Running Over Challenges

Disclaimer: I was sent a One Up Band non-slip headband in exchange for my honest review.

It's a new year with new goals and new challenges as well as new opportunities! Starting today, I will be joining Holly as co-host of the Weekly Wrap. I'm sad to see Tricia go and I know I've got big shoes to fill. While many of the WW regulars already know me, I'm looking forward to reading some new training recaps and getting to know some more runners. There's a new badge at the bottom of this post that you can use for the linkup. If you are unfamiliar with the rules of the road, I've copied them from Holly's blog and you can find them under the Weekly Wrap tab at the top of my blog. Please let Holly or me know if you have any questions.

So how was your week? I know that a lot of us have been challenged by the weather. Most of us have been trapped in the deep freeze for the past couple of weeks. Then there was that bomb cyclone out east, which made my cold weather seem a little less awful. I'm hoping everyone is safe, dry, and warm right now.

Speaking of challenges, this week I kicked off the Strava/Lululemon 80/40 km challenge. I needed to up my miles to prepare for my February half marathon, and this was the perfect challenge to kick start my abbreviated training cycle. While the cold temperatures made for some tough runs, we had bright sunshine all week and that really seemed to take the sting out of my miles. Steph and I ran 5.5 miles on New Years Day, but those miles didn't count for the challenge. My total miles this week were 31+. No wonder my legs are tired!

Steph pre-flu

The rest of my runs this week, as well as my CrossFit workouts, were solo. Steph came down with the flu. You know, the real flu. Influenza. She's really sick. It's gearing up to be a bad flu season. I've been seeing a lot of patients in my clinic who are testing positive for the flu and I'm prescribing Tamiflu like water. I am washing my hands like crazy in the hope of not contracting this thing.

My solo Saturday run
I'm kind of getting tired of this ensemble. And the face mask.

With the start of the new year, my work hours changed. This week I was only able to get in one CrossFit workout, which was a strength session. Sammy Jo challenged me with deadlifts, and I maxed out my 5 rep series with 155#. Oooh, it was heavy! I also did KB swings, lat pull ups, and dumbbell rows.

Up next week: more miles to conquer for the conclusion of the Strava/Lululemon 80/40 challenge. While it is supposed to warm up, I am hoping that doesn't mean ice! Because treadmill miles don't count for the challenge. I'll also be back to twice weekly CrossFit. Bonus points if Steph is well enough to join me!

Sunday's 8 mile run brought out my inner warrior!

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One Up Bands

I was contacted by Courtney of One Up Bands and asked to try out one of their non-slip headbands. This past week, I was able to test it at my CrossFit workout (as you can see in the weightlifting picture above). I've used similar bands in the past and I always struggled with keeping my wayward layers in place. I am happy to report that all my hair stayed tucked into the band and the band did not slip, as promised! While I haven't been able to test it out on a run--it's been too cold and my hair has been tucked into a hat, I'm optimistic that it will perform well no matter what activity I do!

The band she sent me was really cute and on the website, there are hundreds of different designs. The non-slip headbands retail for about $12. You can also order custom designs. They also sell polar fleece bands in a variety of cute patterns--I could use those now-- as well as wide stretch bands, which is what I like to wear in the summer. There's a One Up FB group where you can find special offers if you are interested! On the company website, you can sign up for emails and get 20%. There's an affiliate program as well. I had never heard of One Up Bands before trying them and I'm glad to know about them!

How was your week of training? Are you participating in the Strava/Lululemon 80/40 challenge? You know it's not too late to join in! How's the weather by you? Everyone healthy? 

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