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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Oooh, We’re Halfway Through October!

Oooh, We’re Halfway Through October!

October 22, 2023      22 Comments

The spookiest month of the year is flying by, like a witch on her broomstick, and while I’m enjoying the spooky chaos, I am going to miss it when it’s over. How are things? I’d love to tell you!

Sunday

  • Cardio: 3.26 miles, walking

Happy Sunday. We are all about the rest days right now, and after a walk, I was ready for time on the couch.

Mr. PugRunner was still out of town, so I planned a fun night with J. Have you seen the thrift store ghost painting trend? Well, we whipped up a charcuterie board and fall sangria, put on Practical Magic, and painted our hearts out. It was so fun. I highly recommend as a low key activity.

Monday

  • Cardio: 7.86 miles, running + walking
  • Strength: arms + abs, 50 minutes

Monday, Monday. The kids didn’t have school, so that was pretty nice. I appreciated a day off, but I still needed to get in my workout.

The cooler weather meant the run felt great, and the pugs got to go for walk, too.

I wanted to go to a pumpkin patch for some product photos, and asked A to join me. He was a good sport, and has been an awesome buddy all weekend. As promised, he helped me with photos, and then his friend came over for the evening.

Tuesday

  • Cardio: 3.37 miles, walking
  • Strength: legs + abs, 50 minutes

The reality is I love the idea of leg day, but not actual leg day. It just doesn’t feel incredibly challenging and I end up continuously bumping up weight and trying not to get hurt. Sigh. I’m trusting this process as much as I can. I followed it all with a nice walk.

Mr PugRunner was home, so I moved into the next phase of my week: dog/house-sitting. I have a great client with a sweet pup who needs some extra attention, so I stay at their place for the duration of their plans. In this case, three days.

Wednesday

  • Cardio: 6.37 miles, running + walking
  • Strength: upper body + abs, 50 minutes

Even though I’m not home, I still got out for my run and workout. The run felt solid.

And it was a good day for my arms. I even got to use the vertical chair for the first time, which was so empowering.

Lots of running around and in and out between our house and my client’s. It’s just like that sometimes.

Thursday

  • Cardio: 4.84
  • Strength: legs + abs, 50 minutes

Last day of sitting! I started with a nice walk and a workout session. Today, there were some new leg moves, and I appreciated the change up. I’m still trying to find the sweet spot for the actual weights, but it’s a work in progress, right?

In the evening, I moved back home and that was just lovely.

Friday

  • Cardio: 7.06 miles, running + walking

I was happy to be done with this run, even though it felt good. On the weekends, I take a break from the gym, so this was the end of fitness for Friday. Yay.

From there, I had a morning meeting and I had to check out a coffee shop, courtesy of Yelp.

Then my real work began. We had another Orlando comp on Saturday, so I spent time organizing the house and everything we would need to bring. Late afternoon, we got word that we could watch the band’s practice run on the field, so I headed over.

And then we all made it into bed for an early start.

Saturday

  • Cardio: 1 mile, walking

I did my one mile walk around the stadium to preserve my streak, but don’t have any photos of it. That’s ok.

I dropped off A and his friend at 5:30 and then got on the road to follow the equipment trucks to Orlando. Since the band as been in need, I’ve helped with unloading props and equipment. Good times.

Mr PugRunner and my parents met us a little later in the day, right in time for A’s performance. It was a tough field but they had their best run yet! Forgive the photo dump.

They didn’t make it out of preliminaries, but they were up against some national champions. On the plus side, they improved their overall place, their division place, and their scores from last year, so it was an incredible feeling. They stayed to watch the finals and we went home to get some rest.

Thoughts + Goals

To be honest, I’ve been edgy this week. A lot has been going on and there a few things I’ve found unsettling. It is what it is but it’s been hard to swallow.

On Monday, I start week 5 of Couch to 5K(again), and I’m excited for the challenge. I’m also excited to get back to the gym. Feeling stronger is so great, but I’m really trying to honor my rest days.

This is a big week for Halloween fun – we have a costume party and a farm festival ladies’ night, as we lead up to October 31.

How has your training been this week? Any travel? Anything going on for Halloween?

Weekly Rundown

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

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Comments

  1. Deborah Brooks says

    October 23, 2023 at 12:11 am

    Looks like you had a really active and fun week!n You look happy 🙂 I am traveling this week too so we will see how it goes. Looking forward to your Halloween decor and fun

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:13 am

      I’m trying to be happy. Some days it’s easier than others, for sure.

      Reply
  2. Kimberly Hatting says

    October 23, 2023 at 12:48 am

    Sounds like a very active week! Nice work at the gym!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:13 am

      It was great!

      Reply
  3. Debbie says

    October 23, 2023 at 12:59 am

    Sounds like a busy week for you and your family.

    To answer your questions, my training was great last week. I love that my husband wants to hit up the hotel gym with me when we travel. And speaking of travel, we visited several spots in New England while on our road trip. It was awesome! Luckily, no Halloween parties to have to attend.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:13 am

      Your trip looked so beautiful! I love seeing all the colors, and I love that you husband works out with you. Mine goes to the gym at the same time, but we each have our own routine so we pass each other on the in and out.

      Reply
  4. Susanne says

    October 23, 2023 at 7:16 am

    I’m sorry you didn’t feel settled this week. When I read through your post it looks like you had a good workout week! It can be hard to get settled with weights and especially for legs! Are there personal trainers there so you could get help with a program?
    I’m in Italy and miss the gym but I’ve had a great week with lots of walking and bodyweight exercises, some part of my PT program, some not.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:12 am

      I’m doing much better with my mental state, thank goodness.

      I do have a personal trainer, but there are certain things that are just figuring out where I’m at and how to know when it’s ok to push the limits. We also have an app based on a few trainer sessions, so I was trying to follow that to the letter, but honestly, I hav been increasing the weights. And I get mad when I struggle with my shoulders and chest. But that’s a me problem LOL. I’ll calm down eventually.

      Reply
  5. Wendy says

    October 23, 2023 at 11:28 am

    Looks like an overall good week for you–very busy as always. Sorry that you are struggling with strength training–you’re working with a trainer, right? Hopefully, you can adjust your program to something you’ll feel more comfortable with. Of course, there is that whole pushing yourself out of your comfort zone thing–I”m familiar with that :p

    I love those band uniforms! High school marching band sure has changed a lot! It must be so fun to watch them in action!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:09 am

      I do have a trainer, but most of my struggle is in my head. I want to be strong. Now. This minute. I have zero chill lol.

      Aren’t their uniforms cool? I love the traditional ones with the plumed shakos, but the pink and orange on these is just so awesome. I love watching them perform.

      Reply
  6. Marcia says

    October 23, 2023 at 11:55 am

    Looks like a fun and busy week for you! Hooray for cooler weather that makes running feel amazing. Congrats to A and his band. My hubby is traveling over Halloween so there’s not much going on here that I know of.
    Marcia recently posted…Running and a Trip to ATLMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:08 am

      It was both for sure! I love the cooler temps! And the band did so great.

      I almost had a dogsitting gig over Halloween, and I was NOT looking forward to that lol.

      Reply
  7. Coco says

    October 23, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    I’m sorry things are stressful for you again. Hopefully the Halloween fun will scare that stress away!

    You do so much for the school and band — I hope you feel appreciated!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:07 am

      I actually had a really great meeting on Friday that made me feel a lot better about things. So yay!

      My reward is the kids’ happiness. I know it sounds cheesy, but I am so proud of these kids and how hard they work. It wouldn’t happen without people helping and I want them to have all the support they need to pursue their dreams.

      Reply
  8. Darlene S Cardillo says

    October 23, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    I need a trainer… I use the same machines each time. LOL

    You always find such fun things to do.. Ghost paining!?

    Enjoy the calm before the Halloween storm.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:05 am

      It was very nice to get some advice and suggestions. I am sticking a lot with the app because I like checking things off on a to do list, but I have options when I want to mix things up!

      We are going to a Ladies Night Fall Festival on Friday and I can’t wait!

      Reply
  9. Liz Dexter says

    October 23, 2023 at 1:12 pm

    Well done to the band on their improvement from last year, that’s fab. I’ve had a stressful week still feeling post-Covidy and we’re having house renovations done, so I’ve been twitchy as anything.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:04 am

      I’m sorry you’re still afflicted! I hate that for you!

      Reply
  10. Jenny says

    October 24, 2023 at 1:36 am

    Hrumph! Why do I feel like my leg days are trying to kill me???
    Sounds like you had a fun and busy week. Those band competitions sound intense! I think I mentioned our band doesn’t do those- we’re still doing regular games, and in fact we have one this week.
    Hope your week of Halloween festivities is fun!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 25, 2023 at 1:04 am

      Our band is traveling to an away game this week. Our home games are over and we will be out of state for our last away game of the season. We don’t get a ton of play time at the games, so I don’t go to all of them.

      It’s super intense. Sundays are for pajamas and couch time.

      Reply
  11. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    October 25, 2023 at 11:18 am

    The painting is amazing! And I love Practical Magic, although I don’t love Halloween. I was scarred/scared by a childhood incident, LOL & although there was years of trick or treating after.

    Unfortunately the world is heavy right now.

    If we had a house sitter for Bandit they’d literally have to be here 24/7. He gets so anxious when I’m gone; it’s really difficult to leave him all alone now. 🙁 Although sometimes we do, obviously.
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Celebrating 38: 10/16 – 22 WRDMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2023 at 3:41 pm

      The world is sooo heavy. I wish we could find a solution.

      We’ve had dogs who have needed around the clock watching. We used to actually board with an old vet, who would keep this particular pug at the front desk (literally on the employees’ laps) during office hours, and then take him home at night. It was perfect for him.

      This dog I watch is pretty good. He is ok if I leave and come back, as long as I pay the “cuddle on the couch with me for hours” tax, which I happily do.

      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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I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
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Founder @steph_sanalila does such a wonderful job with this event, making a fun environment for players, creating volunteer opportunities for local students and honoring the memory of her brother.

Visit https://www.stronglikestevefoundation.org/about for more info on how you can help!

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