A Slow Week
Not much happening this week as the temperatures slowly (ever so) went from frozen tundra to springtime delight. It was still tricky in the beginning of the week to go out and walk (or run for that matter) because the snow was melting but the ice remained.
I ended up indoors most of the week and felt slightly log-cabin-fevered by Thursday.
Let’s just dive into the Weekly Run Down, shall we?
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 7 in Review
Monday – Strength Training – lower body 40 min
Tuesday – RPM 85, mobility training 25 min
Wednesday – 3.35KM Walk
Thursday – Strength Training – upper body 30 min
Friday – 6.4KM Walk + approx 1.5KM later in PM 10 min yoga flow
Saturday – 5KM run, 2KM walk (warmup + cool down),
Sunday – A walk was planned but ended up drinking coffee and chatting
Running
Sadly only 1 run this week BUT what a great run it was! We went to Sonsbeek for notparkrun. It had been 9 days since my last run (!!) but I thought to just turn on my watch, cover it up and go. If I don’t look at the watch (heart rate, tempo, how much longer, etc) and just focus on getting around it’s a lot easier to do. So 5KM all the way on a beautiful sunny day.
Hopefully next week will bring a bit more outside and running time in my life.
Walking
Also low numbers this week for walking. At the beginning of the week not only did it get “warmer” but it was also raining. Boo. Wednesday I went out at lunch with the intention of going to the park, got about a kilometer away from home and suddenly wondered if I’d left the stove on… UGH.
I quickly came home and then did another small loop in Klarendal (where the windmill is). Of course, the stove was indeed turned off.
Friday’s walk was brilliant – already a major improvement in the weather, almost spring-like! Walked over to Zypendaal (the hilly, more challenging park next to Sonsbeek) since Sonsbeek was pretty busy.
Only a few patches of snow here and there:
I had never seen this statue before:
His daughter Hygieia – the goddess of Health
and his son Telesphorus – the god of Healing
I was going to walk on Sunday with a new friend I met from the Americans in The Netherlands Facebook group. She lives less than a half a kilometer from me so we planned on going for a walk this afternoon to enjoy the sunshine. We ended up just drinking coffee and gabbing for HOURS. it was so great! Sometimes the steps just aren’t as important and making human connections. Next week we are going to go for a walk for real!
Strength and Spin
I’ve been working with a coach the last couple of months to help me get my nutrition in check, and now I’m moving on to strength training with her. This was my first week of my new program.
The idea is 2 x a week strength, 1 mobility training and some yoga to help with my flexibility.
My intention of course is to do yoga more than 1 time a week and that was tied into my goal of getting up early, which, this week, was not a goal met. I don’t say I’ve failed, because there’s no failure in getting sleep you obviously need.
Anyway, week 1 is done with 2 strength sessions and 2 “other” sessions. On Tuesday, Ron and I did our together lunchtime workout. This week I choose RPM 85, which was the last release I did in the gym almost a year ago. Crazy.
Home Improvement
A slow week for HI this week, which is actually good. I moved my work station from the dining room table to the room downstairs. We are currently using our old desktop until the new one arrives.
We unpacked a few boxes and Ron was also busy setting up all his music equipment. Luckily we kept an Ikea cupboard that we tried to give away but had no takers; he found a hack to fit and mount the equipment perfectly and sawed the cupboard itself in half so that it would fit nicely against the wall (here below, not quite complete)
We also bought 4 old doors to replace the generic “modern” doors that are downstairs (two rooms and the bathroom) and the door to the WC. Next weekend the doors will be put in, which means we have about 6 days to get them sanded and prepared for the guy to install them.
I find it such a disservice to an old house to have it’s original features taken away from it. The doors we bought are maybe from the 30’s so not quite the same as when our house was built, but better than cheapass generic doors that were purchased from a DIY center. An old house deserves better, in my opinion.
This kept me smiling all week
Stats this week:
Walking 13.25KM
Running 5KM
Bodypump 0 but 2 strength workouts
Spin bike 1x RPM
Total steps: 52,621 (avg daily 7,517
I’m glad that the weather was better this week and that most of the snow has disappeared. I can’t wait fo it to do the same thing here, lol.
I’m amazed at how many home improvements you have been able to do since moving in. I know it’s a lot of work but it will all pay off!
That photo of the shelter dog in his new home just put the biggest smile on my face. What a loving photo!
Happy to hear when weather improves for anyone and that you can get outside to walk or run.
Your place is looking amazing…. keep posting those pics.
Missed you on the bike…catch you another time.
Wow, you are quite the DIY home improvement expert! I live in a 1929 home and totally agree about trying to maintain the features as best we can. We have redone the kitchen, but really tried to tie it into the rest of the house. Love the old home charm!
Glad your snow has disappeared!! Ours has too tho we had windy days Thu and Fri and I will admit to missing a run. I’m glad I’ve let go of my 100-miles-a-month plan. And lovely to make things more in keeping with your house. We’re from 1908 and try not to mess around with what is still here.
Please send me some of that spring weather! I am so ready to see other colors besides white and brown. How great that you made a new friend–we all need those connections right now.
You have no idea how I long for Spring! But we live where we live, and it is what it is. Helps when you don’t have to worry about going out when it’s icy.
How nice to meet someone new & click. And that statue is cool!
Sounds like you had a good week, Renee!
Awh, that happy adopted dog makes my eyes tear up ;-) I agree…older homes need to have some (if not all) of their original “period” nuances left intact. Our weather went from deep winter, to a hint of spring, and abruptly returned to our regularly scheduled winter today. But, we do have above-freezing temps in the forecast this week!
Hey, one fabulous run can make your whole week! Glad to see you got some warmer temps this week. we are supposed to this week. The sun is everything this time of the year! have a great week ahead and thanks for linking up
We still have a ton of snow but thankfully it finally got warmer and I was able to run outside today! For the first time in 5 weeks!!!! I really have to watch myself with strength training b/c it’s so easy to let it slide. I’ve been consistent since December and I can tell that it’s helping my body. I’ve never gotten coaching, but I think that if I did it would make more sense to get a strength coach than a running coach, because that’s what I need the most help with.
I love following your house stuff. Brilliant hack (literally!) on the Ikea unit. I grew up in an old house (by US standards) that my Dad restored using salvaged materials so I totally get what you’re saying.
Glad you are making progress with your nutrition/fitness coach — and yay on the great run!
It’s crazy weather but getting warmer. Spring is here, for sure.
How cute is sweet Leo?
I love the new doors and I love that you made a new connection!
So glad you’re getting a taste of spring weather – I hope it lasts! Great that things that are going well with your coach!
It’s such a nice feeling when it warms up after being cold and snowy! Glad you could take advantage of the weather.
I bet Leo would prefer to knock those wires onto the floor and play with them. LOL
That door is gorgeous! I agree, an old house deserves to have some of its original charm, but I do love the fun touches you’ve added with some of your lights.
That picture of the pup with his new family is the best!
Yes to spring! It’s supposed to hit 60° here tomorrow!