Rising & Shining, Running & Smiling

"Lest there be sunshine, to combat all the crazy wind."

I don't remember who penned that quote... maybe it was me?

After the mini polar-freeze-like conditions of recent, this past week put us back on track for some seasonal weather. Thank you, Momma N! Only, I gotta say she was a bit too generous with the wind, and most of the forecast precip missed us. But, oh well. I love all the sunshine, as well as the warmer temps, so I'm not going to complain.  

Before I share all the details, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

 I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down in my little world of fitness this week:

Another never-miss-a-Monday!

It was a toss-up...go for an early-morning run or run after work, in the warmer temps. Hmmm...I decided to head out for a couple of miles, before work...and that sky! I'd  call it a Cotton Candy Tie-Dyed Creation. The colors were crazy-cool. After work, the temps were pleasantly warm, but the wind wickedly evil. My weather app showed 19mph wind, but I think the "1" and the "9" were transposed. Holy Yikes! I took Gustavas out for 10 miles, and it was a major balancing act keeping all things vertical. But being back on the bike never felt so fine! Max took me for a 1-mile walk after returning home.

 

Taking-it-to-the-trail Tuesday.

The morning started off innocently enough, with a 2-mile sunrise walk, and then another 1-miler at lunch. But the warm temps had the bike beckoning for another 10-mile ride, so we headed out on the hilly bike path after work. Again, the wind was a force to be reckoned with (though it wasn't quite as forceful as the day prior). But those hills! It had been a good nine months since I'd ridden that bike path, and I was instantly reminded how tough the hills were. I'm thankful for all the (indoor) winter biking I'd done, or I may have had to dismount and do the biker's walk of  shame.

A moonlit Wednesday run.

I didn't get out early enough to catch the pink moon on Tuesday, but it was shining ever-so-brightly on Wednesday morning. I was able to capture a pic, just after leaving my house, and then again, after Barb and I'd finished our weekly early-morning 5-miler. After work, I got the bright idea to squeeze in a stair workout...on the outdoor stairway, over on the college campus. Fifty flights (900steps), and 17 minutes later, I walked ((slowly)) back home. And I slept like a baby that evening.

Thursday's change in venue...

I'm not sure if it was from Tuesday's hilly ride, or Wednesday's late-afternoon stair workout (probably a bit of both LOL), but my Thursday morning body opted to take a pass on the "scheduled" HIIT/lower-body extravaganza. Instead, we opted for an upper-body workout, outside on the deck. Static holds, raises, rows and curls for the win! Also, a 1-mile walk before work, and another 1-mile walk (this one with Max) over lunch.

Easy-Peasy Friday.

Even after Thursday's "easy day," the glutes and hammies were still feeling a little cranky. I had a long run on tap for Saturday (8-10 miles, on the hilly bike path), so I had ZERO regrets about just doing a short 2-mile shakeout run. I runfess, I also met up with Barb, after work, for a 2-mile walk. Yes, it happens. We walk together on occasion, as well!

Long (hilly & windy) Run Saturday.

I was on my own, and (oddly enough) was craving some hills for breakfast. Momma N, being the generous gal that she is, lavished plenty of wind (21mph), but treated me to a lovely garnish of sunshine. My plan was to run four miles, out on the hilly bike path, then return home. If things were feeling good, I could add a couple of bonus miles once back in town. Suffice it to say, things went well! Even with the psychotic wind, my splits were all within a few seconds of each other (average pace of 9:36 for 10 miles). This is the same bike path I'd ridden Tuesday, and let me say it's much easier running those hills than it is biking them.

Sunny (and windy) Sunday.

I debated on doing a short recovery run, but  chose to go walking instead. Two miles of peace and calm (well, except for the wind LOL); no traffic, just the singing birds and a few occasional squirrels. There's probably more walking on tap for later, as well as a bike ride and some needed core work.

So, all in all, this was a sweet week of sunshine and plenty of action. I took a pass on lower-body strength and HIIT, but the stair workout more than made up for those. Running saw 19 miles, and walking logged 11 (with more on tap for Sunday afternoon). All 20 biking miles were courtesy of Gustavas, outside. Also, one upper-body workout and (only) one core workout (my bad). 

In case you missed out, here's what else went down on the blog this week:

One Last Cold Blast

Spring - Then vs. Now

All is Fair in Fitness and 'Fessions

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! It's that time of year, as the outdoor temps rise, the indoor temps start to feel even chillier than usual. I was overly-optimistic in sporting a sleeveless top, so the "black office cardi" had to be summoned. The turquoise sandals weren't the warmest footwear option either. Oh well, fashion before function. As usual, you're welcome to join the Friday fashion party...post your pic on Instagram, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and tag me (@runningongthefly).

Have I ever mentioned how much I love our community? Last weekend, Cari extended an invite to join her in the virtual 9/11 Memorial & Museum Nationwide Run/Walk. A bunch of us rallied and got it done. 

Finally, I haven't shared a pic of our little guy, Max recently...so here you go. Believe it or not, we're still cleaning up yard waste and tree debris from the derecho of last August. Max got to ride with us to the brush dump. In case there's any doubt, he LOVES his car rides.

 

So, that's my week all wrapped up and tied with a sunshiny bow. How are things in your world? Seasonal temps? Plenty of sunshine, or precipitation? How's your wind? Did you take a run or a walk under the pink moon? 

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