***

Friday, January 21st, 2022:

Kettlebell lunges, dumbbell overhead presses. 35 minutes on the row machine. Overall feeling good during the rowing - maybe I'm beginning to get accustomed to it again. The last couple of row sessions prior to today's, I felt like I was dragging. Today I felt an energy returning. Hope this is a good sign! 

***

Sunday, January 23rd, 2022:

An in-town long run loop. It was so still and windless this early morning that I didn't realize how cold it actually was. I was dressed appropriately for the cold, but I forgot to keep sipping from my water, and the hose froze!

I went through Palmer Park, up to the top today, and down Lazyland Road to Greencrest. The moon was so bright at the start of my run! (Even though it's waning now). I then ran along the north edge of the park and connected to the Marconi Heights trail, watching the sun begin to rise behind me over Palmer Park. 

I connected to the Austin Bluffs Open Space. There was a small amount of crunchy snow on a few of the trails. I reflected upon how little snow we had in town right now. I bet that the mountains are a different story! I thought about the Incline club run that was starting in those mountains soon. Even while I miss going to those club runs, I appreciate all the new trails I've discovered that were so close to me the whole time.

Soon the bright pink alpenglow was shining on the distant mountains and foothills.

I continued on the trail towards Pulpit Rock. Often during a long run, I like to take a few minutes at a "halfway" point. This helps me take a breath, take in my surroundings, and "reset" my mind for the second half of my run.

I stopped for a few minutes in the open field to the south of Pulpit Rock and watched the golden sunlight begin to illuminate the rocks and the grassy meadows below.

I thought about how I always used to say I considered running my church, since I used to do my long run every Sunday. I rarely now do long runs on weekends, but this time it happened to coincide with my schedule. 

I considered how appropriate it was that I was at Pulpit Rock, and I took a quiet moment to reflect on life and pray for my family and friends. I viewed the mountains, now fully bathed in bright sunlight. I felt thankful for all my past experiences up there, while also thankful for the current moment and hopeful for the future.

I took a last glance back at my church in the rocks, and descended down through a golden field towards University Village.

I then went through the tunnel under Nevada, which connected right to the Pikes Peak Greenway for my run back to the south. As it so happened, just as I was thinking of my trail friends and all the good times I'd had in the mountains in previous years, I ran past Sharon! It was so nice to see her, even briefly, and definitely envigorating to see my friends still out and active. I hope I can start meeting with people for runs again very soon!

I did mostly dirt trails on my outbound run, and stuck to paved trails on my way back.

I got a little over 14 miles on this run, and a bit of soul work as well.

***

Tuesday, January 25th, 2022:

8 miles at Palmer Park. When I got up to the top of the park, I happily saw that the road to Grandview Overlook was closed to vehicles, likely due to the forecast of snow. I love it when this section of road is closed, as I can run right along it and not worry about vehicles. It did begin to snow, albeit lightly, while I jogged along. The small snowdrifts swirled on the road and made a beautiful wintry scene.

I felt really relaxed on my inbound jog, almost like I could sing! No tired or dragging legs today. Must have been the day off yesterday. 

After my morning run, I did some afternoon weights in the gym - straight-arm machine pulldowns, and barbell back squats. Because of the day off yesterday, I decided to include the weights today. Tomorrow's plan is to do the row machine plus some weights also.

***

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022:

First 35 minutes rowing, then I broke out the yoga mat for triangle pushups and lying leg raises.

***

Thursday, January 27th, 2022:

10 miles in the snow ❄ in Palmer Park! The road to the overlook was closed and it was great fun being the only person along the road, getting a decent covering of snow as I ran along.

***

Friday, January 28th, 2022:

Today's gym workout was barbell overhead press, machine chest press, and standing machine pull-downs.

Philosophies vary on which you should do first: cardio or weights. However, I find that variety is the key for an all-around routine like mine. Therefore, sometimes I do cardio first, sometimes I do weights first.

Also I've been doing mostly rowing as my cross-training cardio activity. Today I changed it up with 60 minutes on the exercise bike instead.

***

All in all, another successful training week! Although I am still looking forward to my first mountain run of the year, I've been happy to trek the urban trails and find beauty in the world right at my doorstep.

Maybe in the coming week or two, I'll take advantage of a break in the winter weather to hit the mountain trails - and I'll have to break out the spikes (traction) for that!