Because Being Ordinary Is Boring

Friday, January 23, 2026

Week in Review (January 6 - January 12)

Tuesday (12,910 steps) - Peloton ride and Olive walk before going to work. Did a Pilates class and treadmill at 8.5% during lunch. Took Olive for a walk when I got home and sauna time! More Following.

Wednesday (12,596 steps) - Olive walk before going to work in the office. Really busy day and I squeezed in another walk on the treadmill just to get steps in. Walked Olive after work, did some stretching and of course sauna time! Dinner and more Following.

Thursday (12,657 steps) - Work from home! Cleaned and finalized my packing. Took Olive for a long walk since I didn't have a run on schedule. It snowed the whole time - very wet snow, so I was drenched by the time I got home.

Finished up the work day and sauna. Ben and I went to Torchy's for the first time in many weeks because of all the holidays.

When we got home I took Olive for another walk. More Following.

Friday (12,810 steps) - Woke up to find it snowing pretty hard! Thankfully, by the time I was ready to take Olive for a walk it had stopped. Her fur is long enough that she was stopped frequently to chew at the snowballs, so I decided to leave her home instead of taking her to work.

Went to the gym at lunch to walk on the treadmill again. After work I met Ben at 4 Noses for “happy hour.” Since we don’t have a ton of food we got burgers from the food truck. Went home after to walk Olive and sauna. More Following.

Saturday (21,489 steps) - I set an alarm but I woke up well before it went off. Had coffee with Ben while planning my morning. Finally decided to go for a short run - my first one in a bit, and it was good! Then I took Olive for a long walk to the lake while Ben and Ariel picked up Dutch Bros.

Unfortunately, her fur is getting so long again that she got a lot of snow and mud balls and by the time we got home she was limping a bit :( Took a shower and finalized the rest of my packing. Ariel ran to the bank to get me some cash so I could exchange when I got to Thailand. Ben and I went to Parry’s for a lunch, although neither of us was very hungry.

I had wanted to get to the airport extra early since I was not able to get checked in online. Ben even came in with me to help with bags, which helped a ton. There was zero wait to check the bag and basically no line at security either, so I was there WAY too early. Gave me a chance to wander around and get my steps - I even set outside since the weather was so nice to read. Our plane was scheduled to leave just after 5 pm and we ended up leaving a few minutes early. I got an aisle seat and my seat mates were normal-sized and never got up. I read some of my book and watched Gossip Girl before watching Elf (kinda been obsessed with watching it again ever since I realized not one of our streaming services offered it for free). I had a long layover in Seattle, so I picked up some food as soon as I got to the right gate and then spent some time on the phone with Ben.

When I discovered that my seat (on a 13 hour flight) was going to be dead middle, Ben offered to pay to upgrade me. I ended up in an emergency row with a ton of space, but it was kind of annoying because I couldn’t keep my bag with me.

Sunday (276 steps) - We left Seattle just after midnight. With the time change, literally my whole “day” was on the plane. I was RIGHT by the bathroom, so the only time I got up was to use it and I probably only got about 30 steps each time.

I watched “I Am Legend” while waiting for dinner to be served.

First meal was shortly after we took off

I SOMEHOW EVEN NAPPED FOR OVER 4 HOURS, which is really unheard of for me. I read more of my book, watched “It Ends With Us” and breakfast was served while I was watching “The Bucket List.”

"Breakfast" was a few hours before we landed.

Monday (18,128 steps) - Technically my day started on the plane, but I’ll count it when I got off since that’s when my step count re-set. Since I had a very long layover in Taipei, I had done some research and found out I would be able to leave the airport and take the train into the city and do a bit of sight seeing. What I did not plan on was ending up in a terminal at 5 something in the morning with seemingly no exit. At 6 when the info desk finally opened I was directed to an area to exit, but where I was told to go was barricaded off. I found another help desk and was told the same location and she insisted I could just walk around the barricade. I did that and ended up on the other side of a small security area. The guys there seemingly had no idea what I was asking for, but finally I got in the correct area. I had to do a Taiwan Visa and go through immigration. Then I had to wait for the ticket booth that took credit cards to open at 7 before I could get my train tokens. Finally, I caught the 7:13 train to Taipei main station, which took somewhere between 30 and 40 minutes, but at least I got a seat. Once I got off at the station I found a locker to check my bag and then thankfully my maps worked and I headed towards Liberty Square. Holy cow was this confusing. So many signs and different directions to go. I didn’t really get LOST, but I did end up in a construction zone (no one said anything).

It was lightly drizzling on my walk there/back, but I’m glad I got out there and walked around. It was only $10ish for the round-trip train ticket and then a little over a dollar for the locker.

Even more miraculously, I found my way BACK and didn’t even have problems finding my bag. Phew. By this time, I was starving so I went to pretty much the first place I saw. Spent way too much money on sub-par food - although the pumpkin soup and chocolate cake were divine.

Finally found a place where I could get my devices charged. LONG day so far. Finally, it was time for the last leg to Chiang Mai. I had another aisle seat thankfully, but this flight wasn’t that long (comparatively).

I kept dozing off, which made the flight go by quicker. Tried to watch “The Long Walk” but the WiFi kept cutting out, so never actually finished it (which was fine since I have already seen it). I had emailed the hotel I had booked asking for a shuttle, and imagine my surprise when I collected my bag and there was someone waiting for me when I exited baggage claim. It was a short drive to the location and I was REALLY excited to put my stuff down and relax.

I took a shower and intended to just lie down for a nap and ended up completely passing out for the rest of the night - not a surprise considering how long I had been awake.

Stats:

90,866 steps
1.61 miles run
16.05 miles walked
15 minutes of cardio
31 minutes of strength (10:01planks)
115 minutes of sauna

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Week in Review (December 30 - January 5)

Tuesday (13,423 steps) - Peloton and Olive walk before going to work. Went to the gym at lunch and did StairMaster, strength training and a mile at 12% incline.

Ben and I met up at Costco, which neither of us enjoys doing. Took Olive for another walk when I got home, stretch and sauna time! More Welcome to Derry.

Wednesday (14,859 steps) - Took Olive for a walk and then sadly had to go to work. Only nice thing is basically zero traffic. Walked to REI at lunch so I could try something on, only to discover it was not even available in store. Not a totally wasted trip, the weather was really nice, especially for December.

I got off at 2 and did a few deliveries. Tips were really great for once. Met up with Ben at 4 Noses for a drink (still NA for me, and a Topo). Went home to start dinner, took Olive for a walk and more sauna time!

Welcome to Derry since we couldn't find any streaming service that was actually showing anything for New Years.

Thursday (30,867 steps)

Took Olive for a walk before going to Morrison for the 6th (!!) annual New Years Day run I've organized at Red Rocks. This was probably our biggest turnout since the inaugural year.

Ben was hoping to run, but he threw out his back a few days ago and gave up on running and did his own thing after about a half mile.

We had unforeseen issues with our route when we discovered that Red Rocks was having some construction done and every access point was blocked off.

We had about 40 minutes of wandering around and looking for other ways to get where we wanted to go, including going up the backside of Dakota Ridge. I never mind going on trails, but I wasn't wearing the right shoes for it at all.

Only Jandy and Maureen were up for the full route we had planned, so we continued on.

Last group picture before we all went our separate ways

I actually felt way better than expected on the last 3-4 miles. Almost all of us walked over to the Holiday Bar / Mill Street for the tradition of burgers and beers, although just a diet coke for me. When we got home I took Olive for another walk before more sauna time. I am just loving the convenience of having this, and I really think I'm getting my money's worth. More Welcome to Derry, although this finished up the show for us, already. Ariel joined us for a short time for charcuterie before she went to home.

Since Ben has now watched the prequel, we of course had to watch It, since he had not watched it previously.

Friday (11,059 steps) - Once again, sad I had to go to work. Took Olive for a walk before we went into the office.

Just like I expected, it was very slow and no one was working. Went for a walk at lunch.

After work I met up with Ben at 4 Noses for happy hour. Headed home to take Olive for a walk and then sauna. Cannot remember what was for dinner, and pretty sure we finished It and started Chapter 2.

Saturday (29,192 steps) - Down to Lakewood for the season opener of Runners Edge! I had mapped out a few different route possibilities, but my main goal was to get double digits. Ben planned on starting with me and then walking whatever he might need to if his back started to act up.

Only picture I took...

The loop was 7 miles, and he managed the whole thing! Right before I got back to the store I turned around to do the back half of the loop in reverse. I got in just over 10 miles at a much faster pace than I normally do, so I was happy about that. The store was offering 50% off all apparel, so I shopped a bit - even though I really AM trying to weed through my closet and stop buying things. UGH. Went home and showered, walked Olive. We stopped to pick up Panda Express on the way to Rails End. Stayed there for a bit and then pack home for sauna time. Watched Final Destination: Bloodlines with A. After she headed out we finished It: Chapter 2.

Sunday (18,845 steps) - It was really nice out, so I went for my run while Ben went to pick us up Dutch Bros.

It's actually as warm/nice as it looks!

After I showered we took Olive to the dog park. It was insanely crowded and we had to stalk people to find a parking space.

On to Rails End.

We got a snack and stayed until the Broncos game started.

Pretty much right when we got home we got a phone call from Ariel that her clutch was overheating. I didn't even know that was a thing, and in all my years of driving, and 6 vehicles that have had a stick shift, I have never had a clutch got out. Thankfully she was with a friend and they were able to hang out at her house while we waited for a tow to get the car up near us. Unfortunately that was a whole "thing" and it took over three hours. UGH. Did my stretches and sauna time. Started watching a new show "The Following" - although I definitely was getting a sense of deja vu that maybe I have watched this before, but can't remember it well enough to stop watching.

Monday (17,693 steps) - Work from home. Shortly after the shop opened I got a call from the service manager that Lucy will definitely be needing a new clutch and flywheel. Since they were closed for 10 days over the holidays he wasn't sure if he was going to get a full diagnostic done, but this wasn't good news for any of us. UGH!!!! We literally just paid for new brakes and rotors in November. Took Ariel to Dutch Bros and then went on my run, where I also had my first big fall of the year, scraping up my palms and knees.

Took Olive for a long walk after. Ariel needed my car to get to work so I wasn't able to go driving. Instead, took Olive for a walk and then read and used the sauna while I waited for Ben to pick up pizza.

More Following.

Stats:

135,938 steps
28.75 miles run
19.56 miles walked
35 minutes of cardio
61 minutes of strength (11+ minutes of planks)
190 minutes of sauna

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Week in Review (December 23 - December 29)

Tuesday (13,778 steps) - Peloton ride and Olive walk before work. Went to the gym at lunch and did some strength training and incline on the treadmill.

Another Olive walk and time in the sauna.

I think Batman is screaming "MOM, WHY ARE YOU IN A BOX?!"

Wednesday (21,049 steps) - Christmas Eve! Unfortunately, my office was open. Ben actually had the day off so he went and picked up Dutch Bros for me. Took Olive for a walk and then I took her to work with me.

Happy Olive running around the office

It was a relatively busy morning for me but definitely slowed down as the day dragged on. Took Olive for a walk during lunch.

After work I dropped Olive off at home, changed clothes and headed to the lake for my workout, only to find out that the parking lot was closed?! I guess because it's a holiday? I had to park down the street and run over, but that worked out ok for my warmup. I had done these repeats before, but this was 10 reps of 2 minutes instead of 7.

A tank top. In December. On Christmas Eve.

Difficult!!! Ariel unfortunately had to work, boo. Some sauna time and Black Rabbit (?)

Thursday (10,943 steps) - Christmas! Ben made a big "mountain breakfast" that we enjoyed while opening presents.

Big gifts were a new Purple pillow (for me), Apple Watch (for A), random fun tools (for Ben), and sauna accessories (for me/everyone).

The cats also got new collars. Robin simply doesn't know how to be photogenic

I did a Peloton ride, then Ariel went on a short walk with me and Olive so she could start figuring out her new watch. Took Olive for a longer walk to the lake since the weather was so nice.

We got the finishing touches done on the basement/gym, which was fun and has made the space SO much more inviting.

Not really "important" to the basement layout, but these are all my awards/trinkets

Did some strength and more sauna time.

Ben made Christmas dinner even though A had to work. Ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing and rolls.

We wanted to watch Elf, but it is not on any of our zillion streaming services, so we settled for watching the Broncos game. At some point I took Olive for another short walk to get my steps in.

Friday (12,822 steps) - Slept in. Ben got us Dutch Bros before A had to go to work, yet again. Ben and I took Olive to the dog park.

Rails End on the way home. Sauna and another Olive walk.

Testing out Olive's new glow-in-the-dark LED collar

More Black Rabbit?

Saturday (46,176 steps) - Had a very long run on schedule. There was an unofficial run with Runners Edge at Waterton, so I decided I would go, even though I knew I would end up running alone. Ben went with me because my brakes are STILL squeaking.

Ben asked what color my leggings were. I said "Terra Cotta"

After I started, he dropped me off and then went to Schomp so they could work on my car. Again. For the third time in 5 weeks. The run itself, other than the few times I had to stop and use the bathroom, was pretty good! It was chilly, but I had layered well.

Originally, I had thought I would run to Lenny's Rest and come back.

I decided that wouldn't be enough distance, so I went about a half mile past to get in more vert, then came back the other way, for a loop at the top.

These are not "December" trails

I haven't done that many times and thought I was lost. I also had no phone service or maps downloaded on Gaia... Thankfully my memory was correct and I was NOT lost.

The run down wasn't terrible and I saw quite a few sheep.

Ben met me with about a half mile to go. My car was STILL not done, but we headed to the dealership anyway to get a status. Once we realized it was still going to be a while, we went to Torchy's down the street to get lunch. Thankfully, my car was ready not too long after we finished eating and we were able to get home before dark. What a long day. Took Olive for a walk, then used the sauna. Black Rabbit? I think we finished it.

Sunday (11,289 steps) - Did some cleaning and procrastinated a bit deciding what we were going to do for the day. Ariel went and got us all Dutch Bros (yum!) and Ben and I finally got out of the house and took Olive to Boulder for a hike. Since we finally got some overnight snow, Olive was VERY pleased.

We stopped at Rails End on the way home. Delicious snack since there was a BBQ food truck.

Yoga video and sauna. Started a new series, "Welcome to Derry."

Monday (18,017 steps) - Blah, back to work. At least I was at home! Did a bunch of cleaning in my office, finally got about two years' worth of filing done. That's definitely one of my resolutions this year - get rid of clutter and crap we aren't using! Took Olive for a walk and then I went out for my run. I really thought I had overdressed, but turns out the layering was pretty good and only the gloves were overkill.

After work I went to Target and spent way too much money on Christmas candy. Ben and I tried to go to Parry's but there was a wait, so we just went home and had leftovers. Sauna and some stretching. Welcome to Derry.