Are We Feeling Festive?

Here we go!

The holiday spirit is going strong, and the craziness is getting real. Of course, we have the weather doing its ever unpredictable dance, but I guess that just keeps us on our toes (see what I did there?).

Before I dis on the deets form the week, 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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here’s what went down this week in my little world of festive fitness and fun

Sunday - a return to the stairs!

Baby, it was cold outside, so I opted to stay in upon wake-up. Having just done a 20-miler on the bike the day prior, I was ready for something different. Since it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done any stair workouts, and the Fight for Air Climb is on my spring agenda, I headed to the stairway. I did three circuits, each including 20 flights up (and down) with 1-minute wall sits and 10 push-ups. All told, it took less than 30 minutes for everything, and my Garmin’s map was a fun mess of squiggles. After doing a little more decorating and baking, I got out for a quick 1-mile walk in the afternoon sunshine.

Never miss a Monday

It was a cold and windy morning, but the forecast was showing calmer conditions as the day wore on. I opted for a few miles on the bike, then an arms/shoulders strength session before getting ready for work. The skywalk was oh-so-cold, but there wasn’t any snow, wind or ice inside (LOL), so my 2-mile lunch walk was a nice reprieve from the busy day in the office.

After work, as promised the conditions were somewhat improved. There still was plenty of residual snow (and several un-shoveled sidewalks), but the wind was MIA. I was good with that! A couple miles in the running shoes, and all was well.

Tuesday - Low impact TLC

Another Typical Tuesday was on tap, with a cardio start to the day, via the elliptical (4-ish “miles”). I also did some walking over lunch and after work (four total miles).

Wednesday - a runners’ reunion!

Due to the strange weather as of late (Wednesday’s have been getting hit with snow, cold temps and high-wind), and my questionable hip/TFL issue, it had been a few weeks since the 4:45AM group run has been on my radar. Alas, it was just Hannah and myself, but it was a nice reunion! The temps were cold, but manageable, and the company was great! Three miles in the running shoes, and some walking over lunch, had me feeling accomplished for the day.

Thankful Thursday

The holiday spirits were high and the cardio (and conversation) was on-point for the weekly virtual session with Deb. It was a just before 5:00AM (my time) when we joined forces. After 20 miles in the saddle, I called it good. BTW, that’s an ornament-laden headband (not curlers) on my head, LOL.

Collage courtesy of Deb

Afterwards, I summoned some weights and knocked-out an upper-body session, via Peloton. I also did the requisite walking over lunch, and some bonus walking after work (in the crazy 40-50-mph wind gusts).

Friday - some spontaneous fitness fun

With post-workday plans, my only option for outside activity was upon wake-up. I headed out for a quick 1-mile walk, and the conditions were good (calm weather, and all body parts felt great, LOL)…so I decided to bail on walking and ran instead. It wasn’t anything fancy or fast, but it just felt like the right thing to do. So I did. Thus, since I ran instead of walked, I had a little more time available for the elliptical (3-ish “miles”). There also were a couple of lunchtime miles walked in the skywalk. Yadda yadda yadda.

“Long” run Saturday

Oof, the temps weren’t too terrible (37F), but the 14mph wind was pretty rude. Nonetheless, I got out and got four miles done (and had a nice hot cappuccino shortly after returning to my house). 

…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?

The temps are looking similar, but not as windy. I’m planning on hitting the bike in the morning (there’s a 40K Garmin badge up for grabs), and getting out late morning/early afternoon for a walk. We shall see.

This week was pretty cardio heavy, with only a couple of short strength sessions. Not a big deal; it happens on occasion. Running saw 10 miles. Walking wasn’t super strong, with only 13 recorded miles. And biking took a breather, with only 26 miles this week (but Sunday’s ride will make up for that a bit). There was a decent stair workout, though, as well as two elliptical sessions. Everything always balances out in the end, which is my ultimate goal anyways.

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

A Near White-Out

In other news: 

Friday Fashion Flair. It’s hard to see in the pic, but my flannel shirt is actually green and black plaid. Even if I’m not wearing a holiday-specific outfit, I do try to go with a lot of green and red this time of year. 

The weather has been simply nutzo this “winter” season (let me remind you, winter doesn’t technically start until Sunday). After three consecutive weekends with heavy snow, most of our snow has now melted in the past couple days. And, it’s not looking like there’s any in the forecast for Christmas, LOL. 

In addition to some holiday baking, I did get the remainder of  my decorations (and lights) up this week. This pic is from last weekend, after the most recent snow dumping.

And, the Winter Solstice is finally here! No, I am not excited about the shortest (and darkest) day of the year, but I am most definitely looking forward to the increasing daylight! 

Alas, that’s the latest and greatest. Despite the seasonal craziness, it is nice to keep the fitness on the roster. Now it’s full steam ahead to family time…I’m looking forward to having all three kiddos under the same roof this year as we celebrate the season. 

How was your week? Do you still have snow? Cold weather? Last-minute holiday prepping? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter