Sort of on the Down Low

How about a week on the down-low?

Most know I don't like sitting idle, even after a tough (hilly and windy) race. I do know how to "scale-it-back" while my body recovers, though. We all get to do our fitness our way, and recovery is no exception. Thank goodness!

Of course, Momma N did her best to intervene, but she also threw in a few nice surprises...

Before I give you the low-down, 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 little world of fitness:

On Sunday, we raced!

The major player, regarding Sunday's fitness, was the Drake Road Races Half Marathon in Des Moines (recap HERE). While I didn't snag a PR, this race went really well. I ran strong and steady and finished in 2:06:35, which is within the "benchmark range" for my half marathon finish times. On this particular course, with all its hills (and Momma N's non-stop wind), this felt especially victorious. After returning back home, I crashed for an hour or so on the couch (I had been up since before 05:00). Later, Barb and I met up for 3.5-mile walk to stretch out our legs.

On Monday, we (actively) recovered.

It was really cold in Iowa. Ugh. I did 13.1 miles on the indoor bike (along with a Def Leppard ride, via Peloton) upon wake-up. This not only gave my legs some nice "no-impact" movement, but also gave me a healthy jolt of energy for the long day in the office (I'd taken Friday off, so a busy day was on tap). After work, I got out for a very easy-paced 2-mile run in the ridiculous weather. We even had a freeze-warning for the overnight.

On Tuesday, we took it easy.

Thankfully, the freezing conditions weren't as bad as anticipated (all my daffodils survived and my magnolia tree was unscathed). I did a 2-mile power walk while (arm & shoulder) toning with Tunde (peloton app) and took my selfie outdoors (because no one probably wanted to see another treadmill selfie). The weather warmed up nicely, by mid-morning, so my friend and I got in two different 1-mile walks while at work. And that's all she wrote.

On Wednesday, we got busy again.

Another cold and windy morning was forecast, so Barb and I elected to move the #5at5 to after work (when it would be 30-degrees warmer, though even windier). I did a 2-mile "wake-up walk" before heading to the office. My friend and I were able to do two 1-mile walks, again, while at work.  After work, the 5-miler with Barb was slow by default, due to the wind. Our legs were still feeling a bit DOMS-laden (from Sunday's race), so it was an interesting battle staying upright and forging ahead against the 17mph wind. Afterwards, I hopped on the bike...this time for an AC/DC ride (Peloton app) to work out the lingering muscle crankiness (12 miles with an awesome playlist).

On Thursday, we did another double...

There was more rain in the forecast, but it cleared up by mid-morning. The day started with strength work (body weight, Barre, and upper-body). By mid-morning, the rain was MIA, but the wind was clear and present...making for two very windy 1-mile walks at the office. After work, I had more stairway training on deck...six circuits of 10 flights and 10 push-ups (sixty total of each), as well as a core workout and another arms/shoulder toner with Tunde (Peloton). 

On Friday, we took it easy (again).

So, I woke up with the DOMS again...this time in the glutes/high hamstring vicinity (TMI, LOL). I don't know if Thursday morning's Barre was to blame, or Thursday evening's stair workout. None the less, my desire to do a short run was null and void. There was rain (again!) in the forecast, but it was a no-show in the early hours. I opted for a quick 1.5-mile walk and things felt much better. After dinner, I attempted another short walk, but only made it about a quarter-mile when the "delayed" evening showers showed up. BTW, don't all runners don the running-themed apparel for walking (asking for a friend)? 

 

On Saturday, we eased back to the program.

With no "big" distance events happening in the immediate future, there was no need for "big" distance miles. Rain had been in the forecast (yes, again!). Upon wake-up, though, it had gotten pushed back. Barb and I met, just after 7:30, for 5-6 miles. We may have missed the rain, but the wind wasn't as kind. Seriously, this wind can stop any day now (just saying). That said, I still high-5'd Momma N for her efforts with the rain delay. We got six miles done, and I did a repeat on the Peloton Def Leppard ride (yes, the playlist was that good!), and tacked on a few extra miles to end with 15 miles in the saddle.

What's on tap for Sunday?

Believe it or not, the forecast is looking dry (though cold and windy). I'll get out either for a walk or a short run in the morning, and I'm planning on more biking. I'd forgotten about the spring PeloFondo  (a virtual long ride, via Peloton) this weekend, so I might do some "long riding" throughout the day and submit my mileage totals for that. Then again, I may not. Stay tuned.

So, how did this week play out? The running mileage looks high (for this low/medium mileage gal) with 26 total miles in the running shoes (but 13.1 of that is from Sunday's half marathon). Biking was a bit conservative with 40. Walking excelled with 19ish (intentional) miles. Stair-climbing came in at 90 flights (these are intentional stairs, not just random trips upstairs for forgotten things, etc. Also, 30 of those  flights climbed were from pre-run warm-ups). This week's strength work included a little bit of everything: full-body (bodyweight), Barre, three specific upper-body sessions and a couple of core workouts. The daily planking and push-ups are still a thing, as well, and I'm adding daily leg lifts and core for the month of May. The fun just never stops!

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

Peek-a-boo! I See you, SPRING!

Drake Road Races Half Marathon 2022 Recap

'Fessing & Guessing 

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Friday was a moderately cool day, so I needed long sleeves. I've had this denim button-down for several years, and it's one piece that has stood the test of time, probably due to its "fitted" cut. Denim is great for its versatility; it can be dressed up or dressed down depending on what you pair with it. 

I mentioned my daffodils and magnolias in my yard, but I also noticed some tulips are ever-so-close to blooming as well. Speaking of flowers, these beauties showed up at my work desk this week. It's always nice when your co-workers take the time to show their appreciation. 

So, that's the latest and greatest! This week was active, but also all about recovery from last weekend's race. And, it was crazy (again) trying to figure out how to dress for the weather. Thankfully, we didn't get as much rain as expected...I'm hoping that holds true for this coming week as well. I have the Fight for Air Climb on Saturday morning and the Des Moines Women's 10K on Sunday. Knock wood, both days are looking dry and somewhat sunny right now...

How did your week play out? Surely, I'm not the only one shaking my head at Momma N's antics? Any great workouts to mention? Any racing? 

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