So, what’s up?

It's been another week of roller-coaster weather in Iowa.

The pendulum has swung both ways, and we've had both extremes of heat and cold (mostly cold!) as well as dry and wet (mostly wet!). Lovely, huh!

None the less, I kept it outside for the most part. Here's what went down in my fitness world this week...


#nevermissaMonday
I have been doing the never-miss-a-Monday gig for a few years now. For me, it jump starts the new week and it's always something I look forward to after the weekend ends. But, oh was my body (specifically the glute/hammie region) sore! Apparently, I had run Saturday's 5K harder than I realized, and Sunday's hilly 5.5-miler sealed the deal. Monday's recovery run was done in slow-mo...not a bad thing, really, because it allowed me to enjoy the fog and heavy mist at full capacity. Glass half full, right?

gloomy but not "doomy"

Typical Tuesday

As per usual, come Tuesday I was ready for a rest/recovery day. I got out for an early morning #fastedcardio power walk, and that's all she wrote. I try to not be a chronic complainer, but honestly...if we have to deal with the diminishing daylight and cold & damp weather, how about a little less cloudiness in the wee hours? Momma N, what say you?

Where's that clear, star-bedazzled sky?

Welcome-back-to-summer on Wednesday
The weatherman said it was coming, and the temps on Wednesday were absolutely perfect (in my ever humble opinion). It was warm and balmy for my weekly early morning 5-miler, and it felt good to not be in long sleeves or arm warmers or under a fleece headband. By Wednesday afternoon, the temps had climbed to the mid-80's. Total bliss for this heat-loving gal.

A brief return to summer!

Back-to-reality on Thursday

I don't know who requested the sudden 45-degree overnight temperature plummet, but it definitely was NOT me. Holy Brrrrr, Batman! Going from a tank and shorts to full-on fleece in 24-hours was such a cruel game that Momma N wanted to play.

I have no words...

Freaky Friday

Friday had all the makings to be a total mess. The hubby had a spur-of-the moment  idea for us to road trip to Minneapolis for the Iowa vs.Minnesota football game. With my marathon a week out, I wanted to squeeze in a final 10-mile run. Not too keen on running (in the forecasted rain) at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, I decided to try to do it after work on Friday instead. 

Actually. I was kind of excited at the prospect of an after-work 10-mile adventure since I'd never attempted that before. Of course, it was raining in the early morning, so I "opted inside" and started the day with an upper body strength workout.

All day long, the forecasted thunderstorms kept getting pushed back...until 5:15. Since it showed "only" a 35% chance of said storms, Barb and I decided to head out and give it a go (with the plan to quit if it got too crazy or dangerous). I had a few sprinkles when I left the house, and full-on (light) rain when I met up with Barb (about 3/4 mile from my house). There were thunder rumblings, so we decided to do our 2-mile loop, then go our separate ways back home. Let's just say the heavens let loose (and so did the thunder and lightning) for the next 1.5 mile. By the time we got back to our meet-up spot, though, the rain had stopped and the lightning had ceased. We decided to head out on our "Wednesday #5at5 route." This would put us at almost 8 miles (when we finished) and I could maybe run the two remaining miles on the treadmill (back at home). We did get more rain (near the 5-mile point), but it was short-lived (and we were already more than wet by that point). We made it back to the park near my house, did a brief potty stop, and decided to just finish what we'd started. Another 2.5 miles later, and we were done! And I slept quite soundly that night.

Can you tell I'm soaking wet and my braids are dripping?

A long day Saturday
We took Max for a quick walk (in the rain...again), and were on the road by 7:00 a.m., Minneapolis bound. Even though I had stretched and rolled out after the 10-miler, my glutes and hammies were not too eager for 4.5 hours in a car. The rolling stick came along, and I rolled intermittently from the comfort of the passenger's seat while en route to Minneapolis.

More rest and recovery on Sunday
Another cold and damp morning (seriously, Momma N, enough is enough!). The hubby and I took Max for a 2-mile walk before church and called it good. Even in icky weather, I still try to get outside, though...you never know what you'll find (at your feet) while on your journey,

Overall, the week was alright. I have been feeling tired (and that's rare for me), and my glutes/hammies were more ornery than obedient this week. No additional speedwork (last weekend's 5K was plenty LOL) and no HIIT workouts this week, either. I have been getting to bed earlier than usual, and hydrating like crazy. My running mileage this week came in at 17 and walking miles were approximately 14. I had considered doing a short run late Sunday afternoon, but decided a little more rest would serve me better. As I enter this final week of taper, I am going to play everything by ear, fitness-wise, and go with how my body feels. At this point, there really is no more training to do before the Cannonball Marathon on Saturday, and it's in my best interest to err on the side of caution.

In case you missed out, here's my posts from last week:

Moving Forward, Scaling Back
Kickoff to Kinnick 5K Recap

Running, Tapering, Chatting...over Chai

In other news:
My #FridayFashionFlair post had a lot of traffic this week. Other than Wednesday, it's been cold and damp...so I reached for a colorful flannel (and a favorite wool-blend sweater). Comfort clothing, anyone? As always, you're invited to join the Friday fashion party...post a pic of an out (it does NOT have to be your actual Friday outfit; any favorite outfit from the week is fine), grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and give me a tag (@runningonthefly). We're all fitness lovers, but we're not dressed that way 24/7, right?

As mentioned, the hubby and I took a road trip to Minneapolis for the Iowa vs. Minnesota game. Despite the l.o.n.g. drive there (and then back home afterwards), it was a fun time seeing the TCF Bank Stadium for the first time. And, a Hawkeye victory is always sweet.

Lastly, I have new shoes on the way! These babies are due to arrive on Tuesday, and I am soooo excited! I have been wearing the Brooks Adrenaline GTS model for a few years and have had great luck with them. They are the only shoe that (for me, at least)  feel great immediately right out of the box.  With all the achy-ness of my glutes/hammies recently, I can't help but wonder if it's time for new shoes anyways. I have run approximately 500 miles in the time I've had my current "new" shoes (since late April). All of those miles have not been in just that one pair (I rotate older shoes in for shorter runs and use the newer shoes for long runs), and all my aches have been pretty equal on both sides so I don't think it's an injury issue. None the less, it's probably time to rotate a new pair into my arsenal. Aren't they pretty?

So, that's another week all wrapped up! This time next week, I will be on an airplane, headed home from North Carolina, and will (hopefully) have another 26.2 medal in my suitcase.

Enough about me, your turn! How was your week? Cold and icky weather, or is it still summer-like? Ever done a 10-miler at the end of your work day? How often do you get new shoes...after XXX miles or when your body starts to feel "off?" Are you brand loyal, or do you mix & match different brands/models?

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

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