Let Your BRIGHT Shine

"Let your BRIGHT shine" definitely was the theme of the final days of 2020.

At least in my world, it was. Maybe it was because Christmas had come and gone (and I was a bit burnt out on red and green). Perhaps it was to bring a touch of zing to the white backdrop of snow. Or, most likely, it was just me being the art geek/color freak that I am.

Whatever the case, it was a fun week of fitness. The bright colors that I brought to it were merely just a bonus. You can decide...

Before I tell you all about it, welcome to the Weekly Run Down! 

 I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anywho, here's what went down on this week:

Never miss a (fuchsia) Monday.

I continued the early-morning Monday routine (as of late) and started the day on the bike. The change? I rode 10 miles instead of the usual 10K distance (nothing wrong with mixing things up, am I right?). After work, I got in a 2-mile streak run (outside), and then a 2-mile power walk (inside, with Milly). I didn't realize I'd matched the fleece jacket to the morning tank until afterwards, but thought it was a nice coincidence. Go bright or go home. 

Another Take-It-Easy (teal) Tuesday on tap.

The elliptical has been serving me well on Tuesday mornings, so no sense messing with that. I did four miles with Ellie (she's my elliptical, don't forget), then a quick 1-mile streak run in the early hours. The timing was well executed for this. A few hours later, Iowa was hit with near white-out conditions (and 8+ inches of snow) for the rest of the day and evening.

 

Light My (orange) Fire Wednesday.

The morning started with 10 miles on the bike and 15 minutes of ab/core work. Then, after a later-than-anticipated departure from work, there was a beat-the-daylight run on tap. I didn't get home until almost 4:30PM, so after a frantic quick-change into the running gear, I decided to drive to the college campus and run two 1-mile laps around the central campus. I knew the sidewalks would be cleared, and I'd be assured of ample streetlights (once the daylight vacated). Also, by changing directions (which happens when you run laps LOL), I wouldn't have a wicked non-stop headwind to fight for the duration. 

Triple Threat Thursday.

Even with the day off from work, sleeping-in wasn't happening. For starters, there was a virtual morning ride with one of my east coast friends. We started at 6:15AM (my time) and finished about an hour later with a half marathon done. Once I had daylight (and plentiful sunshine), I headed out and got the 1-mile streak run done. With all the snow we'd gotten, the streets weren't bad, but the sidewalks were a hodge-podge of rather loose interpretations of "cleared by the next day" standards. Thankfully, there wasn't any ice to contend with. Three more miles logged (via walking) in the afternoon.

 

In-the-pink-of-things for Friday's run streak finale.

All was quiet on New Year's Day. After 36 days of run streaking, though, it was time for the grand finale. No group run this year. Even with Covid protocol, the usual NYD run happens at the lake, and there was serious doubt the trail path would have been cleared that quickly. So, Barb and I did our own thing. We waited until 8:00, and still had no traffic on the streets. Three miles later, we called it good. Another run streak is in the books, and I'm feeling great. This was my eighth winter run streak, and I'm quite grateful for the experience...especially given the stress fracture that I'd endured a few months prior.

A smiling start to my Saturday!

I had been scheming for a few weeks to put together a group "ride" and it finally came to fruition. We pedaled and chatted for about an hour. Afterwards, I did some intense upper-body strength work. Let's just say my day felt complete before my morning had barely begun. BTW, guess how many miles I ran on Saturday? ZERO! But I did walk three miles in the afternoon.

Cycling with Renee, Marcia, Coco, Michelle, and Kim left me eager for a repeat!

Rising and Shining on Sunday.

It may be dark in the Alcove (my little corner of the basement...stay tuned, I'm working on a more clever title), I still can make my own sunshine...even if it has to come via my tank top.  Ellie and I elliptical'd for five miles, which was a "distance" PR on the elliptical. I guarantee you, I certainly cannot run five miles that fast LOL. Whether or not the distance is accurate, I know the cardio is legit and the sweat equity is off the charts. 

So, the final week of 2020 was a fun one, and it kept me active. Running saw nine miles (with possibly a few more happening Sunday afternoon). Walking had eight miles (there may be more of those happening on Sunday if the run doesn't happen). Biking was the dominant means of fitness this week, with four rides and 43 miles logged. Also, there were two elliptical workouts (nine total "miles"), one upper-body strength session and a couple ab/core workouts.   

In case you missed out, here's what else went down on the blog this week:

Festive Fitnessing

2020 - looking back in pics

Since We're Gathered Over Coffee...

In other news:

A lot of people, myself included, designate a significant word, mantra, or theme for the year. I  talked about this briefly in my Coffee post, but my focus for 2021 is Blissful Persistence. I'll be elaborating more on this in Tuesday's post, but the gist of it is to work hard and enjoy the journey....and to keep smiling along the way.

Lastly, but my no means least, with the arrival of 2021, a few of us felt the need to CeLeBrAtE on the first day of the new year! We made it through 2020 and have a brand new year ahead of us. I say we  embrace the possibilities that lie ahead!

Top row: Liz, Jessie, Darlene, Jenn
Middle row: Deborah, Coco, Debbie, Cari
Botton row: Renee, Kim, myself

So, there you go. Another week all wrapped up and tied with a colorful bow.

How was your final week of 2020? Any celebrating? Did you pick a work or a theme for 2021?

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