Sunday, December 23, 2018

A Running Renaissance 


Ever experienced a renaissance of your own?

I distinctly remember my 8th grade art class, when we had a unit on the Renaissance movement. My teacher told us that "renaissance" meant "rebirth; rediscovery." Although I am not especially fond of the particular art from that era, that definition of reinaissance stuck with me.

Fast forward to my 2018 winter running streak, this past week in particular. My own kind of renaissance was front and center, via my running shoes.

It started with my #nevermissaMonday. The temps were forecast to be warm and sunny later, so I fired up 'Milly for 20 minutes of power walking, first thing in the morning. Fasted cardio inside...it happens once in a great while.
nothing spectacular about the mud room where 'Milly resides...gotta use a filter LOL
Later, over my lunch break, I headed outside. Look closely, I'm wearing shorts! Although the low-40F temps are not especially warm, they almost felt tropical in comparison to the sub-freezing temps of late. Of course, there's also the fact that my body (and mind) have acclimated to the cold air, so my tolerance for all things winter has broadened.
even my Christmas socks were sparkling
Then, there was my #two4Tuesday run. Another runch was on tap (following an early  morning walk through the 'hood). I had every intention of only running one mile (truly, I did), but the weather was so beautiful and my body felt great...so I ran two miles instead. Sorry, but I'm not sorry.
I may have even over-dressed in the red vest (but it looked good with my socks)
Next, Wednesday's #5at5 went well. Let me remind everyone, the five miles at 05:00 have been a staple of my routine for almost two years. Ever since the marathon (two months ago), though, they haven't happened. There's been scaled-back running (on my part), busy schedules (with my early morning running buddy) and a "let it go" attitude. Also, with the Streak being my main focus the past (almost) five weeks, I have been keeping my runs short. My friend, Barb, and I decided it was time to resurrect our weekly early morning ritual. I had only run one 5-miler since the marathon (a mere three days prior), but I just had a feeling my body was ready for a little more mileage....and my hunch was spot-on.
I even nailed the layers correctly
My #Thursdaythriller left me feeling oh-so-good. Let's just say. I had planned to run just a short 1-miler for my daily streak run (again). After all, I had already run two 5-milers in a short time span (after having not run that kind of distance in the past couple months). I hadn't even gone 1/4 mile and my gut told me to run two miles instead. So I did (again). Everything felt good and I returned home feeling fully charged for the day.
Oops, I did it again....
Then it was #finallyFriday. Even though I had the energy, I thought it best to take an easy day with my running. I laced up, headed out, ran a simple mile and returned home. Then, I shed the jacket and got (somewhat) busy on the stairway....20 flights later, and I called it good. Another fasted cardio workout in the books.
Another adventure in the Santa leggings
The #postSolsticeSaturday had me meeting up with Barb for a 6-mile run. Neither of us had been out to the lake in a long time, so we detoured through Central Park and made our way to Arbor Lake. Last year, someone had decorated a couple evergreen trees on the backside of the trail around the lake...and someone had done it again this year. What a nice gesture to spread holiday cheer!
Do I look like Mrs. Claus?
And, then there was that #sensationalSunday run. I felt a little stiff and rickety when I woke up, but as soon as I hit the road, everything felt amazing. It was one of those runs that kind of "tempo-paced" itself. My legs just wanted to go-go-go, so I let them. My only regret was not having my Garmin with me to see what my actual pace was. Two fast miles with some euphoric strides for the finish, followed by a brisk power walk with the hubby and Max...total bliss.
small town living isn't so bad when the local college sprinkles art along your route
So, this was a fantastic week for my running! With total mileage (Monday through Sunday) coming in at 19, it was my highest mileage week since the marathon. I realize these numbers are very conservative (in comparison to what a lot of other runners are cranking out), but for me they are substantial this time of year. Thus far, with a mere nine days remaining, this running streak has been a great experience for me. The post-marathon crankiness in my glutes/hammies/tendons has been minimized, making me feel like a runner reborn (renaissance, anyone?). 

As this post goes live, my streaking mileage (since Thanksgiving Day) is at 67. Last year, I was able to tally 103 miles during the Streak. It's VERY unlikely I will surpass the century mark before New Years Day this year, and I am totally at peace with that (last year, I wasn't recovering from a tough marathon LOL). I will not hit 1000 (running) miles for 2018, either. I'm on track to finish in the mid-900's, and I'm totally alright with that as well. If I added in all my walking miles, I would be flirting with upwards of 2000 cumulative miles "in my shoes," which includes a lot of fasted cardio and early mornings. For myself, that's a much more satisfying accomplishment. To each his (or her) own, right?

In case you missed them, here's my posts from last week:

In other news:
Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post? I think I have worn red or green (often times, both) almost everyday in some capacity for the past couple weeks. This has been both in and out of my running shoes. Traditional cranberry and hunter, or contemporary tomato and lime...I love them all, and am not afraid to wear them. Please consider playing along....post a pic of a favorite outfit, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and drop me a tag (@runningonthefly). We're not in workout gear 24/7, right? It's fun to see what my fitness friends look like in "street" clothes.


Seeing the decorated trees at the lake totally made my day. It's beautiful when people go out of their way to brighten the world around us. The fact that these two trees are located on the "backside" of the lake means the elf that decorated them had to haul all the stuff around the lake to do so.

And, lastly, I wish all the best to all of YOU, my dear blogging friends! Even though we may not all celebrate the same holidays, it still is a time of good will and reflection as we prepare for the new year. Besides, we made it to the Winter Solstice! That's such a huge milestone for me in my winter survival.

Anyways, enough about me. Tell me something about your week...seasonal weather? Upcoming races? Time off for the holidays? Are you as thrilled as me to be past the Winter Solstice?

I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly WrapThis weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!
WWSki-Orange

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28 comments:

  1. it's like all the stars aligned for you this week Kim! I love it! and I'm loving your hashtags! I love that someone decorated a few trees and I think you look absolutely stunning in that last photo <3

    it's been mild here, a bit of rain, etc. I don't mind as long as it's not pouring! no races! the planning is in FULL swing though for 2019! I have to work tomorrow a half a day and then I'm off until the 3rd of Jan!! YAY!!! Christmas Eve with the kids, Christmas day at my BIL, 2nd Christmas movie booked and paid for, the 27th we get our NEW CAR and then... on the 30th we are off to Berlin for New Year's Eve. So it's kind of shaping up to be some kind of holiday for me this year!

    I hope you have a lovely holiday with your family!

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    1. Thanks, Renee!!! I am quite lucky the stars did align this past week. There have been many other weeks where it was hit/miss on the feels-great runs.You have a busy week ahead! Best wishes to you and your family ;-)

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  2. A auper running week and lovely outfits, too. I posted my outfit for my only Christmas party in my blog post in your honour, as I'm actually wearing a red sparkly cardigan ... and Christmas running leggings. I've got some time off and some good plans for reading, resting, running and some studying in prep for my first timekeeping duty at a set of races on the 5th! Happy Christmas!

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    1. ha ha, well I'm quite honored! Happy Christmas to you, too ;-)

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  3. Congrats on keeping your running streak alive. I love that someone decided to decorate the trees! That's such a nice surprise to stumble upon while running and it's so festive!

    Wishing you and your family an amazing Christmas #kimtwin! :)

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    1. When I saw these trees last year, I was in awe that someone would go to that kind of trouble. Then this year...there they were again, with the same colors of bulbs and tinsel, etc., so it must have been the same person. Such a nice pay-it-forward gesture ;-)

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  4. Happy Holidays! Great job keeping up the streak. Shorts in December is pretty amazing :) I'm not ready for what's to come in January/February...

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    1. Shorts in December is pretty stellar! There was no way I was gonna let that opportunity slip by....

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  5. Love all your festive tights! ISn't it amazing how delicious 40s can feel this time of year?

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  6. Cannot beat running in shorts in December !it really is just delightful when running feels good! Nice job on your streak this year and impressive totals on your mileage. I am trying to walk more as well. Merry Christmas

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    1. I have seen all the walking you have been doing. It's such a no-brainer, I really cannot fathom why more people don't just do it. Hope your vacay is going well ;-)

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  7. Shorts in December is huge! We had the 50s on Friday and Saturday. I so wanted to run just so I could say I ran in shorts but with family in town, things came up. Oh well! I hope you have a lovely holiday with your family. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you, too ;-) I think my shorts-in-December gig is over and done, though....it's gotten cold (again) and the wind is having some attitude.

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  8. You have been on a roll this week! I hope it continues for you!

    Have a very Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle ;-) This week was pretty amazing. I don't have these kind of weeks frequently, so I am very thankful when they do pay me a visit. Merry Christmas to you and the family as well ;-)

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  9. The streak is strong with this one. :) It's always awesome when your body wants to do more than you have on your schedule.

    There are a few decorated trees (or at least have been) at the park where I run a lot too. It's definitely brightened my day on more than one run, even being Jewish. And yes, of course, being past the hump of the solstice is always encouraging to me.

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    1. I love seeing the decorated trees, especially in parks or in places where you don't necessarily expect to see them.

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  10. Sounds like you had some great runs this week! I love that decorated tree, what a cool idea.

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  11. I've had a renaissance of sorts too this week - the team dinner gave me a good push. Great week for you and happy holidays!

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  12. That is a lot of running this week! I love all your festive running tights. So cute. They would motivate me to run more too. Love your hair in your "greeting card" photo - you look fantastic.

    Merry Christmas!

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  13. What a week. Loving your energy. I wish it would rub off on me.

    We have been spared the cold weather and the snow. Still rain and wind but not complaining. The worst may be yet to come.

    I love all the decorations for the holidays. That's why I enjoy NYC so much. But that is over. I am thinking ahead to spring already. I mean the days are getting longer now, right?

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    1. I'm not sure where all my energy is coming from, but I am quite thankful for it ;-)

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  14. I love your bare branch tree with the pink and green ornaments - so artsy, just like you!

    You've had a great year, and your dedication is admirable!

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    1. Ha ha...it's a dead ficus tree I inherited from work. I thought a little black spray paint was just what it needed...and now I decorate it every year (in a different color scheme each time). Yes, #artgeek LOL

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