Sunday, June 21, 2020

Weekly Sweats: Running Company

In this week's edition, 27 miles of running, my third week in a row of getting all of my weight workouts in, and this solo runner had some company this week.

I'm linking up with the Weekly Run Down, please head over to Kim and Deborah to check it out.

Monday: weights and 4.5 miles easy.  Lately I've been running through a cemetery on Mondays, and a large headstone with a small tree in front of it caught my eye from a distance.  As I got closer I saw a small brown clump at the base of the stone...oh hey baby deers!  I don't often stop to take picture during my runs but you guys were a worthy exception.

(P.S. I've never been sure if it's "OK" to run in cemeteries or not.  The only safe place to run or walk near my office is a cemetery and I've had numerous discussions with my active coworkers on this issue.  I'd say that we all feel awkward about it but no one has ever come up with a reason why we shouldn't work out there.  Thoughts?)

Tuesday: long speed day and I bumped up the reps from a mile to 1.25.  5.5 miles total: 1.25 miles warm up and cool down, and then 2 x 1.25 miles w/0.25 recover.

Wednesday: off;-)

Thursday: short speed day, with some non-deer company.  5 miles total: 1.5 miles warm up and cool down, and then 4 x 400 fast/400 recover.  On the first recovery I walked for a bit and then started a slow jog at exactly the same moment that another runner behind me had started to pass and we ended up running on either side of the path for a moment (my rough estimate is that the path is 3-4 feet wide, so it's common practice for both parties to step to either side when passing).  She asked if I was OK with us running together for a few laps and I said yes, and quickly explained my workout.  She had enough time left in her workout for 2 reps, which was long enough to figure out that we've run 2 half marathons together and that there is a neighborhood running group.  Score!  I did some digging into group runs last year and the only ones that I found were some distance away from home or at night, so I am very hopeful that the neighborhood running group will pan out.  Stay posted on this one.

Friday: weights and 4.25 miles easy.  Well, they would have been easy except that the heat is back.  Oh well, summer and all, it's bound to happen.

Saturday: no way, no how on running outside.  I grabbed a movie and fired up the treadmill with the goal of running between 6-8 miles.  My body said "yo!  I need a minute to figure out this treadmill thing" so I called it a day after 4.25 miles.

Sunday: 99.9% of the time Sunday is a rest day but I had a 'lil extra energy and it is still a lot hot out, so I took it back to the tready and 3.5 miles later I finished the movie.  Treadmill running motivation is just a bit different than outdoor running motivation;-)
 

36 comments:

  1. I would have stopped to take a picture of that too - how cute!

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    1. They were very sweet and very nice to pose for me.

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  2. Those baby deer are so cute. Must be that time of the year bc I have seen a few too. Treadmill running is so much harder for me too!

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    1. I guess I can't complain that the reason the tready is so hard right now is that I've been away for it for so long. Really digging for that silver lining.

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  3. Wow on the baby deer — so cute! If the cemetery is open to the public and you are staying on paths (except to photograph baby deer!) I think it’s OK. I’ve done it a few times and wondered if I should, but I’m always respectful and might even stop to read some markers and pay my respects.

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    1. 100% on the paths, since that's were the dear little deers were. I really want to go back and walk through the cemetery some time to take it in.

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  4. Oh my goodness--those fawns! I saw a fawn last week but it ran away before I could get a picture. Nice miles this week!

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    1. You've gotten some great wildlife shots on your trail runs. I was really surprised that the deer stayed for pics.

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  5. What a sweet pic of the fawns! Seems like a good place for them to hangout. Wonder when mama doe is coming back. Lots of runners seem to be using cemeteries lately and I think it's fine. I actually ran a half once that took us through a portion of cemetery. It was the Lincoln Presidential Half in Springfield, IL and we did a loop around Lincoln's burial place. Now that was weird!

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    1. Oh wow, that's definitely on the list of weird. Apparently Lincoln once visited my town in 1860 on his way to DC and there's a commemorative plaque kind of hidden off the beaten path. It's on the list of things I only know about because of running.

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  6. I think cemetery-running is fine if you keep it respectful ... no music, no loud talk (if you're with friends), staying mainly on the path, etc. Our cemetery is right by the lake we run around...and the grounds are mucho hilly, so it's a decent workout if we choose to go that route.

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    1. Check, check, and check, got those bases covered. That sounds like a neat route.

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  7. Yay on possibly finding a running group!

    When I'm visiting my mom and I'm not injured, I run to the cemetery to visit my dad. Once there, I run on the road through and around the cemetery before leaving. It's a country church so there's never anyone else around. Those fawns are adorable. I'm glad you stopped to take their picture and shared it with us.

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  8. Not sure if this helps in your cemetery discussion - here in Switzerland it is forbidden to run through them. There is a special German word that is used for this and according to my dictionary it translates as "impious".
    Having said that, I totally get why running through a cemetery is appealing: it's quiet, no cars, and.... BABY DEERS! Well done for taking the photo!

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    1. Interesting, I knew there was a "no" side to the discussion.

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  9. Aww what a lovely photo. I would have loved to seen one of these on my run, adorable :) Great running. I am only up to 3 miles again at the minute and can not wait to go out for 6 miles runs again.

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  10. It's hard to adjust to running on the treadmill! Its been weeks (months maybe) now since I've run on mine. I will probably only use it when its storming or when I just need a break from the heat.

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    1. I know, I often feel that it's a totally different sport than road running. I'm starting to question the wisdom of doing my short easy runs in the heat so I may be moving those back to the tready this summer.

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  11. The deer are adorable! It's nice that you met a new potential running friend and found a group. I don't see anything wrong with running in a cemetary (as long as you're not running across the graves! :-) )

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    1. Ha ha, I agree that grave-top running is a no-no.

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  12. The baby deer are so cute! And that's great news about a potential running group in the neighborhood :)

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  13. Look at those babies!!!

    So as far as cemeteries: I think as long as you are respectful, it is just fine. Our city actually has this incredible historic cemetery that is the venue for both a Halloween 10 miler, and a St. Patrick's 5K/10K. The route follows the pathways, and it's never felt wrong or awkward.

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  14. ohhhh what a pretty fawn <3 love!!

    Ron and I were just having this discussion actually, about running in the cemetery. It's odd that there are these feelings or rules surrounded by people who no longer live and breathe. I don't mean that disrespectfully. I just mean that there should be no reason not to run there. It's a place of rest and quiet so like Kim said obviously no loud music and talking etc., but I think that can also be out of respect of anyone who is visiting their loved ones there. To quote Ron "the respect isn't for the one who is dead. They don't care! they are dead. The respect part is more about how you feel about yourself, your feelings, your own need for respecting the person you lost" It's another perspective I guess. Mind you most people you talk to in the Netherlands are not religious so this is a more typical response (in my opinion).

    I hope you do get a running group together! I used to love being a part of a run group!

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    1. I wonder if it's a "rule" or something that's 100% in the heads of me and my coworkers and has no foundation. It is a lovely place.

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  15. In an adjacent city, one was not allowed to run. But during the pandemic, that ban was lifted so people had another place to exercise. In my little tiny hometown, I often ran through the cemetery. I loved reading the names and seeing the small tokens left by the headstones. No one ever cared. BTW, there were a lot of walkers too. I always felt a peace running there and I don't think any relatives would begrudge that.

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    1. It is a very peaceful place. What I really need to do is to walk through there some time so that I can take in more of the scenery.

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  16. Those deers are adorable!! I wonder what it was doing at that specific spot?

    My only thing with cemetery running is "Is it necessary to run there?" Aren't there other places to run? I mean, will it get to a point that more people will be running there and then it will get crowded? I am not judging you at all. I guess I see it that way since where I live there are lots of places for me to run. I do get that that is not an option for everyone.

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    1. Ha ha yes there are many other places for me to run, it's a valid point.

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  17. The deers are so cute! I'd definitely stop and take a picture of them. I can't say I've ever run through a cemetery before...there is one right behind my house but there are no sidewalks outside the cemetery and the roads are dark and creepy in the early morning so I tend to stay away from there and go to neighborhoods with more lights instead!

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    1. Eek no lights or sidewalks is definitely a deal breaker.

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  18. I definitely don't know the rules on cemetary running...if it seems like others are doing it, then probably okay! especially if you are respectful. Those fawns are so sweet!

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    1. I'm sure if it wasn't OK there would be a sign. I was happy to see the fawns.

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