It’s not been the most organized Christmas Season around here. Gifts are all ordered (but are still to be delivered), Christmas Cards are due to arrive at my house today (to be stuffed, addressed, and mailed), and gifts for my team were made last night!
It’s a good thing I have help in the form of this cutie!
After Run Club last night, we baked LOTS of cookies, added colored paper and tags to these cute containers from Target, and stuffed into plastic bags to stay fresh. Christmas Cheer for my awesome team!
These boxes are packed with 4 different treats:
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Christmas Cookie Dough Balls – peppermint sprinkle coated & cinnamon-sugar coated (which turned into cookies instead of balls)
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Rum Balls
I did something similar last year and everyone seemed to like it – hopefully year two is just as good!
Do you exchange gifts with your team? What was the best thing you gave or received this year?
Treadmill Workouts
Even with all the Christmas stuff to do, I’ve been trying to stick to my training schedule as much as possible. With big races scheduled early in the year, I’ve got the fear motivation to keep running.
Treadmill workouts are a great way to sneak in quality run if the weather outside is not cooperating or you just don’t like running in the cold. I shared a few treadmill workouts that are great for all levels of runners last month. This week’s workouts are best if you are training for a little longer distance race – like a half marathon or marathon – but will certainly work for anyone.
Long Distance Intervals #1 – (7 miles)
- 1.5 mile warm-up
- 1 mile @ 10K race pace; 1/4 mile recovery
- 1/2 mile @ 5K race pace; 1/4 mile recovery
- 1/2 mile @ 5K race pace; 1/4 mile recovery
- 1 mile @ 10K race pace; 1/4 mile recovery
- 1.5 mile cooldown
Long Distance Ladder #1 – (7.25 miles)
- 1 mile warm-up
- 1 mile @ 1/2 marathon race pace
- 1 mile @ 10K race pace
- 1/2 mile @ 5K race pace
- 1/4 mile recovery
- 1/2 mile @ 5K race pace
- 1 mile @ 10K race pace
- 1 mile @ 1/2 marathon race pace
- 1 mile cooldown
The Long Distance Intervals was the last speed workout I did before my 10K PR last weekend, so I think it’s pretty effective. =) Do you have a favorite treadmill workout that helps keep things interesting?
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Don’t forget to enter the Gardein Giveaway for 5 coupons!!
You have through Christmas Eve(12/24) to enter – winners will be announced on Monday. There are some good ideas of how to use the Gardein products shared in the comments so far – keep ‘em coming!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Love those intervals – it’s the only way I can force myself to stay on a treadmill for more than 5 mins!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Christmas Pesto
I’m usually the same way, that’s why I’m always writing new workouts. :) Same thing on the bike trainer – workouts make it much more fun!
It has been an interesting season so far…I haven’t caught up.
I think that means we won’t catch up, but that’s okay! =)
I love your Christmas baskets full of cookies! What a sweet gift :) They look so pretty <3
ummm, treadmill…I actually hate the treadmill, haha. I love the elliptical, though!
Char @ http://www.charskitchen.ca recently posted..Vegan & Gluten-Free Ginger Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Everyone has liked them so far – I just need to plan ahead next year. :) And I’m just the opposite about the elliptical, THAT drives me bonkers!
Thats a really smart way to keep the treadmill interesting. I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m a good enough runner to go for that long, but I get bored even after 10-15 minutes!
Hehe..I have so many wierd tricks to motivate myself to keep working out – they don’t always work, but it’s good to have options! =)
Awww.. your cookies look so great! I’m with you on the unorganized year. Ahh!! Treadmill workouts- I have to change things up, but I like to just zone out and watch movies too. These ones look great!
STUFT Mama recently posted..Who Does That? Oh Yes, Me
We should start a support group for the unorganized Christmas year. :)
i think you should definitely attach a treadmill workout to those cookies. haha. how funny would that be?!
Haha – I think that would have been a great idea, should have thought of that one!!
Those cookies certainly look good – makes it worthwhile burning all that glycogen off! I personally do not like treadmills – walking on an incline I can do, running, I always feel like I am about to fall over. Indoors I stick to my elliptical!
Jon recently posted..A Guide to Losing Belly Fat with Diet and Exercise
I remember feeling weird running on a treadmill for the first time after starting running outside; I didn’t like that it “made” me run a certain pace. It did get easier after a while though! =)