Sunday, January 3, 2021

Here We Go Again

New year, same old song and dance lol! I really wish that with the flip of the calendar, we'd have a clean slate and things would return to some semblance of normal. Not so much--the COVID rages on--but one thing remains constant: running and fitness. I ended the year with a hard strength session and a big hug (like, she wouldn't let go) from my coach. The new year started with a trail run. In spite of all the turmoil around me, I'm happy to have one thing that is constant: running. 

Running got me through 2020; I'm happy to continue the wave into 2021. 

Here's to hoping for a better year! 

1200 miles for 2020!

Weekly Rundown

Monday: trail run 5.76 miles
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: run 4 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: trail run 5 miles
Saturday: hike Ice Age Trail
Sunday: run 7 miles
Total miles 2020: 1207.71

Running

On Monday, it was only fitting that I hit my year-end goal of 1200 miles in 2020 on the trails where I did so much running this year. Nearly 300 of my total miles were run at that preserve! For this run, I ducked into the woods on the single track at the first opening and ran the length of the interior creek in both directions. The sun was shining and I had fun hopping over all the tree trunks and limbs that lay strewn in the trail. I crossed over the creek a few times on fallen trees. The sun was shining and it was a perfect day to get lost in the woods. 

After hitting my goal on Monday, I hadn't planned on running anymore that week. I woke up to snow on Wednesday and yeah, my shoes were calling me. I ran the roads in my neighborhood and because it was so sloppy, I wore my trail shoes. My feet were dry, I stayed upright, and I was glad I went.


Cold temperatures made that slush freeze and on New Year's Day, I took my shoes to one of the other preserves. I knew the conditions would be rough and they were. When I first started the run, I wasn't so sure I wanted to continue. It was icy and uneven due to the frozen footprints. After a mile, I got into a groove and found that the edges of the trail were fairly smooth. I was stopped by an old man yelling at me about the ice, but other than that, it was uneventful. The highlight of this run was a herd of 5 deer crossing the path in front of me! It was the perfect way to end this surprisingly strong run.

2 of the 5 that crossed in front of me!

This weekend, we took a ride up to the lake. I wanted to check out some more Ice Age Trail, which I share below. On Sunday, I ran along the lake. There was freezing fog, which left something called 'hoarfrost' on the trees; it was breathtakingly beautiful. I enjoyed a nicely paced run. It's much hillier there than where we live and my legs felt it on the ride home.

CrossFit/Strength

My schedule was kind of messed up this week and I did the WOD on Sunday, which was in last week's recap. On Thursday, Sammy Jo met with me for my last strength session for the year and it was a killer! I alternated 4 sets of 8 deadlifts (145#) with 8 bench presses (60#). Talk about hard... well, ok, I probably could have gone a little heavier on the bench presses. But those deadlifts...I do have a goal of a new PR in both lifts, which at this point looks totally doable. I'm not sure when that will happen, but it should be in January, so stay tuned!


Hiking the Ice Age Trail

The hubs agreed to go on a hike with me. I wanted to explore somewhere new, but he wanted to check out the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail. We brought Cocoa and started off uphill. Cocoa and I chugged up the hill, through the snow, but it was clear that my hubs was struggling a bit. We took it slow, but about halfway into the trail, he wanted to turn around. Sigh. I felt kind of bad for him. Those climbs are pretty intense.

The hubs taking in the view of the valley

I dropped him and Cocoa off at the cabin and drove to the Indian Lake segment, where I had never been before. This highly recommended segment was clearly very popular, as I couldn't find a place to park. I could see why. There are cross country ski trails as well as a sledding trail and a dog park. I hiked up to the top of a hill to enjoy the views. Note to self: go back there during the week. I do want to explore it more, but I prefer more remote trails. 

view from the top

New Year's Eve

The hubs and I don't usually do much for New Year's Eve, so staying home this year wasn't anything different for us. We usually have a dinner of crab legs and watch a movie. Well, Whole Foods was sold out of crab legs, so we had lobster tails instead. My husband is the chef and he went all out with these. I may never want crab legs again! I bought a yummy Sauvignon Blanc (Criterion) and made chocolate strawberry shortcakes for dessert. Then we watched Best in Show, one of our favorites. We may have stayed up until 9:30, lol. 


No resolutions or goals, just looking forward to 2021 with optimism. It's going to be a tough start--damn you 'rona! but hopefully, we'll get back to some semblance of normal again. On Tuesday, I'm going to share a look back on 2020 and my year of fitness. 2020 was a good year for me with regards to that and this self-reflection exercise was a fun way to evaluate the year and set intentions for 2021. I hope you'll check it out!


How was your week? Did you wrap up any fitness goals? Any runs in the snow and ice? What did you do for NYE? Did you make it to midnight?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 






36 comments :

  1. Your trail pictures are so pretty with all the snow! Although I'm sure its trickier for running. My husband got his first round of the vaccine on Thursday and all of a sudden I started feeling more hopeful for this year. I know we have a long way to go, but hopefully we are headed in the right direction! Looking forward to reading your reflections from last year!

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I was just in awe of the beauty from the snow this year. I think running on the trails has made me so much more in tune with nature!

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  2. Your snowy pics are so pretty! I hope we have at least one snow storm here (remind me that I said that) Nice job finishing this tough year strong and hitting your mileage goals. Cheers to a happy and healthy 2021

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  3. Lovely photos, thank you for sharing them! I was going to share a running post to wrap up my year, but it was so dispiriting seeing so many people disobeying the rules in the park (even people from my running club!) that I don't want to post when I can't post positively. So I did wrap up another month of 100 miles, giving me all months except July since May 100+ (July was 99.4, grrr). I am to try for 100 per month next year. Have a good, safe and healthy 2021 xxx

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    1. Same here, Liz! We'll see if my body holds up. And I do get you about the difficulty in trying to put a positive spin on things sometimes!

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  4. Frozen fog sounds lovely — but cold! I made my first broiled lobster tails this summer — I was intimidated but it ended up being easy — and delicious. We binge-watched Emily in Paris to stay awake until midnight. So exciting, I know!

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    1. We LOVED Emily in Paris. I was surprised that my hubs liked it so much.

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  5. Best in Show is hysterical! NYE is usually a stay at home holiday for us, so nothing different this year. We made a nice dinner and retired a bottle of wine. We made it until midnight so yay us!

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    1. I should say I went to bed at 9:30 but I didn't sleep well--fireworks at midnight and then my son coming home at god knows when, lol!

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  6. Happy New Year! I always stay up until midnight on NYE but this year was a struggle - I was glad I made it! Like you, I never go out for NYE so this year was nothing different. We ordered pizza and watched TV.

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  7. I agree. Best i Showis so funny. NYE was a quiet take out dinner with the fam. I want your dinner!!

    That trail is so pretty. I would keep going back too.

    Got my 1000 for 2020 - I am content.

    I am nervous about ice and snow. I did put on my yak trax and hiked on an icy trail - no slipping and sliding. I guess I'll be on the trails this winter (walking).

    Happy new Year!!

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    1. I didn't use the YakTrax yesterday. My trail shoes did the job.

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  8. I made it to East Coast New Year + 20 minutes and then I cashed in for the first time EVER. Sorry not sorry. Those Ice Age trail views are gorgeous! My trails are pretty dicey because they're very uneven under the snow/ice. Its been slow trudging but they're pretty. Aww I love that your hubs gave it a try. Very sweet. Happy New Year!

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    1. I'm going to try Deer Grove tomorrow. I'm told it's 'fine', but we'll see!

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  9. Those trail views are so pretty!

    We always keep NYE low-key. Our tradition is a family fondue dinner along with board games. I barely stayed awake until midnight, but was determined to make sure 2020 left the building LOL!

    Happy New Year Wendy!

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    1. That sounds like so much fun! My oldest son had a small party at his apartment and my youngest and his girlfriend went. I'm glad for that. Of course, I miss those family NYE celebrations!

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  10. We get the hoarfrost frequently here...it does look pretty, but it's frigid for running. Sadly, for the first time in years, I didn't make it to midnight. I did wake up (on the couch) to the sound of fireworks, though, and we saved the champagne for after the NYD run celebration the next morning. Problem solved LOL

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  11. I love Best in Show! It's such a great movie.

    We had burgers and snacks and lots of champagne on NYE. My family used to just have appetizers and watch movies on NYE, but Mr PugRunner likes to go outside and watch the local fireworks in advance of his birthday. It's got to be hard to have your birthday on such a big holiday, so I let him have his fun.

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  12. I can barely get Mr. Judy to hike when it isn't snowy, so props to your husband for at least being willing to try. I keep trying to get mine out just to get fresh air. Not always easy.

    I am more cautious about running in those sorts of situations. Even though we don't have much snow, there's enough to make it icy. But I still do get out there most days, one way or another, for some fresh air.

    I still have goals. I still have optimism. I am also a realist so I know it's still going to be an uphill climb (so to speak).

    Happy New Year, Wendy!

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    1. I have optimism and I do have goals. But they are reallllllly broad....

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  13. You really have become quite the trail runner this year! As you know, I've started hitting the trails with Blue several days a week. Believe it or not, we have been in this house for over 27 years and though one of the entry points is literally a 3 minute walk from my front door, until this year, I have never ventured back there! Right now I'm really just familiarizing myself with the lay of the land, but I plan to spend much of my time running there when the weather gets nice.

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    1. I feel you! I live very close to my trails; I've run the paved ones many times but never ventured into the woods until this past year. Making up for lost time, I guess. I do feel that I wouldn't have appreciated them as much until now, tho.

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  14. Great recap, and lovely photos! I'm so hoping our snow/ice melts soon as I want to get out on my bike. I have so much to learn about riding. Plus I hope my foot will be cool with running this month, I'm itching to go.

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  15. Freezing fog sounds horrifying, but those pics are beautiful. Ice Age trail sounding on brand Congrats on amazing year and solid weeek

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    1. Thank you Cari! Not as scary as it sounds. The beauty was just overwhelming, tho!

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  16. Congrats on a great week of training. Your runs in the snow sound wonderful and beautiful - glad you found sure footing. The freezing fog on the trees is pretty.

    Happy New Year, Wendy!

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  17. Those lobster tails looks yummy! Awesome job on your mileage in 2020. Way to go! The snow also affected my running so I didn't do too much of it. Oh well.

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  18. Kudos to your husband on that delicious dinner! I did make it up until midnight. It wasn't worth it LOL. that's great that you got some snow running in and didn't fall. That's always my concern.

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