It really is looking a lot like Christmas around here, and that’s a good thing since Christmas is only 10 days away. Yikes!
I warned my new colleague from Minnesota
that this is a typical amount of “snow” for our area.
Looking A Lot Like Christmas
OK, our snow might not be impressive, but I think the Capitol Christmas tree is pretty special. I love its tiny colored lights, and whether you view it from the Capitol steps with the Washington Monument in the background, or facing the Capitol (shown in my weekly run down below), the whole scene is just plain beautiful.
You can barely make out the Lincoln Memorial
behind the Washington Monument
The Christmas tree at my office complex isn’t too shabby either.
I even got our tree up at home, figuring I was on the verge of now or never.
Our tree and its reflections!
Today my house will be filled with the wonderful smells of baking butter and melting chocolate as five friends come over for our annual cookie bake-a-thon. You can check Instagram for pictures–we’re trying a few new recipes.
Weekly Run Down
I switched up my workout schedule and that left me confused all week. I went to OTF Monday instead of Friday, Cyclebar Tuesday instead of Wednesday, and did my long run Friday instead of Saturday.
Monday: Orangetheory Fitness
The theme of this Fitmas workout was “9 Reps Increasing” and we did a lot of single leg moves that reminded me how much I need to do them. On the treadmill we ran decreasing distances at a “push” pace with increasing reps of med ball squat-to-overhead press moves in between. On the rower we did increasing distances with increasing reps of squats in between.
Tuesday: Cyclebar
I don’t always mention it, but I’ve gotten into a good routine of stretching and planking after my Cyclebar classes.
Wednesday: Strength Workout
This was our “snowy” morning, so it was too slick for Scooby Miles. I did a strength workout at home and included the single leg moves from Monday’s OTF class.
Thursday: Corepower Yoga
We are still working on forearm stand. This week I was able to kick both legs up over my head for a full second a few times. When it happens, I have to tell my brain that it’s is what I’m trying to do and don’t need to come down right away. It’s not quite panic, but more how can this be right?
Friday: 8 mile run
With a rainy Saturday in the forecast and my first conference call not until 10 am, I decided to squeeze in an 8 mile run on Friday and see the Capitol Christmas tree. Not only was I rewarded with a fantastic view, but this run felt great. Most of my splits were in the 9:30ish range. I’m calling it my I-still-need-time-for-Starbucks-before-work pace.
Walls, fences, and guards kept me further away on this side.
Saturday: Orangetheory Fitness
With rain in the forecast, I felt lucky to be able to get into a 6 am class. We did two laps around the room, doing “push” pace intervals during the first treadmill block and incline intervals during the second. During the second round on the floor we used the mini bands, and did monster walks, banded bench sit-stands, and forearm plank toe taps.
Sunday: 1 mile walk with Scooby and hours on my feet baking!
Last weekend I tried a new pecan bar recipe to send to my in-laws.
They are delicious but super sweet–think brittle on a shortbread base.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up
–join in for motivation and encouragement!
Are you celebrating any accomplishments this week?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Baking should be a sport! I don’t do nearly as much lately, but it can be really tiring.
I like shoulder stand — that I can do. Handstands, headstands, nope. I haven’t been working on them at all, either. Once I finish up my Kundalini stretch, I’ll probably work more on balance — I can always use balance work!
Most of our snow is gone. Unfortunately more may be on the way, but not quite as epic an storm. Or so we hope.
I hope the weather’s not too bad. Shoulder stand is a good one. I’d never thought I’d try the others, but Anne’s classes always make it worth trying.
With the exception of the Wisco cookies I made last week, I haven’t done any holiday baking! I’m going to start tonight with a new-to-us cookie. I’ll share if it’s good. Enjoy your baking and BTW, you have more snow than we do!
I am so tired, but my house smells so good! Next weekend I’ll do cranberry bread.
I wish I had time to bake cookies. I used to do it a lot for the holidays.
Glad to read you’re running.
I can’t wait to be back at it.
Baking always takes longer than I expect—especially if decorations are involved! I hope you foot gets better soon’
Yeah me too. And I agree baking takes time which this current job does not give me. Plus the kids are grown so no one to eat them.
Oh, those pecan bars sound divine! The big accomplishment this week will be our son’s graduation from the U of Iowa on Saturday! Everything pales in comparison to that, at least for this coming week 🙂 Those pics of the Capital Christmas tree are so amazing 🙂
Congratulations! We had a December graduation last year! It made the season even more crazy but also more joyful !
I saw your cookie pic I bet your house did smell amazing. Freshly baked cookies has to be the best smell ever
It really does smell like baking butter! And now my freezer is full of cookies..
Oh…those pecan bars look and sound wonderful! I didn’t bake this year, but I am weakening. My 2 youngest sons are home and they are requesting some of my Christmas cookies. Maybe just one batch…
You always have such an interesting mix of workouts in your week. Nice 8-miler!
In another life, I used to bake for weeks at the holidays. truly if it was an Olympic sport, I’d be on the team! But that was 30 lbs ago. SO fun to do a bakeathon though! Your festive views are amazing! We just got a dusting of snow overnight. Makes everything prettier!
I have really enjoyed seeing all of the holiday decorations around my town this week. I hope that it helps get more people in the Christmas spirit!
I saw your cookie posts on Instagram and they all look so good! Looks like you had some really pretty holiday sights on your run 🙂
The pecan bars sound amazing! I have been so short on time this year that I have not done any baking yet!! We are getting a snow storm here today!
Oh, those trees in the city are stunning. I would love to see DC at the holidays. It must be gorgeous.
I haven’t done any baking but the boys have. Mr PugRunner was worn right out from the effort LOL. He has no idea what it takes to get this holiday going around here LOL.
LOL still need time for Starbucks pace. Congrats on that. And love your Cyclebar tank
It sounds like you had a great week! Like you, I’ve been so confused about what day it is all week because I ran on Monday and today instead of my usual Tuesday and Thursday…
I love the “I still need time for Starbucks before work pace”, I do the same thing.
I was thinking of maybe baking cookies for the neighbors this weekend. I need to give them away…cookies are my weakness. 😉
We were so behind on Christmas decorating last year that I vowed to get it done early this year. Ah, the best laid plans! But, our tree is up and beautifully decorated. At this point we won’t do much more. Your tree is beautiful! Have a very merry Christmas!