DOMS? yes... Regrets? None!

It was bound to happen.

After all, there were a couple of big races, run on back-to-back weekends. It's a given the DOMS would be entering the scene eventually, at least in some capacity. I'm calling these the VDOMS - Very Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness - because they showed up much later than expected.

That's one of the things I actually love about running....it not only makes you proud, but it also keeps you humble. And I wouldn't want it any other way.


Here's what went down this week:

#nevermissaMonday
With chilly temps in the early morning hours, and a somewhat tired body from the previous day's half marathon, I opted to postpone the shakeout run until after work. The temps were forecast to be much warmer and my body would have a few more hours of recovery time. As I have said before (upon postponing a run until the afternoon), good things come to those who wait. The 66F temps felt great, allowing for another summer-like run in a tank top. The three miles weren't painful, but they were sluggish. The hammies and glutes definitely were feeling strained, but the weather felt amazing. Glass half full.

A brief lapse back to summer running...

Tiresome Tuesday

((y.a.w.n.)) Oh, major fatigue! Tuesdays are pretty much a rest day, and I planned to take full advantage. I rode with the hubby to the gym (on the college campus) and walked outside while he did his workout inside. It gave me a great opportunity to "break in" the new jacket from the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon, which coordinated perfectly with the stocking hat from the 2015 5K (don't you love it when that happens?).

there's even a hint of the impending sunrise because I "rose and shone" later than usual

Wednesday Wind Down

With the temps forecast to be in the low 20F's, the early-morning 5-miler didn't happen. Instead,  I took Max for a walk around the campus (again while the hubby did his thing inside) and did some yoga when we got back home. Nothing grandiose, but it felt good to do some deep stretching. After almost 16 months of not kneeling on my right knee, I can finally do some gentle stuff on it...like the child's pose. I still can't put direct pressure on the center of it, and I can't yet bend it as equally as the left, but I'm happy that it's almost there.

feels.so.good.

Thursday's return to the #5at5!

It had been a few weeks since Barb and I have done our weekly #5at5 (five miles at 5:00 a.m.). Finally, we were able to make it happen on Thursday. As much I miss my summer temps, I do appreciate the cool and crisp air of autumn, especially when there's not any crazy wind to battle. Seriously, we really haven't had any real autumn weather until this week. It's been cold and rainy, feeling more like early winter (minus the snow). Although it felt great to be back out on the road in the early hours, the hammies were putting up a fight for most of those five miles. Ugh. VDOMS, anyone?

opting outside always feels good

Finally Friday

Another rest day was on tap, so Max and I went for another early morning walk around the campus. As I have said numerous times, walking has been such a blessing for me. Even though I can easily do other things, I'm still a faithful walker, especially on the days I don't have any runs on the schedule. I'm also a strong believer in the power of fasted-cardio workouts, and walking is a no-brainer while in recovery mode. I'm an early-riser anyways; I'd rather be outside, in the fresh air, than vegging on the treadmill.

isn't he a cutie?

Saturday...

Even though all my big races are done for now, I still plan on doing some easy runs on the weekends. Barb and I met up and knocked out six miles. We got to run in total daylight, which hasn't happened since the early summer months. The "seasonal" temps have been a bit of a challenge, though, because they are ever-changing. So far, I think I have been successfully opting for the right layers. But, those hammies of mine. Ugh. Still not feeling great, but manageable. Heck, it's only been 14 days since the marathon, and six days since the half marathon.....I'd be foolish to not be expecting some residual after-effects. None the less, those six miles were tough. Thankfully, I had an afternoon of college football on tap, followed by an evening of World Series baseball. 

Even a tough run leaves me smiling, though, because I'm thankful that I can  choose to run. Not everybody is so lucky.

Sunday Slow-Down

Yikes. The VDOMS were definitely clear and present when I climbed out of bed.The hubby and I took Max for a 2-mile walk in the autumn leaves before heading to church. Much like the recovery runs that I love so much, I returned from the walk feeling much better than when we left the house. The fresh air does a body (and mind) good, and the swift walking made my fatigued body feel so much better.

This is my treadmill

All in all, the week went well, but definitely had its challenges. I'm no stranger to the DOMS, but they did take me by surprise with their unusually delayed appearance. I'm just thankful they waited until after last weekend's half marathon. Total mileage was around 14 for running and 15 for walking. I did some yoga (not as much as I should have, though), but there was a lot of foam rolling and stretching. No strength-training and definitely no HIIT'ing this week, but I'm hoping to slowly bring those back in these next few weeks as my recovery progresses. Onward!

In case you missed them, I had three posts last week:
Laying Low
IMT Des Moines Half Marathon 2018

Post-26.2 #runfessions

In other news:
This week's #FridayFashionFlair post (on Instagram) had a lot of traffic. I've been doing these posts for over two years, and they are a fun way to show another part of my life (I am not just a runner, after all) as well as give me a place to reference if I'm needing some inspiration putting together a new/different outfit. This week, I showcased a black and white combo, featuring my favorite white skinny jeans. Yes, it's well past Labor Day and I'm still wearing white. White is a color, right? As long as you're not blatantly wearing it with summer clothing or sandals, I think it's fine to wear it year-round. Anyways, as always, you're invited to join me....post a pic of a favorite outfit, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and drop me a tag (@runningonthefly).

black and white...a favorite color combo

I have already added a race to my 2019 calendar...the Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon (April 20). Although I'm not the head guru in charge of prom stuff anymore, the 2019 half marathon is happening on Saturday morning (instead of Sunday)...and it's going to be a week AFTER prom. Wouldn't you know? I'm also probably gonna head back and do the Grand Blue Mile, the Tuesday evening (April 22) after the half marathon, to defend my 2018 3rd place AG finish

2018's Bull Dog Double...from running both the Half Marathon and the Grand Blue Mile

And, finally, how about a Halloween flashback? After running  my first-ever marathon (Quad Cities Marathon, September 2013), I was all about celebrating that conquest. I even carved it into a Jack o'lantern that year. Have you ever carved a running-inspired Jack o'lantern?

#ArtGeek

So, that's a wrap! 

How was your week? Are you experiencing true autumn weather yet? Any races coming up? Ever had the DOMS show up much later than anticipated? 

I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy 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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