Destination: Downtime

I have been racing, racing, and racing....now what???

After a busy late winter/early spring of (almost) nonstop racing, I'm in the midst of a fog. Kind of a racing hangover, if you will. It's like that period right after a marathon (or a major race/event), when you feel a sense of numbness because there's nothing immediate on the calendar, but you're quite content with how things played out in getting there.

None the less, my mind, body and spirit are ready for a brief session of n.o.t.h.i.n.g. In other words,
Destination: Downtime.

But first things first....

Welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I am so excited to host this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner). If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through Monday (noon). Please share your weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well.

Several of  my recent Weekly Run Downs have had a similar theme...rest and recovery. This week is no exception, but it also encompasses the start of an extended rest/recovery period. Here's the nitty gritty...

Never miss a Monday
After Saturday's tough half marathon, my lower body was still on fire (though the flames had dwindled). I got out for a couple of easy-paced miles, by the dawn's early light, and that was it for the day.

#nevermissaMonday

Not my typical Tuesday
As part of the Bulldog Double (see recaps below), there still was one race remaining....the Grand Blue Mile. This took place at 6:15 p.m., in downtown Des Moines. I arrived on the scene with plenty of time for some dynamic warm-ups and a shakeout mile, and then it was a fast & furious 1-mile sprint to the finish line. The entire mile felt hard...I don't have a naturally-gifted sprinter's body, after all. I did manage my fastest mile ever (7:23, official), besting my previous mile by 30 seconds! A 4th place AG (in a field of 72 "old gals") was satisfactory.

Bulldog Double 2019 complete

A wind-down Wednesday
I was up and out the door for the first official #5at5 (five miles at 05:00) with Barb since before Christmas! My body had felt achy when I'd gone to bed the evening prior, and was a bit cranky upon wake-up, but things felt much better after our run. After getting to work, and sitting at my desk for an hour, though, things took a rather ugly turn. The DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) hit my legs, and they hit them hard.

back in the #5at5 routine with my favorite running buddy

Thursday...on the down-low
Even though I'd been doing a lot of walking (on my non-running mornings, and also after work each day), my hamstrings were so sore (still!). There was plenty of stretching, foam rolling, and some yoga while my running legs were on vacay for a few days.

I love twisting and stretching

Finally Friday
...and, as if we needed one more winter-rewind, Momma N blessed us with barely-above-freezing temps on Friday morning! But, that sunrise....I never regret getting outside first thing in the morning and witnessing the sun come up. Whether I'm running or walking (and back in fleece & gloves), the fresh air is my caffeine.

Simple Saturday
Even though my legs were still feeling less than 100% recovered, my body was craving just a brief run. It had been three days since my last run, so a short 2-miler would suffice. Of course, the cold temps were still at play, as well as intermittent rain and non-stop wind (thanks, Momma N!). The northern part of the state was entertaining snow, so I didn't complain too loudly about my non-spring-like conditions. The rain even lightened up (briefly) while I was running. Everything felt better upon returning home...sometimes a little bit of ((easy)) action works wonders for ornery muscles.

a little bit of rain won't hurt you

...and a simple Sunday, too 
The weather has been so crazy.  Although my region of the state missed the snow, we did have freeze warnings...and Sunday morning greeted us with a light layer of frost and sub-freezing temps. Thankfully, there was plenty of sunshine. My body was still feeling cranky, and the idea of layering up for a short run didn't peak my interest. I did, however, get out for a 2-mile power walk with the hubby and Max, so all was well.

can you see the frost?

Even with the 1-mile race on Tuesday, my week was very low-key (total mileage - 9 for running and 12ish for walking). I don't think the 1-mile race is the cause for my tired body, but a culmination of all the racing in the past two months. My gut is telling me to take things easy for now, and I'm choosing to obey. My next race isn't until June 1st (Dam to DSM 20K), so it will just be a matter of maintaining my fitness in the meantime. I do have a team relay event on May 11th, but I'm planning to utilize my three legs of the relay (total cumulative mileage of 15ish miles) as training, and I have no grandiose goals of "racing" while running on that day.  Easy peasy for the next month for me, and I'm alright with that.

In case you missed out, here's what happened on the blog this past week:
Waiting...it has its Rewards
Drake Road Races Half Marathon recap
Grand Blue Mile 2019 recap

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair...did you see it on Instagram? I'm all about bright and bold color, and I'm trying to get away from relying on black as the go-to color for "pairing with others." How do you feel about brown? It's not as bold as black, and certainly not as vibrant as the red shirt, but it holds its own without competing for attention. Of course, the cheetah-print flats go with almost everything, but really enhance the brown theme as well. As usual, please consider joining the party! Post a fashion pic (it does NOT have to be what your actually wearing on Friday), grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair), and give me a tag (@runningonthefly). Show us what you wear when you're not hitting the gym or sweating it out elsewhere.

Spring is in bloom!
It's looking every bit like Spring in Iowa. Most of the trees are sporting colorful blooms and the bulbs are bursting with all kinds of beauty as well. Now, if we can just get the temps to get back to where they're supposed to be (and actually stay there)...

I'm setting a short goal of doing daily yoga and stretching until my relay. I might throw in a few daily push-ups and burpees as well (you know, just to spice it up a bit). I'll still be doing 3-4 easy (emphasis on EASY) runs each week, but am gonna hold off on speed work during this interlude. My legs need some TLC!

So, there you have it...another Weekly Run Down in the wraps.

How are things in your fitness world? Any big races coming up? Recent races that have left you very satisfied but quite exhausted? Spring-like temps, winter-rewind, or full-on summer...what's your weather feel like?

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