Sunday, April 22, 2018

Not My Typical Week


This definitely was not a typical week for me.

Well, it's not like each and every week is a carbon copy of the others, but this past week was a doozy. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it was challenging none the less.

Shall we start with Monday?
We had crazy cold and windy weather (again). With all the excitement of the Boston Marathon, I had to dig out some warm blue and yellow gear for my #nevermissaMonday run. In years past, I'm usually in a tank and shorts, but not this year. Also, I couldn't help myself from having a few fleeting thoughts of the charity running program for the marathon. For me to earn a coveted BQ (Boston Qualifying time), I'd have to knock off a good 35 minutes from my marathon PR (which includes a couple extra minutes of buffer). I honestly don't think I want it that badly to invest all the time, expense, possible heartache, and potential injury to make that happen. I'm not sure I'd be up for the challenge of raising $5K for a non-local charity, either (assuming I'd ever get selected). Ha! Like I said, lots of fleeting thoughts!
The yellow and blue ribbons are still flying high in my yard as a tribute to the 2013 marathon bombings
Tuesday was a rest day. Well, there were 70 push-ups on tap for the challenge (courtesy of Rachel), some power walking in the early morning, and plenty of hip hop practicing in the evening. Fun times.
Max escorted me on my early morning walk
Wednesday's forecast (as of late Tuesday evening) showed rain, wind, and cold temps in the early morning hours, so Barb and I decided to post-pone our usual #5at5. Upon wake-up, though, the skies were (somewhat) clear and the air was dry. I took Max around the block, then decided to walk further....only to have the heavens open up and start raining after I had gotten several blocks from my house. Well played, Momma N. Well played.
Seriously???
Then, Momma N threw another wrench  in our already-compromised spring weather...and dumped some afternoon snow on us as well.
Yes, snow on April 18th!
Thursday was another day with an out-of-the-ordinary agenda. For one thing, the temps were nice in the early morning. I did some sprints on a neighborhood hill (seven uphill sprints & seven recovery downhill jogs) and enjoyed the morning air.

At long last, Friday morning blessed us with near-perfect temps for our (twice postponed) #5at5. Barb had to be out of town on Thursday, so Friday was finally the day to make it happen. Actually, the timing was perfect since we had our half marathon happening two days later anyways. Leaving the house in the dark, and then returning to almost complete daylight is such a great experience.
Is there anything more perfect than coming home to a perfect sunrise?
Friday night had the hubby, myself, and a couple of friends building the stage set for the Promenade of Couples for our school's 2018 Prom. This is my ninth (and final!) year of working my #artgeek magic for this annual event. It involves a lot of time (especially in the final week), and my legs take a beating from the numerous "painting and cardboard-cutting squats" in the final days. It's all worth it, though, and I truly have enjoyed my tenure as Promenade Coordinator.
The stage is set.....
I woke up Saturday morning feeling like I'd already run my half marathon. Apparently, I may have done one too many squats in all of my prom prep. Thankfully, Saturday was an intended rest day anyways, so no harm, no foul. I did a brisk walk and called it good...until the evening festivities began.
All is calm, all is bright...though my hamstrings are on fire

Sunday was merely a continuation of Saturday, since I had been up most of the evening working at the after prom (I was able to crash for about 90 minutes after I got home from prom duties). Then, I headed to Des Moines with Barb (thankfully, she offered to be the designated driver) for the Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon. Oh my gosh.....there will be a more thorough race recap coming in a few days, but let me just say, "I did it!" Not the sub-2:00 in my original plans (before I realized I'd be running this the morning after Prom night), but considering the hilly course, my wonky hip flexor, and my state of little sleep, I'm quite satisfied with my 2:08 finish (which also includes a 2-minute porta-a-potty detour).
Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, shoes
With Spike, the Drake University mascot
All in all, I did a decent job staying active, keeping busy, and logging mileage (23 miles and change, including the half marathon). I probably should have been doing a better job honoring the taper thing, but any exhaustion I felt was (more than likely) attributed to the extra hours spent prom-prepping.

In case you missed them, I only had two blog posts last week (due to all of my prom busy-ness):
Just Run
What I'm Gonna LOVE About Spring

In other news:
My #FridayFashionFlair post was very well-received! There were a lot of things happening (1) pink and orange (which some people would argue the two colors clash with each other), (2) a half-tucked top (that kept trying to untuck itself even more as the day wore on). (3) distressed denim (ever so cozy), (4) a side-buckled belt (to avoid the dreaded front & center buckle bulge), and (5) a colorful scarf to tie everything all together. Whew! Are you a fan of any of these fashion trends? Every Friday I post a featured outfit on Instagram...you're welcome to join the party--> post a pic of your outfit, use the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and give me a tag (@runningonthefly).
go bright or go home
Another non-typical event was Senior Night at Thursday's tennis meet...especially when the daughter is currently out of commission due to a sprained shoulder.
Yes, it was windy
As mentioned, I spent a lot of time working on Prom stuff. Not only did I spend most of Saturday evening engulfed in the festivities, the daughter was there as well.
Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and shoes

And, finally, the Boston Marathon is a huge thing for all of us runners, even those of us who have never toed the start line in Hopkinton. Amid all the festivities and victories (go Desi!), though, let us not forget that tragic day five years ago.
Image may contain: shoes
#BostonStrong
So, that's a wrap! Not my typical week, but a fun, busy, and festive week, none the less.

How was your week?  Any signs of spring? Racing or running highlights? Ever pulled an all-nighter, then ran a race the next morning?

I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy (and their guest host,Teresa) for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us! 


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42 comments:

  1. I could not imagine running a half on such little sleep! It sounds like you still did great despite a tiring week. We have had some signs of spring this week but also some cold days. Hopefully that is the end of the snow for you!

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    1. WE finally have our tulips and daffodils emerging! It does, indeed look and feel like spring (five weeks into the season LOL)

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  2. My oh my were you busy this week! Awesome job on still completing your race today even after a whirlwind weekend! Love the photos from the prom - your daughter looked absolutely beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Kim!! Prom is always SO busy, but also a lot of fun. it's gonna be weird to not be doing all the excessive work next year.

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  3. NIce job getting it all done! Now go take a nap!

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  4. I bet you are going to miss those prom duties after such a long tenure. I know the kids have appreciated your beautiful scenery and hard work. Congrats on that half marathon finish time after such a wild week. Thanks for linking!

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    1. I'm still in major awe at my finish time. Not that it's anything super fast or spectacular, but the fact that my body just kept going and going despite the exhaustion...It's amazing what our bodies are capable of if we take care of them ;-)

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  5. Your daughter looked absolutely gorgeous! Saw all your FB posts and she looks just like you. Nice job pulling off the half after prom night! RE Boston-my mom called me as said, so you should sign up for that race next year! LOl thanks mom

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    1. ha ha...Boston definitely is on my mind...not sure if next year is "the year" ((yet)) for me...stay tuned ;-)

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  6. Oh, wow! What a week. I can't believed you rocked that half on so little sleep! Looking forward to the full recap.

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    1. Thanks, Coco. I'm still a bit in shock myself. Apparently my endurance is pretty solid (even when my body is in a state of fatigue...).

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  7. I actually found my best training run last spring was run on limited sleep. I think adrenaline takes over. Great job on the 2:08!

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    1. I must have had a lot more adrenaline in storage than I thought possible...

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  8. I don't know how you ran a half marathon on so little sleep! You definitely earned the bad-ass-mother-runner title this week ;)

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    1. ha ha ha ha...thanks for the catchy title! ;-) It was a busy week 9(nd weekend).

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  9. I seriously can't even imagine pulling an all nighter and then running a half. You're a beast!AND speedy! Congrats all around.

    We finally got some spring weather this weekend (and I spent most of today indoors). But tomorrow's supposed to be glorious -- which will be a nice change from last Monday. We might even fire up the grill.

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    1. I think spring is officially here to stay...until summer (which I will also welcome with open arms).

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  10. Aww look at your pretty daughter! Love how they coordinate with the set! Sounds like you ran a great half! Can't wait to hear more. Love that hot pink hoodie!

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    1. Well, one perk to being in charge of the stage is I get to choose the color accents ;-)

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  11. Whoa! You did such an amazing job with that arch!! Hope your daughter had a great time.
    It was 70 degrees here yesterday so I think we may just skip right to summer but who knows? Congrats on your race yesterday - that's still a great time!

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    1. I'm ready, willing, and able to skip right into summer ;-) I'm done with cold weather!

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  12. Your daughter and her date look so beautiful! Nice work with the art magic! The setting is pretty beautiful too.

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    1. Thanks! it's always such a huge weight lifted when we tear down the set after the Promenade....even when there's a 13.1 looming a few hours later LOL

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  13. The cold weather is such a downer, ugh! Congratulations on having a very solid half marathon despite being sleep-deprived! I was doing a lot of squatting/crouching on Saturday before my 5k on Sunday, and I'm still feeling the effects today. And your daughter looks fantastic at prom!

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  14. 2:08 half after Prom night, did I read that correctly! Love how involved you are at your kids school each year for Prom!

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    1. Yes, 2:08...actually 2:06 if you subtract out the "porta-potty" minutes LOL

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  15. Can't believe how fast you ran on no sleep.

    You daughter looked so beautiful.

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    1. I still cannot believe I managed that race...crazy how the adrenaline can take over ;-)

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  16. What a wild week! I can't imagine doing a race with so little sleep. Awesome job getting it all in!

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    1. It was an interesting challenge getting everything done...

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  17. Love all the pics in this post! I feel your pain about this April weather, today was the first day I've gotten some sun since last year...

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    1. April has been such a rotten month, weather-wise.I think it's officially spring now...

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  18. Snow???? What????

    You were absolutely busy this week! Way to get it all done!

    I have never seen the side buckled belt as a trend - I hate belts because of that front bulge, but this is clearly the solution. Pink and orange go great together. Don't let anyone tell you differently!

    Those prom pics are amazing! So fun!

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    1. I have been doing the side-buckle thing for years, because I can't stand the "bulge," but I need a belt or my pants/jeans sag something terrible on me

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  19. You really had a busy week! And congrats on running such a great half on so little sleep - I don't know how you did it! This whole snow in April thing is really starting to get old.

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  20. A day with hip-hop practice, power walking and 70 push-ups doesn't really count as a rest day. Just sayin'. Good luck on that hip-hop dance by the way. I'm glad you were able to work your running around the quirks of this year's spring– and didn't encounter anything as bad as the weather for this year's Boston marathon. And I'm sure your daughter will remember and appreciate how involved you were with her prom.

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    1. The hip hop dancing is crazy! Our dance itself is only about 90 minutes long...but doing it over and over 10 times in a row is exhausting!

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  21. My sister and parents live in Illinois, and were telling me about the snow last week. Snow in April is just absolutely crazy! When will Mother Nature give up and admit that its no longer winter?!?!?

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  22. Your daughter's dress was gorgeous! Great job on your race after a night of Prom festivities. :)

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