And so we end 2015 and move into 2016.
January is going to be incredibly busy, with three races and a weekend trip, but I am so looking forward to all of it. A new year means new opportunities and new plans, and I am prepared to take it all on!
Sunday – 6 miles
S told me that she wanted to do some long runs together, and so she drove up to my neighborhood for six. We will be running together at the upcoming Glass Slipper Challenge, so it’s very helpful to log the distance as a team.
And it ended up being a great run!
Little man had a birthday party at a trampoline center, so that was our next stop. It was a great afternoon, and the poor thing was falling asleep in the back of the car. We came home to watch a movie and then call it a night.
Monday – body circuit, 6o minutes
Mr PugRunner had to do some work, so I went to a 5:45 AM body circuit class, instead of 9:30. Afterwards, little man and I built some legos, and colored, and then we went out to lunch and to a park.
Little man had a date with his new skateboard.
I think we were all a little nervous, but after a few minutes of hanging on to Mr PugRunner, little man let go. He did so great and really seemed to love it.
Unfortunately, he did have a couple of little tumbles, and ended up with his first case of road rash. He was a trooper about the whole thing, and we were even able to get him back on the board before we called it a day.
Tuesday – 3.3 miles
There was a group run in the morning. We tried a new route and it was a really nice change of pace.
I had to work, but Mr PugRunner took little man bowling and then to see the new Chipmunks movie. This has been a pretty epic and fun-filled spring break for him!
Wednesday – rest
Little man had a big playdate with one of his classmates. The mom planned to take the kids to lunch and a different trampoline park (this one with an American ninja warrior obstacle course), and THEN back to her house to play. So our day was pretty much free.
Our first order of business was shopping for Mr PugRunner’s birthday. He is really difficult, if not impossible, to buy for, and I was really struggling for ideas. We’ve been traveling quite a bit lately, with more trips on the horizon, and there weren’t any games or concerts coming up. I had gotten him a massage gift certificate for Christmas, and so I was just stuck.
He told me that he had made the decision to give up running for a while. His knees have been bothering him, and while his doctor told him it was just joint discomfort and nothing major, he’s been very hesitant to lace up. He wanted to look at bikes and ellipticals instead, and so that’s what we did.
Much as I hate to lose him as a race buddy, he was very happy with his final choice (not to worry: I’m holding his new helmet while taking this picture).
After dinner, we picked up little man from his playdate, and once again, he was worn right out. He had a phenomenal day, and both kids can’t wait to do it again!
Thursday – 3 miles
This was the last run of 2015. I wanted to go a little longer, but we all had to get back.
The sunrise was gorgeous.
And I am so grateful for these women.
Our New Year’s Eve schedule was packed. First, we had a late-morning end of year party with our friends. The kids celebrated an early countdown with noisemakers and flutes of sparkling apple cider.
And then we picked up my parents for an early dinner out on the town.
It was nice to get out and home before the party crowd started. Little man spent the night at my mom’s while we went home and I made a valiant effort to stay up til midnight (I gave up around 11).
I didn’t feel too bad. When we were in New York, we got up close and personal with the “16” that light up when the ball dropped.
And we also got to write our wishes for the New Year on pieces of confetti that would be released at the end of the countdown. It was totally unplanned but it was such a cool way to be part of a major event that we wouldn’t get to see in person.
Friday – rest
Happy birthday to Mr PugRunner! We had a date at my mom’s pool to see little man engage in his second-ever Polar Plunge.
As luck would have it, the temperatures were in the 70s, so it wasn’t too cold. And of course, jumping into a pool is always better with friends.
Nana and Papa Bear had put together a yummy brunch at their place in celebration of 2016 and the big birthday. We also had some extended family there, so it was extra special.
Mr PugRunner wanted to celebrate at a restaurant almost an hour from home, but it was raining and the weather was getting colder, so he decided he would rather take a nap and go to a sushi place closer to home. No arguments here! It was a really wonderful day, and he had a great birthday.
Saturday – 5 miles
I had NO desire to go n this run. I hadn’t slept well, and I was a little dehydrated. However, rain was on the calendar for the next few days and it seemed a total shame to waste the cooler temperature. After Mr PugRunner got back from a test ride on his bike, I laced up and went out.
At first I planned to do eight, which I then adjusted to three, and then to four. However, I lost track of time and ended up doing five. Oops.
The rest of the day was spent running errands. Granted, that doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but it was nice to get back into the swing of normalcy after the busy holidays.
I’m not looking forward to the next week: we are expecting lots and lots of (unwelcome) rain. I have to get through my training for the week, and then on Saturday, I’ll be running my first trail race. I have absolutely no idea what I’m in for, but I’ve heard such great things, so maybe it will be ok.
I also have to start back-to-back training runs to simulate the Glass Slipper Challenge experience. I usually give myself a day or two between runs, so it will be interesting to see how this shakes out.
How was your week in training?
How did you ring in 2016?
Any advice for a rookie trail racer? I’m open to any and all suggestions and tips!
The trampoline party sounds awesome! I’ve been wanting to go to one of those places and haven’t been yet. It’s definitely on my bucket list of fun fitness things I need to try. Happy New Year to you and your family! 🙂
Michelle Rogers recently posted…Out with the old, in with the new…goals
They can be a lot of fun, and a great workout. A few of them offer “girls night out” and boot camp events, but I just have’t gone to any of those. I do want to try the ninja warrior course, though (even though I’ll probably make a huge fool of myself).
Happy belated bday to Mr. PugRunner! It sounds like you had a nice holiday despite some bad weather. I’m resting up the next two days and then it’s off to Disney for the Dopey Challenge! EEK!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Gluten Free Chicken & Waffles
So fun! I can’t believe I did my marathon a year ago! I’m so excited for everyone heading out to Marathon Weekend, and I hope you have a great Dopey Challenge! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Love the trampoline parties! My husband is impossible to buy for so we usually just go away together. Have a great week
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Tofu Veggie Lettuce Wraps
I love going away together, but it’s getting harder to do. He’s been traveling more for work, and our schedules have just gotten so busy. We will be doing a family trip to Savannah, as well as some racecations. But the bike will be good for him. I’m so glad he went with that instead of the elliptical, which he was considering.
Awesome week of running! it looks like you had a fun holiday plus birthday celebrations. So cool you got to contribute to the NYE confetti, I didn’t even realize that was possible!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions for 2016
Neither did I! We were taking a cab back to our hotel and the driver mentioned that he was going to need to drop us a few blocks away because of some big event taking place. Turns out, it was the year numbers being dropped off and the confetti. By the time we wandered over there, the crowds were gone and we didn’t have to wait for photos or for the confetti. It was just such a cool thing.
What a fun New Year’s you had? How did you get so close to the celebration?
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Interview with @WomensHealthMag Editor @AmyKellerLaird
That wasn’t on 12/31. We were in NYC a few weeks ago when they brought in the numbers and the confetti. When the big day came, I was quite comfy on my couch in my pjs 🙂
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
When my boys were little, we never made it past 10:30 or so either.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted…Forget “New” You for the New Year. Be “More” You
Little man has been up later than me the past two years! I’m just not able to hang anymore.
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
I rang in 2016 at the hospital working night shift…the only way I would have made it til midnight, lol. My hubby is so incredibly tough to shop for as well. He got a massage gift certificate for Christmas too, and I don’t think he was very excited about it, lol. Mine makes it incredibly tough because he always says he has everything he wants or needs and won’t throw me a bone. Happy New Year Jenn!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Weekly wrap: strict no running orders and getting ready to reset!
Mr PugRunner LOVES massages, and he is so excited any time he gets the chance to go. We had an actual sit-down, where I was like “listen. I want to get you a present, but I don’t want to waste money and I want it to be something you love. So start talking.” He’s not into gaming or tech or cars or even booze (he likes to drink, but he doesn’t want to brew beer or delve deeper into what he’s drinking). As a gift-giver, it’s brutal!
Happy New Year!
Now I want a trampoline party! Great week!
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #39
They are quite popular!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
Happy New Year!!! You had so much packed into one week – amazing and FUN!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…2016 Goals & an Inspiring Word
I feel like every week is more and more busy! How can that be so early in the year already?
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
So much fun in this post! I love the wishes on confetti idea–what a great way to go into the new year!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…New Year’s 2016 + Late Christmas in DC
It was very cool. We have no way of knowing if they were actually used or not, but it’s neat to think they were.
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
Very cool about the confetti! I love those harbor views!
Coco recently posted…Hitting The Healthy Reset Button
I really can’t complain about the view we have when running. It’s always so pretty here!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
I had a great week of training and it looks like you did as well. Happy New Year! Love the 70 degree polar plunge 🙂
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Shamrock Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 2
They started calling it a “chilly challenge.” I’m sure the water was still cold.
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
I have yet to run a trail race, altho I’m considering a few for this year! So no advice…
And I was glad to see your little guy wearing a helmet on the skateboard…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…It’s a wrap!
Oh, absolutely! Wrist guards and helmet were a must!
Trail races are supposed to be great, so we shall see. Not digging the rain forecast, but go big or go home, right?
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
That sunset pic is absolutely breathtaking!
Markita@Sweshfit recently posted…What 2015 taught me about fitness, and what I will take into next year
Our sunrises and sunsets are always so great.
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
Great workout week! I can’t wait for this baby to be born so i can start running again!
Jessica recently posted…A Letter to My Firstborn on His Last Days of Being an Only Child
Baby will come soon enough and you will be back out there! Hang in there!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
3 races? You’re a running machine! I hung out with the family, but I missed the countdown. Haha!
jill conyers recently posted…Inspired To Be Fit
I try to keep races on the calendar to maintain goals. So far, it’s working 🙂
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap: 12.27 – 1.2
Such a full week! Sounds like you fit in lots of fun for the grown ups AND for little man in just one week. Nice job with all the runs too! I’m excited to read about your upcoming races! I have no advice really for trail running. There is one race I run each year that has 1 mile in the woods. I run very slow trying not to fall on the roots. I’m not particularly good on the trails! But you’ll do fine, and I bet you’ll enjoy the change of scenery!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Truthful Tuesday
Oh, I am a PRO at running slow LOL! I can totally own that!
I had no clue the confetti was wishes, learned something new today. So freaking cool.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…My Journey To Become a Run Coach – Part 6
I have no idea if they do that every year, or if it was a one-time thing. Either way, it was really fun to be a part of it.
I need to take my kids to one of those trampoline places this winter. We definitely need some place to get the wiggles out when it’s freezing outside.
Hope it doesn’t rain too much where the trail is – muddy trails don’t sound fun.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…TOTR: Goals for 2016
They are so great. The kids are worn out and it’s fantastic exercise.
I’m not looking forward to muddy trails either, but I can’t turn back now!
Such a fantastic recap! I love how you and mr pugrunner set a good example for little man. Happy 2016 to you and your family!
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader recently posted…#MotivateMe Monday: Easing “Back” Into It So I Can CRUSH 2016!
We do try.
Happy New Year to you!
I also love your sun pics! I really really wish I could get up and run but ugh it is just so hard especially since it is still dark and cold outside at 6 am. but my goal in the next few weeks/months is to try to either run or spin in the AM and do the other in the PM…we’ll see!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…My 2016 Goals
Oh, girl. I hear you. I HATE dragging myself up and out in the dark and cold, especially when our one pug cuddles up with me and makes it even harder to move.
At the end of the day, it’s easier for me to get it all done in the morning, rather than have it looming over me all day.