At Least the Buckthorn Was Happy to See Me

 

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: run 6 miles

Monday: pool running

Tuesday: CrossFit

Wednesday: trail run 6 miles

Thursday: strength training

Friday: run 5.25 miles

Saturday: rest

Running: 

I woke up tired on Sunday after a late night out with my oldest. I swear, if I stay up past 10, it's like I miss the window of sleep. No regrets, but I still wanted to get out for a run. I took my feet to the preserve with the limestone path. It was cold and windy, but I managed to push myself to 6 miles. 

It was really warm and humid on Wednesday morning--60 degrees in December, anyone? I was thrilled to pull on shorts and head to the trails. I ducked into the woods on the single track, starting out around the lake. The buckthorn seemed to be happy to see me because a couple of thorns latched into my thighs and wouldn't let go. Ouch! Once I got myself loose and pulled the thorns out, I kept moving. It was really, really muddy and I did a lot of water crossings that made for slow going. I can't remember the last time I ran in the mud. I was grateful to stay upright. In spite of the mess on my shoes and my legs--or maybe because of it, I really really enjoyed this run!

Yes, that's a TV and I used it to help cross this creek

Friday morning was cold and clear--a little colder than I was dressed for. My glutes were still engaged from Thursday's strength session and even though I kept my 4:1 run/walk intervals in the run, I felt like I was flying! This was my fastest run since I broke my ankle and foot in July, running an average pace of 9:45. I was a little too early for the actual sunrise, but look at that sky! Sometimes running gives you exactly what you need.

Pool running:

When I got to the pool on Monday, there was another woman tethered to the side, pool running. I had never seen her before. I climbed in next to her--there is nowhere else to tether in the dive well- and she turned away, refusing to make eye contact with me. Do I smell? Whatever. I did the Trifecta workout, which is a combination of endurance and sprints. After Sunday's tough run, it was just what I needed to shake everything out. 

Strength training and CrossFit

On Tuesday, I returned to the WOD for the first time since my injury. The strength portion had a 10 minute EMOM of pull-up prep work on the bar. The MetCon was an EMOM of 2 power cleans and 2 front squats with double under for the rest of the minute. I don't have double under, so I just jumped rope. It felt great to be back and let me tell you that I was really sore the next couple of days!

We worked on more glute activation at my strength session on Thursday with Bulgarian split squats holding a 25# DB in each hand. I alternated those with pull-up negatives. After that, SJ had me rotate through barbell rows, perfect push-ups, and a really fun drill where I had to toss a slam ball overhead back to the wall while lifting up to my toes and not bending my elbows. 

Off the road...

Holiday prep continues at my house! When I'm not at work or working out, I'm getting ready to host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. I'm done gift shopping and have been chipping away at wrapping. The hubs does the cooking, so he's working on his menus and doing food shopping. My youngest comes home from college on the 23rd. I cannot wait to see him! At work, we adopted one of my families again this year and the mom came in on Saturday to pick up all the gifts. I love doing that! In spite of the explosion of Covid cases, it is nice to have some sense of normalcy with the holidays this year, isn't it? 

How was your week? Are you getting your runs in? How about that woman in the pool? How is your holiday prep going?

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