Mandy and I challenged ourselves to a “Run Every Day through December Challenge” to keep ourselves motivated through the end of the year. Although our challenge didn’t end as well as we had hoped, it was still a success. Normally Mandy and I don’t run much, if at all, in December, but we both managed to get our longest streak of 15 days in a row.
Unfortunately I pulled a calf muscle running uphill in the snow in Vermont and I’ll be taking a few weeks off from running to heal. I don’t want to slack off in January though, so Mandy suggested that I work on core and arm strengthening. Based on her suggestion, I have decided to start the new month and the new year off well, so we are doing the 30 day Plank Challenge.
Want to join us?
http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/30-day-plank-challenge/
Jackie –Â My recap for the last week of our challenge:
Tuesday, December 24- 3.5 – Thought I felt better but my leg hurts after the run
Friday, December 27 – 5k – Now I’m sure I have an injury
Monday, December 30th – 3.6k walk (I hate walking, walking is boring)
Monthly total – 65.7km – not what I had hoped for, but a lot better than the 28k I did last December
How did your month end Mandy?
-Jackie- 
Mandy’s Recap:
After a big, family brunch at our house, after every one went home, I was feeling kind of bored and full of “bad for me” food, so I went for a 5.5km run. It was just as the sun was setting and it was snowing lightly. It was the type of snow that is so fine that it looks like sparkles when the street lights shine through it. I was happy to get out and burn off some of the delicious food from the morning.
My husband and I had most of the week off from work, but that was the only run for me. We spent the time relaxing around the house, visiting family, watching movies, and generally being lazy.
Like Jackie said, the month started off great, but it went downhill for the last half. I’m still glad we tried this challenge, because it got me out the door a few more times than I would have normally. It was an interesting way to jump into winter running for the season. I’ll probably give it another shot at some point in the next few months.
Mandy’s monthly total: 57km
Today, Jackie and I ran the Resolution Run (a charity, fun run put on by the Running Room) with our sister-in-law, Melissa, and our friends, Tiffany and Tyler. We’ll post more about it tomorrow. After the run, we spent the afternoon eating, and as it usually goes, talking about running. Since Jackie is nursing her calf injury this month, all of us committed to doing the Plank Challenge. My core strength has been neglected the last few months, so this challenge is very much needed! I’m looking forward to it. If you want to join us, make sure you plank for 20 seconds tonight! (Or if the day is already over for you, fit in two tomorrow.)
-Mandy- 
On another note, the giveaway for the 2014 Runner’s World Daily Calendar has come to a close! Congratulations to Courtney who followed us on Twitter to win the calendar. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!
Out Running 