Sunday, October 29, 2017

What Happened to Fall?


I have been mourning the loss of summer, but now fall has vacated the premises as well.

I mean, is this really necessary? We are barely half way through the fall season (according to the calendar). I've lived in the Midwest all of my life, so I am very well-acquainted with the change of seasons and all of their individual nuances. Although it just began to look like fall, it definitely feels like winter already. Let's be honest, a little bit of transition/acclimation would have been appreciated.


Anyways, here's what happened in my little corner of the universe as I dealt with the sudden cold temps:

Monday
Holy Wind, Batman! We had 20 mph winds by the afternoon. The temps felt weird...it's that transitional time of year when it actually feels warmer outside than inside because we hadn't yet turned on the furnace. I worked in the morning, and saved my #nevermissaMonday run for the mid-afternoon. Thankfully, the wind was more warm than cool, but DANG. I ran two miles in what felt like a severe constant headwind (no matter which direction I turned).
Desperately trying to stay vertical in the wind
Tuesday
The early morning temps were chilly and I really didn't feel like running anyways (truth be told, I think I was still feeling a bit achy from those 8 miles on Saturday, coupled with Monday's windy run). I did my ritual 20-minute wake-up-and-face-the-morning power walk and called it good.
What's up with those cold temps???
With no running on the calendar, I decided to do a spontaneous stair workout that evening, and mixed in several intervals of strength moves in between each set of 10 flights. So, yeah. I appropriately named it the Sweat Equity Circuit...full details are HERE. I did two full circuits, and it took me about 40 minutes...and I was a sweaty mess when all finished. Mischief managed.
Back on the stairs
Wednesday
Not much to report. An early 20-minute speed walk around the 'hood, and a couple walks with the dog. Yadda Yadda Yadda.
Yes, that's a puffer vest AND a stocking hat AND gloves
Thursday
I did a #5at5 on my own...I had no trouble getting up or dressed, or even getting out the door (by 5:03). The air was calm and the star-spangled sky was so beautiful. The 45-degree temps even felt nice (though, in hindsight, I was a bit overdressed). But, I couldn't quite figure out why I felt so achy a.l.l.o.v.e.r. It wasn't until I was starting the fourth mile that it dawned on me...could it be the DOMS? Again??? Tuesday night's stair workout was pretty intense, after all. (Duh!). But my back was so stiff and just not right...oh, wait a minute, I also did several (overhead) reps with the hand weights (also on Tuesday night). Seriously???? Why are the DOMS being so naughty (and sneaky) lately?
5 solo miles at 5:00 a.m.....with the DOMS as my uninvited companion
Friday
What the WHAT? Momma N can be such a cruel, menacing piece of work. The weather took a major turn for the cold, and caught all of us by surprise.  Fortunately, Friday was a designated rest/recovery day, so all I had on the roster was a brief 20-minute power walk through the 'hood (as well as some foam rolling and stretching).
Can I see a show of (gloved) hands...who wants their summer back?
Saturday
Can you say DOUBLE DIGITS? Saturday was my first official double digit run since Grandma's Marathon (and the unexpected surgery that happened 12 days after). The temps were cold, but actually not a burden. At a loss as to what to wear (since there had not been any transition to the sub-freezing temps), I wore a tank as a base layer, a fleece-lined top (with arm warmers underneath) and a puffer vest to combat the wind. Also, my leggings were fleece-lined (but regular unlined ones would have been fine). Thankfully, the layers were perfect.

My friend, Barb, drove over and we headed out at 7:30 on a quest for 10 miles. Usually, I spend the first couple miles questioning why I do this running thing...especially on such a cold morning. Amazingly, everything felt great for the entire 10 miles on Saturday (well, my hips were a bit achy in the final couple miles, but nothing crazy). I finished those 10 miles on a major runner's high, feeling like I'd just crossed another 26.2 finish line. All kinds of feel-good endorphins were pulsating through me!
10 miles! My longest rally-back run yet!
Sunday
In keeping with the cold weather theme, Sunday was a team player (ugh). I always do a short shakeout run the day following a long run. After taking Max around the block for his morning business, I headed out for an easy-paced 1-miler in the cold air. Amazingly, everything felt pretty good. Granted, I was only running a mile, and I was not running it fast or hard, but it didn't feel like I was forced into a slow-motion pace (like usual when I have run an especially long distance prior). It's still a bit early, so stay tuned...maybe my post-long-run endorphins will get a wake-up call if the DOMS show up later.
Yes, it was even colder on Sunday morning than it had been on Saturday!
So that's what's been happening in the wake of this sudden "Welcome-to-Winter" adventure. My mileage (Monday-Sunday) ended at 18 (plus some miscellaneous walking miles thrown in the mix), and I'm feeling really good about  how things are going with my return to running. I tentatively have a 10K  on the calendar for next weekend, but that will by my last "long"distance as I prepare for R'n'R Las Vegas the following weekend.

In case you missed them, these are my posts from last week:

Ready to RALLY

Sweat Equity Circuit

Runfessing The Latest

In other news:

Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post on Instagram? I showcased another casual look (that seems to be a trend lately) with my sparkly Jack O'Lantern shirt and black sweater jacket. As I mentioned, the temps got very cold very fast, and I needed some warmth. Do you dress for the holidays? I try to not overdo it, but I think it's fun to have a little bit of fashion fun when there's a holiday lurking. I'd love for you to play along...post a pic of your Friday outfit (or a favorite outfit from the week), hashtag it #FridayFashionFlair, and tag me (@runningonthefly). It's fun to see my fitness-minded peeps in non-fitness clothing!
peek-a-boo, I can see you, Little Sparkly Jack O'lantern...
Our dog, Max. Well, what can I say? He's been with us almost three years but it feels like he's been a family member much longer. He's a small dog with a huge guard dog mentality...and is quick to take a look outside if he hears anything.
playing "guard  dog" at my sister's house
So, enough about me...tell me something fun about your week? Training for a big race? Tapering? New workouts? Warm weather?

By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
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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! 






57 comments:

  1. We have cold weather coming this way (I'm in Maryland) and it's hard to adjust. I'm missed Fall and would like a few weeks of it before the cold gets here to stay. We have a small dog too (chihuahua) and he's the best guard dog a person could ask for. It's funny to watch the bigger dogs that get scared by him ;)

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    1. The sudden (almost) extreme cold feels like a slap in the face. I run outside year-round, so I'm no stranger to the cold, but sheesh...a little bit of warning would have been nice LOL

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  2. I'm definitely not ready for winter weather! The coldest its been here is like 39 one morning, but it wasnt a running day for me. Its definitely a confusing time of year for figuring out what to wear.

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    1. The weather is SO hard to dress for right now...a gradual transition would have been appreciated ;-)

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  3. I agree with the you...the cold has come as such a shocker after our warm fall. A little time to acclimate would have been nice...

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    1. This "season" has been a little jacked....it flip/flopped so much with summer that it never really felt like fall until recently...and now it feels like winter...

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  4. So freaking cold. Can I runfess that I haven't been outside since Friday...? Ha!! I'm so lazy. ;)

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    1. Ha! I've been outside every morning, layered up and breathing that (freezing) cool air...((achoo))

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  5. We had a nice few weeks of beautiful fall weather but today feels like winter. Weather is so crazy. Great job with your workouts - that stair circuit sounds killer!

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    1. I'm hoping fall will return (much like summer did)..it's far too early for winter!

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  6. It's cold here (for us) and I'm loving it because I know it will moderate soon. Wind is what I really dislike. Great job on getting back to double digits. Thanks for linking!

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    1. Wind is pure evil, that's all I got to say about that. I've run in single digit temps that actually felt quite nice if there was no wind, and I've run in high 40's that were absolutely miserable with the piercing wind. UGH.

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  7. Every time I read your weekly posts it make me want to like early morning and get out there to run like you commit to do, but I just can't. Especially now that is is much cooler in the mornings this time of year. Good job keeping up with all your runs!

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    1. It took me awhile to learn to like early morning running, but I just know it feels so good to get it done! It really does wake up the mind and body ;-) (and I know the likelihood of wanting to get all dressed to run after a long day of work doesn't always materialize LOL)

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  8. Your pup is so cute!!
    Ugh...I agree. I think we skipped right over fall and in to winter. Your temps have been much colder than they are here. But today you would have thought that I was going out for a winter run based on how I was dressed! Hopefully Mother N gets this all straightened out ASAP! lol

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    1. I seriously think Momma N is on crack, or she has a very inappropriate senseof humor.

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  9. We also have had sudden drops in the temps but not as drastic as yours. Most of our morning runs have been around 50 degrees which I am loving! Not ready for actual winter though. Congrats on the 10 mile run!

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    1. I'd love returning to 50-degree runs! I'm really hoping fall returns for a short reprieve before winter officially arrives...

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  10. Yay on the double digit run! Since I got to Denver last week it was 84F, 30 + snowy, 78, and tomorrow is supposed to be in the 30s again. :-/

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  11. What a great week of training even though the weather was so cold! How unfair though that you've been short-changed in terms of what seems to have been a very short fall! The Sweaty Equity Circuit looks very scary!!

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    1. I'm hoping fall will at least rally back for a brief period before winter officially hits us between the eyes

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  12. So. Cold. It rarely gets that cold here in Charleston (except this morning, which is a freak thing, but I kind of love it), but it has been much more tolerable here in general lately. I hate summer in the south, so I'm stoked for fall and winter.

    Congrats on that first double digit run since your knee issues! I'm sure it felt awesome to be out there again.

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    1. The 10-miler did feel really good! It honestly felt like I'd never had that 3-month sabbatical ;-)

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  13. This seems to happen every year. We go straight from the hot, humid summer straight to a miserable, blustery fall and then the dead of winter. Fall is my favorite season, but not THIS kind of fall! I am running a Ragnar in two weeks, then that will be it for the 2018 race calendar.

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    1. I agree, I like fall but definitely not THIS kind of fall. YUCK.

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  14. I feel like we're not going to get many of those glorious, golden, crisp fall days this year. What a ripoff. The Ozzypup has that big guard dog mentality too. I love it!

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    1. We've had crazy wind all weekend, and it's throwing 39 mph gusts at us today and tomorrow. Why???

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  15. Our day today sounds much like your Monday last week. Crazy winds. Some lingering light rain. I'm going to take it to the treadmill again. I can talk myself into that kind of run when I'm seriously training, otherwise, although I don't love the treadmill, I love that I don't have to be blown away.

    Bandit is the guard dog (as was Chester). Lola, not so much. Maybe it has something to do with she's not the alpha & is pretty submissive.

    He didn't bark at my friend when we went for our hike last week, but she actually didn't come into the house. I already had the dogs in the backyard and the car out in the driveway (I'd warned her there'd be a lot of barking & there wasn't!).

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    1. Oh, our Monday (today) feels much like last Monday, too...only colder. And windier. I might be 'milling with 'Milly later...

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  16. I did a quick 10-minute Pure Barre combo Saturday after my run, for the seat and abs. My glutes were quite sore yesterday, and I felt them for most of the day. It's a good kind of sore, but foam rolling hurt so good.

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    1. I did a lot of foam rolling Saturday afternoon/evening and stretching...and everything feels great. Crazy how a 10-mile run can leave me feeling so much better than the 8-miler a week ago.

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  17. Yeah for double digit runs! Our weather is all over the place! It's so summer like warm here and hard to dress. We went for a walk Sunday morning bundled up with hats and mitts and then in shorts and tshirts by 3pm!

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    1. Well, today we're expecting a high of 40, and the wind has gusts of 39mph. Total yuck.

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  18. Aww... your dog is so cute! And congrats on that double digit run :) It always feels like such a nice milestone.

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    1. The 10-miler felt like a major milestone. I think I'm officially back ;-)

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  19. We got a little dusting of snow Thursday/Friday in Minneapolis..it didn't last, as it was in the 40's during the day, but I was not ready to see all the white coming down, and BEFORE Halloween...boo :( Totally agree though, it seems like fall was very short lived.

    Great job on getting back up to double digits! That must have felt fantastic!

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    1. The double digits do feel so good! And, to have them feel (almost) effort less is a huge bonus ;-)

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  20. There was definitely no grace period in this warm to cold weather transition in the Midwest - I agree! We went from an 80 degree day and a 60 degree day sort of week to our first WINTER STORM last Thursday. My body is still in shock :) Today is 30 and windy, and I'm just not quite "toughened up" for this yet ;) Keep at it though, you're rockin' it Kim!

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    1. It was in the 30's and mucho windy in Iowa today as well. YUCK!

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  21. The sudden jump from "still summer" to "already winter" has been killer!

    If you're struggling with DOMS, you might consider trying BCAAs. I've had a LOT of success with them and almost never experience much by way of delayed soreness anymore. Let me know if you have any questions, I swear by my BCAAs and would love to help you find a solution to your soreness too!

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    1. I don't get the DOMS much, which is why it's odd I'm seeing them right now. It's probably the fact that I have not been foam rolling or stretching as much as I should. Now, this 10-miler? ZERO DOMS (thus far, but I think I'm out of the woods by now). I wore my compression sleeves all day Saturday and Sunday, and did plenty of stretching and foam rolling...apparently, I need to do that more often LOL

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  22. Yeah, you guys really have it tough this time of year. Our winters are more like your Falls ...so no complaining here. Although, I really will complain about any wind we get ...can't tolerate cold wind! :)

    Great week Kim and congrats on getting that 10 miler done!

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    1. Oh, yes, that cold wind is nasty! We had plenty of it today (and more on tap for tomorrow).

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  23. Those definitely count as fall temps here! ...But then so does 70. I'm just ready for the weather to stabilize a little bit.

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  24. Congrats on breaking back into the double digits! I have what is probably a very basic question. How do you get all the photos of yourself with your phone? Surely there isn't always someone around to snap them and I see both hands-- do you stick your camera on something?

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    1. I certainly am not a pro when it comes to camera tricks with the phone, but I am pretty creative LOL I usually can find something to prop my phone against...a street sign, lamp post, even the street curb...and I use the timer. I probably look like a weirdo to the occasional passerby, but Oh Well ;-)

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  25. Brr!! it sounds very cold there!! we just got the 40s this week, and I was not ready.

    Good job on your 10 miler!! I hope the DOMS leave quickly.

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  26. This weather is just nuts. To be honest, I'd rather it still be summer. I'll take hot and humid over cold, dreary, and rainy any day.

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  27. I'm with you - we went from warm and humid here to crazy windy and fast dropping temps. Eyeroll. Sounds like you more or less dressed right all week though, which is the hardest thing to figure out when it first gets cold!

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    1. Typically, we have a bit of a transition to the cold weather...but not this year.

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  28. We are still having unusually warm weather here in Maine still! However, I like cool temps for running!!

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    1. I like the cool temps also...just not the freezing cold ones that come with no warning LOL

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  29. I agree what happened to fall except it's in the opposite direction for us down south! Highs creeping back up in upper 80's! People kept telling me it was not here to stay!

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