Making It Happen

Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow and make things happen your own way.

It was another week with all kinds of weather changes (and subsequent challenges). Summer? Fall? Or wait, was it early fall or late summer? Both?

Not everything went as planned, but it all got done. In the end, that's really what matters, right?

Anyways, let's get this party started!

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 what went down in my little world of fitness this week:

Monday's #nevermissaMonday run
I try to keep my Monday runs pretty easy-paced, though I do add some surges in there for a little bit of a kick. The temps were mild (mid-60's), but the humidity was at 97%. The plan was to run four easy miles (with the usual 1/4-mile surges). The thing is, I had to keep fighting my legs to go easy. Finally, at the 2.5-mile mark, I bailed on the "easy run with surges" because my legs seemed to be craving a tempo run instead. Trust me, that does NOT happen very often on Monday mornings at the pre-dawn hour. And all that humidity? I really didn't notice it until I stopped running, and then I was a saturated mess. I should have brought my shampoo along.

Tuesday's #activerest strategy
The day started out innocently enough, with a 2-mile power walk. After work, though, things turned a bit more active. I met up with a friend for some post-workday riding. We took on a couple of the hills on the bike trail, then she lead me on a route she does frequently. There were several more hills (though none of them were too crazy), but that SE headwind was a beast.

Wednesday's plan of action - #5at5
Another balmy morning with subtle temps but high humidity. Believe me, I am not complaining...I'm totally fine with any hint of summer Momma N will share with me. The extreme humidity always catches me off guard, though, because I don't really feel it until I step back inside my air-conditioned house. None the less, Barb and I knocked out another 5 miles at 05:00, and all was well.

Thursday's speedwork #intheround
We'd had rain in the forecast, but it got pushed back. Good thing, too, because I really wasn't looking forward to firing up the treadmill or succumbing to an indoor HIIT workout. I did two miles of hill sprints around the "small" block across the street. I call it the "small" block because it takes three laps around it to get a mile in distance. There are hills on opposite corners, so essentially each mile will reward you with six hills. Doing the math, two miles netted me 12 total hills (and very tired legs). I also did an easy eight miles on the bike after work.

Friday's surprise #doubleworkoutday
Another innocent start to my day...2-mile power walk through the hilly 'hood, and some upper-body strength work in the morning.

As the day wore on, I grew more anxious for the upcoming weekend. There was a 5K race Saturday morning, and Barb and I were hoping to tack on some extra miles afterwards, to get us to a "long run" distance. The forecast looked dreadful, though, for both Saturday and Sunday. We're talking scattered storms all day, including race time. It wasn't until mid-afternoon that I got the idea to do the long run after work and have it done instead of trying to fit it in between heavy rain over the weekend. I texted Barb and told her my idea, and she said she was game. So, we met up around 5:00 and took on 10 miles in the late afternoon heat and humidity. It definitely was not an ideal scenario, but we made it work (we had plenty of water and Gatorade with us and we took a couple brief walk breaks). Let me assure you, I slept quite soundly Friday night.

Saturday's #goingvirtualrace
 As forecast, there was rain happening Saturday morning. We got to Iowa City with plenty of time to hang out in the car before start time for the Scheels's Kickoff to Kinnick 5K. The rain wasn't especially heavy, but it was unrelenting. We'd heard the start time had been delayed to 9:15 (which was only a 15-minute delay), but it then got pushed back to 9:45 due to a lightning threat in the area. We returned to the car for awhile, and as we were making our way back to the start line, it was announced the race had to be cancelled, but we could get our finisher medals. Well, that just won't do for runners who want to run, right? We grabbed our medals, and arranged to meet up with my hubby...and Barb, myself and countless others hit the course. Ironically, the rain had stopped and the sky was clearing, so we weren't concerned with lightning. We ran most of the course, and then veered off to the meeting place. All done, 3.1 miles run, and we could acknowledge the finisher medals after all. I'm considering a brief recap of the "race that went virtual," since this was something I'd never experienced before. Check back in a couple days...
      

Sunday's #runnerswalktoo realty
I woke up Sunday morning to more rain and a cranky back. Ugh. I usually get out for a short 2-3 mile run before we head off to church. As runners, we run for many reasons...health, fitness, anxiety, fresh air, friendship, etc. This morning, though, I just wasn't feeling the run. I wasn't feeling the treadmill, either (big surprise, right?). Instead, I grabbed the umbrella and did a 2-mile power walk. The rain was light, and actually quite refreshing. I returned feeling rejuvenated and my back was all better. And, I had ZERO guilt in doing so. I may or may not run later...rain is in the forecast for the remainder of the day. I may or may not go biking either (stay tuned). The world will keep turning, and I know the sun is still shining even if I cannot see it.

So, there had to be some juggling and a few last-minute swap-outs. Thankfully, everything played out well. I got in some sufficient miles, earned some serious sweat equity, and am another week closer to the Marine Corps Marathon start line. Total running miles capped out at 24, walking saw 9 (ugh), and biking had 38.5 (15.5 miles actually did happen Sunday afternoon, during a brief sunny interlude). Things are still feeling good...I'm focusing on daily self care (stretching, foam rolling, yoga) and keeping the strength-training at a "maintenance" level for the next few weeks. Onward!

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:
Going with Plan B
The Taper - Yay or Nay?
Fall Fitness Transitioning Tips

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. Extremely hot and muggy weather guarantees extremely cold office work conditions. So, yes, I opted for long sleeves. I also opted for a favorite colorful, funky-patterned top. So what if a few of my guy co-workers tease me that I resemble the Partridge Family bus? Are you a fan of bright colors? Do you know who the Partridge Family was? Play along...post a pic on Instagram, grab the hashtag (#fridayfashionflair) and give me a tag (@runningonthefly).

This pic popped up on my Facebook feed this week, and it totally spoke to me. I'm a glass half  full gal, and it's always nice to seeing others who share my perspective. Honestly, I'd rather wish for the best than dwell on the worst.

Finally, have you heard of Carson King's story? He's an Iowa State University fan who had a sign, asking for donations for beer money (as a joke, I presume) during the recent ISU vs. Iowa football game. Shocked to receive an excess of donations, he elected to donate it to the Stead Family Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa (his college's interstate rival, and MY school LOL). Well, his story went viral, and he's passed the $1  million mark, including several donations from businesses and matched funds from Busch Light. It's awesome when these kinds of stories happen. For more info check out this article (HERE).

So, that's the latest and (somewhat) greatest. Tell me something about YOUR week...successful training? New workout? Lots of rain? Crazy heat?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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