Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links

 

It’s the Busiest Time of Year

Prepping for the holidays with shopping, Christmas card prep, gift wrapping, baking, a visit to my dermatologist, a haircut, doing stuff for my mom, family time, completing workouts, hosting a party and attending another party; all in addition to work had me treading water and barely keeping my head above water all week. But, I love this time of year and wouldn’t change it for the world! However, in the crazy busy – I’ve got to make everything perfect for the holidays – frenzy, I must not lose sight of the real reason we celebrate…

 

Overview of the Week

Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…

 

Sunday

Running: 5K
• Average pace: 9:26
• Elevation gain: 86 feet
• Start time: 10:32 AM
• Location: neighborhood streets
• Weather: 40° (feels like 35°) and sunny, climbing to 42° (feels like 38°)
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, nylon shell, mittens, ear warmer headband, and visor

Foam rolling: 10 minutes

Stretching: 10 minutes

With the start of the most wonderful time of year, I pulled out my HO! HO! HO! !OH !OH !OH capris (one leg says HO! HO! HO! and the other leg says !OH !OH !OH – the risk you take when ordering cheap products from China on Amazon), Santa shirt (affiliate link), and bright Christmas mittens for a delightful late morning run.

 

Monday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Walking: 5K
• Average pace: 14:11
• Elevation gain: 150 feet
• Start time: 3:54 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 47° (feels like 44°), sunny, and breezy, dropping to 44° (feels like 40°)
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, fleece jacket, gloves and mittens

 

Tuesday

Cycling: 20 miles
• Average speed: 16.8 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:29 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

 

Wednesday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Taught 2-hour fitness machines orientation class

 

Thursday

Running: 2.1 miles
• Average pace: 9:25
• Elevation gain: 55 feet
• Start time: 6:03 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 45° (feels like 42°) and cloudy (could see the full moon trying to peek through)
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, nylon shell, mittens, and ear warmer headband

Cycling: 8 miles
• Average speed: 16.9 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:34 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

 

Running: 1 mile
• Average pace: 9:05
• Elevation gain: 49 feet
• Start time: 7:22 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 46° (feels like 44°) and mostly sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, nylon shell, mittens, and ear warmer headband

Foam rolling: 10 minutes

Stretching: 10 minutes

Even though I got up at 5 AM, it took me until 6 to get out the door and then I didn’t have time to finish my run before starting a virtual session with a client. When I train this particular client, I do it from my spin bike and a 30-minute session usually equals about 8 miles. Once finished, and after throwing a load of laundry into the dryer, I headed back out to finish my 5K run.

While on my first run, I stopped to adjust my headlamp because it kept slipping down on my head. While stopped on the side of the street, a neighbor came up from behind me with his Newfoundland dog. Years ago, when I first encountered them, the dog barked angrily and lunged at me. The man had to hold back his dog with all of his might. Since then, I’ve always crossed the street if I see them coming my way, especially after hearing the story of the dog attacking a male neighbor; although supposedly, the dog likes women.

Anyway while working on my headlamp, on the side of the street, the man and dog came up behind me on the sidewalk (which would have them passing me with only 4-6 feet of separation). I was totally distracted – I know, I should have been aware of my surroundings in the pitch dark of the morning. Suddenly, I heard barking and growling, and as I turned the dog was lunging toward me! What did I do? I apologized for being in the way! Wait, what? The man mumbled something and kept walking. You can bet that when I started my run up again, I crossed the street as I passed them.

 

Friday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Balance and stretching: 45 minutes

 

Saturday

Cycling: 30 miles
• Average speed: 16.6 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:32 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°

I had been on the fence all week on whether or not to run in the Jingle Bell Rock & Run 5K, but ended up not registering. When I got up I was feeling sad with my decision, so I hopped on my spin bike for a nice little alternative workout.

 

Last Week’s Blog Posts

In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…

 

Questions:
  • • Have you ever skipped registering for a race and then regretted your decision? ~ In addition to yesterday’s Jingle Bell Rock & Run, I still regret not running the Flying Pigs Marathon back in the early 2000’s when my friend invited me to go join her for a fun girls race weekend.
  • • What was your favorite workout of the week? ~ Sunday’s run
  • • Did you run in a race this past weekend? ~ No

 

And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!

 

*********************************************************************

 

I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!

 

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 small 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.