Destination: Downtime

 ...and away we went!

Have you ever spent a week "in transit," but (somehow) managed to keep (most) of your fitness regimen on task? Let me tell you, it was not an easy endeavor! But, all things are possible if you keep your focus and make it a priority.

That's what she (me) said...

Before I share all the details, 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 8:00AM (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 ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down in my out-of-sorts week of fitness:

Not a simple Sunday...

Quick question: Who says you gotta change colors to layer-up for a run? Not I. After 20 miles of pedal power (30 minutes of which were from my first-ever Tabata ride #Yikes!), I got in a quick (and brisk) 1-mile streak run. That was just the warm-up, because there was an entire day of packing, prepping and Christmas Takedown afterwards.

Never miss a Monday (even when you're traveling cross-country)

My day started with the requisite plank, then a 4:25a.m. departure. By early afternoon, we'd made it to Paducah, KY...and I was able to sneak in a 1-mile streak run while the hubby and Max got lunch secured. We made it to Marietta, GA that evening, and I did a relaxing stretch workout (because #OuchMyTiredBody) before lights-out.

Totally not a typical Tuesday

Up and on the road by 6:30, but I got in another 1-mile streak run right before lunch in Valdosta, GA. I mistakenly thought the Spanish moss on the tree was mesquite (#oops), but none the less, it's not something I see on any of the trees in my Iowa 'hood. We arrived at our destination in Florida mid-afternoon. I took Max for a walk and did a core workout (and plenty of stretching)...and slept like a rock (like, for almost eight hours!).

A not-too-wild Wednesday

Totally refreshed, I hit the streets for a #5at7 (that would be five miles at 7:00). It's been awhile since I've done a mid-week run so "late" on a weekday morning, but I really wanted to catch the sunrise...so I waited. You do what you gotta do. Later, the hubs and I road-tripped an hour to Orlando to support the Iowa State Cyclones in the Cheez-It Bowl. 

Triple Threat Thursday

I got out for another short 1-mile streak run (yeah, there were a lot of those this week, LOL) in the pre-sunrise hours. It was a very damp, humid and misty morning, but I'll gladly choose that over the current cold, slick and snowy conditions back in Iowa. Afterwards, I did full-body strength and a core workout before a full day of errands (getting things situated for our snowbird dwelling). The hubby and I checked out one of the fitness centers (totally NOT my gig, BTW, but I tested out a Peloton ride on one of the stationary bikes.

Finally Friday!

I ran a different route, through a new neighborhood, and finished with a 5K in distance and some extra walking. It was another busy day as we picked up our son (he'd flown into Orlando) and then finally got moved into our villa (we'd been staying at an air B&B, since Tuesday, because our renters' lease didn't end until Thursday).

Feelin' 22 on Saturday

We had a full day on deck, so I was up and on the streets (literally) by 5:22 for a #5K4NYDay (and that would be a 5K for New Year's Day)...which also was the grand finale for this year's Runner's World Winter Run Streak. We then had to drop Max off at a doggy daycare before heading back to Orlando for another football game, this one being the Citrus Bowl. More walking ensued, onsite for the game and after returning back home afterwards.

On deck for Sunday?

With the running streak officially done, and the biking in limbo for a couple more days, I'm going to rise and shine and WALK.I have really missed my daily walks, and with the optimal weather here, now's the perfect time to resurrect that routine. I'll also find a couple Peloton workouts to do as well.

 

As I mentioned, this was very much an out-of-sorts week for me. With two full days of road-tripping, three days of temporary lodging and back-and-forth travel to football games, the only consistent fitness was my run streaking. The week ended with 15 miles in the running shoes and 10 miles of intentional walking (no idea on how many additional miles accrued from random walking back and forth on our errands). And biking ((sigh)) only saw 27 miles of action. Truthfully, I'm not sure how I'm going to swing much "indoor" biking here, because the fitness centers don't have a great set-up for that. Thankfully, I will have ample opportunity to pedal to my heart's content outdoors (after we get our bike back from the shop on Tuesday), and that's truly where I'd rather be anyways. Additional cross-training included some upper-body work, full-body work, and two core workouts.

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

Ready for Takeoff...

A Seasonal "Fession Fix

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair.

Remember me saying that Friday had been a busy day? Well, I was so distracted that I completely forgot about my Friday fashion ritual until we were out for dinner. This wasn't just any old Friday, though. Not only was it New Year's Eve, it was also the Citrus Bowl Eve...so of course, I was repping my Iowa Hawkeyes.

I shared a few pics, recently, of my beloved orchid. With all the blossoms happening, and more buds appearing, I simply could not leave it behind. Call me crazy, I brought "Junior" along with us to Florida. The only safe place in the car was on the floor, near my feet (where I could keep a constant eye on the blossoms not getting bumped or crowded). So, yeah, that just added to the already compromised space for my long legs, but no regrets. 

This week, as mentioned, involved two Bowl games. It may never happen again having two Iowa teams playing in Bowl games within a few days of each other, and both at the same stadium. We simply HAD to take advantage, right? We met up with a few of our friends, from our hometown, who had also made the trek to the sunshine state for the games. Fun times, but (#spolier) neither of our teams came away with victories.

Finally, I want to wish all of you a blessed, safe, healthy and happy 2022! I strongly believe that we find what we seek...if we look to 2022 with optimism and hope, I believe we will be rewarded.

So, that's a wrap on this week! 

How did things play out for your final week of 2021? Any parting thoughts or reflections? Did you start the new year in your running shoes?

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