Florida is wild sometimes. This week has dipped into below freezing temps, and people are turning on their heat, blanketing their delicate outdoor plants, and bundling up. As a runner, I am loving every second of it! Of course, I do believe that if the temperatures are in the 30s, we should get to see snow, but Mother Nature didn’t ask my opinion, so I’ll just layer up and enjoy what I have.
Sunday
- Cardio: 4.79 miles, walking
Happy Sunday! I had a really nice, long walk.
I had a lot of high hopes for the week, and this walk felt like we were off to a flawless start. With my energy revving, I finally took down the Christmas tree and most of the decorations (I’m leaving some winter things up until February), and started getting things tidied up. All great things.
Monday
- Cardio: 5 miles, running + 3.8 miles, walking
- Strength: arms + abs, 45 minutes
Let’s go, Monday! School was closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so I slept in a little, ran, met J for a walk, and enjoyed every second.
I followed up with arms at the gym. Arms always go both ways: some days I feel super strong and in charge, but other days, not so much. I do keep following my workout app, and pushing through my dislike of upper body workouts, and I know it will pay off.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 3 miles, treadmill walking
- Strength: legs + abs, 50 minutes
What an UGLY morning. I got up super early and hit the gym for leg day. The leg extension machine has been broken, so I’ve been having to swap in exercises to make up for it. However, there is a leg press on the “big kid” side of the gym, and I really wanted to learn how to use it. This was not that day.
I was about to leave to meet J for a walk, but the heavens opened, and I saw flashes of lightning. For the first time in forever, I hopped on the treadmill and did a rolling hills workout. Ew.
But that’s not all! I tried to move my car, and it went dead. Completely dead. No power at all. Come on! It would start and then not start, and I ended up having to cancel my event plans for the evening, because we had to pick up A from work, and no one wanted to be stuck with a dead car. Mr PugRunner bought a battery charger and got the battery all charged up, but we still weren’t entirely sure what was going on, so we decided to deal with it in the morning.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 6.04 miles, running + 2.31 miles, walking
- Strength: arms + abs, 45 minutes
Y’all, this was such a great run. As you know, I’ve tried dropping my intervals, and I am now up to four miles of straight running, with additional miles at a 5/1 interval. It all feels good, and I’m so happy.
It’s worth noting that this run happened at 33ºF.
I had some work to finish in the morning, so I got to the gym later than usual. It was strange working out so “late,” but I got it done, and then took myself to lunch while I waited for the kids to get out of school. It all worked out.
In the meantime, the pugs were not excited about the weather at all.
Thursday
- Cardio: 3.69 miles, walking
- Strength: legs + abs, 50 minutes
The morning was a bit chaotic, but I got out and enjoyed some chilly miles.
And then it was off to the gym. For some reason, it was super quiet, so I was able to snag a trainer and ask about the leg press. He was very thorough and showed me everything I needed to know. And now I have a new favorite gym workout. Yay!
But with the sweet comes the sour: my car was still not cooperating. Sigh.
Friday
- Cardio: 4 miles, running + 4.88 miles, walking
Another J day! We all got up early because Mr. PugRunner was taking the car to get looked at and I wanted to get in a solid run before meeting J. Everything feels great, and I registered for the Gate River Run!
Mr PugRunner called from the shop and said that the news was good. The new battery in the car was a little smaller than the factory battery, so it wasn’t installed properly. The mechanic secured it in place, and we are good to go!
We also met for breakfast at the new donut shop in town. It felt very normal. After all, we are at one year since Mr PugRunner went in the hospital. We are so very lucky to be where we are right now.
Saturday
- Cardio: 3.37 miles, walking
Who didn’t want to roll out of bed and head out into the 30ºF world? This girl right here. But I did it, and I wasn’t sorry about it.
Then it was off to one of my clients’ to shoot some footage, and then A and I headed out to watch his girlfriend compete at her first event of the season. Good times.
Thoughts + Goals
First of all, New Orleans recommendations. I’m taking them if you have them! Any must-do’s are welcome!
Second, OMG I can’t believe I’m running multiple miles straight through! This was a huge (silent) goal of mine, and it’s a huge boost to my confidence. I’m excited to keep pushing forward!
Last, I still haven’t been able to teach myself embroidery. I am mentally ready, but I just need to clear the time to do it. When will we get more hours in a day?
How was your week in training? What’s the weather like? How do you fit in new things when your schedule is already packed?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
Wow, that kind of temperature can’t be very common where you are? When I saw your first photos with you in shorts, I was about to say that your big freeze isn’t what I mean with big freeze, being Scandinavian and all, but then I realised you’re actually having temps around freezing. Well done going out running in that. And I’m delighted you got to learn to use the leg press! I’m so used to free weights now that if I go to a regular gym I usually stay with dumbbells and barbells, but the leg press (along with hack squat) is one machine I really love! Plus I wouldn’t do any heavy barbell squats without my trainer anyway.
Great news about the car! Those gadgets should just work and that’s it!
LOL! I will run in shorts unless I absolutely can’t stand it, but this week tested me. And I know we are way warmer than everyone else, but dang it. These are the tropics! I will see if I can try any of the other free weights. I do some of the smaller dumbbells, but not any of the barbells or racks.
It just amazes me that it’s that cold down there! I mean, we get really cold every winter, so as awful as it is, it’s expected. But Florida? Hopefully, the weather is going to improve this week–at least for you– and we will warm up! I’m glad that running is going well for you!
It’s true. But remember. Florida is about 450 miles long…. Jenny’s weather is 10-15 degrees warmer where she is, further south. We get it all.
Things will be a little warmer this week – we are going see the manatees in the springs. They like the “warm” water in the springs when it gets cold, and there were about 670 of them at this one location on Friday. Can’t wait to see those big water potatoes!
Wow that is cold for you Floridians! Do you think the cooler temps are helping with your running? Congrats on extending your run miles
YES it’s helping! I can breathe! And I’m not soaked through sweating. It makes such a world of difference. I want to move back north lol.
yum on those donuts.
And cold here? yup. -8 wind chill yesterday but I survived. That’s what happens when you can’t run for weeks, you run in anything – NOT RAIN though. lol
Congrats on some good runs.. I do embrace my walks and truthfully I am faster when I do them.
Oh, yeah. Way colder by you. Brrr.
I love walk breaks, too. But I’ve needed to see some measurable progress and this was it.
That’s wild that it got that cold there, but yes, great for runners! Glad you are enjoying and embracing it Jenn!
I’m practically dancing out there, once I shake off the initial shock lol!
Yay for feeling so good on your runs. The cooler weather certainly does make it easier, doesn’t it? And speaking of cold Florida weather, I was bummed that it was a cool as it was while I was there.
Let me know when you figure out how to add more time to the week. I could use a few extra hours as well!
So much easier!
You got some of the nasty damp weather and I’m sorry for that. No one likes the dreary, misty days.
I’m happy to share my secrets if I figure it out!
Love your pugs! I have two Westies… we had 7 inches of snow this week and now that they are older they did not enjoy it like they used to! That donut looks so good!
Congrats on running multiple miles straight through! I know that feels great! I also enjoy walk breaks though, lol!
Hopefully you have a warm up coming this week!
They are so ridiculous. And I think the pugs would REFUSE to go out in the snow if they ever came across it.
I love walk breaks too, but it’s nice to know I can do this.
Very cold for Florida! Looks like the entire country suffered through frigid temps this week; as you know I am NOT a fan of such nonsense. Glad to hear the running is going so well!
Yes, I know. It’s not at all your season!
Yay! I’m glad your running is feeling so good! That’s what happens when you get out there consistently. About the car thing- it’s SO disconcerting and inconvenient to suddenly not have it start! I had that happe in November, and in my case I needed a new battery (but it was under warranty so the dealer replaced it for free!) Glad you got yours fixed.
Our weather is nowhere near as cold as yours! We got down to the upper 40s this morning, but that’s pretty extreme for us. I can’t even remember what 30s feels like.
Nice job at the gym!
But what about the iguanas? Are you dealing with those? My bestie is in Boca and is at flat out WAR with them lol.
You had a great week of workouts! I’m glad you learned how to use that machine on the other side of the gym! It seems like no one was spared with the cold weather this past week. I went for a run today and it was around 30 and it was practically balmy!
Me, too! It took me a few days to work up the nerve, but I’m glad I did because the leg extension machine is still out of order.
Woo! Enjoy that cold snap! It does wonders for the running pace, am I right? I’d be happy to send you some snow as we have plenty to spare around here. Wait A has a girlfriend?? Exciting!
He does! She is absolutely lovely and they are so cute together! <3 <3 <3
And I will take just a little bit of snow, please and thank you!
Glad the car wasn’t a more difficult fix. We were just discussing about how I don’t want an electric car when either my almost 24 year old car or I decide it’s time. My car could seriously go maybe another 5 years since I only use it driving around town. My husband may have had 3 cars by the time I finally buy a new one . . . I digress. Sorry.
Congrats on some great running & good luck in your race!
Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Why are Runners Stupid?: 1/15 – 21 WRD
I don’t want an electric car, either. Both our cars are newer, but it seems like everything is just so much less reliable. Grumble grumble.