Coffee & Chatter & Chai, Oh My!

Well, here we are again. 

As with all things virtual (that word has been on permanent repeat for too long, just saying), it's time for gathering over a virtual cup of coffee (or beverage of your choosing). We could even sit around a virtual table and munch on virtual snacks.  

That said, at least the conversation would be real. 

And, let's not forget, we are in the midst of a crazy holiday season (with its own set of new Covid-compliant rules). There's also a grand bon voyage to 2020 in the works.

Yes, there's plenty to chat about. In fact, let me go first... 

If we were chatting, I'd tell you a little more about my local turkey trot. With all things Covid, our Trot had to assume virtual (there's that word again) status. On a whim, I had registered for the Des Moines Turkey Trot (which also was under the #VirtualCovidCloud). Our local Trot has never had any kind of registration fees or swag, so the DSM Trot swag was a no-brainer (and that race also supported a feed-the-hungry organization, so the registration fee was money well-spent). I posted pics of Barb and myself (after we'd run the virtual race), but totally forgot to share the medal. This 5K was significant in that it was a rally-back endeavor for me...the 5K distance was my longest jaunt since the stress fracture. The medal wasn't significant, though, in comparison to the flood of donations we were able to collect Thanksgiving morning. Even though the Trot didn't happen IRL, plenty of trotters still showed up and supported the effort...to the tune of 162.2 pounds of food and $175 in monetary donations.  

If we were chatting, I'd share my restraint regarding Black Friday shopping. I did find a pair of running shoes, Brooks Ravenna 11's. Although I prefer the Adrenalines, the Ravennas were recommended for me, a few years ago, at a race expo (when I was fitted for shoes by a Brooks rep). I wear them for shorter runs (anything up to 5-6 miles), and they work well for me. These new ones were already waiting on my front porch, when I returned home for lunch, on Monday! I also scored a couple pairs of Knockaround sunglasses...and they tried to entice me with "a free pair with any purchase" promo on Cyber Monday. This deal was too good to let pass, but I did. I made a few (or several) stops back on their site, though, before finally concluding that I really didn't need any more sunglasses...for now. 

If we were chatting, I'd bring up the topic of biking for one last time. Sigh. Biking has been my best friend through this recovery period. My biking streak had its grand finale last weekend, on Day 100, and Gustavas (the trusted mountain bike) is now in hibernation for a few months. Total mileage from the Streak came to 1,124, and 1,013 of those miles were cycled outdoors, with Gustavas. Not only that, my YTD biking miles (including outdoor and, most recently, indoor) are currently at 1,565. Gulp. That's something I never saw coming!

If we were chatting, I'd runfess that I gave in to an early bird registration for a favorite race, the Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon. Currently, this is a virtual event, but they're offering a free transfer of registration should the conditions be favorable in making it a live race (at the end of April). I know, I know...Covid may still be a factor by then, but maybe (just maybe) things will have improved enough for live races to return (albeit with numerous safety measures and precautions in place). None the less, it's a race that I don't want to see end, so I'm choosing to support it in whatever capacity I can at the moment.

Finally, if we were chatting, I'd admit to feeling a little overwhelmed at my options for indoor fitness. As I gradually phase the running back into my routine, I will have to ease up on some other things. Case in point, the elliptical has been a great "winter" cardio option on my recovery days in years past. However, now I also have the indoor bike at my disposal (which has always been there, but I just never chose to utilize it). Let's not forget how much I adore my staircase...and then there's also HIIT and strength workouts. I'm working on a plan that will encompass all of these, but on alternate days/weeks. It's going to be tricky keeping everything in balance, but I'm up for the challenge. Actually, I'm kind of looking forward to Winter this year (somewhat LOL) because of the variety of indoor fitness vices I'll have without leaving my house. Stay tuned...this will be a huge work-in-progress undertaking.

Anyways, those are some things I'd be chatting about, if we were (virtually) gathered together.

How about you? Do you have a winter fitness plan of action in place? Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals? Any potential spring races? 

 Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.

I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday with Fairytales and Fitness link-up. 

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