Saturday, November 13, 2021

with a little help from My Friends




Friends. Honestly, can we ever have too many?

I think not!

This week had all sorts of action, and the majority of it involved the company of friends while it happened. Lucky me! 

There was also plenty of chilly weather. Oh well, it can't all be sunshine and warmth. Truth be told, we are entering the season of darkness and cold...

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 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 ;-)


Anyways, here's what went down, in my friend-filled week of fitness:

Sunday: Running for chocolate in Chi Town!
As most know, Sunday morning had my WRD co-host, Deborah, and myself checking out the Hot Chocolate 15K in downtown Chicago, and along some of the lakefront. We were blessed with near-perfect weather, 9.3 miles of chatter and laughs, and hot chocolate at the finish line. Doesn't get much sweeter!
 

Never miss a Monday.
A near repeat of the week prior, Amy drove over and we did the same routine...a 1/2-mile warm-up walk, three miles (of running) around the central campus, and walked the 1/2-mile back for a cool-down. What was different would be the warmer temps this week. There may even have been a couple of 1-mile walks at work. Later, after work, it was probably Gustavas' last hurrah for the season...I thought of doing 10 miles, but we called it at 6 when the darkness was just too...dark.  


Another easy-peasy Tuesday Schmooze Day.
Yes, it is possible to rise and ride and smile as you're pedaling (in place). Sebbe and I hung out for 15 miles (of intervals) in the early hours. It's been awhile since I've done that long of an early morning ride, and it really was invigorating!  The warmish weather was still holding strong, so my friends and I were able to walk two 1-milers, on our breaks, while at work.


Triple workout Wednesday.
You know the Wednesday routine... wake up at 4:30 and meet Barb for our weekly #5at5 run (honestly, who needs coffee? LOL). With the bike path rides done for the season, I'm now bringing those rides inside. Sebbe and I pedaled for 10 sweaty miles, Wednesday evening, as I chatted with my best college buddy on our weekly let's-catch-up call. Afterwards, I did some upper-body strength work. Believe it or not, I slept well that night.
 

Recovery day Thursday.
Dropping temps and increasing wind, but most of the previous day's rain had moved on. I got out for a chilly and windblown 2-mile walk before work. One of my co-workers and I devised a route that kept us hidden from most of the wind, so we were able to get in a couple of 1-mile walks during our breaks. Thankfully, we had plenty of sunshine.


Fast & furious Friday.
Friday morning's weather was nothing but cold and yuck (with some of that white stuff on the ground). I'd  planned on walking after work, in hopes that the temps would be slightly warmer and the wind less ferocious (spoiler: neither of those weather conditions happened, LOL, but the walk did). Stuck inside, in the wee hours, I opted for a lower-body burn session instead:

*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*20 weighted squats
*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*15 sets of weighted front lunges
*10 stair flights
*1-minute (weighted) wall-sit

*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*15 sets of weighted reverse lunges
*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*20 sumo weighted sumo squats
*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*1-minute (weighted) wall-sit

**This wound up being a good mix of cardio and resistance work, and my legs felt like jelly when I finished. Also, to make the wall sits most effective, make sure that you're not leaning your arms (or the weights) against the wall (that would be cheating, just saying).


Not-so-long run Saturday
Dilemma: When the temps are the coldest they've been (32F,with a 23F feels-like & 11mph wind) and you're flirting with the DOMS (from the previous day's lower-body overhaul), what's a runner to do?
Solution: Head outside anyways, layer-up, and cut the intended 8-miler down to five. I met up with Barb, and neither of us were embracing the winter-like conditions. Ironically, it didn't feel as bad as I'd imagined, and I even ditched the gloves for the final mile or so. The DOMS? They felt better, but still were laughing at my legs. Oh well. No regrets!


So, in a nutshell, this week was pretty active. I probably should have treated it more as a recovery week (following Sunday's 15K), but I honestly felt great (until the DOMS on Saturday morning). Running knocked out 22 miles, walking logged 16, and biking had 31. Strength training saw both upper & lower-body work this week, the latter mixed in with stair-training. 

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Cold temps had me reaching for my favorite wool sweater. I had to layer some black and gold underneath...you know, because there was a big game on deck for Saturday against Minnesota. Do you sport your team's colors the day before (or the week of) a big game?


Say it isn't so...I awoke to this white stuff on the ground Friday morning. Ugh. I know, I know...it is that time of year. Last year, we'd already had two big snowfalls by this time (in October), so this was to be expected sooner or later. Still, it's a buzzkill when it actually happens...


Saturday (late) afternoon found me at another Iowa football game, this time with the oldest daughter (who actually is an Iowa State grad!). Gotta love a little mother/daughter fun, even on a cold day (for several hours) in a football stadium. The Hawkeyes defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, bringing their season to 8-2. Yes, it was a great day, on so many levels!


So that's another action-packed week all wrapped up. How did your week play out? Any of the "white stuff" in the air or on the ground? Any races? Any fitness endeavors with friends?

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38 comments:

  1. I guess the winter weather is coming! We were teased with spring like weather this week so its going to be tough running today (feels like 28 right now...) Great job getting it all done!

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    1. I think we have a couple days of "warmer" weather coming, but then we'll be returning to our regularly scheduled program of #Brrrr by Wednesday afternoon.

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  2. An active and fun week for you! Yes the white stuff is flying here as well. Love that pic of you and your daughter.

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  3. Snow already?! I had a nice week running with Claire twice and Jenny once, then the cold that Mr LyzzyBee had in the week hit me on Saturday so I missed parkrun yesterday and my run with two friends this morning / coffee with another this afternoon. Wah! But I'm getting over it more quickly than he did and I am sure that's down to getting back to running in the middle.

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    1. I agree that running (and being outdoors, in general) is key. I seldom ever get sick, other than a runny nose on occasion.

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  4. I had snow pelting me on my drive back from Madison last night--in the dark! I'm just not ready for it yet! Heading out for a run this morning and I'll be bundling up.

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    1. We had rain/sleet pelting us on our way home from the game last night, too. Not fun!

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  5. Sounds like a great week! I think it takes time to get used to winter weather — although I don’t think I ever get used to the wind. The 30s sound cold when you’ve been running in the 50s, but it can be perfect with the right gear!

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    1. The wind is always the game changer. The 30's usually aren't bad, but if the wind is blowing and/or the air is damp, it can get uncomfortable.

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  6. Great week Kim! While I love the cooler temps I am so not ready to see the white stuff yet! I love the picture with your daughter :)

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    1. Thank you, Michelle ;-) The white stuff was most unwelcome...glad it disappeared by mid-morning.

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  7. BRR! Okay, I'm at the time of year where I stop complaining about how hot it is, and really appreciate our weather. You northerners who get up in the cold and dark and get out for a run are amazing!
    Your daughter looks like you! Love that picture.

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    1. The cold and dark runs are my game, but not by choice. I've gotten used to them, and they work best for my work schedule. But I'd much rather have a warm and sunny run, any day!

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  8. Thankfully the rain has fallen when it wasn't cold enough to turn to the white stuff, cause you're right, it sure is a buzzkill! But man the rain we did have this weekend.

    Sounds like a great week, Kim.

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    1. We got quite a bit of rain last week (mid-day Wednesday and then overnight Thursday). I'm glad the temps stayed warm enough through most of that!

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  9. Yes as always you had an active week. No snow yet but we may get flurries tonight.

    Ran a 15k today...not a fast one but still had fun being out there.

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    1. Those races are all about the fun, IMO. I'm just thankful to have races returning, and to not be injured ;-)

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  10. Yep, the white stuff is here. But thankfully the weather was clear for this morning's race!

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  11. Another active week, well done!
    Beautiful photo with your daughter.
    Winter weather is not here but we are under a rainstorm since 11:30 a.m.. Thankfully this morning the weather was good for all the time of the race.

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    1. That's great news that the rain held off for the race! Storms are not fun!

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  12. We had a little bit of the white stuff last night as well, but are supposed to get up to mid-50's this week. yay!

    Sounds like a busy week and boo on the Gophers getting beat, ha!

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    1. We have similar weather in the forecast as well...until Wednesday afternoon. The Gophers put up a good fight, but FLoyd stays here, LOL

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  13. What a great week! As always, so active. We had some snow TODAY but are supposed to be warmish again this week. Sorry the Gophers lost :( Love the photo of you and your beautiful daughter!

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    1. The Iowa - Minnesota rivalry is pretty intense! The coveted Floyd of Rosedale (the pig trophy that goes to the winner) has remained in Iowa for the past seven years ;-)

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  14. I felt good after our race too despite the travel. Our temps totally dropped abruptly as well but the leaves are so gorgeous. Have a great week ahead

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    1. Our leaves still look great, but it's been so windy (and so cold this weekend), I'm guessing the leaves will be disappearing soon...

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  15. What a fun week you had with friends and you got some good workouts in in the process!

    No white stuff for us yet, but FB shared a memory that we had some on October 30th a few years ago. That's early for us!

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    1. I knew the white stuff was coming...this is Iowa, after all. I just don't like how it gets so cold so fast here. The acclimation to the cold happens practically overnight.

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  16. Snow! How exciting! I love that!

    Friends make everything so much better.

    We had a hard loss this weekend too. I'm kind of annoyed about it, but eh. What can you do. Love your warm outfit with that team spirit!

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    1. I feel bad for Minnesota, because my Hawkeyes have a 7-game winning streak over them in our rivalry...but not TOO bad, LOL.

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  17. We're getting our first freeze this week! Oddly enough I'm so excited. I guess I should go to the store and buy a window scraper for my windshield. I've been overdressing for my workouts though because I usually end up taking layers off by the second mile. Sunday I went out without a jacket on and I actually got a little cold at the top of the bridge so it's a work in progress.

    So exciting that you and Deborah got to run together! I love that!!

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    1. The layering game is a tough one to master. It varies so much depending on the wind...

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  18. We saw our first snowflakes yesterday! It looked pretty, but by evening it was rain and all gone. But you know me, I was cheering in happiness seeing the white stuff! :)

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    1. Really? You're excited to see the white stuff? ;-) While it does look pretty, I'm not too happy with the cold weather that comes with it (#WhompWhomp)

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  19. Very true - we can never have too many friends and I'm so glad that you're one of mine :) I love that last photo with your daughter - she is stunning!

    No snow here, yet, but it's definitely cold enough for snow.

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