Does anyone else love running through new neighborhoods to check out the houses? I’m grateful my running friends love to do the same and analyze each house and dream about all of us going in together to purchase one lot in some of these fancy neighborhoods;)
So far, I am very grateful that this winter is about a million times easier to marathon train through than last winter. I swear we are in a different state this winter.
Seventy-five miles is the goal this week, and I’m more than halfway there.
I also did a Peloton 10-minute core and stretched by the fire. I thank my sister daily for getting this in for me and making it safe (with cement built around it vs the wood the previous people put in).
I was brave and took the kids to the mall. It was more tiring than my run due to the smallest of them…
But they shopped for each other and Andrew and wrapped up their gifts.
We also read a few chapters while my recovery boots worked their magic.
A few more random things today:
I am hooked on Winter Garden, and I found this section interesting. I can’t tell you how much the sentence, ‘physical pain was so much easier to handle than heartache,’ resonated with me. For so many of my running years, that heartache got me out the door for a run because I knew that the blood/sweat/tears on the run would make the life heartache better, and I knew I could handle the physical pain easier than the heartache.
PS Look at me branching out and reading from a new to me author! I’m going to start this one soon.
Marathon training = more salty than sweet snacks next to my bed. I cannot get enough of this variety of chips.
I think 2023 was my highest mileage year yet. 2023 also wins for the year that felt like 45 days… how has it gone by so fast?
Here is my climbing for the year… I need to get back on the trails!
Does 2023 feel like it went by fast for you, too?
Are there any snacks next to your bed, or are you judging me for eating in bed haha?!
Running on Christmas or taking the day off?
What month this year was your highest mileage or climbing month?
29 comments
Cheryl Acevedo
Oh Before we were yours was sooo good and soooo sad!!
Love that author too!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I am SO excited for her and proud of myself for trying something new;). I hope your day is a gorgeous one, Cheryl!
Amy in PA
Ditto Cheryl! I’ve listened to that one on many runs, it’s a tear jerker! Thanks for recommending Winter Garden, I started listening at work this morning. I enjoyed her others on your recommendation too. Have a Merry Christmas!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Let me know what you think, I wish we could do a book club! Have a beautiful day, Amy!
Courtney
2023 ZOOMED by! Wasn’t I just pregnant?! How do I have 9-month-old babies?!
I love keeping chocolate by my bed (bad dentist ha). No judgment here! Have an absolutely wonderful day, Janae!
Courtney
ps, I KNEW you were going to love the running aspect of “Winter Garden!”
The Hungry Runner Girl
Absolutely zoomed! I SWEAR you were just pregnant and you gave birth to them yesterday?! 9 months! Great dentist, in my opinion haha. Thanks Courtney, you too!
Molly S
Do a few more planks, that will slow down time.
Ok, it looks like Brooke is old enough to drive Skye and Beck to the mall. wow!
My mileage will top off around 1600 this year. Elevation is very laughable.
AH! What a classic book to read the kids, too! Hope they are loving it!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Valid point and maybe I’ll play pretend with my kids too hahah… the clock completely stops when I do that. I just told Brooke what you said and she smiled. Before we know it, she will be. 1600 YES!!! You definitely live in a flat area so the elevation is right on:). They really are loving it. Have the best day, Molly!
Steph
Ha! I hate the mall but took my son to the autism friendly Santa and he loved it!
I love the cheddar sour cream. It’s often my “dessert.” If you have Circle K sometimes you can get freebies and their brand is yummy.
The Hungry Runner Girl
I am SO glad your son had a great time with Santa, and you deserve a treat for going to the mall. We need a Circle K so bad. Next time I visit my brother in Arizona, I am going to try their brand. They are heavenly. Have a beautiful day, Steph!
Loribeth
My yearly total is usually around 1200-1500 and I think it’ll be around 1250 this year. That averages out to 100 miles a month, although some are less and some are more. I do plan to run on Christmas because I work and we’re closed, so I have time in the middle of the day. Here’s hoping it’s not too cold. I seriously am not handling the cold this year and I have only asked for winter gear for Christmas, ha! Tennessee would be warm all year, if I were in charge of the weather!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Way to get in the mileage this year, Loribeth! That is amazing! Enjoy your Christmas weather and I hope the temp is perfect for you:).
Katie A
Wow, great job taking everyone to the mall & making it out alive and together.:) Impressive!
2023 mileage..I did plenty of hike/running on the trails before baby 3. Afterwards it’s been pretty low but I’m ok with that…for now! MN is having a weird winter too, so I want to get out for some more runs before the snow and ice inevitably arrives!
I find myself in the kitchen often grabbing just 1 more piece of PB toast with craisins. That, or the Christmas cookies, which is the other delicious snack of choice!
And now I want a fireplace! Helpful, handy siblings are amazing – one of my brothers lives really close to us & I love it. Even just to get an opinion before we DIY or call in the professionals – so, so helpful.
Have a great day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I was pretty proud! Running will always be there for you when you are ready! Glad you guys are having a better winter than normal too… last year traumatized me! PB toast with craisins?! Do I need to try this? So glad you have that brother, it helps SO much. Thanks Katie, you too!
Katie A
YES try the craisins with PB toast! Or, if you prefer, tortillas or any carb-y base, plus peanut butter and craisins. I highly recommend. It’s also great trail food.
anne
“Before we were yours” is a great book!! I’m going to try reading some of your Kristin Hannah books!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I’m so excited for it! Let me know which one you start with and I hope you have a beautiful day, Anne!
Mollie
Do you ever read Ruth Ware books? I just finished It Girl and Turn of the Key and both were so, so good!
I feel you on the chips too—salt and vinegar are my vice after workouts and long runs. I try to eat in bed but it’s like the one thing my boyfriend can’t deal with 🤣🤣.
I resonate with that quote so much. I guess I didn’t realize how difficult this year was for me but it’s showed in running. I just want to go run and run forever but every time I get an idea to train I just can’t execute it. It’s like I want that grind of running to distract me from real life but the pressure of performance is almost crippling. It’s frustrating. Hoping to turn that around in 2024!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
IT GIRL was so so good! Our body needs that salt so keep enjoying it. Hahah I should not eat in bed because the crumbs drive me nuts but I keep finding myself saying one more time. Mollie. I am truly so sorry about your year. I relate so much to you and remember continuing to try to sign up for races and then when it came to training, I just couldn’t. The running helped me, the training felt like too much. Sending you so much love and when it’s time to train again, you will feel it. 2024 is going to be an amazing year for you.
Kate
Oh those chips were my pregnancy craving hahah (my youngest is 17, so it was a while back lol). They are good. i barely have time/make time to read these days so thanks for this inspiration ❤️ running and not-running!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I love that you remember that craving so clearly! Every time I see orange juice, I still think about my pregnancy with Brooke! Let me know what book you pick up, have a beautiful day Kate!
Amy
I bought Winter Garden last year on Christmas vacation. I have yet to read it- I’ll have to bump it to the top of my list for January.
Before we were yours is a great book, we read it in book club a few years back. The Prayer Box by her is also excellent. I still think about that one.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Start it in January! So so good. I’ll have to grab The Prayer Box, thank you Amy. Have the best day!
Wendy
Lisa Wingate is a great author!
I’m going to definitely read Winter Garden now.
You are brave going to the mall! I avoid the whole area around the mall this time of year, ha.
I haven’t totalled my mileage for the year, but I am guessing it’s much lower this year. Although, I have already walked a ton of miles with the puppy! I usually don’t run on Christmas day, but will definitely get out on Christmas Eve day.
Have a great day Janae 😊
The Hungry Runner Girl
Please let me know what you think of Winter Garden! My heart rate was really high the entire time haha. So many miles shared with your puppy, I love it. Thanks Wendy, you too!
karen
Wow….What a great year of miles. CONGRATS. Which marathon are you training for again? Merry Christmas!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you, Karen! The Seville, Spain marathon:) I can’t wait. Merry Christmas to you!
Lucy
Wait I have to chime in here… before we were yours is something so up my alley, I can’t tell you how many ppl / friends told me I would have to read it. I absolutely could not finish it – I thought it was wrenching. I cried so hard and couldn’t let go of the upset! What can I say, I am an empath. But just warning you… this is one you should be willing to abandon, if need be! (Which I NEVER do!)
Merry Christmas!