Can You Say EPIC?

Maybe I should take 3-month sabbaticals more often...

(just kidding)

My return to running has really been MUCH smoother and easier than I would have imagined. Of course, it's only been a couple weeks, and I have not jacked up the mileage much. In fact, I'm  staying on the conservative side of that spectrum, and taking mini walk breaks as needed. But it still has felt like an epic adventure thus far....and this past week was no exception.


Monday was an epic day. Why? A couple years ago, I saw a thing about successful habits for running (or, at the very minimal, for fitness), and one such habit was to never miss a Monday. Since then, every Monday I do something to start not just my morning, but also my week. Most of these endeavors are done in the early morning, and most involve running. Well, that ritual continued over the past three months, but had to be walking-related rather than running. This past Monday, I officially returned to running for my #nevermissaMonday...and as a bonus, it was even with warm summer-like temps.

Tuesday was another epic day. The morning started with questionable weather, so the hubby and I did a quick walk with the dog and made it back home just in time for the heavens to open up and spill a bunch of rain on us. I had the afternoon free, so I laced up and headed out and ran an old familiar 5K route. I finished in 30:33, which was surprisingly fast considering I took 1-minute walking breaks just before each of the mile marks.

Wednesday was epic as well, but not in an especially grand way. I didn't have any running on the calendar, but I did want to get out for a couple of early morning walking miles. Ugh. I am SO not ready for fall because it means Old Man Winter is close behind. The mid-50's felt mild, but were cool enough to warrant grabbing a pair of gloves. If I would have been running, the gloves would have been a non-issue, but for walking? Yes, please!

Thursday's epic-ness? The hubby joined me for an early morning 3-mile run. We had that 5K coming up on Saturday, after all, and I don't think he's run any miles since Dam to Dam (early June). He left to take the dog out as I was grabbing the phone (for that post-run selfie), so he's MIA from the pic....but trust me, he was there for the three miles.

Friday was beautifully epic in that we (the hubby and Max and myself) headed out later than usual (almost 6:00), and caught some of the sunrise! It's been awhile since I've seen the sunrise while out in the early morning due to it coming later and later every day.

Saturday was dripping with all kinds of epic delights. It was the day of the Kickoff to Kinnick 5K, a race near the campus of my alma mater, the University of Iowa. After a forced 3-month sabbatical, this was my return-to-running race. The weather was perfect, I felt strong, and the race went well (I finished in 29:57, with two walk breaks mixed in). Stay tuned...the recap is coming!

My first race with Voldemort!

Sunday had another epic endeavor on tap...a 6-mile run. I met up with my friend, Barb, at 6:30 and we headed out in the cool & breezy (still dark) morning. I made it to almost four miles before I asked for a quick walk break. I think my body was sore (and a bit fatigued) from the previous day's 5K race, and I could tell my form was a bit off. I'm veering way on the side of caution, but I'm a paranoid recovering runner and do not want to risk over-doing it. Anyways, my 6-miles clocked in at 1:04, which includes the 2-minute (approx.) walking warm-up, the walk break right before the 4-mile mark, and a few minutes walking as I finished. It's hard to keep these "easy" runs at a slower pace because my body just wants to go. Thus far, six miles is the farthest run since Voldemort (my suture scar) entered my life.

So, all in all, this week was pretty well played. My running mileage (Monday-Sunday) is around 17 miles (I'm not keeping track of my walking mileage anymore unless it's a blatant "workout" or recovery kind of endeavor). I have a 5-mile race on the 14th (which I'm not the least bit worried about), and that R'n'R 13.1 in Vegas on November 12th (I'm not too worried about that either since I'm not planning to "race" that event...seriously, why would I want to?).

In case you missed them, here's my posts from last week:
On The Road Again

Did I Forget Something?
Runfessing: Was It Fate?

In other news:
Our three kiddos got to spend the weekend together! It's a bummer the hubby and I weren't with them, but this was a great sibling bonding gig. We flew the younger daughter and son out to Pennsylvania (where the older daughter lives), and they all went to the Kid Cudi concert in Philadelphia. 

My #FridayFashionFlair post (on Instagram) reflected my love of grey, bright accessories, cold shoulders, and all things comfy. Care to join me? Post an outfit, hashtag it (#FridayFashionFlair), and tag me (@runningonthefly). It's fun to see each other in "street clothes" once in awhile, right?

I love the little peek-a-boo detailing across the back

...and, remember that unfortunate fall I took two weeks ago? Well, the bruise is slowly fading....

Anyways, that's a wrap! How was your week? Any epic endeavors or adventures? Any races? How's your weather?

 I'm linking up with  Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!