Seriously.
This week had my brain so fried!
My place of work gave us both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off (which was very generous of them), but it totally messed with my routine, LOL. Working one day (Monday, obviously after a 2-day weekend), then having two days off (Tuesday and Wednesday), followed by two days back in the office (Thursday and Friday) really had me forgetting what day was what.
Yes, a big time First World Problem. But still…
Before I divulge the deets from the crazy week, welcome to the
Weekly Run Down!
Anyways, here’s what went down in my little corner of the universe, in terms of fitness & whatnot:
Sunday - a teaser of sunshine…
After an overnight in my former town, I reunited with Amy for four fast miles of walking on a chilly and windy morning. Check-out that pace! We were walking almost faster than we were talking.
Thankfully, the temps warmed up a bit by the time I returned back to my town. I got out for a comfortable 2-mile streak run. Mind you, it still was a bit cold, but much less windy…so it felt (almost) like Spring.
Never miss a Monday…
The forecast was looking cold (again), and my enthusiasm for the great outdoors was feeling pretty minimal upon wake-up. I opted for five miles, inside, on the bike, and saved my run for after work. Just a single solitary mile in the running shoes, but it was filled with all kinds of Christmas lights throughout my neighborhood.
Taking things easy on Tuesday…
Since I had the day off, I actually was able to sleep past my usual pre-5:00 wake-up time. And, get this, I was able to go for a morning walk in the daylight! After two miles of walking, I did some last-minute cookie-baking, ran a short afternoon streak run, and made dinner for the son and his girlfriend. I guess the day was action-packed, but not so much on the fitness level, LOL.
Wednesday - feeling festive…
Believe it or not, I was able to sleep-in (slightly) again (so this is how the rest of the world lives, huh!). After a little bit of Christmas dinner prepping, I got out for a festive 5K run and did a short upper-body workout before hosting the two local kids (and their significant others), my sister, and my parents for the afternoon/early evening. It was a nice day!
Thursday had me “easing” back into my routine…sort of…
Just like clockwork (intentional play on words), I was awake well before my alarm for the Thursday cardio session with Deb. I saddled-up on the bike and rode 13 miles with her before getting ready for the office. And, my mani had plenty of time to dry in the process. Multitasking at its best!
After work, I headed over to Altoona for the weekly Thursday night group run. I hadn’t been able to make it to any of these runs since before Thanksgiving, so it was great reuniting with everyone. Yowza, the fog was ever-so-thick! Rachael ran most of the (speedy) 5K route with me, and it felt good to have some speed work knocked-out (even if it was unintentional). Our splits were 8:57, 9:11, 9:01, go us!
Friday…even more fog
The forecast was looking very dark, horribly dreadful, and excessively damp. The early morning was my best option for running, so that’s when the streak run happened. Thankfully, the mid-40F temps were comfortable, but fighting the fog was crazy. It started raining as I was driving to work, and it continued all day, and into the evening as well.
Saturday - the much-awaited return of the sunshine!
After another slight sleep-in (yes, that was the third one this week!), I joined Deb for a couple miles of walking (while she was on her bike). The fog, yet again, was the outdoor reality.
Finally, by late morning, the sunshine returned! Wow, was it a beauty to bear witness to! I even had to shed a layer on my 4-mile run, it was so nice outside!
…and what’s happening on Sunday?
The forecast is looking foggy (again!) for the morning, so I may opt for the bike and some strength work in the early hours. I’ll get out for a streak run at some point, possibly in the afternoon. The distance is yet TBD.
Anyways, so how did this week play-out? Overall, things went fairly well, but kind of low-key. Running logged 15 miles. Walking had eight miles (still terribly low, but it is what it is). Biking took a hit, with only 18 miles in the saddle (I blame the pre-Christmas prep and post-Christmas fatigue, LOL). Sigh. There are only so many hours in a day, and I have been really struggling with the excessive hours my work schedule demands. That said, I am grateful for every workout I am able to squeeze in as I work towards finding a better system of balance with everything fitness-wise and otherwise. Onward!
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog this week:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. Although the temps were mild, the air was still quite damp. I’m all about a cozy vest when a regular winter jacket isn’t really necessary. I’ve been seeing Sherpa everywhere this season, and I’m loving the look! I simply had to snag a wardrobe piece for myself. A bonus? It coordinates perfectly with my favorite white skinny jeans (and yes, I believe in wearing white year-round).
Garmin threw a few badges my way this week. Not pictured is the December Weekend 5K Badge, which popped-up after my Saturday afternoon run.
Lastly, this week was very foggy and cloudy. I had a Velux solar tube installed in my master bath a few months ago. It brings in a lot of natural daylight in the daytime hours, but it also has a solar-powered battery nightlight feature. Well, with this week’s limited sunshine, as well as seasonal short daylight hours, the battery didn’t get much in terms of solar charging. In other words, the nightlight was pretty bleak, if at all. Another First World Problem.
So, onward we go! In a few days we’ll not only be ushering-in 2025, but also bidding a fond farewell to 2024. Also, my winter run streak’s finish line will be crossed, and I’ll be checking that last to-do off my list.
Are you ready for the New Year? Did your holiday season treat you well? How’s your weather been? Any last-minute 2024 to-do’s that need finishing before the “ball drops” in Times Square?
It looks (and sounds) like you had a nice holiday! Having a couple days off last week had to feel good. I worked on Christmas Eve but was off the rest of the week. So no complaints!
ReplyDeleteNo snow here either, just lots of fog. Weird weather.
I don’t remember ever seeing so much fog for such an extended period! Very weird!
DeleteWe had both Christmas Eve & Day off as well, and of course I loved and appreciated it, but also WOWZA I'M CONFUSED!!!
ReplyDeleteI think we're having the last of a spell of mild weather and we'll be kicking off winter for reals. I've been soaking up outside fitness time and soon I'll be switching over to quality time with the treadmill...oh well.
This next week is looking to be “seasonal” by mid-week. It’s not like we didn’t see it coming, LOL, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Oh well…
DeleteSounds like you had a fabulous holiday with a nice mix of friends and fitness. Merry Christmas Kim
ReplyDeleteThe holiday was nice, but it’s over much too fast.
DeleteThe weather was so confused. Left the city in rain, drove through snow and then northwest into 55and sunny. Mama N is confused. Nice to have the days off.
ReplyDelete(Cari)
We’ve had more rain than snow as well. And all the fog….it’s looking more like a horror movie set than a winter wonderland, LOL!
DeleteLOL, I never know what day it is this time of year. I kind of like it after being so over scheduled most of the time. Our weather has been confused too — today I ran in a t-shirt and got sweaty!
ReplyDeleteI was a sweaty mess yesterday on my run as well! It was mid-40’s, and I wasn’t dressed super warm, but it looked (and felt) like spring.
DeleteI kept pretty much to my regular work schedule, but was still confused about what day it was! The week between Christmas and New Years is always weird. The sunshine must have felt amazing after all that gloomy fog! Nice job on keeping the streak alive- you're in the home stretch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great Christmas with your family! I'm ready for 2025- onward.
The sunshine was everything!!!!
DeleteNice job on fitting those run streak runs in whenever you can even if they're usually in the dark.
ReplyDeleteAfter you told me about your solar tube not recharging due to the dreary sunless days, my husband just happened to mention that a couple of our Ring cameras that are solar powered need to be plugged in and recharged because it's not been sunny enough here to recharge them.
I’m not sure if my light has a non-solar charging option with it (?). I haven’t seen any info on their website. I think the lights (above the sink) will give it some power, tough. I may have to try that a little more.
DeleteNot a fan of our weather - very cold, icy, rainy... and I'm a wimp.
ReplyDeleteGlad I don't streak!!
Holidays are pretty quiet around here but I do try to get together with family and friends which means a lot of eating out... That will end...
I’m almost out of all the excessive sugar-laden stuff, so my body will be glad to have that gone, LOL. I need a sugar cleanse!
DeleteWhat a wonderful holiday, full of fun and fitness! Even though I know it sent your schedule for a loop, how nice to have that time off from work! Love the sherpa. I have a pair of uggs that have sherpa but that's about it. We have Mr PugRunner's birthday to celebrate and then we are done for the year!
ReplyDeleteYes the week was a little crazy, but the time off from work was MUCH appreciated!
DeleteIt was a bit confusing around here with the holiday falling in the middle of the week. Several days I had to ask myself what day it was! :) You made good use of those extra days off. Great workouts this week for you! That sky light is a great idea, well except for when it's dreary. But still, any extra light we can get during Dec-Feb is a win!
ReplyDeleteThe nightlight feature has always had ample light, even on cloudy days, but I guess that was during the “longer” days (and not so close to the Solstice). At least the daylight coming in is wonderful!
DeleteHappy festivities! Sounds like a really fun week with friends and family and fitness! Well done Kim.
ReplyDelete