The calm after the storm: 1/2-8 Weekly Wrap

The first week of January was pretty quiet. In a nice way. It was nice to get back to an almost-normal life. Mr. Judy had Monday off, that pesky polar vortex decided to visit this weekend, making life a bit challenging — but nothing compared to my friends who had races canceled on them this weekend. My heart goes out to you. I’m sure there’s something even bigger and better out there waiting for you.

Yes, it’s time to join the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin and let you know how the first week of 2017 played out.

Workouts update

• Monday: 3 miles easy + 7 strides for a total of 3.25, Dogwalk
• Tuesday: Dogwalk, 10 min SB WU, Pahla B Standing Abs & Foot Exercises, Yogaworks PM
• Wednesday: 15 Min SB WU, Pahla B ST, Dogwalk
• Thursday:  10 Min PIlates Buns & Thighs, 5 mile easyish, Pahla B Standing Abs
• Friday: DM Yoga Flow, Dogwalk, Pahla B ST, 3 miles easy
• Saturday: Rest day with a capital R! Too cold to walk the dogs, YFPR Knees (because I promised myself I’d do yoga — this was like 5 minutes! Something is better than nohting!)
• Sunday: DM Flow, 7 mile LSD, YFR Foundation

Mileage: 18.25 (+3.25)

TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running updates 

 

It’s been a year since we lost Chester

 

Monday

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I decided to see how icy the park was — not terrible, but I did have to pause my watch as there were some long icy patches. We really haven’t had much snow, but there’s been a little here, a little there — it’s hard to find somewhere to run without ice.

I finished with strides in the parking lot (no ice). It’s a shorter area than I usually do strides in, so I just did more.

 

The snow is mostly gone (that’s the lake icing up)

 

Thursday

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Back at the park. Our weather has been really back and forth between relatively warm and damn cold, but we had some warm weather this week and much of the snow washed away. There are still icy patches here and there, and the footbridge I use to go out into the surrounding neighborhoods is icy — but at least it was passable today. I just paused my watch and walked it.

Although they do clear the paths there, all it takes is one good snow (which we haven’t really had yet — thank God! — and there’s too usually too much ice to really run there, so I’m taking advantage of relatively clear paths while I can.

 

I didn’t even notice the flag when I took this photo!

 

Friday

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Although it was pretty brisk, I warmed up with Bandit for 1.5 miles, dropped him off at the house, did 4 x 30 sec strides, and then finished my run for a total of 3 miles.

A very cold 7 miles

Sunday

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Darlene really wanted to go up north. But when I woke to about half of inch of snow on the ground, knowing that further north they tend to get more, I opted for the closer path (she didn’t even have snow at home).

She balked when she saw the snow-covered path, and I was willing to go back to her town, but once she got started she said it was fine. I wore Yaktrax just in case — first time in 5 years, which is the last time I foolishly decided to train through the winter.

It was great to have her company for 7 miles — which made it extremely easy for her, and got me to the pace I needed to be without feeling like I was pushing myself. I call that a win-win (that, and the fact that no one got hurt).

It was cold, but not icicle-lashes cold. Aside from cold thighs I was okay. And even though I wanted to do it the day before (with no snow), runs are always better with friends.

Favorites of the week
Getting back to normal-ish and the ever lengthening days. Even though it’s just a little bit each day, I can just feel myself beginning to come out of the hole that December often feels like.

Did you hear that our host, Holly, snagged a shiny new marathon PR today? Congrats, Holly! Can’t wait to hear about the race.

I am also very happy that the latest snowstorm missed us. Completely. Well, almost, I woke up to a little snow Sunday morning.

Blogger fail

We decided to stop for some hot beverages and a bite to eat after our run. Unfortunately I really didn’t think to take a photo until I had finished. I was in luck, because they had one of my favorites as a special today — a Monte Cristo. Yum!

And that’s a wrap 

This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.

Let’s get the conversation started:

Happy that life is more routine now?

Were you inside or outside for your runs this week?

Have you been sucked in by the after Christmas sales?