Whew, what a week. I’m sure it was an unusual week for most people. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the weekly rundown. And thanks to San for organizing NaBloPoMo– we’re in the home stretch! Here’s how the week of workouts went down…
Sunday
Ugh. My son got home late, late on Saturday night and I didn’t get to bed until after 1 am. I woke up to a rainy Sunday with a headache. I wanted to stay home and make a big breakfast…. but I HAD TO get out and do some sort of longer run.
I did 7 miles, and never felt good for the whole run. Of course I was thinking, “How am I going to run a 50K in April if I can’t even run 7 miles now?” Oh well- I got it done, and returned home to find both kids still asleep.
Monday
Day off! I got eight hours of sleep and it felt amazing.
Tuesday
I did a 4 mile run, which felt great except that my stomach hurt. I can tell every run from now on will be accompanied by thoughts like this: “How am I going to run a 50K if my stomach hurts?” Ha ha… this is going to be a long four months.
Wednesday
It was the day of the BIG TRIP TO THE GYM! Remember how my son and I were going to go together? Here’s the timeline:
9:00- wake up son. Remind him that we’re going to the gym at 10:00.
9:20- check on son. Son mumbles sleepily.
10:00- enter son’s room wearing gym clothes. Threaten to leave without him. Son mumbles incoherently again.
10:20- leave for the gym alone.
YES. I went to the gym all by myself! Not only did I work out, but it turns out I haven’t been there in so long, I get a free complimentary training session, which is scheduled for next Wednesday. Ironically, the trainer’s name is Paul, the same as my son.
Noon: return home to find Paul (my son) JUST GETTING OUT OF BED. When I told him I have a session with my new trainer, Paul, next Wednesday, he said “Oh, I see I’ve been replaced!” Well, yes- if you’re not going to come to the gym with me, I’ll find a new Paul!
Thursday
Turkey Trot! It was a 5K and I also ran a mile to warm up. It was possibly the slowest 5K I’ve ever “raced,” but that’s okay- I just tried to enjoy it. It was also possibly the hottest Thanksgiving ever- I think the heat index was in the upper 80s by the afternoon. Sigh.
Friday
Woke up with sore legs- not sure if it was from the race, or the squats I did at the gym on Wednesday. I didn’t want to run, and I didn’t want to do any strength work because the plan once again was to go to the gym on Saturday. I ended up walking for two miles, and then doing a Caroline Girvan 15 minute abs workout.
And, we decorated the tree and are in the process of Christmas-ing up the house!
Saturday
Okay, who are we kidding. We’re not going to the gym. I worked in the morning and then neither of us felt like it. But we have big plans for Christmas break! My son will be home for a whole month, and we’ll be going to the gym together then. I hope.
Instead I did Day #24 in the Caroline Girvan Iron Series- it was a full body workout. I actually- temporarily- skipped over Day #23 because it was glutes and hamstrings, which seemed a little too intense for the day before a long run. There were legs in this one, but at least it wasn’t ALL legs.
Sunday
Boy, we really nailed the worst travel schedule ever this time. My son arrived home late at night last weekend, and this morning his flight leaves at 6 am. My husband will take him to the airport, but I’ll still be up at 4 am to make his breakfast and see them off.
But a long run must occur! I have to make it happen, especially since I didn’t do it last week.
This week was both festive and a little frantic- I’m torn between feeling sad that it’s over, and relieved to get back to a normal schedule. I only went to the gym once, but I did go- and I’ll be back next week for my training session. It’s a start!
How was your week? Did you keep to a workout schedule, or have to modify because of the holiday?
Are you happy or sad that Thanksgiving is over?
47 Responses
We had a crazy busy weekend like you! And it was the best! I truly thought my son would bail on the Turkey Trot–they had to get up at 6 30–but it happened! And yesterday, my oldest and his GF drove up to the lake with us–at 7 am. What is happening here? You know I’m happy!
Glad you made it to the gym! 45# on the bench press is great! Looking forward to seeing more of your workouts, ahem…
I’ll post more workouts! I’m still trying to figure out exactly what they’ll consist of- I’m hoping my training session on Wednesday will help me have a plan.
Yes, you must be happy- all that time with your sons, it’s the best. I’m impressed with all the early rising! That was definitely a stumbling black around here last week… but you know, college kids…
Glad you had a good Thanksgiving.
LOL on your gym Paul. I’m so used to having even my office gym mostly to myself, that looks like a lot of people for mid-day on a weekday. I guess there’s enough equipment to go around.
I picked a 7 am flight home from my work retreat next week. It will be rough heading to the airport at 5, but I figured after 5 days I will be ready to get home. It’s also the only way to salvage part of the day I fly home.
Actually, I wasn’t happy with how crowded the gym was. I’m hoping on a normal week it will be better.
I don’t think my son was too happy getting up at 4 am, but I think he’s happy to be back early and have the day to settle in before classes start tomorrow.
Substitute husband for son and you almost have my Thanksgiving morning. Not that we were doing anything fitness wise, but I wanted to get on the road earlier so we could walk a bit more at our pitstop. It might have prevented Bandit’s accident later . . . or maybe it’s old age. Who knows.
You spent time with your son — you don’t get enough of that, and now you’re back to normal you’ll get that fitness in. How will you run 50k? You’ll train for it, that’s how it happens!
Yes- I have to keep reminding myself, the race is NOT TOMORROW. It’s in April.
Funny story about your husband- yes, it’s hard to coordinate schedules sometimes!
Nice job getting to the gym!! That’s funny about your son! My son was talking about going to his gym (he just officially moved back to Iowa last week & I totally spaced on mentioning it on the blog). He even asked (ever so briefly) about races…so maybe, just maybe, I’ll get him to do a race with me in 2023. Fingers crossed!
That would be fun! My son absolutely hates running, so I don’t think he’ll ever do a race with me. But it encourages me even more to focus on strength training, since that’s one thing we do have in common.
You must be happy your son moved back!
It was busy with the kids home over here as well! They do throw off the schedule a bit. I have had those same thoughts of ” how am I going to run x miles for a race when I can’t even run x miles today?” somehow, it just all works out! Too early to worry 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes, that’s going to be my motto- “too early to worry.” I like it!
Back to the gym!! Good for you… now that’s cold out, I’m tempted to join.
My turkey trot pace was nothing to write home about but I’m happy I did it.
New kitten means no tree or decorations… he’s a terror.
Oh yes- I remember the new kitten phase. We put up our tree anyway that year, and somehow she didn’t wreck it- but she wrecked a bunch of other things.
Do you have a cheaper option than the Y? My gym- YouFit- is only $12.99 a month.
I’m laughing because yesterday the boys told us that they were going to get up at 6 so that they could have an extra long Saturday. To their credit, there were both up before noon so that’s pretty good for them. I think you should get double credit for making it to the gym at all since you had a “Paul” delay.
I’ve been there with the “how am I going to run [insert race distance here] when I can’t even [insert easy run distance here]”…somehow it just happens. You’ve got this!
Thank you! I know, I have to tell myself to stop being ridiculous and just train.
I wasn’t mad at my son for sleeping in… just amused. I remember those days!
I am here for your festive decorations! And good for you for going to the gym. I usually do chest press with 15 pound dumbbells so benching 50 pounds sounds pretty amazing to me!
As for my workout schedule this week – it was just a regular week for us Canadians! So it was same same.
Nicole, I’ve been using 15 pound dumbbells as well- so you could definitely at least benchpress the bar at the gym.
We have lots of intersecting topics this week – WE were in Florida for the hot Thanksgiving! So glad the rest of our days were cloudy. WE went to the gym (first time since our old gym closed!! – and a new gym with purple equipment!!), but my son joined us. WE had a super early flight (flying to Florida, ugh) and a super late flight (going home) and I didn’t get to bed until 1am! WOW, what are the odds? I missed the news that you will be running a 50K. Yay!! I’ll have to go back and find that post to read all about it. Heck, if you’re training now you will for sure get there. Glad you had some quality family time this week and see your son!
Yes, I thought that was funny when I read your post. But I didn’t know about all the similar travel times!
You may not know this story but when I met my now husband he challenged me to a bench press contest. I’d never lifted free weights (other than 5 lb “princess” bells) before but I figured wth. So I hired a trainer and worked my a$$ off for 6 weeks. I put up a 115lb press and was so proud. Until he benched over 300 and of course I lost. Long, crazy story short, Bench press is still my absolute fave and I still bench 100+ every week, so have fun with it!
Our daughter flew out yesterday to avoid the holiday rush and ORD was pretty tame. I guess I feel neutral about Thanksgiving being over. I do need to remove my fall decor though and bring out winter!
No, I didn’t know that story! Too bad he didn’t challenge you to a squat contest- my son was telling me that while men can benchpress more than women, women can often squat heavier than men. I do like benchpress though- with squats, there’s always the chance that I’m going to hurt myself (at least I feel that way.) I’m more confident with bench press.
Oh, yay! I’ve been waiting for a gym update. I’m so glad you went and I hope that your time with a personal trainer will be useful and make you feel even more comfortable going in the future.
Man, the days when you could sleep until noon. Those were amazing. My bladder will not allow that luxury to happen anymore!
I KNOW! He doesn’t even get up to use the bathroom??????? I can’t even sleep till 6 am without getting up to pee.
Festive and frantic — that sounds about right for the holiday season! I am super impressed that you went to the gym without your son! Go, you! And hopefully your Christmas break plans for the gym go very smoothly.
Yes, I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to get it together over Christmas- my son will be home for a month so we’ll have more time.
Oh my goodness, your son didn’t come with you to the gym? Well it looks like you did fine on your own, and how lovely that you’ll get a session with a trainer! That will give you a good start. I couldn’t imagine doing a 50k race, well done for booking that in!
My week was good, the first week I do two gym sessions, now I’ll also decide what to do at home on non-gym days, especially on days like this week when the weather is way too bad to even think of going for walks.
Keep going and good luck with your training for the April race. My blog is open now by the way but not a lot of stuff there yet. 🙂
Thank you! Okay, I’ll check it out : )
It sounds to me like you have a very sensible training schedule, like you balance out your different workouts very well. Funny that your son didn’t get up until Noon…sounds like my daughter, who would have done the same thing.
Yes, and it’s funny because he doesn’t usually sleep that late. He just picked that day to be a total sloth.
Glad that you had a great Thanksgiving with the family!
I had to laugh when you were giving the timeline for your gym day, lol. Good for you for going to the gym by yourself and even better that you get a free training session too!
Yes, I wasn’t mad at my son at all… I was laughing too.
I love the little peeks I saw of Christmas decorations! How festive.
I’m so proud of you for going to the gym and for all the exercise you fit in. I have really, really, really fallen off the wagon. I haven’t done any yoga and I’ve only run 2-3 times in November. Sigh. I am still walking at least 1 km each day – I’m nearly to 365! – (and some days A LOT more than that), but I can feel the impact to my mental health/body in not getting in more heart-pumping workouts. Also, despite the great weather in November, I didn’t run…so now if I want to run (and not have it be freezing cold or icy/dangerous) I will have to run on the treadmill which I hate. I need to find some way to reframe the treadmill.
Also, to be fair, NaBloPoMo has taken A LOT of my spare time, and then we had company, my husband has basically been on a one week home/one week away schedule…so I’m just very out of my exercise groove.
But I know how to get back into the habit of running, and I’m really going to work on the yoga this week….maybe? I sure wish you lived in the same town as me and we could be gym buddies. I would DEFINITELY be out of bed before your Paul 🙂
Yes, I need a gym buddy who’s a little more of an early riser! About the treadmill- you could pair it with a pleasurable activity, LIKE listening to the Happier podcast- I think you said you don’t usually have time to listen to that. It will definitely be easier when we finish NaBloPoMo.
Good for you for joining a gym. Keep in mind that a stronger body makes for a stronger runner. How funny that your trainer’s name is Paul and how convenient that you can tease your son about being replaced with another Paul. With your running base you’ve got plenty of time to train for a 50K. Don’t let yourself play head games. You’ve got this!
Thank you Debbie! Yes- I’m not going to the gym because I think I’ll enjoy it- I just know I have to get stronger.
I am kind of sad that Thanksgiving is over. Having the kids home from school is always nice – not only for them but for me, too.
Since we were on a trip and I am in isolation with covid now getting the house Christmas ready has to wait until I get better. So I am a little envious right now. I knew I should have taken out some decorations before we left. At least my husband took care of the outdoor lights. It feels kind of nice to come around the corner and see the colors.
Oh to be able to sleep like a teen/college-aged kid! I remember those days well even though they are now far off for me. But wow kids that age can really sleep! That’s too bad you didn’t get to the gym together. Hopefully you can go together a lot over Christmas break!
I had a so so week of workouts. I ran on Monday, did a 10k on Thursday, and another short run on Saturday. Today I did a strength training workout. I feel like 3x’s week is about as good as it’s going to get. But besides all of that I went on a lot of walks with Will in the stroller!
It sounds like you did really well. It’s hard to be on a great schedule during the holidays, but you ran three times (and one of them a race) and a strength workout- I’m sure you did way better than most people.
Your gym timeline sounds like me trying to make plans for a run with my son LOL. Glad you made it back to the gym. Looking forward to hearing how things go with the trainer.
Yes… these teenagers don’t seem to have the dedication to fitness that we do!
Ha, I love the play by play of the gym visit. I can’t believe he didn’t end up going with you (okay, actually I can – I have kids!) but way to go with going by yourself!! That Thanksgiving meal looks great. What’s on the dish in the middle of the squash/veggies?
That was our vegan roast! Made out of chickpeas and vital wheat gluten… it was pretty good. A little rubbery, but had a good flavor.
What a full week. But I can spot lots of happy moments and lots of discipline and determination as well. Glad you had your son home even though with late nights and early mornings. So funny you upgraded that gym membership and then never going together. Here is hope for Christmas break.
Yes, it was a full week! I loved it… but it’s also nice to calm down a little. And yes, I still have hope for the gym excursion over Christmas break.
Way to make it work despite a hectic schedule! I love Turkey Trots I never do them for time, just for fun. It’s quickly becoming my favorite holiday tradition!
Yes, it’s a good race to do for fun- in the past when I’ve had a time goal, i end up getting frustrated by all the people in my way- which is not a good holiday feeling.
Jenny! I’m loving Caroline Girvan’s Iron Strength! I’m so glad I read about it on your blog. I’m still early (day 5?) and I move things around as I need to with long runs or workouts, but really like the simplicity and having a program to follow.
Oh good! Yes, it’s a great program. I move things around too sometimes, because I don’t want to do one of her intense leg days right before a long run. I’m glad you’re enjoying it!