This week I completed yet another trip around the sun. Having a birthday so close to the holidays means it’s often lost or combined with holiday festivities. My youngest brother is a Christmas Day baby and, as a kid, felt very ripped off about sharing his special day with Baby Jesus. I never cared too much. It’s a festive season and I always enjoyed that. Here’s how the workouts went:
Monday: Walk 4 miles, Track Intervals
Tuesday: Walk 4 miles, Strength + Core
Wednesday: Walk 4 miles, Trail run 4 miles
Thursday: Walk 4 miles, Strength +Mobility
Friday: Walk 4 miles otherwise rest
Saturday: Walk 4 miles, Trail Run 12ks of Christmas virtual
Sunday: Walk 4 miles, Heavy Strength
Our walks are getting colder and darker. I think I said that last week as well, but the frozen sunrises have been stunning. We’re juuuust about at the solstice so that darkness will be fading away very soon.
Since we’re officially in a snow drought (it’s a thing according to Tom Skilling) I’m still making it to the oval office. I’ll keep that streak as long as it’s safe to do so.
I completed ZOOMA’s 12ks of Christmas virtual run trail style.
Birthday. I was treated like a queen on my birthday. Not sure what got into the Caveman but who am I to argue? We had takeout from a favorite local place, and there was cake, flowers, Lululemon goodies, and that bad boy you see below…like I said all stops were pulled out.
New Addition to the Pain Cave. This arrived. I tested a Peloton Bike way back when they were brand new and, thanks to my very short torso, the reach from seat to handlebars does not fit me. So I took Coco’s recommendation and opted for the Schwinn IC4. This was my “Plan B” birthday present as the gift the Caveman came up with originally, while interesting, did not spark joy. Stay tuned for this week’s Runfession Friday Linkup to learn what that gift was.
High School’s going hybrid. After being in fully remote learning mode since last March, Thing 2 will finally be returning to SOME in-person classes in January. While she’s done an amazing job academically, I can’t begin to express the mental, social and emotional toll the isolation has taken on her. It has been a tough year to be a parent of a teenager for sure.
New on YouTube
Holiday-Ladder Workout. Things got a little festive in the pain cave, what can I say? This workout is a take on the 12 Days of Christmas, starting with one forearm plank, and climbing up to 12 jumping jacks then down again. Try it!
Runfession Friday Linkup
Join me right here on Friday (yes Christmas Day) for the final Runfession Friday Linkup of 2020!
How was your week? Any races, virtual or otherwise? How will you stay motivated over the winter?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
So glad that you had an awesome birthday – you deserve it! I can’t wait to hear about the other gift that your husband purchased in this week’s runfessions.
That’s great news about your daughter’s school. Most of the schools here have done a hybrid version since September and it seems to be going okay – still a few glitches – but the kids seem to be happy about it.
Yay on the Schwinn! I hope you enjoy it! Of course you should check out the Peloton App, but there are alternatives apps and YouTube channels too. I’m glad the Caveman made your birthday great, maybe being home all the time he’s trying to make it up to you. 😉
I hope Thing 2’s school is able to stick with that plan. Schools here at pushing back plans due to the pose-TG spike.
Hope you had a good birthday! I feel bad that Grayson’s birthday is so close to Christmas. I wish it was a little more spread out! But right now it just feels like a long celebration!
I cannot wait to find out what the “plan A” present was…I am sure that it was memorable. Hybrid school worked out really well for the boys. It was a little bit of a return to normal while still giving them extra time at home, kind of the best of both worlds. Our schools did have to go back to remote after Thanksgiving partly b/c of cases but mostly because there were so many teachers and kids in quarantine that it wasn’t practical to continue in person. We’ll be starting up again in January.
I guessed that your your b-day present – Enjoy!
LMK if you like it. I’m thinking of a spin but not an expensive peloton one.
Happy Birthday! Mine is on Mother’s Day and often gets lost.
Woot!!!!! Happy Birthday to YOU!!! Nice haul on your special day, Marcia 😉 Isn’t it nice that our mornings will (slowly) be getting brighter and brighter…definitely lots to celebrate this week 😉
So glad that you were treated like a queen on your birthday! A bike is always a great addition to a home gym. I will be there for the Friday Runfession of course. Thanks for the reminder I almost forgot. That’s great that your daughter gets to return to school in January. I think they may have just put another hold on that by us
Lovely photos and great birthday present, wow! I am trying to resist the temptation of another Iceland virtual with a glow in the dark medal! Oh dear! I’m already going around Iceland, up the length of the UK and across the US!
I love that your hubs treats you like a queen! I just shop for myself, but hey at least I get what I want, lol.
Mixed feelings here about our snow deficit–I’m sure you feel the same. It’s nice to lay down some decently paced runs and not worry about wiping out. On the other hand, the snow is pretty…
Frozen sunrises are such a great description. I’m so glad you had a wonderful day. Who says we ever outgrow toys for our bdays.
xx
So glad you had such a good birthday! And, yay for the new bike!
Wonderful news that your daughter’s school will be going hybrid in January. Being completely remote is just so hard. I think even being in the classroom part-time has made a world of difference for my youngest son.
I love that expression “oval office” for the track! Funnily, this has become my Monday routine as well!
I’m glad your husband treated you for your special day, including FLOWERS!
Being a mother for a teenager in 2020 must be the hardest thing. I never thought about that aspect. I’m glad for both of you that THing 2 will start going back to school again.
Happy Birthday and so glad you were treated like a Queen! You deserve it for sure!
My husband is a Boxing Day Baby so he can relate to your brother. Although as he has gotten older, so long as he gets to do his 3 – 4 hour mountain bike ride, he is quite a happy chap!
Happy Belated Birthday! My birthday is Valentine’s Day, and my parents always made it special for me. Mr. Judy hated paying more for a dinner on my birthday, so for years we didn’t, but finally I said I’m worth it. I don’t expect much from 2021.Sometimes he surprises me, though. The Caveman did great!
Obviously no snow drought here. More in the forecast towards next week. That annoying few inches here, few inches there. It is what it is.
That’s great that Thing 2 will be going back some. My nephew was a college freshman this year and let’s just say he crashed & burned. 🙁
Happy birthday Marcia! Sounds like a lovely day! Enjoy the gifts!
Oh, happy birthday! I’m so glad you were spoiled so wonderfully. We need to make the most of these joyful moments where we can.
Love the bike! Here’s to many happy miles!
That is a great birthday gift! Will you be signing up with Peloton for their workouts? That is great news about your daughter going back to in-school instruction. It’s been a rough year for everyone!