Building strength has been a bit of a theme for this week. I struggle all the time with my core and upper body, and I was really glad that my workouts spent a lot of time focused on those areas.
Time management was also a focus this week. We run a fairly crazy schedule at all times, but this week was comparable to playing a game of Tetris. All the pieces had to fit together just right to make it work.
Sunday – 9Round #66 + 4 mile bike ride
I think our plan was for a lazy Sunday. Maybe. Mr PugRunner and I went to 9Round together. Last week’s workouts for ones I loved. This week’s theme seemed to be “workouts I needed.” I remember cursing during the abs portion. Ugh.
Sunday was also the opening day of the NFL season. Mr PugRunner wanted to go to a local sports bar & grill to watch the games. Little man decidedly did not. I wanted to preserve some semblance of family time, so I suggested we ride our bikes to the restaurant. That way, we could all go and eat, and when little man was ready to leave, I could ride him back home and Mr PugRunner could stay to his heart’s content.
It was a great plan, and Mr PugRunner even ran into his buddy so he had someone to hang with when we left.
Monday – 9Round #67
The 9Round session focused a lot on things I hate doing, like inverted rows on the equalizers. The new trainer would not accept my refusal though and coached me through. Props to him for his patience and focus on ignoring my excuses. I was super happy to get to the week’s CHOW: blasting out as any front kicks as possible in a three minute period. Bam.
Little man got a rather lengthy text from his Scout Troop in the afternoon. The patrol leaders finally complied their schedules and information and put together a (fairly incredible) camping/activity calendar for the year. We had a bit of a scramble as the first adventure would be this upcoming weekend, but we had no solid plans, so he could commit.
Tuesday – 5 miles, running + 9Round #68
And finally, there was a run. I honestly just can’t get out of the house earlier than 4:40AM, so five miles is all I’m getting during the week days. I’ve considered adding a mile or two after little man leaves for school, but I really don’t want to contend with all the other children en route on the sidewalks. I’ll have to figure something out.
9Round was tough. Again. Clearly, this week’s focus is shoulders, arms and core. I love none of these things, which makes them extra good for me. I made sure to opt for heavier weights, too, so I could work on building strength.
While little man went to Scouts, Mr PugRunner and I attended his Open House. This time, I was able to meet all his teachers and learn all about this class expectations. We followed his schedule from class to class, and I was so impressed with how enthusiastic and engaged his teaching team is. Every day, I am feeling more and more comfortable with middle school.
Wednesday – 9Round #69
The anniversary of 9/11 is always a hard day. I worked my booty off at 9Round without complaining.
We had a PTSO meeting that morning, with the priority being some upcoming events. I had a tough time focusing and was glad to be able to get home to work and hang with the pugs.
Thursday – 5 miles, running + 9Round #70
S joined me for another five miles and I was so glad for the company.
I was feeling a bit ragged, but I went to 9Round anyway. I was kind of hoping that one of these days, we would get away from the planks and the shoulders and get back into the gorgeous leg work I love. My efforts were “rewarded” with double knees on the wrecking ball (literally, hang on to the ball and jump with both knees into it). To my credit, the trainer told me I was the first one to manage it that day, so I’ll take it as a win.
When little man got home from school, we changed things up to visit the J&S Carousel for a last ride. The carousel was built in 1927, and finally positioned in Davenport Park in St. Augustine in 1994. It was $1 a ride and was truly a local favorite. Sadly, the owner passed away two weeks ago and his widow is having the carousel dismantled and taken to Port Charlotte to be closer to the family, per the owner’s dying wishes. It’s sad all the way around, so we had to say goodbye.
And then I headed back over to the school to help out with Open House for the 7th and 8th graders. We spent the night selling spirit wear and PTSO memberships.
Friday – 9Round #71
I am excited to report that I didn’t let the equalizers or the box jumps deter me this time. Yay. Call me a sadist, but I also loved the weighted goblet squats on the bosu ball. I shine with balance moves. I was also glad to be the only one in the gym for most of my workout. Sometimes, it’s nice to have that alone time.
After getting cleaned up, I met one of the St. Augustine Moms co-owners at the soon-to-open KinderCare. My job was to film the Facebook Live for the center. It was my first time filming and I really had fun doing it! (PS, even though we are way past the daycare age, this place was gorgeous with a fabulous staff and I think it’s going to be a huge success!)
Little man was so excited to leave for his trip. He packed his things, double checked his supplies and we drove him and the coolers to our assigned meeting point. He and his troopmates got the ice, loaded the trailer and we waved them off for a great weekend at one of our local springs. We got one last text when they stopped for dinner, but they seemed to lose service when they reached the park, so it was definitely going to be a low communication weekend.
Rather than cooking at home, we grabbed a quick dinner and drinks before heading home to chill out.
Saturday – 9Round #72
First up, a session of 9Round. I mentioned that September has been all about planks, and today’s workout was not shy about incorporating all kinds of planks and burpees and core work. Building strength is where it’s at.
We took advantage of the kid-free time for my most favorite activity ever (not): car shopping. Oh, how I loathe it. Currently, we are in the glorious position of not having any car payments, but it’s about time to trade in our ’07 Mustang for something more practical.
I have been lobbying for a pickup truck. We do enough outdoorsy stuff that it would be nice to have a big bed for camping gear, bikes, beach stuff, etc, but Mr PugRunner just isn’t feeling it, so SUV it is. On Saturday, we looked at the Kia Telluride, the Honda Pilot and the GMC Acadia, and eliminated the Acadia. Now it’s time to compare all the specs and numbers before we make a final decision.
Goal-getting
I didn’t run very much this week. Part of it is the heat while the other part is motivation. I have a 10K this upcoming Sunday and I registered for the local Pink Up the Pace 5K, so at least there is some movement in the right direction.
That being said, 9Round is going amazing. I’m almost at the point where I want to start doing double workouts. We shall see if I manage it.
I had a great week with hydration, drinking water (plain and sparkling) fairly regularly. It’s such a small thing and it came a bit easier to me this week.
On the flip side, we had a boring week of functional cooking and I did exactly no recreational reading. Blah.
I hope you’ll join us for the #RIOTS (Running Is Our Therapy Sisters) link up every week on Sundays. We’d love to be a part of your weekly routine!
Set some goals, share them on your blog and then go to our link up below so we can cheer you on! We’d all love to support you!
I am also linking up with the new Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
Will you be joining me at any of the Best Damn Race Ambassador Crew! Don’t forget to register with my BDR discount code RUNSWITHPUGS to save on any distance at any BDR location!
How was your week in training?
What are the workout move you hate, even though they are oh, so good for you?
