A Topsy-Turvy Taper

With two races on the weekend's roster, this week was all about the taper.

The thing is, it didn't really feel like a taper. Since I was kind of in a holding & coasting pattern (since the cancellation of my September marathon), I haven't really been in a real training mode. I've done some long runs (10/11-miles) in the past couple of months, but no speed-training. The weekly mileage has averaged near the 20-mile mark. And there have been a few weeks with minimal mileage (and lots of biking) while I worked my way through some weird aches and (mild) pains.

Still, as we all know, a busy race weekend benefits from a not-too-strenuous week prior...

Before I dis on 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 8:00AM (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 ;-)

So, here's what went down this past week in my little world of fitness and fun:

Recovery Day Sunday.

My IMT Des Moines Marathon Taper Week began with a 2-mile walk with the hubby and Max...and that was all that went down. I'd done a 10-mile run the day prior, as well as a lot of football stadium walking, and just wasn't "feeling" the usual recovery run. So, I walked, and called it good. 

Never miss a Monday.

Ugh, waking up to rain is never fun, especially when the temps are cold and the wind is blowing. I saddled up Sebbe (the stationary bike) and we spent 10 miles together before my work day began. Later, either the weather peeps lied or Momma N changed her mind because the forecast 33% chance of late-afternoon rain was actually 85%. Thankfully, it wasn't a down-pour, like the morning's rain had been, so I made the best of the wet situation and ran a couple miles outdoors anyways. 

Not a typical Tuesday.

The morning temps were cold (like, with a "4" in the numeral digits), but the air was pretty calm and the stars were ever so bright. Not a bad setting for a walk, in my opinion, so that served as my morning coffee. 

Stalking the weather showed a really cold (and windy and rainy) Wednesday in the forecast, so Amy and I decided to push up our usual Wednesday bike ride a day early. Hard to believe this was week #19 of these weekly rides!

Weird Wednesday...

As forecast (wow, how did they get it right?), it was raining and pouring upon wake-up. Actually, it really was a good morning to be inside since it was a rest/recovery day. Not much to report...some morning stretching, a 1-mile (windy) walk at lunch and another (even windier) walk mid-afternoon.

Thankful Thursday.

With the erratic weather, Wednesday's ride wasn't the only thing that got switched around...so did the usual #5at5 run with Barb. And, I gotta admit, all the switcheroo'ing played out quite nicely. Thursday morning's 53F temps were a nice surprise from the colder temps that had been forecast. There also was some walking (two miles) and a short 6-mile bike ride after work to keep the legs loosened up.

Freaky Friday.

With two races on the horizon, my legs needed an easy-peasy day. Besides, Friday morning greeted me with rain (heavy rain, and storms), so I was stuck inside upon wake-up (again!). The arms and shoulders, though didn't have it so easy...some upper-body strength work with barefoot balance holds. Later, I was able to get out for a 1-mile walk at work, and another 1-mile walk with Max (after work).

Saturday's busyness...

The day began with a 5:15 wake-up, a 6:15 departure, and then an 8:00 start time for the MercyOne 5-mile Run. The IMT Des Moines Marathon weekend had begun, and this was my first race of the 5-Mile/13.1 Combo. It was a chilly morning (umm, hello, 43F), but the sunshine was plentiful. I was totally on pace for a 5-mile PR...only to have the route end at 4.89 (talk about your #FirstWorldProbs LOL). After the race, I hightailed it back to Grinnell for a quick clean-up and then headed to Iowa City for an afternoon of football (and four miles of tailgating/stadium hiking).

 

On tap for Sunday? 

Sunday morning, I'll be running the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon, for the second part of the Combo. This event always seems to get sandwiched in between other stuff (usually before a marathon weekend, or right after LOL), but it's a can't miss endeavor for me. I expect I'll need a nap upon my return, so heads up...I will (again) be delayed in reading/commenting/replying to the linked blogs. I pinky swear to get to get to all the blogging business before I retire Sunday evening, though.

So yeah, not a typical taper, but this training cycle has been anything but typical for me. I've learned to just go with what's happening, and make the best of it. It doesn't hurt to smile as it all happens as well. So, this week saw very low running mileage (12 miles, but 13.1 will be happening Sunday morning). Walking was decent, with 18 miles, but still on the conservative end. And the biking was very low-key as well (31 miles), so my legs were kept fresh and ready for the big weekend. Also, there was one upper-body workout, occasional ab-rolling, and the daily planking and push-ups. Yadda yadda yadda.

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

Back in the PINK of Things

A Few Tips to Save a Few Dollars 

Falling Back Into Autumn

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! The 6-0 Iowa Hawks had another tough game on tap for Saturday, so you better, you better, you bet I was decked out in the black and gold. I also swiped the hubby's flannel shirt from the closet because it's long enough to keep my bum covered (because #LeggingsAsPants LOL).

Deborah gave me the heads-up that October 11th is National Kimberly Day! I bet you didn't know that Kim (KookyRunner) and I were so special, did you!

Remember my mention of Iowa's 6-0 season? Well, that came to a nasty crashing halt at Saturday's game against Purdue. We won't talk about the score of the game, or the lack of much offense or the MIA defense. But, it was a fun time hanging out with my sister and Barb, and the Iowa Wave never disappoints. Glass Half Full.

Lastly, our dear granddoggy, Lola, became a big sister this week! Zeus joined their family...isn't he a cutie? He's a 4-year old Maltese and Dachshund mix.

So, enough about me! Tell me something fun and/or fabulous from you week...Any workout milestones? Races? Unpredictable weather? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter