Week in Review (February 9 - February 15)

Tuesday (12,930 steps) - Work in the office. 

I had plans to meet up with friends at Milk Market for a run after work and to drop off cookies, but they had to bump the run to 5:30 so I ran solo when I was off. It wasn't terrible.

Wednesday( 17,594 steps) - Work from home. Walked Pika at lunch. After work, Ben and I headed up to meet Kristin, Jeramiah and Tyler in Boulder for a run. It was a really pretty evening, and I actually had a pretty solid run. Starting as early as we did, we were able to do the entire run without headlamps!!

We stopped and picked up pho for dinner on the way home. Cold front coming in!

Thursday (10,243 steps) - Work from home. Went on a long walk during lunch. After work did the Fitness Blender barre video (omg, how is this so hard) and rowed for a bit. 

Friday (10,216 steps) - Work in the office until early afternoon when I got an email that A had a positive exposure at school and had to quarantine. I let everyone in the office know and headed home to finish out my shift. Took Pika for a below freezing walk with A after I got off work. 

Saturday (10,022 steps) - Slept in and decided to not run, or do much of anything. Temps were still around 0, so we just took Pika for a short walk. Big excitement of the day was our furnace not working, and it being FREEZING in the house. Thankfully, I have my Selk bag to keep me warm.

Sunday (10,151 steps) - Thankfully, Ben got the furnace working in the morning - temperatures were nearly 10 below when we got up! I did a BodyPump video, which wasn't too bad. Then we had a nice breakfast and Ben gave me a really beautiful flower arrangement.

I took Pika for a walk alone because Ben was too wimpy for the "hovering around 0" temperatures. Didn't do much of anything for the rest of the day.

Monday (15,806 steps) - Work from home. Finally a break in the awful cold temperatures, and since A is quarantined and was at home (also a holiday for her), we went for a run together. It wasn't terrible, thankfully. Took Pika for a walk after that. After I was off work I did the FB barre video again, while A rowed. Then we did some random exercises and stretching. It was fun!

Stats:

• 86,962 steps
• 12.78 miles run
• 17 minutes rowing
• 74 minutes cross training

Week in Review (October 14 - October 20)

Tuesday - 2 miles during lunch, another 5.5 after dinner. Neither was terrible.
Wednesday - 2+ miles during lunch, then BodyPump after work. The last few times I have been I have NOT enjoyed the set. The instructor made a "Girl Power" mix that was almost entirely P!nk songs, which was actually pretty fun. Best class I have been to in ages.
Thursday - The day started off poorly great, with Lisa telling me she had made cookies. Then I saw the size of the tupperware containing said cookies. I tried to start with just one. That led to 2, then 10, then more than a dozen... I managed to run 4+ miles during lunch (how I didn't puke on the treadmill is a miracle). Dinner was the family birthday dinner for L. Ran another 6+ - again, no puking is a miracle.

Friday - NOTHING... During lunch, L and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for the dairy trifecta (we split a grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese and a slice of cheesecake), then we hit up the RnR expo. Dinner was pizza and a LOT of beer.
Saturday - Without planning it, I was still in bed at almost 10 am. We went to Dunkin' where we tried the Pumpkin Creme Brulee latte. WHICH WAS FANTASTIC. The donut selection was crap, so we had to go to the grocery store for donuts. Lunch was a Mexican Fiesta (hatch green chile enchiladas and beer). Some shopping after lunch, and then MORE PIZZA for dinner. Even with wandering the mall, I barely did 9,000 steps according to FitBit.

Sunday - Up early for RnR Denver - which turned out to be a great lunch. Dunkin' after with another latte and a toasted coconut donut. Lunch of a burger (which WEIRDLY, I was too full to finish). Quick run to Target - and with no line at the pharmacy, Ariel and I got our flu shots. This is only the second time I have gotten one, but since it was "free" and I was there, I figured I might as well.

I'm assuming more couch-sitting, and then dinner with me, L and my older sister for Indian food. The finale of the weekend was a half dozen mini cheesecakes (in fun "Halloween" themed flavors) - L and I *did* split, so it was really only THREE mini? It all sounds like so much when I type it out...
Monday - With Chaos over and no major running planned this week, Heather and I decided to do the new Fitness Blender 5 day challenged for "busy people." Day One was a "HIIT cardio + Butt & Thigh" workout. It was challenging, but not horrible. A reminder of how HARD jumping is :(

Weekly Miles Run - 33.24 miles
Minutes of Cross Training - 30
Minutes of Strength/Stretching- 60

Weekly Gain - 3.0 (118.4)

• So.... for L's birthday, she wanted to eat all her "favorite things." We had a lot to squeeze into what we deemed "Lost Weekend" - burger, pizza, donuts, enchiladas, cheesecake(s), Indian food, beer...
• Honestly, I'm actually surprised it wasn't worse. I have been very diligent about the whole "counting calories" business for the last few months, and I did not log ANYTHING starting with the dozen and half cream cheese frosted pumpkin cookies I had for breakfast on Tuesday.
• After more than one meal I was sweaty, light-headed and pukey feeling. Can't IMAGINE eating like that on a regular basis. It was HARD WORK.
• #EatAllTheThings - SERIOUSLY...

Everything Else

• In 5 days, Ariel is doing her first 10K! The race starts late (9:30), and we have unseasonably warm temperatures forecasted - highs near 80! Seems better than the alternative (cold, windy, rainy and/or snowy). 
• NEXT WEEK, we leave for NYC!!! So excited! I have been waiting for this race/trip for a LONG time. Ariel is excited, I'm excited, going to be SO FUN.
• Work is horrid, the End.

Week in Review (September 30 - October 6)

Tuesday - After two days off after Bear Chase and not being sore, I decided to run after work. I forced myself to stop after 3 (speedy) miles. Weird, fantastic run.
Wednesday - 3.5 mile run during lunch. After work went to BodyPump - still hate this release.
Thursday - 4.25 miles. Still speedy, pretty good. Stopped because I started feeling a nagging ache in behind my left knee.
Friday - Easy 3 miles during lunch, stretching after work.
Saturday - 6ish miles on the treadmill. Went to the Hot Chocolate expo, then a BBQ with friends at the park. Ate way too much and in bed EARLY.
Sunday - Hot Chocolate 15K. I have ZERO recollection of what I did the remainder of the day.
Monday - CHAOS. Due to low numbers, this was the last week :(

Weekly Miles Run - 29.19
Minutes of Cross Training - 60
Minutes of Strength/Stretching - 73

Weekly Loss - 3.6 pounds (116.0)

• Lost the weird 3ish pounds I gained after Bear Chase and about another half pound. Seems about right with the food/beer consumption this week.

Everything Else 

• Quite possibly the most uninteresting week ever. So, here is a picture of A with the ice cream cone she made earning her pottery badge with the Girl Scouts.

Week in Review (September 23 - September 29)

Tuesday - I headed out of work about 15 minutes early so I could get a loop on North Table Mesa done before dark. 7.15 miles at the fastest pace I've ever done on the loop. Weather was perfect and I finished just as the sun was setting. Felt great the whole run! Also did some stretching at home.

Wednesday - BodyPump! Hadn't been in a while. I really don't like the new release of this. It seems BodyPump is headed more towards a "Cross Fit" type of program and I don't like it. The moves are so fast and there are a binbillion reps and it seems like a recipe for disaster/injury. Hope the instructor doesn't have to teach this one for too long :(
Thursday - Finally got to try out the new treadmills at the gym. YES, THERE ARE NEW TREADMILLS AT THE GYM. I have been going to my gym for 5 years and these are the first NEW treadmills they gym has had in that amount of time. I had eaten too much at dinner so my run wasn't the greatest (stomach-wise), but leg wise... these treadmills were pretty great.

Friday - Pizza and my friend's 40th birthday BBQ and beer.

Saturday - Bear Chase 50.

Sunday - Me and A were up even EARLIER than I had been up on Saturday to volunteer for the shorter distances at the Bear Chase. We were assigned to the Cattail Creek aid station, so we would only be seeing the half marathon runners. The race didn't start until 7 (and our aid station was only 2.4 miles to the finish), but they had us arriving at 5 am. That was ROUGH. The first hour or so we were standing around (freezing) and talking, waiting for our supplies to arrive.

A enjoyed running sections of the course - including up "mini Mt. Everest"

The set up did not take long. A and I took the first shift of being a course marshal at the turn for "mini Mt. Everest." We had lots of volunteers, so mostly we were cheering on the runners and getting water bottles filled. I'd guess at least half the runners didn't even stop at our aid stations though. We went to Sweet Tomatoes for brunch and then took a MUCH needed two hour nap. Don't really remember the rest of the day.
Monday - Skipped CHAOS, watched tv.

Weekly Miles Run - 62.46
Minutes of Cross Training - 0
Minutes of Strength/Stretching - 73

Weekly Gain - 3.2 pounds (119.6)

• I started getting REALLY hungry Thursday. I ate a decent amount Friday. Saturday, during the race, I really didn't eat that much and didn't have a huge dinner after. Sunday, I also ate a lot. I didn't really track food because, wow, during a race like that it just doesn't even make sense. I don't think this is all "true" weight gain. We'll see what the scale says next week.

Everything Else

• This about sums it up...

• I have not heard back from my interview. I followed up last week. I didn't have a good feeling about it, so I am not surprised, although I suppose they could still be slammed with other interviews, as I know they were looking to fill various positions across the board.
• In only TWO weeks, I will be celebrating an ENTIRE YEAR without a single date. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Week in Review (September 2 - September 8)

Tuesday - Nothing. Recovering from the marathon.
Wednesday- BodyPump.
Thursday - Easy intervals on the treadmill during lunch, 7 miles after work.
Friday - Pizza and beer. Made exponentially better by meeting up with Jessa for a drink before heading home.

Saturday - Black Squirrel half marathon.

After lunch, A and I headed to my friends house in the mountains to celebrate her son's 17th birthday. A great evening of way too much food. (There were SIX cheesecakes there and I sampled FOUR of them...)
Sunday - Nothing in the morning other than doing some grocery shopping. Spent the afternoon with Jessa planning our NYC trip and watching the Cowboys get massacred. Jessa taught A how to crochet (not a skill I care to have).

Monday - Intervals on the treadmill during lunch and after work - CHAOS.

Weekly Miles Run - 27.51
Minutes of Cross Training - 60
Minutes of Strength - 60

Weekly Loss - 1.8 (119.8)

• I don't even know how this is possible. I ate EVERYTHING this week.
• Related - coming soon, maybe the end of this week, I will post my review of the FitBit Flex that I have been using for the last five weeks or so.

Everything Else

• I am bummed that I have to wait another few weeks for the new iPhone. I  have had mine for a few years and recently mine decided it no longer wants to play audio. At all. It's so awful not having  my handy Netflix when I'm on the treadmill. #FirstWorldProblems
• I recently applied for a job that would be PERFECT for me. Within a few hours of sending my resume, I got a reply asking when I was available for an interview. That was last Thursday. I sent a follow-up email at 8 this morning (Tuesday), and have heard nothing. WOMP, WOMP, WOMP.
• Related: My firm hired YET ANOTHER Partner, and guess what, I work for him too... My head might explode.
• Cold weather is coming to Colorado. Our high on Friday is supposed to be mid 50's. THE HIGH. What. I'm not ready.

Week in Review (August 5 - August 11)

Tuesday - 7ish miles on North Table in Golden. I really, really like these trails. Not super technical, but they are relatively challenging with the ups/downs. I think this was my fastest time on this loop.

Wednesday - RUN CLUB!!!

Thursday - Headed over to Green Mountain for the first time since late winter. And NOW, I remember why I don't run there. SO ROCKY!! Had to cut my loop short due to some scary clouds and thunderstorms.

Friday - Work party, pastries, beer and pizza.
Saturday - Went to BodyPump in the morning. Spent a bulk of the day driving around trying to find a place to buy a recorder. Have no recollection of what I did in the evening.

Sunday - Beaver Creek half marathon. Took A roller skating after that. More pizza.

Monday - CHAOS.

Weekly Miles Run - 28.15
Minutes of Cross Training - 60
Minutes of Strength/Stretching - 60

Weekly Loss - 0.8 (120.6)

• Had pizza twice this week. Delicious.
• Had lots of pastries thanks to work party. Delicious.
• Lots of new beers this week. Also delicious.

Everything Else

• So the kitty's official name (after joining the family two weeks ago) is Batman Sour. Batman is the name A picked. L and I have added the "Sour" because he is like a Sour Patch Kid. First he is sweet, but then he is sour... 

Can't you just see the look of crazy in his eyes??

• A is officially registered to run back to back 5ks at the New Years Double this year. She is super excited to get her own challenge plate!
• Um. School starts on Monday. Where did the summer go??? I mean, "I" didn't really get a summer since I work year round, but it seems like it just started?
• NOTHING ELSE.

Week in Review (July 29 - August 4)

Tuesday - Failed speed work. I was tired and not into it. Managed 4.5 miles, none of it was fast, it was all pretty horrible.
Wednesday - BodyPump. Still so weak. Spent most of the class glaring at sports bra girl who stands REALLY CLOSE TO THE MIRROR and spends the second half of the class wandering around doing free weights. I really hate her face.
Thursday - It's been raining for TWO DAYS, and since the sun finally came out, I of course headed out for a trail run on North Table Loop in Golden. I've been running a shortened counter-clockwise version, but decided I would run the entire loop - clockwise. I wasn't really sure how far it was, so I headed out and hoped to finish before dark. I seemed to be having more trouble than usual on this run, my legs just never warmed up. I barely got this done before the sun set. I'll know for next time.

Friday - Pizza and beer.

Saturday - I had planned on getting up at 4:30 for my long run. The kitty woke me up at 4 so I headed out then. I was out in the canyon 30 minutes earlier than last time, and I was hoping to beat the heat. I had packed a third bottle in my awesome Orange Mud vest so I wouldn't be panicky about running out of water.

Like the last time I ran this section, the run up the canyon was darkish, coldish (I wore arm sleeves for the first 10 miles of my run), and windy. Once I got onto the Colorado Trail it warmed up. I felt pretty much like crap right from the start and had to use the bathroom TWICE on the way out. I saw only a handful of bikes, and one of the men stopped to talk to me. He couldn't believe I was so far out and on my own. I didn't have set mileage in place, but I was still feeling "off" and decided to turn around at 12 miles. I was slower on my way back than the last time, and the canyon didn't feel as downhill. Ended up logging 24 solo trail miles.

Arm sleeves? In August??

Saw BILLIONS of sheep on the way down the canyon.

Stats: 24 miles, 3450' gain.
Miles 1-12 (11:57, 13:19, 14:14, 13:08, 13:20, 12:53, 20:04, 20:25, 17:19, 23:40, 22:59, 19:59)
Miles 13-24 (14:09, 12:46, 16:01, 19:42, 14:28, 11:08, 11:00, 11:46, 11:39, 11:52, 13:13, 11:30, 11:30)

I did NOTHING the rest of the day except sit in the basement, in the dark, watching Law & Order. For 8+ hours.
Sunday - After breakfast, I went to the gym (for the check in) and walked on the treadmill before heading up to Boulder for a quick hike. I was hoping to hike Bear Peak, but I didn't end up finding the right trail. I sort of wandered around up to Mallory Cave, and then hiked a bit of Mesa Trail. I stopped only because I was running low on water and I was starving.

That's Boulder in the background

After lunch on 28th Street, I drove around looking for parking. Did you know, that when an Ironman comes to a small town, PARKING IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND? I ended up finding a spot only about a half mile from the finish area, which was also very close to where I would be volunteering on the run course. I wasn't on volunteer duty until 4, so I spent about two hours spectating.

Oh, Colorado

I have no idea how these athletes were doing so well under the conditions - a billion degrees and so hot. I was hoping to see my sister before I got on duty, but I didn't know where we were exactly on the run course (other than we were close to the finish). I changed into my Wonder Woman costume and thankfully got stationed in the shade. I saw my sister about 15 minutes after I started volunteering!

My sister!

I spent the next 4 hours handing out water. 100% handoff accuracy! Out of all the times I have volunteered, these were the best group of athletes. They were all very friendly and appreciative. I had a great time. I was DYING with this guys speedo. Not pictured is the front, where he had the state of Texas (but colored like a Colorado flag) over his crotch.

I saw my sister heading out for the last turnaround just in time to be off shift at 8, and I grabbed some snacks so I could watch her finish. She crossed the line just a few minutes after I got there, getting a new PR 13:41ish. She is amazing! I hung out with her and her husband at the finish, then we went for beer and food. I didn't get to bed until midnight (or maybe it was later than that).
Monday - Chaos.

Weekly Miles Run - 37.15 (4.5 treadmill, 32.65 trails)
Minutes of Cross Training - 60, plus the 4ish mile hike.
Minutes of Strength/Stretching - 60

Weekly Gain - 0.8 (121.4)

• Pizza is so great!! Everything else was pretty much in check, so whatever on this. Dumb body.

Everything Else

• Uh.
• Edited to add - Oh, so I may have forgotten to mention that I registered for another 100 mile race. Ok then. This November, 3 weeks after NYC. The Big Cedar 100. Always making good, smart choices.

Week in Review (June 24 - June 30)

Tuesday - Normally I do my speed work on Tuesdays, but I had the opportunity to run in the morning, so I headed out for a run. Only manged to get 4.8 miles done, but still so much better than being on the treadmill. After dinner, went on a bike ride with A, and then did some stretching. Been SO tight and sore lately. I need to do this more often.

Wednesday - 10 minutes on the stairmill before class. ALMOST DIED. How how HOW can stairs be SO hard. I thought I was having a heart attack. Then, BodyPump. I'm still the weakest ever. More stretching once I got home.

Chickie in the sports bra set up like a FOOT away from me in class. WHY.

Thursday - Decided to do the speed work I did not do on Tuesday. I had 2x1200's on schedule, along with 4x800s. I did not have it in me to do the 1200s, so I decided to give it my best effort with 800s, doing 6 sets. Goal pace on the 800s is 9:05 (so roughly a 4:33 800). My lower right back had a weird "ache" to id and it was actually sort of painful to run, especially through my warm up. Actual - 1 mile at 10:53, 4:36, 4:32, 4:28, 4:25, 4:23, 4:17 and cool down 1.25 in 13:17. Pleased with this workout. (A bit disappointed that my 800's used to be sub 4:00, but I'm working on it). MORE stretching, and lucky for ME, Fitness Blender had recently done a video specifically for loosening the back, just what I needed.
Friday - Company BBQ. I was dreading this initially, but it turned out to be a LOT of fun.
Saturday - Up early (unfortunately a bit hungover), for another run on the Apex Trail. I was not feeling great, so I cut it a bit short, running only a little over 9 miles.

Unrelated - my cat of 16 years has been sick for the last year with hyperthyroid issues and he has gotten much worse. After not eating for days, I had to have him put down. The treatments weren't working. It was the WORST. He was still "fine" personality-wise, still mobile, yet he wasn't. SUPER depressing.

Literally, the last picture of Chilly, taken just a few minutes before they took him back :(

A and I spent the afternoon at the pool with a friend, then we had to do last minute packing for her visit to Texas. Womp.

Sunday - A had a very early flight, and after I dropped her off at the airport, I decided to go hiking. Initially, I wanted to climb Mt. Bierstadt, but I had some pretty terrible directions, and by the time I got to Guarnella Pass Summit, it was already about 11:00. I found a spot on the road to park and when I saw there was "a trail," I decided that whatever was there would be fine. I planned on running (lolololololol) and hiking the steep inclines. Now, the lower part of the trail was pretty muddy and wet. Apparently, there is still a substantial amount of snow at this elevation.

Yes, this "creek" is the "trail"

I had to do some "snow crossings" - which got my feet a bit wet. VERY little, if any, running was taking place. I finally got to a sign that gave me two choices of where to go. I picked what looked "flatter," but ended up turning around as there was a TON of snow and I didn't feel comfortable navigating the side of a mountain, it "easy" trail shoes and slipping and sliding on the rocks. Did I mention that I saw NO ONE out there? So, I headed back to the fork in the road. I looked at my other option. I saw NO actual trail. I did, however, see a guy in no shirt waaaaay up at the top. Well, I will go that way. HOLY CRAP I ALMOST DIED. (I'm just being dramatic. Sort of.). I have not "climbed or hiked" in a very long time, probably since I did Inca Trail and the Leadville marathon. Did you know that there is NO air when you are in the 13k range? I was taking like 15 steps, stopping, hyperventilating, repeat. I actually had a mild panic attack when I realized I could not see a single person, and I was on no idea WHAT mountain with no clue if/where there might be a summit. I took about 20 steps back down the mountain before I convinced myself I would be very upset if I didn't TRY to get to the summit.

This is the "trail" / "hill" that almost killed me. SO STEEP.

Once I got my breathing under control I headed back up. And up. And up. I saw one cairn on the trail. Tons of rocks, wildflowers and MORE SNOW. I thought I got to the top... NOPE, false summit. This happened twice. And then... I WAS THERE. I saw a huge cairn at the top. I MADE IT! (Didn't know WHERE I had made it (at the time), but it was somewhere, and it was high up and it was gorgeous).

Thanks to Garmin data, I know this is the summit of Square Top Mountain - the 111th tallest peak in Colorado

I had to be extra careful on the way back down because of the loose rocks and the steepness, so again, NO RUNNING. The snow on the way back was slippery (I know, I know) and I pretty much skied down. HUGE sigh of relief when I saw people again. So. That was fun.

According to Garmin data, my moving time and elapsed time were different by over an hour. Did you know, at one point I was moving so slow the Garmin couldn't recognize my pace? hahahaha! On the drive home I got stuck in mountain traffic, so I stopped in Idaho Springs at the Tommyknocker Brewery and had a chili beer. Yum.
Monday - I had gotten the Worst Sunburn Ever during my hike. Yes, I had put on sunscreen, but apparently, when you are ON THE SUN, you need to apply more than once. I debated on not going to Chaos, but since L was going, I also went. It was hard, as usual, but I'm glad I went.

Weekly Miles Run - 19.27 miles
Minutes of Cross Training - 5+ hours (long hike, bike ride, stair mill, CHAOS)
Minutes of Strength/Stretching - 3 stretching videos, 44 minutes

Weekly Gain - 0.4 pounds (121.0)

• I watched calories pretty well. Not sure why the gain this week, although I did have a little more beer than usual. Not too worried or concerned about this, just going to continue to be conscious of my choices and hope things don't get too out of control.

Everything Else 

• For real, nothing is happening. My goal while A is gone is to stay busy and to get out and do the things I say I always WANT to. So far, so good.