We had the most beautiful, mild weather this week. I was more than happy to turn off the heat and throw open the windows. Pretty sure this is our Indian Summer. Despite the #shitshow that is our country right now, Mom Nature is coming through for us and for that I’m grateful. Here’s how the week in workouts went:
Monday: Walk 4 miles, otherwise Rest
Tuesday: Walk 4 miles, Track Intervals
Wednesday: Walk 4 miles, Trail run 3 miles, Upper Body Strength
Thursday: Walk 6 miles, Yoga + Abs Workout
Friday: Walk 6 miles, Trail 10k for ZOOMA Texas virtual + Abs + Mobility
Saturday: Walk 4 miles, Trail 5k for ZOOMA Texas virtual
Sunday: Walk 4 miles, Heavy Strength
The weather was so nice, we took a couple of extended walks. Nature is good for the soul.
Even the turtles came out to enjoy our unseasonably nice weather. What’s not to love?
My mood has been up and down and so has my energy level. By Thursday I’m typically tired and cranky and this week was no exception. While my workouts tend to stay on auto-pilot, my gluten- and soy-free diet is an ongoing challenge. I’ve been dipping into the Halloween candy more than I should. Sugar is a trigger for me and most chocolate candy contains soy lecithin. One little, fun-sized bar may seem innocent enough but I’m better off skipping it entirely, so that was one of my goals this week.
No Halloween Candy
Eat More Greens
I’m happy to say I was successful on both fronts. The giant lunchtime salads with protein have returned, and I’m actually eating all the veggies in the fridge vs having them go bad before I get to them.
I’ve been roasting lots of veggies, including these killer Roasted Honey Chipotle BBQ Sweet Potatoes. They might make an appearance on our Thanksgiving table. Stay tuned for that recipe.
It was a perfect weekend to knock out the ZOOMA Texas Wine Country virtual race trail style. I ran the 10k on Friday and the 5k on Saturday. Boom.
The Week Ahead
While work is already super busy, this is the last week before we get rolling on the ZOOMA Holiday Challenge. We’ll be running of course, there’s a Turkey Trot and the 12ks of Christmas. We’ll also be doing some focused cross training as well as some self-care goodness for our mental well-being. Register here to join us.
New On YouTube
What to Wear for Winter Running. It may not be cold here right now, but trust me, it’s coming. In this video I take you through my recommendations for layering and running gear ideal for COLD-COLDER-COLDEST conditions. Also check out my Tips for Winter Running Safety and A Midwesterner’s Guide to Winter Running.
How was your week? What components make up a “good” day for you? How will you finish 2020 strong?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
I slept really well last night and I’m hoping it’s the first of many good nights of sleep. What a roller coaster it has been! I know that the bumpy ride isn’t over yet, but at least now we can have some hope. Maybe cutting back on wine will finally happen!
I have also been eating all the veggies. Honey and garlic butternut squash and Delicata squash are my current go to’s. This weather was such a gift this week. It’s so nice to be outside so much this time of the year. Enjoy it while it lasts. thanks for linking
My husband has recently bought a soupmaker and is loving getting his veg that way, I thought it was a waste of money but it’s actually great!
Oh, those sweet potatoes look simply divine!!! This past week has really been a nice change from the bitter cold we had (prematurely, just saying) in previous weeks. For awhile now (the past couple years?), I write down three things that either made me smile or that brought me gratitude before going to bed. It’s amazing how focusing on the good can do a power shift in one’s attitude and well being ;-).
I will say that last weekend, even though I had lots to do, I seriously didn’t know what to do with myself since Lola wasn’t occupying my entire day. Sign. But the weather this week helped a lot, especially with lots of time in nature.
I even left Bandit alone at home to go walk with my friend (Mr. Judy was out), and he actually survived for 3 hours. It’s been months since we’ve left the dogs alone that long.
I get Lily’s chocolate bars. I’m partial to the extra dark sea salt bars. They’re sweetened with stevia. I have a row almost every night after dinner. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but just thought I’d throw it out there.
Ooh I will be back for the sweet potato recipe! My go to is a little oil & a little seasoned salt which is fine, but I’m always looking for ways to mix it up. I let loose on the Halloween candy a bit as well.
Those sweet potatoes look great. Great goals- I feel lucky we never had any Halloween candy in the house, though I’m honestly way more of a sucker for the salty snacks…like Ritz crackers! I can’t resist 🙂
I enjoyed the warm weather big time this weekend, including having lunch with a friend outside yesterday and celebrating with a glass of Prosecco. 😉 On today’s bike ride I was complaining about how warm it was though. And, it’s good for outdoor church, because we’re not going to be allowed to have church inside given our covid caseload — the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has stricter rules than the state, with safety the primary concern.
I only had one piece of Halloween candy on Halloween, but I do have a square or two of dark chocolate every so often. 😉
I love roasted winter squash! Yours looks delicious.
Nature is so good for the soul. I think any day where I get outside is better than when I don’t. It’s part of why I go out for at least coffee even when I can’t run or walk.
I miss the giant salads from work lunches. I need to be better about veggies, but overall eating has been manageable. I am not a squash person and picked my main based on one that did not have squash because NO. Happy to leave it all for you.
Our weather was like yours – warm and sunny. Congrats on getting the 10k and 5k done!
I had sweet potatoes tonight. I need that recipe!!
I bought zero Halloween candy… phew.
But this warm weather has me going out for ice cream.
I need to get back in the habit of eating more veggies. Ever since having Grayson its been easier to just make pasta most nights lol. That’s an exaggeration- it could definitely be worse- but there is definitely room for improvement.
OK I really need that recipe 🙂
The weather was truly a gift this week – it was like Mother Nature knew she needed to throw us a bone with all the chaos and stress of this week!
I loved this weather this week too. Helped me be in a much better mood with everything else going on. I only wished it would stay like this at least till the end of the year. We need it!
I also need to start eating more veggies. Once in a while I’ll have a salad with spinach or add a bunch to my smoothie but that’s it.
No Halloween candy here. I do love chocolate but luckily we don’t have any of it here. Though I have been tempted to buy some Ferrero Rocher….love it.
The weather was beautiful this week/weekend! My trick for Halloween candy is that i only purchase candy that I don’t like – it makes it easier for me not to eat the leftovers since I have no self control lol
The week was ok. Weather was bad, people were angry and off. I’ve just been tired because of the time change. It’s stuff like that that makes everything meh.
I’m trying to find the good moments and the positives.
Those sweet potatoes sound really good! I think we all used working out to deal with election stress haha! It’s a good way to burn off the crazy!
What wonderful weather this past week for sure. I’m glad the week is over too. Ugh, the stress of it all. Love the video on what to wear. “… but wait, there’s more!” LOL! So true.