About Me

Sunday, September 22, 2019

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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).

Busch Light can Carson King

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!
Click here to enter

44 comments:

  1. Someday I am going to treat myself to doing my long run on a Friday. Congrats on getting your sweat equity to a whole new level this week!

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    1. Thanks! I'm not sure how much of a treat that Friday 10-miler was, but it sure felt awesome to get it done ;-) We may be heading out of town in a couple weeks for a football game, so I may be having to do my 20-miler on a Friday as well. I'm a little excited and also anxious for that because it will have to happen THAT morning, so the weather needs to be on-point.

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  2. Wow, it's great you got in your long run on Friday, especially after Saturday's 5k was cancelled. And great job still getting it in even with the storms. You definitely deserved the medals!

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    1. The Friday run was totally an after-thought...wish I would have thought of it Thursday night so I could have gotten up early Friday morning and done it then LOL

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  3. Eeek, 10 miles after work? You are a beast! I always go with early rather than later in the day, although I realize getting in 10 before work would be difficult. Although apparently there are runners who do that.

    I was just telling my mom yesterday that it takes as much energy to think negatively as positively, but positively makes you feel a whole lot better. Sort of falls on deaf ears, unfortunately -- literally! Her hearing is rapidly going.

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    1. I wish I would have thought to do the 10-miler before work, because that would have been much more comfortable LOL Instead, I kept checking the weather and it kept looking worse...so I made the command decision to just lace up post-work and do the run then. And, yes to the positive attitude....that's what got me through my recovery ;-)

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  4. It sounds like you had a great week of workouts and I love how you always just go with the flow and make adjustments as necessary when Momma N throws a curve ball your way.

    I did hear about Carson King's story. His donations were just over 230K when I last heard about it. I love what Busch has done as well!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. update!! I just saw this afternoon that Carson King's donations have now surpassed the $1 million mark ;-)

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  5. Many times we have to make adjustments in our training, especially when it is weather related. The humidity has been high here too and I don't like it at all. Great job on running 10 miles after work on Friday. On Fridays I like to come home and stay in bed to rest. :-)

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    1. Our weather was really hot and humid last week...resembling July-like conditions. It was odd...

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  6. Another awesome week of workouts fo you Kim! Sorry that Momma N has not been playing nice this week, but awesome job adjusting and making things happen, especially your long run after work!

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    1. Momma N was not playing nice last week, at all. I"m thankful I was able to get everything done ;-)

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  7. Wow way to run that race anyway! You drove all the way there so might as well right?! Congrats to you all. Nice job on another solid week of workouts

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    1. It was funny seeing so many others running the race course with us! We runners definitely stick together and are like-minded ;-)

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  8. You did a great job of adjusting and getting some great workouts done! Hopefully, Mother Nature will play nice this week ;)

    The Carson King story is just terrific - love that Busch is matching donations!

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    1. The Carson King story is quite the epic story, huh! I just think it's great that he is donating almost all of it back...to his rival school's hospital, none the less ;-)

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  9. Great job adjusting! Always nice to get the long run done early to make way for other fun weekend plans :) Awesome week of workouts for you!

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    1. Thanks!!! As tough as those 10 miles were after a long day of work, it felt awesome to have them done and outta the way for the weekend ;-)

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  10. 10 miles after work, holy moly way to go. I find it difficult to run in the evening after a day in my seat. My week was pretty blah, and I am looking forward to a fresh start on Monday!

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    1. Well, those 10 miles were much tougher at 5PM than they would have been 12 hours earlier LOL, but the weekend's weather just looked too iffy & icky. Glad we got them done ;-)

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  11. Solid week for you and I'm glad you were able to at least race virtually to earn that pretty medal. I'm kind of over our resurgence of heat and humidity. And this incessant rain can stop anytime now...
    Love the beer money story!

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    1. We've had a lot of rain, too...UGH! Not fun weather for long running...

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  12. A 10 miler at 5pm on a Friday would be a tough one for me! Gotta do what you gotta do! Well done. Bummer about the 5K being canceled, but fun that you ran it anyway! Looks like you were decked out for the race too. I bet you have a pretty large wardrobe of running wear!

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    1. This race benefits the Univ of Iowa Dance Marathon, which supports the Children's Hospital (that the beer guy donated all his $$$ to), so it's a big deal at Iowa. I'm an Iowa Hawkeye alumni, so I do have a lot of black and gold gear ;-)

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  13. I love that you opted for your long run after work on Friday. I've done the same thing before in marathon training. I had 8 miles on the plan but knew the weekend was going to be packed and horrible weather so what was another 8 miles for a total of 16? Not much! I then could get in my 8 miles later in the weekend. It worked out great!

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    1. The idea seemed crazy at first...but it just made the best sense to do it and get it done. Even though the temps were hot and humid, at least we didn't have to worry about rain ;-)

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  14. You are amazing. I wish I could do 10 miles during the work week. I can barely squeeze in 3 or 4.

    So far i've been lucky that I've been able to do all my long runs om Satyrday.

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    1. I've been able to get most of my long runs done on Saturdays, too, which is my preference. I hate putting them off to Sunday (or postponing, if the weather is bad).

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  15. I love your Friday fashion flair top, and too funny how your fitness Friday even your weights matched!
    I know why we got summer - I took out the AC the other day. But can you keep it please? :)

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    1. ha ha ha...I'll gladly keep the summer weather in Iowa ;-) Our winters are brutal.

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  16. No update post from me this week. On Monday, we had to say goodbye to our beloved pet cat, and although I ran and officiated this week, no photos and not much joy to share. Good to see your good running week and the determination to do your virtual race and earn your medal.

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  17. Wow, 10 miles on a Friday evening? I dont think Ive ever done a long run at the last minute like that. And thats too bad your race was cancelled but great that you still got to run the course!

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    1. Barb and I did a 10-miler after work (also on a Friday night) almost a year ago when we were training for our NC marathon. We both had crazy weekends on tap, and Friday after work just made sense (though it was not easy LOL).

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  18. You're sitting here wishing Mother Nature rewards you with some summer temps and I'm here gladly appreciating the break in the heat and humidity we've gotten with these gorgeous fall temps! Ha! Kudos for doing a long run at night. I've done that all of one time because I didn't wake up in the morning and it was rough. I'm definitely more a morning long run person.

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    1. I definitely prefer mornings for my runs, too, but with the wet weekend in the forecast, it seemed to be our best option. Thankfully, it worked out well....though both of us were toast upon finishing LOL

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  19. Great job getting that long run in on Friday. I just would have skipped it. My psyche is not made for evening runs. :-) I hope your weather dries up a bit!

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    1. I have learned that I can get my body to do most anything if my mind is on board LOL If I wasn't so close to taper (and still had two more long runs on the plan), I might have bailed as well.

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  20. Sounds like a good week overall! That was a smart idea to get your long run in on Friday. Too bad about the race being cancelled but it sounds like you all made the best of it and got the run in anyway :)

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    1. It was funny seeing how many other runners had the same idea as we did...there were a lot of fellow runners along the course with us ;-)

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  21. That's crazy that the race was just canceled! I love that you went ahead and made it virtual - what a great way to handle a tough situation. I don't think I've ever had a race canceled the morning of - hurricanes have led to cancellations in advance (less for weather and more for utilization of law enforcement that might otherwise be reallocated), but we generally have some notice for that.

    It was a good week here, although no quite as much actual running. I'll get back to it, eventually.

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    1. I think they had to cancel because postponing any longer wasn't really an option with the traffic control personnel. That's the first time I've ever had a race called while on the scene....I'm glad it worked out for a bunch of us to run it anyways ;-)

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  22. Lots of rain, yep...I went out one day recently planning to beat the rain, but of course got soaked instead.

    Never had a race cancelled the day of, that's quite the story!

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