Denver + Workouts

On the way home

The weekend was lovely – we honestly didn’t do all that much other than eat delicious food (The Kitchen + Voghera were highlights), walk around, and reconnect/hang out. I was unable to convince anyone to go out to Golden (though it sounded awesome!) but we did make it to MEOW WOLF which was . . . interesting.

(Not necessarily my jam, but interesting!)

It was also my first time staying at a Kasa – sort of an airbnb/hotel hybrid! It worked well for us. I would use it again especially for the family (larger units, with kitchen/laundry/dishwasher at reasonable prices!).

The best part by far was catching up with old friends. It’s amazing how you can just pick back up again with people who knew you so well during your formative years. I would love to post a group pic but I need everyone’s approval (and I’m not sure I will get it lol) so will leave it out for now!

AND, I am glad to be going home with at least a slice of weekend left. I missed everyone! I am ready for some normal and uneventful weekends at HOME.

(I did get a surprise first class upgrade which I am enjoying as I type this – super convenient as I didn’t get to eat before getting on the flight. I didn’t even find out until I scanned my boarding pass and was ceremoniously handed a paper pass for seat 1E! I feel so lucky!)

I plan on spending the rest of this flight preparing for reentry (grocery list, schedule, etc) and then doing some 2024 planning using my very own BLP Live workbook.

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Weekly Workouts

M: Run with J (fast friend 🙂 ). 6.25 mi, 9:14/mi average with some 8:30-8:40s thrown in there. She never pushes me yet I always find myself speeding up when we are together. Felt good though!

T: Rest day (had run ~4-5 in a row and coach is wisely trying to prevent me from self-destructing)

W: 6.3 mi @ 9:35/mi

R: 7 mi @ 9:42/mi and 20 min Pilates (Peloton’s version of pilates, which is very barre-like // Aditee Shah’s 1989-TV workout)

F: 4 mi @ 10:07/mi in Denver (our hotel was right at the beginning of the Cherry Creek trail which was a super easy/convenient running path). Ran with my friend E!

S: 10 mi @ 9:35/mi (first half with E – 4.4 mi for her 44th bday!) — second half on my own). I did feel a little more cardiovascularly challenged than usual at Denver altitude especially given the perfect temperatures. I prefer a little bit of altitude to midsummer FL heat, though.

S: rest

Total = 33.5 mi

My knee was not entirely happy with the 10 miler but it isn’t terrible, either. There’s definitely still some swelling and generalized soreness and I guess it’s just going to take its sweet time. THANKFULLY that joint catching/sticking stuff has not recurred.

JAX is now 4 weeks away. If this week of training goes well, I will likely do the marathon (probably targeting more like a ~3:50); if my knee soreness increases this week and I can’t train normally I will either downgrade to the half or spectate Josh. I’m feeling pretty at peace with whatever happens and just trying to think of the long game. I admit I am hoping for 2024 to be a great running year.