week 104: bring on the holly jolly

Here we go! It’s Christmas week! The final stretch before the big day! I was really looking forward to all of the celebrating and fun. Oh, and the cold weather coming our way!



Sunday

• Cardio: 5 miles, walking
• Strength: 3×12 bicep curl to lateral raise, glute bridge chest press; 3×10 pulse static lunge (each side), 3×12 thrusters

Happy Hanukkah! Of course, I started with a run and a strength workout. Obviously.

We got some stuff done around the house and then went to my parents’ fo the first night of Hanukkah. My stepdad celebrates, so we try to go all in for the holidays.

Monday

• Cardio: 6.03 miles, running + walking
• Strength: 3x12 flys to narrow press, lateral raise closures; 3×10 reverse lunge to press, wide climber to pushup, 24 overhead dumbbell glute bridge walks

It’s Monday! Let’s run! I was happy to try a new route and mix things up.

Home for an upper body and core workout. Yuck.

And then time for shopping! I hit up a little local boutique for some adorable things!

Tuesday

• Cardio: 3 miles, walking

Here comes the rain. Yuck.

For some reason, Tuesday was just a big, crazy mess. I had a work meeting, that led to more on my to-do list (grateful for that, of course), and I just bulldozed the day as best I could.

Wednesday

• Cardio: 5 miles, running + 1.98 miles walking

Happy Winter Solstice! I started the morning with a super solid run.

And then started prepping for a cozy dinner with friends. We had all comfort foods: tomato bisque with grilled cheese dippers, a ridiculously amazing french onion soup dip, pasta Fagioli, homemade bread, mulled wine, and rice pudding. We exchanged gifts and conversation, and I’m calling it a new tradition.

Thursday

• Cardio: 4.69 miles, walking

A was home for break, so it was really time to get to work, locking down the rest of the holidays. I walked while he was still sleeping.

And then I dug into cleaning, wrapping and tidying.

We had tickets to the Dazzling Lights Display at the Jacksonville Arboretum that night. I was so excited – this isn a show I’ve wanted to see for years. We got VIP with onsite parking, access to the indoor lounge, and drinks, and it was so lovely. The lights were creative and it was all just what my soul needed.

Friday

• Cardio: 6 miles, running + 1.64 miles, walking

Huge breakthrough with a six mile run! It’s been a while, but I want to run Gate, so this is a huge start.

I received my gift from a secret book exchange and I was so happy! My recipient is in the midwest, so her order was delayed by the storm, but I hope she is happy when she receives it!

A and I went to our annual White Elephant party. We couldn’t stay super long so I let him do the kids’ gift exchange, but I opted out of the adult portion. It was good to catch up with everyone.

Saturday

• Cardio: 3.64 miles, walking

And then the cold come. Seriously. Freezing temps. Holy moly. I ran to the store for the final things we needed, and then went for my walk.

My parents came over for our traditional Chinese takeout Christmas Eve dinner. A and my mom worked on his gingerbread houses.

I still had cookies to finish.

And then it was the final frenzy of wrapping, prepping breakfast, and getting everything set for morning.

Goal-getting + Thoughts

If you celebrate, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for us, but we made it through.

Oh, another big thing happened this week: we got our family photos back! I was so happy with them and so glad to have updated ones.

I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!

How was your week in training? Did you have a nice Christmas?