Sunday, January 29, 2017

Perseverance...while inside

Weekly theme? Perseverance.

It was another week (mostly) inside. 

How does that grab you? The good old Iowa weather has kept me inside far more than I'd like this winter. Seriously, Momma N...what's up?  I ranted and runfessed about it recently (post is HERE), and it's really been a buzz kill to my mental well-being.


For example, it was (again) cold. The wind continued to blow with gusto, and the air felt damp (which  makes it feel even more frigid). Also, I came back from my little Chicago extravaganza with a full-blown head cold and Richter scale-worthy cough. So, yeah, I elected to just #optinsideagain to give all the gunk the best chance of vacating the comfy confines of my persona.

Monday, I spent more time with 'Milly. Not only did she assist me with my #nevermissaMonday obligation, but also with my January challenge of #30dailyminutesofcardio. Not ideal, but we got it done.

Here we go again.....
Tuesday, feeling better, but still not at 100%, I fired up 'Milly again and wrote an interval workout involving 1/4 mile "runs" with sets of stair climbs (details HERE). This is not the first time I have done such a routine, but it's been awhile. I have a stair-climb event happening in April, so I will be amping up my stair-training pretty soon in preparation of the 86 flights that will be conquered on climb day.

Stella vs. 'Milly Interval Extravaganza Workout
Wednesday, I was stuck inside (again). The weather wasn't too awful, but I still was hesitant to risk being outside before the final crud of the cold & cough had concluded (I challenge YOU to say that three times quickly!).....so I stayed inside with 'Milly. Honestly, I enjoy the 30 minutes of daily cardio, it's just a drag doing those 30 minutes inside (almost) everyday.


Thursday, the temps were still cold, but my body was feeling much better. I messaged Barb (my usual running buddy) and we agreed to meet up after she got back to town after dinner. Oh my! I felt like a caged bird that had been set free! We ran five miles, and we ran them fast! The wind was a bit crazy, but only for a brief period. I returned feeling thoroughly exhausted, but totally elated. Everything from the quads-down was throbbing, and the three layers (under the puffer vest) were saturated...and I had my first major installment of endorphins in quite awhile. Mission accomplished.

It felt great to strap on the Vizi-Belt again!
Friday was low-key. SO low key, I didn't even selfie-document anything other than the #Fridayfashion post on my Instagram page (and I lived to tell about it).

Because who doesn't love a double-wrapped pink scarf?
Saturday dawned with ample sunshine, but bitterly cold temps (23-degrees a with feels-like of 11...don't be jealous). Having not pinned a race bib since that day in Tulsa (Route 66 Marathon, November 20th), I was eager to get back into the swing of things. There was a small 5K nearby that we've run before, in 2014 (recap HERE) and 2015. The recap is coming in a couple days, but I'll give you a spoiler alert...it went well! I had the optimal layers needed, and ran an average pace of 8:42 as I did battle with a ferocious headwind and a good portion of snow-covered (uneven) terrain on the trail part of the course.

Barb and I...waiting the start line in the warmth of the car...
Sunday, the temps were similar to Saturday, but a little less evil, so Barb and I headed out for an easy 5-miler. Although it's technically still my off-season, I'm eager to build my base back as I ease into spring training (I have a few half marathons on the roster and a full marathon in mid-June).

cold temps...but you're only cold if you're standing still
Although I ended the week with moderate mileage (15-ish miles), I'm satisfied. I don't need anything more than that just yet, and guess what? All the aches and pains of late have subsided! The off-season has been a success!

SO, tell me something about YOUR week? Weather? Mileage? Training? Recovering?

I'm linking up with these awesome ladies:

Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap
Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Foods






48 comments:

  1. I bet it felt great to get outside. I know it does wonders for me!

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    1. Oh gosh. There is NO comparison to indoor running...I'm SO glad I finally took it outside!

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  2. No running for me yet (knee surgery last July), but i started yoga and meditation, so that's new. Hope to start impact exercises at PT to get me running quicker.

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    1. Although I'm not as disciplined at yoga as I'd like to be, yoga is a great cross-training regimen and will certainly help you as you rally back.

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  3. We finally got some decent weather today. But I hear the cold temps are a-coming.

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    1. I can accept the cold temps (ha! it's the norm for Iowa), but those little teaser "warm" days kind of mess with my mind and fool me into thinking Spring came early LOL

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  4. I am so going to jinx myself with this but our winter has been pretty mild so far. We have not had any snow at all yet. Glad to hear that your little aches and pains have gone away I would say your off season is a success!

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    1. Our winter has been mild in terms of precipitation, but we've definitely had the cold and wind. It's just not fair (whaa whaa)

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  5. Glad you're feeling better! It hasn't gotten quite that cold here lately but I will take some of that sunshine you speak of cuz we haven't had any since you left town!

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    1. Well, the sunshine was awesome yesterday, but it's been hit & miss on all other occasions. I want my summer back.....

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  6. I'm glad to hear your cold is getting better. Your weekly log reminded me of my running here in Florida during the Summer. I'm battling the opposite extreme, running in heat, but just as frustrating in terms of outdoor running. During those months I'm running indoors a lot, because otherwise I would not run at all, which is worse to me. I totally know that glorious feeling when you finally get to run outside again!! What a relief!! I love your Winter Running Fashion, the bright fun colors always stand out!! Have a great week Kimberly!

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    1. Thanks ;-) The extreme cold is brutal....at least with the heat, you can pause and walk if it gets too tough. With the cold, you just get colder if you stop LOL

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  7. I endured 45 min on the treadmill today. It was tough! Still no snow for me this winter - you make it look so fun.

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    1. The treadmill is a beast all of its own. I seriously don't know how people manage "long" runs on it....

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  8. Your weather is now ours. Lucky for me, it's a cut back week and only an 8 mile long run this coming weekend.

    Stair climbing + running? You're a beast!

    I do stay on my treadmill sometimes when I don't want to risk getting sick/sicker. I actually think a treadmill run a week is good for me -- but I still don't wanna!

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    1. Well, dear old 'Milly is on my last nerve, so I'm glad I finally got to get outside ;-)

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  9. I vacillate between loving/hating the treadmill. So on the one hand, I would much rather be outside. But on the other, I get to run in shorts and a tank indoors. The cloudy skies are a HUGE buzzkill for me but at least I have a warm house to run in? I dunno. I need summer. Stat.

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    1. I'm pretty much on the hate side of things (regarding the love/hate relationship you referenced) LOL I am getting better at tolerating 'Milly, but her and I need some time apart....

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  10. Hooray for feeling better, and getting outside! <3 that scarf!

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  11. So glad the crud of your cough and cold have mostly concluded! :) ...and WOW! what a speedy 5k! I'm super impressed and with a headwind to boot...you go girl!

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    1. Thanks ;-) It was n't my fastest 5K ever,but certainly the fastest one I've run in recent months

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  12. Great job getting your workouts done indoors and with your running buddy! Congrats on your 5k! 8:42 pace is awesome!!

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  13. Great pacing on your 5K! Congrats. I love outdoor cold runs - they are invigorating.

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    1. I usually enjoy outdoor runs (even in the cold),but it's just been too miserable for even me to tolerate it. Glad things are turning around

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  14. I chuckled when you said you felt like a caged bird set free...you certainly were cooped indoors! Seeing your Milly/Stella workout really makes me wish I had a treadmill at home...I've got plenty of stairs in the house, I need to start training on them!

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    1. I was a caged bird! I d on't like being inside so much, and I seriously think that was a factor in my being sick

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  15. I can't complain about the weather in Austin. I need to take advantage of the outdoor runs before it gets too hot!

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    1. I'm looking forward to being outside more...I keep noticing the daylight hours getting longer ;-)

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  16. Wow, way too cold for me, which is why I moved to florida, our weather has been pretty great!

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    1. I'd love to have your weather! I honestly don't think I'd mind the heat in the summer either

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  17. Kudos to you for continuing to be as active as you've been while battling the last of your cold. I don't blame you for running indoors while still sick.

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    1. I'm glad I was finally able to get outside! I'm not an indoor person...

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  18. Glad you are feeling good! Its definitely nice to get outside especially after being trapped indoors for awhile.

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  19. Your posts and photos are always so colorful!

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  20. Oh, I'm sorry you weren't feeling well, but glad you are on the mend. This week was just RAW and bitter everywhere, I think. Love that cozy pink scarf. It looks so toasty and snuggly.

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    1. January has been really strange...cold and windy...but pretty "dry" in terms of precipitation.

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  21. Your off season has really been the perfect thing! I'm taking a few weeks "off" myself and hope to come back refreshed. I've got plans! I'm curious, does Milly get jealous of Barb? LOL. I'm sorry to hear you've had a nasty cold. I hope you are feeling better. Congrats on the 5k race. That's a great pace! Thanks for linking, Kim!

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    1. The off-season never steers me wrong...although, it does (sometimes) feel a little lax. What 'Milly doesn't know won't hurt her (Shhhh...)

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  22. I remember your stair climb event last year! Good for you on working on training for it.
    Our weather just turned cold (again) so I'm going to need to toughen up and run outside and I really dislike the cold.

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  23. You always give me such good ideas. I really should jump on the "never miss a Monday" bandwagon. Perhaps that will motivate me. I also have been wanting to do the "Fashion Friday" too!

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    1. Yes...do the "never miss a Monday!" And, DO join us for the Friday fashion!!!

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  24. I'm so glad you finally got outside for a run! I mean I know your glad Milly is there for you but nothing can take the place of being outside.
    I almost spit my coffee out when I read "feels like 11, don't be jealous" Bahahaha funny very funny, NOT!

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  25. Sorry you've been sick, but how exciting you were able to get back outside for a couple runs last week. whoo hoo!!

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