Because Being Ordinary Is Boring

Friday, January 12, 2024

Week in Review (January 2 - January 8)

Tuesday (15,907 steps) - Peloton before work. Work in the office and did a few miles of walking on the treadmill.

Found this awesome picture of us at Javelina with Larry at the finish line

Finally got my acceptance back on the Runners Roost team for the 8th? 9th? year? There were I think two years that I was not on, but I can't remember when that was.

At lunch I did a full body strength workout, as well as a Pilates video and stretching. Ariel joined me for a neighborhood loop with Olive, although we hadn't wanted to do the bigger loop because it was pretty chilly.

Wednesday (20,626 steps) - Work in the office. Walked on the treadmill a decent amount. I had a sustained "rolling hills" workout on schedule. Unfortunately, we don't really HAVE great rolling hills, at least not ones that are open when I get off work. I knew part of Dirty Biz was closed, but I figured I could get a warm up done on the flat and just run up and down Meadowlark. It was actually not that horrible.

I ran past my car a few times and actually called Ben because it seemed like there were some suspicious cars just idling in the lot. He came to check it out and said everything was good - I've never been paranoid about my car (or running alone) before, but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.

Thursday (21,027 steps) - Work from home. Had an "easy 6" to do. It wasn't too bad, and since it's been dry, I ran the south side of the lake on the trails. Took Olive for a walk after. Other than getting these amazing bracelets from Melody in the mail, zero things happened.

Friday (12,186 steps) - We unanimously decided to skip the morning walk since it was supposed to be cold. I did enjoy getting a little bit more sleep for sure. Headed into the office, where I was shockingly busy and did a few miles on the treadmill desk. Took Olive for a walk when I got home.

Saturday (42,477 steps) - Dreaded today's run. Slept in and then took Olive for a walk before heading out. Ben seemed to REALLY not want to run, so I created a route that would allow him to bail after 10 or so miles. It was chilly out, but the sun was shining, so I opted to wear shorts and layered up top with a tee and my Patagonia Airshed Pro. Ended up being the perfect layers. I pieced together a run similar to what I've done in the past, and the first 3-4 miles were fine, but pretty much a big struggle after that. Was supposed to do 18 miles, thought I accidentally only mapped 16 - then ended up doing just under 19. Took FOREVER.

The cutest little guy ever!

We ordered Hops & Drops takeout to eat at 4 Noses so Ben could have his post-race beer.

Sunday (18,243 steps) - Possibly was dreading this run even more... only an hour recovery run at least. I decided to wear the Speedlands that I had won at Runners Roost for a test run. The run itself certainly wasn't as bad as it could have been. Of note: the Smartwool top I am wearing is literally the best winter top. I just picked it up in a second color because it's so good. I want to say the original price was close to $200, but this second one I got for $58 or something crazy. Totally worth the money.

Took Olive for a lake loop, then we headed to Torchy's for breakfast tacos and to wash Ariel's car. Olive had a grooming appointment, so we headed back up north so she could get a haircut. I drank Topo Chico while Ben had beer. Poof, the weekend was gone.

She looks so cute with her new bandana!

Monday (20,464 steps) - Work from home. We got snow overnight, so I was dreading running. It was also supposed to get windier as the day progressed, so I sucked it up and went out pretty early. I was supposed to have a faster run but with the cold and sketchy conditions, I decided to just do a trail run. Randomly, went to the north side of the lake, which I rarely do. It was mostly ok, and just glad to have it done.

Took Olive for a lake loop walk after that. Winter is here and I hate it. Olive, however, really enjoys the snow. She was happy.

Stats:

150,900 steps
41.25 miles run
30 minutes of cardio
50 minutes of strength

Friday, January 5, 2024

Week in Review (December 26 - January 1)

Wow, where did 2023 go?! It was not all all sunshine and roses, but it was overall a pretty good year. Onward to 2024.

Tuesday (10,569 steps) - Just because I can, I took the day off since I figured it would be really slow anyway. It was a cross training day, so I rode the bike in the morning. Ariel and I went to get coffee, and suddenly it was already lunch time. Ben and I ran some errands, including returning a freakishly ill-fitting pair of Prana jeans. Unsure of what else we did. I convinced Ariel to join me for a Taylor Swift pilates video.

Wednesday (24,565 steps) - Work in the office. Read my book at lunch. Headed up to Louisville for my workout. It was actually light for the first few miles!

I had a workout (again) and even though I ran roughly the same pace as last week (and got a break in between) it still felt insanely hard. While running hasn't been "bad" lately, it's certainly felt like a struggle. Headed to the Louisville Roost afterward. Randomly, Terri and I both won the raffles for the Speedlands!! Excited to try out these (very very expensive and niche) trail shoes soon! Took Olive for a short walk when I got home.

Thursday (19,298 steps) - Work from home, yay! I know this has been a short week, but one day in office was PLENTY. Ariel joined me and Olive on a mud route walk. Had an "easy" run to do. It was... ok. After work I set to work on finishing the Christmas puzzle. Probably the longest a puzzle has taken me, but it was 1,000 pieces. Happy to have it done, but it took right up to bedtime.

Friday (14,701 steps) - Wash Park and Stella's. Work in the office and I got in a a few miles on the treadmill desk. Ben and I went to 4 Noses for happy hour.

Saturday (32,868 steps) - Took Olive for a walk around the neighborhood since we were getting a late start for our weekly long run. I felt like Waterton would be "good" since we hadn't been there in a while. This was one of the worst runs I have had in a LONG time. I didn't enjoy this one at all.

We went to Parry's for a snack and some delicious Juicy Bits on the way home. Took Olive for another neighborhood loop.

Sunday (17,991 steps) - Headed to New Terrain to meet up with a few friends for the "Raptor Rim" loop. BPRunCO apparently had the same idea as us, start time and all. This was overall a pretty awful run as well. I felt like complete garbage on most of the climbs.

The way down as a bit better. Got some food from the food truck and had a few beers - picture below courtesy of Doug.

Stopped at our favorite liquor store on the way home for NYE beers. Went to 4 Noses for a beer and to get our monthly growler fill. Took Olive for a walk. Spent NYE on the couch! Watched a movie, a few episodes of "Reacher" and listened to Spotify's 1984 playlist when we realized that a lot of the songs we like are 40(!!) freaking years old. Made it to midnight somehow.

Monday (28,110 steps) - Begrudgingly got up and had coffee and breakfast to meet up with friends for our annual Red Rocks run. Right at 10 am on the dot I was able to sign up for Kettle Moraine 100, although my Ultrasignup gift card didn't apply (??) but just glad to get in since it sells out. Another pretty awful run for me. This was definitely due to all the beer. Almost a dozen of us headed out, with more than half of us planning on doing the full loop. First picture is partially up the Red Rocks road section with everyone.

It had been cold and windy in the parking lot and I was worried I would not be warm enough. As happens every time we do this, it gets warmer for the back half. Thankfully I layered in a way I could easily strip down to a tee.

This was pretty terrible, but that seemed to be the theme of the weekend in running. I did most of my miles with Maureen, and Ben towards the end.

Since Morrison charges for parking now (boo, hiss), we walked back from the free lot to get food at the Holiday Bar. True to my word, no post-run beer for me. Had a random burger with jalapeno cream cheese and some sort of raspberry chipotle. Was tasty! Took Olive for a neighborhood walk.

Stats:

148,102 steps
41.25 miles run
45 minutes of cardio
20 minutes of strength

Friday, December 29, 2023

Week in Review (December 19 - December 25)

Tuesday (14,616 steps) - 20 minutes on the Peloton before going to work in the office. Strength training at lunch. Walked quite a bit on the treadmill desk.

Wednesday (23,766 steps) - Work in the office. Walked on the treadmill desk and read my book at lunch. In VERY exciting news - Ariel has committed to the Colorado School of Mines!!!!!!!!!!

Headed up to Louisville so I could do my workout. I was apprehensive about 4 miles at "goal" pace, but I was able to maintain the "faster" pace fairly well. Went back to the store to hang out and then we all met up at Murphy's for Tyler's last run club. :(

Thursday (16,419 steps) - Had an easy run on schedule and decided to do another obnoxious Christmas outfit.

Saw a bald eagle on the south side of the lake, which is always cool to see.

Ariel and I took Olive for a walk before heading down to Teal Tiger so... Ariel could get her first tattoo! I was really pleased with the work Doug did on mine, and Ariel drew the design herself!

I was working while she was getting the work done. We were there for an hour and a half, but most of that time was doing the prep and sizing and placement. The actual tattoo itself only took maybe a half hour. We went to Torchy's for lunch on the way home. Ben and I went to BJ's for dinner.

Friday (15,527 steps) - Wash Park with the gang!

Since Joyce wasn't working and it was as short day, Olive came to work with me again. She was still relatively unimpressed.

Office closed at 3, but I left at 2 and finished out the day at home. Batman and Robin had their annual vet visit, and neither of them was incredibly impressed.

Saturday (21,436 steps) - Met up with friends for a run at South Table. The run was mostly fine. Weather was pretty decent and I actually dressed appropriately.

No idea what we did in the evening.

Sunday (17,937 steps) - Awoke to find the cats got their first mouse of the season. Way to go, kitties! We only had a short run to do, so since it snowed overnight we did a road loop, which was actually ok. Took Olive for a walk, went to 4 Noses for the Christmas Eve "party." with it being Olive's birthday, we gave her a gift early. It took her a bit, but she has figured out Gordon is a very comfortable bed.

Monday (13,604 steps) - Christmas! Didn't set an alarm. We opened presents once we all woke up. Olive got a loot of new toys.

I got a Kindle paperwhite, which I plan on putting through a lot of use. Ariel enjoyed her ticket to the New Kids on the Block concert in June and Ben loves his new Yeti bag.

Ariel had suggested last night that we all go for a run together, "but no more than 3 miles." I definitely wasn't feeling it, but I don't get to run with her very often, so off we went for a family run.

Took Olive for a walk with Ariel - in her bee costume.

We spent the afternoon cooking. After dinner, Ariel went to her friend's house, and I worked a bit on the annual puzzle before we settled in to watch Maze Runner.

Robin got a new collar since hers was shabby

Stats:

123,305 steps
26.44 miles run
20 minutes of cardio
45 minutes of strength

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Week in Review (December 12 - December 18)

Tuesday (15,935 steps) - Work in the office. Since my toe is still sad I didn't get up to ride before work. I used the Peloton at work (because it has baskets and I can wear my wider, regular shoes) and just did an easy ride (vs a class, because I didn't want to put too much pressure on my toe). Also did a core video and walked quite a bit on the treadmill desk.

Wednesday (21,592 steps) - Work in the office. Lots of walking on the treadmill desk. Peloton, did an upper body video and read my book at lunch. After work I rushed home to get Olive so we could go to run club in Louisville. I didn't plan on running, but Olive got excited seeing everyone else run, so we went for it. I was pleasantly surprised that running didn't hurt any more than walking, PLUS, Olive actually ran the entire time!

Thursday (19,625 steps) - Work from home. Got coffee with Ariel. Decided to do an easy, short run. Planned to do my 5K route at the lake, and was pretty sad to find out the trails were muddy. Took Olive for the long mud route walk at lunch. Ben picked me up after he got off work to go to 4 Noses, then we stopped by Costco to pick up dinner.

Friday (22,790 steps) - Wash Park and Stella's!

Treadmill desk and reading my book at lunch. Not a too exciting day. Ben picked me up and we went to 4 Noses for happy hour.

Saturday (22,462 steps) - Greg wanted me to try a longer run today, so we headed up to Boulder for a 6 mile run. The first 4-5 weren't too bad, but I was definitely tired by the end.

I really enjoy having bare arms in December. Decently windy, but it wasn't cold. One beer at 4 Noses before heading home to take Olive for a walk, then it was time to get ready for my work Christmas party. Seemed like another successful cheap Amazon dress purchase.

Party didn't start until 6, so we did a quick stop by Odyssey for a holiday beer.

Party this year was at the Brown Palace, so we parked at my office and walked over (to save the discounted $25 valet). I was smart and wore flip flops on the walk over and carried the shoes I planned on wearing. The food was delicious, like usual, but man, I didn't know most of the people there. How on earth I have worked at the same place for 6.5 year and hardly know anyone is baffling. Sat at a table with Eric and her daughter, so at least had someone to talk to. We neglected to get any "real" pictures, so here are a few selfies on our way out.

It was also the night of Sully's "last" Christmas party. I had told Ariel I would stop by and get some of his famous lasagna and cake for her.

Once again, didn't know anyone since it seemed mostly like his work friends. Kara and Jim showed up right before we left, so at least we briefly had someone to say hi to.

Sunday (18,189 steps) - We only had a "recovery" run of no planned distance, so I decided on 4ish miles. The run was fine, nothing remarkable. We took Olive for a walk and then went to Torchy's for lunch. We had big plans of being productive, so Ben washed the cars and I cleaned. The animals rested (only after I was done vacuuming, they are all scared of that).

We watched a really boring movie (that I had high hopes for) - Supercell.

Monday (17,479 steps) - Work from home (yaaaaaaayyyy). Went to Dutch Bros. to get coffee with Ariel, then had to take Olive to the vet for her annual visit. Went for my easy run, the weather was "warmish" but thankfully I had worn long sleeves. Took Olive for a walk and saw a zillion geese, which thankfully she didn't try to chase.