My Heart is Full

Another week is in the wraps, and all I can say is, "My Heart is Full."

The Pennsylvania daughter arrived back in Iowa on Friday morning (11/17). The college son came home Saturday evening (11/18). The high school daughter was off from school after Tuesday (11/21). So, we had lots of family time and a full house (complete with an extra dog!).

I was able to keep active with my workouts as well as getting the house ready for our Thanksgiving dinner. Here's what went down:



Monday
I headed out for a quick 20-minute power walk, and was ever-so-eager to get back home, inside. Brrrr. However, good things come to those who wait. The temps were more than 20-degrees warmer by the time I finally headed out for my #nevermissaMonday run. I even wore shorts!  Those 2-miles felt great, and the slight breeze was actually more warm than cold. #win!

I'm wearing shorts! In November!

Tuesday
I was contemplating a rest day (kind of in a state of flux due to Thanksgiving), when I received a text from Barb (Monday evening)...asking if I wanted to do a  #5at5 in the morning. It took me all of 5 seconds to respond back with a thumbs-up. I was leery, due to the predicted weather (plummeting temps and wicked wind), but the wee-early hours would be the "warmest" of the day (hold that thought). We'd just reached the halfway point of our 5-miles when we turned to head back west...into the crazy wind. Barb made the comment that it was good that we got out early, before the wind really picked up. Ha! And we didn't say much for the next half-mile until we could turn again (this time headed back north). Amazingly, I had the right idea with my layers...my face was the only thing cold on me. The temps did continue to drop (and the wind picked up) throughout the day. But we got it done!

The wind is not my messy bun's friend....

Wednesday
Sort of a rest day, but only after doing a short series of arm work in the morning. It wasn't until I was headed to work that I realized I totally blanked on my early morning cardio! WHOOPS! Oh well, as I said in my Rufessions post, the sun still shown and the world did not stop. Onward!

at least the strength work happened

Thursday
Our 6th annual Turkey Trot was a huge success! This is a small, local event a friend and myself organize each year. We offer 1-mile, 2-mile, and 5K options, and encourage everyone to participate (runners, walkers, strollers, and leashed pets)...no registration fees (and no event shirts or awards), but most people bring food donations for our local food pantry. This year, we had upwards of 140 participants! Barb and I knocked out a couple pre-Trot miles, then gathered at the Trot site and ran the 5K. We were not only blessed with a huge turnout, but Momma N also gifted us with beautiful weather.

2017 Turkey Trot, Grinnell IA

The Trot is an easy event to fit into our schedule, since I have most of the Thanksgiving food ready prior to Thursday anyways. The hubby gets up early, and gets the bird ready for the oven, and we do our "trotting" while the bird is roasting. All I have left to do is make the potatoes (and put them in the Crock Pot), set the table, and pop the remainder things into the other oven in the final hour before dinner. Easy peasy.

Friday
Momma N continued on with her weather confusion thing, and our afternoon temps (in Iowa) approached the high-60's (say WHAT???). After several hours of Black Friday shopping, I suited up in my Iowa Hawkeye attire (including shorts!) and headed out for an easy-paced 1-mile run. A bonus? My Hawkeyes were victorious against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Running in shorts in November...take 2

Saturday
Barb and I met up around 7:15 for a 6-mile run. The temps were chilly, in the low 30's (mid-20's with windchill), but we had a lot of beautiful sunshine! I could tell my body was tired from the previous day's shopping excursion, but oh well. Black Friday only happens once a year, right? After returning home, I refueled with leftover turkey and gravy (no judging).

Running in one of my Black Friday bargains (the fleece jacket)

Sunday

Not much to report other than Christmas decorating! I did head out for a short 1-mile run, and that's all she wrote. I realized that I have already reached that pinnacle in winter running when your body has acclimated to cold weather. I had a puffer vest and two light layers underneath and I felt overdressed after that short 1-mile outing. The sad thing? It's still November; technically winter doesn't officially begin for another four weeks. 

I believe I can fly

This was a busy week, considering we had a major holiday thrown into the mix. My mileage (Monday-Sunday) came in at 20 miles in the running shoes. There were some miscellaneous walking miles in there as well, but none of them were documented. An interesting piece of trivia...I was going through my 2017 yearly mileage, and I'm already well-past the 1,000 mile mark. Granted, some of those are walking miles from July, August, and (early) September when I was not allowed to run. My running miles (thus far) are around 870. I have ZERO grandiose hopes of running those extra 130 miles in December...I'm quite content with  how my year's mileage played out considering I had that "speed bump" thrown into my summer plans.

In case you missed them, here are my posts from this past week:
Let There Be Rest
So Incredibly Thankful
Runfessions?

In other news:
Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post on Instagram? It was posted live while I was out and about on Black Friday. Most of you know I'm a sucker for comfy and funky scarves as well as puffer vests (FYI, they're not just for running). We only stopped at a couple different stores and a mall, but getting in and out of the car, then walking who knows how far across the parking lots can get a bit chilly. A puffer vest  gives you a layer of warmth without the bulk of a jacket, and the scarf jazzes up the look a notch. Of course, the distressed jeans, boots, and lipstick are staples as well (you probably already knew that, though). Anyways, please join me! Post a pic of a favorite outfit, use the hashtag #FridayFashionFlair, and tag me (@runningonthefly)...I love to see my fitness-minded friends in non-fitness clothing now and then.

live from Black Friday

Remember the Mercy Live Up Loop 5-mile race back in October (recap HERE)? Well, my age group award arrived in the mail this weekend. Wow! I was blown away at what it was...an etched glass stein (?) with my name on it (also my age LOL).

Yes, I am streaking again. This is my fifth winter doing the Runner's World winter streak. Although I am not an advocate for run streaking, I do it periodically for short periods and am always glad when those periods end. Stay tuned...there's a post coming later this week with more details on why I would do something I'm usually an advocate against. The answers may surprise you.

And. lastly, we had a nice Thanksgiving week. The Pennsylvania daughter (and her dog, Lola) were here, as well as the college student son. The youngest daughter had a nasty tummy bug for a couple days, but rallied back. It's just nice to have everyone together, even with the inevitable sibling/family squabbles that pop up. Yes, my heart is full. 

So, that's another Wrap! How was your week? Any traveling for Thanksgiving? Any good food? Turkey trotting? Black Friday? 

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I'm linking up with my gals, Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!