was grateful to get out in the morning and stretch my legs.

My balance was also on point.

bare minimum

Since it was a dreary, rainy day, I put the girls to work. Yup. We did the Dog Painting Challenge, where we splattered paint on a canvas, sealed it in a ziplock spread with peanut butter and let them lick some art into being. Truly amazing and highly entertaining.

bare minimum

Saturday – 9 miles, running + .46 miles, walking + Balance Challenge Day 6

Last long run before a cutback week and the bump up to ten miles. Of course, it was rainy, cold, and windy, and I was fairly miserable the whole time. I played all the mental games with myself: make it to six miles and you can quit. Well, you made it to six, so get to seven. Only two miles to go, might as well finish the damn run.

And so I did.

bare minimum

The rest of the day was just as ugly, with rain storms, and even lightning at one point. I read and napped and lazed around, because that’s what you do on dark and stormy days.

Goal-getting

Here we go.

The Balance Challenge is a win. I love working on my injured side, and regaining some strength. Yay!

No hike this week. We had big plans to go to Gainesville for a really cool experience, but the storms and mud made a quick end of that. Boo.

I’ve already plowed through two books (“The Vanished Half” and “Queenie”) and moved on to “The Huntress.” All were phenomenal, and I have a list of

This week, I’ll get back to my regular positivity and sunshiney self. No point in letting the negativity have a seat at the table. I also have an in=person race on Saturday, so that will brighten my spirits a bit. It’s the little things that make a difference.


I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!

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How was your week in training?

Are you watching the Super Bowl? Who are you rooting for? Ever have weeks where you give the bare minimum?

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Comments

  1. Jessie says

    February 7, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    Man…I want to move to Florida 🙂

    My ankle still aches and my break was three years ago! I wonder if it ever goes away completely.

    Give yourself some grace- we have all tough weeks. You were still very active.

    Reply
  2. Wendy says

    February 7, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    It’s crazy how cold it’s been down there. But it could be worse…lol! I am so over this winter, I can’t even… yeah, bare minimum this week for me. I need to increase my miles for a possible half in April. So it better warm the hell up!

    I love those paintings the dogs ‘did’, lol! I haven’t see that. You are so creative!

    Have a good week!

    Reply
  3. Deborah Brooks says

    February 7, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    looks like you accomplished a lot to me! We all have weeks where we feel that way. Tomorrow is a new day!

    Reply
  4. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    February 7, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    Some weeks are just tough, and we’re doing the best we can. Especially these days! It looks like you still had a very productive week.

    Reply
  5. Beckett @ Birchwood Pie says

    February 7, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    Jenn, I feel you. February is always a drag on top of whatever real life is throwing at you. There’s a 5k here next weekend and the race organizers are just gloating over the ONE DEGREE forecast…remind me to move to FL!

    Reply
  6. Kimberly Hatting says

    February 7, 2021 at 11:08 pm

    Ahhh, the legs up the wall 😉 I forget how good that feels! It’s been awhile since I’ve done a run “worthy” of that LOL The paint project turned out nice!

    Reply
  7. Coco says

    February 8, 2021 at 1:30 am

    Sorry you had a rough week personally, but it sounds like you pulled off a solid week of running. I had not heard of the dog painting challenge — too funny!

    Reply
  8. Cari says

    February 8, 2021 at 2:03 am

    Love how your yoga mat matches your paint – and sock accents. Girls’ art show was great and what we all needed. HUGS

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      I’m very coordinated. It’s my skill.

      <3

      Reply
  9. Jenny says

    February 8, 2021 at 2:38 am

    Ooh, you northern Floridians really got some weather! Funny how different it was down here- cool, but beautiful. Sounds like the balance challenge is going well. LOVE the pug art!!!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      LOL! Yeah we did! Brrr!

      Reply
  10. Kim G says

    February 8, 2021 at 3:24 am

    I’m sorry that you had a hard week 🙁 I hope that this upcoming week will feel better for you.

    I love the dog paintings – I think you have two very talented pug artists!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      Today is sunny and I feel pretty good. Willing to bet on some positivity!

      I think they are incredibly talented, too. I may have to look into local galleries.

      Reply
  11. Renée @runlaugheatpie says

    February 8, 2021 at 11:13 am

    Not every week is smash-it week I guess? But still for the bare minimum you did a lot. And you are human; if you feel less positive that is totally ok! Here’s to a better week for you! x

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      I know, but I’m usually a big ol’ cheerleader, so it’s weird for me to be down. Blah.

      Reply
  12. Zenaida Arroyo says

    February 8, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    Yep, bare minimum for me too. Just one mile per day to continue my run streak and to get some fresh air. No point in doing more in these weather conditions. But YOU did great and a lot more than me. Those paintings are cute! What will you do with them?

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      <3 You're still streaking! You rock!

      A asked if he could hang them in his room, so off they go!

      Reply
  13. Michelle D. says

    February 8, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    I’m sorry you had a tough week. You still did an amazing job with your runs! The “Pug Art” made me smile 🙂

    I hope this week is better for you!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 2:58 pm

      It made us smile too. Sometimes, we just need little boosts like that.

      Reply
  14. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    February 8, 2021 at 1:15 pm

    I think we all have weeks like that, but no one ever said 9 miles in the rain & wind is the bare minimum!

    I haven’t heard of the dog painting challenge. Those paintings came out great! We don’t go anywhere so poor Bandit never gets kongs anymore & no PB! Poor neglected Bandit. Although I’m afraid to tell my husband about that challenge . . .

    I can’t even imagine having metal in my body. I hope at some point you don’t notice it as much! Good luck with your race.
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…February at its best: 2/1 – 7 WRDMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 2:58 pm

      Oh, it was a very whiny, sloggy run LOL!. Nothing heroic there.

      We don’t give kongs here. The girls are very territorial about their treats. I would tell him. I bet Bandit could make beautiful background art for your yoga retreat!

      It’s super weird. Some days I don’t feel it, but some days, it pulls and clicks and I hate it. Better than the alternative i guess, but still.

      Reply
  15. Kristen Woolsey says

    February 8, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    The pug painting sounds hysterical! Might have to try that with ours.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 8, 2021 at 2:54 pm

      it’s worth it!

      Reply
  16. Marcia says

    February 8, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    Sorry it was a tough week for you. Sometimes the bare minimum is plenty, When we landed it was 36. I was glad I brought my winter coat. It’s warmed up considerably here though. It’s 1 degree back home today with a feels like well below zero. Florida may be cool but I will gladly take it.

    Reply
  17. Debbie @ Deb Runs says

    February 12, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    I hope you have a great time at your race tomorrow and that the weather cooperates! I can certainly understand the weather affecting your mood. Here’s hoping you’re feeling better this week.

    We’re watching Pablo for the weekend. I bet he’d love to do any arts and crafts projects that include peanut butter!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      February 12, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      Yay Pablo! I bet he would be an amazing peanut butter artist!

      I hope the rain holds up. I will run in the rain, but worried about slippery streets.

      Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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