Sunday, December 20, 2015

Open Those Flood Gates (WW # 20)

Welcome!  This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your adventures. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!   {See complete rules}

Don't forget to use this badge in your post.
 



Tuesday - Ran 7 miles

Thursday - Ran 5 miles 

Have you heard?  We selected the winner of the $75 Lucky Linker Giveaway.   We sincerely thank all who have linked with us this year.  It has been amazing getting to know all of you and we hope you will continue to link with us in 2016.  We will have more surprises and giveaways to come.
 

I made these with my grandson


Saturday - Ran 12 miles

I originally planned to do another pool running session, but ultimately decided time on my feet would serve me better.  This run was emotional for me (well honestly, all of them have been).   I had my Christmas music playing, the weather was pure mid-40s-light-wind perfection, and it just didn't feel as tough as I expected. All of that just opened those flood gates... 

Also, taking a cue from Jennifer from Running On Lentils, I did not look at my watch all week for pacing information.  I let that be a surprise at the end. However, I don't cover it up because I like to keep the display on the heart rate screen and just monitor that number. 

I participated in the Holiday Card Swap hosted by Fairytales and Fitness. Thank you Lacey and Meranda for hosting this fun event!  I was introduced to Meg from Meg Go Run who sent me the sweetest card and note.  Thinking I needed a bit of luck, she came up with the super creative idea to buy me a lottery ticket.  Then she realized geography would be an issue, so instead she sent me the money to buy a local one.  {If I win big, will I need to split the proceeds?}  My card went to Chaitali from Running and Enjoying the Journey with a couple of surprises tucked inside.



Sunday - Biked 60 miles

I wanted one more super long "alternative run" before starting a taper for Disney, so it was back on my bike. Feeling a little sub-par, I rode 60 miles which took 4 hours and 20 minutes.  That will be my last personal distance record for a while.  Again, toward the end of this ride I got all emotional. What is wrong with me?  Speaking of taper -- I'm clueless.  I will definitely taper off the bike mileage, but don't have running miles to taper from. I would like to increase the time on my feet for one more week.  We'll see.

I didn't get as much accomplished on the last weekend before Christmas as I should have.  {Sigh -- let it go...let it go}  Of course this week will be crazy.  My birthday is just a few days before Christmas too.  Check out my birthday post from last year.  
 

In summary: 

Ran Three Times for 22 Miles
Biked One Time for 60 Miles

And that's a wrap!






Did you get everything accomplished this weekend?

Will your upcoming week be crazy or quiet?



63 comments:

  1. I'm very encourages that you jumped right back into running! So far so good? You might not need to taper the bike as much as you would a run. You don't have the same pounding so your body should recover from rides faster it would from runs of a similar duration. Listen to your body and see how it feels! Good luck!

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    1. The neuroma in my foot is still causing discomfort. It's not all the time but it may be something I'm stuck with for a while. I hope not. There is a series of alcohol injections I can try.

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  2. I love hearing that you're running again! Happy birthday a few days early!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. It's good to be running again. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

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  3. I got a lot done this weekend, but my gifts still aren't wrapped!

    Happy happy birthday, my friend!

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    1. I've gotten more deliveries and have more wrapping to do now too. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

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  4. No wonder you were quiet today with all those bike miles! Dang. I did try to take it easy today. I got some wrapping done but not near what all I needed to get done. I'll have a busy 3 days at work and home this week before we leave to have our own Christmas. I'll tell you again tomorrow but I hope you have a great birthday!!! :)

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    1. The time I spent on the bike kept me from doing other things I should have. But I think I made the right choice. It was my peak training week!

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  5. Nice job this week! Very impressive that you are keeping up with cross training even though you are running again. My week will be a little crazy but hopefully by Friday I will be able to relax!

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    1. Christmas Eve is going to be a crazy travel day for me. I am really looking forward to the weekend to hopefully relax and get some running in.

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  6. Nice that you're back to running! I think your plan to still get time on your feet even though you're tapering is a good one. I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted for Christmas, but I'm only in the office two days this week, so I still have time, right (I hope!)?

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    1. I'm second guessing everything since this whole training cycle was very unconventional. I still have a couple of things I need to do for Christmas. But at some point I just have to say "when".

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  7. Love the holiday card swap idea! Have a great birthday!!

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    1. Thanks Sarah, I did enjoy my birthday. Nice and quiet.

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  8. Great running miles! Way to go on the bike too, wow! 60 miles is a lot! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

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    1. I must admit, I was feeling my new age after the 60 miles and rested 2 days. I'm happy to have that distance record though.

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  9. How is your foot feeling ? My floodgates are often due to a combination of fatigue, elation, and general sense of pure joy.
    Hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend and sending positive vibes your way for your food & training.

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    1. The neuroma is still making my foot uncomfortable at times. But no worries as I'm working with my doctor to treat it. I really just want one more longish run before the marathon. I hope to do it this weekend.

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  10. Trying again.

    Ok, I'll just wish you luck & prayers for a good first marathon.

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    1. Thanks, Judy. I'll need all of that I can get.

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  11. OMG, super cute gingerbread man! Have a great birthday week!

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    1. We had such fun making those! They are very large cookies which makes it easier for little ones to decorate. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

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  12. I got "moderate" stuff done (as well as a family Christmas gathering), but still have a lengthy to-do list. And this week will be nutzo crazy to the max, I may be consuming record amounts of chai and cookies to cope ;-)

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  13. Those gingerbread men are adorable! I haven't decorated anything gingerbread in a long time, but we are having gingerbread from Nothing Bundt Cakes on Christmas Eve.

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    1. They were so much fun to decorate. They are extra large which makes it easy for a little one. I love the taste of fresh, hot, real gingerbread with honey butter or cream cheese.

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  14. Way to go with those miles this week! I need to get back into double digit long runs. I have a nice relaxing week ahead of me and am looking forward to it!

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    1. I hope to get some relaxing done over the weekend once all of the holiday events are over. That was my first double digit run in 12 weeks.

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  15. Wow. In awe of all the running & biking you got done, and all with the craziness that is this time of year!

    Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday!

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    1. It adds a level of stress (to get it all in) but also takes away other stress. Crazy.

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  16. I am sorry again at my stupidity! I told my husband the whole story last night and he laughed at me! I hope it gave you a laugh! :) And no, anything you win is for YOU since I sucked at this card swap thing this year!

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    1. I loved that story. It was such a creative idea! I think we all feel connected as bloggers but tend to forget about that geography thing.

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  17. Sounds like you're almost ready for Disney! And happy early birthday :) Thanks again for the card and the little gifts inside, they were so thoughtful.

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    1. Ready may not be the correct word, but I'll give it my best shot. I was delighted when I got your name. I thought "I know her!"

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  18. So bummed to have missed out on the greeting card exchange! I love those! Thanks for hosting!

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    1. It was my first time doing the card swap. I definitely need to remember for next year.

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  19. Wow! You've gotten back into miles very quickly! That pool running must have kept you strong!!

    I did the card exchange last year but forgot to sign up.

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    1. Yeah, probably too quickly but I don't have the luxury of time. I hope I can get one more longish run in and call it a day, And then just hope for the best.

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    2. I'm betting that you will do better than you think.

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    3. I'm betting that you will do better than you think.

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  20. Way to go on the bike! 60 miles is very impressive! Happy to hear that you had good runs this week too! The cookie you made with your Grandson is so cute! :) I got a lot done this weekend. All the presents are wrapped and almost done packing for our trip to Utah. Happy early birthday!!!

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    1. That ride required 2 days of rest afterwards. I was feeling my new age for sure. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

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  21. I am not surprised at all you are feeling so emotional - it's just so awesome you can run a bit again! Congrats on the 60 miles, and at a fast clip!

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    1. I struggled during that ride -- I guess because of the 12 miles the day before. My body is not used to the running.

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  22. 60 miles on the bike is impressive especially after the miles before!

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    1. It was tough. Previously I was cycling on Saturday and pool running on Sunday. This felt much harder after a real 12 mile run the day before.

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  23. I am just so happy for you that you are able to run again, and that in itself is probably the best Birthday or Christmas present you could have wanted:)
    My emotions would be running all over the place too, I am dreaming of the day that everything from that work injury will be behind me and I can get back to running again too. On the plus side, the heavy meds I was just put on today for my back, the Doc thinks will also help fix some lingering inflamation in my ankle so I am considering it a win, win on the healing front, LOL
    Have a very Happy Birthday this week!
    Additionally, have a very Merry Christmas!

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    1. I hope your back meds do help your ankle! That would be an awesome "extra". I still have discomfort in my foot, which is so disappointing and may be something I will have to deal with for a long time. I'm working with the doc to find relief.

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  24. What a great week of running! Besides biking, do you think the pool running kept your endurance up? I don't swim much, but I looked up pool running a few weeks ago and it looks like a great workout - especially with the long times your were putting in.

    Have a great birthday later this week!

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    1. The pool running was intense. The first few times were absolutely fatiguing. My lungs were so sore. I started with 60 minutes and worked up to 2:45. I'm not sure which activity provided the most benefit. I just did heart rate training the whole time and I hope it pays off. My speed is way off, but I feel my endurance is there.

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  25. So glad you were able to get some runs in! That would definitely be emotional after all of this. Have a Merry Christmas!

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  26. that is a great week of miles! Impressive! I am so glad you are outside and back on your feet! :) :) :)

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    1. I'm happy to be on my feet again. One of them is still not very happy though.

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  27. Great job lady!!! I linked up on the Tricia's site, so wasn't sure if I should link again. Thanks for inviting me to do so! I am glad I remembered this week! Merry Christmas lady! xoxo

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  28. Wow nice job with all those miles! Sounds like you're back on the right track.

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    1. I'll just have to see how this crazy training plays out. I worry I haven't spent enough time on my feet.

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  29. Happy birthday, HoHo! My husband's birthday is today, and my brother in law's birthday is next week. So we've got lots of birthday celebrations all around! Love the lotto ticket notion for the holiday blogger card exchange - what a great idea!

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  30. Look at those miles! Nice job and happy Birthday! The holidays are usually pretty quiet, mostly with family and always a great time. I hope you have a great holiday and birthday!

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    1. Thanks. I had a quiet birthday celebration, which was perfect.

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  31. As you can imagine, I'm second guessing everything. Disney will happen whether its good, bad, fast, slow, painful or not. LOL. I'm looking forward to a long hopefully relaxing weekend. So far this week has been stressful and I already am a bad sleeper!

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