10

Not sure what's been up with the weather this past week, but Momma N gave us (almost) continuous sunshine! She also sprinkled in some wind (surprise #not), but it was manageable. Overall, I'm giving this week a '10,' in more ways than one.

Monday had us sitting at a very windy TENnis meet for daughter #2. Thankfully, there was sunshine and we claimed a spot near a pine tree, so we were somewhat sheltered....but it was CRAZY. She won her match (doubles), and we sped outta there to get her back to town for dance practice.

Once back in town, I met up with my running bud, Barb. We had done a 5K on Saturday (and then did 6 bonus miles afterwards). I also had done the Fight for Air Climb on Sunday, but needed to get my #nevermissaMonday thing done. We set out to do an easy mile, but wound up doing three instead. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

Matching Mizunos...sort of (I had to swap in the orange laces on mine) (#colorfreak)

Not much to report from Tuesday, but I did some strength work on my arms and shoulders after coming home from another TENnis meet (with another doubles match win for the daughter). I'm a strong advocate for cross-training, and especially enjoy working with hand weights. I don't necessarily want a body-builder's body, but I do want definition! Strength is simply a bonus.

new hash tag #dontcallmeskinny

Wednesday was another day with beautiful weather. The temps felt like we catapulted right into summer! I did a quick 5K after work.....and how did it go? As I said on Instagram - Fairly Fast Feet, Several Sunshiny Smiles, and Tank Top Temps.....all made for a happy Kim!

It felt SO good to be back in a tank top!

We had another TENnis meet on Thursday (with another victory, for the daughter's doubles match and for the entire team!). Eager to capitalize on the awesome weather (again), Barb and I met up after I got home...and knocked out a little over five miles.

Ahhhh, more miles in wonderful summer-like temps

Friday was a much needed rest/recovery day. It also was a carb-loading day in anticipation of my first double digit run of 2016 happening on Saturday.

Saturday arrived with (again) oodles of sunshine and warm temps. Not only do I have an Ultra happening in July (12-hour endurance event), but there's also a half marathon happening on May 1st. I have been slowly building my long run distance (after a much needed off-season), and 10 miles was on tap for Saturday morning.

Barb and I headed out around 8:00. Although there was ample sunshine and comfortable temps (low 60's when we started), we also had some wind out of the south. The wind wasn't a big deal in the first mile (as we were running east), or even during the second and third (as we turned and headed north). But shortly after the 3-mile mark, we turned around to head back into town....and let's just say the wind kind of laughed in our faces (literally).  We had a straight, long stretch of almost four miles going due south, and the wind was intense! It was a warm "breeze," and actually felt refreshing, but it was a beast to battle through on our way to the next turn of our route.

There is a down side to a tail wind (like we'd experienced prior to that dreaded turn-around). Yes, it can give you a substantial boost in mojo, but it may make you run a little faster than what you're aware. Holy reality check, Batman! Those four miles into that head wind were tough even though they were pretty flat! We could see most of the entire stretch of the road ahead of us. The turnoff was barely visible, way off beyond the horizon...and I was feeling pretty beat up for having run the first few miles so fast (my splits for the second and third miles were both under 9:00!).

Although the final miles got a little challenging, those 10 miles actually weren't too difficult.

Ironically, the final three miles actually were my slowest (10:19, 10:17, 10:19). Even with the wind (again) behind us, there were a couple small inclines and the temps had gotten warmer. I had my water bottle along with me (which I emptied) and also a Honey Stinger gel (which I never used).

Even though I hadn't run 10 miles in several months, I wasn't worried about the distance. And, isn't that kind of crazy? I knew it would only be an approximate 90 (give or take) minutes, so I really didn't fuel like I should have. I had some oatmeal for breakfast, and a quick Beet Boost energy drink, but nothing else. I couldn't find my PlowOn gum, but I wasn't in a panic. I realize these long runs are more about distance and less about speed, so I just kind of went with it. Next time, I'll be a little more prepared and take the fueling more seriously. I'm thankful I can run 10 miles (after a lengthy off-season) without much issue, though. Had we waited any later in the morning before heading out, it may have been a different story.

Sunday was very low-key. I went for a long walk in the morning and spent a good part of the afternoon working on decorations for the stage set of our high school's prom. This is my seventh year overseeing the Presentation of Couples, and I'm in charge of creating the "atmosphere" in the auditorium.  I'm an art geek, so this has me totally in my element. Here's a sneak peak of what I started with Sunday.....stay tuned for a glimpse of the finished set next weekend.

My rough sketch, cardboard cut-outs, and a resurrected archway....

In other news:

I think spring is officially here and winter has (finally) vacated the premises. Lots of signs of floral life in my yard:

Tulips!

Lilies of the Valley

Bleeding Hearts

Also this weekend, I spent some more time digging and dividing and transplanting numerous daylilies. Every spring, I swear I'm going to get to them before they get too big, and every spring I never get it done on time. The weather usually keeps me inside (not the temps, but the rain). It's borderline late, but I got a lot of stuff moved around (and my back, quads, and buttocks are feeling the effects from all the "garden squats").

The pic doesn't do it justice, but these lilies were a gigantic cluster, not individual clumps before I started

And, last of all, there's a little race happening in Boston on Monday. There are several peeps whom I'm stalking as they make their way from Hopkinton to the finish line. I'll be at work, so I won't be able to see much of the live coverage, but I'm just as excited as if I were there in person.

I made this chalk art tribute after the Boston Bombings in 2013

Are you watching the Boston Marathon? Spring bulbs in bloom in your yard? Have you ever taken for granted the necessary fueling for a long run...and actually did alright?

As usual, I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs  and Tricia from  MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap. This little linkup is now a major ordeal, head over and checkout all the great blogs and see what's happening!