Oxytocin, foot PT, Zoe, a favor & studio specials

MapMyRun does an annual “You vs the Year” challenge. I was totally on my way to crushing the challenge this year. Finally. I’ve missed it the last few because of knees, etc. I think pre-knees & pre-COVID was the last time I finished it.

This year the challenge was to walk/run/hike 1025 km (615 mi) by Dec 31. As of the day the weight dropped on my foot (August 20), I was at 673.32 km (396 mi), 65% of my goal. I was in the top 15.64% of participants. I had ~352 km left. In American, 218 miles to go. If I only look at November & December, that’s 5.75k/day, or 3.6 miles/day to finish. Nope.

October is such an unknown, I can’t realistically add it in as I obviously don’t want to overtrain my foot. Due to the gorgeous mornings we have been experiencing, I started walking (very slowly, still) to the end of my block and back, 0.3 miles, and have slowly progressed to a full MILE!

My new goal is to reach the 800 km mark. I can do that. It’s a just 1k/day (0.6 mi), starting now. I got this.

I may just wait until 2026 to conquer the Year: 1026 km (621 mi).

In the meantime, I’m still biking indoors – don’t yet trust if I have to unclip the foot quickly or put it down hard – and rowing.

Speaking of the foot… I started transitioning to a real shoes on Wednesday, October 1. What a great way to start a new month! Foot physical therapy starts this week (October 16). My shoulder has been declared done, and I’m on my own to continue strengthening. Trading off one issue for another.

Swimming is now back on the training calendar as well. Shoulder rehab definitely helps with endurance, I’ve just got no speed. Yet. I can’t push off the wall with the healing foot yet either, and I’m swimming with an ankle brace for now to remind me to behave. Have I mentioned I love swimming?

Zoe’s medical fundraiser update

I’ve got a new batch of plants in, with others I can get by request... first come, first with new little lovelies. Some larger pots have multiple plants in them. In most cases, pots are not included.

Finally have some totals to share…and I must say I’m humbled & impressed by people’s generosity. I’ve not included her most recent specialized foods, so this would be accurate for the Care Credit bills only.

Total donations to date: $4657
Remaining balance on Care Credit: $2334
0% interest until July 3, 2026

**Amber Moon Studio Run for the Pie (aka Turkey10)**

Join me at 730a at Brushy Creek Lake Park on Thanksgiving morning for some fun, community, and a little bit of movement. And Pie & coffee. I might even manage to bring some of these bites you’ve been reading out in the Amber Eats sections! I’m working on a pumpkin-quinoa right now.

We’ve got coffee from Haciendo Coffee Roasters confirmed.

Mark your calendars now, and sign up for reminders!

I was talking with a client after my last update, and chronic stress come up. We discussed a few of the things that produce oxytocin (cortisol goes down when oxytocin goes up), and that got me to thinking I’d share the list with YOU. This is a small list of the many things you can do to help decrease cortisol, from The Menopause Reset (page 161).

Hugs
Laughter
Hanging out with friends
Petting an animal
Random acts of kindness
Giving someone a gift
Yoga
Meditation
Deep breathing
Massage
Chiropractic adjustment
Listening to music

You get the idea, right?

Daniels’ Running Book is definitely gonna need a delve into the accompanying PDF, so I’ve started another book as I listen thru the training tips for various race distances. It’s kinda dry without being able to look at the charts & tables at this point.

The new book is Our Little Farm: Adventures in Sustainable Living, the same author as The Hidden Life of Trees which I finished back in the Spring. Just in time for my fall garden inspiration!

I’ve a favor to ask of you…

If you have the ability to pay via Zelle or Venmo (make sure you say it’s personal, not business), would you mind? A good check or cash (old fashioned, I know!) also works.

Some of you need to pay with a credit card (PayPal) for a variety of reasons, and that’s fine – I understand you need your air miles… but if you can pay without me having fees, I’d be most appreciative.

I have financial goals I’m working on, and need to keep credit card income close to $1400/mo for now.

For 2025, credit card fees have totaled over $1180 (9 months, or $131/mo). I’m finding I really would prefer to spend that money elsewhere. I’ll have a note on future invoices to remind you of these options.

Thank you in advance.

Specials

Welcome to Viniyoga is starting again on November 5 through January 28, 2026. I’ve created a package just for that. I’m having class even during the week of holidays, since the holidays aren’t on Wednesdays.

Get your Welcome to Viniyoga package here. All 13 sessions for $169. Expires 1/29/26.

There is also now a Pilates BOGO – pay for 1 personal session (60, 45 or 30 min), and get the Friday class for free. Available for purchase through the end of the year. Good for 2 months from date of purchase.

BOGO links: