Here we are, limping into the last week of school. Normally, we are out before Memorial Day, but last year we voted on a new calendar, and yada yada yada, we have four days to go. For the most part, it’s makeup exams and remediation, so I can’t promise a lot will be happening. What I do know is we are counting down.

Sunday
- Cardio: 5.17 miles, walking
I had big plans for Sunday. Huge. A was working and Mr PugRunner went to Rockville with his buddies, which meant I was only my own!
The day started with a walk.

I took A shopping to get a new shirt for graduation (his girlfriend is class of 2025, so he would be in attendance), and we had a nice lunch together. Then I sent him off, found a cute dress and took myself on a day to Parker Flower Farms, five acres of sunflowers and wildflowers, not too far from me. You can just come wander the grounds, or you can take photos, enjoy a picnic, eat from food trucks or other vendors if available, and just enjoy the vibes. I loved it.

Monday
- Cardio: 6.76 miles, running
And so the week began.

And then we were down to business! I spent some time working on some administrative things for pet sitting and trying to get organized for the weeks ahead. This is going to be a busy, busy, busy time.
Oh, and in the midst of it all, our upstairs a/c decided to just stop. Of course it would, seeing how it’s the hottest week of the year thus far. Ugh.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 6.29 miles, running + .2 miles walking
Fortunately, it wasn’t unbearable at night, and I woke up and was able to get in my run.

When I went upstairs after breakfast, I was thrilled (and surprised) to see that the a/c was running effectively. Weird. Mr PugRunner was in touch with the warranty company, so we just figured we would keep an eye on it. (It went all day, and then at 5PM, started blowing warm air again. Huh???)
And then I met my friend for brunch at the most wild new spot in town. We have spent a lot of time in minimalism, so welcome maximalism! The food was really good, although somehow, we didn’t get a photo of us.

A’s girlfriend graduated that evening. Tickets are super hard to come by (each family gets only a limited amount) so he went but we didn’t. The graduating class had over 600 students, so it was a long night for him, but he said it was really nice, and she was super happy.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 4.88 miles, walking
This night was not as pleasant as the night before, and I didn’t get a great night’s sleep. Ugh. At least the pugs were comfortable downstairs. I walked it out.

Now that the class of 2025 is gone, it was time for Senior Takeover Day! The week prior, the school gave rising juniors Burger King crowns to decorate, but A decided to really lean in. He ordered a full king costume, and very proudly wore it to and around school. They had their first senior meeting, to discuss dues, events, and important dates, and they even got complimentary breakfast!
While he was fun, I went to my checkup at the dentist. You all know how I feel about that. Somehow, I remain in the no-cavities club. It was awful, but not as awful as last time’s “comprehensive visit.”
And then it was finally time for some fun! We went to the opening of a new rooftop bar in downtown Jacksonville, called upstairs lounge. It’s so gorgeous and perfect for happy hour, or late night!

You can check out more here!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKA3yXRvbpB/?igsh=Zm90czJva2Fpc3lwThursday
- Cardio: 5.74 miles, running + .2 miles, walking
This would be my last morning at home for a while. And just in time, someone cam out to fix the a/c! Yay! In the meantime, I went for my run.

And then I packed to head to a client’s house for the long weekend. I’ll be staying in one location and then dropping in on two other sets of pups all the way through the following weekend. Fortunately, they are all fantastic clients, so it will be fun.
Friday
- Cardio: 4.52 miles, running + 1 mile, walking
Shockingly, the weather was finally gorgeous and I took full advantage! I even got my little walk-loving client to get in her constitutional (she’s been missing them).

It’s always nice to get to run and walk in new locations. I absolutely make the most of it when I can.
Saturday
- Cardio: 5 miles, running + walking
It seems like good things don’t last – it was ten degrees hotter than yesterday when I went out. Booooo.

By the end of today, I was cycling through all three households, giving lots of love to all my doggy clients.
Thoughts + Goals
You may have noticed that I’m not in the gym and my kettlebell challenge dropped off. I am on a pretty tight schedule right now, with feedings and walks, so I’m a little limited. I’ll get back to it (and then fall off again) over the next months. What can you do?
I thought some of you might like a little taste of what summers in Florida are really like. I was on a walk, minding my business, when look who I saw! I took a selfie so you can see how close these swamp puppies can be. For the record, this is in the middle of a large neighborhood, were people regularly walk, run, and bike. He did turn his head to look at me, and I took a hint and skedaddled on out of there.

This last week of school promises to be busy, but we will get through it. Mr PugRunner plans to grill for Memorial Day, but due to my work schedule, I’ll be passing on my favorite race and running in honor of the fallen on my own. I was a little sad not to be a part of it, but I couldn’t figure out a way to make it work.
In Case You Missed It
- Attack Of The Heat Wave
- In Honor Of Mental Health Awareness Month
- When Is Hot Too Hot For Running?
- 5 Essential Parts To My Fitness Routine (+ One I Skip)
Is school out or almost out by you? Are you running a Memorial Day race? How was your week in training?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!

You’re melting and we’re freezing! The sun finally came out, which was welcome, but it’s been slow to warm up. The summer is so short here as it is!
Now that your son is going to be a senior, are you planning any college visits this summer? Does he have any ideas where he wants to go?
And it feel so long here.
His dream choice is University of Central Florida. We visited there this past year and we are all in love. He’s also visited University of North Florida, which is about 20-30 minutes from us. It’s not his first choice, but he can live at home and save some money that way if he goes that route. There is also Valencia, which is a two year state school that is pretty much a feeder to UCF. It’s super inexpensive, uses a lot of UCF’s facilities and he live away from home. We haven’t visited there yet, but it’s on the list.
He’s so much more chill about college than I was, but that’s how he rolls. He hasn’t involved us in anything, from choosing his schedule (which is strong with his music, AP and honors classes), adding classes via the virtual program, scheduling his ACT and SAT, and even filling out applications. He’s going to do great things, however he does it!
We’ve had a much cooler than normal last half of the week and the wind has been crazy for this time of year.
Congrats to A on becoming a senior! Next year is going to fly by!
Prior to being around so many alligators in Florida during the winter I would have freaked out seeing you that close to that gator. Went you said he turned to look at you, I still freaked out – that guy wasn’t sleeping!
I want cooler! I needed cooler!
It’s going to be a fast year for sure.
He wasn’t sleeping, but they are lazy and have bad eyesight. I was being respectful of his space and he was happy to sun there. All good.
EEK! Glad you got that AC fixed. Yes, it always breaks in the summer, doesn’t it? So A’s girlfriend graduated- is she going away next year? Are they going to stay together? As you can see, I’m very nosy about these things!!!
That is hilarious about A’s king costume. I’ve seen the rising seniors wearing crowns to school the day after graduation, but no one in a complete costume, hee hee.
Anyway, sounds like you have a very busy time coming up! Sorry you’re missing your race, but I hope you still have a nice holiday.
We need to have a coffee chat for real lol!
So yes, our neighbor’s a/c broke the week before ours. It’s contagious!
A’s girlfriend is going to UCF and they plan to stay together. She will only be two hours away, so that’s not terrible.
I love how A got the costume and wore it to school. Way to do it right!! That is a huge graduating class. Will that be a similar size to your son’s class? The graduating class for my kids was around 310 students.
He’s been a little low on the spirit side of things, so I am incredibly excited to see his enthusiasm. A’s class will be slightly smaller. Our high school has over 2600 kids right now. It’s the largest in our area, and it’s only in its fourth year.
Oh, look at those little puppies! Haha! Do they crawl out of the water too and go towards people? I read about the floods in Australia some year ago and how they warn people to not get into flood waters because there might be crocodiles in it, and snakes that are swept from trees! Despite the winds, I’m quite grateful to live in Ireland!
Sorry you need to drop the gym but at least you get your running and walking done! I’m the exact opposite – when I’m busy, cardio is the first thing to go.
Alligators and crocodiles are very different. Crocodiles are smart and mean and vindictive. I am terrified of them and would never want to encounter them in the wild. Gators are quick, but not super bright. If I got more in his or her space, or if she was guarding a nest, it would be a different story, but I wasn’t particular worried. They also have terrible eyesight, so he probably didn’t even see me.
I just toss on shoes and run anywhere. The gym seems to take so much more effort and planning for me.
Well we’re still “enjoying” late fall-like feels here. Ugh. At least it’s not snowing, but this is probably the coldest Memorial Weekend I can remember…
And this will be our hottest in my memory. Funny how different it is!
Eeek! Glad the most I’ll ever get here is being chased by a dog! I am enjoying the gym but I’m too worried about messing up to do kettlebell things …
This is just a Florida dog.
You just have to take it a day at a time, and do what feels right. I just feel kind of weak right now so I want to do more to feel stronger.
Oh my goodness – that gator is so close!! I’d definitely be scared. Nice job this week even being in a new location.
LOL! He’s a little close. But I kept an eye on him!
What Wendy said… it is cold here. We have the fireplace going.
I may put a hold on my gym my membership. as the weather improves I prefer to be outdoors.
You certainly keep busy but I love all the fun stuff you do.
And those flower pics are amazing.
Love your sunglasses.
Great attitude on falling into and out of the chalenges as needed.
Boo on the AC
Looks like it’s going to be a hot summer there! Ours is taking its time getting here and that’s fine by me. You had some fun social events this week! Way to keep moving on a busy week!