Festive Fitnessing!

It was a festive week of fitnessing in my little corner of the universe.

You know the drill...if I have workouts happening this time of year, I don the festive red and green and get sweating. At least that's my formula for a fun week (or even an entire holiday season). Go bright or go home. And smile as it happens. Works for me.

Before I share the details, a festive 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 ;-)

So, here's what went down - festively speaking - this week:

Never miss a Monday.

With the brisk, dark mornings, I've been doing a lot of indoor workouts in the early hours and saving the runs until lunch or later. The day started with a 10K on the indoor bike, then a 2-mile run after work. Have I mentioned how adorable our town square is decorated?

Another Sweaty Low-Key Tuesday.

Tuesdays have long been easy-does-it days for me, but that doesn't mean I can't sweat a little (or a lot). I did three "miles" on the elliptical, ran a quick mile through the hilly 'hood, and finished with another elliptical mile. I love the cardio and my legs appreciate the minimal wear and tear. Total win-win.

Wednesday's Why-Not-A-Brick-Workout.

I've mentioned, a time or two, my quest for mixing things up with my workouts. For the past several weeks, I've been doing 10-mile (indoor) bike rides, at 5:00AM, to start my day. Often times, I then do a short run later in the day. Wednesday's weather forecast promised dropping temps (and increasing wind), so the most optimal time for my run was before sunrise. So, I decided to incorporate that run into a brick workout...5-mile bike ride, 2-mile run, then another 5-mile ride for the grand finale. And that's all she wrote! 

Quite a Thrillsome Thursday!

With the sub-freezing temps outside (and sub-ZERO wind chill), opting to run later was a no-brainer. I had the day off from work, so there wasn't the usual time constraints on my morning sweat routine. It had been a few weeks since the stairway had seen some action, so a stair workout (with full-body strength work intervals) was on the roster.

*10 stair flights, double-stepped

*30 biceps curls (both sides)

*10 stair flights (weighted), double-stepped

*25 Arnold presses

*20 stair flights, double-stepped

*20 upward rows (both sides)

*10 stair flights (weighted), double-stepped

*30 shoulder presses

*30 cross-body curls (each side)

*10 stair flights (weighted), double stepped

*25 flies

*20 stair flights, double-stepped

A few notes: Adding weights to the stair climbing really ups the intensity. It works the core a lot more, as well, because you're not able to swing the arms for balance or momentum. Also, without your arms propelling you upwards, your legs get to do the bulk of the work...similar to doing continuous step-ups (without stepping back down). 

Later, after some Christmas Eve prepping and baking, the temps were at their highest of the day. I got out for a very quick streak run. Amazingly, I really didn't feel that miserable (probably because it was only for one  mile LOL), and that sunshine was everything!

A Fun and Festive Friday!

Earlier in the week, Kim (KookyRunner) asked if Michelle (Running With Attitude) and I were interested in a Christmas morning virtual run. It took maybe five minutes for the two of us to agree to join her. Unfortunately, they both had cold and wet weather (so they had to run inside), but I just had the cold (and was able to run my 5K outside). None the less, the three of us rallied in the morning and got our runs done. The support and encouragement from my blogger/running friends has meant so much to me this year, especially during this holiday season.

 

A Cold But SUNsational Saturday.

Temps, again, were rather chilly (17F, thank you very much), but the wind was a no-show and the sunshine was pretty incredible. I did a few dynamic stretches (and a 1/2-mile warm-up walk around the block), then headed out to meet Barb. I'm always amazed at how fast the miles go by when talking and laughing with a good friend. When my Garmin hit the 5-mile mark, we parted ways and I walked the final 1/2-mile back home. A little extra cross-training never hurt no one, so that afternoon, the hubby and I helped the youngest daughter pack and move most of her stuff back home (she completed her AA, and had been working the past 15 months...but is heading back to college to finish her BA at Iowa State in January!). 

  

...and a SWEATsational Sunday.

Although my mileage is still relatively low, having run substantially both Friday and Saturday, I thought it wise to go easy on Sunday. Well, easy in terms of legwork, but heavy in terms of sweat equity. Hey, it's what works for me. We started with four miles on the elliptical, then ran an easy-paced (outdoor) mile, then finished with a 10K on the bike. 

A busy week, but also full of fitness and festive fun. I'm so thankful for how good running is feeling. Having never had a fracture of any sort, it's gratifying to have things returning to normal (at least in regards to running). This week saw 15 miles of running, the most I've logged since mid-August. Walking took a major hit...only 6 miles (oops). Elliptical mileage came in at 8 and biking had about 23. The stair workout was my favorite sweaty endeavor of the week since it encompassed a whole lotta cardio and strength all in one place. 

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

All is Calm, All is Bright

A Few Final 'Fessions for 2020

In other news:

As mentioned in my Runfessions post, I have another virtual endeavor happening on January 30th. After all, why not? There's not much else happening right now, and the Allstate Hot Chocolate series has races happening everywhere (I'll be doing the Houston 5K). I have done a chocolate-themed race (Chocoholic 10K , Iowa City), but have never done an actual hot chocolate endeavor. This race series comes with some pretty sweet swag (quite literally), and the code BRHC20 will score you a free running hat with you registration. Anyone want to join me, virtually? 

**Although this image showcases San Fran, the swag is the same for all venues**

Even though Christmas looked a little different for us this year, it still was a great day of celebration with family. We can still smile behind the face masks (just not for a family photo LOL).

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

How was your week? Any great workouts in festive gear? Did your weather do a drastic plummet in temps? Any (masked) family gatherings?

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