There was so much going on this past week that I wouldn’t be able to remember exactly where my week had taken me if I didn’t have my workout log to look back over. There were only two runs, the usual three strength training sessions, assorted yoga sessions, and a Saturday marathon…
I skipped my Tuesday run with my friends, debating on whether I’d run later in the day or skip my run altogether (I skipped it). Wednesday afternoon, after looking at Thursday morning’s weather forecast, I hopped on my treadmill for my run. I would have preferred to run outside but it was 33° and raining steadily – too cold for even this nut. Thursday’s early morning temperatures were expected to drop into the mid-20’s and I was afraid Wednesday’s rain would turn into Thursday’s ice.
Worked into my schedule was making my list and shopping on Thursday afternoon for Saturday’s marathon. I made it to three stores, found everything in stock, and still got home with plenty of time to spare before training my final afternoon client.
As I looked over my to do list for the next few days, it hit me that it would be a genius idea to run on Friday afternoon instead of Saturday morning. Near the end of my run I set up my GoPro (affiliate link) on one of my favorite bridges and just as I was about to run past it, I saw an inline skater coming my way. I paused, and then started running just as he approached. I wonder what he thought as I momentarily raced him?
Saturday morning I was able to sleep in until 8:30 (say what?) and approach my marathon well rested – a marathon day of cooking that is… You didn’t think I’d come out of 26.2-mile retirement, did you?
Saturday was our who-knows-how-manyith-annual 😉 Italian Dinner Party which we have in February each year. It’s one of our favorite days of the year and rather than rehashing it, I’ll refer you to this post, How To Throw An Italian Dinner Party For Fourteen Guests, one of my favorite posts. We’ve whittled the guest list down slightly so everyone fits in the dining room and changed our favorite wine to Kudos, a medium-bodied Williamette Valley Pinot Noir; but otherwise, the details are pretty much the same .
With winter virues in full swing, three of our friends couldn’t come because they were sick with that nasty non-flu thing that’s going around and staying for well over a week. We were so sad they couldn’t come and missed them terribly.
From 9 AM until the first guest arrived at 6:30 PM, my day was carefully planned out with setting the table, salad prep, showering/beauty duty, and finally, an afternoon of cooking starting with beef braciola…
And ending with chicken parmigiana…
Since neither Bill nor I took a picture after everything was pulled together, here’s one from three years ago…
As always, everyone had a fantastic time and we even selected the date for next year’s dinner. Salud!
Just in case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- Wednesday – Eight Ways To Be Content With The Life You Have
In addition to what I mentioned above, here’s a complete run-down of my workouts in my gym from this past week…
- Questions:
- What’s the lowest temperature you’ll run in when it’s raining?
- What’s your favorite type of food?
- Did you race this weekend?
Have a great week!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
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I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking The Long Way Home for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Looks like you all had quite the feast! Italian food is always my favorite as well
Indeed we did, and even if I do say so myself, the food was delicious!
Note to self, don’t read your blog when hungry 🙂 Glad you had a great feast with friends. I’m of Italian descent and oh does that mean a lot of food.
Questions:
What’s the lowest temperature you’ll run in when it’s raining? 50s. Maybe. If it’s a race I paid for. I thought about running outside today but couldn’t make myself do it because it was just too gross even at a tropical 47. I love my gym, but I’m so damn tired of it.
What’s your favorite type of food? sushi! Yep, bad Italian. Don’t care for cheese or tomato.
Did you race this weekend? Off this weekend
You’re Italian and don’t care for tomato or cheese? Just curious, did you grow up having to have an alternative dinner or did your family not eat Italian dishes very often!
Mom was a fan of alternates. and picking her battles.
She’d also often do aglio olio based sauces. I’ll eat a meatball, but don’t prefer it. Still won’t touch cheese if I can avoid.
How fun you do a dinner party! This was the perfect weekend for it, since it was cold and yucky out. Those dishes look so tasty.
Thanks, and you’re right, it was the perfect weekend for warm comfort food. 🙂
Wow! All of that food looks absolutely delicious! 🙂 I’m a huge fan of Italian food – gimme all the pasta! 🙂
Me, too! I love Italian food almost as much as I love Mexican food!
And now this Italian girl is HUNGRY! 😉
LOL!
Still waiting for my leftovers… seriously, I so enjoyed your IG posts over the weekend!
I don’t know why you didn’t get your invite. I sent it to Wendy @ Taking the Short Way Home. 😉
What an awesome looking feast and wonderful February tradition! We have old family friends who are Italian and growing up I used to love when they invited us over for dinner!
I married into an Italian family so my Italian cooking has been a work in process. According to my husband, I’d make his grandma proud! 🙂
I bet your dinner parties are legendary! (What’s next year’s date, again?) Those marathon cooking sessions give me a back ache. I can now appreciate how hard my Mom worked on holiday dinners without help. I love that picture of you racing the speed skater. Thanks for linking!
February 9th… 😉
Same here, my back was bothering me on Sunday as a result of standing in one place for so long on Saturday. Thankfully, it’s fine now!