It’s the first Friday of March and I’m ready for some coffee chat, how about you? I’m linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date! Let’s talk about running with friends, ducks, and more!
Running with Friends and More! Let’s have coffee!
I really can’t believe that it’s March already! I know for those of you digging out of the snow that is a good thing. For me, it’s another month closer to 120 degrees! Not that I’m worrying too much about that right now when it’s sunny and 75 degrees outside.
Coffee and Ducks?
If we were chatting over coffee I’d invite you to sit with me at my local park to enjoy our brew. Back in the fall, California closed down just about everything, including outdoor dining. That included Starbucks and other coffee shops, putting a stop to the habit that Alan and I had of ordering a sandwich and taking it to sit on the patio at Starbucks.
Fortunately, our weather is usually pretty nice so we started taking our sandwich and coffee across the street and sitting by the small duck pond to eat. It wasn’t long before we were ordering duck food and feeding the ducks (and pigeons) after we fed ourselves.
Now that restaurants are allowed to offer patio dining we have continued to take our food to the park. We love feeding the birds (and the fish, which are quick to grab what the ducks miss) and we’ve even named the turtles that swim around the pond or sun themselves on the banks (when there aren’t too many children around).
Running with Friends
If we were chatting over coffee I’d tell you about my run with a girlfriend last Saturday. While I love running alone or with my husband, I hadn’t even realized how much I missed running with friends until I experienced that feeling of the miles melting away as my girlfriend Linda and I chatted nonstop.
Now, this wasn’t just any girlfriend. Linda and I used to run together all the time. Our pace was perfect for Saturday long runs and we’ve run several marathons together. She was my partner in the infamous 2000 LA Marathon that I’ve written about before when it was pouring and freezing for 26.2 miles and we managed to pull each other to a 3:33 finish.
Then life interfered, as it often does. In a nutshell, she had children, and that, plus her demanding corporate job, meant we rarely saw each other and never got to run together. Now, though, her oldest is a senior in high school, her youngest can manage for a few hours, and we get the chance to run together once in a while.
I’m Vaccinated!
If we were chatting over coffee I’d remind you that I got my second Covid vaccine on Sunday. I’m so grateful that I was able to get it now and of all the things I’m looking forward to as we begin to get back to some sense of normal it will be seeing my grandchildren.
Just as I did with both the first vaccine and actual covid, I had mild symptoms. About 25 hours after my shot I started feeling really, really cold. The kind of cold that makes you huddle under the covers with your clothes still on. I also had a mild headache and muscle aches.
So I huddled, dozed for a couple of hours, then got up feeling much better. I’ve felt a little flatfooted on the run the last few days but who knows if that’s because of the vaccine or some other reason (dehydration anyone?).
A New Me for the New Normal
If we were chatting over coffee, I’d tell you that one of the ways that I changed due to the pandemic and staying home and sheltering in place is in how I shop. While I certainly don’t hoard (you won’t find multiple packages of toilet paper in my house) I do stock up more.
In the old days, pre-covid, I’d buy a product, use it, then replace it when it started to run out or when it was gone. No problem. Now I feel the need to replace it as soon as I open a new package, so I find I generally have at least two of everything in my fridge at any one time. Not a problem, except for space.
A few other things I have stocked up on. My freezer is stuffed with frozen vegan stuff. I have at least three jars of peanut butter in the cupboard. And I tend to buy two bottles of wine at a time (or more if there’s a special). Last summer, for the first time ever, I had cases of wine delivered. I couldn’t go out but at least I was happy at home!
I’m not sure that this will last. I think we’ve gotten to the point where shelves will continue to be stocked.
The Great Outdoors
If we were chatting over coffee I’d tell you that although my business has suffered due to our fitness center being closed for indoor training, I really enjoy both training my clients, teaching my classes, and working out myself outdoors.
Obviously, living in Southern California is an important part of this. The weather has been great this winter. The sky is blue, I’m at a country club surrounded by a beautiful golf course, tennis courts, palm trees, and blue skies. What’s not to love?
The downside, of course, is that not all of our members are on board with exercising outside. Our numbers (and my clients) are down dramatically. I’ve just been able to start back with my fascial stretch therapy after months of personal services not being allowed., so that helps. My fingers are crossed that we’ll be able to get back indoors soon, even if with a limited capacity. And that it happens before the end of our busy season, which is approaching rapidly.
What would you like to chat about over coffee? Have you been running with friends?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date! I’m also linking up with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida for Fit Five Friday.
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, Laura, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
While things are starting to open up around here too, my husband is not vaccinated yet and he is nervous to go most anywhere. Hopefully, he’ll get his vaccine soon. Meanwhile, my favorite 10 mile race announced yesterday that it will be live on the lakefront next month! Hard to believe, since Chicago has been so strict, but I’m in.
What a year!
So exciting to have a live race! I have no idea when we’ll get a race around here.
Alan and I both have had both vaccines but we’re still staying clear of most things. I’d probably dare outdoor dining but he isn’t ready.
Good luck being able to train back indoors sooner rather than later!
I swear it feels like everyone except me is vaccinated. I am not usually big on vaccines, but seriously, I am ready to get back to more normalcy and wish I could get it! Let’s hope Biden is right in his timeline. Although that will mean several more months for me.
Of course you are feeding all the wildlife. 🙂
Lol, we were at the park today. We fed the ducks (and pigeons and fish) and talked to the turtles. 🙂
I was lucky to get my vaccine. I really hope everyone can get vaccinated soon.
I have been running with friends. Not right away and we try to wear masks/gaiters and stay apart.
I could not run alone this long although some people can. At least your husband runs with you. Mine does not.
Hooray on the 2nd vaccine. Me too. I felt safe before but much more so now.
Can’t wait until it warms up so there is more outdoor things to do.
I do love running alone but I’d forgotten how much fun it is to run with a girlfriend!
I know what you mean about March- I live in Florida so “spring” means the end of our beautiful weather and the beginning of a hot, hot summer. But, I won’t complain after hearing what everyone up north has been going through this winter!
I also sat outside with my Starbucks today (Friday tradition.) I wish I had a beautiful park like yours to sit in- i just sat on the Starbucks patio. But that was fun too.
We’re lucky to be able to sit outside! I’ve been at that Starbucks for years but it wasn’t until they closed the outdoor seating that we even thought about going to the park. I know we’ll continue now at least until it gets too hot.
How cool that you got your second vaccination! Virginia still hasn’t opened it up to those under 65 and when they do, it will be for anyone 16 – 64. I wish they’d do it by ten year increments from older to younger, but as of now, they’re not. Even so, with increased production of vaccine, I’m hopeful that I can get it by the end of April!
My business took a hit, also. I’m only at about 50% and those are virtual. Many of my older clients don’t do virtual. LOL
My older clients won’t do virtual either. At least I have the outdoor option even if many of those same older people don’t want to work out outside. It really is a nice option.
It is great that things are starting to open up by you again and that you have nice weather to enjoy. Running with a friend is everything! Enjoy it 🙂
I’m running with her again tomorrow. So looking forward to it!
Sitting outside, eating a sandwich and feeding the ducks sounds awesome! I am so ready fro spring and being able to eat outside again. Hubby and I have vowed not to eat in a restaurant until we get our vaccines, but we do take out sometimes. So glad that you were able to be vaccinated.
And a run with your girlfriend!?!? Priceless!!!
It was priceless! We’re doing it again tomorrow!
I haven’t eaten out since last March. We’ve done takeout once or twice. Even though we’ve had our vaccines my husband isn’t ready yet. Soon, hopefully!
So glad you were able to run with your friend and congrats on the vaccine. I think I had missed that news. Fingers crossed you’ll get more pieces of normal with your work and training.
I actually added 3 clients today! So exciting because that’s 6 sessions for the coming week. It all helps even if it isn’t up to where it was last year at this time.
So nice that you’ve had a chance to run with your friend again!
It’s great that things are starting to open up for you – I hope that means business will pick back up too. Things are opening up here too, but my husband and I are pretty far down the list for the vaccine so we’re waiting for it to warm-up enough to return to outdoor dining.
It was so much fun to run with my friend! We’re doing it again tomorrow.
We have our vaccines but still not quite ready to eat out. Soon, I hope.
It’s so nice that you were able reunite with your running friend! Barb & I have been able to keep up with our run chats through the past year…..until my stress fracture. While we do a lot of our runs on our own, it’s been nice returning to our Saturday long runs and, recently, our #5at5’s. The miles feel so much easier, and they go much faster, with a friend 🙂
The miles seem to fly by when you’re running with a friend! We’re doing it again tomorrow and I’m excited (and it’s a cutback week so that’s exciting too 🙂 ).
I’m like you – running alone or with the Hubs is perfectly fine with me, but last week running with two “new” expat runner friends and now this week again has given me such a boost!!! crazy how that works!
We have no outdoor patio openings yet, but people are really fighting about it here so I’d likely stay in the park too!
I hope things get more back to normal for you and your business !
I just this week got much busier. It’s nice though it probably won’t last too long as we’re already approaching the end of our busy season.
I really enjoyed running with my friend. We met again yesterday and are planning for next Saturday too. It does add an extra spark to the run and the miles really do seem to fall away.
How nice that you are getting to connect with an old running friend again!
It is really nice that your weather has been nice for outdoor dining. Our here has not and I think that has really hurt a lot of our restaurants ( since people could not eat inside either).
When my grandmother was alive, we use to tease that she had her own grocery store in the basement because she would always have shelves full of canned goods and such, now I find myself doing the same thing. Not so much because I am worried of running out, but more because I hate taking the time to go to the store so I try to get as much as I can in one trip…lol
Have a great weekend and enjoy your weather!
I had a great time with my friend. We’re going to meet again next Saturday! I haven’t actually done any outdoor dining except at the park. We’re very fortunate to have the nice weather.
How nice to be able to run with a friend and catch up! My running bestie lives in CO so we haven’t been able to see each other since fall of 2019. Hopefully again soon. Congrats on getting both rounds of the vaccine. It’ll be months here before I can even think about it.
It’s funny because my friend actually only lives about a half hour away! But kids, work, etc., have gotten in the way until now. We’re making an effort.
Wait, 120 degree weather? I definitely cannot imagine it at all. That is awesome you ran with your friend. I am still running solo and I am OK with it. I will write more about this in Sunday’s post but I also had chills, body aches, and a slight fever after my 2nd vaccine. Glad it was only less than 24 hours.
Yes, I was only feeling ill for about 2 hours and I figure that’s a lot better than covid! I feel so happy to be vaccinated!
Running with friends is a game changer. I’m so glad you are back to that. I’m also so glad you got your vaccines! Yay!
I hope you can get back to full capacity for your job soon. It’s got to be so frustrating.
I’m not a hoarder, but we do live in a hurricane state, so I am very, VERY cognizant of being fully stocked at all times. K only wants one of each thing, which doesn’t compute for me. I’ve actually started going to the store a day or so after him to make sure we are well supplied.
That’s so funny that you go back to the store. It totally makes sense to me. Better prepared than not!