About Me

Sunday, April 2, 2017

A Whirlwind Week


Ever have one of those weeks that felt like a whirlwind of activity? We endured 15+ hours of travel time (each way) as we journeyed across the eastern half of the United States (and back). Care to hear more? Read on....

Sunday
Destination: Pennsylvania! We were up and on the road by 4:00a.m. (it almost felt like a race morning, except there were no race bibs involved). The trek to the daughter's house is an approximate 15-hour drive, so we hoped that an (especially) early departure would ensure a more timely arrival. ((yawn)) Lucky for us, we had almost nonstop rain and fog to navigate through for most of those 15+ hours in the car. Don't be jealous.
My view from the co-pilot seat
Monday
Eager for the opportunity to (finally) run in Pennsylvania, I laced up and headed out around 8:00. This was our third trip to the state, but it was the first time I actually have time to hit the streets and explore the area on foot. My run wasn't grandiose, but it sufficed. Two miles later, I was back "home" and my #nevermissaMonday was done (in a new state!).
Yes, they have cows in Pennsylvania, too!
Later, we had a chance to see the daughter's place of work, and got a brief tour of the plant (with the daughter as our tour guide). I tried to talk her into gifting me a pair of the safety goggles (for nighttime running #bugshield), but she was not feeling generous.


Tuesday
Another day of rain! Ugh. I decided to stay inside and do a short (but effective) strength and conditioning workout. Don't be fooled by the low reps....I felt this the following morning something fierce.

You gotta love the daughter's dog, Lola, supervising my planking, push-ups, and wall sits
Finally, the rain subsided in the late afternoon. Since the hubby is also in-training (Dam to Dam Half Marathon, June 3), he wanted to run a few miles as well...so we headed out after dinner, and made it back before more rain made an appearance. Hanover, near Gettysburg, is rich with history! 
The things you find on your run...like a canon from the Battle of Hanover
Wednesday
We were hoping for a day trip to Washington, DC, and the forecast for Wednesday would be optimal. We headed to Wheaton, MD, and caught the Metro...arriving in DC around 10:00. Thus, our crazy day of exploring the Capitol city (on foot) began.
Eager to see the sights of Washington DC!
We walked, walked, and walked. Then we climbed steps (in the Holocaust Museum and at the Lincoln memorial). We also took a serious power hike through the hilly trail in Arlington National Cemetery, on our quest to make it to the Iwo Jima Memorial before the gate (out of the cemetery) closed.Whew! Finally, at the end of our day, we rode the Metro back to Wheaton....and instead of standing idle on the huge escalator, we climbed all 91 steps back up to the "ground" level. And we all slept quite soundly that evening.

Yes, I did all of this hoofin' it in sandals (Fashion Before Function)
Thursday
We were up, dressed, and had the car loaded by 8:00 for our departure back towards Iowa. Instead of driving the entire 15+ hours straight through, we elected to stay overnight in Dayton, OH. Even though my hips and hammies were mucho angry from the previous day in DC, I decided to head out for a short shakeout run...hoping to loosen things up (mission accomplished). I had never run in Ohio before, so this also was a bonus state to add to my roster of Destination Excursions.
There even was a street named after our dog, Maxton McArthur
Friday
More time in the car...and more rain to drive through. Blah blah blah. At least some of us were able to sleep through it. 
Fun times in the car!
Saturday
Since my mileage was a bit compromised (due to travel), I was especially eager to get a long run done! My alarm went off at 4:15a.m. and Barb arrived at my house shortly after 5:00. We knocked out 10 miles at a very easy pace. It actually felt more like another shakeout run (for me) because my entire body was so tired and still somewhat sore from Wednesday's jaunt around DC in those sandals. The run went well...the body loosened up and we were able to maintain an approximate 10-minute pace. Spoiler: It didn't end there...the hubby and I spent the greater part of the afternoon doing yard work. Holy Exhaustion, Batman!
reunited with my running buddy!
Sunday
Nothing grand to report (there was more rain, though). I did a short shakeout run before church. Two simple miles, but after Saturday's full day of activity, those two miles felt absolutely wonderful! Ever have a shakeout run leave you feeling like dancing? 
Shake it, don't break it....
Total weekly mileage (Monday -Sunday) came in at 18 miles....and most of that happened over the weekend (oops). I'm in the very early stages of "official" training for Grandma's Marathon (Duluth, MN. June 17), so my weekly miles will be slowly increasing (as will my weekly long runs). Stay tuned!

In other news:
After being gone for a week, it was a pleasant surprise to return and see the spring bulbs emerging and blooming!
Aren't the crocus pretty?
My #fashionFriday post was all about spring colors in winter layers. White skinny jeans, bright magenta sweater and a puffer vest (yes, I thought those would remain in storage for a few months). Also some funky, chunky-heeled shoes for a bit of fun.


My husband is an April fool baby, so we met up with some friends (after arriving back in town on Friday evening). He was a good sport when the sombrero landed on his head and the waiters started singing to him.

Feliz Cupleanos!

It took some careful thought and consideration, but I came up with a few goals for April:
These are daily goals, and some days will have more than the "minimums"
And, last of all, when in DC....
This monument ain't gonna move itself...

In case you missed them, here's my blog posts from last week:
Taking Things Easy...


Pass or Fail?


Five Things to Runfess over Coffee


...and one more week until the Fight for Air Climb! It's gonna be fun, and I'm in a new age group this year. Any interest in donating to the cause? If so, my donation page is HERE.


How was your week? Did spring finally arrive (yet)? Have you ever been to Washington DC? DOes traveling in a car make you feel even more exhausted than running a marathon?

As usual, I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap

and Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup
















53 comments:

  1. Wow, you definitely had a whirlwind week! That's awesome that you were able to run in two different states. I was traveling for work this week so my workouts were varied as well. It's hard to fit everything in when you travel, but I think you did an awesome job, especially all that walking in DC!

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    1. I totally loved seeing all the sights (well, we probably just scratched the surface LOL). The memorials and monuments are breath-taking!

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  2. Wow, what a busy week for you! Traveling can be so exhausting. I feel like rainy weather also tires me out. Sounds like you made the most of your trip!

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    1. The traveling is exhausting! Fortunately, we stopped every 2-3 hours to stretch and walk the dog.

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  3. I think sitting in a car is exhausting! I'm still trying to figure out that long car ride from here to Duluth. Do we stop in Madison for the night? Or drive straight through?

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    1. We're gonna drive straight through...arriving sometime mid-late afternoon on Friday. Ugh. It's a long drive!

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  4. Geez you're an energizer bunny and I thought I was active. I feel like a sloth.

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    1. Ha ha ha! Sometimes I feel like I'm slacking because I don't go to an actual gym...but I like the challenge of staying active without relying on a gym atmosphere ;-)

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  5. WOW! You saw a lot of DC in ONE day in sandals! No wonder you were feeling the effects days later. Way to overcome for your long run!

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    1. I was probably feeling some effects of my "Tuesday workout," too.....but all that walking certainly was great cardio.

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  6. Doesn't April Showers bring May Flowers? or in this case.. March showers bring April flowers?? Ugh - rain - sure can put a damper on running. But, it looks like DC gave you a great weather day!

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    1. We totally got lucky with the weather for our day in DC. I had hoped to fit in a long run on Monday or Tuesday (since I'd missed out on the weekend), but it was not that much of a priority to do it in the rain, especially in a strange place.

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  7. I don't know about you, but I think I'm finished with the long road trips for a while (ours was 24 hours broken into 2 days...which turned into 3 on the way home.) It looks like you had a great day in DC. It snowed on our last trip and we sadly saw a lot of it from the car. Your monument picture turned out perfectly too. Awwww... Happy Birthday to your April Fool. Thanks for linking, Kim!

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    1. My next long road trip will be in June, when we head to Duluth for Grandma's. That's "only" like 5-6 hour drive, though LOL

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  8. That was definitely a whirlwind! I'm glad all the soggy weather did not thwart that drive. How fun to see your daughter's workplace and sightseeing in DC is always fun. I used to travel there frequently for business but the last time I was there I ran a little race called the Marine Corps something or other...

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    1. I hope to someday go back and do the Marine Corps thing....

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  9. Wow! You definitely had a whirlwind week! Traveling in a car is definitely exhausting! Even more exhausting after running!

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    1. I agree, the car is not a runner's best friend. I'm tall, too, so it was a constant struggle to get comfortable...

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  10. Sounds like a busy but fun weekend! Good job doing all those stairs in sandals. Love that pic of you two at the monument.

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    1. The monument pic was fun! The daughter thought we were dorks, but she willingly took the picture for us.

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  11. Wow! You had a very busy week!! Seems like it was a lot of fun though - despite all the rain. :)

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    1. It was a lot of fun, even with all the rain. Thankfully, we did get one awesome day of sunshine with perfect temps so our DC trip wasn't a bust.

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  12. Traveling is super tiring. I did my fair share of it last week, with coming back from NOLA and then the trip to my parents.

    PA is such a lovely state -- it's actually one of my favorites! But hilly. So hilly.

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    1. Traveling is exhausting....ugh! Fortunately, we were in a pretty flat area of Pennsylvania, but it's so beautiful!

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  13. Sounds like fun travels for you! Despite all the rain on the way out, of course. I bet your daughter was happy to see you :)

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    1. We had a great time, but that car ride (both ways) was a buzz kill!

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  14. I love your dedication Kimberly! 15 hours of traveling each way is no joke, and can almost put you into a no-running mood but you actually completed this week with some awesome mileage! Love motivation posts/logs like this!
    Have a great week :)
    Since I saw your Insta Post this morning I already know that you started off Monday right in your pink rain jacket!! Way to Go! Very Awesome!

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    1. Awwwww ;-) Thanks, Ilka! I was really hoping for a long run (10ish miles) while in PA, but the weather was not ideal, and I was not that desperate for it to happen LOL

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  15. Dang girl, I'm gonna have to go back to bed after reading about your week! Whew! Sounds like a great trip packed with fun runs and it's always good to see one of your kids "adulting" :)

    Good luck on that stair climb event ...sounds like something I need to look for around my area! Oh yeah, and happy birthday to the hubs!

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    1. The Fight for Air Climb is a national event, so there is probably one somewhere near you! Yes, the whole kids doing the "adult" thing is surreal, but also quite fabulous ;-)

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  16. Wow you have had a busy busy week! I have enjoyed all of your pictures! We don't get to travel much unless it's to the beach or a soccer tournament. I actually lived in Dayton, Ohio when I was a little girl! I remember we all wore snow boots to school! Have a great week Kim!

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    1. It's really difficult traveling much when you have kids....all of their activities keep you plenty busy near home LOL

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  17. 15 hours each way? And here I was whinging about the 8 or so hours to LA. You Americans sure know how to road trip like pros!

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    1. ha ha ha....we don't do 15-hour road trips very often. We made the trek from San Fran to LA last year (we were in CA over New Year's for the Rose Bowl). That's a serious drive! I think it was Highway 1...down the coast line (?)

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  18. What a fun week! I have to make a trip to DC soon.

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    1. DC is quite the adventure! I wish we had more than just one day to see the sights...we barely scratched the surface.

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  19. You certainly did have a whirlwind of a week! I don't think I could handle 15+ hours in the car...we drove across Nebraska last November and that was long, but not quite that long! And that's awesome that you got to go to DC and enjoy the blossoms. We have crocus in bloom too - they're so pretty! Great goals for April, I still need to work on mine!

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    1. Oh gosh...I forgot about your adventure to Nebraska! That's a painful drive because it's pretty remote...and flat....we've driven it to South Dakota LOL

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  20. Wow! What a crazy week! Next time you blow through D.C. give me a holler. I work about 1 mile from Lincoln. ;-) I love all your outfits - so bright and spring-like.

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    1. Believe me....I have a lot of DC gals who are gonna get a holler the next time I make my way to DC! And, I will be certain to have more than just one day to play ;-)

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  21. You certainly fit a ton into one week! You must let me know when you are in DC again

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    1. You are on the "gals in DC" roster! I hope to make it back that way...maybe in 2018 (?)

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  22. Looks like you had a jam-packed week with lots of fun adventures! I haven't been to DC proper in so long. My uncle lives about 20 minutes outside of there and we go to his place around the holidays each year; I definitely should pop over there next time we're in that neck of the woods.

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    1. I have been to DC twice before (once while on a HS band trip, and the hubby & I did a quick 24-hour thing a few years ago). There's SO much to see and do....

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  23. The escalator at the Wheaton Metro is no joke! I'm very impressed that after all of that walking around the city that you still found the energy to walk the escalator at the end of the day!

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    1. It was freaky going "down" the escalator....going back "up" (at the end of the day) was a lot less scary, believe it or not

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  24. Okay... Your Friday photo? Your expression made me giggle. I've made that face, sometimes daily. You need a vacation from your busy week!

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    1. Ha! I need a vacation just from all the drive time! The day long DC excursion was easy compared to all that sitting in a filled-to-capacity vehicle...

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  25. You guys are the cutest! That was one heck of a week for you! I love how much you were able to fit in. The weather looked amazing in DC. It seems you got in before the snow started falling again. That's a perfect city for walking tours, and I'm glad you got take advantage.

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    1. As much as we saw (and did) in DC, there still was so much that we didn't get the change to experience....I guess we'll just have to return and do it again!

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  26. DC is such a great city to visit - and a good workout with all of the steps you got in. :)

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  27. Great job getting those runs in! I thought 6-7 hours with my kids in the carwas rough, haha!

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  28. Wow! You were on the GO!!! I loved following your week on Instagram :-) I'm impressed how you got in running on your travels, way to go!!

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