If by feeling jolly I mean full of holiday events and (of course) sugar, then the title of this post is true. We had 3 different holiday concerts this week – each of the kids put on a holiday performance, AND I went on a cookie-baking spree this week/over the weekend and I am so full of sugar that I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing!

Here’s some of what I made:

Thankfully, I have running to balance (?) it all out. And weight lifting. I’m still doing my weight training and keeping up with my mileage, and have been lucky to feel good since my broken toe in September. As the year winds down, I’m grateful to at least be injury free for now, and feeling stronger than I was this time last year.

Here’s how the week went:

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One more week … just one full more week and then the kids are off school and I can sleep in! It makes it a little crazy to have the kids off school and me home trying to work, get things done, etc. BUT sleeping in is a priceless joy that I thoroughly appreciate this time of year.

In other news, I’m excited to announce that I’m back again as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador! If you’ve ever considered running what was voted the BEST RACE IN CLE – come and see me in Cleveland in May! I love doing the Challenge Series and running the 5K Saturday and half marathon on Sunday. As an ambassador, I get free entry and will get free entry to giveaway too (more on that coming soon).

If you’re considering signing up, I also have a 20% off code FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS (Yes this includes the Challenge Series, 5K, half, you name it!): SAVE20MELCARN. Registration increases in price Sunday, and will only keep going up so you may as well use it now 🙂

Anyway, here’s how the week went. The weather started off great but we ended up with snow mid-week and I got a broken Yaktrack! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here we go!

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Winter came in suddenly it seems. Yes, I know that it’s technically still fall for another few weeks, but we had snow after snow after snow this week, and the days were grey and bright, so I’m declaring it unofficially winter. Oh yeah, and we had a SNOW day!

Now that December is here, here’s a quick look at how November turned out:

• I was back at running full time after my broken toe and haven’t looked back!
• I’ve kept up my weight-training. I’m not moving up in weights, but still feeling strong and enjoying having something else to do when it’s cold and dark outside.
• I ran one race – a Turkey Trot 5K, but ran it with FW so I wasn’t going for any records. He came in 2nd in his age group even with stopping to walk!
• Total mileage: 154.86 miles, plus walking and indoor cycling (and aforementioned weightlifting)

And now, here’s what the week looked like. Including snow!

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I can’t believe that it is ALMOST THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Yes, all CAPS is completely necessary — because I cannot WAIT for the holidays. It is truly my favorite time of year. I love all the cooking, baking, time with family, time off work, and the magic of the season with my kids. I don’t love how my schedule gets out of whack and workouts don’t always happen as planned, but I deal with it however I can. This week was pretty normal with the exception of our first snowfall on Thursday into Friday. This impacted my outdoor running, and I am not ready for winter to be here. Yes, I love the holidays – but not the wintry weather that we often get with it!

Despite the weather, I got in some alright workouts this week. Here’s what the week looked like:

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Well, suddenly it got COLD here in Northeast Ohio, at least in the mornings when I run. One morning it was in the 30s and I was in a headband and gloves! This is a stark difference from last week, when it was I was in shorts. I have to admit that this makes it harder for me to get outside, but once I’m outside, I warm up and am fine. We also had some cold rainy mornings, which impacted my schedule. I typically run long on Sundays but it poured most of Sunday morning, and B wasn’t home, so my schedule was a little out of whack. It also rained Thursday.  Thank goodness for a home gym and cross training!

Here’s what the week looked like – it was cooler and DARK, as I didn’t get to run in daylight at all this week:

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We had yet another beautiful week here in Northeast Ohio. We kicked off the week with 70+ degree temps and it was a perfect fall week. The mornings were brighter, the weather was gorgeous – it felt like summer (70s/80s) in the beginning of the week, the sun was shining, and the leaves were changing. I was lucky enough to get outside every day for a walk, run or hike, and take advantage of the beauty. It was a great week to be outside, and I’m glad I was able to enjoy it! I’m so glad I’m back running. I tried to get in some longer miles this week when I wasn’t weight training, and while I’m not back to where I was before the broken toe incident, I am getting there!

The only issues I had this week were with timing, and being out of my routine. Sunday and Monday and Tuesday? They were great. But Wednesday included a half day for the kids, no school Thursday and Friday and Saturday we had to be out of the house by 7:15 for my oldest’s soccer game. That being said, I’m glad I was able to stay somewhat active anyway.

Here’s what the week looked like:

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Whoa – where did October go? I feel like I blinked and not only was summer over, but it was November. My fall running has been a blur and not as good as usual – I took all September and part of October off thanks to the broken toe. But, instead fall included more weight training and indoor cycling, coming back into running just in October. 

October was a fun month! It was fun with Halloween activities (more on that below), but also in terms of fitness. Overall, the month included:

• 2 races – both I did with my son and one I walked when I was healing from my broken toe, but fun nonetheless!
• Continued weight training — this time with free weights!
• Lots of outdoor walking because FALL IS BEAUTIFUL
• My return to running! I did about 92 miles, which is a low month for me, but considering I only started running partially through the month and have taken it easy on my toe, I’m okay with it.

Here’s what the week looked like – it was filled with lots of activity, from fitness to Halloween-themed fun, too!

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This week was my perfect fall week. The weather was gorgeous – it felt like summer (70s/80s) in the beginning of the week, the sun was shining, and the leaves were changing. I was lucky enough to get outside every day for a walk, run or hike, and take advantage of the beauty. It was a great week to be outside, and I’m glad I was able to enjoy it! I’m so glad I’m back running. I tried to get in some longer miles this week when I wasn’t weight training, and while I’m not back to where I was before the broken toe incident, I am getting there!

Here’s what the week looked like:

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