The Iowa weather just keeps us guessing.
First, we have arctic-like conditions for several weeks, but sans snow (I’m looking at you, January). Then, we’re blessed with a couple weeks of very unseasonably warm temps, while the rest of the country was buried under several inches of snow and ice. Last weekend had us fighting the aftermath of a sudden much-more-snow-than-expected storm.
And, this week? It started out very winter-like, but we gradually made our way back to early spring-like temps.
Yes, never a dull moment!
Before I get into the nitty gritty deets, 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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)
Anyways, here’s what went down in my little world of fitness, fun, and whatnot this week:
Sunday - Back to the Brrr (and the basement)
The early morning outdoor conditions were rather brisk, so it was a no-brainer to keep the fitness inside. I came up with a new stair workout:
*10 flights of single-steps (the warm-up)
***20 flights of double-steps
**10 flights of single-steps, with (2) 8-pound dumbbells
****repeat the 20 flights of doubles and 10 flights of weighted singles two more times****
—> 100 total flights, lots of heavy breathing, burning quads AND biceps.
All of that, and I still made it to church on time. I later got out for a very quick 1/2-mile walk (around the block) during halftime of the MSU-Ohio State game. It was SO cold, that was the one and only venture outdoors.
Never miss a Monday
The morning featured 15 miles on the bike, before heading to the office. I was able to log 2-1/4 miles over my lunch break, but brrr… the skywalk was back to its freezing temps.
After work, I got out for a couple of miles, beating the sunset. The temps were cold, but the wind wasn’t too wicked.
TLC on Tuesday
We greeted the morning on the mat with a foam rolling class (Peloton) and some bonus stretching. There was the usual walking over lunch (two miles). After work, Max took me for a speedy lap around the block, then I headed back out for two miles on my own.
A less wicked Wednesday
After a couple weeks off, three of us reconvened for the 4:45 group run. The temps were cold (28F), but the single-digit wind speed almost felt like nothing. This 3-mile run went off without any hitches until we hit a few un-shoveled patches that had several icy and dicey clumps to troubleshoot. Alas, we all remained vertical and finished (mostly) smiling.
Thankful Thursday
After several missed Thursday mornings, Deb and I were able to reunite in the wee hours for some cardio fun. Both her and I were on our bikes (20 miles for me), and Garmin rewarded both of us the 675K Cycling - Stage-1 badge. Go us!
After parting ways, I hit the weights for some lower-body work (Peloton). Ugh, it’s no secret I much prefer upper-body strength-training, but this workout went better than expected. It featured three sets of the basics (squats, dead lifts and curtsey lunges), with increasing reps and weights. The action didn’t end there, as I also walked the requisite two miles over lunch. After work, Max took me around the block, then I hit the streets for three miles in the running shoes, ending just as the sun was setting.
Finally Friday
The energy level was on the low spectrum, upon wake-up, so I kept things low-key (and low-impact) on the bike (10 miles). The temps had been gradually rising, since Wednesday, and were forecasted to reach a record high in the afternoon (and they did: 64F!). I got my usual lunchtime walk done (two miles), walked more after getting home.
Long(ish) Run Saturday
With the Drake Road Races 13.1 happening on April 18th, there are some miles that need to get knocked-out in preparation. I’d hoped to run a 10K last weekend, but with the sudden snow, ice, and sub-ZERO temps, that didn’t happen. Although the temps weren’t much warmer this week, and the 14mph wind was feeling kinda cold, I laced-up and layered-up and headed outside. All I can say is UGH. This run was a struggle from the get go. My energy was at the minimum, and my enthusiasm for the cold conditions was even lower. I didn’t choose the best route, either, so the inclines posed another challenge. My average pace was much slower than usual, but in all actuality it’s a pace I should be running for my longer runs. I usually just run-by-feel, and this “slower” pace was what I was feeling by default, LOL. Nonetheless, I survived and got those six miles done. After several hours of recovery time, I hit the weights for some bonus upper-body work (since I hadn’t done much strength work this week).
…and what’s on deck for Sunday?
The early morning temps are looking cold (big surprise!), so I’ll probably either be on the bike or the stairway. The afternoon is looking cold and windy as well, but warmer than the morning. It is what it is. Next week’s forecast is looking much warmer, though, so that’ll be nice!
This was a decent week, but also a bit temperamental with the changing weather (in both directions). Also, my sleep schedule was off, affording me several nights with dozing-off in front of the television and difficulty falling back to sleep. I’m am trying to make a better effort to get to bed at an earlier time (before 10:30) rather than the 11:30/midnight routine that I’ve had for most of my life. Yes, a work in progress!
So, this week saw a double-digit mileage count for running (14 miles, thank you very much)! That hasn’t happened much since the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon, back in October. Walking was marginal, with 16 miles recorded. Biking saw 45 miles in the saddle.
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog this week:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. Sometimes a little pop of color (or a vibrant green one) is just what the classic black and while outfit needs. Your thoughts? Would you have gone with color, or opted for a traditional white or black cardi instead?
Lastly, there were a few Garmin badges thrown my way this week…
So, that’s the latest and greatest. Although we’re still in the winter season, the brief warm-up we had, a couple weeks ago, really has me wanting the warm temps to return and stay. I’m grateful we haven’t had much snow to deal with in 2026 (except for last weekend), but I am done with the cold and the psychotic wind. I want my summer back!
How did things play-out for you this week? Do you still have snow? Any races this weekend?
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