An Unexpected Outcome

After I finished the Zooma Holiday Challenge, I took a few days off. Then, on January 1st, the Love Run Challenge started. This challenge is basically a run/walk streak. I am running, walking, or biking at least one mile a day until February 14th. Because this challenge began right on the heels of the Holiday Challenge, I've truly gotten into a routine.

According to Strava, I've done 66 miles this month, and that doesn't include the walks.

Usually, I run every-other-day or so. On days I don't run, I do nothing. Sometimes doing nothing leads to a kind of inertia, and one day of rest becomes two, two becomes three, and three becomes a whole week of sitting on the couch. The has forced consistency of this challenge has had an unexpected impact on my mindset.

I'm trying to get on the Peloton at least once a week.

Adding walks to my non-running days has given me mental balance — I no longer feel lazy or depressed on days I don't work out. Plus, when I go on evening walks, Matt tends to join me, so it gives us both a chance to get out of the apartment and spend time together without screens to distract us.

We've explored a couple new parks and our neighborhood on walks this month.

Another thing that has surprised me with the Love Run Challenge so far is how weirdly easy it's been to commit. I never thought a physical tracking chart in plain view would motivate me to keep a commitment to myself, but it really has. The chart is great positive feedback, and at this point completing my daily activity feels non-negotiable. It's just...something I'm going to get done.

Rain or shine, I'm getting it done! At this point I've really weathered my fear of running in cold rain.

Honestly, why did it take me so long to figure out that I'm the kind of person who needs a tracker for accountability?

No matter the weather or time of day, I've made it happen.

Daily exercise has also made adding just a little bit of arms and abs daily feel totally doable. If I'm already moving and warmed up, it's not hard to do a few minutes when I get home, and I feel like doing a little bit a day is more effective than doing a longer set once or twice a week.

The last time I did a run streak was in 2014; I remember feeling committed and I definitely got stronger and faster, but I also felt a little burned out by the time it was over. I hope when this challenge ends, I'll have undergone a true lifestyle change that will stick with me.

The bottom line is that I feel like I'm getting a lot out of this, which I honestly wasn't really expecting, and I'm so glad Skirt Sports merged with Zooma and put it on my radar. Zooma offers these sorts of challenges all year round, and I think I'll stick with it. If I do a challenge every season, who knows where I'll be this time next year?

ABK

PS: Skirt Sports is back from its brief hiatus, now with Zooma owner Sarah Ratzlaff at the wheel. You can snap up some of the winter looks and get 20% off with code SKIRTISBACK this week! You may even see a familiar face on the new website if you look hard enough.

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

Zooma Holiday Challenge, Week 5

Week five of the Zooma Holiday Challenge has come to a close, and I feel good. Surprisingly strong and balanced. In the past, challenges have burnt me out, but this time I feel like it's actually laying a foundation for long-term commitment without the stress that usually accompanies it.

This week included the majority of Chanukah. I always feel like taking the time to celebrate counts as self-care, and I spent week five feeling deeply fulfilled and content.

Movement 1: I started the week with a bang, completing a three mile run, an arm workout (Peloton), and a core workout (Coach Marcia). I had finished week four feeling so motivated that it carried right into week five.

I think I'm starting to see some real physical results from my dedication, and seeing results motivates me to do more.

Movement 2: Matt and I took an evening walk (a little less than two miles) to get some fresh air and stretch our legs.

Movement 3: I completed a 30-minute Peloton ride. This was my first ride in my new spin shoes and it was fantastic! Being clipped in REALLY makes a huge difference; I was able to come out of the saddle with proper form and push for a faster cadence. I'm so glad I got a pair of shoes for myself!

They're functional and pretty!

Movement 4: I attempted a four mile hill run, but it turned into 3.3 mediocre miles. My legs were too sore after the Peloton to really dig deep for this run, so I called it early.

One reason I've always avoided cross-training is because I worry it will affect my running. This does seem to be the case if I'm not careful about how I plan my runs. I need to be more intentional about planning for hills, flat runs, and the bike.

Movement 5: My legs really needed a rest. I completed two Peloton app workouts — arms and abs. The arm workouts have really proven to be effective; I'm always sore for days after.

I didn't love this ab routine. It's the first Peloton workout I've done that I gave a thumbs-down.

Self-Care 1: I splurged on Black Friday and bought myself some new makeup, so this week I broke out my stash — which I haven't used since March — and did a full face. I listened to music and just pampered myself. It was fun to experiment with my new eyeshadow pallet, and I had forgotten what I look like in mascara!

We took our evening walk after this, and I've made a mental note to buy some waterproof mascara. The cold wind did a number on my eyes!

Self-Care 2: As usual, I repainted my nails.

But also, I finally set up a time to Zoom with some friends back home! It was so fun to see their faces and chat in real time. I have decided I need to be better about actually choosing a day/time to call, not just saying, "Oh hey, we should Zoom sometime..." That's something I'm going to work on.

Week six is the final week of this challenge, but because I signed up for the full Winter Warrior package, I have the Love Run challenge coming up! No rest for me!

ABK

Zooma Holiday Challenge, Week 4

Week four is in the books! Let's jump right into the recap, shall we?

Is anyone curious what my magnets say?

Movement 1: To start this week, I completed a Peloton arm workout and Coach Marcia's ab workout for runners. The arm workout stayed with me the rest of the week, and the ab workout reminded me that I have been neglecting my core. 

I was pleased to build in some strength workouts this week because I tend to skip them in favor of running.

Movement 2: Despite feeling less than excited about it, I did an easy three miles around Greenlake. Of course, once I was done I felt great. That's always how it goes. It was chillier this week, so getting myself out of sweatpants and into running clothes was a feat in and of itself.

The cold weather and flat route made for a speedy run! I am definitely seeing my paces improve, even on hills.

Movement 3: I took a field trip to use the Peloton and completed a 30 minute ride with way more climbs than I was ready for! I ordered myself a gently-used pair of cycling shoes and they should get here in a few days; I'm looking forward to being able to come out of the saddle correctly.

Movement 4: I planned to run four hilly miles, but Matt was planning to hang out at a new-to-me park, so I joined him. It was by far the coldest run I've done here (41°) but not the coldest I've ever done (39° in Cleveland). I felt pretty good physically but spent the entire run worried I'd lost the path and uncertain about how I'd find my way back to my car.

I got to wear my new hat a friend made me. It's designed so I can pull my ponytail through the back!

The views were gorgeous, winding down through tree-filled valleys and up to beachside cliffs that overlook the Sound, and I'm looking forward to trying this one again when I'm in a better mindset. The trail was definitely hilly and steep in places, so I felt like I got a good workout in.

Movement 5: I finished the week much how I began it, with arms and abs. This time I kept it simple and just completed two Peloton workouts.

Self-Care 1: As usual, I'm doing my nails weekly to give myself 30 minutes of focused quiet time. I actually did them twice this week.

Self-Care 2: On Friday night, Matt and I went to Scott and Robby's to make a latke dinner. I really loved being able to share my traditions with them and feeding people is definitely my love-language, so I was beyond happy.

We've been home to light the candles for Chanukah every night this week. This year I've been trying to get back to my roots a bit, and observing this holiday that celebrates resilience and chutzpah feels a lot like self-care. 

Surprisingly, instead of feeling burnt out at the end of week four, I feel weirdly balanced. I don't feel stressed about getting my "movement" done and I like choosing which days I'll move and what exactly I'll do. I feel like I've gotten into a good, sustainable rhythm; I'm looking forward to continuing!

ABK

Zooma Holiday Challenge, Week 3

As I was tracking my movement and self-care this past week, I realized my tracking sheet and blog recaps weren't matching up. I mentioned before that a cool thing about this challenge is that it's not about days, but rather about instances. The tracking sheet isn't a calendar. Some days you might do nothing, and some days you might double up.

So from now on, I won't necessarily include the dates; instead, I'll simply detail the instances. 

Movement 1: I started week three with three easy afternoon miles. The leaves have mostly fallen from the trees now, but they haven't turned into mush underfoot yet. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far winter in Seattle is gorgeous!

It'll be nice to eventually have some local race shirts to add to my collection of Florida shirts.

Movement 2: I planned a slightly longer run but got out the door late, so did another three miles and called it good. 

Matt came with to study in his hammock and got this shot of me post-run.

Movement 3: I popped over to the BILs' place to do my first official ride on their Peloton. (The first ride I did was under Robby's account, but I have my own now. You can follow me! My username is abkruns.) I did a 30 minute '90s ride and enjoyed it a lot!

They've said I can come over to use the bike whenever; I'm planning to try for once or twice a week. I also ordered myself a pair of gently-used cycling shoes because it's hard to stand up on the Peloton in my unsecured sneakers.

Movement 4: I planned to run, but just didn't feel like going through the hassle of leaving the house. Usually that means I'd just do nothing and feel a little guilty about it, but this challenge has gotten into my brain! I didn't want to miss a day, so I found a bodyweight workout on the Peloton app and did that.

It was pretty good - no easier or harder than Blogilates or other videos I've done - and I was definitely feeling it the next day. I like that doing a workout through the app automatically loads into my Strava. 

Movement 5: I decided to conquer some hills! I ran at the UW Arboretum and did my usual route backwards. This proved successful; it's still plenty hilly but the hills are more gradual and dispersed, so I wasn't gasping for breath a mere quarter mile in.

I ran four miles and felt great!

Self-Care 1: I repainted my nails. I go through stages of enjoying painting my nails; it's calming and distracting from other stuff. I enjoy the twenty minutes of quiet, focused time. It's like meditation! 

Self-Care 2: This has become a weekly tradition - Shabbat. When we moved to Seattle I told Matt I wanted to start lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday night, even if we don't turn off electronics and truly observe the holiday to its fullest. It's been a really nice tradition to incorporate into my week.

Bonus Self-Care: Sunday night we broke out Munchkin for the first time in years and played with Scott and Robby. We ordered dinner in and just had a relaxing night together. 

Also, I won!

I'm continuing to enjoy this challenge, and surprisingly feel motivated by it. Usually I get bored by this kind of thing, but this week was my strongest yet. I guess ask me how I feel when week seven rolls around!

ABK