Sun, Jan 29

Barbell bicep curls in the morning. It was time for these. Standing, engaging the core.

6.5 miles with Pippin in the snow in the afternoon.

Actually it was snowing when we left, and stopped pretty soon after. Then it stayed nice and cloudy, but didn't snow anymore until after we got home.

***

Mon, Jan 30

This was the most picturesque day for canicross yet!

Pippin and I set out in single-digit temps. As the sun came out, it lit up the yellow sandstone mesas in Palmer Park, making the surrounding air pockets feel quite warm.

I wore spikes on crunchy snow and ice. I did a mix of trails and roads, since the road to the overlook was closed to vehicles due to the snow.

Pippin is nearly 100% trained now. It's been less than a month, and he already knows how to stay on the right hand side and not cross the trail; he understands his force and how hard to pull; he understands the command "whoa" to slow down. He didn't jump at a rabbit that we saw today, which is a first! He has a strong prey drive, but he is beginning to learn to curtail that instinct when he is "on the job" - aka pulling me on the run.

Today, we found a pocket of sunshine between the clouds surrounding us, and I got a lot of "classic Colorado" photos with the snow, clouds, mountains, and the rock formations.

It felt like running through a Bob Ross painting! 🎨

We ran 8.6 miles today, with a good amount of playing in the crunchy snowy playground of trails.

This was my 9th day in a row of running, and I'm feeling fine overall. I'll work on my legs with a massage gun tonight to help.

***

Tue, Jan 31

6.2 miles with Pippin in the park, 10th day of running.

Unfortunately, I stepped off the side of the road weirdly in the last two miles and twisted my ankle, so now I'll need to rest from running until it's healed.

Sad and upsetting, as I was just getting into a good running routine with the dog! My streak is ended after 10 days.

But I hope this setback will be minor, and I need to take the time to rest my ankle fully.

Bonus photo of our other dog, Buddy, in the collage. (As a short nosed older dog, Buddy isn't as much of a runner like Pippin.)

***

Fri, Feb 3

I'll be doing upper-body cross-training while letting my ankle heal.

Today, I did double dumbbell press-outs with the two 10 lb dumbbells, for a total of 20 lbs.

***

Sat, Feb 4

Unilateral 10 lb overhead presses, then also bilateral presses with both dumbbells together for 20 lbs.

This workout was sufficient for today, but since rowing involves too much ankle movement, I can't really do any cardio.

***

Sun, Feb 5

Side lateral raises with the 10 lb dumbbells.

***

Well, this week was a bummer in that I got hurt!

I am taking it easy and resting and healing. I am still able to do some lightweight arm work each day.

I am disappointed that my run streak was ended after 10 days, but after I heal, I hope to continue the pattern of running "most" days. Too bad that it might be another couple weeks before I feel comfortable and healed.