Welcome to the Weekly Wrap. I have been a busy busy bee this week with holiday preparations. 5K training is still going full steam ahead, although trying to fit it around more holiday parties wore me out this week. Linking up with Holly and Wendy for this Weekly Wrap.
Monday 12/17
Run: Strength + Easy. I went to the early morning kettlebell class at On Your Mark before an easy run downtown. I rarely run along Chicago’s Riverwalk (GPS accuracy is terrible), but this sunrise was STUNNING.
Other: Work Holiday Party. People are usually surprised when they find out that my day job is as a bilingual literacy coach. I wish I could just run, blog and bake all the time! But just like I love to coach runners, I enjoy coaching teachers and feeling connected to the classroom. We had our holiday party that afternoon at Wishbone, one of my go-to Chicago restaurants for a vegan brunch option. A co-worker organized a Secret Santa gift exchange. I received baking supplies that I quickly put to use later in the week!
Tuesday 12/18
Run: Sprint Tuesday. This run was just blah. I had more 5k pace repeats, cycling through .25, .3, and .4 mile intervals before finishing with 5x .1 mi all out sprints. The workout kicked my butt, which worried me. While I enjoyed the morning with the Sprint Tuesday group, part of me wonders if I should have tried doing this on the treadmill.
Other: Christkindlmarket lunch date. Rarely am I downtown on a Tuesday, but I took advantage of working from the office and met up with one of my best friends, Molly, to explore Chicago’s Christkindlmarket. It was a lovely way to break up the day.
Wednesday 12/19
Run: Easy run + November Project. Growing up, Seinfeld was my grandma’s favorite show. I have early memories of joining her on the couch while “her show” played, and reruns remind me of her. November Project held a Festivus workout that was all Seinfeld themed. We had a Festivus Pole, Airing of the Grievances and finished with Feats of Strength. It’s my favorite workout of the year. After, I tacked on some miles on the Lakefront Trail to see the sunrise.
Other: NEW RECIPE! This month’s Recipe Redux theme was to give a healthy upgrade to a cookbook recipe. I chose to create vegan peppermint chocolate teff flour cookies, based on a cookie recipe from an Isa Chandra cookbook. I spent the afternoon baking in preparation for my next two holiday parties. Get the recipe here.
Thursday 12/20
Run: Mountain Goat Tempo. I know this may seem masochistic, but I really do love doing speed workouts on the treadmill, especially when they involve uphill. It reminds me of ultra training, and I know that these workouts produce great results.
Other: Windrunner party. That evening, the Windrunners gathered to celebrate the season and look ahead to the new year. While I had seen a few teammates here and there, it was really nice to have the majority of the girls together in one place. We hadn’t been together like this since the Chicago Marathon! The most touching aspect was the team voted for both Lydia and I to win the team “World Changer” award, for those constantly making an impact in the community. I was shocked and moved to be regarded in that way.
Friday 12/21
Run: Scheduled 7 miles, actual 0. I awoke exhausted and chose to move my rest day from Sunday to today. Instead of running to November Project, I slept in and attended a strength class at On Your Mark later in the morning. After work, I even took a cat nap in the boots at EDGE before heading out for the evening. To give you context, I’m pretty sure college was the last time I napped!
Other: Winter Solstice Party. In the evening, I met some friends to celebrate the Winter Solstice and relax. It was a total hygge vibe and I stayed much later than expected. There’s something so wonderful about catching up with friends that makes the time pass instantly.
Saturday 12/22
Run: Trail Run! Initially had plans to run with Jeremy but he ended up not being able to make it. I actually think that was for the best because I needed time to unwind after all the late nights this week. 13 solo trail miles for me!
Other: Brunch with the bro. My older brother Mark Thomas and I met up for some brunch at Chicago Diner when I got back to the city. Eating there is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. After marathons or ultras I treat myself to their vegan milkshakes which are IN-CRE-DI-BLE. It was nice to be able to catch up with him before the chaos of Christmas.
Sunday 12/23
Run: Easy run. Met AJ at EDGE for 7 easy miles. I tried out the new Nike Air Zoom Pegasus shoes and loved how light and bouncy they felt.
Other: Yoga. Since I was already at EDGE, I attended Fran’s Sunday morning yoga class for a good stretch to unwind from the week. My hips were sooooo tight and definitely needed the stretch.
And that’s a wrap! My week of being a busy busy bee is almost at an end – just have to make it through Christmas and then will have down time. Despite all the holiday parties and social events, I ran 46 miles for the week – hell yes! The Windrunners dinner gave me the push I needed to get into serious training mode.
Be on the lookout for my year end recap next week! I enjoy recapping my year with themes. Past ones were 2015: Year of Boston, 2016: Year of Recovery and PRs, 2017: Year of the Ultra. What will 2018 be? Let’s stay in touch! Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.
Happy running,
Becca
That was a busy week! I had to laugh at your comment about your grandma and Seinfeld. My paternal grandma LOVED the show M.A.S.H. and watched it 3 times a day, I think. Myself, I think Jerry Seinfeld is a comedic genius!
Hah I agree! His new Netflix series was great to watch (Comedians in Cars).
Awesome job this week! I love how you had a great mix of workouts, but also great social events and holiday festivities! 🙂
That recipe looks super yummy! Love the idea of making typically unhealthy foods, healthier.
Interesting to hear more about your day job! Do you get to work from home a lot?
Awesome week of workouts and good for you for listening to your body and taking a little cat nap 🙂 I’m a big fan of naps- I look forward to them during a long run!
Thanks! Yes, fortunately most afternoons I get to work remote. I tend to go to EDGE and work from compression boots haha.
Great photos this week, and love the idea of a healthy recipe upgrade
Congrts on a solid mileage week
Literacy work must be wonderfully challenging
I will definitely have to check out those cookies. They sound yummy! And congrats on your award!
I love visiting holiday markets.
Wow you did have a really busy fun packed week not sure I knew you were a bi lingual teacher either! Happy Hoy