A week of Miles and Smiles

Well, it's been quite a week, from start to finish.

There's been running (duh!). I've done some walking (nothing new there). Speedwork made a reappearance (it's been awhile...). There was quite a bit of action on the bike (what the WHAT?!?).

The week played out nicely, and I'll be smiling about this week for quite some time.

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 noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's 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...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Here's the Run Down on last week's fitness:

Monday - Never (ever) miss a Monday
After the previous week's crazy heat wave, Sunday's temps had dropped (though the humidity still was pretty substantial). Monday morning, though, we awoke to 63F temps and low, if any, humidity. The air felt fresh, but kind of odd for a July morning. I swear, 2019 has been the weirdest year for "seasonal" temps being anything but. Anyways, just a couple of easy miles were all I had on the agenda since I'd done an unexpected 10-miler the day prior.

#nevermissaMonday

Tuesday - Holy Yikes! It was cold!
As if Monday's cold morning air wasn't cold enough, we had even colder temps greeting us on Tuesday morning. Granted, these temps would be near perfect for running, but see that bike in the picture? I had to layer on a wind breaker and gloves for my early morning 10-mile ride with Gustavas. Brrrr.....I most sincerely hope all the heat haters were happy that morning.

I want my summer back

Wednesday - the weekly #5at5
As usual, I met up with Barb for our weekly early morning 5-mile ritual. Even though the temps were still only 60F, they were much more conducive for running than biking. Anyone else noticing the dwindling early morning daylight? It's not until 5:30 or so when daylight is making an appearance (and it's getting later every day), kind of a buzzkill.

back in the light-up arm bands....

Thankfully, things warmed up by mid-morning. What's a gal to do when there's all kinds of energy at the end of the workday, and the temps feel good? Maybe 10 bonus miles on the bike? Guess, what? I slept quite soundly that night.

Thursday - OOPS! Double Workout Morning!
I'm realizing, with needing to allow a couple days of rest/recovery, I'm having to squeeze in some double workout days. Such was the case on Thursday. First thing, some early morning speedwork, via hill sprints on a nearby hill (1/2-mile warm-up run, 12 sets of run-ups/recover-downs, 1/2 mile cool-down..for three total miles), then 20 minutes of upper-body strength work. It's nice starting one workout in the (almost) dark, and finishing the second one in bright daylight. Totally thankful for another beautiful morning, the discipline to get up early, and the strength to get it all done before work.

another #thankfulThursday

Friday - another early morning ride
I'm not a fan of riding in the dark, but with a 5:15 a.m. start, we weren't in the dark for very long, and we were on the bike trail after the first mile. This was the second (weekly) pre-workday bike ride with Michele...and we're both kind of digging this new routine. We got 15 hilly miles done in about 75 minutes.

more time in the saddle

Saturday - Back at the Bix-7
After a 5-year hiatus, I returned to the streets of Davenport, IA for the 45th Bix-7. This is a 7-mile race, and the course is hilly. Very hilly. Being late July, the weather is always hot, and usually quite humid as well. The Bix-7 attracts a huge crowd of racers (there were 7737 who finished) and a nice field of elites, all vying for $50,000 in total prize money. After an annoyingly crowded (and very slow, as a result) first mile on that long Brady Street hill, my body kicked into action and blessed me with a great race and a PR. Stay tuned, I'll have plenty to say about this day on the race recap in a few days...

the 2010 PR is no longer

Sunday - Early morning sunrise shakeout
After my race, the hubby and I had a full day of car time (picking up a friend's son a couple hours away, and then returning back to town late Saturday afternoon). Even with an easy 5-mile bike ride Saturday evening, my legs were needing some movement. I met up with Barb, at 6:15 Sunday morning, and we chatted and ran four easy-paced miles. All better!

All in all, it was a pretty nice week. My running miles came in at 21. Walking was a meager 14 (since I've been doing more biking, as a means of recovery). And, speaking of biking...how does 43 miles, in the saddle, sound? The upper-body (Thursday) went well, and I'm still keeping up with the daily push-ups, squats and planking. As I've said numerous times, I have a lot to be grateful for, and I take no day for granted.

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:
Riding the HEAT WAVE
'Fessing up for July

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair....This week I featured another favorite color, turquoise. Pairing a bright color with a neutral color (like the pewter skirt) actually enhances each pieces' nuances. The turquoise looks brighter, and the pewter doesn't look as drab. Oh, and that chunky beaded necklace is actually a belt, which has never been worn as such. As always, you're invited to join the party...post a pic, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and tag me on Instagram (@runningonthefly).

This lily. We inherited it with the house. We've been in this house 17 years, and every year, this beautiful lily would bloom. Only, it went dormant a few years ago, and I kind of forgot about it. Then, two years, ago, after I returned home from my week-long hospital excursion, the lily bloomed again! This year, three buds appeared...the third one just opened this morning (but this pic was taken a few days ago). I can't help wondering if the universe shifted (or something LOL), and this lily blooms in my honor every year and reminds me to keep on growing and blooming in all my endeavors. How's that for a "deep thoughts" moment?

Finally, this pic popped up in my Facebook memories this morning. WOW. Two years ago, on July 28th, the PIIC line was extracted and my journey onward from that weird emergency surgery ordeal  commenced. It was a tough life-changing thing to go through, but I have ZERO regrets about the experience. Actually, I came back so much stronger, physically and emotionally. I appreciate every day, every run, and every person for what they are in the moment.

So, that's the latest and greatest in my little corner of the universe. How are things in your world? Did your temps do a bit of a nosedive as well? Any exciting things happening with your fitness endeavors? Are you training for any big races?

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