Let There Be Rest

Let there be rest...

Yes, indeed. Rest was a much-needed commodity this week. Coming off the R'n'R Las Vegas Half Marathon (and the 2-hour time change), numerous (walking) miles, and three consecutive very late nights...well, let's just say I found myself  in a moderate run-down (and dehydrated) state of euphoria. My body was craving rest, and I obliged.


Still in Vegas, Monday started off with a power walk (sort of) through our hosts' neighborhood. Although I contemplated doing a short shakeout run, my body was just not having that. The R'nR race had been a mere 12-hours prior (due to the late afternoon start time), and my body was still in that post-race funk with the angry tummy stuff and fatigued muscles (that had just spent nearly six hours dormant as I slept)...so, this #nevermissaMonday was a walk. And I was quite alright with that. We didn't fly out until 3:00 p.m. and finally arrived back home around 10:30. ((yawn))

Medal Monday....pay no attention to the compression sleeves clashing with the capri's

Tuesday had me out the door for a quick early morning walk through the 'hood, then off to work for a full day playing "catch-up" from having been out on Monday. Not a lot of fitness stuff happening, but I did some stretching and foam rolling and welcomed the DOMS back for a short visit.

Still in compression sleeves...

On Wednesday, I met up with my friend, Barb, for a few early morning miles in the heavy fog. We ran approximately 4.5 miles, and everything felt good...though I could tell my pace was a bit slower than usual. Oh well, that's what happens when you're in a state of recovery from a crazy weekend.

Back on the road...

Thursday brought with it more fatigue (still!), so after my short early morning walk, I did a little bit of stretching. I had never been this tired after a race, but I know the body does not lie...if I'm feeling run-down, I know it's time for some down time.

Sometimes all you need is a little extra sleep and a good, long stretch

The temps were moderate on Friday, but crazy windy. I had taken the morning off from work (so I could pick up our Pennsylvania daughter from the airport), and slept-in a little (gee, there's a definite pattern with that happening again LOL) and ran a couple of easy miles. The bonus? I had complete daylight!

Saturday was (yet) another low-key day in terms of fitness. The morning temps were cold, windy, and rainy. The hubby and I were headed to Iowa City for the Iowa vs. Purdue football game, so I knew there would be plenty of walking on tap anyways....so that was my exercise. I was quite content with that as well. A bonus? Technically there were two bonuses...we hooked up with the son (and brought him home for his fall break) and we got to participate in the Iowa Wave (a monumental thing to experience...at the end of the 1st quarter, the game pauses for a few moments so the crowd, players, and officials can wave to the children at the Stead Family Children's Hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium. I have yet to NOT cry in doing so). My pic from Instagram (below) was even featured on the jumbotron!

With the son (above left) and during the Iowa Wave...look closely and you can see the children waving back 

Sunday was, yet, another cold morning. Apparently, Momma N is a lot more eager for winter than I am. I met up with Barb, and we knocked out about 5.5 miles in the sunshine-filled chilly air. Thankfully, I seem to already have the winter weather layering mastered, so I never felt cold (other than my face). I could tell my body was still feeling a bit sluggish, but all was good. I don't have any big races coming up for awhile, so I have no training agenda to worry about and no "required" miles hanging over my shoulders.

Brrrrrrr....

So that's my week! Total mileage came in at 12! Ha! A very low-key week, but it was needed. The R'n'R race went remarkably well, considering I had less than two months to train for it (following my 3-month running sabbatical, none the less). Under normal circumstances, those 13.1 miles would not have been an issue. Had I not already been registered, I probably would not have attempted that kind of distance so soon...it was a pretty aggressive undertaking. But, I was careful to not run excessive mileage, and I omitted all speed work from this short training cycle because I didn't think my recovering knee could handle the additional stress. Even though my finish time was a good 20-minutes "slower" than I'd prefer, that finish line was a monumental victory for me. It was the Vegas strip, after all. I had no intention of running it fast anyways.

In case you missed them, here's the posts from last week:
That thing called "Fate"
R'n'R Las Vegas Half Marathon Recap
Winter Running Must-Haves

In other news:
Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair on Instagram? I featured my denim jacket...I mean, who doesn't love denim? This little jacket has been with me for awhile (maybe 10 years?), and it's still a staple in my wardrobe. Seriously, this little number is SO versatile...it's the perfect casual chic add-on. It looks dressy and funky with pearls or casual and comfy with a basic black shirt. Do you have a denim jacket? I invite you to play along...post a favorite outfit on Friday, use the hashtag #FridayFashionFlair, and drop me a tag (@runningonthefly). It's fun to see my fitness friends in non-fitness attire!

I love my denim jacket!

As mentioned, the Pennsylvania daughter is home for an extended week, and she brought her little baby, Lola, along with her. Max went along with me to the airport, and it was a crazy ride home with both dogs fighting for her attention.

Max and Lola...no concept of personal space

And, last of all, this weekend is the 1-year anniversary of my Route 66 Marathon experience. It's hard to believe it's been that long already! What an adventure that was...battling not only the hills of Tulsa, OK, but also the wind, and let's not forget that unexpected hip/groin pain for the last 24 miles. Despite my tough race, I still had a fun time. The course was challenging (and I knew it would be), but the crowds were fantastic. And, check out that small trophy-sized medal!

Route 66 Marathon, 2016

And, that's a wrap! How was your week? Are your temps feeling rather winter-like as well? Have you ever needed more time than usual to recover from a race? Do you have any tough races that you look back on with fond memories?

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I'm linking up with my gals, 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!