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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / back to friday night lights

back to friday night lights

August 19, 2023      15 Comments

Now that school is back, so, too, is Friday night lights. Our weekends just got a lot more hectic, especially was we head into the marching season and “Bandtober.” It’s been a rough couple of weeks, due to some things happening outside the sphere of my control, but we do what we can. Here’s the week.

Sunday

  • Cardio: 3.8 miles, walking

Here’s to a new week. Up and at ’em because there were so many fun things to do! First, a walk and a stretch!

Then I met up with some friends to drive to a farm sanctuary and feed the animals. There were so many pigs and goats and pups! We got to see two beehives in action, and even got to watch a new Florida Cracker cow be unloaded into her new home!

And THEN! We had free tickets to see Jason Mraz at The Amp. This is my second time seeing him, and it was another phenomenal show. I’ve loved him since The Remedy way back when, and his music makes me feel so at peace.

An outdoor concert during a heat wave in Florida is not ideal, but we made the best of it. Someone in our community had purchased the tickets months ago and then moved, and just offered them up. The seat were perfect, and we heard so many great new pieces and old classics.

Monday

  • Cardio: 6.82 miles, running + walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches

A new Monday. I had a little hip pain so I went very tentatively, running very sporadically, to make sure it was gone. Thank goodness the heat means I don’t feel much pressure to really push it.

And then I implemented my new base strength routine. I read that if you want to stay toned and fit, do 20 lunges, squats, and pushups, a 30 second plank and 30 of any kind of crunches every day. I am easily influenced and that sounds reasonable, so I said yes. I also rewarded myself with new nails.

Tuesday

  • Cardio: 4.82 miles, walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches | 3×12 shoulder press, front rows, front raises, lateral raises, bent-over rows, back push, front crosses

Trying to be my own biggest cheerleader. A walk, and then my new daily routine with some upper body work for good measure.

Wednesday

  • Cardio: 5.02 miles, running + walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches | leg day 3×12 gorilla squats, 3×12 lateral lunges, 3×15 kettlebell swings, 3×20 weighted sumo squats, 3×20 overhead KB march

Running did not last long, again. It just feels too awful.

And then I pulled out the old kettlebell for some squat and leg work. I wish I had one that was a little heavier, but baby steps, I guess. We make it work.

Thursday

  • Cardio: 3.59 miles, walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches | 3×15 wide bicep curls, 3×15 cross body hammer curls, 3×15 front hold single bicep curls, 3×15 zottman curls, 3×15 single dumbbell curls

Good morning and rise and shine! I slept in just a little and then got right into it.

I added in some bicep work, too.

Still hating it, but trying to make it stick.

Friday

  • Cardio: 3.34 miles, running + 3.60 miles, walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches | 3×15 chest press, 3×12 cloes4 chest press, 3×12 skull crushers, :60 AMRAP seated curl to shoulder press

For the first time in a week, I felt like it was safe to run. So I did. I tricked myself by saying I could stop after one, then two, then three. Wheeee. It felt really good and I was super grateful.

Next up, some upper body work. This didn’t look too hard, but my shoulders were feeling it. Especially after all the pushups I’ve been doing.

I really threw myself into work, because I had plans for the rest of the the day and most of Saturday, too. After I picked up a few kids from school (I’m helping out some friends), I grabbed a fellow band mom and we headed to school to serve the first pre-game dinner of the season. It’s my favorite volunteer job.

From there, it was pretty much nonstop! The band absolutely rocked! Because of the heat, they just wore their show shirts and shorts, and played in place at half time, but they were so good.

Saturday

  • Cardio: 2 miles, walking
  • Strength: 20 lunges, :30 plank, 20 squat, 20 pushups, 30 crunches

I was hurting this morning. An ant bite on the top of my foot kept me from falling asleep til way late. Yuck. I finally dragged myself up for a brief walk.

Mr PugRunner took A to band camp while I went to shoot some content at the dojo.

In the evening, we attended a surprise birthday party, and it was good to see some friends.

Thoughts + Goals

So I made a deal with myself. If I can do 30-45 straight days of strength, even if it’s just my lunge/plank/squat/pushup/crunch combo, I’m going to invest in a family YMCA membership. A has been talking about wanting to work out a little. Our community gym doesn’t have the things I want to use and is suffering from some damage and breakage. And Mr PugRunner seems bored with it, too. It would give me the option to use some different machines (like leg presses and cables) and would even offer the potential for some classes.

Who even am I?

I’m also going to continue building up my miles. I think the heat wave has broken, so it’s a little safer. I have my eye on a race in late September, so fingers crossed I can make it work, even if it’s the 5K (10 mile is the other option).

How was your week?

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Comments

  1. Darlene S. Cardillo says

    August 20, 2023 at 10:36 am

    I’m not a fan of working out but I did join the Y. And so far I’m doing it.

    Sorry about the heat but you are staying active.

    And have some activities planned each week.

    Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks says

    August 20, 2023 at 11:20 am

    Glad to see that you are embracing strength training. It will make a huge difference for you. Looks like school is off to a good start for A . Have a good one!

    Reply
  3. Cari says

    August 20, 2023 at 12:22 pm

    I love the base strength and am totally going to steal that. I haven’t done as much strength at the gym, but I love having it available and space to do it.
    Big hugs,but you knew that

    Reply
  4. Marcia says

    August 20, 2023 at 1:04 pm

    I love that that some strength work is back in your routine! It will pay off! We have a “wellness center” at the high school that opened a couple of years ago. It has the most amazing, multi-level fitness center I’ve ever seen in a high school. Now I wish my daughter would use it. Haha! Cheers to marching band season! So fun!

    Reply
  5. Jenny says

    August 20, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    That strength program sounds great. Strength can get really complicated, but you can’t go wrong sticking with the basics. AND, I think you should just go ahead and get the Y membership! You don’t need to “prove” to yourself that you deserve it. I’ll bet if you got the membership you would have the motivation to use it. And it sounds like the whole family would appreciate it.
    I can’t believe you had a football game already! How fun..Our first one isn’t till September.

    Reply
  6. Jessie says

    August 20, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    I like this plan- 20 lunges, squats, and pushups, a 30 second plank and 30 of any kind of crunches every day- it seems doable, I’m going to try it for at least a week and see if I can keep it up! Great idea 🙂

    The concert (and food/drinks) look great! I think Jason might have some sort of Minnesota connection, I have to check that…

    Reply
  7. Liz Dexter says

    August 20, 2023 at 4:50 pm

    Glad the heat has gone down a bit and that strength work per day does sound doable. I’m struggling remembering to do my physio exercises on non-run days after I had a week out last month due to some medical stuff. How easy it is not to do stuff!
    Liz Dexter recently posted…Book review – Dean Karnazes – “A Runner’s High”My Profile

    Reply
  8. San says

    August 20, 2023 at 6:19 pm

    Great mix of cardio (running/walking) and strength! I think that’s a great daily combo!

    Reply
  9. melissa says

    August 20, 2023 at 7:32 pm

    Sorry you’ve had a rough few weeks. Hopefully you can make it through this busy season soon! We start up our busy days next week, with sports Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sunday … and then in September it will be every day including Monday and Saturday! So I’m feeling you.
    Great job on your activity this week. I never get in strength trainng and really need to get inspired by you 🙂

    Reply
  10. Susanne says

    August 20, 2023 at 10:03 pm

    Yay for your new strength routine! Influenced or not, 20 daily squats, lunges and pushups and more will do you a lot of good! Great plan also about the YMCA.
    The outdoor concert sounds like fun but I know it can be rough if it’s too hot.
    Well done staying active and I hope your next week will be good with no bumps along the way.

    Reply
  11. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures says

    August 21, 2023 at 12:26 am

    Yay for marching band!! So fun! I really miss it. We miss it so much that we are going to the first home game back at the high school. (hopefully I won’t bawl the whole time!) I’m cheering for you to get that workout done every day. I’m trying a similar thing with an abs workout. My goal is 30 days!

    Reply
  12. Kimberly Hatting says

    August 21, 2023 at 1:38 am

    Nice job on your strength work! That’s a great commitment to yourself 😉

    Reply
  13. Coco says

    August 21, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    Sorry about the things you’ve been coping with. I hope you keep pressing on.

    That sounds like a solid strength routine. It would be great if everyone went to the Y!

    Reply
  14. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    August 21, 2023 at 7:51 pm

    I too have loved Jason Mraz since The Remedy, but have not kept up with him & never seen him in concert. Sorry about the ant bite. I’ve been dealing with non stop mosquito bites! We are NOT supposed to have them so bad!

    I have the exact same kettlbell. It’s a good place to start! But I also have 15 & 20 lb ones too (which I use).

    Hope you’re right & the heat wave is over!
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Funny Business: 8/14 – 20 WRDMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Debbie says

    August 24, 2023 at 11:35 am

    Tricking ourselves by promising only one mile, then two, etc. when we run really works well sometimes when we’re just not feeling it. Glad it worked for you!

    Looks like a great start to the school year!

    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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