I think this is the most insane December I’ve had in ages—but maybe not the most insane ever. I have pared my to-do list to the bare minimum but am still dashing to get it all done.
I was rewarded by this blazing sunrise after last Monday’s run.
Still Dashing
I’ve got about an hour before I need to head into D.C. to pick up my bib for the Jingle All The Way 15K tomorrow—and maybe some new running shoes?—so I’m going to recap the highlights of the past two weeks.
The photo above is from the 5 mile run I did the Monday after Thanksgiving. I headed out at 6:00 am with my headlamp on, and was rewarded by a spectacular sunrise as I finished.
Tuesday is now yoga day, and I’m still doing my PT exercises (glute bridges, clamshells, etc.) on my mat before class. I am so glad to be back in the hot yoga studio.
As I shared in my coffee date post, I was in Orlando from November 30 through December 5 for our firm retreat and other firm meetings. I worked out in the very brightly lit hotel gym every day but Saturday. I did one short treadmill run, one 6 mile treadmill run that took every last bit of mental strength to finish, and one day I used one of the Peloton bikes—and finally tried a Lanebreak ride (sort of a video game where you score points by hitting certain resistance and cadence targets).
I also did strength workouts in the area over to the left.
On Saturday I went kayaking in Shingle Creek! It was about a 40 min drive from our hotel, but moments after pulling off a busy road we were in a serene space.
I had to by a hat at the hotel gift shop—
this was the only one without Mickey ears.
For some reason when I signed up for a 2 hour kayaking excursion I didn’t realize I would be paddling for two hours. We didn’t keep a frantic pace, but it was an endurance workout for sure!
I was back home for yoga on Tuesday, and then struggled to sort out my workout schedule ahead of my race on Sunday. I did a 3 mile treadmill run on Wednesday (Camilla Ramon’s HIIT class, programmed like a track workout), a 3o min Peloton intervals + arms ride Thursday, and an upper body workout followed by a 20 min Peloton ride Friday.
Saturday I was itching for a run. After warming up with a core class, 10 min strength for runners class, and my PT exercises, I took Scooby out for a 4 mile run. The weather was great (upper 30s) and it felt so good to be outside in daylight!
That said, I spent most of run thinking of all the reasons I don’t want to do the 15K. The hassle of getting my bib. The wasted time before the race, which doesn’t start until 8:30. The course, which includes Hains Point—my least favorite section of the Cherry Blossom route. The dread of not being conditioned for the distance. The stress of getting to my office, and getting changed, caffeinated and fed before my 1:00 pm meeting. Oh, and is that the arch of my right foot feeling off? Did I put off getting new shoes for too long? How stupid would it be to buy new shoes today and wear them tomorrow? (Don’t worry, that’s not my plan).
Hopefully by the time you are reading this I will have gotten over these pre-race regrets and will be on my way to the race—or the finish line.
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
Speaking of Cherry Blossom, have you entered the 2023 lottery yet? The race is April 2, 2023. The lottery is open through December 15.
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Kayaking sounded like fun. It’s great to mix business and pleasure.
And yes I hope you are happy to have run that race. Can’t wait to hear about it.
I know you are going to have fun once you get there. I was really bummed to miss it this year. Hope we can run cherry blossom together this year. You can be my pacer 🙂 I totally would have bought the hat w the mickey ears at that point!
I bet that 15k made you feel energized for that Sunday afternoon business meeting!
Sorry about all the work stress, but well done on fitting in all the workouts. Will you be off over the holidays?
I’m sure by the time I’m reading this you’ve triumphantly finished the race and are busy getting your caffeine and food, and will roll into that meeting feeling great! At least that’s what I’m imagining- you’ll have to let us know how it went.
I hope this week calms down for you a little. I know this time of year can be insanely busy- but at least my work stays about the same- if anything, people are cancelling their massages because they have other things to do (hrumph!)
I’ll be eager to hear more about the race! I saw on FB that you finished and were all prepped and dressed for your meeting. That sunrise pic is amazing! I really miss seeing the sunrises on the regular this time of year. My commute to work is 7ish minutes (if I hit the lights right, LOL), so I don’t get much opportunity to see the sun until mid-morning. I know…first world probs!
That kayaking sounds so fun! But two hours is a lot of paddling 🙂 Way to go!
Oh my goodness, that sky! Beautiful. Looks like Scooby is admiring it too!
I hope all went well with the race and getting to your meeting! I hope this week is quieter for you!
Sometimes, something can seem very troublesome but once you get there, it’s amazing. I hope the race turned out to be a great experience.
Your hot yoga studio looks fantastic, by the way!
You did great at the race! It’s not an easy time to race up here now that the snow machine has started!
That sunrise! And I love your “sweater” top. So cute!
It’s about the time of year that I start missing time on the water. I would have loved that kayaking excursion, although like you, it sounds like a little more work than I want when I’m kayaking, lol
That sunrise is amazing!
I hope you ran your race today!
You’ve had such a busy December so far. I’m so impressed by the number of workouts you are able to get in, despite your schedule and traveling!
I saw your post earlier today and glad to see that the 15K went well!
I hope your race went well and that you were happy you participated once you got started.
Even though the timing of your Florida trip wasn’t the best, it sounds like you had fun and got your workouts completed. I bet your kayaking trips was awesome!
This is not my year for Cherry Blossom. A is going to Philmont (High Adventure Scout Camp) this summer, so that’s the big trip for all of us. One day.
Congratulations on the race!
That sunrise. Gorgeous.
I loved Hains Point, or thought I did until this year when I just wanted to be done – except for the oreos.
Well done on keeping up the routine on a long ish trip!