Can we talk about 4-letter words? Specifically, those that often times try to wreak havoc on my fitness endeavors?
It’s a given that wind is top contender. Another such wild card is rain. Let’s suffice it say both of these were in tight competition for this week’s top honors. I guess I could also add cold to the mix, but it wasn’t in the deal-breaker range.
Rain had a sight edge this week, though, and not in a good way…
Before I dive into the nitty gritty deets of the week, 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 this week, amidst all the dampness, courtesy of Momam N:
A Celebrational Sunday
With an earlier-than-usual Easter service to get to, I was on a time crunch to get in some fitness before heading to church. I hit the bike for a fast and fun 10-miler, did some stretching, and was out the door well ahead of schedule. After getting back home, I had time to finish food-prepping for dinner, then Max and I got out for a walk in the beautiful sunshine before the parents and sister arrived.
Never miss a Monday
The early hours were feeling cold (ugh, almost winter-like), but I couldn’t resist getting out for a morning walk before heading to work. It won’t be much longer and the sunrise will already be waiting for me upon wake-up (and not just appearing as I head back inside). I also walked over lunch, and Max took me for a quick walk after I got home from the office.
It had a been a long while since I’ve done any focused speed-training (I’m using that term quite loosely, LOL). With the Drake Half Marathon coming up (April 18th), I figured a little bit of speed-work wouldn’t hurt, and might be a little fun, so I threw in some speed bursts over the course of my 3-mile run.
Another low-impact, Typical Tuesday
Nothing grandiose to report. The elliptical saw 4-ish miles in the early hours ( while it rained outside). The skywalk saw a couple miles of lunchtime walking. Max got to lead me around the block after work, and then I headed back out for a couple of miles on my own (under an umbrella). Yadda yadda yadda.
Wild Weather Wednesday
The early-morning forecast was looking somewhat cold and crazy windy, so the 4:45AM run didn’t happen. Instead, I kept it indoors on the bike (15 miles), and knocked-out a couple of Peloton workouts and dusted-off the ab-roller (ouch!).
By the late afternoon, the weather was looking (and feeling) much better. After taking Max for a quick walk, I suited-up in summer gear and hit the streets. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE warm weather running? Those four miles felt great, and there may have been some negative splits as proof.
Thankful Thursday
With more rain in the forecast, I thought the early hours would be my best option for any outdoor action. Thankfully, the temps were chilly, but the wind was mild and the sky was clear. I was able to log four miles of walking, during the weekly virtual meet-up, with Deb.
After we parted ways, I summoned a glutes/legs workout. Spoiler: no DOMS from the glutes workout, but Wednesday’s arm workout came back to bite my triceps that afternoon. And the rain hit, by mid-afternoon, so the evening group run didn’t happen for me (but a few board members were troopers).
Finally Friday
With a long run on the roster for Saturday, I wanted to keep Friday’s fitness simple. I hit the bike (10 miles) then snuck in a quick 1-mile walk before work. There also was the daily 2-mile lunchtime walk, and that’s all she wrote.
Long-Run Saturday (postponed)
Have you ever had one of those runs (no matter the distance) that you just weren’t “feeling?” I’d spent most of Friday stalking Saturday’s weather, and the thought of running 10 miles in the cold wind (and potential rain) just wasn’t appealing. Sunday’s forecast was looking MUCH better (still somewhat windy, but 20+ degrees warmer), so I made the command decision to postpone the 10-miler and run a 3-miler instead. The great art of compromise, right? This 3-miler felt so good, the negative splits pretty much happened on their own. Guess what? It started raining, within a few minutes of returning back home, LOL. Afterwards, I stacked a couple of Peloton workouts to complete the morning.
…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?
As mentioned, there’s a 10-mile run on the roster. The plan is to suit-up after church, mid-late morning. I might do a few miles on the bike upon wake-up (the jury’s still out on that decision). There’s increased wind, but also warmer temps (in the 70F’s), the later I head out in the running shoes. That said, I think a warm breeze is much easier to tolerate than a cold wind.
It was a busy week, but productive as well. I have been upping the strength workouts (more reps, and increased resistance) in recent weeks, and I’m happy with the progress. The running miles were only at 10 this week, but there will be another 10 added on Sunday. Walking saw some serious action with 24 miles this week! Biking was on the low spectrum, with 20 miles.
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog this week:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. I’m always experimenting with mixing and matching different colors. I don’t think I’ve ever paired these two different shades of green together (the tank and the pants). Funny thing, the tank is actually more “green” than it appears when paired with the olive pants and grey sweater…it looks more teal in comparison. Whodda thunk?
This weather continues to keep us guessing. April has been a piece of work, thus far. We’ve had a lot of rain, which we need, but it would be nice if Momma N could cut us a little sack and pace herself with all this precipitation.
Next week is looking damp and dreary as well. UGH.
Finally, for those who celebrated, I hope your Easter was a great day of celebration! Max and I hosted my parents and sister for dinner (in the afternoon), and the son (and his girlfriend) joined us in the evening. Somehow, another orchid found its way into my house, as well as a few other plants that will be re-homed outdoors this summer. No regrets!
So, that’s the latest and greatest. Onward!
How did your week play-out? Have you been getting a lot of April showers as well? Any training highlights that need mention? Upcoming races?
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