Trust when I say this week was out of control, in all the best ways. I almost don’t know where to start! Lucky for me, I’ve been doing really well with going with the flow, because otherwise? I’d be an absoute mess. Let’s dive in!
Sunday
- Cardio: 2.07 miles, walking
My schedule really didn’t allow for long walks, so I just did what I could. With staying at the house of three pets, and then doing three-a-day drops in for two more, I was spread fairly thin. The weather got pretty awful, too, with tons of close lightning. The couch was an absolutely perfect option.
Monday
- Cardio: 3.73 miles, running
It was good to be back to running!
Even though it was Labor Day, I didn’t go to any races. For one thing, it’s just been so brutally hot. I wrapped up my housesitting client and continued on with my drop ins. It aws a super busy weekend, so I was glad to get a little break. And in fact, I did get even more of a break because my clients decided they were coming home early and gave me from Tuesday evening to Friday morning off! I miss the babies, but I had big plans.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 5.16 miles, running + .75 miles, walking
Happy 1000 days of streaking to me! That’s right! It was a great day to celebrate this milestone!
I started with a run, managed a dog walk, and took myself to Home Depot! I ended up grabbing paint for the kitchen walls, chalk paint for the kitchen table, and mums, to put outside and neglect. Even though I was unsupervised, I didn’t splurge on the 12′ skeleton.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 6.06 miles, walking
And the middle of the week had arrived! I was actually super grateful for a break. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t busy! Nope! I was back at it with the paint. Our kitchen has been turquoise since we moved in, almost 20 years ago. It was time to calm things down with a more neutral color. And that way, even if the full kitchen reno doesn’t happen right away, it’s fresh and different.
I managed to get all the walls done, as well as the trim. Mr PugRunner took me out to dinner, as well. By the time I got done with everything I was not at all interested in cooking.
Thursday
- Cardio: 6.7 miles, running + .51 miles, walking
I was pretty sore but I hit the road running all the same.
And really, who needs a gym when you have paint cans and ladders and curtain rods to sling around? Yup, I washed the kitchen curtains, and put up new rods, as well. I also ordered some new artwork to make things more cohesive, and I can’t wait for that to come in.
Once I was done with that, I worked at refinished our table from gray to a deep, emerald green. And our new light fixture came, too! Our handyman isn’t available for a bit, so I think I’m going to try to hang it myself! The only thing holding me back is lightbulbs! Once I get those in my hot little hands, I’m going to take on the challenge! Oh, and while I was at it? I descaled and repainted our mailbox. It was looking a little ragged.
Friday
- Cardio: 5.47 miles, walking
The day started strong with a solid walk. I skipped a run since I had a race the next day.
Before my dog walk, I waxed the newly painted table, and I’m just so happy with it.
In the meantime, Mr PugRunner told me that he was closing negotiations on one of the cars we were considering. We’ve needed to purchase another vehicle so we could send one to A, and we wanted to strike while there were still some 2026s available. I LOATHE car shopping, but I rearranged my schedule, and we headed to the dealership.
Since he had come to a price agreement via text, the experience was pretty painless. We test drove the new baby, and ooof. I loved her. it only took a few hours to make it official, and then we headed out to dinner to celebrate! I’ve named her “Francine” and we are already besties!
I did head to bed, but stayed away because A was coming home! It was a quick turn and burn, but it was so good to see him, and we had a really lovely conversation before I finally sent us all to bed.
Saturday
- Cardio: Mr. Softee 5K
It’s back to racing! Friends, I can’t even tell you the last time I stepped up to a start line! I missed it!
The morning started super early. I had to get to my event early enough to secure parking, Mr PugRunner had to get to his race, and A had to make the trek back to school. It was so awesome to give him a big squeeze and even more awesome to send him off with his own wheels.
We all dispersed but it was just such an amazing morning. I crossed the finish line, to a medal and ice cream!
I met Mr PugRunner at the after party for his race. We had brunch, and entered in a raffle for the Tunnels To Tower Foundation: it came with Irish whiskey, shirts, glasses and other swag, and a big gift card for the restaurant.
And then it was home. I was exhausted but I had to make a Tipsy Chocolate Cake in advance of Practical Magic 2, and do all the laundry, including bedding. Ugh. On the plus side, we won the raffle! Yay!
Thoughts + Goals
It goes without saying that I am sore. And exhausted. And full of ideas. I lovea good home project, and I am so thrilled with how things are coming along. Obviously, it will be nice to have actual professionals come in to do the big things, but we will see how it all plays out. I have my eyes on the back patio next. It would be nice to have a more comfy area so Mr PugRunner can hang out and watch some football when the weather turns.
My heart is so full after A’s visit. It was such a surprise, and even tough it was only a couple for hours, it was so nice. I hope that he will come home more, now that he doesn’t have to rely on other people for transportation.
And I was so glad to be back racing. Even if it wasn’t my best effort (my foot was killing me after all the time on the ladder this week), it was good to be doing that again.
In Case You Missed It
On the blog this week:
- Into The Holiday Weekend
- The Post-Summer Anti-Reset: 5 Low-Stress Swaps To Ease Into Fall
- I Haven’t Missed A Single Day Of Running Or Walking In 1000 Days. Here’s What I Learned.
How was your week in training? How do you feel about car shopping? Going to see Practical Magic 2?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
Woo! You had a very busy week… and you squeezed in exercise between the home projects. Isn’t it amazing what a little paint can do?
I had to chuckle about “Even though I was unsupervised [at Home Depot], I didn’t splurge on the 12′ skeleton.” Hahaha! 🙂
And congrats on the new car. We have a Honda and love it!
I should never be unsupervised in home depot. Especially since I have a serious roof rack now.
This is our second Pilot and I really can’t imagine having anything else, for the value and quality. In my dreams, I would love one of those big pick up trucks or an Expedition, but not at $75K and up.
You’re right, it was a week full of good things — especially the visit from A!
Yay on the new car. I still don’t understand why it takes so many hours to finalize things even after the price gets sorted out.
Painting a kitchen is a lot of work, but I’m sure even that change makes a big difference in the “feel”.
Congrats on the 5K!
The last time we bought a car, it took like 5+ hourse. I remember seeing my soul leave my body on several occasions. Now, I feel like they can do so much over phone and text, and people are much savvy. They know what they want to pay and more about the process, so there’s less haggling, especially if you can walk away from a deal. I loathe the entire process.
And yes, the kitchen feels so different. I have new artwork coming too which will help bring it together.
Wow I am super impressed by your ability to paint the whole kitchen and refurnish the table! I wish I was better at things like that
I am a menace. I get bored of something to the point of aggravation and then I say things like “how hard can it be?” and off I go. Sometimes, it turns out to be very hard. But I’ve always enjoyed painting, especially when it’s something on this scale and I can change the whole look and feeling of something I have to look at on the daily.
It sounds like you had a great week, Jenn, and what a delightful surprise to have A home for an overnight visit! And you got a new SUV and ran a race, too!
I had to laugh when you said, “and mums, to put outside and neglect.” That’s hilarious! I would love to switch out my front porch flowers for mums, but the deer would have a feast in no time and it would be such a waste of money. 🙁
Your kitchen walls and table look great! I do love a good home project, especially when I can do it myself. Tomorrow our Jack and Jill bath and the other guest bath are each getting a full remodel. I’ve spent the morning cleaning them out in preparation, but I’m leaving the work to the professionals.
Have a great week, Jenn!
I have no deer. Or at least none that have ever come to my front door. So the death of the mums is totally on my hands, I’m afraid.
I hope the professionals will be able to take on the rest of the projects. Im up for trying to hang a light, but after that, plumbing and electricity get scary. Can’t wait to see your new bathrooms!
And I love my new new car so much. I didn’t think I’d be so excited by I am.
EGADS. That is a huge project! Well, several huge projects. Turquoise is one of those things that seems great initially, but after a while I can see how you wanted something more neutral! (I know you didn’t choose the turquoise, so I’m not questioning your decorating decisions!) Painting is so, so satisfying. It’s something you can do yourself (as opposed to, say, installing cabinets) but it makes a huge difference in the look of a room.
Yay for A coming home TO GET HIS CAR! He must be thrilled, and yes, he’ll probably come home more often. Congrats on the race, and also, you won the raffle!!! That’s awesome.
Oh I totally chose the turquoise! And I loved the turquoise for many years, but that season has passed! We’ve lived in the house for almost 20 years, and I’ve painted (or had someone paint) twice. Tastes and vibes change.
One day I’d like to do a 5k in JAX!
Wow, you kicked ass redoing the kitchen!!! I would have to take a break, like a week long between efforts lol
Have a great week!
jacksonville is a great city for running. There are some amazing 5Ks (and more!) and they do a great job!
I”m on a roll now! I have so many more ideas!
Nice work with all those projects! It does feel good to tackle tasks like those, especially doing them on your own 😉
One things about me is I love a DIY! I wish I had more power tools and confidence, but that’s ok.
Nice work in the kitchen! I love turquoise, but as you say it can be nice to calm things down a bit and that table gives a beautiful splash of colour. Just lovely!
Well done squeezing in all the walks and runs and a race too between doing all that. And I love your Irish goodie bag!
I loved the turquoise too but it was time for a change.
The irish swag was amazing! It’s my favorite Irish restaurant around and it was a good haul!
Wow, what a busy week indeed. I love the tipsy chocolate cake – how fun and it looks great! Nice job getting it all in and fitting in the activity. Congrats on the raffle!
It actually came out great. The cake part was super dense and moist!
Wow. You had a busy week.
I need to do some painting… our upstairs has the original.
The kitchen is the most important room… I bet you will love it once it is completely finished. We went neutral too.
The kitchen repaint after nearly 20 years of turquoise is quite a change. I also laughed at how one project keeps turning into three more. Paint leads to trim, then lighting, then a table, and suddenly there’s a back-patio idea waiting in the wings. That’s probably the most realistic description of home improvement I’ve seen in a while.