This week saw the end of 2020 and the start of 2021. As we moved into the new year, many of us felt a sense of hope and optimism. My workouts were nothing special, but it’s always nice to run outside in the daylight which I got to do later in the week. Let’s look at the last workouts of 2020.
Weekly Run Down: The Last Workouts of 2020
Monday: Strength Training + 3 Treadmill Miles
Tuesday: 6.5 Treadmill Miles + Mobility
Wednesday: Strength Training + 4.1 Miles
Thursday: 8 Miles with 2 x 4 Miles Progression
Friday: 3.2 Miles + Core/Glutes
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 4.3 Miles + Core/Glutes
I did more running this week than I did throughout the rest of December. This wasn’t really intentional, I just went with what I felt like doing. I still haven’t done a run longer than 8 miles this month. As I’m working towards a 5k I probably won’t do more than 9, but we’ll see. I like my weekly long runs but they are not my favorite in the middle of winter when it’s pitch black until after 7 am.
Strength Training
This was a tough week of strength training. I’m still trying to lift heavier and my reps increased this week. I’ve been working on chin-ups using a band. I still can’t do them without a band but hopefully in a few months that will come.
I also started using a barbell for deadlifts. Previously I was using dumbbells and doing RDLs. Only problem is, Rob has had this bar for decades and we have no idea how much it weighs. His guess was 25-35 pounds but we really don’t know.
New Year’s Eve Progression Run
On Thursday (New Year’s Eve) I wanted to get in a slightly longer run. To keep things interesting I ran 2 sets of 4 mile progressions. My first mile was easy, and then I progressed down to below an 8 min/mile pace at mile 4. Then I started again with an easier mile, followed by 3 harder miles. I love runs like this!
I was feeling a little tight and sore after this workout. I think it was also thanks to all the lifting this week and a little more running than I’ve been doing. I made it a point to foam roll and stretch throughout the day which helped alot. I woke up on Friday feeling really good!
Outdoor daylight runs
I’ve always been a morning runner, and before having Grayson I ran before work Monday-Friday. I used to make Sunday my rest day, which meant my only outdoor daylight run was on Saturday.
I was a little spoiled this year working from home and being able to do stroller runs at 7/7:30 during the week. Once our stroller broke I really missed being able to get outside for those daylight runs! I think part of it is also just being stuck inside so much in general. So now when Rob is around and it works with our schedule I’ve been trying to get out for daylight runs when I can.
Stroller Update
I found out on Thursday that Thule is shipping us a new stroller! I really thought just the one piece could be replaced or maybe even the front wheel, but it sounds like an entire new one is coming. I’m excited to be able to get back to our stroller running routine and I really hope the weather isn’t too bad this winter!
I hope everyone had a good New Year and is ready to take on 2021!
You may also like:
Christmas Week 2020
Signs That It’s Time To Back Off Of Running
Starting the December Off-Season
How were your last workouts of 2020?
Are you going into the new year with a sense of optimism?
Do you try to get in outdoor daylight runs when you can in the winter?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
I’m also hoping for some joy in 2021 – I think we could all use some of that after a rough 2020.
Way to go Lisa! You crushed your workouts this week. That’s great that the company is going to ship you a new stroller! I hope that it gets delivered soon.
Thank you! I hope so too!
Yay for running in the daylight. That’s great that they are shipping you a new stroller-bonus! It is sometimes hard to balance ST and running. I don’t like it when my legs are sore from lifting when I am trying to run thanks for linking up!
The balance can definitely be tough. I usually try to schedule an easy run after lifting but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Absolutely positively I will take all of the outdoor running that I can get! Normally this time of year I would only be able to run outside on Saturdays. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be happy to switch back to the old way in exchange for being done with the pandemic, but as long as COVID is here I’m making the most of it.
Yep I know what you mean! I’ve thought about how I will rarely get to run outside again once things can back to normal but it will be worth it!
Great news on the stroller.
I love the sound of that progression, I want to try it! The perfect distance too.
Awesome work keeping up with the strength training!
Thanks! I hope you like the progression run if you give it a try!
I rarely run in the dark because the roads are busy around here and I wouldn’t feel safe. That’s so great you’re getting a full replacement on the stroller! Good customer service right there!
Typically Olympic size weight bars are either 35 or 45 lbs. Unless you have a very old weight set, I’d guess it’s one of those.
Oh that’s good to know! I think the set is probably like 15-20 years old.
Great week of workouts. I rarely run in the dark. I’ve been squeezing my runs in at lunch but that means no more than 3 miles. The weekend I have a lot more time.
It’s nice to take advantage of having more time on the weekends!
My old bar is 15#. Do you have a scale? You could weigh yourself with and without the bar and subtract to find out the weight of the bar. I had to do that with mine. The bars we have at CrossFit are 35#. Such a difference! I need to get a pull-up bar!
That’s a good idea to use a scale! I do have one somewhere. It definitely feels heavier than 15lbs. It’s really annoying to move around my basement.
What a great week for you, Lisa! I skimped on lower-body strength last week, but did a lot more cycling (which, at least, gave me some leg work). I’m not quite ready to do any speedwork yet (and really don’t need it since there’s not much for upcoming races). I do look to the new year with optimism…every year, not just this year.
There’s no need to push the speedwork if you don’t have a reason to do it! Especially since you are still building back up after your injury, it makes sense to take it easy.
Great job on your first week of runs in 2021! I really like your windbreaker jacket. I’m thinking of getting one like that to wear in the winter and when it’s raining.
The jacket has been great for windy and rainy days! Thank you!
Nice on the replacement stroller – I hope it comes soon! I definitely enjoy my daylight runs when I can swing them. Running the dark gets old, but thank goodness for my rechargeable headlamp. Here’s to 2021!
I think the more I run outside the more I get used to it, and this year I just haven’t gotten into the same routine that I usually do.I just miss summer when at least part of my early morning run would be with the sunrise!
That is great about the stroller! I love great service like that. I also enjoy progression runs. My coach also assigns them to me and they’re a great confidence booster.
Back to work. Ugh, not ready for it.
Progression runs are so great! I think they help with racing and are also a fun way to get through a run. Good luck this week!
I generally don’t do dark runs so yes to daylight runs unless I’m on the treadmill, which seems to be a lot lately.
I almost always do some yoga right before bed on days I run — it helps me so much. Foam rolling is great too — I’ve been working on myofascial release a lot lately! Definitely helps.
Hurray for a new stroller! I bet your daylight runs with Rob home felt great. Mr. Judy often gets to walk Bandit solo on my long run days (even though those runs aren’t that long, they probably take me as long as your runs due to pace differential). It’s nice to have a partner to help out that way.
Yes to optimism (even if I hate what’s going on in politics right now).
I bet yoga before bed feels so good! I am so lazy at that time of day, lol. But the foam rolling definitely feels good!
That’s awesome news about the stroller! I’m so happy for you!
My last workouts of 2020 were fine. I didn’t push too much but nor did I slack. I feel incredibly motivated right now and hope to stick with it.
That’s great! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year!
Call me crazy, but I prefer running in the dark before dawn. I just love the peacefulness and tranquility of pre-dawn.
Have you thought about weighing yourself with and without the bar to see how much it weighs? And yay on the new stroller!
Happy New Year and have a great week!
I love the early mornings too, just not as much in the winter. And I feel so rushed having to be back before 6.
That’s a great idea to weigh myself with the bar! Wendy suggested that too. I’ll need to give it a try.
I was going to suggest what Wendy already did regarding using a scale to figure out how much your bar weighs. That’s how we figured out how much our puppy weighed when we first got her, lol.
Great news about the stroller. I just love when companies do that!
Great idea for figuring out the weight of the bar! I need to try that.
I was really pleased with Thule’s customer service!
Great news on the new stroller!! It’s hard trying to do all of your runs indoors – fresh air is good for the soul!
Such a strong week of workouts!!
It really is! Thank you!
That is awesome news about the stroller. I really dislike running around in the early morning dark when it’s cold out. For some reason it really creeps me out!
I just think it feels so much darker in the winter! Probably because it’s dark for so long.
The daylight is one thing I really enjoy about spring and summer running. I miss it in the winter. Love the temps we get down here but really miss seeing the sun rise and set. I feel like it all happens while I’m at work and I miss the opportunity to get good running pics!
I am focusing on shorter distances too for spring as currently there are no half or full marathons that are actually happening as far as I know yet. Probably no more than a 10k distance for me so I will most likely keep my long runs around the 10 mile mark once I get back up to that distance with my leg.
Winter is so tough with the limited daylight! I can’t wait for it to start getting light out earlier again.
The short distances seem like a good option right now! I don’t know if there will be any in-person races here for awhile though.