Having a new mindset in 2021 really helped to keep things moving along this year. Last week I talked about some new goals, and this week sees me realizing them all!
Sunday – 3.77 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 3 (extended arm plank)
Good morning and Happy Sunday! Of course, the best way to foster a new mindset is by starting out how you wish to go, so off on a walk I went.
Originally, we thought we would get tacos on the beach, but A was asked to help with an Eagle Scout project, so Mr PugRunner and I went on a BBQ date instead. Check out this incredible mural a local artist painted on the side of our favorite joint!
Wing murals are my favorite and this was my very first photo with one.
Monday – 4.02 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 4 (extended side plank)
Three cheers for Monday! I was super motivated to kick off a return to speed walk. Since I wasn’t sure how my ankle was going to feel with the added running and exertion, I did a mile’s worth of 1/10 mile strides. It wasn’t an earth-shattering workout, but it set the tone for the weeks ahead.
A technically started school this week, but it was another “intro” week. No live lessons, no assignments, and nothing more than getting systems in place for the semester ahead. I hoped to be back on track with virtual school, but it seems we will just have to wait another week.
Tuesday – 5.01 miles, running + 1.83 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 5 (knee taps)
On Tuesday, I was very pleased that my ankle wasn’t bothering me from yesterday’s efforts. It made my actual run even sweeter, and gave support to the actions I plan to take with this year’s new mindset.
I really like the exercises on the Plank Challenge calendar, but sometimes, my right (injured) foot struggles with the pressure I put on it. On the one hand, this will make me stronger, but on the other, sometimes I have to drop to my knees to make it happen.
Wednesday – 4.24 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 6 (shoulder taps)
Wednesday started beautifully. I had a great walk, did three, 45-second sets of shoulder taps, and then moved on to errands and a phone call.
From there, the day devolved with the appalling attack on our nation’s Capitol. I sat, glued to the TV and to Twitter, in anger, sadness, and disbelief. Obviously, I went to bed too late and slept horribly.
Thursday – 5.01 miles, running + 1.6 miles, walking + 1.88 miles, hiking + Plank Challenge Day 7 (plank up-downs)
This run was beyond necessary, and I was glad to have the distraction of a very full day. My heart is broken for our country, and for those who feel that violence and insurrection is the way to effect change.
On the plus side, we had a hike planned, and it was so good to just get it out on the trail. This time, we went to Princess Place Preserve, which was just gorgeous. We took the Creekside Trail, which looped around for just under two miles. Parts were paved, and parts were well-packed trail, so it was nice for beginners.
Friday – 4.25 miles, walking + Plank Challenge Day 8 (Friday Flow)
After another restless night, I got up early, and went for my walk.
The Plank Challenge Friday Flow was kind of neat. Again, it was three sets of 45 seconds, but this time, there was movement: hold a forearm plank, do two knee taps, raise to high plank, do two shoulder taps, lower, and repeat. It was challenging, but fun.
We were supposed to take my parents for a different hike today, but it was way too damp and raw for my stepdad. After discussing options, we agreed to postpone to another time and met for an outdoor lunch instead (all bundled up). It was so good to see them and celebrate their anniversary.
Saturday – 8 miles, running + 1.46, walking + Plank Challenge Day 9 (tricep pushups)
Another freezing cold day, but the long run must go on. I ran about two miles on my own before I picked up J for another six. It’s time for nine miles. I know I keep saying that, but I mean it this time, and it’s on the calendar for next Saturday.
We took a nice day trip to the Barberville Pioneer Settlement, a non-profit historical village museum. A was volunteering with an organization there, and we took the time to browse the grounds and view some of the building and demonstrations.
As the perfect bookend to my week, I found another wing mural! I’m on a roll!
Goal-getting
So far, this new mindset of 2021 is bulldozing right through!
I totally crushed it this week. Tons of miles, the start of speedwork, and commitment to my Monthly Challenge.
The weekly hiking plan is fabulous. My friend is picking our next destination, and I’m excited to see what she comes up with.
So proud to announce I am back on Team Nuun for 2021! Nuun is my favorite way to hydrate, and I’m thrilled to represent!
I finished The Stand, and have moved on to Wolf Hall. (Are we connected on GoodReads?). Reading a Stephen King novel about a pandemic during an actual pandemic was both terrifying and surreal, and I tore through 1300 pages.
In household news, I worked on organizing the pantry last week, and will take on the Christmas tree and junk cabinets this week. We also ordered a new hybrid mattress and platform bed. I think testing mattresses is gross in good times, and unfathomable in a pandemic, so we will see how it goes.
Last, but not least, we hope you will join us for the all-new Fit Five Friday!
We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts (My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida), and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! We hope you’ll join the fun!
How was your week in training?
Are you keeping up with a new mindset? Anything special you want to accomplish this week?
Great start to the new year for you! I felt like I started out the week feeling positive and it went downhill pretty quickly. I’m hoping to just stay focused on my running and my goals as much as possible. I’m excited for the new Friday link-up!
Yup. Let’s just focus on the running and the community. The rest will be what it is going to be.
Friday will be fun!
I cannot believe how cold it is down there; even more impressed that you own mittens! I too used running for therapy this week; it was a tough week for sure. I think it will be a bumpy couple of weeks ahead.
Love those murals too!
The mittens were a gift from my running buddy. I have tons of cheap gloves, but I do need to keep my hands warm with my Raynaud’s.
Hang in there. We will get through this.
This week was super heavy but I’m glad that you were able to get out and enjoy the weather for your workouts. We still have our Christmas decorations up but will be taking them down next weekend (we typically wait until after my mom’s birthday on Jan 16). Looking forward to the new Friday linkup!
Congratulations on making the Nuun team again!
so heavy.
It helps to be able to get outside, even if it’s cold. This is what is keeping me sane.
Yay on crushing your week! I think it’s so interesting that artists are creating murals for us to take selfies in front of. What will future art historians read into that? 😉
Looking forward to the new link-up!
The new linkup will be great.
I love the murals. Anything that gets people seeing, sharing, and appreciating art is amazing in my book.
Congrats on the Nuun ambassadorship! It’s such a great product and team. It’s crazy to see you in the cold weather running gear 🙂 Such a welcome change I’m sure from your normal heat and humidity! I have a friend in Austin TX who just posted pics of snow there today!
I know! It’s suffocating to be so bundled up. I just want to get all the layers off!
Now I could deal with some snow. That would make the cold seem more productive.
You certainly pack a lot of activity into your week.
8 miles!! You are amazing.
My mindset is to not stress out because things are not changing as soon as I’d like.
So running is the same as before 3 miles several times a week with 10 on the weekend), walking everyday and biking when I don’t run. If the snow and ice stay away, I hope to hike on the weekend as well.
Excited about the new link-up. Aren’t you?
I want to get to 10 and then 13.1. I’m having a bit of a mental block about it all, but I guess there’s no immediate rush.
I am so excited for Friday!
you did find some fun murals to photo this week. Way to crush it on the milege as well. Congrats on Nuun always fun! Looking forward to the new linkup see you there. Thanks for joining ours today
Absolutely! Linkups make blogging so much more fun!
You really are off to a great start on your goals – I love your goal tracker by the way 🙂
Looking forward to hosting Friday with you!
Thank you! It’s going to be great!
Great week of activity and fitness! I love that peacock mural 😉 The Fit Five sounds like it will be so fun; looking forward to it! 😉
I was so happy to see that mural! There is one more in town I need to photograph.
Can’t wait to have you on board!
You certainly did have a great week of working out!
Have you tried crossing your weak ankle over your healthy one so it’s basically resting when doing a plank? I had to do it that way for ages while my right big toe didn’t like the pressure I was putting on it during planks.
I have yet to come across a “wings” mural, but I’d love to get a picture with one!
I have not and that is an excellent suggestion. I struggled with plank jacks yesterday, but just ended up doing one leg at a time (it didn’t feel safe or stable at all).
Great week of activity for you! It’s amazing how cold FL has been this winter. We’ve been relatively mild up here. Congrats on the Nuun gig and all the best with the new linkup!
It really is. It gets cold here, but it’s never lasted so long as this.
I like the second wing mural even better than the first! And how great to be able to get together with your parents. A very solid week for you, Jen.
I personally think it’s way better to drop to your knees than hold something longer with poor form.
Right??? Peacock!!!
You are 100% right about the form. It’s just frustrating because my upper body never seems to get any stronger, which makes me not want to work on my upper body.
I love your goal tracker! I used to have an organized pantry, but then my kids grew up and started getting into all of the food 🙂 Last week I cleared out 5 (!!) boxes of cereal that only had a smidge of cereal left it them. I think my kids do that just to mess with me.
That’s one of my pet peeves!!
I’m glad you had running and exercise to help you through these crazy times we are having.
KIDS!!! I am trying to add in those clear containers, so I can see what’s in the boxes. It might be helpful.
I think a new mindset is what we all need in 2021! I’m ready to put 2020 and all the craziness behind us but it seems like it’ll continue for at least a few more weeks. Hopefully once we get past the inauguration things will calm down a bit…I really hope haha. I’m not sure I can handle anymore “2020” in 2021!
Where did you get the weekly goal tracker thing you posted above? I really like that template and would love something like that to keep my weekly goals on track!
I’ve kind of given up high hopes for January. February is where it’s at!
I made the goal tracker in Canva!
Great job on running 8 miles!! How cold was it? Yay for 9 miles next week.
Excited to host the linkup with you!
It’s going to be so fun!