The Final Countdown: 11/27-12/3 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

And just like that, 2017 is almost over. But it ain’t over til the fat lady sings. You might just feel like the fat lady after Thanksgiving Shenanigans — that’s okay; holidays are meant to be enjoyed.

But they’re called holidays for a reason — don’t let one day stretch into an entire month.

This week was relatively uneventful, save for the case of the mysterious missing wallet (more on that at the end of the post).

I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin who just ran a half together in FL with some other bloggers — yes, the same one that started my PR roll off last year (you can read about that one here) — congrats, ladies! Teresa @ Findingfabulousatfifty and Karen @ Runningoverthehill, ran it with them.

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: Dogwalk, 3 easy treadmill miles (cold & wind seems a Monday theme)
  • Tuesday: 5 miles easy, Dogwalk, DM Abs & Arms
  • Wednesday: DM ST, Dogwalk
  • Thursday:  Yogaworks AM, 4 miles easy
  • Friday:  DM Abs, Dogwalk, 35 minute swim (4 laps with kickboard)
  • Saturday: 6 mile LSD, Dogwalk
  • Sunday: Dogwalk

Mileage: 18 (NC)

JY = Jasyoga
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running updates 

Monday

Monday was super windy; again. And although it “warmed up” as the day went on, the wind kept it feeling damn chilly. So I bumped up my pace a notch on the treadmill and got it done in the morning.

Have you been naughty or nice?


Tuesday

This one — not so much negative splits. It was so windy. So tired of wind. Every day they tease us with warm temps, it seems to be extremely windy (and gray) and therefore feels cold.

I took Bandit with me for the first 2 1/2 miles, which he seemed to enjoy, although he thought he should be done when we made the turn that can either go up to our house, or around again. He clearly didn’t want to go around again.

Poor flamingo must be cold!

Thursday

Again with the wind and cold (even if it was technically in the 40s, it sure didn’t feel like it). I came real close to another treadmill run, but I sucked it up and head out with Bandit for a mile & a half to warm up. And felt pretty grumpy about it, I must admit. Damn wind.

I dropped him off, and my pace continued to drop, as well. Another negative split run without trying for one. But when all was said and done, I felt happy that I got out there and did it.

Another gray, chilly long run

Saturday

Darlene, Running Buddy J & I mostly ran together today. Most of the speedier runners couldn’t make it. Running Buddy J will be “flying” south for the winter before I know it. Still just maintaining my base . . . which will be the theme for many months to come.

I had hoped to do a Jingle Bell 5k with a friend today, but in the end she couldn’t go and I didn’t feel like going on my own (even if it would have allowed me to relax more in the morning).

So far, so good!


Favorites of the week
I can’t really blame my lack of presence on social media on being busy anymore, although there was yet another vet appointment for Lola (and yet another one next week, too). If you’re friends with me on my personal FB page, though, you know that I bought a new toy on Cyber Monday: an Instant Pot.

There’s a steep learning curve, but it’s far less scary than the monster pressure cooker I used many decades ago to can stuff. Nowadays I just pour hot stuff in mason jars — kind of a poor man’s canning (lazy man? woman?).

Not bad for about 15 minutes of prep

I made a quinoa and bean dish, frozen fish (as in it was frozen when I put it in the pot), and today am working on brisket. And of course I had to create a new board on Pinterest that you can find here.

I bought the 6 quart Duo Instant Pot Plus, which you can buy here (Amazon Affiliate link). It was a much better price on Cyber Monday, but you can try to use Camelcamelcamel to get sent an alert when the price drops again — I’m sure at some point it will.

Run is done, food is coming, all smiles
Chocolate PB Mud Pie. Always a little different. always delicious & always shared

We went out for breakfast after our “long” run (I definitely use that term loosely), but I was saving myself for the dessert above that evening, so I just ate a snack I had brought with me when we went out for breakfast.

And finally, I am deeply appreciative of the ladies who dropped off my wallet. I had no idea it had somehow fallen out of my bag, so I never had any angst about it — in fact, I still have no idea how it happened. The pocket I normally keep it in was zipped shut and I don’t remember ever going into it (or can imagine a reason I would have to).

Not only did some ladies find it, they actually drove to my house to return it (I was still out, but thankfully Mr. Judy was home) — it’s a good 15 minute drive from where we were running. They refused a reward and nothing was touched.

This is actually the second time I’ve had such an incident, although the two incidents were many years apart (over a decade). Thank you, whatever angel is looking out for me.

And that’s a wrap 

link-up-badge

This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.

Let’s get the conversation started:

Have you been watching the Southern Soul Sisters shenanigans?

Any must try Instant Pot Hacks or Recipes?

What’s your favorite type of pie?  I am down with anything chocolate & peanut butter — two great tastes that definitely go together

32 thoughts on “The Final Countdown: 11/27-12/3 Weekly Wrap”

    1. It’s definitely quite different from a crockpot. In fact, it is also a crockpot, although I haven’t yet tested that feature (I know one person said about one he bought that it didn’t work, but I’m not sure that was my model).

      There seems a lot of interest; I’m going to try to get a post about it up tomorrow, even though I’d already started a different post!

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  3. I keep hearing so many positive things about the Instant Pot – I feel like I need to check it out! I’m all about using anything to make dinnertime quick, easy and healthy!

    Love that you had an awesome weekend! I also agree with you – I can’t believe that we’re already in December and that the year is almost over!

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    1. This weekend should be fun, too — if the weather cooperates!

      I’m gonna try to put together a quickie post n the Instant Pot for tomorrow because there’s a lot of interest — but I’m still learning!

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  4. I’ve been thinking about an Instant Pot too. I’ll let you do the testing for me. You have really mastered those negative split runs! And, you are so lucky that a nice lady returned your wallet. We missed all of the original #holottafun ladies this weekend. Thanks for linking.

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    1. Well, not all my runs are negative splits. 🙂 None so far this week.

      I’m sure you still had a #holottafun (except for the race weather).

      I got one post up about the Instant Pot, since there seemed to be a lot of interest & will be working on another!

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    1. I haven’t heard about a crockpot that is similar — and of course most Instant Pots are crockpots, too (or slow cookers anyway). Haven’t tested out that function yet but it will get tested this week!

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  6. Wind is definitely a 4-letter word, and a BAD one at that. Once the wind starts blowing in Iowa, it does not stop until (maybe) May. Iowa is so flat (well, I guess there are a handful of rolling hills), we have ZERO wind shelter through the winter when all the leaves are gone from the trees.

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  10. I love my instant pot! I was always too scared of the old school pressure cookers to use them. And that’s great news about your wallet! The best part is the lack of angst since you didn’t know it was missing 🙂

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    1. Yes, not worrying about it was pretty darn awesome. I seriously had no idea it was gone.

      I used to use a great big one — I never had any incidents with it, but I had stopped using it so we donated it when we moved here. But I only used it for canning.

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  11. Warm apple pie with ice cream is my fave.

    I don’t ever have time to cook so no interest in InstaPot. Good thing the hubby can fend for himself.

    The only day that was windy for me was Wed. But maybe the wind calms down in the evening.

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    1. Warm apple pie al a mode is pretty awesome. Sorry, there won’t be any. 🙂

      Yesterday wasn’t windy & Saturday wasn’t; I swear every other day (including today) has been. I’m really tired of it . . . already! Even Bandit showed no interest at all in a run today.

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      2. Every notice the signs that say “the park closes at dusk”. I always wondered what that meant. Now I know.

        I think as long as you can get in at least one run during the week most weeks, and 2 on the weekends (unless you’re able to get in more during the week), you’ll do just fine. You’ve shown many times that you don’t need a lot of training.

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  12. Geez I hate cold wind …I sure hate it for you! I’ve been hearing a lot about this InstaPot thingy …I should check it out. I’m still a regular user of the old fashioned crock pot. Ooooh, that chocolate mud pie looks to die for…I don’t think I’d share! 🙂

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    1. I am definitely not fond of wind. Period. But I’ll take that over your heat!

      I have to share dessert, or I’d weigh 300 lbs. No joke!

      I’m writing some posts about the Instant Pot this week because there seemed to be a lot of interest in it. 🙂 I will probably still hold onto my crockpot, you know, for like Thanksgiving when there’s so many dishes to keep warm. We’ll see!

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  13. You are so lucky…blessed..that the right people found your wallet! That is such a nice gesture to bring it your home. Mine has been stolen and it was awful trying to cancel and dispute all the charges.
    We have an Instant pot too! Kenny is getting really good with it. he made out whole Thanksgiving dinner in it mostly! He did bake the green bean casserole though 🙂
    I don’t wind love either…it really changes how it feels out when cold. Luckily we don’t get much.

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  14. Running in the cold and wind is so tough! I love cold weather running, but NOT when it’s windy! Nice job toughing it out.

    I keep hearing about this Instant Pot…maybe I should look into it! I still struggle with making meals because it takes SO LONG…

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