Sigh. Last Saturday (December 13th) we had to say goodbye to our beautiful Charlotte. I’ve written about her health issues, and it was time. But it was still really, really hard. I needed to lay low for a bit so missed the Weekly Rundown- but life goes on, so I’m back! Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting. Here’s how the week went…
Sunday
Ugh. Still feeling low. I had a 20 mile run planned, but my head wasn’t in the right place. But I knew I would feel better if I ran, so I started off… just a bottle of water and some tailwind, me and the trail. I ended up with 14 therapeutic miles!
Monday
This is the day that it dawned on me… Christmas is still coming. Phew! Or actually, ACK!!! I was so, so, so far behind in my prep that I started to freak out.
Workout-wise, I did the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout, and that was it.
Tuesday
4 mile run…
… and then some panicked Christmas prep.
Wednesday
I had a lot to do today, so I was really proud of myself for making it to the gym! I did all my hip stability exercises, legs and abs.
Thursday
Four mile run…
At night, I made our traditional Christmas biscotti!
Friday
Upper body strength to start the day. I had every intention of doing yoga later on (remember that???) but I ended up making our cutout cookies. These are decorated on Christmas Eve, with our guests. It’s a tradition going back to my daughter’s preschool years!
My daughter had a friend over, and why yes I DO have Hanukkah cookie cutters! I even decorated some for him to take home.
Saturday
Oof. I just had to fit a long run in, and this was the only day to do it. I worked in the morning, so planned to start the run at 3:00. But it was 82 degrees and I didn’t feel like dying, so… I went to the gym and ran the first 10 miles on the treadmill. Then I ran the second 10 miles outside…
It was 20 miles the hard way, but I got it done. And I got to admire Christmas lights towards the end of the run.
Sunday
Oh tap for today- driving to Orlando for an anime convention. To be clear- I will not be attending the convention. I’m just driving my daughter and her friend. It’s three hours each way (ouch) but once we’re there, I’ll have the day to myself. I need it!
Are you ready for Christmas?- I have a crap ton of wrapping to do, but I’ll get there.
36 Responses
Awww Jenny, I’m so sorry about Charlotte. Been there, done that a few times, and it is so hard to say goodbye to a furry family member. They bring us so much joy, though! Sending hugs.
82 degrees, you say? After the weather we’ve had so far this winter, I’ve made the decision that I’d rather be too warm than too cold. But it is tough to run in warmer temps, I agree…
Enjoy your day to yourself today!
Thanks Wendy! And yes- in spite of all my grumbling about the heat, I would rather be too warm than too cold. I know you guys are freezing up there!
I love seeing your “in action” shots! And I love seeing the neighborhood, too. Lights on palm trees? Adorable. Very different from central New Jersey. This weekend we are all shivering over here.
I also loved the changing of the light- morning pinkish/purplish, beautiful.
Thank you Daria! Yes, I also love seeing the lights on palm trees, even though it’s common down here. We have two palm trees in our yard that I have lights in.
It’s so hard to lose a pet. I’m glad you have your other two cats to make the house feel less empty but it’s still hard. Last weekend my mind was on and off about getting a new cat because of the mouse situation vs being able to travel trouble-free, and then I read your post and felt ashamed for not wanting a cat. Of course we want a cat.
I know something else that I want – your 82F!!!
I’m behind with all the Christmas stuff, but at least I’m getting closer.
Enjoy your “me time” Sunday!
Yes you do want a cat!!!!!!!!! You will love it so much, and it makes the house so much more home-y. And, they’re easier than dogs to deal with when you travel. We just have someone come in once a day to feed our pets when we go away.
well done with the 20 miler. I would not have done it if I didn’t do it in the morning. My body doesn’t respond after 3pm. Kudos to you!
Honestly, I can’t say my body responded well to that run- I felt nauseous afterwards and am having a hard time recovering (still sore today and it’s Monday). But I’m glad I got it done.
What a rough week you had! But well done on your 14 and 20 miler. Good call to do half of the 20 on the treadmill. 82 sounds so hot!
I had a great week of workouts. I went to OTF Thur and Fri and did CG workouts yest and today. I am loving OTF. I wish I could go more but twice/week is all I can manage at this stage of life as it’s a 1.5+ hour commitment with the drive to and from. But I LOVE it.
Don’t hate me but I am ready for Christmas. I wrapped all our gifts on my days off. We don’t have all that many to buy for so that helps. You saw the pile of presents on my blog… it’s not a ton but the kids get plenty from grandparents, cousin exchange, and at the Christmas Eve party with Phil’s extended family. Some years I think the wife of Phil’s cousins spends more on them than we do! But her kids are all 25+ so she misses buying toys. It won’t be the case this year because the boys’ big gift is this motion sensor gaming system called ‘playground’. We like that the kids have to be up and moving to play it.
Enjoy your time at B&N today!!!
No, I’m happy for you that you’re all ready (although I’m also envious). I’m getting there…
I’ve never tried OT but I know a lot of people love it, and it’s a GREAT workout.
Congrats on getting the long run done in a crazy week! Bonus points for having the Christmas lights at the end. It’s going to make your down time in Orlando all the more sweet.
I know that life has been sad and crazy, but from my side of the screen, I see lots of miles and lots of Christmas work getting done. Christmas is going to be epic at your house this year.
Thanks so much Birchie!!! That gives me hope- yes, Christmas will be epic. Everything will get done and we’ll get there.
Sorry about your cat-I’m sure that was really hard for all of you. Way to get all your workouts in on a busy week. You’re a good mom to drive 3 hours each days before Christmas. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday
Thank you Deborah!!! I hope you’re enjoying your amazing trip.
Even when It’s Time, it’s still very very hard to say goodbye.
I love those palm trees! Very Florida festive!
Yes, we’re Florida Festive down here! I like that.
I know you’ve been there Nicole- it’s heartbreaking.
Again, Jenny, I am so sorry about your loss of Charlotte. Those 14 therapeutic miles were exactly what you needed!
Even though we really like it, I have never make biscotti. I need to change that!
I absolutely love those lights on the palm trees! They’re gorgeous!
Thank you Debbie. And- about the biscotti- I always kind of groan before I start it, because it’s a little more complicated than regular cookies. But it’s really not hard at all. Yes, you have to bake them twice but it’s worth it.
Oof! I don’t think there’s an “easy” way to run 20 miles, but your run does sound hard!
Love your cookies — nice that you had Hanukah cutters!
Enjoy your me-time today — that’s a hard way to earn it. 😉
Thanks Coco! I think at one point I had cookie cutters for every holiday you could ever imagine- Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving… plus all sorts of other weird ones like ninja gingerbread men. I’m prepared for anything!
Oh, so sorry for the tough week! It IS so tough to lose a furry family member. Nice job on all those miles, though. I must have forgotten (?), but do you have another big race you’re training for? The cookies look great! I seldom make cut-outs anymore, though I do plenty of other baking. I hope your Christmas goes well 😉
Thank you Kim! Yes I have a big race on my upcoming BIG birthday in March! I’ll share about that again soon.
You got some great long runs in during a tough week! We have had similarly warm weather here but we may be getting some rain for Christmas, which is pretty typical for here and I’m actually looking forward to some moodier days after all the sun and warmth.
The only thing I miss about road running is getting to see Christmas lights — you can’t get those on the trails!
True- you don’t get Christmas lights on the trail. My next long run will be on the trail, but it was kind of fun to do this one on the road.
I wouldn’t mind rain for Christmas, but I don’t think we’re getting any. It will be a hot, sunny Christmas for us.
Wow, 20 miles when you aren’t feeling it, bah. Extra credit for you. Especially since 10 of it was in the heat, gross.
I know you’re missing Charlotte terribly. 🙁
Thank you Julie. We really are.
Was there a 14 mile run and a 20 miler in the same week???
You are amazing.
Hope you enjoy your free day in Orlando? Tea and Reading?
My holidays are so chill…
I usually do not do long runs so close like that, but it was just the way it worked out this time.
My free day was nice, but as usual I ended up doing a little more- I couldn’t resist a little last-minute shopping. That’s okay, I’m feeling more hopeful that I’ll actually be ready for Christmas!
Great job on getting that 20 miler done! I think my stomach would have been a mess if I ran that far, that late in the day. It doesn’t do well in those situations! Sounds like training is going well.
The holidays sure do have a way of sneaking up on us! I hope you are enjoying your free day. That was very nice of you to drive your daughter and friend to that event 🙂 Merry Christmas to you the family!
Julie, my stomach was a mess! I was concerned about it, but now that you say that I’m going to chalk it up to doing the run later in the day.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
WHAT A WEEK, Jenny. I am still so heartbroken for you about Charlotte, and I’m glad you found some solace in running. <3
Six hours in the car yesterday?! Hope that went well, and you had some nice time to yourself. You are a wonderful and generous mom, to drive for SIX HOURS so your daughter could enjoy the conference!
I am all about those therapeutic runs. We had some mild weather and more on tap for this week. I went for a 3 mile run last week. My back did not like it but I do plan to get some more walks or runs in this week.
I’m mostly ready. Might look for some stocking things. I am hosting 34 on Christmas and 20 on the 27th so I have housework and food stuff going on. I bought extra for the little girls yesterday. 🤷♀️
I have not wrapped a single present. And will not until Christmas Eve, I suspect. LOL. My husband does have the presents for our niblings wrapped, so that’s something. I suspect he has wrapped my present, too. He has a lot more time at home than I do. I was planning to wrap his when he was at book club last week, but he didn’t go! So, here I am with no wrapped presents. Oh, well! Other than that, I think I’m doing okay re: Christmas. We’re going to the store tonight for our regular grocery run and I’ll throw a few extra things in the cart to make cookies and bring our Christmas Day dish. Cards are being received by people. We went to the lights at the Rotary Garden. Check. Check. Check.
Those cookies look great – we’ve been baking up a storm here and I love it! WTG on the 20 miles – treadmill plus outside in 80 degrees?! That’s commitment! I guess I can’t complain about the cold and snowy temps here.
I’m just so sorry about sweet Charlotte. Be gentle with yourself.
You are a good mom. I don’t think I could bring myself to drive to Orlando this time of year for any reason. I hope the kids had fun!
Your cookies turned out awesome!
Great job getting back out there. Sending lots of love your way.
I hoped you gave yourself some grace this week with having to let Charlotte go and all, but no, you pretty much stuck to your routine. Sometimes having this structure helps!