Another Round of Weather Roulette

Well, another round of Weather Roulette went down this week. 

Can I runfess that I'm not a very willing player? Every time I wash the fleece-lined tights, headbands and gloves, I wistfully hope it's for the last time this season...only to have to dig them out ((again)) for "just one more run." 

Thankfully, I do know the end is in sight, and that all these cold (and windy) days will be a fading memory. And, thankfully, I am grateful to have a good supply of fleece-lined gear in my possession for the time being. That said, I'm ready to spring ahead to brighter and warmer days.

Before I tell you about this little game of roulette, 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, this week, in my chilly and windy world of fun and fitness:

Sunday, Sunny Sunday: recovery!

The morning sun was all that, and my 2-mile recovery run was on-point. Let's just say that Saturday's struggle bus endeavor was forgiven. Later, Barb and I took on the 17mph wind, and walked five laps around the lake (total distance: five miles) and I also did 10 miles of (indoor) pedaling afterwards.

 

Never Miss a Monday: Walking and Fartleking!

The temps were chilly (yet again) in the wee hours, but the forecast was calling for things to be warm and sunny by afternoon. I got out for a 2-mile sunrise-kissed walk before work, and saved the run for later. By afternoon, the temps were wonderful (60F's) for my post-workday run. In fact, the weather was feeling so nice, I spontaneously morphed my 3-mile run into some fartlek fun. For having not done any semblance of speedwork (since last summer?), this was a good benchmark test for my legs. I made it back home in less than 30 minutes, and that's with two stops for selfie ops. Afterwards, I took another 2-mile walk (as a cool-down) while chatting with a friend on the phone. Multi-tasking!

Another Tuesday Toner with Tunde: upper-body burn!

As has been my Tuesday routine in recent weeks, Milly and I spent some time with Tunde (Peloton app). I stacked two of her 10-minute classes, and continued power-walking until I reached two miles. Holy! The result? Shoulders: smoldering; Biceps: burning; Legs: totaled. I'd call that a success! I also took advantage of the warmer than expected weather, and went for a short 1-mile walk after work (see below).

Double Workout Wednesday: Just go with it!

With our #5at5 rained out, I opted for 10 miles on the indoor bike. I also pretended the glowing orb (over my shoulder) wasn't the ceiling light, but the hidden sun, LOL. After work, the rain had moved on out much sooner than was forecast, so I did a quick 1-mile (windy) walk. Back home, I crafted a fun interval workout:

*10 stair flights (double-stepped)

*10 push-ups

**repeat both for four circuits

*hit the bike for 8 miles

*10 more stair flights (also double-stepped)

*10 more push-ups

**repeat the stairs and push-ups for four more circuits

Totals: 80 stair flights, 80 push-ups, 8 biking miles, lots of sweat, legs maxed-out

Thankful Thursday: Back in a puffer vest!

With the erratic weather, the forecast kept changing every few hours (regarding rain and storms). Barb and I texted each other at 4:30 in the morning, and decided to just go for it. Spoiler: we stayed dry (the rain had been pushed back a few hours), but it was another chilly morning in Iowa. By mid-morning, though, we were treated to some snow flurries and the wind picked up...to the tune of 20-30mph sustained wind for the remainder of the day and evening!

After work, I stacked a short (but intense) upper-body strength workout with another 10-minute Tunde toner. Holy ouch...this Tunde class was shoulder-focused, with a lot of extended arm holds (in various directions). I'm glad I did that class just standing (and wasn't attempting to power-walk on the 'mill) or it could have been a face-plant disaster, LOL.

Friday fitness: A little bit of everything!

With plans of an evening run, I decided to keep it inside for the morning. Sebbe and I did about six miles of Tabata cycling (Peloton app), then pedaled for another 4ish miles as a cool-down. Have I mentioned how fun Tabata is on the bike? I see a lot more of those workouts in my future!

Friday's weather was (again) cool and breezy. By late afternoon, though, it had calmed down some, so I took Max for a very, very short walk (he's still recovering from his surgery), then did a quick 2-mile walk (on my own) before dinner. Later, I met Barb and Allison for another full moon run. Much to our surprise, Momma N really came through for us...the temps felt perfect (low-50F's), the wind had mellowed, and the clouds parted while we ran and chatted for four miles. Believe it or not, this was my 12th consecutive full moon run. I think we've only had one of these runs with cloud cover, so we've really lucked out with "miling and smiling" under the glow of the moon. Does it get any better? Honestly, I can't see this monthly ritual ending any time soon.

Long Run Saturday: Grit it out!

It's a really good thing we had full sunshine because the cold temps (28F, with a feels-like of 19F) and the 11mph wind (which felt more like 111mph, just saying) were just pure evil. Let me add that my legs were feeling trashed from the previous evening's full moon run (that we may have run at a near-tempo pace, #oops). Alas, I'd considered going for 10 miles, but called it good at the 8-mile mark. I walked about a mile back home, after parting ways with Barb, and then did an easy 6-mile ride on the bike after returning home.

What's on tap for Sunday?

There's rain (and possibly snow) in the forecast, from mid-morning and on, so I may head out for a short recovery run in the wee hours. I'm hosting Easter dinner, so any other fitness fun (like an indoor bike ride, for example) will have to wait until later in the day. No big whoop.

All in all, it was a productive week, even with the crazy "revert-to-winter" weather. I'd love to see the wind calm down some (yeah right!) and the temps warm up a bit...but it is what it is. Thankfully, I'm able to keep active even if I have to dance around the weather now and then.

This week's stats:

Running: 22 miles

Biking: 44 miles

Walking : 16 miles

Stair-climbing: 130 flights (50 of which were part of running warm-ups)

Strength-training - two upper-body sessions, three core workouts, daily planks and push-ups

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

Waiting It Out

#OptOutside Streak: 500 Days!

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. In an attempt to keep warm, I layered a teal button-down under a turquoise cardi. I was pleasantly surprised how well the two similar colors worked together, especially with contrasting khaki pants and punch of color from the cheetah print scarf (and booties).

As mentioned, Tuesday's temps were a welcome surprise! There had been rain in the forecast, but it didn't show until late evening. There also had been tornadic conditions, but nothing materialized in my area of the state. The late afternoon temps were so nice (and sunny!) that I was able to wear sandals for my post-workday walk. No complaints!

So, that's a wrap on another crazy week of Iowa weather. Thankfully, it played out drier than was forecast, even if the temps were still chilly and windy. I'm hoping that all these less-than-ideal conditions will level-out in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed!

How's the weather for you? Still winter? Somewhat spring-like? Any races this weekend, or happening soon? Workouts that need mention or some brag time?

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