Sunday, May 7, 2017

Spring Has Returned!


After several days (or was it weeks?) of almost constant rain or cold or wind (or all of the above), it feels like Spring has officially returned. Can I get an "Amen?"

This was a crazy week (I think it falls right in succession with several previous weeks), but that seems to be the norm. Such is my reality. All is good.


Things started out well on Monday. I met up with my gal pal, Barb, and we knocked out our #5at5. The temps were moderate (mid-40's with some wind), but we got it done with a good pace in between some rain (lucky us!). I had felt a little stiff and rickety (following the Drake half marathon, two days prior), but by Monday things were feeling much better. It's amazing what 24+ hours in compression socks (and plenty of foam rolling) can do! #nevermissaMonday

Another successful 5 miles at 5:00 a.m.
Thankfully, Tuesday was a day of rest/recovery because there was more rain in store. I did my May goals for Tuesday (planking and hip/glutes) and some additional arm work.
don't call me skinny...
Wednesday proved interesting because we had an evening race in a nearby town, Pella (IA). I had heard of the Klompen Classic 5K, but had not run it before. I was enticed by it being an evening race, though, and the fact that it was a 5K made for a perfect mid-week speed work session. The hubby and I drove up with Barb, and we met our friend, Chuck, there. Full details are on the recap (see below), but I was very happy with how the race went for me. I don't think it was a 5K PR, but it definitely was my the fastest 5K in several years. I managed a 4th place age group finish...kind of a bummer to not make the podium, but placing 4th out of the 72 women in my group was pretty satisfying.
26:05 = a pretty speedy 5K for this middle-of-the-pack runner
As a result of Wednesday's speedy 5K, Thursday was pretty much a day of rest/recovery by default. My hamstrings didn't feel too bad for the wear and tear of the 5K, but my lower back  was very angry with me. I did my May challenge exercises and called it good.


Friday arrived, and that had Barb and myself doing our second #5at5 of the week. Typically, this would have been done on Thursday, but given the 5K on Wednesday and another 13.1 happening a few days later (on Sunday), Friday was a much better option. It's awesome to see how much more daylight we are getting now...it's only dark for the first 15 minutes or so!
Back from my #5at5...and we have daylight!
Saturday was another very low-key day. Our son graduated from Iowa Central Community College Friday night, and we didn't return home until midnight...so, for the first time in forever (?), I did not set my alarm. I woke up around 5:30 (out of habit LOL), but fell back asleep until about 7:00. I did a 2-mile power walk with my sister and also a 5-ish-mile bike ride. And that's all she wrote.
my first (short) ride of 2017...
It's not very often it works out (or I'm crazy enough) to have two half marathons on back-to-back weekends. Such was the case with Sunday...The Des Moines Womens Half Marathon was on tap and the weather was absolutely amazing! The recap is coming in a few days (#staytuned), but I finished in 2:03:10 (and 1:10 of that was waiting for my turn at a porta-pot near the 6-mile mark, just saying).

With Barb, waiting for the start-line festivities
So, that's what went down this past week. My mileage (Monday-Sunday) came in at 28. The weekly mileage is steadily increasing and somehow all of my races are fitting nicely into the mix. Life is good. I have a relay event next weekend (with a group of co-workers), and that will involve approximately 15 total miles for myself (broken into three legs of the relay). I think that will be a perfect fit for getting a few extra miles for my "long" run, but since the miles will be divided, it won't be as much stress/strain on my body as 15 consecutive miles would be. We shall see.

In other news:

My #Fridayfashion post was all about the return of spring-like weather and temps. Doesn't everyone love a peacock-print dress? Are you following me on Instagram (HERE) or Pinterest (HERE)? Play along! Post a pic of your Friday outfit and tag me...I'd love to see what you're wearing!

As mentioned, it was another #proudmom moment watching our son graduate with honors. He's now on to his next adventure...continuing his education at the University of Iowa, his parents' alma mater (he may be the favorite child now).

Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, people standing and suit

Most of my tulips are fading, but there are plenty of other beautiful blooms taking their place:

We had peonies, irises, and lilies of the valley all blooming this week
...and, in case you missed them, here's my posts from last week:



Can we talk about the Klompen 5K?


So, talk to me! Has spring returned to your location, or did it ever leave? Have you ever done back-to-back half marathons on consecutive weekends? 

As usual, I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. Please join us! 

48 comments:

  1. Congrats on your son's graduation! That must be such a proud mom moment. And congrats on the 5k too!! I've done a few evening 5ks and I find they work better for me. I'm more awake and ready to race!

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    1. I really like this evening 5K! It was a good mental (and physical) test for me ;-)

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  2. Please send some of that spring weather this way! We had a few days of rain and now its been much cooler. Congrats to your son!

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    1. Sorry, the spring is all mine and I'm not sharing ;-) We had a pretty miserable 10 days (?) of cold and wet, so I'm embracing these summer-like weather conditions.

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  3. I love your dress! The pop of color works perfectly for spring! Hope your hamstring and back are doing ok after all those races you've been doing.

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    1. Knock on wood, my hamstring(s) have been doing pretty well this training cycle. Any strain I have felt has been in both of them (usually it's just on the left side)...so I think that's a good sign that's nothing is "out of balance" (fingers crossed!).

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  4. Wow! Awesome 5k time and an amazing half marathon race time too!! You are speedy! Can you lend me some of your speed for my next half? I ran one yesterday much much slower than you! Looks like an awesome week!!

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    1. Well, don't be too impressed LOL These speedy times do not happen at every race...and it was a nice surprise to have BOTH of them happen within a few days of each other.

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  5. Send some of that spring weather here! It's still cold! Altho the sun feels great.

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    1. We almost had summer weather today! It was in the 70's (I think) when my race ended. it felt amazing to sit on the grass in the sun and NOT shiver LOL

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  6. Congrats to your son! I do LOVE that dress - so pretty. We had summer weather last weekend, but were back to spring with leftover April shower and a cold front this weekend!

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    1. Our weather turned nice last mid-week, and it supposed to stay nice for most of this week...I think...Not complaining!!

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  7. Congrats to your son! You really are fitting all that racing so nicely into your marathon training plan. We're still unseasonably cold here. We can't seem to get out of the 40s or 50s during the day and we dip back to freezing overnight. I'm so over it.

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    1. I'm guardedly optimistic that the warm weather is here to stay....

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  8. Loving that 5 minute plank - you go girl! I'm lucky if I can get to 2 minutes, lol. I've only done a few evening races but I like them The only tricky part is trying to figure out how to fuel throughout the day.

    Congrats to your son- what an amazing accomplishment to graduate with honors! I loved your dress also!

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    1. I honestly didn't even think about fueling for my race...but it was "just" a 5K LOL I do a pretty good job staying hydrated, so hopefully that helped.

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  9. No spring here in Paris. It is not too cold, but overcast and rainy. Yuck !

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  10. yes we have some intermittent spring weather here now! the few days I've been out it's been a wee bit chilly but gorgeous out!!

    congrats to your son!

    back to back halfs? no... that I recall. However September is a crazy month here and I usually end up doing back to back 10 milers - Tilburg, then here in Arnhem, then in Amsterdam. One year had a fourth, here again in Arnhem. This year I won't do that - I'm trying to race less to make sure my body is more recovered next year and I can run a marathon again.

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    1. You're smart to rest/recover before taking on another marathon. SO many people jump right back into training after a minimal amount of recovery...and usually wind up injured.

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  11. Congrats to your son! We have been having a cool weekend here. It is hard to get out there and be motivated to run in the dark when it is cold still. You do not seem to be having a problem with that though. I am a wimp when it comes to cold temps. Heck the other day I wore gloves for a run! It is May. that shouldn't be happening!

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    1. ha ha! I have all but given up on gloves for the season. Usually anything above the mid-40's, I'm fine after the first few minutes ;-)

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  12. Congrats to your son! What a great week! You are tempting me with those 5am morning runs, if only I could get up that early!

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    1. Oh, you can do it! The first few times are the hardest, but it probably won't take long for the early morning runs to become routine ;-)

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  13. Spring has not made its way here yet. In fact, it's been pretty disgusting the last few days. At least it's now drying out, at least for a little while, but we are still not enjoying spring temps. :(

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    1. It definitely has been a strange spring for most of us...we had spring-like temps in February, then abruptly returned to winter in March. April kind of slowly gave way to warmer temps, but there were some near-freezing days as well.

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  14. Congrats again on your son's graduation! Time sure flies doesn't it?! Impressive how you still managed to fit in all your training and crush your race?-nice!

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    1. Time is going way too fast! It's hard to believe his community college gig is over, and he's on to the next adventure.

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  15. Congrats on the graduation, that does make a Mom proud! I have never scheduled 2 back to back half's like that- kudos to you! We had some cooler mornings this weekend so if you sent that breath of cool air- thanks!

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    1. I can't take credit for that cold air LOL, but we may have been on the receiving end of some of your warm weather this weekend (?) ;-)

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  16. Congrats to your son!!!! I've done back-to-back weekend halves before when I was training for a marathon. They're a great way to get your long run in!

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    1. I agree....long runs can get pretty l.o.n.g. It's great throwing in a race now and then!

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  17. Congrats on your races! And a huge special congrats to your son!

    Spring was here until this weekend when the temps turned cooler. Today would be perfect for a race. It's low 50's without even a hint of humidity!

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    1. Thank you! We're supposed to have nice weather for the next week or so...dare I say, summer may be just around the corner?

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  18. I love your peacock frock! Then again, you already know that. :)

    Sounds like an awesome week! I wish I had your energy!

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    1. Well, last week was a little crazy with three races in the span of 8 days. I'm definitely on the down-low this week lOL

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  19. Spring? I don't believe we ever had one ...or maybe that's what we had back in January! :) It seriously is summer here.

    I know you are so proud of son ...congratulations! And choosing the parents Alma Mater... yeah, he just earned major brownie points!

    Two half marathons in back to back weekends ...whoop, whoop! You are the bomb girl! I don't think I could do it.

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    1. Our spring felt a tad bit like summer yesterday...and I've got the sun-burned shoulders to show for it...NOT complaining! I'm ready for warm weather!

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  20. I love all of the spring colors in your Friday outfit. The pinks and blues look amazing together, and you look great wearing them!

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  21. I'm sure that would earn you a spot in Half Fanatics (if you wanted). Anyhoo, great week. Congrats on the super speedy 5k! I know you must be a proud Mom. Don't they grow up so fast? Thanks for linking, Kim!

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  22. Congrats on your 5K and half marathon! Looks like training is going really well! I'm so glad that the sun is up earlier, but this morning a 5 am run just was NOT happening for me!

    Your plank game still has me in awe...if I got to 2 minutes it would be a miracle, let alone 5!

    And congratulations on your son's graduation!

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  23. Congrats to your son! Great job with your races - you are rocking your training! Could you send some of that spring weather this way...we're in a cold rain pattern that we can't seem to shake :(

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  24. Congrats to your son on graduating with honors... that has got to make a mother proud! I didn't realize your 5k was on a weeknight, I've ran a few evening runs, but they've always been on the weekend.

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  25. Congrats to your son, that is amazing!!! Back to back half's, wow you are incredible!
    I am so happy you are finally getting a taste of spring, I hope it keeps up for you! We didn't get much of a winter here and have already had days at 100, so I kinda envy your cooler temps, LOL

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  26. Congrats to your son on his gradution! And congrats on that awesome 5k/age group finish! That's amazing to come in 4th out of 72 people- I have never placed in my age group and I'm not sure I ever will!

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  27. I'll say that relay race came in at the perfect time! Your right I'd so like the fact that it is broken up into segments and not the whole 15 miles!
    I loved your FridayFashion post with the peacock print dress and NO I don't have anything with this pattern but I DO need it!

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  28. Love all the spring colors. The Peacock dress is cute!

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