November in a Nutshell

How is it almost December already?

My head is still spinning, trying to fine-tune all of my November "stuff," and the month is almost over. Not quite sure how that happened.

Anyways, here's my November in a nutshell:


Fitness for the (daily) win! I continued my early-morning routine of rising and shining in the wee hours. Some days I ran, other days I just did a brisk 20-minute walk through the 'hood. What started as a result of my surgery recovery (July through mid-September), has continued long after my return to running. I think this early morning routine is here to stay.

another early morning adventure

Fun was all around me. That's what happens when you enjoy doing what you're doing.

The Iowa Wave 

My family was all together for Thanksgiving. With our oldest daughter living in Pennsylvania (and our son away at college), it's rare for all five of us to be under the same roof these days.

family

There was lots of yummy food eaten! A few days in Las Vegas, and a big Thanksgiving dinner (with lots of leftovers), has left my tummy very happy.

yum!

Two more finish lines conquered! I ran the Hillybilly Hike 10K (November 4th) and the R'n'R Las Vegas Half Marathon (November 12th). My rally back to running and racing has gone well, and these two races were major milestones for me. I placed 3rd in my age group at the Hike (with my fastest "rally back" pace thus far), and the Vegas half marathon was my longest distance since my recovery.

And, let's not forget running friends. As I have said more than once, running friends are fantastic, even the ones I've never met in person. Of course, if you're lucky to have them with you at races, all the better.

Last of all, there were my monthly fitness goals. Oops. For the most part, I did alright. That said, I will disclose that as the month wore on, it got easier (and easier) to procrastinate and all-out forget to do some of them on the daily.  Oh well, I'm human.

If I were to rate November, I'd give it high marks. I definitely had a lot of fun, and felt great all month. The temps did get a bit chilly (with the exception of this week), but so far it has remained dry (in other words...no snow yet!).

So, that's my November (in a nutshell). Did your November fly by fast, too? Any goals met? Fun with friends? Finish lines?

**I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.