Running Our Way Through An Amazing Bandtober

For those of you in the know, we are entering “Bandtober,” that magical time of year dedicated to marching band competitions. While these are typical Saturday affairs, there is a ton of travel, time, and logistics that go into a contest, and as unapologetic band parents, we are just all along for the ride. Things kick off on Saturday, and then it’s an entire month of marching music. Does our fitness journey stop? No, it does not! Let’s do it!

Sunday

• Cardio: 3.56 miles, walking

After a late night with friends, I did NOT want to get up. No way, no how. But I knew if I wasted the whole day in bed, I would regret it, so I made myself manage a few miles. It was a good thing.

For the rest of the day, we picked on leftovers, watched football, and just chilled out. This would be our last calm weekend until November 6, and we wanted to make the most of it.

Monday

• Cardio: Couch to 5K Week 2 Day 1 (2 sessions), 6.53 miles, running + walking
• Strength: Arms (Back Focus) + Abs, 50 minutes

It wasn’t quite as cool as last week, but that was ok. J and I did our miles and felt pretty good about the whole thing.

I quickly changed so I could get to the gym. The newest workout session loaded in the app was a bit different from last week, which I loved to see. In fact, the only thing I didn’t love was the overhead chest press. I feel so strong until I try to do those. Ugh.

Regardless, I pushed through.

Monday was a mess with work, so I canceled my evening plans so I could get everything done by deadline.

Tuesday

• Cardio: 3.04 miles, walking + Stairmaster, 10 minutes
• Strength: Legs + Abs, 50 minutes

It’s easier to just head to the gym before I do my walk, since it’s less crowded, and again, I was please to have new moves on the app. I also decided to try my legs at the stair master, since leg day never feels super difficult to me. That was something else! After the accident, I am really cautious on stairs, so maybe this is the first step in overcoming that little fear.

The night was taken up by a committee meeting, which went a little longer than planned, but that’s ok.

Wednesday

• Cardio: Couch to 5K Week 2 Day 2, 6.22 miles, running + walking
• Strength: Arms (Back Focus) + Abs, 50 minutes

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires was back, making it a tougher run. Everything was pretty hazy, and the air quality was absolutely poor. We did what we could.

I also pushed through at the gym. I think this was my favorite arm workout so far, with some pushes and pulls, and more dumbbell work.

Then I got to treat myself to a new laptop! After five years, it was definitely time. This post comes to you directly from my new computer! Yay! We also took A’s clarinet in for a little tweak before wind ensemble season. He wanted to go himself, but Bandtober rehearsals and practice keep him away from things that need to be done during the day. He was thrilled with the result.

Thursday

• Cardio: 3.26 miles, walking + Stair Master, 15 minutes
• Strength: Legs + Abs, 50 minutes

Last gym day of the week! I enjoyed today as well, even though I had to go to the “big boy” part of the gym to use the incline board for crunches. Fortunately, I didn’t fall or get stuck. I also bumped up my Stair Master time by five minutes. Yay! I wrapped it all up with a walk. Perfect.

Friday

• Cardio: Couch to 5K Week 2 Day 3
• Strength: Trainer Check In Arms + Abs, 50 minutes

Today was going to be A DAY.

First, the fitness. Obviously. So we started with a run.

My meeting with the trainer went well. I actually didn’t expect to do a workout, but apparently, Meeting #2 is a trainer guided workout. Sigh. He did give good encouragement and great tips. I’ll see him again next week for a full trainer session. I’m scared.

Then I had to focus. I had some things to do around the house, pick up my race packet, and get over to the school to help serve dinner to the band. This is their last home game for the year (so early!), so it’s bittersweet.

Finally, we just enjoyed the band doing their stand tunes and having fun.

Before bed, I laid out my flat runner.

Saturday

• Cardio: Pink Up The Pace 5k

It was so nice to have a race again, especially one for such an important cause.

I got done, and booked it home. A had to report to school at 9AM for practice, and we all had to meet back there at 2PM to start volunteering for the big show. We had 14 bands competing, and it was truly an epic day. What an honor to host such incredible talent at the first comp of Bandtober!

Of course, it was a brutally long day, and we were all just so happy to call it a night.

Thoughts + Goals

Another busy week, yes? It’s not going to calm down for quite a while. I don’t mind, as you know. Being busy makes me happy.

We have a few dinners and holiday events coming up, which are always fun. And of course, lots of crazy band travel. I’ll break that down as we get into it. There will always be time for my rain streak (all I need is one purposeful mile a day).

And on a proud mom and special Bandtober note, A was selected to be part of the county’s honor band. I don’t have all the details, but essentially, he was selected as one of the best clarinet players in the county, and will perform in an ensemble comprised of students from the seven high schools here. We had nine students chosen for regular band, and two for jazz. Absolutely amazing.

Have you been through Bandtober?

What’s going on for you this month?

How is training going?

Weekly Rundown

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