What Happened to Fall?

I have been mourning the loss of summer, but now fall has vacated the premises as well.

I mean, is this really necessary? We are barely half way through the fall season (according to the calendar). I've lived in the Midwest all of my life, so I am very well-acquainted with the change of seasons and all of their individual nuances. Although it just began to look like fall, it definitely feels like winter already. Let's be honest, a little bit of transition/acclimation would have been appreciated.


Anyways, here's what happened in my little corner of the universe as I dealt with the sudden cold temps:

Monday
Holy Wind, Batman! We had 20 mph winds by the afternoon. The temps felt weird...it's that transitional time of year when it actually feels warmer outside than inside because we hadn't yet turned on the furnace. I worked in the morning, and saved my #nevermissaMonday run for the mid-afternoon. Thankfully, the wind was more warm than cool, but DANG. I ran two miles in what felt like a severe constant headwind (no matter which direction I turned).

Desperately trying to stay vertical in the wind

Tuesday
The early morning temps were chilly and I really didn't feel like running anyways (truth be told, I think I was still feeling a bit achy from those 8 miles on Saturday, coupled with Monday's windy run). I did my ritual 20-minute wake-up-and-face-the-morning power walk and called it good.

What's up with those cold temps???

With no running on the calendar, I decided to do a spontaneous stair workout that evening, and mixed in several intervals of strength moves in between each set of 10 flights. So, yeah. I appropriately named it the Sweat Equity Circuit...full details are HERE. I did two full circuits, and it took me about 40 minutes...and I was a sweaty mess when all finished. Mischief managed.

Back on the stairs

Wednesday
Not much to report. An early 20-minute speed walk around the 'hood, and a couple walks with the dog. Yadda Yadda Yadda.

Yes, that's a puffer vest AND a stocking hat AND gloves

Thursday
I did a #5at5 on my own...I had no trouble getting up or dressed, or even getting out the door (by 5:03). The air was calm and the star-spangled sky was so beautiful. The 45-degree temps even felt nice (though, in hindsight, I was a bit overdressed). But, I couldn't quite figure out why I felt so achy a.l.l.o.v.e.r. It wasn't until I was starting the fourth mile that it dawned on me...could it be the DOMS? Again??? Tuesday night's stair workout was pretty intense, after all. (Duh!). But my back was so stiff and just not right...oh, wait a minute, I also did several (overhead) reps with the hand weights (also on Tuesday night). Seriously???? Why are the DOMS being so naughty (and sneaky) lately?

5 solo miles at 5:00 a.m.....with the DOMS as my uninvited companion

Friday
What the WHAT? Momma N can be such a cruel, menacing piece of work. The weather took a major turn for the cold, and caught all of us by surprise.  Fortunately, Friday was a designated rest/recovery day, so all I had on the roster was a brief 20-minute power walk through the 'hood (as well as some foam rolling and stretching).

Can I see a show of (gloved) hands...who wants their summer back?

Saturday
Can you say DOUBLE DIGITS? Saturday was my first official double digit run since Grandma's Marathon (and the unexpected surgery that happened 12 days after). The temps were cold, but actually not a burden. At a loss as to what to wear (since there had not been any transition to the sub-freezing temps), I wore a tank as a base layer, a fleece-lined top (with arm warmers underneath) and a puffer vest to combat the wind. Also, my leggings were fleece-lined (but regular unlined ones would have been fine). Thankfully, the layers were perfect.

My friend, Barb, drove over and we headed out at 7:30 on a quest for 10 miles. Usually, I spend the first couple miles questioning why I do this running thing...especially on such a cold morning. Amazingly, everything felt great for the entire 10 miles on Saturday (well, my hips were a bit achy in the final couple miles, but nothing crazy). I finished those 10 miles on a major runner's high, feeling like I'd just crossed another 26.2 finish line. All kinds of feel-good endorphins were pulsating through me!

10 miles! My longest rally-back run yet!

Sunday
In keeping with the cold weather theme, Sunday was a team player (ugh). I always do a short shakeout run the day following a long run. After taking Max around the block for his morning business, I headed out for an easy-paced 1-miler in the cold air. Amazingly, everything felt pretty good. Granted, I was only running a mile, and I was not running it fast or hard, but it didn't feel like I was forced into a slow-motion pace (like usual when I have run an especially long distance prior). It's still a bit early, so stay tuned...maybe my post-long-run endorphins will get a wake-up call if the DOMS show up later.

Yes, it was even colder on Sunday morning than it had been on Saturday!

So that's what's been happening in the wake of this sudden "Welcome-to-Winter" adventure. My mileage (Monday-Sunday) ended at 18 (plus some miscellaneous walking miles thrown in the mix), and I'm feeling really good about  how things are going with my return to running. I tentatively have a 10K  on the calendar for next weekend, but that will by my last "long"distance as I prepare for R'n'R Las Vegas the following weekend.

In case you missed them, these are my posts from last week:

Ready to RALLY

Sweat Equity Circuit

Runfessing The Latest

In other news:

Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post on Instagram? I showcased another casual look (that seems to be a trend lately) with my sparkly Jack O'Lantern shirt and black sweater jacket. As I mentioned, the temps got very cold very fast, and I needed some warmth. Do you dress for the holidays? I try to not overdo it, but I think it's fun to have a little bit of fashion fun when there's a holiday lurking. I'd love for you to play along...post a pic of your Friday outfit (or a favorite outfit from the week), hashtag it #FridayFashionFlair, and tag me (@runningonthefly). It's fun to see my fitness-minded peeps in non-fitness clothing!

peek-a-boo, I can see you, Little Sparkly Jack O'lantern...

Our dog, Max. Well, what can I say? He's been with us almost three years but it feels like he's been a family member much longer. He's a small dog with a huge guard dog mentality...and is quick to take a look outside if he hears anything.

playing "guard  dog" at my sister's house

So, enough about me...tell me something fun about your week? Training for a big race? Tapering? New workouts? Warm weather?

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I'm linking up with  Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!