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Looking Forward to 2024
With 2023 neatly packed away, the year is off to a good start in the fitness department. My first week even included a race with my friends. I adore those ladies and even though we get together several times a year for dinner, I hope I can join them on the running trail a little more in the coming year.
Overview of the Week
Before getting into each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 20 miles
• Average speed: 15.8 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 7:17 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 64° in basement
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra
Walking: 2 miles
• Average pace: 14:57 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 92 feet
• Start time: 11:20 PM
• Location: neighborhood streets
• Weather: 46° (feels like 44°) and partly cloudy, turning mostly sunny
• What I wore: capris, sweatshirt, and windbreaker jacket, gloves, and visor
I started off the morning on my spin bike (affiliate link) and eventually, I took care of a couple of errands on foot rather than driving and spent the entire rest of the day taking down Christmas decorations (not including the garland on the stairs and the main tree). I certainly didn’t adhere to keeping off of my legs as much as possible the day before a race, but I’m on a tight timeline this week and stuff had to be done.
Even though I got a good picture while riding my bike, this outtake is more fun!
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 9:09 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 78 feet
• Start time: 10:10 AM
• Location: Dynasty Brewing
• Weather: 42° (feels like 38°) and overcast, dropping to 39° (feels like 34°), snowed on the drive home
• What I wore: capris, l/s t-shirt, light shell, ear warmer headband, gloves, mittens, and visor (took jacket off after first mile)
With a late race start, I was able to sleep in a little bit, but still got up in time to lift upper body and core before the race (I did legs later in the afternoon). It was wonderful starting the new year with these amazing longtime friends. Despite my lackluster training and the 10-year age groups, I managed to snag 2nd place out of 21 women. It’s worth pointing out that our age group was won by a 69 year old lady! I plan to post the recap this week.
Tuesday
Rest day; although I taught a fitness machines orientation class at the 55+ gym so I spent 2 hours demoing how to use each piece of equipment.
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Cycling: 20 miles
• Average speed: 13.6 MPH
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Surface: mostly paved
• Elevation gain: 665 feet
• Start time: 2:22 PM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Leesburg loop
• Weather: 48° and sunny, dropping to 47° (feels like 45°)
• What I wore: bike shorts, leg sleeves, l/s jersey, jacket, earflap hat, and gloves
With two sick clients and one on vacation, I was finished with work by 1 PM and took advantage of my extra time by heading outside for a ride.
Thursday
Walking: 4 miles
• Average pace: 15:23 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 149 feet
• Start time: 6:06 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 34° and cloudy
• What I wore: capris, l/s t-shirt, down jacket, ear warmer headband, gloves, mittens, and visor
I walked while Kim ran and then cycled during our weekly virtual cardio workout. While out, we enjoyed the last of the the Christmas lights in our respective neighborhoods.
Collage credit: Kim
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: 14:12 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 10:29 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°
• What I wore: capris and jog bra
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Drive to Charlotte
I worked before we left for a quick whirlwind trip to Charlotte. As always, Pablo was beyond excited to see us, but since we arrived so late in the evening, he promptly returned to bed.
Saturday
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: 26:16 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 107 feet
• Start time: 1:53 PM
• Location: Pablo’s neighborhood
• Weather: 42° and overcast
• What I wore: capris, l/s shirt, velour jacket, and gloves
During a break in the rain, we took Pablo for a walk. The weather forecast had called for rain all day (possibly even ice), so we were happy to get outside.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • How is your 2024 starting? ~ can’t complain
- • Which workouts were your most enjoyable, toughest, and/or memorable? ~ It was so fun to get back into the racing scene with my friends!
- • Did you run in race on New Year’s Day or this weekend? ~ yes
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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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.
I can’t complain about the start of 2024 either! I’m hoping to ride the wave of 2023 forward. No races yet, but I do have one coming up in February!
Riding the fitness wave of 2023 forward sounds like a good plan for me, too.
Oh Pablo, what a cute scruffers…
Great job on the 5k! Looks like a fun one- and you still packed in so much strength around it! Great work.
Looks like the sun was shining there, that always helps!
Thanks, Jessie! It was fun getting back out for a race. I’ve missed them!
Sounds like a great start to the year!
My first week of the year went pretty well too. I hope the trend continues!
Thanks, Coco! Yes, let’s hope the trend continues!
Sounds like you had a great first week of 2024! Congrats on your AG award — that’s very impressive with 21 people in your AG.
How nice to spend some more time with Pablo (and of course his humans, LOL).
Thanks, Judy! And yes, it’s always nice to spend time with our son, d-i-l, and Pablo!
Very nice job on the 5K! We used to have a group NYD run at the lake, but it kind of died after the pandemic. It was nice to meet up with Barb, though, at the site and run the route-from-years-past. I Hope all goes well on your bike trip!!
Thanks, Kim! Happy to hear you and Barb are keeping the NYD run at the lake alive.
That’s a good, active start of the year. Congrats to almost winning your age group in the race! And nice with a “bonus” bike ride. I think I’ve totally missed who Pablo is? He’s super cute, however!
Thanks, Susanne!
Pablo is my son and d-i-l’s dog. They used to live nearby so Pablo made regular appearances on my blog and IG. They’ve moved six hours away to Charlotte, NC so we don’t get to see him (and them) as often.
Congrats on your race. I was sad to miss mine even if it was a free one.
My favorite of the week is being able to limp all over Manhattan… it’s so beautiful this time of year.
Thanks, Darlene! I’m glad you were able to enjoy Manhattan.
Sounds like a great start to the year! Congrats on your 5K and AG!
Thanks, Michelle!
Love your snow tights.
LOL Pablo “Yay hoomans, but yayer sleep”
COngratulations on an amazing week
Oh wow!! You start off 2024 with a race! How wonderful! And well done on that 2nd place in your AG!
That’s amazing that a 69 won in your age group – it makes you think how well she must have run when she was younger.
I’m impressed that you do gym work on race day! Very disciplined!
Thanks, Catrina! Normally, I would have just skipped lifting, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to fit it in much this week and next and I didn’t want to miss too many sessions. We’re in Florida riding our bikes from the east coast to the west this week!
What?! That’s so exciting! I always wanted to do that when we stayed in Naples, FL but never followed through on the idea. Fantastic!
I also can’t really complain about the start of 2024, except I wish I had more outdoor runs! But we’ve been lucky with not too much snow so far. Starting with a race is so fun! I’ve never done that before but it sounds like a great way to kick off the year.
I bet your children would love starting off the new year with a race. 🙂
The 69 year old won the age group? Wow, good for her! And good job to you!! Those 10 year brackets do make it a challenge. Two women close to my age are on the local racing team. I always know I won’t be winning anything when I see them at a race!
Yes, isn’t that fantastic? HaHa, and yes, I have the same thing happening when I see a certain women at a race. One time though, she was first women OVERALL so I actually had a chance and won our age group!