Back from my brief race-cation in Florida to holiday party mode.

I hope I can run enough to burn off those calories.

(Kitty update: he’s still AWOL 😦 )

Last Week –

• Sunday – Tampa Hot Chocolate 15K – no need for hot chocolate after this warm, humid race. Even though it was very close to a PW, I won my age group and had lots of fun.

I’m pretty sure after a delicious brunch, we headed to the hot tub.

Rain canceled our outdoor plans so we spent the evening watching Hallmark movies.

• Monday – Last day in sunny Florida so I went for a walk/run in the neighborhood

a cold front had come through so it was a little chilly but so much warmer than home..

After packing, we went out to our last lunch and then on the way to the airport, we spent time in Dunedin.

I got to see my friend’s work at DFAC and yes, there was ice cream…

• Tuesday – A late arrival home the night before so I was pooped but I dragged myself to the gym before work and ran at lunch.

cold and windy… please take me back to Fla!!

• Wednesday – I had planned to stop at the gym before work and run at lunch again… but a co-worker called in sick so I had to rush to the Training Center.

An unplanned rest day before

Holiday Party #1 – with my tennis friends.. it’s an annual thing with lots of food, Chinese grab bag, laughs and music/singing.

• Thursday – Back to the Training Center for work with a stop on the way:

it was yummy! (iced creme brulee latte)

and a run after at UAlbany.

• Friday – Holiday Party #2- at the office and then I had to rush back to the Training Center.

Mah jongg in the evening…

• Saturday – Started off the day with a long run and the weather was perfect.  Most of my friends were getting ready for the party so I ran 8 miles only with Deb.  We were treated with new artwork on the rail trail.

these pieces replaced the ones from the Pandemic and most had accompanying poetry so beautiful..

Holiday Party #3 – with my running friends… it’s also an annual thing with lots of food, drink and running talk.

• Sunday – Plan to start the day at the gym and end with dinner at my stepson & DIL’s (holiday party #4) since the hubby is sick, just a visit with my granddaughter.

she loved Santa!

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – run, b-day dinner for a friend
• Tuesday – GYM, rest day
• Wednesday – run 
• Thursday – run, walk with BFF
• Friday –  rest day, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run
• Sunday – GYM, hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Hot Chocolate 15k Race Recap
• Friday – Goals for 2024

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races this winter?  How’s the weather where you live? Do you have a lot of holiday parties? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

I do prefer warmth and sunshine for my runs.

It’s not even winter or that cold yet. But I couldn’t turn down an invitation to run a race in Florida…

Last Week –

• Sunday – I started the day at the gym as I usually do on Sundays.

It was a damp, cold, rainy day…So glad it was a rest day and that I had a fun indoor activity scheduled for the afternoon.

I joined some friends to see the Monet Interactive exhibit.

I had seen it in Miami a few years ago but each company does it differently and I did enjoy this one too.

After, we went out for a bite to eat.

• Monday – I wanted to run at lunch (because the temps would be warmer than the morning) but though it was sunny, it was RAINING!!

It stopped so I drove into town…

and it started to pour and I got soaked and then the sun came out… and then it started to pour…. it continued that way all day!

and after work, I met my stepson and his GF out for dinner.

Unfortunately, while I away, my hubby accidentally let one of our cats out when he left to play tennis.

Mac who is NOT an outdoor cat 😦

• Tuesday – A busy work day so I had to get my run done after work at UAlbany. Happy to have a friend join me

before I met my BFF for a walk/chat in the mall.

• Wednesday – I woke up to freezing temps and SNOW (and my kitty still gone for the 2nd night)!

Another busy work day so again I had no time to run until after work.  I decided to drive to a neighborhood with lights and then rushed home to  pack.

It SNOWED the entire run but it was kinda nice…

• Thursday – Kitty still gone (my hubby did see him last night so at least we know he’s alive)…

a lovely sky greeted me…

I hit the gym before work because after work, I had to rush to the airport to catch a flight to Tampa, FL with my friend Heidi.

We arrived late that night and our friend Deirdre picked us up at the airport.

• Friday & Saturday – It was great to be re-united with Deirdre and Kevin. Check out IG & FB for pics of our pre-race activities.

#flatme ready Fingers crossed for NO RAIN!!

• Sunday – Hot Chocolate 15k Race. Heidi is running the 10k (Deirdre sprained her ankle in a trail race so has to sit this one out) but I chose the 15k.

I’m sure it will be fun. (More details in the next WRD.)

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – hanging with friends, fly home (fingers crossed that my kitty will be there to greet me)
• Tuesday – GYM, run
• Wednesday – run, tennis holiday party
• Thursday – PM run 
• Friday –  rest day, work party, mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run, Running Group Holiday Party
• Sunday – GYM, hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Bling of 2023
• Friday – Favorite Fitness Moments of 2023

to those who celebrate

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Any races planning before the end of 2023?  How’s the weather where you live?  Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

I’m not big on the holidays. I don’t have to buy many gifts.  I do some decorating and still send out cards…

But I do enjoy those holiday parties… so I better keep running to be able to eat all the goodies.

Last Week –

• Sunday – As usual, I started the day at the gym and also walked on the track since I was not in a rush.

guess who’s getting ready for the holidays?

I spent most of the day decorating the house… (more tiring than the gym).

I’m obsessed with snowmen… this year, I added a few gnomes LOL

Then I went for a short hike before the sunset.

Five Rivers never disappoints

• Monday – DAY OFF so I was able to run and not at the crack of dawn. The forecast was for rain (as always on my Mondays off) but I got lucky and finished my run just before the skies opened up.

not on the rail trail for a change

I took advantage of the postponed hike to make beef stew and then went out for a walk when the rain stopped.

I spent most of the afternoon helping my running friends move. At least 6 hours of going up and down steps as they moved to an apartment upstairs from the one they already owned.

We got rewarded with a nice dinner… and it was fun.

• Tuesday – Started the day at the gym and then decided to skip the run based on the number of steps I climbed the day before.

I met my BFF for a long walk and chat after work.

• Wednesday – Since I didn’t run the day before, I had to squeeze my run in at lunch.

those deer were near each other and close to me

In the evening I got together with my tennis friends for a dinner out.

although I don’t miss playing tennis, I do miss my friends so glad we do this every month

• Thursday – After a late evening, I dragged myself out of  bed to work out at the gym

Then another lunch time run… and it was sunny!!

like my new running partner?

No plans for the evening so I had time after work to visit my granddaughter.

• Friday – Another early morning trip to the gym… but a rest day from running.

I was hosting mah jongg that evening so that meant “cleaning.”

• Saturday – Long Run in preparation for the 15k the weekend after.

So lucky to have company for the miles and brunch after.

I woke up to rain!!

But the radar showed that it wouldn’t be raining where we were going.

hooray for a dry (cloudy) run but my friend was only running 7 miles and so I stopped too.

• Sunday – Gym first thing and then a re-scheduled visit to the Monet Interactive in the afternoon.

I did go to one in Miami several years ago. I LOVE Monet so I can’t wait to see this version.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – AM run, dinner out with stepson
• Tuesday – GYM. PM run, walk with BFF
• Wednesday – PM run, pack
• Thursday – GYM, fly to Tampa, FL
• Friday –  hanging out with friends
• Saturday – hanging out with friends, bib pick up in Tampa
• Sunday – Hot Chocolate 15k race

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – Holiday Gift Guide
• Friday – Favorite Stocking Stuffers

Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races?  How’s the weather where you live? Done decorating for the holidays? Any exciting plans for this last month of 2023? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.