Well hello again! Remember me? I skipped last week’s Weekly Wrap linkup because I had a less than stellar week to review. A week so insignificant in the workout department that even I would have been bored reading about it. I got my weights in, but only one run; however it was an awesomely fun long run on Friday with my girls Erin and Tracy.
Saturday evening an incredibly fit group of women descended upon Bill’s and my house for Erin’s 40th birthday party. She did all of the work organizing the party, we just supplied the venue and blue cocktails. Bill and I love to entertain, so when on a run last summer when Erin and I started talking about her big birthday coming up, I jumped at the chance to volunteer to host. Saturday night about thirty women and Bill helped Erin move into the next age group -runners don’t get older, they just move into the next age group. Once again, Bill was in his glory playing bartender, photographer, and cleaner-upper for a basement full of women.
The birthday girl and me
Blue Ocean Cosmo
On to this past week…
Monday was Bill’s birthday, and we went out to dinner to celebrate early on Sunday night with our son Daniel and good friends. Monday night I made Bill’s favorite, Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad, and gave him some leftover cupcakes from Erin’s birthday party. He was quite happy!
To fully celebrate, Bill took the week off from work and we worked through several household projects (and some fun stuff). It always feels good to get spring cleaning off to a good start, and boy did we!
Bill spent lots of time on his bike, and I kept my normal client schedule. I got in my usual three weight lifting sessions and despite being dressed to run all day Tuesday, it never happened.
Wednesday morning I ran alone, and then met my MRTT friends on Thursday at 5:30. With the temperature at 51° when I got up, I dressed in shorts and a short sleeved shirt. By the time I parked at the trail, the temperature had dropped to 48°, the wind had kicked up, and it was raining. Struggling to keep up, and miserably cold, I sent my friends ahead. Once I turned around, I warmed up with the wind to my back and felt pretty good. I ended up running five miles, but have no idea at what pace because I’d left my Garmin at home.
Saturday morning my friend Janet and I met at the trail at 7 AM for five miles with the MRTT ladies before swinging back by the parking lot to pick up the Cruisers. Surprisingly, we had a small MRTT turnout, but we didn’t let that spoil our fun.
We took this jump shot after I gave a little lesson on how to do something that’s very important for female runners. Come back on Friday for your very own tutorial of this necessary skill.
Janet and I finished our five miles just in time to meet the Cruisers, and head back out for three more miles. We caught up with Vamshi and Amit on the trail so we ended up with eleven Cruisers for the day! We even had our youngest Cruiser ever join us, Joe’s nine-year-old daughter. With a blond ponytail and matching green/blue shirt, the other Cruisers called her a mini-Deb.
After my run, I headed home for a few planks and some stretching. Even though it looks like I’m resting my upper leg on the red ball, it’s just an illusion. I’ve got regular prone planks down, but why do these side planks never seem to get any easier?
With the temperatures in the low 60’s today, I took advantage of the weather and headed outside for some yard work. Our Otto Luyken Laurels had gotten totally out of control, so I did a deep pruning on them.
Four hours later a total of eight laurels looked like this. Once the trimming was complete, I spent another hour picking up leaves, sticks etc. throughout the front and back yard.
As I finish up my recap, I can feel my back stiffening up from all of the bending over and straightening back up while spending over five hours doing yard work. Yes, it was a lot of work, but well worth it. By mid-April these bushes will have filled in and will look fabulous!
I’m beyond pooped, and it’s only 9:14 PM. I’m heading to bed. Night ya’ll!
Weekly Recap:
- Weight Training: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Runs: Wednesday – 6.2 miles, Thursday 5 miles, Saturday – 8 miles (Total: 19.2 miles)
- Bike: zilch
- Yoga: Moved my DVD’s from the basement bar to the workout room closet
- Stretching: Daily
- Average Steps Per Day: 13,125
- Average Hours Sleep Per Night: 7:44
Have a great week!
- Questions:
- What is your favorite birthday dinner?
- What’s the coldest you’ll wear shorts for running? ~40°
- Did you race this weekend?
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I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Looking forward to your tutorial! I love all the birthday pics looks like it was a great time.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…February Favorites & Yaktrax Giveaway
Yes, we had a blast at the party!
I think it’s awesome you hosted Erin’s party. So fun! And today was just gorgeous out. I’m also headed to bed to read – so tired! Have a great week!
Thanks, Courtney; you, too!
That pic of the blue ocean cosmo…..#heavenly. We had great weather in Iowa this weekend, too, though it did get pretty windy this afternoon. I am SOOOO ready for spring!
Kim Hatting recently posted…This week’s theme-Run Happy!
I can’t take credit for the picture of the cosmo. My hubby took it!
Great week! I need the jump shot tutorial, I have never tried one of those! You guys do the coolest theme parties. I love it! For running I can do shorts in the 40s, but would pair with long sleeves and gloves probably. As long as my hands are not freezing I can stay pretty comfortable in cool/cold conditions.
Kelli recently posted…Weekly Wrap – Goodbye February
I need gloves for any temps under 45°. If my hands are cold I’m miserable, and they just don’t warm up like the rest of my body.
Come join us for a run and we’ll be happy to give you a jump shot tutorial! 😀
P.S. I wrote a jump shot tutorial a couple of years ago. Here’s the link: Tips For Taking The Perfect Jump Picture. Come back tomorrow night or Friday morning for a tutorial on something far more important than taking jump pictures. 🙂
I was in bed at 9:30 last night — and that’s actually late for me!
The thing that really sticks with me about this post is your husband took an entire week off for his birthday! Mine doesn’t even take his birthday off. I think your husband is awesome. 🙂
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Sunshine on my shoulder: 2/22-28 Weekly Wrap
Soooo, I went to bed last night around 9:30, but we watched two episodes of Mad Men before falling asleep…
And I have to say I agree with you – my husband is awesome! 😀
Those cosmos look delicious!
I’ll wear shorts down to about 40 degrees. Maybe even 35 if it’s sunny & not too windy. But definitely with a long sleeve tee. I warm up so quickly that after a mile or so I end up the perfect temperature.
As for b-day dinners, I have a birthday close to St. Patrick’s day, so I love having Corned beef & cabbage + mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes.
Same here – I warm very quickly, but if the temps are in the 40’s I need to be in a short sleeved shirt (unless it’s extremely windy).
Happy almost birthday! 😀
Looks like everyone had a great time at the birthday party. Your workout schedule made me tired just reading it. Your group certainly knows how to look good and jump at the same time.
Pam recently posted…Weekly Workout Roundup: Feb 29th back to running and a new toy
Thanks, Pam. I thought the jump shot turned out great, too!
I have my 50th birthday in May- can I get one of those blue martinis? YUM! Looks like a fun week and I spend a lot of time in the yard too with my hubby, that yard work kicks butt and makes me sleep like a zombie!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Family, golf, a 5K and ALL my miles!
If you come to Virginia, I’ll make you a blue cosmo for you birthday! And yay for a new age group!
The party drinks look amazing! Looks like you had a great week. I definitely need to learn how to do better action selfies.
Sonia recently posted…Race Recap: Republic of Texas Half Marathon
I give all of the credit for my action shots to my GoPro. That’s what it’s designed to do, but it does need good light for the best shots.
I totally need a jumping tutorial! I have tried one disastrous attempt lol
Sounds like you had a lot fun runs this week! I love 4o degrees, usually I go with shorts unless it is windy. Wind is tough!
It is nice you do so much entertaining.
I am not great with the side planks, I guess I should add them in this week and try 🙂
You’ll have to be careful how you land on your foot when you try your next jump! And speaking of your foot, my fingers are crossed that it won’t be long until it cooperates and lets you run pain free again.
BTW, I wrote a jump shot tutorial a couple of years ago, and here’s the link: Tips For Taking The Perfect Jump Picture.
If you ever saw the amount of picture I take and delete to get the jump shot!!!!! Would love a tutorial!!!
Sunday’s weather was PERFECT!!! The family and I went to Sugar Loaf Mountain…it was so much fun!!
I love birthday celebrations….for my 40th bday a couple years ago, I did 4 activities…a wine tasting and making, wine bottling/labeling, family formal dinner and a Caribbean girls trip! Birthdays are so much fun to celebrate!!!
Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside; glad you took advantage of it!
Your Caribbean trip for your birthday sounds so fun! That will be hard to top for your next big birthday!
P.S. I wrote a jump shot tutorial a couple of years ago. Here’s the link: Tips For Taking The Perfect Jump Picture.
My yard is in need of some major TLC. It’s definitely a great workout though. What a fun party and the Blue Ocean Cosmo looks very refreshing. My PT had me do side planks over and over recently. They made me so sore! I need jumping lessons. I wish I had thought about trying it on leap day. Thanks for linking with us Deb!
D’oh! I should have taken a jump shot yesterday for leap day. Here’s my jumping tutorial from a couple of years ago Tips For Taking The Perfect Jump Picture. I think I need to revisit it, and perhaps write a new post. Happy jumping! 😀
I’m newer to your blog, found you on the weekly wrap! I didn’t participate this week due to a less than stellar week myself, so I understand!
My favorite cocktail is probably wine or a bloody mary, always, LOL. I won’t run in shorts if it’s under 50ish….Have a great week!!!
Michelle recently posted…T-1 week
So happy to have you visit my blog! I’ll pop over to check yours out, too!
Bill does a great job wearing several hats! That cosmo looks fantastic, what is in it? Blue Caracao maybe??? I think the wind is what got you wearing the shorts. As long as it’s not windy and I have on a sleeve I can run in shorts in lower 40’s. Great to have you back Debbie! I’m so trying to get back to Wednesday Word……. 🙁 Appreciate you linking up ma’am, have a great rest of the week!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Oxford’s Mighty Half Marathon Recap
Yes, the cosmo has blue curacao in it. Google blue cosmo and you’ll find the recipe. We renamed it Ocean Blue Cosmo. 😀