Sunday, January 3, 2016

Weekly Wrap

 
December 28th-January 3rd, 2016


I am joining the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin. The Weekly Wrap is a blog link up where bloggers share their active lifestyle and other exciting things weekly. To find out more, click on the image below. Feel free to join in on the fun.
 

http://www.misssippipiddlin.com/weekly-wrap/
 
It's been almost a month since my second marathon at St.Jude Memphis. I'm now following Hal Higdon's marathon recovery plan.  I just completed week three of the four week reverse taper recovery plan. I'll recap my recovery and New Year's on the weekly wrap.
 
Monday, December 28th
 
Monday was mine and Michael's three year wedding anniversary. We usually don't exchange gifts being so close to Christmas, but Michael did surprise me with some more adult coloring books and an art set. We go to the beach each year for our anniversary and eat out at least one nice meal. We didn't leave until Wednesday night because Michael had to work Monday and Tuesday.
 
 
December 28, 2012
We got married at our local courthouse.
It was a small ceremony with only immediate family members. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Tuesday, December 29th

 
It was rainy and stormy here during Christmas. Tuesday was the first day in almost a week that the sun came out. The temps were in the 50's. It was perfect running weather, but it wouldn't last long.
 
 


 Wednesday, December 30th
 
Wednesday was my last run of 2015. I didn't make my goal of 1,200 miles this year, but this run made exactly 1,000 miles for 2015. I will keep trying for 1,200 miles in 2016.
 
 
After my run I got showered and packed for the beach. We ate a quick lunch and hit the road. We arrived in Orange Beach around 5:30. We got settled in and unpacked. Then, we headed to the Wharf for dinner.  The lights at the Wharf were beautiful even in the rain.
 

 
 

 
Thursday, December 31st
 
It was raining most of the day Thursday. We went out for lunch and did some shopping in Foley. Then we went back to the condo, watched some football, and rested. We went to my sister in law's house to watch the Bama -vs- Michigan State playoff game. They had a shrimp low boil with several other dips and dessert. We had a great time. What an awesome game! Bama is headed to the National Championship! ROLL TIDE!!!
 
 
Friday, January 1st
 
I ran my first run of 2016 on Friday. I only planned to run 5 miles, but the rain held off and I felt good so I kept going for an extra mile.
 
 


 
Michael and I went to lunch and then did some more shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Foley. There's really not much else to do during this time of the year especially when it's rainy and cold. Later that evening, we celebrated our anniversary with a nice dinner at Shipp's Harbour Grill. I ordered the filet and Michael had the grouper. It was delicious! I'm not normally one to take pictures of food, but Michael's meal was presented nicely with the orchid. I thought I would be a good blogger and take a pic.
 
 
Saturday, January 2nd
 
I went for another run on Saturday morning. It was much cooler out and windy. I did enjoy the change of scenery. Sure beats the same loop around the neighborhood day in and day out.
 
 
We wanted to see Bellingrath Gardens this trip. I've never been and thought it would be nice to go for our anniversary and see the lights. It's a little over an hour drive from the condo, so we decided to head straight home from there. We got to Bellingrath a little after 3:00. We walked around the garden and did the home tour. The sun was just beginning to set when we toured the lights. I wish it was a little darker, but it was still beautiful.
 
You can read about our trip to Bellingrath and see more pictures by clicking on the photo below.
 
http://happyrunningsole.blogspot.com/2016/01/bellingrath-gardens.html
 
Sunday, January 3rd
 
I'm glad we came home last night and had today to relax before going back to work tomorrow. I cannot believe Christmas Break is over already. I spent some time blogging today and getting the laundry caught up from our trip. We have inservice tomorrow before the students return to school on Tuesday.
 
Next week will be my last week of the marathon recovery plan. Hal Higdon recommends a 5K or 10K race on the last weekend of his plan. It timed out perfect because the Cruising the Creekwalk 5K is this upcoming weekend and I run it every year. I'm excited to run it again on Saturday.
 
How was your New Year? Did you do anything special to celebrate?
 
Do you already have some races planned for 2016?
 
 



 








 



37 comments:

  1. Congrats on 1000 miles! I don't usually have problems getting to 1000. This year I ran 1252 (2015km) and that was hard. You wouldn't think pushing to 1200 would be a challenge but it was. I don't think I'll do that again!

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! You did awesome reaching your goal despite your PF issues! 100 miles a month doesn't seem like a lot, but it doesn't take much to get off track. Sinus infection that developed into walking pneumonia last winter got me way off track.

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  2. Rain, rain. I went to the beach for a few days too. More rain. I haven't been to Bellingrath Gardens since I was a child. All I remember are the ladies in the hooped skirts. I love running through the cemetery at Cruising the Creekwalk! It's all downhill after that. Who is timing it this year? Not RRR, right? Good luck at the race and thanks for linking with us Debra. Oh, and enjoy your return to work.

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    1. I'm so sick of the rain, but it looks like it may be gone for a few days at least. Now it's just chilly. I enjoyed Bellingrath Gardens. The home was beautiful! I love Cruising the Creekwalk. I just hate it's the same weekend as the HIM Extra Mile run this year. I kinda wanted to do it. I've been trying to figure out who's timing it since R3 is doing the HIM run. Good luck on your marathon!

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  3. Our anniversary times out perfectly where we can always get away for a few days. The weather has been nasty, but it looks like it may be out of here for a few days at least. It's gotten chilly here now. I'm so not looking forward to going back tomorrow.

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  4. Happy Anniversary! And Happy New Year! It is fun to run in new places. I enjoyed exploring on foot and by bike on my vacation. And now back to PA and the cold front is coming through. Brrrr.

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  5. Thank you, Kelli! A change of scenery is always nice. It's gotten cold here too although I'm sure it's nothing like in PA. Have a good week!

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  6. Happy Anniversary! I love your dress! I've only signed up for 2 races so far. My fall marathon and a tri in June. But I'm entertaining a whole bunch more. It's full on winter here now. December was so mild though, I feel like we were spared a month!

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    1. Thank you, Marcia! It is getting cold here. I have such a hard time staying motivated in the cold. We were definitely spared the month of December. Have a great week!

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  7. I was with friends on New Year's eve, which was a good change from the past two years. 2014 I was recovery from the flu, and 2013 I had such a horrible sinus pressure headache. I can't believe I actually made it to midnight this time around.

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    1. Glad you got to enjoy New Year's with friends this year without getting sick. I usually don't make it 'til midnight but with the Bama game ending so late I figured what was another hour.

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  8. Happy Anniversary! I love to run on vacation, I think the change of scenery helps me with my running. I find I can run a little further. Good luck in your running

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    1. Thank you, Nicole! I really like to run on vacation. I usually try to plan a race while I'm out of town, but I couldn't find one down there on New Years. Kinda surprising with all the New Year's Resolution Runs now.

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  9. Happy anniversary! That's a beautiful picture of your wedding day. And happy new year! Looks like you got off to a great start!

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  10. So cool that you get to the beach each year for your anniversary! Your dinner out sounds and looks delicious! Bellingrath Gardens looks like a great place to visit. The lights tour looks awesome too! Good luck in your 5K this weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Sharon! We had a great time! Hope you have a good week!

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  11. Happy Anniversary to you both! Great job with your recovery plan! I had a great New Year's Eve with family. We stayed up to ring in the new year. Happy running in 2016!

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    1. Thank you! Glad you had a great New Years with family. I actually stayed up to ring in the New Year. The Bama game didn't get over until late, so I figured what's another hour going to hurt.

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  12. Happy anniversary and happy new year! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration - your pictures are so beautiful! Adult coloring books seem to be all the rage these days. =) Love how you wore a red wedding dress, too - you look stunning! The Wharf looks so festive, too. It reminds me of Disney's California Adventure!

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    1. Thank you! I found the dress at Steinmart, tied the ribbon around the waist and pinned it with my grandmother's broach. I love the vintage lace and I thought the red would be nice for a Christmas ceremony. Not your typical wedding pics, but we were both happy with keeping it simple. I love the adult coloring books. It's so relaxing to color. I've never been to Disney in California, but I've been to the one in Orlando. I want to go back. They've added so much since my last trip.

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  13. What a nice tradition to go away each year for your wedding anniversary. congrats on 1 000, even if you didn't hit your goal, that is a ton !

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  14. Happy Anniversary to you!!! You look beautiful in your red dress too! We have both been married before so we got married in the mountains short and sweet. We rode through the wharf the last time we were doing there and it looked so nice! Love all the lights. Are you about tired of the rain as much as I am geeze! I sure hope our trip to Disney will be dry!!! I hope you reach your mileage goal in 2016! We caught some of the Alabama game while in NOLA congratulations to yall on the win and heading to the Championship game!!! Woop Woop!

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    1. Thank you, Tricia! I bet it was pretty in the mountains. We go to Gatlinburg every summer, and I've said it would be a beautiful place to get married. I was so sick of the rain. Now, it's so chilly I haven't been motivated to get out and run. I've gotta get on it. I hope the weather is nice for your marathon too. Have a safe trip! Good luck!

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  15. Happy anniversary! And 1000 miles is awesome! Looks like a great week:)

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  16. The beach sounds like a great anniversary tradition! Your runs on the beach looks beautiful. And I'm a big fan of the adult coloring books :)

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    1. Thank you! I haven't had much time to color since school started back this week, but it is relaxing.

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  17. WoW!! 1,000 miles is pretty impressive ;-) Aren't the adult coloring books neat? I just wish they had a different name..."adult coloring" kinda sounds X-rated LOL I have a few races registered (and paid for),and numerous ones I'm considering...too many options!!

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    1. Thank you, Kimberly! The "adult" coloring books...lol...I've thought the same thing. There's so many races to choose from, it's hard to decide.

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  18. I love all of those lights at the Wharf! I also think that it's neat y'all go to the beach and out for a nice dinner for your anniversary. That's a neat way to celebrate, instead of gifts, especially with it being close to Christmas. You had me laughing with being a 'good blogger' and taking a picture of the food :)

    I hope the return to work went smoothly - always a bummer after Christmas break. Although, I also kind of feel like it's nice to return to a regular routine. Pros and cons, I guess.

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    1. The beach is so nice that time of year and it's not that crowded. We love it! I'm glad to be back in somewhat of a routine. We've had thtee four day weeks in a row with teacher inservice and the King/Lee Holiday this Monday, but I'm not complaining.

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  19. Happy Anniversary! The Bellingrath Gardens looks beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer! Bellingrath Gardens was very nice.

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