Yet another light week of workouts and running. But as I mentioned last week, I am planning on keeping things lighter until 2014.

Monday- 3 minute plank. I sang the alphabet 13 times in my head with my eyes closed for this one. I wanted to go for a run, since I hadn’t run all weekend, but my shins were still bothersome. So I did the smart thing and took a rest day and iced them.

Tuesday- 3 minute 30 second plank. This one was really tough. After I hit the 3 minute mark my lower back started to arch toward the floor and I just could not get my back to straighten out for the last 30 seconds. I debated on whether that counted as my 210 second plank for the day, and decided it did since I never actually came out of plank position. My form just got poor at the end.

Another day without running because my shins were still hurting. I was going to do some cross training in the afternoon, but ended up taking a nap with the dogs on the couch. Since it was Christmas Eve, I left Santa some PowerGel and water to keep him going.

Instagram: turkeyrunner

Wednesday- 3 mile run with Sven in the morning. Obviously, my shins were feeling a bit better so I decided to get some miles in while watching E.T. I wore my Christmas compression socks, a green shirt, and my shoes with the jingle bells on them since it was Christmas morning.

In the afternoon I did a short 7 minute workout that included jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups, planks, chair dips, and step ups. I was still in my workout clothes and figured why not. It’s amazing how easy a 30 second plank feels after doing much longer planks with the 30 day challenge. On day 1 I had to do a 30 second plank and it wasn’t very difficult, but it was certainly challenging back then.

In the evening I did my 3 minute 30 second plank. I did a bit better than the day before, but still struggled with my lower back beginning to arch and losing my plank form towards the end.

Thursday- Complete rest day. Spent the day driving to my dad and sister’s house for Christmas, headed to a family get together upon arrival, and then did “Christmas morning” in the evening.

Friday- 4 minute plank. (hint: sing the alphabet slowly 20 times in a row to reach 3 minutes 50 seconds, then count down from 10)

Saturday- Headed to the W&OD Trail with Barry and Dad in the afternoon. I ran a little over 5.5 miles (Barry ran with me for 3/4ths of the run, but ran on his own initially and put in 7 miles) on the gravel path that runs alongside the paved bike trail. It was a cool 50 degrees outside and I really enjoyed this run. My shins felt good on the gravel trail. I committed a blogger fail and forgot to take a picture. But you know from Deb what the W&OD looks like already.

4 minute plank a mere 6 minutes from midnight to get my daily plank in for the 30 day challenge.

Sunday- I was hoping to go for another run, but I woke up to a cold, nasty rain and I just couldn’t bring myself to head out in that mess. I got two new Jillian Michaels workouts, since I like the 30 day shred so much, and I was going to do one of those but then Dirty Dancing was on TV.

This was the penultimate day for the 30 day challenge and it was a 4 minute 30 second plank. I made three attempts at this plank but never was able to hit the full 270 seconds. I guess I was just having an off day. I think I may extend the 30 day challenge until I’m finally able to hit 4 minutes 30 seconds and then the final day of 5 minutes.

Total miles: 8.68 exactly