Monday, December 7, 2015

An ending, a continuation, and a beginning....


It's been an interesting week!

Most people are aware of my planking challenge for the month of November. If not, you can read about it HERE. November came to a close, and so did the Challenge. My goal was to have 200 total planking minutes, and I ended the month with 210. Stay tuned, there's a summary and some final thoughts on the Challenge coming.

Planking...yes, it sometimes happened in my street clothes

I'm currently taking part in the Runner's World Holiday Running Streak (you can read about that HERE. So far, so good. I'm hoping to do all of my Streak runs on pavement (and/or trails).....in other words, outside. The weather has been cooperating with that endeavor, and I currently have 28  miles logged since Thanksgiving Day, all of which have happened outdoors, in the fresh (though sometimes damp) winter air.
My most recent Streak run may have involved some colorful holiday attire
 
With the planking challenge coming to an end, I decided (rather late on the evening of December 1st) to start a new challenge to see me through the remainder of 2105. Apparently "simply" running every day wasn't tough enough. So, I'm also doing 100 push-ups every day. No, I am not doing all of these push-ups in succession, nor am I not doing all of them on my toes. But I am doing 100 of them. Daily. And the first three days my triceps, deltoids and pectorals were pretty angry with their over-achieving owner. That's life, and all is well.

Assume the position....

Finally, a sequel to my racing season was born. The University of Iowa Hawkeye football team received a bid to the Rose Bowl, you know, the "grandaddy of them all" bowl games. We have a soon-to-be college graduate, a second child in college, and our third will be in college in a couple years. We do not have too many opportunities for grandiose family trips with all three kids available. So, we're California dreaming, and that means I have visions of California running and racing. I have already scoped out a potential half marathon, as well as a 5K...and both fit nicely around the football obligations.  Yeah, I know. Priorities. 


I had planned on calling the racing season good and, other than a 5K this next weekend, considered 2015 a wrap. But let's be honest, runners are a different breed. If we travel, we usually bring our running shoes, and if we can find a local event....well, we're there with a race bib.

So, that's a brief wrap on the latest and greatest in my little corner of the world. I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. I invite you to head over and check out their blogs, and all the others linked for some great reads!


Have you ever traveled to a faraway destination and spontaneously did a race (or several)? Have you taken on more than one challenge at a time?




21 comments:

  1. You're going to be so strong after this challenge! Holy moley!

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  2. I am doing a crutches while still working out arms challenge. I think that is sufficient! And please, as part of your run streak, do all of your miles in a Santa hat!!

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    1. Well.....I kind of missed the boat with the Santa hat suggestion, except for one day LOL Besides, there is no elastic, and as soon as an itsy bit of sweat starts happening, it feels like it's gonna slide off. And the bouncing pom-pom is kind of annoying... #excuses

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  3. Impressive planking!!! And I've run a race in long beach California before - it's an awesome state to race in :) Yay for the Hawkeyes making it to the Rose Bowl!

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    1. I'm excited for California! I visited my sis in San Diego (once), and I have flown over the Golden Gate bridge...but have not spent much time on solid ground there ;-)

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  4. Kudos to you for the plank streak and go you on the pushups! I ran an impromptu 5k in Maine a couple of summers ago and I always do the Gallop & Gorge 8k when we're in NC for Thanksgiving. You have to, right?

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    1. Exactly, there are just some things that runners simply HAVE to do ;-)

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  5. We are all about college football at our house too! You hit the nail on the head...we are a different breed. I always look for races when we travel. We must go to the coast this weekend and the first thing I looked at is whether there is a race. And, I'm not even running right now! Congrats on the planks, the running, and now the push-up streak. 100 push-ups sounds pretty intimidating! I appreciate you linking with us again!

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    1. I am so glad I found your link-up!!!!! This is my first time traveling such a distance since becoming a runner. So, I'm gonna have a thoroughly packed carry-on with my Brooks in there...I don't want to risk having the airline lose my valued goods LOL

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  6. Yes we are a different breed. I remember 2 years ago going away with my husband to the beach I was all excited I got to run near the beach and he was like why are you running on vacation? I said because I'm on vacation and I can do what I want so I want to run! Ahhh it felt great too! I thought about a plank challenge. Tell me any differences you noticed during your challenge. Did they ever get any easier? Dang I hate planks but they are good for you. The push up challenge I would be interested in and I know I couldn't do more than about 6-8 at a time. I'm so glad to have connected with you I enjoy reading your posts very much! Thanks for continuing to link with us. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. I have been planking for so long, it's hard to say if it got any easier over the past month or not. It definitely is easier to hold a longer plank. Stay tuned....there may be a blog post discussing my thoughts on the plank challenge tomorrow ;-)

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  7. I love race-cations. I'm been in CA twice for races and Fla 4 times. I usually stay with friends. I can afford it that way. LMK if y ou ever need a roommate.

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    1. haha...I'll keep you posted!! I'm looking forward to running somewhere other than Iowa ;-)

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  8. I love football season and if you can fit in a race, why not??? Good luck with all these challenges, you are in beast mode! :)

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    1. I love college football. We're excited to see California. We've been to Disney World many times,but have never seen Disneyland...so that's definitely on the roster ;-)

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  9. I love scoping out runs when we're traveling. I did two back to back 5K's this summer in Gatlinburg. Great job with your challenges and holiday streak! 100 pushups a day is amazing!

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    1. Thanks!! I'm looking forward to lacing up in another state and hopefully meeting up with some of my 'virtual" friends in California ;-)

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  10. How great that you might get to go to the bowl game! That would be awesome. Of course you have to race while you're out there because why not? Have fun!

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    1. of course! Tickets secured, we're going ;-) I just need to get registered for the races...

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  11. Wow! 210 minutes of planking for the month of November must mean you have a core of steel!! I love your plan to complete the RW streak outside. I hope it works out!

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