Counting Down To The New Year

This past week we were counting down to the New Year, and now 2024 is here! I honestly don’t know if I’m excited or nervous. 2023 was not my favorite (I feel like I keep repeating that at the end of every year), and I think I need to enter 2024 quietly with low expectations. We can see what happens from there. But let’s get into the past week.

Sunday

• Cardio: 4.31 miles, walking

Happy Christmas Eve! Regardless of what we had going on, a walk was in order.

And then we started to prep for the day ahead. In some ways, it was a calm and quiet day. I was ahead of my game on wrapping and putting gifts under the tree. On the flip side, we had to do a bunch of cooking rather than just ordering our normal Chinese food. Even then, we did a lot of that on Saturday, so it was juste finishing touches. Yay.

We made the viral sugar cookie cocktail (you can see the colored lines where the red and green sprinkles melt and streak down the martini glass) and a charcuterie board.

And we even got the pugs to cooperate for a photo before we called it a night.

Monday

• Cardio: 5 miles, running + 1.77 miles, walking

Merry Christmas!

Let’s talk about having a teenager on Christmas. Apparently, we are done with the days of waking up at 5AM to get ahead of the rush to see what Santa brought. A said he wanted to sleep in, as did Mr PugRunner, so I took them at their word, and went for a lovely run. It was glorious. When I got back, Mr PugRunner headed out for a walk. I had plenty of time to shower, dress, and do makeup, before the kiddo woke up. We had a very leisurely breakfast before opening gifts.

My parents came over mid-afternoon, and we had a delightful repeat of Thanksgiving with turkey and all the sides.

It was a great day. The boys got a ton of clothes (they both were in dire need), and my favorite gifts included a new set of pots from my parents, new running shoes, and a long weekend in New Orleans to run a 5K and check off state number ten!

Tuesday

• Cardio: 3.51 miles, walking
• Strength: Legs + Abs, 50 minutes

All good things must come to an end, and I found myself back in the gym on Tuesday morning. Go, me! I also had a nice walk.

In case you can’t tell, the last few days were way warmer. But don’t worry: a cold snap was on its way!

Wednesday

• Cardio: 5 miles, running + 2.65 miles, walking + 2000m, rowing
• Strength: Arms + Abs, 50 minutes

J wasn’t feeling well, so I ran my portion on my own and then met her for a walk in the fresh air. Being sick at the holidays is zero fun.

What is fun? Testing out my new Brooks Adrenalines! I love the feel and the color!

Mr PugRunner got us tickets to our local zoo, and we took A and his girlfriend for a few hours, followed by lunch. The zoo is also featuring a Chinese Lantern exhibit, that you can see during the day, but that is far more impressive at night, so we will have to go back. All in all, it was a lovely afternoon and everyone had a great time.

The fresh air surely knocked me for a loop and I slept like a rock that night.

Thursday

• Cardio: 3.69 miles, walking + 2000m, rowing
• Strength: Legs + Abs, 50 minutes

And here’s where the weather turned. Ugh. Cold, and drizzly. I went to the gym first, which was pretty rough. I finally had to wave the white flag on the lunges, and switched to glute brides. It’s just too painful on the toes on my right foot.

A and I had to do some shopping, so we headed out and even had a nice lunch together. It’s so nice to be able to share that time with him. When we got home, I dug right into work. There is so much to finish before I take some time off for the holidays.

Friday

• Cardio: 5.02 miles, running + 2.69 miles, walking

Another day running on my own and it was FREEZING out. Almost literally. Of course, I always warm up after a mile or so, hence the shorts.

And then it was time for more work. I’m trying to work ahead about two to three weeks to give me some breathing room, but it’s a lot all at once. Future Jenn will thank me.

Saturday

• Cardio: 4 miles, walking

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve! And happy second birthday to this precious nugget! He’s gotten so big, and is just the sweetest monster around.

I had a good walk, even if I did sleep in. The dark mornings make it hard, and we’ve been staying up late because A has friends over. Honestly, it’s so good to have that and it’s making for a nice break.

In the afternoon, we went to a little get together at a neighbor’s house. I was all about making it an early night.

Thoughts + Goals

We will be on an adventure this upcoming week, so I am looking forward to keeping up my run/walk streak, which I will balance with fun times. Will there be dolphins? Probably!

Needles to say, I’m going to continue my efforts through the holiday so I can come home and slide right back into my routine. It’s what works best for me and my mental and physical health, so that’s what we do.

You’ll want to keep reading this week. I’m going to be sharing about

• my word of the year on Tuesday Topics with The Running Teacher
• gym etiquette in the new year on the Runners Roundup with  Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs.
• and share some things on Fit Five Friday with  My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher and Ultimate Coffee Date with Coco and Deborah!

How was your week of training? How are you celebrating the New Year?

Weekly Rundown

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