It was another fairly busy week, with some more followups and keeping things together. I’m not saying things are great. But we are where we are and we have to move forward from there.
Sunday
- Cardio: 7.81 miles, cycling (e-bike)
Sunday marked the end of our weekend away. Mr PugRunner wanted to do a bike tour, and I suggested we head back into Jacksonville for an Art Bikes Tour. I have wanted to do this FOREVER: the company offers guided and self-guided tours on e-bikes, hand painted by local artists.
This was my first experience on an e-bike, and it was a little learning curve, but by the end of the two hour journey, I was zipping along just fine. We traveled through Riverside, Avondale, Brooklyn, and more, checking out the parks, architecture, green spaces, and public art, and learning even more about the history of our city.
Highly recommend.
We grabbed a quick bite to eat at cafe with outdoor seating, and then headed to pick up A from my parents.
Monday
- Cardio: 6.22 miles, running + 1.44 miles, walking
It’s always hard to come back from vacation, but the show must go on.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 4.09 miles, walking
The weather has been nothing short of bizarre, but Tuesday was gorgeous. I needed to walk out a lot of feelings. So I did.
In the evening, we were invited to try out Marco’s Piano Bar in historic downtown. Marco’s provides an upscale dining and entertainment experience, with delicious tapas and small plates, sustainable, small vineyard wines, and piano accompaniment. It was nothing short of lovely.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 6.66 miles, running + 1.11 miles, walking
- Strength: Full Body (supine hip flexion, reverse lunge to core rotation, renegade row to pushup, kneeling single arm press, pulse plie squats, knee side plank leg raise – @kimrunsthemitten)
Another run day. I really just needed this day to sort of absorb everything from the past week. Running helps.
Enough is enough. I am back to strength training. Period, the end.
Thursday
- Cardio: 4.36 miles, walking
- Strength: Arm Day (single arm straight arm lat pulldown, tricep pushups, stability rows, stats glute bridge skullcrushers, side plank hip dips – @KimRunsTheMitten)
I dragged a bit on Thursday, but there were things to be done. Walking, first.
Then some weights. Because it’s good for me.
For right now, I’m opting out of the gym, and doing what I can at home. It’s working out alright.
Luna ate a (huge) grape and had to be rushed to the vet to see if they could get her to vomit and to take blood work. Apparently, 10% of dogs won’t throw up. Guess what percentage Luna falls into. They watched her for a while, and then sent her home, with her first set of blood work clear. She would need another test on Friday.
In the evening, I drove to UNF for the gallery opening of Dustin Harewood’s solo show, “I Feel It Fading.” My amazing friend J collaborated with him by creating the video wall in the gallery, and I was so proud to support her and an incredibly talented local artist.
Friday
- Cardio: 6.71 miles, running + 2.88 miles, walking
- Strength: Full Body Workout (single leg hip flexor raise, pulse sumo squat, heel elevated single leg bridge, alternating rows, close grip DB pushups, single arm push press – @KimRunsTheMitten)
Yes, it was tough getting up and out in the morning, but onward and upward.
Luna’s second blood draw was also clear. I’m grateful but that was excitement I did not need.
That evening, J and I had tickets for goat yoga. And of course, the heavens opened. What else is new? J and I went anyway, and arrived just in time to get rescheduling info.
However.
There were about 20 hungry little baby goats in need of bottles. Do you see where this is going?
Please note: I am an excellent goat feeder. And snuggler. In case there were questions. So is J. We were born for it.
Saturday
- Cardio: 4.12 miles, walking
- Strength: Leg Day (side plank leg lifts, bulgarian goblet squats, elevated heel back squats, single leg RDLs – @KimRunsTheMitten)
Today was forecast to be rain, rain, rain, all day. It was so bad that I completely bailed on signing up for a February race because I didn’t want to be drenched. I slept in a little, and by the time I went for a walk, I had a clear window of weather.
Aside from lunch, the rest of the day was dedicated to work. I have been going, going, going and really needed a day off from the outside world.
Goal-getting + Thoughts
I’m going to say it was a productive week. I wish things were better personally, but I can’t dwell on that. Instead, we just need to make the most of the way things are. I think we are going to play things very low-key on Valentine’s and for the Big Game, and just try to get through each day.
On the health side of things, I have scheduled with a new Primary Care doctor. I also made some big changes since Mr PugRunner has been home. I have increased my water intake to about 96oz a day, and decreased my Diet Dr Pepper intake quite a bit. I haven’t a Starbucks since he came home from the hospital. Obviously, our sodium intake is way down and we are joining him in that journey. However, I’ve also cut back on my alcohol (I was having a glass of wine every other night with dinner, and now it’s once or twice a week), and switched my snacks from processed foods to more healthy options. While he doesn’t need us to eat how he eats, it makes it easier if we are on a similar path, so here it is.
And that’s the week!
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
How was your week in training? Have you made any major wellness shifts in your habits?
I’m so sorry that you are having such a tough time right now. It sounds as if you are making lots of positive changes in your life and that has to be empowering, right? Just keep on moving–running is just the best therapy.
I know you don’t love strength training (yet) but it will be so good for you. It sounds like you are making some really positive changes for all of you and that will be very empowering and hopefully make you feel better too. Hang in there Jenn!
It sounds like you are putting a good plan in place to support Mr. P and improve your health too. I am not interested in goat yoga, but bottle feeding baby goats sounds fun!
What in the world is goat yoga???
I know you’re still working through things, but it sounds like things are going well. You’re running, the strength training sounds awesome (and hard) and your dietary changes seem really positive. You can do it!
It is literally yoga. With goats. You do your yoga stuff and the goats run around and jump on you. Honestly, the yoga portion is optional. I just want to get my grabby hands on the baby goats.
Since I’m new to your blog, I won’t comment too much on your personal life since I don’t have the history, but I will be happy to offer my prayers and support. Yeah for strength training, some good runs, and uh, goat yoga? I am for real intrigued with that one.
This has all cropped up very recently – my husband had what they called a cardiac crisis last month, on the heels of a few months of being very, very unwell. At the end of the day, he has congestive heart failure (although his heart is now pretty much “fine” medically), and kidney damage (which is much less fine). They think he had a silent heart attack. He spent about a week in the hospital and now we are trying to find our new normal. It’s just been a lot. The good news is that he was already in a good wellness routine, which they believe saved his life. So, you know. That’s positive.
Goat yoga is the best. Especially if you love goats and are feeling down in the dumps.
It sounds like you’re making lots of positive changes and I’m sure Mr. PR appreciates your support. You’ll feel better in the long run and that’s a great thing!
<3 Since so much is out of my control, this just gives me place to focus my energy. i don't know how much better I will feel, but I"ll go crazy if I do nothing.
Kudos for all the changes you’re implementing, not just for your family but for YOU. Keep up the good work! These changes will soon be routine, and hopefully that will lighten the stress load.
What would really lighten the load would be a giant ice cream sundae on the side of a deserted mountain. Sigh. We just aren’t getting out from under this any time soon.
Sounds like a good plan to make those changes in your diets. I agree, it’s going to be way easier to all take the same path! It was such a challenge to get my Dad to increase his liquids after his hospital visit, but I’m glad I was there to be the “bad cop” and insist he did it. I really hadn’t thought much about all of the body functions which are affected when more hydration is needed. I hope things get better for you.
I love that you had a window of nice weather for your Saturday walk. It’s good for the body and mind!
I hope things get better too. We are struggling to limit Mr PugRunner’s fluids. We aren’t sure if his body can keep himself from swelling up again, and that’s the last thing we need. But so far, so good.
I’m so glad you continue to lean in to your running through this stressful times. The healthy changes will pay off and it’s a wonderful way to support your hubby. Omg those baby goats are just precious!
I wanted to sneak a couple into my bag. They were the sweetest.
Hugs.
So did not realize the pics were goat yoga
“The weather has been nothing short of bizarre”
YES. All of this.
Well. It was supposed to be goat yoga, but ended up as goat cuddling. Goat yoga to come next week!
That is a very productive fitness week indeed! Great that you get some strength work done too. There’s a lot you can do at home, especially if you have some dumbbells too. I haven’t thought of that you can do that hip flexor with resistance band lying down – I’ll have to try that!
I hope you get some calm times ahead and can catch up and feel better emotionally. Keep up the good work with your strength training, running and walking. All that definitely helps.
i love my resistance bands! I have a harder time without having a bench or a box, but I’m finding places around the house that will work. I did love that hip flexor move for sure. It was a good warmup.
That bike tour seems like so much fun! What a great way to explore a city and see amazing art in the process.
You should be so proud of immediately making nutrition habits. That is NOT an easy task, but I know that your husband will appreciate your support in making changes to healthier habits.
The bike tour was amazing. Our city is connecting one bank to the other across the river and the tour company will be able to add on with a different location – I’m super excited for that.
I mean. Our nutrition was fine, but it could have been better. I guess. It’s giving me some control of an awful situation, so that’s a motivator for me.
The bike tour and goat snuggles (plus yoga) look so fun.
It sounds like you’re making some supportive life changes to help your husband on his journey. Sending you strength.
I’m so sorry about Luna adding yet more stress, but glad there were no I’ll effects. I am really good at getting dogs to vomit. Salt,moddly, does the trick. There was the time Chester ate rat poison at my parents . . .
I know all the changes are hard, but you’ll eventually feel better, too! Good for you for all the support you’re show Mr. Pugrunner. And hugs, because I know nothing about this is easy.
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She is a stubborn girl. She also doesn’t eat anything, so lord knows how or why she decided a giant grape was going to be her downfall. Ugh. I’m just glad she’s ok.