Technically I had a “rest” or “easy” week on my training schedule last week. Normally, I hate weeks like this because I either don’t feel like I need the rest or, my body needs the rest but my mind doesn’t agree. This past week was different and hard for more than physical reasons but there was a lot of easy in there too. Let’s see how it all went down…
WEEK OF JANUARY 15, 2018
RUNNING
I ran outside most of the week since I had shorter runs and we had a non-snow, snow day for some reason? I actually really enjoyed my snow run since the roads were clear and no one was on them. It was really peaceful, which was exactly what I needed.
Plus, it helps to have professional photographers waiting for you when you get home. Photo cred: Vaughn
Also note the giant chunk of snow just above my head! I threw it up there and, luckily, it did not hit me directly in the face.
Monday – 20 minutes at 10k pace as part of cycling brick | 3.35 miles | 7:31 pace
Wednesday – recovery run after strength | 30 minutes | 8:45 pace
Sunday – 5 miles easy | 8:30 pace
Total = 12.35 miles
CYCLING
I did not however, have the ability or urge to bike outside. I did a lot of easy/aerobic mileage which was a welcome break. My coach shared with me a great chart of my progress that got me pumped! I’m no rocket scientist and interpreting all the numbers is not my thing, which is why I pay for a rocket scientist coach:
It’s really great to see, on paper, how your hard work is paying off!
Monday – zone 2 cycle for 50 minutes with 10 min time trial before run | 12 miles
Thursday – endurance ride | 14.7 miles
Total = 26.7 miles
SWIMMING
So I told you about the snorkel adventure last week, right? Well I bought my own and took it to the pool! It was…interesting, especially using a nose plug with a nose ring. There was some laughter (from the other swimmers) and some choking up water (from me) but I swear, it’s amazing for form work. Not having to worry about breathing is everything.
Tuesday – form work | 1,200 yards
Friday – more form work and drills after strength | 1,400 yards
Total = 2,600 yards
STRENGTH
The muscle building continues and it was a lot more interesting on Tuesday when these monkeys were home from school…again.

They obviously need more plushies.
They were actually pretty helpful when I was trying to do my workout in the living room, and kept trying to do all the moves I was doing.
What was not helpful was the strength training package I purchased through TrainingPeaks closing their YouTube account and only offering videos of the strength moves in a app. Seriously? Grrrrrr. The aggravating part was they made the move with zero notification and I had to figure it out through a series of emails and (God help me!) Twitter. Not cool ECFit. Not cool.
THINGS I LOVE
Speaking of making things easy, I would pay 1 million dollars for this:
I think they actually have the machine doing the voice over on this video. It’s amazing people. If I never had to fold laundry again for the rest of my life, I would die happy. Thank you Foldimate.
Now, the bad news. It’s super expensive ($980) and won’t be available probably ever (late 2019) but, a woman can dream.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Saying goodbye to StarFire.
We made the tough decision to re-home her since life was getting impossible with her, and I wasn’t 100% sure she wouldn’t bite one of the boys. It took two months, three different potential adoptive families (she was rejected by two), tons of emails and phone calls but, we found a perfect match.
I went though all the emotions — anxiety, guilt, sadness, relief, sadness again — but ultimately, I know we are doing the right thing for her and our family. I was the one who said the final good-bye to her and, although heart wrenching, I’m glad it was me and that I did it alone.
Goodbye sweet girl. You will always be our first family dog and we have the scars, some busted up and chewed furniture, bedding and walls to remember you by.
And yes, we want to get another dog, but not anytime soon.
TELEVISION
Has there ever been a better time for television? There are endless “binge worthy” options and I love getting new recommendations. Here are mine for the week:
Manhunt: Unabomber | Discovery
This was recommended to me by Danielle at The T-Rex Runner and it is absolutely fantastic…and also terrifying as is usually the case when you see how inefficiently and stupidly government badass entities like the FBI truly operate. You have no idea just how much crazy you are in for when you watch this fantastically compelling show. And Jane Lynch as Janet Reno is pretty awesome too.
David Letterman: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction | Barack Obama
I heard a lot of chatter about this show and, when I found out who the first guest was, I couldn’t wait to watch. Obama is such a class act and was welcomed so warmly. Just seeing him made me feel better and also when he said “If you’re watching Fox News, you live on a different planet.” #RealGenius
Letterman and Obama mostly talked about things other than politics and there was also a great side story with Rep. John Lewis of Georgia who led the Civil Rights March in Selma.
RANDOM PICTURE OF THE WEEK
In a constant effort to get the boys to have a healthier breakfast I’ve been making them eat French Toast (the horror!) before they can have Eggo waffles. After the very first morning I did this, Miles came home with a new comic he created:
Captain Waffle vs Evil French Toast!
At least he’s being creative. And yes, I made them have it again the next morning which is when Miles started reading the comic aloud to me at the breakfast table. Parenting is so rewarding.
[Tweet “The only thing about my easy training week that was actually easy! #sayinggoodbye #breakfastbattles #snorkeling”]
How was your week?
What was easy? What was hard?
I’m so sorry about your dog. I can’t imagine how difficult that is but I know you are making the right decision for your family.
I am looking forward to more comics of captain waffle versus french toast LOL. I was laughing too hard this morning at that. 🙂
I’m so sorry about Starfire. That had to be so hard! I’m actually a little tearful right now, thinking about it. Just know you did the right thing for your family. We had a black lab like that when I was a kid and after he knocked my sister to the ground and gave her a concussion, my parents gave him to a guy who had a farm. The guy turned the dog into a hunter and he was a great dog after that. Sometimes they just need to find the right home.
Glad you ended the post with captain waffle pants! LOL
Loved the David Letterman show with Obama. Total class act right there.
Sounds like you made the best decision for StarFire. It’s great that you took the time to find her the right home. We just brought a new pup into our home about a week ago after unexpectedly losing my beloved cattle dog mix in November, and for the first few days I thought we made a big mistake. He’s a 15 month old Akita with paws the size of my head and a mouth that likes to chew human hands, but he’s starting to calm down a bit. I have some bruises and my slippers will never be the same, but hopefully he’ll learn to trust us and be a good dog. You’ll find the right one at the right time…
I know it was hard but I’m so glad you found another family for your dog.. your stories about him always made me nervous and I’ve seen way too many bad dog bites at work, particularly the two years I worked in an ER.
I’m so sorry about Starfire. I know she was your girl but when you are on edge about what’s going to happen next, it’s not good for anyone. It sucks though. And the Obama and Letterman interview? It gave me hope and motivated me to do more. It was refreshing but also extremely sad. Ahhh, the way it was.
ohhhh my!!! my heart just stopped when i read that! no more Starfire..wow i KNOW that was not an easy decision at all. i can’t imagine. well i can, when i first met my husband he had the 2 dogs and i couldn’t handle them, they are crazy but small so more manageable. however he was overseas most of the time and didn’t like feeling alone with dogs. well after a month or so of the dogs living with his mom, he guilted me into having them back with us. then i fell in love with them while i was pregnant so it all ended fine. however i admit, they are a freaking handful. SO crazy! i’m sorry you had to make that decision but i’m also so happy that you found the right owner 🙂
that last note is HILARIOUS!!!!!! and so creative! maybe a future in writing, cartoonist, comics, etc???
That’s awesome progress! I love numbers and stats like that… so exciting.
But definitely a hard week to say goodbye to Starfire. It’s so hard to know what you’re getting into with a dog – they have their own personalities! And if it’s only adding to the family stress, it’s not worth it. Hopefully you’ll find a calm, family dog next time!
I’m sorry about Starfire. I cannot imagine how hard that decision was but ultimately, you have to do what is best for both your family and the dog. My parents have a rehomed dog (because Frankie hated the previous families’ cat) and he is so happy now with them. I am sure Star will be happy with her new family!
I would pay a million dollars for that laundry folding robot also. Maybe the price will go down after a few years on the market? Please?
I’m so happy you told me that your parents have a re-homed dog! So far, Star is doing well with her new family and we are in touch often. Some days are harder than others but I know she is so much happier, and I’m a lot less stressed! Thanks so much Laura.
That is some stellar photography to get the snow perfectly in the air! And stellar luck for it not to land on your head. HA!
Sorry about the dog… my BFF (the one with the stink eye baby) had to do the same with theirs. It bit her 6-year-old son in the face. Three times. Better safe than sorry!
OMG yes! That was my worst nightmare. I started getting really stressed out that if something like that happened, I would be to blame because I knew there was a chance of it happening. Definitely better to be safe and thank you for telling me that!