Is there anything better than getting back into one's routine, even if it's not exactly like what you're used to?
After the previous week's busyness with travel and "suitcase living," it was nice to lay down some roots (very relatively speaking) and have some structure. With our snowbird lodging in place, I was able to get back to work (literally) and resume a little more consistent fitness routine. Of course, with the weather much different than what's typical for my January regimen, it took some adjusting and quite a bit of trial and error.
And it's still a work in progress...
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 ;-)
Without further ado, here's what went down this week in my little world of fitness and fun:
Sunday (non)run day
With the Run Streak officially over, my Sunday morning fitness was all about walking. Three miles of sunshine for breakfast, along with a few feathered friends and some festive holiday yard decs. There also was another walk later (just one mile) and some core work.
Never miss a Monday!
The temps had dropped overnight, and there was a wicked 16-mile wind awaiting me upon wakeup. I opted for 2-mile walk, and saved the 3-mile run for lunch. Another 2-mile walk after work, and more core work for the win.
My (temporary) Typical Tuesday
The day began with Peloton upper-body (holy upper-body burn, Batman!) and full-body workouts, and a short core workout. And a 2-mile walk before signing-on for work. Later, Max took me for a 1-mile walk (to get our mail).
Weird Wednesday vibes...
I got out for a 3-mile power walk before the work day began. The balmy temps caught me off guard...I thought 55 would be cool and breezy, but nope. It felt much warmer than I'd anticipated (but I'm not complaining, LOL). I saved my 5-mile run for the lunch hour, and the cloud cover dissipated about 1.5-miles in, so it got a bit steamy. Mid-afternoon, Max and I walked to get the mail, and I returned back home feeling oddly energized and exhausted at the same time (I know, #weird).
Holy HIIT-me-up Thursday
I got brave and took on the challenge of doing two Peloton HIIT workouts, back-to-back. Yowza. I learned a new move (froggers, which are like burpees with a squat "hold"). It was only 25 combined minutes, but I was still sweating until about halfway through my 2-mile walk afterwards. Thankfully, I'm not afraid of a little bit of sweat (or a lot of it, LOL). Later, there was more walking with Max, core work, and a joyful reunion with outdoor biking (see below).
Double Fitness Friday
I was craving a sunrise run, so I got out for two easy miles before work. Then - are you ready for it? - I did a 10-mile bike ride over lunch! Wow, have I missed my outdoor cycling!
Saturday - Running of the Squares 5K!
As luck would have it, I was browsing the activities tab of our area's website Tuesday evening, and there was a blurb about this race on Saturday. I mentioned it to the hubby, and he wanted to do it as well...so we did. I'll share more in a recap on Tuesday, but suffice it to say the race went well. Despite my right hip flexor feeling a bit funky, my finish time was better than expected (and got me a 4th place AG). Yeah, I was good with that!
So, there's a lot to be said about routine. Even though this first full week was a bit of an experiment, things panned out alright. I'm still trying to figure out if it works better to do my runs in the early hours (before work), or save them for the warmer noontime temps. I'm kind of liking a combination of both, so it's going to be a matter of mixing in walking and/or biking during the "down" times.
Anyways, this week's running only had 14 miles...my hip flexor has been a little "off," so I kept the Saturday miles conservative (and didn't elect to do any extra miles after the race, though I did do a 1-mile warm-up). Walking dominated this week, with 23 miles. Biking staged a comeback, late in the week, with 11 total miles (there was also a 1-mile trip to the mailbox in addition to Friday's 10-miler). I'm doing a Crush Your Core Challenge with Peloton, so there were seven core workouts this week, as well as those HIIT workouts and Tuesday's strength work.
In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:
Friday Fashion Flair. OOPS, it didn't happen this week other than what I wore for both Friday's run and biking. That's the benefit of working from home, LOL.
As mentioned, while I may be snowbirding, I am not technically on vacation. I definitely have been granted some flexibility with my schedule, though. Since I am on east coast time, I can start my work day an hour earlier than my co-workers back in Iowa...which allows me to take a longer lunch break if I want (hence the longer midday runs and bike riding or walking).
And, I'm all set to welcome back outdoor biking! We brought our son's mountain bike with us (since he no longer wanted it) and we also acquired a second bike. We plan to leave both bikes here as amenities for our renters, and we'll have access to them each time we return. My stationary biking is on-hold for now, but I'd rather be outside anyways...I just have to wear my Garmin if I want to gauge my mileage since there isn't a bike computer on either. I probably should christen the bike with a name, though....stay tuned.
So yeah. 2022 is off and running and the first week is done and dusted. It's exciting to see what this January adventure will have in store for me!
How did your week play out? Any new adventures? Are you back in a routine, post-holiday season? Any weekend racing?
I'm jealous of your January office! Enjoy the warmer temps and long lunch workouts!
ReplyDeleteThe lunch workouts are a nice temporary change ;-) They probably won't be continuing after we return to Iowa...
DeleteThat is awesome you are still able to work while you are snowbirding! I am missing my poolside snowbird office of last February, but with Thing 2 back with in-person learning, it cannot happen again just yet. How fun to find a local race to run!
ReplyDeleteThe WFH gig is a nice perk of my place of work. Typically, I'm one of few who usually "need" to be on-site, but they were very generous in allowing me to do this Florida sabbatical ;-)
DeleteLooks like you are settling in nicely. Glad you found a race nearby. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, they handed us flyers to another race, in two weeks, at the finish line, LOL. And, the hubs asked me about doing that one also. So, stay tuned...
Deletelooks like you are adopting to your snowbird schedule very well! nice solid week of fitness and fun
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's been a nice little change of scenery!
DeleteSounds like a great week for you, Kim! Enjoy the warmer temps and sunshine while you've got it, because we sure don't.
ReplyDeleteNice that you're able to take an active lunch due to the time difference. That must've been quite the job packing & deciding on what to bring.
Oh gosh, I could write an extensive blog post on all the packing required for this gig! Trying to figure out what clothes to bring, since we'd be driving through cold temps for the first part of the trip (and we'll be driving in those when we return). Also, though it feels "warm" to us Iowans, it still gets chilly at times, so we kind of have three sets os clothing and numerous layers. Then, there's the home office stuff...and the bike...and the plants, etc. First World Probs!
DeleteYay for a new bike in Florida! You're all set now for all kinds of fun workouts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the linkup and have a great week!
I discovered a 4-mile loop this morning, so that's got biking written all over it ;-)
DeleteI'm excited to hear about your January adventures! Since you're a little north of us, sounds like it's a bit cooler (I'm jealous!) It looks like we have a cooldown coming this week, so you'll get to experience "winter", Florida-style. Don't worry- it'll still be sunny though! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'll take your cool temps, gladly, because they will still be much warmer than what I'd have in Iowa ;-)
DeleteGlad your snowbird schedule allows you to make longer runs.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the warm weather of Florida. Here cold, windy and rainy today.
I really am enjoying the warm weather. It does feel strange to see all the pics of the snow back home, though.
DeleteMy race got cancelled - covid surge but I continue to do my outdoor runs (in the cold).
ReplyDeleteLucky you for spending some time without layers.
I can't wait until I go down for a few days in Feb!!
I certainly do NOT miss playing the layering game (at least for the next few weeks). I will have to re-learn it when we return to Iowa, though.
DeleteI miss my January office from last year, but hope to visit it. Glad you were able to make this work, work wise. The escapes are so important.
ReplyDeleteFeathered friends are one of my favorite things about Florida runs.
We bought this place back in March, with the intention of using it as an investment rental property (with the caveat that we'd have access to it in January). SO, we started making plans, back in June, with our employers on how to make it work as a snowbird set-up. Both were very accommodating and supportive, so we do feel truly blessed.
DeleteOh didn't realize you owned it. Saw the reference to your renters, but didn't realize they were literally your renters. Congrats on the not so new place. My office is really good about the flext too, but I never went in person to the extend you did in the last two years.
DeleteThis adventure is so exciting for you! Even though you're working, the flexibility must be nice, and I know you're loving the warmer weather, even on the "colder" days.
ReplyDeleteThe "colder" days are pretty easy-peasy, LOL
DeleteWhat a positive start to the year, I'm so glad for you! Nice to have that work flexibility, too. Hooray! It's been icy here in the wrong way, so nothing yaktrax etc will help with. I managed 5 miles today but it was a bit tricky!
ReplyDeleteThe work flexibility is awesome! I'm really fortunate my employer (and the hubby's) have been so supportive. Ugh on all that ice!
DeleteI was wondering about your accommodations - I may have missed this... did you buy a house and will be renting it out while you are gone? That's great that you have the flexibility to work like that. Remote work is definitely a positive thing that has come out of the pandemic. It is great to get back into a routine. I'm out of sorts from mine this week and I missed it!
ReplyDeleteYes, we bought a villa last Spring (as an investment/rental property). We have ZERO plans to live here fulltime, but will probably eventually be extending our stay for a few months (over the winter), but not for a few years. I agree, remote work is a very good thing that came out of the pandemic.
DeleteOh, wow, I do not like those HIIT Cardio classes. Too much plyo for me. I’m glad you got your bike up and running (riding?). Congrats on your first race of 2022!
ReplyDeleteI liked the HIIT classes, but it had been awhile since I'd done anything like them, so my body was thrown into a bit of shock (in a good way!). I look forward to doing a lot more biking this week, especially since I'm not doing any Peloton cycling workouts while down here.
DeleteIt's so fun to pop into a local race when traveling! Great work! Looks like a lovely winter destination so far.
ReplyDeleteThis race kind of found me, LOL. It was a total surprise when I saw it listed, and that it was only a few days away!
DeleteLooks like you are making the most of your new locale :) Congrats on 1st race of the year!
ReplyDeleteIt felt good to have a real race on the calendar, especially this early in the year.
DeleteI love that you had a few feathered friends join you for your walk earlier in the week, lol. Congrats on another awesome 5K race!
ReplyDeleteThese feathered friends are everywhere, probably because we're sort of surrounded by water. I think they're herons or cranes (?).
DeleteCongrats on your first race of 2022! Yes the WFH life can definitely take the fashion down a notch but it's all good. As far as new bike name...Flo Rida does have a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteMy WFH dress code has been (mainly) the morning's workout gear. I usually go for a power walk (or a run, if I didn't run in the early morning), so I save the shower for after that.
DeleteYay for outdoor biking!
ReplyDeleteWe just got a HUGE snowstorm (lost power twice over 24-hours) and everything is now covered in a SHEET of ice. Enjoy the clear roads and warm conditions. A life goal for when the kids are older, for sure - to temporarily relocate in the winter!
This is our first year doing the snowbird gig. It did take a lot of pre-planning with our household stuff, mail, snow-removal, etc. But, so far, it's been worth it! Stay warm and stay safe!
DeleteSiempre es bueno tener una rutina en especial . Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteEnamorada de las letras