This was my last week at work before a week long “vacation”. Obviously that word gets quotes because I am not going anywhere! Here in The Netherlands we are still in partial lockdown with curfew. We are strongly advised not to travel anywhere unless truly necessary. That even goes for travelling within the country.
It was also election week in The Netherlands. Due to the corona virus, this election eligible voters 70 and older were able to mail in their votes. Usually voting day is only ONE day, this year it was spread out over 3 days. My party of choice (GroenLinks – GreenLeft) did not do very well this time around, but D66 (A Democratic Party that is slightly left) gained a lot of traction so I’m happy with the result. Y’all would not believe how many parties there are to choose from here. I believe this time around there were thirty. 30 political parties!!
Would you believe it, my nearest polling station was the shop/workspace next to the windmill?
So how did the last week run down?
Deborah and Kim are the amazing hosts for the Weekly Run Down! Feel free to join in as well to wrap up your week in fitness!
WEEK 31
Plan vs. Actual
Monday – 3.25KM walk, GLI gym 1 hr intake – no workout (appt w/different PT), 3.5KM biking
Tuesday – 3KM walk (office day) to and from train station
Wednesday – 3KM walk, W6R1 run, 6KM, GLI 1 hour, gym 55 min
Thursday – 2.22KM walk, gym
Friday – 2.75KM walk, W6R2 run , gym 55 min
Saturday – 2.5KM walk, parkrun in Alkmaar 5KM, 17/17 Dutch parkruns done!
Sunday – 2KM walk, long run W6R3, 1.4KM w/u walk, 10KM run (!!!)
Week 11, election week
Monday – AM walk 3.6KM, new strength training workout
Tuesday – RPM 85 strength training
Wednesday – 6KM run
Thursday – AM walk 3KM, Strength Training
Friday – Late AM walk 6.25KM, runner’s circuit, 10 min yoga stretch
Saturday – 5KM notparkrun
Sunday – 10KM walk
Running
This week I increased my Wednesday mileage again by 500 meters, making it 6KM in total. Before my injury I was struggling to run all the way through. Now that I’m past that and working on the total package (so not just running, but also strength and cross-training) I’m just so pleased that I am mentally and physically able to do this!
Saturday morning was absolutely stunning! We knew it would be a cold one but the sunshine was just incredible. Again the 5 of us met up at 8:30 with two rounds of notparkrun done. This time, my new Polish running friend Jeho Brought me around with a 49 second profit. I’m just shocked that it goes a little bit faster every week.
Walking
This week I got two early AM walks done and on Friday it was more of a late morning walk. In the early AM I’m quite stiff and slow. Nothing wrong with the tempo of course but I think this is also a reason why running in the morning has been a challenge for so long.
Friday’s walk was much easier. And so nice out too! Loved the blue skies and sunshine!
The Sunday walk I kept putting off as I was hoping the sun would eventually come out. When 2pm rolled around and there was still a cloud cover, I decided it was now or never. It can’t always be perfect, right? Ten kilometres walked; crossed the John Frost bridge, walked over to the Gelredome (football stadium and event center) over to Meinerswijk to see if I could catch glimpse of the wild horses (I did, but they were far away), walked all the way through up to the Mandela Bridge and then home. When I started I had no idea where I was going or how far I would be walking. This was a good distance and I’m properly tired now (and cold! ugh).
Strength and Spin
This week I started a new 4 week Strength Training cycle and it’s 3 workouts a week now instead of 2. These trainings are also more full-body which I really like.
On Friday. Ron and I also did a circuit outside (yay!) with 6 of the exercises I mentioned on my last Fit Five Friday post. It was hard but fun! We are going to plan out at least one of these trainings a week (weather and time permitting, of course).
Other Stuff
Actually, the only other stuff that happened this week is that the Metal Guy came and had a look at our back yard, the stairs to the balcony and did some measurements to build a pergola. We hope to get a quote in the new week. We also hope it’s not extortionate. As for the doors, I didn’t touch them.
Leo spent a lot of time with me this week while I was working. It was cute but quite distracting at times.
Vacation Week
I was planning on going to see my friend Yvonne but now it looks like there might be an exposure at her house so we may just end up having a video call. *Sigh*
I will be painting the doors for sure this upcoming week.
Stats this week:
Walking: 22.9 KM
Running 11KM
Bodypump 0 but 3 strength and 1 circuit training
Spin bike 1 x RPM
Total steps: 75,860 (avg: 10,837 daily)
That’s a wrap!
I just love seeing all the sights that you share with us. Those row houses are so cute! Enjoy your week off. I’m only working one day next week and then I’ll be home ‘attending’ a virtual conference. I’m actually looking forward to it.
So weird that you can’t cash your stimulus check in the Netherlands!
The row houses are so cool! I love learning about the Netherlands…30 political parties, WOW.
I’m hoping to get back in my “Friday office” soon…yes that’s Puerto Backyarda. Is it weird that 10k is my favorite distance to run but I can’t imagine walking it? I would certainly need a nap afterwards.
That is great that you are slowly able to increase your running mileage. That’s the way to do it! Hope you enjoy your days off this week!
Whoa, 30 political parties to choose from? I know that would result in chaos here. Look at all the turmoil that we have with just two parties!
I know that vacations definitely mean something different now, but I’m glad that you’ll have a week off from work and hope that you can relax and enjoy the down time!
30 political parties, wow! I think that would be a good thing- we’re not doing well with the two we have.
Leo is so, so cute! Why do cats love laptops so much? My cat likes to lie on my keyboard as well.
Enjoy your vacation to Puerto Backyarda, ha ha. Maybe you can get some fun runs in.
Did you hear the tax deadline was extended to May 15? Does that same deadline apply to you? Of course, I spent last weekend getting all our paperwork together and then they announced the change … Interesting on your elections. I know people here want more options but 30 would be overwhelming!
Nice on all the running and walking — 10K is a long walk!
How exciting that you will have time off! I am excited because I have one more week of work and then I am off for Spring Break. Cannot wait! Leo is just too funny!
Sadly, our short vacation ends tomorrow morning as we fly back to Iowa. I love being away, but it will be nice to get back home. Great job on that long walk! Not sure I’ve ever walked that far (intentionally) :-)
A good week! Is the place with the wild horses one of those rewilding areas? I keep reading about one but of course can’t now remember where it is.
Kind of love that your polling place was next to the windmill! I’m also glad the election went somewhat in the direction you’d hoped. I sort of laugh when people ask me if we’re going away for spring break. We were just in Florida for a month, come on!
You have the prettiest views on your walks. I’m sorry your party didn’t win, but it sounds like things are headed in a good direction.
It was Spring Break here. We went exactly nowhere. I’m sure you saw but South Beach (Miami) had to shut down because of crowds and fights. What the what???
I’m so impressed that you keep getting faster, Renee!
Good luck with the staycation. My life has been a staycation (sort of) for the last 2 years. Although best news, after whining to EVERYONE about my ineligibility for the vaccine, I’m finally eligible starting tomorrow! We’ll see when I can get an appointment but that and Spring is making me more hopeful.
Hope you have a nice vacation, even if you aren’t going anywhere! Its so interesting that you have so many political parties there!
Yay for fun runs with friends and walks that involve seeing farm animals! Hope you’re enjoying your week of vacation and getting lots done while also finding time to relax.