First Weekly Wrap of 2018 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

I can't believe that the New Year was just a week ago.  It just seems like it was forever ago, or maybe I can't believe we are already a week into 2018. It's been a busy week with Snow and below freezing temperatures.

Despite freezing temperatures, I ended 2017 and began 2018 with runs.  I was very proud on getting out there even if the high temperature wasn't going to get out of the 20's.  On New Year's Eve I got out there and did my longest run since the Baltimore Marathon Relay.  With the temperatures around 25 degrees and the wind chill at about 16 degrees.  I bundled up with many layers and even found something to put over my face.  I have such a hard time breathing when it's below 35 and I was glad I found the face mask as I wouldn't have been able to finish it.  The run actually wasn't bad at all.  I feel like I dressed well and everything felt good for the whole run.



On New Year's Day I decided to get out there again.  I was carrying my top layer of clothing downstairs where I would finish getting dressed and I dropped something on the stairs and stepped on it and slipped most of the way down.  Beyond the stupid feeling, I also got rug burn on the top of my foot.  What a way to start off the year.  I walked it off and really nothing hurt, so I decided to go through with my run.

Taken a couple days after

The temperatures were about the same from the day before.  The run was another good one.  Getting a normal 3 miles in and just shaking it out from my long run the day before.  I made sure that I didn't push it and just tried to enjoy being outside.  My foot only hurt every so often and that was more of my sock rubbing the tender rug burn area.



Tuesday was my regular gym class day.

Wednesday I debated about going out for a run.  It as 10 degrees!  Yes, 10 degrees, which is the real temperature and not the wind chill.  Thankfully there was no wind, or it would have been worse.  We don't see these types of temperatures here on a normal basis.  I debated on if I should run, but I knew we were to get snow on Thursday and even if it was a little, the roads wouldn't be good for running.  I debated on going to the gym to run on the treadmill, but I hated that thought.  So after much hemming and hawing, I bundled up and headed out for 3 miles.  It was dark and it was cold, but I got out there and got it done.  I could have used some fleece pants or a third layer cause my thighs and buns were cold by the end of the run.  I'm glad I only had 3 miles on the calendar or I would have been an ice cycle.



I woke up Thursday to snow.  Here in Virginia we do not do snow very well.  We do not have the plows or cleanup like other areas do.  So I passed on going to the gym, even though they were open.  It just wouldn't be worth it if something happened on the way there.  So I went out and shoveled the drive way and that was my workout of the day.  And I have to tell you, I used muscles I hadn't used since probably the last time we had snow last year.  I was able to work from home and snuggled on the couch with the Old Lady as we stayed warm.

Taking advantage of the snow day

Since I had done my run on Wednesday I didn't have to worry about a run on Friday.  I was able to get out and go to work.  Though I have to say they hadn't plowed my neighborhood, so that was fun.  But once I was out on the main roads everything was good.  Schools around here were closed for a second day though.

Saturday I decided to push my long run off till Sunday.  I had a bunch of errands I had to run and wanted to get them done first thing.  And I am such a first thing exerciser that I knew I wouldn't do it after.  Plus they still had not plowed the neighborhood so there was no way I was going to get outside to run.  I also kept up on Social Media with those running some cold races down in Disney World.  Congrats to those who participated!!

Sunday came and I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it outside for a run.  They hadn't plowed the neighborhood and at this point I knew they weren't going to.  I don't think we had made it above 25 degrees since Tuesday and it was just ice all over the roads.  I was not going to break my neck just to get a training run in.  So that meant I either had to skip the run or go to the gym.  I really hate going to the gym to run on the treadmill.  I'd more likely run on a treadmill if I had one in my house, but I really don't have the space and can't justify spending the money to just use a handful of times throughout the year.  But times like this, I wish I had one.  So after a lot of hemming and hawing, I got my but in gear and made it to the gym.  I have to say it was packed!  I forgot that it was the New Year's Resolution gang was in full force on top of the normal upswing of people on the weekend.  This was a fallback week, so I only had 4 miles to do.  After I figured out the treadmill, I got to almost half a mile and I knocked out that stupid emergency plug and it stopped.  Once I got it started again, I just decided to start over.  I could handle doing a little extra.  I played around and did different speeds and got into a good rhythm and got the 4 miles done.  It did help that I was able to watch The Sopranos on my iPad.  Though when one of the many scenes came on with ladies with no clothes on I had to look around and make sure no one noticed.  I'd hate to think that others would think I was watching porn or something like that while getting my workout in.

Less then 2 months from Princess weekend.  Even though it took me longer then expected to get into a good training routine, I think the last few weeks have shown me that I could do it.  It feels good to get back into the swing of things again.  I hope that I can keep it up (and not get hurt)!

Oh, and I had to mention how I'm giving more money to runDisney.  Under normal years, if you ran the Star Wars Half in Disneyland and the Star Wars Half in Disney World, you completed the Kessel Run challenge.  And you get the coolest medal of them all, The Mellenium Falcon! 

They just announced that they are putting out the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon.  You can complete that, just like the Shorts Virtual runs and get a medal at the end.  Now if you do the Star Wars Virtual Half and the Star Wars Disney World Half, you complete the Kessel Run Challenge.  With that, you get your Virtual Run medal, all the medals from the completed Star Wars Disney World races, and the Kessel Run challenge medal (plus a "Star Wars-themed Keepsake").  So I had to do it.  I have completed the first two challenges and I need to continue my streak.  Plus I'm just going to use the Princess Half as my Virtual Run.  Is that bad?  It also gives me hope that they are going to bring back the Disneyland races.

Did you get the arctic cold weather or snow this past week?  Do you have a treadmill just for these freezing occasions?  Are you training for any spring races?  

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Happy New Year!! (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

Happy New Year on this last day of 2017. 

This year I did not focus on running.  I took many breaks which has made coming back to running at the end of the year a lot more enjoyable.  I only ran 355.79 miles last year, which included 2 months of no running at all.  Despite the lack of running I did run 9 races and a triathlon.

Instead of running, I did do a good share of biking this past summer.  I got a brand new bike, which I completely am in love with.  I got 591.41 miles of biking in.  I was even in a parade!

On the non-run, non-bike front, I got a new job.  Well two new jobs.  I was laid off at the end of 2016 from a job that I had for 15 years.  After a few months off I got a new job as a contractor.  I helped them move letters from an old system to a new one.  Over the summer I added to my duties and got a title of Scrum Master.  A month ago, I was offered a job as a full time Scrum Master.  This is a job I have been trying to get for the past year an a half.  And after 3 weeks, it's exactly what I want to do.  I hope that it keeps up the fun and challenge.

My cats are still their crazy selves.  My old lady had some issues a few months back.  But she is much better and we found out that her kidney blood work is normal.  They did find a new friend.  I had an outdoor cat come visit almost every day.  She looks in at them and they look out at her.  For the first few months I didn't feed her and she kept coming back.  I saw the enjoyment that she gave my cats, so I started feeding her.  And I did end up name her Duibhe (pronounced Doobie).  It means black in Gaelic.  There is no chance that she will become an indoor cat, but with the freezing temps out there, I want to do what I can for her.

While I took time off from work at the beginning of the year, I did take a Sign Language class.  This is something that really interests me and I wish I could use it on a regular basis so I could really learn it.  Maybe one day....

For Valentine's Day we had a girls night out to do a Murder Mystery Dinner.  This was a lot of fun and we plan on doing it again at some point.

I was lucky enough to see the Eclipse this past year.  Granted it was only 86% of the Eclipse but it was so amazing that I didn't need to see the full thing.  It was a once in a lifetime view.  Though I'm tempted to make plans to see the full one in 7 years.

I did do a lot around my house.  While I had time off in the beginning of the year, I was able to clean out a lot of my house.  This included 10 trips to Goodwill.  While the house is not as clean as it was in March, it still is fairly organized.  I also power washed the side of my house, deck, and front porch.  As well as stained and painted my deck and porch.  The outside looks so nice now.  But there still are things that need to be done.  I also started upgrading some items in my house to start connecting and making my house Smart.  This includes automating my porch lights to go on and off with the sunrise and sunset, my thermostats, and my front door lock.  I have plans on a couple more things that I'd like to connect.

 

 This next year I don't have any grand plans.  I am signed up for two Disney races, but that's it.  I probably will be signing up for a St. Patrick's day race, but not sure if it will be a 5k or 10k.   I really don't have any other real plans.  I'd like to have a vacation where I'm not running.  I haven't had one of those in like 2-3 years.  Beyond that, no plans or goals for 2018.  I don't believe in resolutions, as I know if there is something I want to do, I don't want to wait till New Years.  And I don't want to half heartedly do something just because it's New Years.  

 

Though I have been thinking about doing the #365DaysOfHappy challenge on Instagram.  I don't know if it's something that I want to commit to every day, but I'd like to share what makes me happy each day.  We will see if it happens or not. :)

How was your year?  Any plans for 2018?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

 

Happy New Year! (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

So I haven't done much of anything to report on the running front.  I really just haven't had the motivation to get out there and run.  Though I really need to get a last long run in the next couple of days since I have a half marathon in two weeks.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  While the second half of 2016 really hasn't been that great for me, I'm looking forward to making 2017 a much better year.  2017 will be the year of change.  I will be at some point getting a new job, and at the very least, that will be a lot of change with that.  For now, that means I have a bit of time off. 

With my time off, I'd like to organize my house.  Right now my whole house is a huge mess.  Between half unpacking (and getting things ready for my trip in a couple of weeks), laundry, and cleaning out that room.  You know that room, the one where you throw everything into and close the door.  I'm about half way through cleaning it out.  Which means everything that was in that room is everywhere else in my house.  Bags of trash, recycling, and Goodwill.  I hope to finish sometime this week and get the trash and recycling out for Friday's pickup and all the bags to the Goodwill.  I have a feeling there still will be a ton to do to get things all organized the way I want it to be.  Which will mean more bags of trash, recycling, and Goodwill.

On the race front I am only registered for two races this year, the Star Wars Challenges with runDisney.  As for other races, I'm leaving that up in the air for now.  I'm still thinking about the King Crab Challenge in Maryland, but I will wait a few months to make that decision.

As for resolutions, I usually don't make them.  I always think if there is something that I need to change in my life, I don't need to wait till the New Year to do so.  I need to find a new job, but that really isn't a resolution.  I need to lose weight, but I don't have the motivation right now to go on a diet.  So really, there isn't any resolutions I will be making this year.

Today we are going to be doing our family Christmas celebration.  We didn't want to bring all of our presents to Colorado with us to just bring them back home.  So we will be having presents and our goose Christmas dinner tonight.

Here's to a great 2017!

Do you make resolutions?  What do you hope to get out of 2017?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.