No Breaking My Stride

Sometimes you just gotta beat Momma N at her own game.

Case in point, the weather. Just go ahead and try to taper through it (as if simply running through it wasn't tough enough).

I'm no stranger to oddball weather (ahem, born and bred Iowan here), but 2019 has really thrown us some curve balls. What's a runner to do (or anyone, for that matter)? You face it, you adapt to it, and sometimes you adjust your plans accordingly. But you do not let it defeat you. Am I right?


But, first things first...

Welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I love hosting 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 ;-)

Monday - Switch play #1
A chilly morning (43F), and a somewhat tired body, beckoned an easy start to my day. The temps were forecast to be much warmer by afternoon (mid-60F's), so I opted for a couple miles of power walking through the hilly 'hood. Besides, who needs coffee, for a warm-up OR a wake-up...not me (LOL).

Yes, that's a puffer vest and a fleece headband

...and the run happened after work. Another #nevermissaMonday run done and deposited into the MCM bank. It was a paradox, though. The temps were near 70F, but with the cool (and rather damp) breeze it didn't feel all that warm. I also kept the run easy...instead of the recent Monday 4-milers (with surges, tempos and strides), this run was a simple three miles. Nothing fancy; nothing fast. And I was fine with that. I'm tapering, remember?

A Monday run minus the reflective gear!

Tuesday - active rest/recovery for the win
Another chilly morning. Thankfully, it was an active rest/recovery day. Don't forget, there had been an 18-miler, just a few days prior, and 16 hours spent in the backseat of a car for our road trip to Michigan over the weekend. Nothing felt cranky or achy, but I could tell things were "off." Not a huge surprise, after all, given all the crazy miles in recent weeks. A 1.5-mile morning walk with Max was a perfect start to the day, even if we had to stop at almost every lamppost to sniff/mark (Max, not me LOL).

Max thinks the cold morning temps are ridiculous, too

Later, I had a #lightbulb moment....I realized my body had not had the benefit of the usual biking as it had in prior weeks. The weather has been so rainy and windy that I've shunned my bike and stayed inside more than usual recently. The weather did warm up (somewhat) as the day wore on, though. Barb and I met up, after work, and took on a half marathon of sorts (via our wheels).

Hi there Gustavas...remember me?

Wednesday - #5at5
And yet another somewhat cool (50F) and damp morning! This "transitional" weather has not been very transitional, and I'm finding myself confused as to what to wear. I opted for capri's and a light 1/4 zip jacket (with a tank underneath). I did feel chilled for the first couple miles, but once we turned and headed back on our 5-mile loop (and had the wind behind us), things were fine.

The stars were shining so bright at 5:00...

Thursday - opting inside
More rain! With the marathon less than three weeks away, I'm not too keen on doing any heavy duty speed work, nor do I want to do any aggressive strength training at the moment. I decided to compromise, and do a HIIT workout on the good old trusty staircase:

***5 sets***
*10 flights of double-step climbing
*10 burpees
*10 push-ups

The five sets took me less than 25 minutes, and there was a serious sweat going. All in all, it amounted to a solid full-body workout, with plenty of cardio, and some good speedwork (via the simulated hill of the stairway). Triple win!

back on the stairway

Friday -Switch play #2 
In another attempt to outsmart Momma N, Barb and I (rather spontaneously, as of Thursday evening) opted to do a long run Friday morning. The temps were cold (41F when we finished) and mucho breezy (18MPH wind), but the forecast showed even colder (and windier) weather arriving Saturday morning. These suddenly-cold temps are SOOO tricky to figure out, in terms of running gear. Throw in a long run (this particular one was 10 miles), and it's anybody's guess as to what will feel "perfect" for an extended period of time outside. I went with a flannel base layer, a flannel-lined 1/4 zip jacket and a fleece vest (and just regular running tights), and I was comfortable. Actually, I never felt cold (other than my face, while running into the wind) nor overheated. We ran the 10 miles with an average 10:20 pace, so that felt good, too. It's pretty crazy when a 10-miler doesn't seem like a big deal, especially early in the morning (we started at 5:00) on a work day. Marathon training really does a number on you LOL.

My last long run, in the dark, for a very long time

Saturday - more active rest
Yep. Running those 10 miles on Friday morning was pure genius...because it was 30F at wake-up and the wind was even stronger. Holy Brrr, Batman! I'm no stranger to cold weather, but these winter-like temps are arriving a bit too early. The hubby and I took Max out for a 2-mile walk, and that was all she wrote. This was my first Saturday morning to sleep in since I can't remember when...and, get this, my body didn't even wake up "early" like it usually does. Apparently, that sleep was well-earned.

Ummm...where did Fall go???

Sunday - Run for the Roses 10K
Yes, I had a race this weekend! Doesn't everyone schedule in races and call them "training runs?" As this post goes  live, I'll be headed the Run for the Roses 10K (Ames, IA). I'm not shooting for a PR, but am hoping for a solid tempo-ish performance. Temps are forecast to be 41F and sunny at race time (10:00), so hopefully I will have Momma N's blessing on my side. Check back later...I'll update this post after the finish line...

***UPDATE***The race was windy, hilly and chilly, but went far better than anticipated. How does a new 10K PR sound (with a bonus 1st place AG)? Race recap coming soon...

So, despite the constant tug-of-war with Momma N, I'm feeling pretty accomplished in what all went down this week. Running miles totaled out at 24 (including Sunday's 10K). Walking was a meager 12 miles (but there will be more Sunday afternoon). Biking has been pretty hit/miss with the weather, but I did get 13 miles in the saddle, so there's that (I may do a few mile with Gustavas Sunday afternoon as well). Thursday's HIIT was legit, though. As much as I embrace Taper, I will admit it is difficult to scale back after so many weeks of (near) constant action. It is necessary, none the less, so I'm being a good girl and honoring the process.

In case you missed out, here's what down on the blog:
Weathering the Week
The Allure of a Themed Race

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. Friday was a chilly day in Iowa, especially with that psychotic wind. And here I thought it was autumn...Anyways, I opted for some warmth, via this Aztec-print flyaway sweater. What would you pair it with...a grey top (to coordinate with the multiple shades of grey in the sweater's pattern), or would you go bold (like, for example, with a red punch of color)? As always, feel free to join the party...post an Instagram pic, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and give me a tag (@runningonthefly). Easy-peasy!

The #pushuptober challenge is still going strong! 10 push-ups every day in October.

...and this guy, Eliud Kipchoge...what a beast! Did you see his phenomenal finish (it's HERE)? I am just in awe of what he accomplished. I have run a handful of sub-2 HALF marathons, but this guy ran twice as far and twice as fast...and finished with a huge smile of his face.

So, there you have it...another week down, and another week closer to the Marine Corps Marathon. Yikes, the #ish is getting real...we're two weeks out from the start line!

Enough about me...tell me something about YOUR week. Any great training runs? Fabulous workouts? Cold, winter-like weather?

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