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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / left to my own devices

left to my own devices

June 18, 2023      27 Comments

So it’s time to come clean: I have been home alone since Thursday of last week. The boys have been out west, and I have been left to my own devices: A was on a 7 day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch, while Mr. PugRunner visited with family a few hours away. Much as I would have loved to be there, I had a super big job being home with the pugs. How did I fill my time? Let’s get into it.

Sunday

  • Cardio: 1.83 miles, walking

After a super late night, Meghan and I were good to sleep in a little, and chill out. I walked the dogs, and then just went a little longer while she caught up on rest. It worked out fine.

Meghan had requested brunch and so brunch we got. Yum. Our server said that the chicken and waffles was THE BEST thing on the menu, so we both ordered the same. No regrets.

Meghan is a HUGE flamingo lover, and I wanted to share the Flamboyance exhibit at the Cummer with her. I was so happy to see her happy.

And then we went to the new, fancy ice cream place in town.

And then we picked up a veggie tray, chips and hummus at the store, changed into our comfy clothes, and spent the night drinking wine, snacking and watching movies.

Monday

  • Cardio: 3.99 miles, walking
  • Strength: Arms + Core, 20 minutes

Meghan headed out early, so I went for a walk and then did some weights.

I was pretty tuckered from the weekend, so I laid low, and spent most of the day working and doing household things like laundry and cleaning.

Tuesday

  • Cardio: 4.36 miles, walking

So we are back on track! I got up and out and did my morning thing. The days have been super crazy with really ugly storms rolling through at really random times, so I’ve done my best to work around it all.

In the evening, I attended the Yelp Pickle Party at 1937 Spirits. I love pickles so much, and this was a super fun night with complimentary pickle martinis, and so many pickle forward foods. The vibe of the restaurant was perfect, too, so we will surely be back for an actual meal.

The best part of the day was getting a phone call from A. They summitted a big mountain and he called me from the top. I have never answered the phone so fast in my life. He sounded fantastic, which made my mama heart so happy.

Wednesday

  • Cardio: 5 miles, running + 3.2 miles, walking

It felt great to get out for a solid run. I loved it, even if I was tired from a night out.

It was a day for new experiences: I attended a grant request meeting for one of my clients, who is brining a new event to the area. While I’m the one who put together the visuals I didn’t have to actually present, and I am so proud to say the full amount was granted! Yay!

I spent the rest of my waking hours meeting a few deadlines and trying to get ahead on some things.

Thursday

Cardio: 3.63 miles, walking

Another huge day. I started with a walk.

Originally, I was planning to be out of town on Thursday, but the event I planned to attend fell through. Instead, I attended a small going away dinner for an old friend. It was a really lovely evening, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it.

Friday

  • Cardio: 3.69 miles, running + 3.58 miles, walking

We were all late on Friday, and i wasn’t feeling the run, especially after little sleep and more rain. It makes my ankle hurt and I hate it.

I didn’t have too much going on today – I needed the downtime. I also spent some time talking with Mr PugRunner and a little with A, too. They were off the trail and got to see each other for a few hours, which was awesome. I miss them.

Saturday

  • Cardio: ParkRun 5K

Since I had nothin else on the schedule, I opted to go to our new (ish) ParkRun. This is a weekly, free, timed, volunteer-organized 5K that takes places in locations around the world. Ours is about 50 minutes away, but what the heck.

Even though it was a little nerve-wracking to head to a new event in a new place with new people, I’m so glad I did. Everyone was so sweet and supportive and made me feel welcome. The course was fun (as it always is when something is new), and it was all great. Until then thunder started. But I got done and safe in the car.

That afternoon, I had late lunch with my parents.

And then I got to FaceTime with the boys, which was awesome. I can’t wait for them to get home!

Thoughts + Goals

Summer is kicking my butt. Even though I’m getting out every day, I’m hot and tired and it’s making me cranky. I need to get over it. I think I need to adjust my schedule again to ensure I’m making the most of my runs.

Next week will be great: I’m going to spend tons of time with the guys, and we have some fun events planned, as well. I’m looking forward to it!

How was your week?

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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deborah Brooks says

    June 18, 2023 at 10:26 am

    It is nice to have a little time to yourself at home! Looks like you were super productive. Glad to see you keeping up with the strength training

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm

      It was good, especially now that Mr PugRunner is working from home again. I need a little quiet time.

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    June 18, 2023 at 10:50 am

    It looks like you had a really good week! i’m sure you missed your guys–it’s nice to have alone time, but it does get a little lonely!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:58 pm

      Oh, I did miss them!

      Reply
  3. Coco says

    June 18, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    It sounds like a fun week! I love the flamingos!

    Every weekend I wish I had gotten up earlier, but I enjoy lazing in bed too much to actually get up earlier.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:57 pm

      It was fun. I “slept in” on Monday, but still like to get up and moving.

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    June 18, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    This week I also started to feel like summer is kicking my butt. It’s just so frickin hot, and there’s no end in sight. It’s going to be hot until November, so I have to deal with it.
    It sounds like a nice week! I’m intrigued by the pickle party. i’m sure it’ll be nice to have the guys home again- I like some alone time, but that is a long time for them to be gone!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:55 pm

      It’s gross out there. Period.

      The pickle party was so fun. I am ok with alone time, so it worked out.

      Reply
  5. Darlene S Cardillo says

    June 18, 2023 at 2:57 pm

    I’m the one taking off… never the hubby. I’d love some alone time.
    You had a lot of variety in your activities.

    We have not had hot weather… yet.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:54 pm

      Normally, I would have been the one head out, but he had family nearby and was probably a little better equipped for dealing with the logistics. I was good to chill at home.

      Reply
  6. Renée says

    June 18, 2023 at 4:35 pm

    I am so so happy you ventured off to a parkrun! you have no idea how please I am for you!! what you experienced is generally how parkrun is, anywhere in the world. I have been welcomed and cheered on even when I didn’t speak the language. and we try to give participants the same feeling when they come to our parkrun.

    a week without the boys i’m sure left you with some mixed feelings, but you had such a good variety of people and things to do! REALLY love the Flamingos and the pickle party! I LOVE pickles, but really good sour/dill pickles are so hard to find here. I have to either go to Germany or find a good Polish or Balkan shop to buy the ones I like.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:43 pm

      I’ve wanted to do it since I heard about it from you! I even told Mr PugRunner that he could join and walk if he wanted to! It was a great experience (again, minus the rain).

      The Flamingoes were so cool. I’m glad I got to see them twice.

      I am going to another pickle event at a German restaurant. I will report back!

      Reply
  7. Susanne says

    June 18, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    This sounds like such a lovely and relaxing week! And then walking and/or running every day. But of course you’d miss the boys! My husband attended our local parkrun a few weeks ago. He enjoyed it a lot too but wasn’t used to the 5k speed, however he did great.
    A pickle party! That sounds like fun if you’re into pickles. What a cool idea.
    I wish you a good week ahead!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:41 pm

      I did miss the boys, but it was good for all of us.

      So our ParkRun is for walkers and runners, and is welcoming to everyone. I loved that.

      I am very into pickles lol. I have another pickle dinner on Saturday and one more pickle thing the following week. Yum.

      Reply
  8. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures says

    June 18, 2023 at 9:32 pm

    Isn’t it weird to have a bunch of free time on your hands? It is for me! Good for you for going to the ParkRun. I hope A is having a great time. I’m sure his return will be the highlight of your upcoming week!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:39 pm

      It’s so good. And it’s not even free time : the pugs require A LOT of attention LOL.

      The big homecoming was incredible!

      Reply
  9. San says

    June 18, 2023 at 10:56 pm

    What a fun week. Sounds like a lovely time with Meghan (the flamingos are so cool!) and you got some solid movement in. I’ve heard about park runs from different people now – gotta find out if there’s one around here. 🙂

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      The flamingo exhibit was one of the best at this museum. It was so unique and beautiful.
      I hope you find a park run!

      Reply
  10. Kimberly Hatting says

    June 19, 2023 at 2:30 am

    I’ve gotten used to the empty house syndrome, and I like it now. It was eerie when the first child left for college, but it got easier with each one. Now, I kind of like all the silence, LOL!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      I love it. Once Meghan left, I don’t think the tv went on again. I’m just the kind of person who really craves personal space, quiet, and solitude.

      Reply
  11. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    June 19, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    I always get tired reading your posts, but now I want to come visit. You’re a great hostess!

    Great job, A! I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to all be reunited.

    Good job checking out parkrun! It’s not easy to drive that long to something you haven’t done before. Glad you enjoyed it.
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Here we go again: 6/12 – 18 WRDMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:35 pm

      My door is always open!

      It was SO GOOD to have him home.

      I don’t mind the drive (everything is a drive here), but it’s definitely nervewracking to be the newbie to a group.

      Reply
  12. Liz Dexter says

    June 19, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    Oh, lovely to see you doing a parkrun! I volunteer coordinated myself out of needing to volunteer at mine last Saturday (I still get a volunteer credit for being the coordinator) and had a lie-in, but that’s very rare. I hope it goes from strength to strength. We’ve also had random storms here, it’s not that fun, is it!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:33 pm

      Fun! I’m so glad we have one here!

      Reply
  13. Debbie says

    June 21, 2023 at 12:29 am

    It sounds like you made the most of your time alone and got a lot accomplished. Well done!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 21, 2023 at 3:33 pm

      It was a good week. I wanted to clean our area rugs, but that didn’t happen.

      Reply
  14. Jessie says

    June 23, 2023 at 7:43 pm

    Yay for Parkrun and doing new things! It’s always a little intimidating, I agree. But you did it!

    OMG, that flamingo exhibit is so cool!

    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 pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
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