Happy Sunday! It’s weekly recap time. My next marathon will be Vienna, which is not until April, so this is a bit more of a base training period.
Here’s how this week went in fitness (and life in London as an American!)
Monday: Rest from running after the 10k the day before.
I completed day 9 of the Caroline Girvan Iron Strength program on YouTube after work, which was a full-body workout. It was a doozy!
Tuesday: Run commute; I took the most direct route which was just over 4 miles, and then did a 3 mile social run with some colleagues for 7-ish miles on the day. My colleague Nicole and I are trying to start a monthly group run at the office, but its usually only 3-4 people who show up each time. Still a nice way to get to know other people at the office.
Got to get that quintessential red telephone booth pic!
That evening, I completed day 10 of Iron Strength, which was back and biceps.
Wednesday: Hill repeats! My plan called for 5 repeats; I went up Primrose Hill 4 times and then counted Haverstock Hill on my run back home as the 5th.
Thursday: 7 mile run around Regent’s Park.
Frost on the grass! I’m not used to seeing frost on green grass. In Minnesota, by the time it was cold enough for frost, the grass was long dead and brown!
Day 11 of Iron Strength after work- leg day!
Friday: Finally a wfh day; (I was in the office 4 days this week.)
Dustin also worked from home, so he decided to join me for a 6.75 mile run with some moderate miles (for me) in there in the middle around Regent’s Park. What a treat!
Friday evening was my company’s holiday party, which was held at Mr. Fogg’s Apothecary in Mayfair with a 1920’s theme. I found a dress at Anthropologie that had a bit of a 1920’s look, with fringe at the bottom. Sadly, I didn’t take much for pictures at the party, but there was a professional photographer there who probably captured some good ones. I hope there is one of Dustin and me together!
Saturday: Friday was a later evening (for me- creeping up on midnight is late for me!) I slept in a bit and then did a short 4.4 mile run in the Heath with Ruth and Dustin.
Ruth and Matilda had some fun in the Heath chasing that early London sunset later that day!
Saturday night, we took the tube into Covent Garden to see the Christmas decorations. We walked down Bond street to see all the stores lit up- so pretty! Eventually we made our way to an 8 pm booking at NOPI for dinner.
Sunday: There isn’t a Tracksmith store in London yet, but one is opening in Marylebone soon, and the company is hosting several events in the running community, including Sunday long runs!
Since there isn’t a store, the run group was hosted at Workshop Coffee in Marylebone, both pre-and-post run (with free coffee and pastries afterwards!)
The group for the long run was pretty big- maybe 60+ people. They had pacers for 7:30 min/mile to 11 min/mile. I joined the 9 min/mile group, but the average was 8:41, so bit faster than advertised, ha!
I did meet a few new people, though I don’t know if I’ll see them again; getting to the starting place for this run was a bit of a longer tube ride, but running with other people might be motivation to join again.
Post-run, more time at Hampstead Heath again for the pups!
They are living their best lives here. The Heath is such a great place for dogs, especially dogs like vizslas that LOVE to run around in the grass and woods!
Summary: 43 miles of running, 25 miles of walking, 3 days of Iron Strength, daily 10 min core on Peloton
In other London news, we went to our first Sunday roast at a pub last Sunday. This is a popular tradition at most pubs on Sundays; I had never heard of it before we moved here, but everyone has asked “have you done Sunday roast yet?” So it was time, ha!
We went to the Sunday roast at a pub close to us, the Stag. It was delicious!
And that’s a wrap!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!
that is a lot of miles for maintaining your fitness LOL.
And your group is big… that’s great because you can run your own pace and have company.
You look fantastic for your party.
Vienna. I bet the course will be beautiful.
Keep those pics coming. I am thoroughly enjoying your year in London.
It did end up as a decent number of miles, though this week will be less and then we are going to the Laplands where there will be 0 running!
Its actually 3 years (at least!). My husband signed a 3 year agreement.
Somehow Ruth looks less than enthused in that photo! But you look absolutely stunning in your dress.
Since it started snowing much earlier than predicted, Bandit didn’t even get a walk today (because HE doesn’t like getting wet, LOL!). I’ve played with him and will do some training. I have a bunch of appointments last week, next week — he’s not a fan.
The decorations look amazing!
Hah, Ruth doesn’t look enthused! But that’s just Ruth. She actually LOVES the Heath. And thank you for the kind words on the dress!
It’s so great that you are meeting other runners! I’m not good at putting myself out there,, but I think it would be a necessity if I moved somewhere new!
Jessie, I love that dress!!! Last summer, when I was shopping for a dress for the weddings I was invited to, Anthro had all weird stuff. They’re usually my go-to. It looks like you hit the jackpot. Looks amazing on you.
What is a roast? Like as in roast meat?
You are probably better than me at putting yourself out there! Definitely an introvert, but I’m really trying!
Anthro can definitely be hit or miss, but they had a lot of great holiday dresses! My sister who is 5 years older found a really cute one too!
Looks like you’re embracing all things London! The running group sounds great, and those Christmas decs! Looks so festive (and your dress is the bomb).
Thank you so much Kim! I hope I have another occasion to wear the dress, I liked it.
London definitely embraces Christmas!
I LOVE Ruth and Matilda in their winter sweaters!!! I’m glad all four of you are enjoying London so much. Oh, and I’m impressed that you managed three Caroline Girvan workouts in the midst of all those running miles. They’re hard!
Love all those London Christmas lights, and love your dress. I hope you get more photos from the party!
I really love the Iron Strength program! Thanks a million for pointing me that direction.
Running together must be a great way to get to know people in the office! Very nice idea! When you wrote about frost on the grass, I had to think – as I remember it, our grass was green in Sweden until the frost or first snow came. That was in the south-west. Maybe where I grew up it was different and that I don’t remember it. I grew ip further north, north-west of Stockholm. I’m glad you’re enjoying what London has to offer. If the Sunday roast is anything like the Irish version, it’s truly delicious! Sounds like you… Read more »
Yes, I bet the London Sunday roast is similar to the Irish one! It was good! Probably not something we’ll do every weekend, but a nice cozy dinner during the winter months.
I have been to Gutenberg and Stockholm; we got a Volvo at the factory and drove between the two cities. Stockholm is STUNNING!
So the roast is like roast beef, not “roasting someone” (comedy) kind of thing? Sounds like a great week! What a big group run. That’s the size of our training group runs. Our company holiday party will be 1920’s themed too, but we will not be able to attend (going skiing!).
Ha! I guess the roast does sound like it could be a comedic roast, but no, its just a set place of roast beef (or chicken or pork) and a big popover (I think its called Yorkshire pudding) and veggies. And a pint or two 🙂
Interesting your party is 1920’s as well! Popular theme.
I love the dress you wore to the holiday party! A lack of photos just means that you had a great time at the party, which is how it should be! 🙂
I always love all of your photos of London, especially any photos with Ruth and Matilda.
Haha, exactly! And thanks for the compliment!
Ruth and Matilda love sharing their London adventures!
I love your party dress! Looks like you all are really settling into your life in London! Loving all your photos keep them coming
Thanks Deborah!
I love your dress!
It’s always fun to see your photos of London – Bond St. looks so festive!
Looks like a great week of training. Great that you are meeting other runners 🙂
I’m trying my best to put myself out there even though I don’t always want to, ha!
Old Bond Street was so pretty!
Yay for having two running groups where you can meet new friends. I bet your work running group will grow as more people learn about it (and perhaps in the spring when the weather warms up). Nineteen weeks will be here before we know it!
I hope you’re right that the work group grows! A few people have said that a lunch run would work better so we might try that out.
Everything always looks so amazing. And the pups look great in their jackets!
I love when cities are all lit up for the holidays. It’s so pretty.
yes, London embraces Christmas. The decorations are very pretty!
Ha – did you enjoy your Sunday roast? What do Americans eat on Sundays? (I have to break it to you that we hardly ever have a Sunday roast in this house). Lovely pics and good to see you all enjoying the Heath. I will be sure to let you know when I’m coming down next.
Haha, I guess Americans eat whatever they want on Sundays, the whole concept of the Sunday roast is new to me! But I liked it!
[…] week, it was pictures of the Christmas decor in London– this week, it’s picture of the Christmas snow! Apparently, it hasn’t snowed like […]
Love your dress!
“My colleague Nicole and I are trying to start a monthly group run at the office, but its usually only 3-4 people who show up each time. Still a nice way to get to know other people at the office.”
We’re still building, 4.5 years in. There’s a committed core but the drop ins make it fun since it’s people I don’t know that well. My own advice, make sure folks know you accomodate many paces. Folks keep telling me they fear we’re too fast which you know exactly how fast I am, so it’s comical.
Your dogs in their winter jackets is beyond adorable. Love reading your blog, playing catch-up on some of the posts I missed. Also love love love your style! In both running and non running clothes. You got me into tracksmith- I love how you can wear their shirts for working out and ‘real life’- great for when you are traveling! I can’t imagine what the homesickness is like in England, but I am happy for you that at least you have your doggies with you!
Why, thank you so so much Amy! That is so wonderful to hear! I wear my tracksmith for traveling too!
Yes the doggies help with the homesickness.