Weekly workouts –

25 miles of running this week. It was a pretty good week of workouts! I tried to fit in all of my stretching, cross training, strength, and even got out for a longer than usual run. The holiday season is in full swing with concerts, parties and other fun events. So it’s great to be able to keep up a workout routine now.

Great news…ALL of the foster kittens have found forever homes. In fact, we dropped them off on Weds and by Sunday only one kitten was left.  Not surprisingly, it was the little black and white guy (we called him Franz!). He had a “reserved” sign on his cage, and then he was adopted too. He was a bit shy, but he did warm up quite a bit.  Still not super friendly, but he was curious.  I’m sure he will make a loveable pet just like the others!  Here are a couple of the adoption pictures. I love to see the families who are adopting!

Mon – 3 miles.  It was a “snowman” run where you build up speed for each “snowball” (ie, length of time).  4 intervals in each set, then starting over again.  A good workout!

Have you ever had one of those cooking sessions when you spend many hours in the kitchen and the recipe is a total fail?  I was so tired and disappointed by the time I got done making these Brownie Buckeye Bites.  They did taste really good (because how could you miss with Buckeyes and brownies??), but it was not something I would take to a party (which is what I needed!).  Round 2 will be happening later this week when I find a new recipe!

Tues – Ride 20 mins, Strength 15 mins.  My workout plan said either cross train or strength.. I chose both!  I figured I’d give my spin bike another try.  I did a class on my OBE Fitness app and it was really different.  I’m unable to give it a good review right now because it wasn’t at all what I was expecting.  But, it was good cardio and I followed it with some strength work.

The high school had a holiday band concert which was wonderful!  I know, I know, I probably have a biased opinion, but honestly all of the bands played great. There are 3 levels of concert band and also a jazz band.  My son plays in the jazz band too, and he had a little solo!  That stinker didn’t tell me about it so I was totally surprised when he was playing all by himself.  His concert band (symphonic winds) performed Happy Xmas (War is Over) which was the best song of the night for sure.  Just amazing!!

Weds – 3 mile run, 15 mins stretching.  Once again “yoga” was on the workout plan for today.  So yeah, last week I decided to just pick “stretch” as the category in my Obe Fitness app instead of the “yoga” category.  Imagine my surprise when the class started out with downward dog.  Whomp whomp, my nemesis.  I wasn’t thrilled with the lower body stretches in this workout.  I’ll stick with the other video I did like.  But either way, running done, stretching done, and it felt good afterwards!

Thurs – 5 miles, plus some squats, lunges & jumping jacks along the run. I was hoping to catch a few more Christmas lights, but it was too late. I did get get a picture of the more interesting display in our neighborhood – a Jeep! This one looks really cool in the dark. I did some stretching after my run, and lifted weights at the gym.

Fri – 4 miles. I decided to get a change of scenery and ran around a quarry at a different metropark. There were a ton of geese who were not happy to see me! I made it to the gym for the 2nd time this week. Go me!

Sat – 10 miles, long run. The great weather enticed me to run a bit farther today. It was almost 60 degrees out! Once again I should have been wearing shorts, but I just couldn’t do it. Knickers were the safe choice instead. I got home just in time because the winds kicked up to 30 mph when I got home. Crazy!

Also crazy – My son was taking the ACT and I decided to be a little early to pick him up (because I am never early, and I didn’t want to be late!). As it turns out I didn’t know when the test ended and I sat in the parking lot waiting for him for 1 1/2 hours!!!! Oh my. I was starving when I got home and rushed to get ready for a wedding. But it all worked out and we got there on time. We had a fun time at the reception too.

Sun – Rest day! Party day! Another party happening later today – this one is being hosted by Dave’s Running Shop for all of the employees, coaches, Run Toledo ambassadors and racing team. I’ve never gone to this party, but I for sure will know a lot of the people there! Should be a good time. Speaking of running shops and shoes… my husband found my new shoe stash. haha! I’m all set for awhile! 😉

Need some more inspiration? I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Check out all of the fun blogs there!

Q: How many new shoes do you keep, waiting for the next spot in shoe rotation?

It’s hard to pass up a deal when my model goes on clearance!

Q: Will your company be having a holiday party this year?

My “day job” at the bank will not be having one.