It’s hard to believe that 23 months ago we drove through a southern snowstorm to take my son to Clemson to start his graduate school career. This week, it was pouring rain when we packed up his apartment to bring him home, Master’s Degree in Mathematics in hand. On our first drive to Clemson we listened to the Hamilton soundtrack I had downloaded from Amazon Prime Music; this time we listened to compelling podcasts. I’m not sure I could have coped with so much driving over three days without such good entertainment.
We are so proud of our boy genius! 😉
Thursday was quite a day. We picked up the UHaul at 9:00 am, packed and loaded it until noon, quickly changed for the 1:30 graduation ceremony, enjoyed that for 2 hours, and then finished packing and loading just in time to change again for our celebratory dinner reservations. Phew!
Weekly Wrap + Podcast Favorites
Between getting ahead of work deadlines, driving to/from Clemson, and getting as ready for Christmas as I’ll ever be, it was a hectic week. I’m going to keep it simple for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly and Wendy and also share the podcasts we enjoyed listening to on our long drives.
Monday: Orange Theory Fitness + work + physical therapy
Tuesday: Cyclebar + work
Wednesday: Physical therapy exercises + driving to Clemson
S-Town kept us entertained for most of the the drive.
Thursday: 5 mile run + packing
I was aiming for 4 miles, but hadn’t mapped out my route around campus. When my Garmin read 4.8 when I got back to the hotel, I did two laps around the building to hit 5.0. You know you would have done the same!
Friday: Physical Therapy exercises + driving home
The hotel gym didn’t have much equipment, but I brought my own exercise bands and there was a fitness ball I used for those darn hamstring curls.
We knew S-Town was going to be hard to beat, but after searching for audiobooks (the Grisham books were too long) and other podcasts, we settled on Dr. Death.
Mom already had decided against back surgery,
but after listening to this she may never change her mind!
Saturday: 7 Scooby Miles
After nearly 10 hours in the car on Friday, my legs were almost as ready to run as Scooby was. I was chasing a good view of the Masonic Temple, and ended up in a neighborhood behind its back fence just as it was getting light.
George Washington Masonic National Memorial (a/k/a Masonic Temple)
Sunday: Physical therapy exercises
I’ve been asked to share my exercises, and will with the disclaimer that they were prescribed after an in-depth evaluation of my particular strengths and weaknesses at this time.
For the “airplane” exercise, I hold a foam roller vertically on the top of my moving foot to help maintain form and alignment. For the clam shells, I use an easier resistance band than I would have chosen to focus on form and range of motion without further aggravating my muscles.
And that’s a wrap!
Have you done all your Christmas wrapping?
What’s your favorite “story” podcast?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Great sunset shot of the Masonic Temple
Timing audio & drive lengths can be nutty. Remember years ago after road trip to Philly bringing the CD into the house so we could listen to the end. Another time after a trip to MA I went to the library to get the paperback out (pre ebooks!) so I could finish the story. Led to a binge in Patricia Cornwell books
Hah! I’m not sure I’d be that dedicated to knowing the ending, but maybe if it was really good!
I’ve not been able to get into podcasts really. I should try again. Huge congrats to your son and all of you. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas
I’ve only listened on long drives. They definitely keep my attention. Happy Holidays to you – let’s make plans when you get back!
Congrats to your son! What’s next for him?
My youngest and I listened to S-town a few summers ago–we never finished it. I just don’t know if I”m a podcast gal. I like music better, I think.
It was easy to listen to them all at once on our long drive. It was easier to get four people of three generations to agree on than music would have been. 😉
My son starts work January 2 for the place he’s been interning over breaks, and probably is already apartment hunting. :-/
Huge congrats to your son! Will he be home now for a while?
Podcast are starting to grow on me – especially good for a long car ride.
Hope you and your family have a great Christmas!
Thanks! He’s got a local job but I think he’s looking to move into his own place as soon as he can find one — I’m in no hurry for that to happen, but I understand how he feels. 😉 Merry Christmas to your family too!
I have not done podcasts…just not my gig. My Christmas wrapping is pretty much done….just a couple of last-minute impulse buys left. Just finished my baking, though!!!! Congrats to your son!
Thanks! I finished my shopping and then my baking. Once I start in the kitchen it’s hard to stop. I hope you have a great Christmas with your family! <3
Sounds like you crammed in quite a bit of activity despite the busy week. Congrats to your son! Now what’s next for him?
I also rarely listen to podcasts. Maybe now that I’m knitting more. But I’m thinking of checking out audio books.
Merry Christmas, Coco!
The audiobooks we could think of were too long, but they would be good for knitting. Happy Christmas Day to you too – I know you don’t celebrate but you can still have a nice day. 😉
I could have a nice day, except I went to my parents (my sister & niece have the day off so it just works), and that’s always a stressful & tiring day. I really should go more often though. 🙁
Merry Christmas Eve!
Super congrats to your son – what an amazing achievement!!
You certainly had a very busy week. I hope that you’re able to relax and enjoy the Christmas break.
Thanks! We celebrated Christmas yesterday so I am getting a head start on relaxing. 😉
Congrats to your son! Sounds like it was a really busy week. Thanks for sharing the podcasts, I’m always looking for new podcasts to check out 🙂
Thanks. It was crazy but not as crazy as I feared. 😉
I usually listen to podcasts on long drives. Love them. Good for you getting it done in the hotel gym. I avoid them if possible.
Congrats to your son. Happy Holidays.
It was too rainy to run again, so I really had no choice. Any podcasts you recommend?
I listen to running ones – Run This World, Another Mother Runner, Ali on the Run, I’ll have another.
Great photos and yes I would totally have rounded that up. I was shattered yesterday finishing my long run but had to loop round to make it tidy!
Christmas all ready here except we never put up any decorations so are going to display a few now …
Sounds like a good plan! I do enjoy decorations even if they are a hassle to put up. Merry Christmas!
We finished wrapping late last night. We have some snoopy little friends in the house so it has to wait.
Congratulations to your son! What an awesome accomplishment!
Hamilton will get me through any road trip. I am currently listening to My Dad Wrote a Porno, which reduces me to laughing to tears. I also loved Serial and Dirty John was incredible. Dr. Death will be next on my list.