Dopey Challenge Training Week 23 & 24

With all of the craziness of the holiday season, I somehow missed posting last week's Dopey Training recap because well...hello, sleep. Exhaustion took over and I had a lot going on at one time, hence the lack of posting. Anyway, here's two weeks of recaps looped into one!

 
Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Week 23:
Saturday - 7 mile treadmill run + Swamp Stomp Half Marathon (20 miles total)
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - Rest Day
Tuesday - 3 mile walk with Jason and Brayden
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - Squats/Lunges/PT with cross training
Friday - 3 mile run


Week 24:
Saturday - Dashing Through the Chuck 5K + 2 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - 4 mile run
Tuesday - Squats/Lunges/PT with cross training
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday - Squats/Lunges/PT with cross training

 
Over the past two weeks, I officially hit my highest training point in this Dopey Challenge training plan. No, I haven't followed it to a tee and I didn't plan to when I first started out - I kind of formed and shaped it to work with my body and physical limitations...and I'm seriously thinking this will be my final full marathon. My IT Band just can't handle it.

 
Anyway, the treadmill and half marathon combo did the trick and before I knew it, a 20 miler was under my training belt! :)

After Saturday, I gave my legs a little bit of time to recuperate from my run and I felt great by the time I picked up running again.

Throughout the past two weeks, I've also run several 3 and 4 mile training runs as well as a small back-to-back this past Friday and Saturday.

On Friday's run, my outfit consisted of a red Christmas themed shirt and Christmas tights. I'm sure the neighbors thought it a bit crazy but oh well...who cares!

Also, I started to break in another pair of Mizuno's this past week since I plan to travel to Marathon Weekend with two pair (just in case). I LOVE new running shoes and the way they feel!

Saturday's run consisted of a 5K followed by a quick 2 miler around town. Brayden also enjoyed chasing the birds after our run and I'm sure I tacked on an extra mile chasing after him!

I also managed to squeeze in a 4 miler before dark on Monday of this week before the rain hit. Yesterday's afternoon 3 miler was the second run of the week and will be combined with a long-ish run on Saturday for the culmination of the week. I can't believe that there's just two weekends to go until we are in Disney World! Time sure has flown by!

The first day of winter came and went in the south which left yesterday's run complete with...shorts and a short sleeved shirt. Yes. Gotta love these southern winters. I hear there's going to be a freeze on Christmas day. The weather never can make up its mind in the winter - it's always one extreme to another.

Happy Christmas weekend! I hope you all have an amazing time with your family and friends, soaking up all of the wonders this season has to bring!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions

How on earth is it only four days until Christmas?! FOUR?? This season has literally flown by so fast! If you missed it, I've been sharing a glimpse of our holiday weekends over on my youtube channel so go check that out if you're interested! :)

Jason and I have been married for 11 Christmases now and each year, we've held on to several traditions with both mine and Jason's side of the family that are near and dear to my heart.

For starters, Jason and I always decorate our tree the weekend before Thanksgiving. I know it's early, but I love to hold on to the holiday season as long as I can!

One of the best things to do during the Christmas season is watch Hallmark/Christmas movies on the TV and sit in a darkened room with the soft glow of light from the tree. LOVE it!

On Christmas Eve, I usually have my family over for Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls. This year, our tradition is expanding to a full blown "brunch" and will take place on the 23rd! Can't wait!

Another favorite tradition is a family group picture - we always take a serious and a funny one and they crack me up every year! We have a tradition Thanksgiving type Christmas meal at my dad's house for Christmas and I look forward to it every year! He is a good cook, y'all! We also open gifts and play board games and it's just a crazy fun good time!

My family is above and Jason's family is below...

We sure know how to have a good time! Hah!

Jason's family tradition is usually held on Christmas Eve (although it will be on the 26th this year) and includes a dinner of fajitas. After dinner, Jason's grandmother reads the Christmas story from Luke and we open gifts. It's such a loving and warm time of being with family!

The night before Christmas is also a fun movie time for us! We always try to fit in a viewing of Christmas Vacation and before heading to bed, I HAVE to watch NSYNC's Holidays in Concert as well as a favorite from childhood - A Disney Channel Christmas! Yes, both are on VHS and I definitely need to convert them to DVD here soon...

Since having Brayden, our Christmas traditions have only begun to grow. I love watching the wonderment in his eyes over the lights and sounds of Christmas, especially as a toddler now! My sister in law took this picture last year and it has since become one of my Christmas favorites!

We are so excited for all this Christmas has to bring as well as future Christmases to come! There's nothing quite like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child!

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

It's FRIDAY!

Link up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!