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Saturday, January 1, 2022

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:

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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36 comments:

  1. You did have a busy week. Hope you had fun at the games anyway. Sounds like a good day for some down time and enjoying the sunshine. Have a great week ahead enjoy Florida

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    1. Yes, the games were a lot of fun, despite the final score(s). No regrets! I'm looking forward to a more normal schedule this week!

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  2. Great job finishing the RWStreak! Keeping up with your workouts when your routine 3js out of whack can be hard, but you did a great job. Jealous of your Florida weather- enjoy!

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    1. Thanks ;-) I'm really glad the Streak went well, but I'm equally glad it's over. This past week was a bit whacky, LOL...ready for a little more normalcy!

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  3. Traveling is tough and being away from home for a month would be hard! Looks like you are settling in and finding a groove. Enjoy the warmth!

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    1. Oh, rest assured, I will enjoy the warmth. It was a bit of a shock to my system, but I think I've already gotten acclimated.

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  4. Where there's a will, there's always a way. I had my foam roller and some light weights already packed to go to my mom . . .

    Sounds like a fun week (other than that drive) -- so impressed Max made it. We have to stop pretty much every hour for Bandit, and even then, he does occasionally get randomly carsick.

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    1. Fortunately, Max does great on long car rides. He went with us to Pennsylvania a couple times when our daughter was out there. We're very lucky in that regard. Myself, though...ugh. My long legs are too long, LOL

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  5. Congrats on maintaining your run streak while traveling and finishing it in sunny Florida!

    How cool that you were able to attend both bowl games and that they were relatively close by to your new place!

    Here's to a healthy, happy, and fit 2022! Thanks for the linkup and have a great week!

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    1. Yes, this may be the first Streak that had multiple states in it, LOL. That said, I had zero regrets NOT running this morning ;-)

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  6. That's so fun some of your friends made the Bowl trip as well! You got outta Dodge just in time to miss the arrival of winter in all her snowy glory. You're so funny with Junior! I think she'd have been ok at home for a month but why risk it? Haha! Happy New Year!

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    1. Yes, Junior had to come along! I was too curious to see what all happens with the blossoms (there are even more appearing!). Besides, we turned our heat down pretty low, so I don't know how good that would be for her ;-)

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  7. I’m glad you’re staying in FL long enough to make all those logistics worth it. How does Max do with all the changes — long drive, new places, and doggy daycare? I think Scooby would be exhausted and try to be a lap dog when I got home, ;-)

    Glad you enjoyed the bowl games!

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    1. Max has done well! He wasn't too thrilled with the daycare situation because (to our knowledge) he'd never been boarded before, but he seemed to do alright.

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  8. Why is traveling by car so exhausting? You'd think you're just sitting there doing nothing, but no! It's hard. Great job on completing the run streak- I'm sure those streak runs felt great on the travel days.
    I was rooting for Iowa in the Citrus Bowl yesterday! Such a close game... disappointing loss. I hope it was fun anyway.
    Can't wait to hear about your adventures in sunny Florida! So far we're having a really warm winter, which is good for you snowbirds. Enjoy!

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    1. Yes, this current weather feels amazing! I heard it's going to dip down a little this week, though...

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  9. It's not easy to maintain the run streak while traveling and far from home but you did it: brava!
    Glad you enjoyed the bowl games, I cannot wait for the start of the Rugby 6 Nations Tournament (of course Italy has no chance). This is the second year in a row that I don't buy the tickets (3 games in Rome and one abroad) because of the pandemic.

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    1. The bowl games were fun, even though neither team came away victorious. BUT, just getting there is a big accomplishment...so it's all good.

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  10. Your down time is more activity than most. lol

    Glad you made and are enjoying the warm temps.

    Of course, I started the year with some miles - 11 of them.

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  11. I saw the new year in with back to back races! I ran a 5k at 4:00 on NYE and another at 1:00 PM on New Year's Day. I'd never done that before but it was a keeper. I decided to end my streak today after all but I'll be back to the streak again next winter. I don't think that indoor biking stands a chance now that you have the outdoors as an option. Happy New Year Kim! I can't wait to see how your adventures unfold this year.

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    1. Ha ha....I'm not too excited about indoor biking, either, when there are warm temps and nice scenery outside!

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  12. Oh - it looks...so warm! Enjoy the change in scenery and weather. And gold stars for prioritizing all your fitness goals during the week, especially with all that car travel that is just so hard on the joints (and spirits).

    Happy snowbirding :)

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    1. The car travel is tough. I'm thankful for all the stops we were able to make along the way ;-)

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  13. Looks like a full week! I'm sure it helped to still get in some fitness with all the other stuff going on. You and your husband are Iowa's biggest fans :)

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    1. Even though I got in a lot of fitness stuff, It was pretty much the bare minimum most days. It will be nice to get back on a more regular schedule this week!

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  14. I know you are loving these summery temps! It's a little warm for us, but that's ok. I'm glad you're getting some great sunshine and beachy vibes!

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    1. Well, no beachy vibes in my location, but I'm quite happy with all the sunshine and warmth ;-)

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  15. You did a great job juggling workouts with road tripping! I love that you brought Junior along - those blossoms are so pretty :)

    Happy 2022 Kim!

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    1. I simply couldn't leave Junior behind...I'm eager to see how many more blossoms come to life.

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  16. After looking at my Strava stats from 2021 (338 active days), I thought it would be a cool goal to be active every day in 2022. It was already a big fail for me because I was too sick to work out on Jan 1st! So much for that goal. Oh well! So fun that you are in Florida now! Are you and your husband working remotely for the month?

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    1. Yes, we brought all of our work "gear" along with us. Thanks to Covid, we both learned we can function off-site, and our employers were supportive of our January adventure.

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    2. Sounds like a perfect plan! Good for you!!

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  17. Glad the journey went OK and that's hilarious you took your orchid with you! I had a good running week, ramping back up to 20 miles which is where I like to be, after building that slowly over the last month. I didn't put on my running shoes on NYD but I did put on my volunteering trainers and helped our parkrun have its first New Year's Day event!

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  18. I'm so impressed with your commitment to fitting in exercise while road tripping and being so busy this past week!

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  19. I love runs mid road trip. I don't think I ever got it posted, but if you ever go down the east coast route, Rocky Mount North Carolina is my favorite road trip rails route.
    Yay on the orchid car buddy and of course Max

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