I continued my quest to hit 1000 miles for the year and on Wednesday, my mission was accomplished. I didn't stop running, though! I kept up with my usual routine, adding a few more miles to my yearly total. I'm feeling very satisfied with how my year went, both on and off the road, and that is a great feeling!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 6.75 miles
Monday: Christmas Day
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: run 7.3 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: treadmill run 6 miles
Saturday: rest
Our strange weather continues! On Sunday/Christmas Eve, it was 50 degrees when I left to run at the forest preserve. I wore shorts! It was foggy and the trails were muddy and wet. It felt more like spring than December. No deer sightings--there were too many people on the trails. Despite that, I had lots of solitude. I took a detour into the woods to check out a structure that looked like a well from the trail but turned out to be what my trail friend said was a salt lick. Going off trail is always risky and the buckthorn had its way with me. IYKYK. Aside from all the battle wounds, this was a very strong run for me!
Salt Lick |
I didn't run on Christmas Day--I was hosting my entire family and needed to save my energy! I woke up Tuesday morning completely exhausted and not at all sure I was up for CrossFit. But after 2 cups of coffee and a smoothie, I felt a little more ambitious. I was so glad I went because I felt much better after the workout. The workout itself was painful: for the strength portion, we did a 12 minute EMOM alternating toes-to-bar prep with 2 laps of farmers' carries (I used 35# KBs). For the MetCon, we did an 18 minute AMRAP of 15 cal on the bike, 14 toes-to-bar or prep (I did straight leg raises), and 10 box jumps (I used a 20" box). I made it through 5 full rounds and an additional 9 cal on the bike before time was called. I was really happy with my TTB prep--I feel as if I am making good progress and should hopefully have TTB soon!
On Wednesday, I laced up my road shoes and ran the 7-ish mile loop at Busse Woods, one of the other pretty forest preserves near my house. While I've run there many times over the years, with my focus on trails, I don't think I've run there at all this year! It was a pretty morning and I mostly had the path to myself, save for some fisherman. There were some slick spots on the pavement and the trees were covered with hoarfrost. The elk were out and it was a treat to see them. I brought my headphones but forgot to put them on--it was just that beautiful.
Friday morning was cold, rainy, and dark; my joints were achy, so I made the decision to run on my TM. It wasn't a difficult decision. I ran an easy paced 6 and headed off to work. The achiness stuck with me all day and into Saturday. I opted out of a planned strength class and gave my legs a rest.
Christmas Day
We hosted dinner on Christmas Day! We had 13 total and it was a fun, lively gathering. Both the boys brought their girlfriends. We also found out that my sister is going to be a grandma this spring! I've said it before and I'll say it again--having grown children is really the best!
Cocoa update
On Wednesday, I took Cocoa up to the University of Wisconsin for her follow up. The dermatologist called her 'the patient of the day' and it wasn't because she is so cute. Between her ear and her skin, she's just a hot mess. She has really bad allergies and we've been playing with her medications to try to keep her from itching so much. This predisposes her to superficial skin infections and they gave me some new medicated soaps to wash her with. With regards to her ear, the ear drops they've given me have kept things stable, but she is very likely going to need total ear ablation in her remaining ear. I have time off scheduled in April and am hoping to schedule it then. Sadly. I just hate the thought of her being deaf, but we're between the proverbial rock and hard place.
We're wrapping up the year without fanfare. We're going to my parents' today to exchange gifts with my youngest sister and her family, then we'll spend a quiet NYE at home. Just how I like it! Do you have any plans for NYE or NYD? Are you running any races this weekend? Did anyone have a White Christmas?
Coming up on Tuesday are my monthly mini book reviews for December!
Oh that photo at the second preserve is just beautiful! There was almost no trail running for me at all this year, sadly.
ReplyDeletePoor Cocoa. Bandit's cough has worsened again (not anywhere near as bad as last summer), but he's pretty perky most of the time, so there's that. He's not fond of going to my mom, but at this time of year, I just need that break from doing all the driving myself (although my husband makes it real clear he's not particularly happy about it).
Happy New Year Wendy!
You would never know that Cocoa has anything wrong. She's just as crazy as ever! Maybe she would behave even worse if she felt 100%?
DeleteNice job on your workouts this past week and congrats on hitting over 1,000 mile! That elk is huge and those antlers, wow! But like you, I would have been thrilled to see him even if a little intimidated.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree, having adult kids is the best!
Here's to a healthy and fit 2024!
Luckily, that elk was behind a fence! But neither he nor the ladies were interested in me at all.
DeleteYour scenic photos are gorgeous, as is the one of your family. So sorry to read that Cocoa is having a rough time. With the exception of our human family, nothing hurts quite as much as having our pets fare ill.
ReplyDeleteNow in my seventies, no specific goals for me beyond walking two miles a day as often as possible.
No plans for New Year's Eve, a quiet meal of leftover Christmas lasagna and a nice bottle of wine, just the two of us. New Year's Day we celebrate my French-Canadian heritage, our annual feast, with my Mom's old post-Midnight Mass menu (who eats like this at 2:00 a.m. anymore?!) with Tourtière (French-Canadian Meat Pie), New England Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, and Corn Bread. Our older son, daughter-in-law, and two grand-children join us. Would that our younger son could be with us! In L.A. for thirteen years, we've seen him only twice. A visit West is in the near future, we hope.
Happy New Year, my long-distance friend.
You'd never know that Cocoa had anything wrong with her. She's such a kook. it's definitely harder on us!
DeleteHappy New Year Connie!!!
Way to hit your end of the year running goals and end the year strong! Love the photo of you all at Christmas. Nothing like having the whole family together. Happy new year. Wendy and hope we get to see each other this year#runhappy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to a runhappy reunion! Or maybe something in Chicago?
DeleteYay for closing out on 2023 on a high note!! Well done on your 1'000 miles, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd say you are very close to getting the TTB! Your form looks perfect to me.
That photo from Busse Woods is amazing. So peaceful.
Which one of the sons was it (on the photo) who had that fence climbing accident a few weeks ago?
Enjoy your quiet and relaxed NYE - that's exactly how we will spend ours.
My youngest son, the one on the far right, is the one who took the tumble. That kid...
DeleteWe spend the afternoon with my parents and sisters--now we are home and I am ready for bed! So exciting, lol
Congrats on those miles, Wendy! We ended the year on a whimper activity-wise - Les and I have both been sick. On Thursday I decided to just take the rest of the week off. I am ready to hit it tomorrow - hope to be in bed by 9:30 tonight ;-) My sister became a grandmother last year and it has been the best! We all love that little guy. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure we will be in bed before 9:30! I hope you both feel better soon!
DeleteSo sorry for Cocoa's troubles. Thankfully, we have been fortunate with Max's health (other than his two ACL injuries and subsequent surgeries). Glad you had a nice Christmas with family ;-) Congrats on the 1,000 miles!
ReplyDeleteThanks and Happy New Year Kim!
DeletePoor Cocoa!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 1000 mile goal. And lucky you with such beautiful trails nearby.
Obviously not racing tomorrow. Just dinner out tonight with the hubby and I leave tomorrow for my job (in NYC).
Hapt new Year!!
Happy New Year Darlene! Will you see Cari when you are in NYC?
DeleteYay! Congratulations. You really had an amazing year of running! Your trail photos are beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm spending a quiet NYE at home, and it looks like my son will be joining me because he's not feeling well (he originally was trying to find something a little more exciting to do.) Yes, I'm starting to see things your way- having grown kids is pretty great.
Happy New Year!
My youngest was supposed to join us for NYE, but he found something better to do--lol! I can't blame him. Happy New Year!
DeleteYou did it! Congratulations! It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! I'm so glad. And how cool that you got to see elk! That's awesome. A is going to be 15, but I am absolutely enjoying the older years. I can see it getting better and better! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a really great year. I hope 2024 brings the same. Happy New Year Jenn!
DeleteWell, I am commenting on blogs for my NYE :) haha! My kids will be out at friend's houses and we'll be holding down the fort at home. Cocoa looks so cute! What a trooper. One of our cats is having a hard time right now. She is 14 years old. I have a feeling she will not be with us much longer due to her medical issues. Very sad, but it wouldn't be a surprise.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
It's so hard to see a pet suffer, isn't it? Sounds like your NYE is as exciting as mine!
DeleteSo sorry for Cocoa, the pets are part of the family and we suffer with them when they feel bad.
ReplyDeleteI agree, having grown children is the best!
Congrats for the accomplishment, I didn't succeed to reach such goal, I have run 988 miles: too many problems last year.
Great trail photos.
All the best and happy new year.
Oh Wendy, I'm so sorry about Cocoa. That's so tough...I totally know how hard it is. I am so glad you are close to the great vets in Madison. Hoping for the best. She is such a sweetie.
ReplyDelete