The Final Week! Zooma Holiday Challenge

I did it. Six weeks of commitment. Five days a week of movement; two days a week of self-care. I'm so impressed with myself for sticking to this, and I've gotta say, I'm seeing results. This challenge has given me a routine to focus on during this weird era of isolation/working from home. Now that the challenge is over, I have another on the horizon to jump into. Even if I didn't, I don't think I'd just quit. I feel like having weekly goals has been a good lifestyle change for me, and I intend to keep it up.

By the way, there's still time to sign up and join me for the Run Love Challenge! Also, registration for next year's Zooma Run Club is open. There's a free option if you're looking for sisterhood and support rather than swag. 

Let's get into last week's breakdown. Spoilers: this was a week where all my hard work paid off!

Movement 1: I started the week strong with a four mile hill run at the Arboretum. This was a milestone run; usually I have to pause and take a rest and a puff a quarter mile in, because of the hills, but not this time! I ran the entire loop once before I paused for a break, and then completed it a second time. I;m really proud of my progress!

Movement 2: Temperatures in the low 40s couldn't stop me from getting in a near-perfect run. I did a flat 3-miler and felt strong and steady the entire run. I checked my splits (which I never do these days) and was pleasantly surprised to see them so even. It's like this week, things just clicked and I found my groove.

Movement 3: I completed a Peloton arm workout and a core routine I put together myself. I really need to consider doing arms and core more than once a week if I want the results to pay off.

Movement 4: On Christmas Eve, Matt and I spent the night at Scott and Robby's. I did a 30 minute ride on the Peloton that evening. I totally understand the cult-like devotion to Peloton because the coaches are so encouraging and fun, distracting when they need to be, and super diverse. 

I really think using the bike once or twice a week has rounded out my fitness in a way I was missing, improving my running. I guess cross-training is a thing for a reason.

Movement 5: On Christmas morning, the four of us ran a 5k at Greenlake. This was actually Robby's idea, and I gave him the option to back out but he insisted.

Holiday Challenge, complete!

This 5k was my fastest run in Seattle. I felt totally in the zone and incredibly happy with my performance, which wasn't low-effort by any means, but wasn't race-effort, either. I was proud of Scott and Robby for completing it, given that they haven't run in literal years; Matt of course blasted past all of us.

Self-Care 1: Besides my usual nail day, I also bit the bullet and made a phone call I'd been putting off. Sometimes self-care means adulting. 

I had to call our new doctor's office and get us in the system so I can get our records transferred; the call ended up being easy and painless, of course. Staying on top of your health is self-care!

Self-Care 2: Christmas, of course! We spent two nights with Scott and Robby, playing games, making sushi, watching Wonder Woman 1984, and generally just enjoying a low-stress holiday together.

Matt and Scott prepped our post-5k brunch.

Homemade sushi for dinner!

Homemade lemon pie for dessert, of course.

Everyone wore their most festive pajamas.

We got a family pic by the Christmas plant. plant.

Believe it or not, I kicked serious butt at Smash Brothers. It was a Christmas miracle!

This challenge may officially be over, but if it has taught me anything it's that I really benefit from the mindfulness that comes from meeting weekly goals. I'm going to take a break from updating my weekly progress on the blog, but I'll be sticking with the routine for my own sake.

ABK

Christmas & 3 Gifts I'm Already Loving

This year, Matt and I were able to split our time nicely between families for Christmas Eve and Christmas. On Christmas Eve, I ran in the morning (the longest I've run since BDR) and then we went to his mom's and helped cook dinner and spent the evening together.

I saw lots of deer on my run, and they stood still and made eye-contact with me while I stopped to get pictures. Deer are considerate like that.

I enjoyed a nice sunrise and 5 miles.

Christmas Eve dinner!

On Christmas, we spent the day with Matt's dad's family and got to see his cousins and Nana. It was a very full (and fulfilling) day.

A very green Christmas.

After dinner with Nana!

This year, it was clear to me that no one is easier to shop for than runners! We're drawn like magpies to new gadgets and accessories. I don't usually make a post about "gifts to get your runner this Christmas" because I feel like the internet is full of them this time of year, but this holiday season, I've received three gifts I really wasn't expecting and already love, so I had to share my delight!

1. The Apple Watch. Now, it's no Garmin, but for me, that's a plus. I love that the Apple Watch lets me access my apps and has a workout app of its own. I can dictate texts through it, which is a must for me, and it's so pretty!

I've been playing around with the workout app vs. Activity vs. Nike+ via the watch, and all three have their benefits. 

Yes, that's a picture of a picture of a picture ad infinitum.

I love that the Nike+ app lets me track my pace during runs and brings up the cheers as they come through, so I can see who's cheering as I go instead of when I'm finished. The display is easy to read and the watch itself is super easy to use.

I also like that I can use the watch as a remote camera, which I know will come in handy once I practice working with it more.

2. The Palm Massager. Steph surprised Matt and me with this mini TENS unit, but Matt is a little skeptical about giving it a try so it's mostly mine for now. When I was in college, I had really bad migraines and used a TENS unit as treatment, so I'm familiar with it and already know how it works for me. I know the effects might be mostly psychological, but who am I to knock the power of placebos? If nothing else, it feels nice to have a little electric-massage after tweaking a muscle.

Who's up for a little light electrocution?

I've started my 30-day cross-training challenge, and Tuesday my back was a little sore from all the core work. After 30 minutes with the Palm Massager, I felt better. Not perfect, but much less stiff! This is definitely a gadget I wouldn't have even thought to get myself, but it's going to become a recovery staple for sure.

3. The Lululemon Wild Tank. This was a gift from Kristin and my first piece of Lulu apparel. Kristin owns it in multiple colors and I always comment on it when she wears it; the strappy bra and the low back is just really cute! Most of my running clothes are pretty basic and utilitarian, so it's nice to have something pretty, eye-catching, and fun in my drawer.

Lulu isn't something I'd ever splurge on for myself, so I'm especially grateful that Kristin snapped it up for me! I wore it on my Christmas Eve run and during my core workout afterward and it was so comfortable.

I received some other wonderful gifts, like a daily running calendar I can't wait to break into on January 1st and some decorative accents for our house, but these are three gifts I wouldn't have thought to get myself and they're fast favorites. I guess my friends/family know me better than I know myself!

Did you receive anything surprising this year?

What is your favorite kind of gift to receive?

Are you a good gift-giver? Admittedly, I'm not great at it. That's why I always include a handwritten card - I work much better in words than gifts sometimes!

ABK

The Holiday Season

Last week we went up for the last night of Chanukah and Christmas. It was so nice to light the candles at my parents' house using the menorah we've used since I was a kid.

 Steph sent a box of awesome gifts, including a foot massaging ball and a SUP ornament for Matt to match my runner girl from last year.

Match made in heaven.

 I got myself a little gift as well!

Christmas was a lovely, laid-back affair this year. Matt and I went to his dad's early for breakfast. Tammy really outdid herself this year; we had hash browns (prepared as a casserole for all the gluten-y folks), eggs, bacon, sausage, OJ, and coffee.

How cute is that mug?!

After breakfast we opened gifts. Our presents this year definitely say a lot about where our lives are right now. We got lots of things for the house - decorations, a deep fryer, a comfy afghan, and gift cards to home improvement stores - and Matt got me a bluetooth keyboard (so I can write on my iPad) and Jaybird bluetooth headphones.

I'm not sure why Matt is blurry in this one!

We got Dave and Tammy a Chromecast and spent the morning setting it up and playing with it. My parents and I got Matt a GoPro and some of the necessary accessories, which he immediately tried out.

This year I didn't run on Christmas. For some reason I just haven't been very motivated. But lately I haven't done much running - the holidays, travel, and house updates (more on those later) have gotten in the way - and I'm okay with the time off...But I can't let it go much longer. It's time to get serious again. Kristin and I are debating running the A1A marathon in February, and if I decide to sign on for that I'll need to get back into training.

I know after all the yummy holiday goodies I've been over-indulging in, my waistline will thank me.

I hope you all had wonderful holidays!

Did you enjoy the holidays?

What was the best gift you gave this year?

Did you receive anything you know will be put to good use?

ABK

A Mini Vacation

Here's something you may not know about Matt: he's an artist. Matt has worked with ceramics since high school and has been featured in art shows, won awards, etc, for his pieces. However, we don't really have the time or space for him to get into the studio these days, so he works to stay involved in the art community by volunteering with our local Art League.

Us and one of Matt's pieces a few years ago at an art show.

Recently, his years of volunteering really paid off; he won a drawing for a free weekend trip on Captiva Island! 

The weekend after the race seemed like the perfect time. After traveling for hours the previous weekend and jumping back into work, complete with volleyball games after school, I was ready for a mini vacation!

Friday after work, we followed a beautiful sunset over the bridge into Captiva. We ate dinner at our hotel, the 'Tween Waters Inn, and then settled in for the night.

The Crow's Nest's shrimp & grits was the best I have ever had!

Date night selfie. Matt's beard is getting a little out of control; we're in a friendly standoff to see which one of us demands it be trimmed first.

Saturday we had breakfast at RC Otter's and explored the island a bit before enjoying ourselves pool-side (in December, yes indeed!) and exploring some mangrove tunnels in the afternoon.

The view from our room's balcony.

Our prize package included coupons for free libations.

Ah, December in Florida. Jealous?

These were some of the best mangrove tunnels I've ever been through. Fully shaded but nice and wide!

Saturday's sunset.

After paddling, we went to The Mucky Duck for dinner. There are so many quirky, famous places to check out on Captiva, even though the island is small.

...followed by The Bubble Room for dessert. (They now carry GF cupcakes!)

We missed a golf cart float parade, but The Bubble Room's float was out front. Impressive!

Then Matt stuck me in the escaped gorilla's cage. (If you're ever on Captiva, the Bubble Room is a must-see just for its ambiance.)

We slept late Sunday, but luckily the Key Lime Bistro serves breakfast until 2pm because I was really craving some heuvos rancheros. We explored Sanibel Beach and the lighthouse before heading home.

We're a little late getting our tree set up, but Matt and I both take a hard line against putting up decorations before Thanksgiving. We put the tree up as soon as we got home Sunday afternoon.

My new Spacecoast Marathon ornament is a lovely touch! (I now have three running ornaments...I think it might be time to get Matt a SUP one.)

We had to bend the top of the tree to fit the star on there; it may be time for a new one!

This is our first Hanukkah/Christmas in our very own house. I love how the tree makes the entire living room feel warm and homey. I can't wait to break out the menorah, but we don't set that up early because you can't light it until the holiday starts anyway.

This relaxing weekend away was so appreciated. Just before winter break, things start to get pretty stressful; this was the perfect way to unwind, and now I'm feeling 100% back to normal. Volleyball playoffs are Monday, after which I'll have the time (and the necessary recovery) to get back to running!

What was the last weekend trip you took?

Have you ever been to Sanibel/Captiva?

Have you decorated for the holidays yet?

ABK

A Christmas Run

As I've said many times before, I really love running on holidays. Despite going to bed so late on Christmas Eve, I was up for an 8am run today. A cold front blew in overnight, and I had the fresh chill of the morning, the sun, and various wildlife as my companions.

Finally.

Last year, I encountered a deer not five feet from me before I even left my parents' street; I hoped to spot some today, too. Sure enough, just as I was leaving their street, I crossed paths with half-a-dozen deer.

There were three near the turn to exit their street (in the background by the sign) and three right along the preserve as I came round the bend.

I stopped for pictures; I should have taken them as I walked past, but I didn't want to spook them. Seeing them really set the tone for this run. There is just something magical about seeing these calm, peaceful, silent creatures in the early light of day, when no one else is around and the chill is biting into your skin.

It takes my breath away.

I walked by them, giving them a wide berth, and they disappeared just as calmly into the preserve.

Standing on a bench near a viewing station, this is the view of the marshes in the distance.

My parents' community is home to quite a few mini nature preserves. While I didn't see the gator on this run - although I looked! - I did stop to take some photos of one such preserve, a few anhingas, and the view itself.

An anhinga suns itself in the trees.

An anhinga and a few herons near the water's edge.

I just did a very easy four miles. My legs felt really lethargic. It seems like this is going to have to be an easy recovery week after pushing myself this weekend.

I came back from the run refreshed and ready to spend the day with family. Matt's mom graciously bought me a ton of new workout clothes for Christmas, but I need to exchange some sizes, so the review of those will have to come later. The most exciting fitness-related gift at his dad's was this:

I can't wait to begin using it!

Now, the daunting task of reviewing the year awaits. I'm really excited to look back, but that means 2013 is officially coming to an end. How is that even possible?!

I hope Christmas was good to you all this year!

Did you have a good Christmas?
Did you run today?

ABK