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Sunday, May 26, 2019

Here Comes the Rain...Again


 Yes, there was a lot of rain happening this past week.

Fortunately, we didn't get as much rain as forecast, but we did get plenty. And that rain was happening in rather chilly temps, so it didn't even feel refreshing. How's that for a buzzkill?

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.

We runners are nothing if not adaptable, so I did my best to make do with the less-than-optimal weather. Here's what went down this past week:

Not Another Manic Monday
Oh it was a cold morning! How does 41F (with a 32F feel-like, with the nutzo wind) grab you? I immediately postponed any running until after work (when it would be a good 20-degrees warmer), and I bundled up for a 2-mile power walk instead.  Late in the afternoon, on a whim, I decided to head to the college track (approximately 1/2 mile away). Not a fan of track workouts (hello? numerous circles? #notmygig), I decided to step out of my comfort zone (and hopefully seek a little shelter from the wind) and do some intervals.

I did 8 X 200m (with 200m recovery). My splits did get progressively slower, but I wasn't really gunning for any specific times (54:56 //56:84 // 54:66 // 56:56 // 56:56 // 57:66 // 57:78 // 57:62).  Since I had the entire track to myself, I ran the first four sets all proper (counter-clockwise around the track), and then ran the second set in reverse (clock-wise). What can I say? I like variety. Including my 1/2 mile warm-up run to the track (and the 1/2 mile cool-down run back home), I ended with three total miles. #nevermissaMonday done!
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True Colors 
Tuesday was another cold, damp and windy day in Iowa! Thankfully, I have shoes, warm layers and determination...I refuse to let Momma N keep me inside. Sometimes you gotta create your own sunshine with bright colors, right? And the fresh air does us all good. The day's fitness fun included 1-1/2 mile walk before work, 35 minutes of elliptical time (later) and 20 minutes of relaxing yoga.
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Blowin' in the Wind 
The morning temps on Wednesday were chilly and windy, but not unbearable. It did feel remarkably warmer than Tuesday, though. There was an impending sunrise and full daylight at that early hour so I headed out for 2-1/2 miles of power walking.
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Later, Barb and I met after work for a #5at5PM (five miles at 5:00 p.m. instead of our usual 5:00 a.m. meet-up) The temps were oh-so-much better (but oh-so-humid), and the wind was still a bit strong. This run wasn't as easy as it should have been (probably an acclimation thing to the humidity/heat), but I was thankful to be outside and not smothered in layers. I've said it many times...I'll choose a hot & humid run, any day, over a cold one.
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Here Comes the Sun!
There had been rain in the forecast, but that all changed overnight. Thursday's morning temps were nice, so I took it outside for an early morning upper-body workout. Seriously, this beats a gym or an enclosed workout room. I even was able to use the French door windows as a mirror, to check my form, while Coach Max watched from inside. I also took full advantage of the unexpected dry day and went for a 2-1/2 mile walk after work.
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Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head 
Ugh. It started raining late Thursday night, and continued storming until dawn. The rain was still coming down when I woke up Friday morning (Did I say, "ugh?"). Thankfully, I have plenty of indoor options for fasted cardio, fitness and sweat equity. Ellie (my elliptical) and I hung out for 22 minutes, so all was well.
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And I ran....
We had scattered storms in the forecast ((again!)) for all day Saturday, but things looked pretty clear and dry upon wake-up. Barb and I met up for an anticipated 8-mile run, around 7:15 a.m.. The temps were warm and humid, and it felt like a summer morning (which the both us were quite content with). We've all had those runs where everything just feels great from practically the first step out the door, and this was one of them. We ran a pretty hilly route, and battled some serious head winds out of the west, but when it came time to part ways (near the 8-1/2 mile mark), I didn't feel like quitting. I looped around a few extra blocks before heading home, and ended the day with 10 miles (I later learned that Barb did the same LOL). These "easy" runs do not happen all the time, but they feel euphoric when they make an unexpected appearance. Crazy how those 10 miles felt so much easier than Wednesday's five, even with all the hills, heat and humidity.
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Walking (and running) on sunshine
We received more rain overnight, and Sunday morning dawned with very humid air. The temps were still pleasant (in the mid-60's), and there was bright sunlight filtering through the clouds. Let's just say a lot of multi-tasking played out...a short recovery run, wearing blue (again, as a tribute to our fallen heroes), a lucky penny was found, and my manicure had time to dry and set. Also, a walk with the hubby and Max before church. All kinds of stuff to love! 
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So, despite the icky rain and cold wind (most days), I'm pretty happy with how the week played out. Total running mileage came in at 20. There was a lot of walking (16 miles), a great upper-body workout, some yoga and 77 (cumulative) minutes on the elliptical. I have a 20K happening this next Saturday, so I will probably go light on lower-body stuff this week to give my legs a bit of a "taper."

In case you missed out, here's what happened on the blog last week:

In other news:
#FridayFashionFlair on Insta...
Friday's rain was crazy in the morning, but low and behold, it all ceased by lunchtime. The sun came out and the humidity sky-rocketed. Warm and humid outdoor air translates to cold temps in the office. My solution? The tried and true denim jacket! On a whim, I added the dragonfly brooch a few years ago...and just never removed it. I think the brooch gives the distressed denim a shabby-chic nuance. It's rather ironic how a "casual" jacket can actually "dress up" an outfit.

Finally, it's Memorial Day weekend. A time to honor and pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Do you have any Memorial Day races, runs, or events happening?
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How are things in your world? Anyone else getting all kinds of rain, too?  We had 4.75 inches of rain in our rain gauge this week! Thankfully, our house is on high ground, so flooding isn't a concern...but our yard is like a swamp.

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34 comments:

  1. Yes m actually going to miss those temps in the 30’s and 50’s. Looks like I am coming home to almost 90 this week. Not my favorite!

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    1. I am quite aware that I'm the exception to the warm weather, but I'm ready for heat (and humidity). It's been such a cold and wet spring (after that freezing extended winter). When Barb and I headed out yesterday, and the temps were warm & humid, it felt like bliss LOL

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  2. Oh, I know those short runs that seem to go on forever & those few unicorn long runs! Thankfully you were describing our weather from LAST week -- this week wasn't nearly as bad. We actually had 2 dry days in a row. :)

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    1. This has been the craziest weather! You know I love my hot weather, and I'm ready to move on from this cold/wet stuff ;-)

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  3. So ignoring the rain for a minute...those 30 degree temps are insane for May! This has honestly been the weirdest Spring on record in my opinion.

    Love that you were still able to get in a good amount of running despite the weather.

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    1. Right? Spring 2019 has been a bust! Last year, it seemed like winter would never end, and although it's been warmer this year, it has not been a true spring. UGH.

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  4. Love the bright colored outfits - and I especially love the look of your jean jacket! I just followed you on Insta (because I have no fashion sense . haha!!). I did help out at Memorial day themed 10K this weekend. It was a hot one!

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    1. I do the Friday fashion posts as a means to have a gallery of sorts...I like to mix and match all my stuff (as opposed to constantly buying new), and sometimes I run out of ideas LOL Also, we don't live in workout gear 24/7, so I think it's interesting to see people in their real clothes ;-)

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  5. It's amazing how many of your posts are focused on the weather! It's a good thing you always make the best of it. Enjoy your race tomorrow!

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    1. Ha ha...well, the weather is always a factor (especially in the early morning hours when I do the bulk of my workouts), and it's a factor I cannot change. I'm glad I can make the best of it, too.

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  6. With all this rain, I feel like I am in that Ray Bradbury short story - All Summer in a Day. I hope that it eases up soon. Nice job on the 10 miler this weekend! It's been a while since I've had that "I could go all day" feeling, but I look forward to building my mileage back up where I experience them more often.

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    1. I've been running long enough to know those "I could run all day" runs do not happen all the time, so it's important to enjoy them ;-) Thankfully, our rain was very minimal in comparison to what all the weather folk were predicting...not sure how that happened LOL

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  7. Your track workout sounds very appealing. I think I am going to try it. 8 x 200s is a good amount of intervals for me. I thought about you when I was running this mroning. We have the 3 Hs going on - hazy, hot, and humid. Love it!

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    1. HA...my three H's are hills, heat, and humidity ;-) (and I frequently get all of them at once). I originally thought of doing 400's at the track, but the idea of 200's (half the distance) sounded much more appealing.

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  8. You had crazy weather this week! We had spring and summer temperatures and a few wicked afternoon storms. Right now the sky has been dark for an hour, but no rain here yet. I LOVE your bright pink running tights. So fun!

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    1. ...and most of our forecast rain was a no-show this weekend! It rained briefly yesterday (after my run), then some overnight, but that was it. We were supposed to have scattered storms all weekend (?????)

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  9. We've also had tons of rain lately it seems. It rained all day today! We've also had a few hot Saturdays- it was 80 both weeks!

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    1. For the most part, it has been cool and windy. But all the rain this week was annoying. Then, on the random warm days, it was upper 70's/80's. One extreme or another LOL

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  10. You really did have some crazy weather! It started to feel like spring here but quickly jumped to summer mode - I'm not ready for that yet! LOL!

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    1. I think we're gonna catapult right into summer, too. As I have said, Spring 2019 was a bust LOL

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  11. Just stop raining. I feel like I've mentioned this before, right? :-)

    I know the feeling about how a 10 mile run sometimes has felt so much better than a 3 mile run. So weird.

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    1. I know...it's ironic how a 10-miler (in the heat/humidity and hills) can feel almost effortless, and a simple (mostly flat) 5-miler just felt off the entire distance.

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  12. The weather has FINALLY warmed up but we are still getting off and on rain showers even though there is a ZERO percent chance of rain in the forecast. Weird! But I'll take the warmth and the sunshine when we have it.

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    1. Although it has all of a sudden gotten warm (like, upper 70's warm), I'll gladly take that, too. Summer weather is my favorite, and I gave up on spring a long time ago...

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  13. I am OVER this rain. I feel like we had an extremely mild winter which left us with all the wet. Great job getting your workouts in this week!

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    1. The rain has been a constant, it seems for everyone. And it's overstayed its welcome.

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  14. Yep - rain, rain, rain! Probably half my runs the past couple weeks it's been at least sprinkling part of the way. One day I gave up and went out while it was pouring, because really why not at this point?

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    1. It IS frustrating! I don't love rain, but I can handle it in the summer...but in the spring? when the temps are barely above freezing? NO thanks.

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  15. I'm a day late so I missed the link-up! We had a lovely Saturday/Sunday, but today actual Memorial Day has been pouring all day (including during my 5k race this morning!) I guess its good to have a relaxing indoor day as well :)

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    1. It's crazy how much rain ALL of us have gotten recently...

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  16. I just don't understand your weather! It was approximately 95 here today. Ugh.

    It's also super dry from lack of rain. They have warned against fireworks because there was just a wildfire north of us a few days ago.

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    1. This, easily, has been the craziest spring on record...

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  17. Great job with your workouts and tying in the song titles to the days/weather. :-)

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. Thanks!! I was wondering if anyone would notice the song titles ;-)

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