Week in Review (March 19 - March 25)

Tuesday (12,786 steps) - Work in the office. Since Ariel is in France, I had to hire a dog walker for the first time in a VERY long time (like probably since October?). Olive is definitely still fearful of "new" people in the house, so I had to harness/leash her before I left. Isn't she adorable/pitiful?

Work in the office. I had to work through my lunch so I could go home and start my colonoscopy prep. Wooo. Took Olive for a walk and settled in for a long evening.

Wednesday (10,737 steps) - Up early to do the rest of my prep. Risked taking Olive for a very short walk before Ben drove me to my appointment.

The prep was definitely the worst part. I think from the time I checked in until the time I was discharged was less than 90 minutes. Ben and I decided to go to Parry's for lunch - our first time having the lunch special!

Once I got home I took a nap and then we took Olive for a longer walk.

Thursday (22,629 steps) - Random PTO day! I had initially planned to be in Kansas running a race, but cancelled back in December. Since I have unlimited PTO, I figured I'd just keep my days off. Did some reading, then headed to Dino Ridge to do my hill workout. 

I sent Mo a text when I started my cooldown and we agreed to meet up for coffee near her house. 

Not working is really the greatest. Took Olive for a walk when I got home and did some deliveries. 

Friday (16,925 steps) - Decided last minute to get up and go for the walk at Wash Park with Olive (even though I didn't have to work!) Took Olive for another long walk at lunch. Squeezed in an upper body Peloton video so I didn't break my streak. Did quite a few deliveries and met up with Ben at Parry's for dinner.

Saturday (30,480 steps) - We met up with Larry and Terri for our "fun" loop. Terri had hurt her back, so she was staying off the technical trails. The lower trails weren't too bad.

As we got into the more shaded areas we encountered ice, snow and of course - mud.

Navigating Fern turned out to be a challenge as the trail was lost for a bit. But we finally made it - wooo.

Once we made it back down to Mesa, it was sunny and not crowded at all.

The rest of the loop went pretty well. I think coming down Bear was probably the worst trail conditions. I am not sure why, but I was also really fatigued and felt sore. Residual stuff from the colonoscopy? Who knows...

We went to Mudrocks for food and a beer. I got a delicious mac and cheese plate. 

Hurried home to take Olive for a walk and discovered she had a poop accident in Ariel's bathroom. Would have preferred not on the new tile, but still way better than on carpet. Poor puppy!

Sunday (36,495 steps) - Tried to sleep in, failed. Took Olive for a walk before we headed out for our run. We opted to run Coal/Rock Creek. Blah. The temperatures were actually really good, but this trail has pretty much hit it's limit of us running it. It actually went much better than I expected though. We stopped for protein smoothies at Ziggi's and Ben got a beer at 4 Noses before we headed home for showers and another dog walk. We decided we were hungry and went to Salsa's for a late lunch/early dinner - accidentally crashing a birthday party.

We had a few hours to kill before we needed to pick up Ariel at the airport and were watching TV when the blizzard rolled in. It started as graupel and we thought it was hail at first it was coming down so hard. Olive did not enjoy it with the wind and icy snow.

Tracking her flight, she was going to be on time, but we were nervous with the weather, so we went out early and had a beer at Danico down the street while we waited for her to get her bag.

Conditions had deteriorated quite a bit by the time we drove home. Thankfully Ben drove!

Monday (17,232 steps) - Work from home! Took Olive for a walk and went to lunch at Torchy's with Ariel. I put off my run as long as I could before heading out for an hour of cold. Seriously, it was maybe the 5th time this year I've had to run in tights - we've had a pretty mild winter overall. I was supposed to run longer but just didn't have it in me. Blah. Did some deliveries after work.

Stats:

• 147,284 steps
• 34.65 miles run
• 0 minutes of cardio
• 10 minutes of strength

Week in Review (March 12 - March 18)

Tuesday (17,245 steps) - Peloton before working in the office. Strength training at lunch. Left work to go straight to Ariel's soccer game. They lost again, but Ariel got to play more, so she was happy about that. 

Wednesday (17,645 steps) - Since Joyce wasn't going to be in the office, I took a bonus work from home day. Took Olive for a walk at lunch. 

By the time I got out for my run it was late and the storm was already rolling in. It was lightly drizzling by the time I finished up - but at least it wasn't that cold. The weather had gotten worse by the time we were supposed to go to Ariel's soccer game. I was surprised it hadn't been cancelled! We stopped to have a beer before getting there. It was pouring (eventually switching over to snow), but thankfully Ben had reminded me to grab an umbrella. I haven't been that cold in a bit! And the poor girls having to play in shorts!

Thursday (10,140 steps) - It definitely snowed a lot overnight and I was glad to have a work from home day. Olive basically had to swim through a foot of snow to get to the backyard.

We had a break in the snow coming down for a bit, so I pulled out my snowshoes and figured it was a good time to take Olive for a walk. She had a BLAST.

Conditions were NOT spectacular for snowshoes - the snow was heavy and wet, and every step I took I was kicking up water onto the back of my legs.

We still managed to get out and do the full big lake loop, although by the time we got back home I realized Olive was covered in snowballs!

When I was drying her off I realized that she was now missing her bandana, so I headed back out to find it (without the snowshoes) - it was a half mile away and nearly buried in the snow.

We did not go out again the rest of the night - and it kept right on snowing...

Friday (10,343 steps) - I messaged Joyce very early in the morning and told her I was basically trapped in the house and did she actually need me to come in after we took Ariel to the airport. Thankfully, she said now. The city did a decent job plowing, but it was going to be a while before I was going to be able to get my car out - so thankfully Ben drove us in his truck to the airport. After stressing all week about the weather, Ariel was able to get out (on time!) to France - lucky gal. Took Olive for a walk at lunch - blue skies, but a LOT of snow.

Ben and I went to Parry's for dinner. Mmmmm, I love this salad so much!!

Saturday (23,099 steps) - The front range trails were all either closed or a mess, so we met up with Larry and Terri in Superior for a run on some dirt roads. Uninspiring, but better than nothing - and at least not where we normally run, so at least we had a change of scenery.

We had thought about taking the trail back, but ZERO people had been out and we figured post holing and trying to find the trail might not be the best idea.

Decided on Upslope afterward for a beer and burgers.

Ben decided we should take Robin with us when we took Olive for a walk. It was her first time in the backpack. She was much calmer than Batman ever has been, didn't pee/poop in it and didn't try to escape.

Home Depot to return extra supplies from the bathroom and to pick up a new vent for the ceiling in A's bathroom. Also stopped by 4 Noses.

Sunday (24,393 steps) - Decided on Bear Creek for our run since it's paved and we would be able to get at least a little climbing in. Not my favorite place to go, but it wasn't too bad. Overcast and the paths were mostly clear.

Quick stop at Parry's for a beer/snack and then took Olive for a long walk. The lake trails are a muddy mess.

Monday (21,237 steps) - Work from home. Took Olive for a walk and got my (almost) 8 mile run in. No recollection of the rest of the day, but pretty sure we went to Parry's again.

Stats:

• 124,102 steps
• 26.64 miles run
• 40 minutes of cardio
• 40 minutes of strength

Week in Review (March 5 - March 11)

Tuesday (15,597 steps) - Peloton rides before work in the office. Went to the gym at lunch for strength training. After work I had to go to a meeting at the school for A's upcoming trip to France. Ben brought pizza home for dinner. 

End of day progress!

Wednesday (10,366 steps) - Woke up in the middle of the night sweating, with a stomach ache. Ended up puking my guts out and basically crying on the bathroom floor. I cleaned up and tried to go back to bed, but it took forever to go back to sleep. I ended up calling in sick (and by "calling in sick" - I took a remote day) so I could sleep in. Mainly, I just didn't want to be away from a bathroom. Took Olive for multiple walks so I could still get my steps in as I planned to skip my evening run.

End of day progress!

Thursday (14,870 steps) - Work from home. I had a lot of miles on schedule, but since I wasn't really eating and still felt like garbage,  I only did a little under 4 miles. After work, I headed up to LONGMONT for A's first soccer game! I maybe forgot to mention that she opted to not run Track and tried out for soccer and made varsity! The weather was COLD and drizzled most of the night. They didn't win, and A only got to play for maybe 25 minutes, but it was more entertaining than I thought it would be. Next time I really need twice (or three times) as many layers.

A in all white!

Evening progress

Friday (24,022 steps) - Work in the office. Since I've been lethargic all week, I skipped the morning walk and coffee. Had to work on an amended tax return because we forgot about a form - ugh, we owe even more than I feared. Did a decent amount of driving after work since we have had all sorts of crazy expenses lately. Took Olive for a walk and dinner at home and "Only Murders in the Building."

Saturday (31,645 steps) - Met Terri and Larry at Mt. Falcon for the Saturday adventure. We were a bit late, but we got started before 9 am. The lower trails were covered in a thin layer of frost, but I could tell they would be muddy later. Beautiful morning!

LOTS of climbing, and soon we were in the trees where it was more snow and ice. Larry sure is a strong hiker for an old dude!

The way down wasn't much faster going, lots of ice, slush and mud. UGH!

Once we got back into the sun, we could see how bad the trails were - COMPLETE mud fest. The last .75 or so was soooo slick and I almost lost my shoe in the mud more than once. I wouldn't be surprised if the trails were closed after this!

We all went to Parry's after for a beer and a snack. Somehow, before we knew it, it was mid afternoon. Took Olive for a walk, then we went to Home Depot to paint color swatches before going to 4 Noses. Contractor was done for the day - almost completely finished now!!

Sunday (24,777 steps) - Stupid, stupid daylight savings. We headed out for a quick jaunt at Apex. Of course this was a day when only bikes could do Enchanted, but with it not being a zillion degrees, the exposed switchbacks were fine. Trail closest to the parking lot was ALREADY muddy, but the higher ones were dry.

Until we got to the trees, then it was even more snow-packed than and drifts/icy than we had experienced at Mt. Falcon. This was a bit more slow going than we planned, and the steeper climbs took a bit with all the snow.

The way back wasn't bad and we had a nice run down - lots of people. The lower trails actually seemed less muddy than on the way up. We stopped to return the excess tile, then went to Home Depot to buy the paint and supplies. We went to lunch at Torchy's for the first time in ages. I took Olive for a walk while Ben washed my car.

No idea where the rest of the day went, but by the time I did deliveries for a few hours it was time for dinner. 

Monday (22,327 steps) - Work from home. Went for my run pretty early in the morning. It was supposed to be nearly 60, but it was overcast and I was content in pants and a long sleeve. I didn't do as many miles as were on  my schedule, but was fine with the effort. Still feeling tired after being sick.

Took Olive for walk - in this picture she spotted a cat across the canal. 

Errands and deliveries after work. Met Ben at Parry's for a beer and then Ben got most of the painting done in the bathroom, although some of it will need a second coat. It's 99% done, just need to finish the shower fixtures. Wooo, we made it!

Totally love the shower pan!

Stats:

• 143,604 steps
• 26.09 miles run
• 30 minutes of cardio
• 45 minutes of strength