There was a certain calmness to my first week in December. I’m still high on memories from a great Thanksgiving holiday, my workouts are on my terms with no race goal in the near future, the weather has yet to turn brutally cold and school for the kids is lulling in between fun activities and early dismissals.
This sweatshirt reads PRAY FOR SNOW on the back. So far, no one has thrown anything at me for wearing it. What? I want to go snowboarding!
I’m savoring this week because the shit will most certainly hit the fan in the two weeks before Christmas, and then life will move at the speed of light into a new year. Before I know it I will be in the depths of Christmas clean-up, a new year hangover (in every sense) and staring down a huge fitness goal.
For now, I will relax into the last weeks of 2015 and be ok with the calm.
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30, 2015
RUNNING
My runs have been amazing! There’s really something to all this resting business. I feel like I have new legs, or at least fresh ones, and each run has been better then the last. I feel like I’m falling in love with running all over again, probably due in no small part to knowing I will be dedicating 2016 to triathlon and will be backing off my usual huge mileage.
Checking my watch once I make it back to my driveway. Huge smile and two big thumbs way up…even in the cold rain.
For now, I have been running blissfully outside, no matter the weather and have very purposefully not been looking at my watch. The result?
Monday: 6.55 miles | 7:45 pace
Tuesday: 8 miles | 7:47 pace
Wednesday: 5 miles (before Barre class) | 7:42 pace
Friday: hill repeats and boot camp | 8:00 average x 4 grueling, colossal hill repeats
Saturday: 8 miles with a friend but still averaged 7:55 pace
Total consistency. Gotta love that!
Total mileage: 31.55
SWIMMING
In all honesty, my swimming has been hit or miss. In the three times I swam in the past 10 days I had one good swim where I felt strong though out. Not sure what is going on but I am spending a lot of time in my head thinking “I need to swim a mile in open water!” Which is probably not the best mantra since it’s in a scary, child like voice.
The good news is I got a great deal on a ROKA wetsuit which should greatly improve my swim efficiency!
Total swim: 4600 meters | 2.8 miles
BARRE/STRENGTH TRAINING
Wednesdays have officially become my favorite of the week. Yes, hump day and I are friends since I get to run, take Barre class, then run some more. Barre has become more challenging lately and I can definitely feel the difference in my legs from my pre-class run and then post-class run. Ouch!
Since the post-Thanksgiving garage boot camp with hill repeats worked out so well, I decided to make it a weekly thing. This mountain I live on never gets easier to run up, but then I wouldn’t get stronger, right? That’s what I keep telling myself as I trudge up it!
Stretching it out afterward with peace and love.
FUEL
I saw this while grocery shopping, because I am always grocery shopping, and couldn’t believe I haven’t seen it before:
Of course I had to get it because duh it’s ice cream and I have twins! In case you’re wondering, my “third twin” is my husband. He will agree. He will also eat most of this before I can.
I’m also loving this super easy and delicious protein pancake recipe I spied on Greatist via TastyKitchen.com. I love when I see a recipe and already have all the ingredients! I also love that it’s a serving for one, since I’m the only one in my house who would eat these.
RACING
I’ve been searching for a 5K I can do before the end of the year and I finally found one that fits my schedule and isn’t too far away. Bonus – the entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy to be given to a kid who will truly appreciate it this year.
I also bought these because I feel like you have to wear something festive for a Holiday Toy Dash and you know I’m not wearing a costume. Not happening.
GEAR
Besides the socks I have been up to my eyeballs in new gear…
These amazing wind-breaking, cold smashing, covers of warmth are called balaclavas and this piece of winter running gear is from my good friends at TrailHeads. Luckily it hasn’t truly been cold enough for me to test it out, but just putting it on made me feel all warm and fuzzy…because the inside is lined with the warmest, fuzziest fleece ever! #HoldMe
You may have seen this next beauty on Instagram, because you’re stalking me. It’s ok. Stalk away.
I wore this ponytail headband (minus the ponytail) on a rainy, cold, miserable day and it kept my ears warm, my beats dry and washed well afterward. What more can you ask of your headbands? If it made my lunch I would marry it. Sorry dear. Despite it’s lack of cooking skills, it works well when not running too. I know, shocking. This is one of those non-runner gifts to get for everyone on your list. Well, every female at least…
My SIL demos this much nicer with her long locks. Too bad we don’t exchange gifts. #SorryNotSorry
[Tweet “Winter running gear? Get it here! @TrailHeadsCT #ponytailheadband #balaclavas”]
THINGS I LOVE
Having The Yankee Candle flagship store basically all to ourselves. What the hell is a Yankee Candle flagship store you ask? I’ll let the pictures do the talking:
I highly recommend going on a rainy Wednesday when your kids get out early from school. Otherwise, it’s a madhouse this time of year.
Yes, it actually “snows” every four minutes. Guess how long we stood there?
They were SO excited about making their own candles! It was pretty cool.
No candle store is complete without a giant pastel colored ship in the middle of a candy store, right? WTH?
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Surprise chaffing! After that 8 miler on Saturday with a friend of mine, I unzipped my fleece to find this on whatever you call those bones that stick out from under your neck…
So ladylike and attractive.
Super attractive and just in time for my husband’s company holiday party later that night. #IHadSomeExplainingToDo
READING
So I told you all about the two books I absolutely hated this year, and one I loved to hate, so let’s get to the good one:
The Good Girl | Mary Kubica – I love the way this suspenseful kidnapping story is set up. Each chapter is from the perspective of one of the main characters either “before” or “after” the main event. In similar style to Gone Girl there is an intense back and forth that leaves you reeling and never truly trusting your instinct on what exactly happened. And, unlike Gone Girl I actually like these characters…even the bad guy. I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.
TELEVISION
I haven’t had much to talk about on this front, until now! I recently discovered (via ESPNW) a Netflix female superhero show – Jessica Jones. I know what you’re thinking – superhero shoes are for nerds. Well, yes, you are correct and I usually ignore them completely but, this one is amazing.
The lead is played by Krysten Ritter (she was Pinkman’s girlfriend in Breaking Bad) who has super strength but she doesn’t hit you over the head with it. Get it? Ok, so I will never be a writer for the show but, let me tell you, this show has it all – intrigue, sex, women kicking ass and complete and utter shocking scenes with a story line that will leave your mouth hanging open.
Sold? There is no calm in this storm.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In training, you listen to your body. In competition, you tell your body to shut up.”
– Rich Froning Jr., four-time CrossFit Games champion
How was your week?
Did you go anywhere exciting?
What new gear do you love or are you gifting this year?
I’m oddly praying for snow too. It’s just too weird that it’s December and in the 50s. But I must say its been awesome running weather. Cold but not too cold in the a.m. Happy Monday Allie!
I couldn’t agree more!! I was even thinking I may need to run in the wee morning hours this week, which will actually not be so bad 🙂
Not me… this is why you two crazy ladies live farther north! 🙂
Me either!!!!! Sorry (but not sorry)…I am totally with Laura on this one :)! I willl happily listen to my Christmas tunes in 50 degrees :)!
Oh come on, you know you want at least a little bit of the white stuff 🙂
LOL come on Laura! You know you want a white Christmas 🙂
Ok your right. I actually don’t mind it all that much :). I would even go as far as saying I like a few inches especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What I don’t like is the whole 10-12+ inches and the ice and the below zero temps. That stuff can stay away for good :)!!!
That Yankee Candle place looks awesome! Your runs are awesome! I am just starting to feel like my legs are coming back :). You know how I feel about ice cream! That looks awesome…I have never seen it before.
Those socks are so fun and crazy! They sold out SO fast!!!!
They did?? I guess I’m happy I got a pair!
And yes, all the blizzards and ice can stay away…although one or two days being “snowed in” is not so bad 🙂
now I want you to write an entire book called THE THIRD TWIN.
and have it be all about your marital bliss and the kids and running and…
Do that in all of your free time please 🙂
GREAT WEEKEND HERE.
All hanukkah ALL FAMILY.
I’m halfway done… 🙂
Saw some Hanukkah posts of your on FB and just hilarious!! Keep them coming…
I’m not praying for snow LOL. I’m glad to hear things are going well for you.
Chafing is the worst. I’ve definitely been there so I understand your pain. In the summer I get the worst thigh chafing.
At least I expect it in the summer!! You know how shocking it is when you hit the shower – ugh! I cannot believe I didn’t notice it before I got IN the shower. Not good.
Delete the other comment! (Slippery fingers!!) anyway those chafing marks look just like vampire bites!! I can only imagine all the splaining you had to do Lucy!! Love the ponytail headband!! Great job on the running this week and thank you for my dose of the twins. 🙂 that ice cream looks great. Did it taste good??
OMG they do!! Too bad it didn’t happen around Halloween.
I haven’t had the ice cream yet. I know, I know. I will report back…
Oooo I think I’m going to read the Good Girl! I’ve been looking for a new book since I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo! That Yankee Candle store looks so awesome! I’m looking for a santa currently so Coops can get a photo.
I’m so curious about a Brazilian Santa! Please post pics!!
I think you will love The Good Girl. We usually share the same taste in books, which of course is excellent 🙂
I would eat those pancakes! I’m coming over. 😉
I’m waiting…
I feel you on the hectic season. I feel like I am in the eye of the storm. We had a hectic Thanksgiving week and last week filled with events I have a few days of calm and then bam . This coming weekend will be crazy and fun in Vegas.
Crazy fun in Vegas for sure!!! I will be there for NYE so I’m just trying to make it…
Have a great time!
I hated The Luckiest Girl Alive. Glad to know I’m not the only one. I do think it will make an excellent movie, tho. I thought The Good Girl was pretty good. And I did like The Truth and Other Lies. I was fascinated by the depth of deception in that one.
Mystery chafing? I had some yesterday at the base of my sports bra. Why?
You really liked the Truth and Other Lies?? You may have to tell me why 🙂 I agree The Luckiest Girl will make a great movie.
Mystery chafing in the winter is so awful. Sorry you had to endure it too!
I can confidently say that I’m not exactly praying for snow! But I did just get the Trailheads headband and can’t wait to test it out. It’s super cute! As are your boys. Love that you guys got some time at the Yankee Candle store without the masses!
Looking forward to what you think of the TH headband! And yes, going to fun places sans masses is the only way to go!!
I (not so) secretly love Marvel movies, so I need to give Jessica Jones a try. Netflix has had some good series this year! I love that headband – I’ll all about softer and thicker headbands when it gets cold outside. Looks like you had a great week – hopefully you’ll get some more calm before the holiday hit!
OMG – the zipper injuries. I feel your pain.
That ie cream has been calling my name for weeks. I’m going to break down one day…
So awful. I’ll have to eat that pint to help ease the pain 🙂
oh yeah! i can’t wait to check out Jessica Jones. I’ve been wanting a great series that I can dive into and lose myself 🙂
Also i’m totally obsessed with Yankee candles (and pretty much all decent candles) and took a job one time working for the fragrance manufacturer that produced the scents for Yankee Candle company! i was in inside sales there and didn’t last long since I had no idea what i was doing, but i loved working in the lab and concocting new scents and making my own versions of candles. too much fun! too bad the sales job sucked LOL. what, i can’t just get paid to play with smelly stuff? hahaha 😀
That is so interesting! You don’t ever think about people actually having jobs like that? Too cool…sorry it didn’t last but at least you can still enjoy the candles. I bought WAY too many of course 🙂
Speedy running! I’m so glad you have a little calm before the storm. I’m hoping this next week will be quieter for me!
Unintentional speedy running is so great. It’s also a great reminder of how much rest matters!! This week is already insane for me so I hope you’re faring better…