This week seemed long and complicated. I think it’s because I’m participating in NaBloPoMo (posting every day for the month of November.) It seems to make time go by very slowly… but in a good way, if that makes any sense. Anyway! Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Here’s how the week went:
Sunday
11.5 mile trail run! This was a fun adventure, and I discovered a part of the trail I had never seen before.
If you asked me, “What is this trail you’re running on?” I wouldn’t be able to tell you. It’s not part of a park, and there’s no sign with a name on it. It seems like an area that everyone forgot about, in between the neighborhoods and where the Everglades begin. Except that someone is maintaining these trails, and I can’t figure out why. I rarely see other runners, just an occasional cyclist. It’s a mystery! I’m a little afraid someone will say “Wait a minute! We should build houses here, or put a road in.” But so far, so good.
Remember how this trail has NO SHADE? Well, I found a completely shaded path… it was like stepping into a magical world.
Unfortunately it only lasted about half a mile before the ground basically turned into a swamp, so I turned around. But we just had a lot of rain from Nicole, so I’m hoping if I go back in a couple weeks- when and if our dry season starts- I’ll be able to run through that area.
Monday
All right, back to reality. I’m still working my way through the Caroline Girvan Iron Series… I will get to the end eventually! This was Day #20: arms, abs and core.
Based on how sore I was the next day, I think this was the best core workout I’ve ever done. The abs part was just ten minutes or so, sandwiched between biceps and triceps, and… ouch. The next day I think every single muscle in my core hurt. I would go back and just do this part again, to get in a great abs workout.
Tuesday
4 mile run, followed by plyometrics. I decided that yesterday’s abs workout counted as Planksgiving for the rest of the week!, ha ha.
Wednesday
3 mile run- it was a hectic morning, because I had a dentist appointment (grr.) I was in such a hurry I forgot to take a picture.
Hey, what about those “goals and plans?” you might be thinking. Weeeeeell… in this post, I talked about how I signed up for a 50K trail race in April!!! I was going back and forth about attempting it… but now that I’m registered I’m excited about it.
And, here I talked about how I went back to the gym! I didn’t actually go to work out (yet) but actually to upgrade my membership so that I can bring my son as a guest. Yes, I’m heading back to the gym so I can start lifting heavier weights. I’m not quite as excited about this as I am about the race- but I’m determined to do it.
Thursday
Back to Caroline Girvan. This was Day #21, leg day. As always- ouch. These workouts are HARD! When I get into the second half, I start fantasizing about that music she plays when “DONE” flashes on the screen (fellow Girvinators, you know what I mean?) Oh, I love that moment.
Friday
Another 4 mile run, followed by plyometrics. I don’t know… I think the plyometrics might be aggravating my foot. Why are these things always so complicated? I feel like every piece of advice should be followed by an asterisk- *yes, but…
Two things about this photo- one, it got down to 62 degrees and I’m wearing my favorite “winter” tank top- it’s the Essential Tank from Lululemon. And… it’s a little hard to see, but the house behind me actually has decorations for Thanksgiving! I’m impressed!
Saturday
I did my usual Saturday morning sleep in… but then did a Caroline Girvan workout in the afternoon. Day #22: chest and back. Next week is going to be complicated- I’m not sure when we’re going to the gym- and I didn’t want to take today off.
Also in the afternoon I watched Baylor lose, heartbreakingly, in the last seconds of the game, 29-28 to TCU. Yes, our old arch nemesis, the Horned Frogs. Remember how I thought that was a weird name for a football team? Well, we looked it up! The original name of TCU’s team was the “Fightin’ Preacher Boys.” TEE HEE. I would say Horned Frogs is an improvement, but they’re really bad at naming football teams. Or maybe I’m just mad they beat us.
And…. my son arrived home late at night!!!!!!!!!!!! Happiness.
Sunday
This is a tough one. I didn’t get to bed till after midnight. There’s a lot going on today, AND it’s supposed to rain. But a long run of some sort must occur! We’ll see how it all works out.
So… we kind of had a cool down this week- Friday morning was the “coldest” at 62 and we were able to turn the AC off for a little… but now it’s back on. However! It looks like all that cold air up north will make its way down to us late next week. I see 50s in our forecast. Hooray!
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? – I can’t say I’m “ready” but now that my son is home, it feels very festive!
Who’s running a Turkey Trot? – I am!
51 Responses
A 50k! How exciting! How lovely that you have that trail to train on.
Remind me of the basics of your strength program- is it free? How do you find/follow it? It sounds amazing!
I just did day 1 of the Iron Strengtb program. Whew! Great rec!
Okay glad you found it. Day 1 is hard! I remember that one.
So great to see you back to your long runs again. It’s always fun to find a new running spot. LOL on the winter tank top. That is really exciting that you are doing a 50K. I also thought plyo work aggravated my feet a while back and I stopped doing it.
Yes- I’m definitely stopping them, which is a bummer. Oh well- I need that foot to be functional!
Glad you’ve been able to get out and run. Good luck with week with everything- it must be so nice to have your son home.
Yes, it’s amazing! Things feel very Thanksgiving-ish now.
So glad your son is home! Cue all the jazz hands and let the feasting and gym-going commence.
I’m very excited to follow along with your training and all the other prep that goes into getting ready for a 50K!
Yes, it’s so great to have him here! We haven’t even talked about Thanksgiving yet, but we’re making a big feast for tonight.
Wow, a 50k! Good for you! A few years ago, it was a goal but not anymore. I’m happy to cheer you on, tho!
That’s pretty funny about TCU! I never understood the ‘horned frog’ mascot. Enjoy your Thanksgiving! It’s nice to have everyone home. My youngest comes home Wednesday night (they have classes that day) and we’re running a TT on Thursday.
You’re running a Turkey Trot with your son? How fun! Mine will come to the gym with me, but I don’t think he’ll ever run a race.
How exciting to have a 50k trail race planned! I don’t need to do another thank goodness but I enjoyed mine a few years back. And what a lovely shaded magical path, too.
I remember reading about yours!
A. 50K trail race is a big plan and goal! Hopefully that new part of the trail proves to be a good training ground.
Yay on your son being home — and going to the gym with him. I guess that will be over Thanksgiving and winter break?
It’s funny how quickly our brains learn those Pavlovian responses — although instead of drooling I guess your muscles are just relaxing. 😉
We’ll go twice this week (although we’re still negotiating this) and then I’ll go on my own for a few weeks- then we’ll go together again when he’s home for Christmas. I can tell already he and I have different goals here though!
Yay for your one “cool”day (ironically, it was one of our coldest days as well ). I saw that Baylor lost in the last few seconds. Michigan was almost upset by Illinois, but they scored a fiend goal, also, in the final seconds. It was another crazy weekend of football! And, of course, I’ll be trotting on Thursday:-)
Yes, there were a lot of exciting games this weekend. In spite of my disappointment, I love college football.
Actually giggling over here at your winter tank top.
My husband was watching college football on Saturday and I saw that one of the teams was Baylor and I thought of you! I didn’t watch it or even look at the score so I had no idea if they won or lost, too bad.
That trail is so pretty!
Well- that game was a great one to watch, if you were rooting for the other team. It was really exciting at the end.
Congrats on signing up for that 50k! I can’t imagine. Seriously, I can’t! But you go girl!
Funny, 60 would feel REALLY good up here right now, LOL!
The good thing about going to my mom is I don’t have to deal with Thanksgiving (and I’m the only one that goes, well, Bandit & my husband will come, too).
Yes, you’ll have a relatively stree-free Thanksgiving- that’s good.
60s is sounding better and better to me after hearing about everyone else’s weather!
Congrats on registering for a 50K trail race in April. I can’t wait to follow along with your training!
Yes, I’m registered for a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning. As of now, the forecast is for 24° at the start of the race. Let’s hope that changes by race day.
Oh boy… that sounds CHILLY. I hope it’s not windy!
I’m also excited to train for this, especially since it will get me out on trails more often. And I’ll be running on some new and different trails, which I’m looking forward to.
I’m not sayin’ you’re a goal digger but…
If you’re looking for more CG abs, check out her shorter videos that just target one body part. And this is kind of a spoiler, but she uses different music for each series! Would you believe that I can’t really remember the Iron soundtrack now? By day 22 it felt like I had all of those songs memorized. But yes, it’s always sweet when the “done” sound comes on.
In theory I’m ready for Thanksgiving??? I did all of the shopping yesterday which was about 75% of what I needed to do.
Yes, I could just find some of her shorter core workouts- that’s probably what I’ll do. It’s funny because right now I feel like I’ll never forget this music- but once I’m done I probably will.
That trail looks gorgeous. I have one near my house that’s only really passable for about four months out of the year because otherwise it’s swamped.
Okay, so the thing I took away from this is that you don’t do your CG workouts on mute. I have no idea what the music sounds like because I mute it and listen to my own stuff and just rely on the closed captioning. I am dumbfounded because I assumed that this is what we all did all the time with YouTube videos and the terrible music that is frequently used there. LOL
I agree the music is terrible!!! Don’t ask me why I don’t play my own music- I know other people are doing that. Maybe I should try it out… although then I would miss the “Done” music and that might make me sad.
Yay. On the 50k. Should be exciting. What about 13.1 in Feb.
No prep for me since I’m going to my SIL. But I’m running a 10k first.
Teens today with the wind chill. Just saying.
Ack! When I hear about the weather up north, I’m less likely to complain about the heat here.
I actually still haven’t signed up for the half in February, but I’ll do it, since you’re running it and so is my husband.
50K and lifting heavy – I like your goals!
I caught the end of the TCU/Baylor game and thought of you…definitely a tough loss. Yay for your son being home – enjoy your time with him!
Thank you Michelle! I’m definitely enjoying his time here so far- we had a really nice day.
I don’t run, but here in California in summer, I often am in search of shade for my walk. It can be difficult to find, so often my solution is to go first thing in the morning. This works for me, I am a morning person, so going before the sun gets too high is usually the answer. This time of year is the only time when I am OK with waiting until 10 or so on weekends.
50K, that’s amazing. Enjoy your training, and of course, having your son home!
Yes- getting out the door as early as possible is the only way to run here in the summer. Strangely, our weather right now still feels like “summer.” But we’ll cool down eventually, and then I won’t be searching for shade as desperately.
Must be nice to have both kids back in the house for a bit. It still takes a couple of years for us but I already dread it…
Meike, it was the hardest thing in my life when my son went away to college. But… what can we do? They have to go at some point. It’s amazing to have him home this week.
I cannot believe we are almost parents of college kids! I love reading how happy you are to see him 🙂
Yes, you’ll be there soon. Having him home again is the best.
Enjoy having everyone home for the holidays! Both my girls have colds but what can you do? I’m still glad everyone is here. I missed the memo on the 50k! That’s an amazing goal! Georgia Tech had an incredible win over UNC last weekend. You do not go to GaTech for the football but still it was SO fun to see them pull off such a big upset! Haha!
It was a great weekend for football (unless you’re a Baylor fan.) That’s a bummer your girls are sick- but the important thing is everyone is home.
Sorry I missed the news that you signed up for a 50K race – that’s awesome! I look forward to following along on your training journey for that race.
It’s going to be so great to have everyone home for the holidays – enjoy!
Yes, it feels good (although the house seems so crowded!) I hope you’re enjoying your week off.
Yay for exciting races coming up! I need to get something on my Spring schedule so far I have nothing planned. I’m kinda enjoying the downtime, but at the same time it’s hard for me to stay motivated and work out consistently without a race :-/
I had a friend who went to TCU I always laughed at the Horned Frogs name. I thought it was funny when I was in college.
Well, you just finished that ultra obstacle race so you deserve some downtime! I know what you mean though… it’s hard to train seriously without a race scheduled.
I’m so glad your son is home to add to the holiday spirit!
What a pretty shaded trail! I do hope you get that dry season!
Amazing that you are in sports bra and shorts! It was 41 when I went out the other day!
41??????? Wow… northern Florida is vastly different than South Florida. I’m kind of wishing I lived up there.
I only have to bring 2 side dishes to Thanksgiving – a veggie tray + dip and a brussel sprout salad. So I feel pretty ready since I have to do so little. But then I’m hosting college friends on Sunday and have to make cookies and then a meal for them so I have other things to prepare for over Tgiving weekend. But I’m trying to not get stressed and just go with the flow because I know the joy of the weekend is about being together, not how perfect the meals or food are, etc etc. I am a recovering perfectionist so need to remind myself of this over and over.
I’m glad your Paul is back home with you!!
And I am doing a 10k drumstick dash – it’s 2 laps around the lake I run around so it’s familiar territory and very very conveniently located!
Yes, you have a busy weekend- I’m glad you have an easy Thanksgiving prep. I want to hear about this cookie party on Sunday! And good luck on your “drumstick dash”- ha ha, a more creative take on “turkey trot.”
I love your discipline, Jenny. You know how to stick to workouts.
And yay for running a turkey trot and having your son home.
I hope you’re having a great Thanksgiving ( I am not ready).
I’m not ready either and it’s Tuesday night now! But I’ll get it all done.
That trail looks beautiful. I love those natural arched walks. What a fun way to be. running at. Hope you can enjoy it more often when it is a bit less swampy.
Yes, I’m looking forward to running there in the winter, which is our dry season.