Sunday, November 17, 2019

Enter Winter...ALREADY?


Winter? Already???

Okay, let me set the record straight regarding Winter...

Although I'm a die-hard #TeamSummerRunner gal, I do not hate all other seasons (least of all, Winter itself). Actually, I embrace the change of seasons. But Winter showing up nearly two months early does not a #BlissfulRunner make.


But, before I get too carried away with my #winterrants...Welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner), who just celebrated a BIG birthday. 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 ;-)
Anyways, if it was actually January, and these colder-than-cold temps were at play, it would be the expected norm. Also, there (probably) would have been a time of transition and acclimation. Unfortunately, that was not last week's reality. Record low temps were set and I was forced to keep things inside more than I'd prefer.

Here's what went down this week:

Monday - #ThankAVet #grateful #NeverMissAMonday
Well, well, well. Temps were cold and the wind was insane. My app didn't show any signs of the day getting much warmer, so it was time to beckon Dear (Old) Milly. Actually, it was a bit ironic...I had not run on a treadmill since Memorial Day (as part of the Murph workout), and here it was Veterans' Day. As a tribute, I resurrected my MCM outfit and knocked out a couple of early morning miles.

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Tuesday - #subFREEZING 
As if the weather wasn't already cold, by Tuesday it was downright bitterly frigid in Iowa. I had not planned on running, but it was even too cold to get out for a walk. So, I hibernated in the warm basement and got in a good 30 minutes on the elliptical. I may have even stepped outside for a quick cryotherapy fix (and a chance to stand up, so to speak, to the crazy weather). Turns out that quick jolt of cold actually felt kind of refreshing on my steamy skin.

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Wednesday - #InsideWarrior #OutsideSelfie
If ever there was a run that almost didn't happen, it would be this one. The temps were freezing (again) and the wind was howling outside. I knew I wouldn't be heading outside, so the thought of another run with Milly was not especially enticing in getting me to leave my warm bed. I spent a good 20 minutes debating with myself (1) to get up, (2) to stay in bed, (3) to walk or (4) to do the elliptical. Finally, I surmised that it was my off-season (duh) and I didn't have to do the "usual" five miles at 05:00 if I didn't want to....I could run a little while and STOP whenever I felt like it. So, I got dressed and fired up Milly again. After three miles, I called it good. Quite good, actually. I even did another post-workout selfie outside. No regrets.

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Thursday - #HIITme UP #fastedcardio
As my Insta/Facebook caption said, "No one said it would be easy, but easy is a 4-letter word I try to avoid." It had been awhile since I'd been on the stairs, and I hadn't HIIT'd in awhile either...so I earned my sweat equity in full fashion.

5 sets:
5 flights of stairs (double-stepped)
5 burpees
15 arm reps (biceps, triceps, etc.)
5 push-ups
5 flights of stairs (triple-stepped)

The entire workout took 24 minutes, but my entire body got worked-over. The first two moves were done as fast as possible. The arm work was done with moderately heavy weights. The push-ups were done on an incline (off the bottom step) to assist in a fuller range of motion. The triple steps were done slowly, like a step-up, so they are kind of a "recovery" move but are a great balance move as well. This workout could be expanded by doing more individual reps or adding more sets.

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Friday - #backoutside #mismatchedcolors
You're only cold if you don't appreciate the crisp "autumn" weather, right? The temps were still winter-like, but I was sheltered from the wind by staying in my neighborhood, so it was bearable outside. A hilly 2-mile hike through the 'hood and I was awake and ready for the day, so what if my colors were a little on the clashy side.

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Saturday - #ReunitedWithTheRoad
Again, the temps were chilly (30F with a 17F feels-like), but were much closer to what they should be for mid-November. I met up with Barb for five miles, and did two additional miles after she headed back home. This was my first "long" run in a couple weeks, and it really felt good to be back outside and running just for the love of it, with no agenda. And, that sunshine!!!

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Sunday - #ouch #justwalking #MaxtonMcArthur
What happens when you wake up still feeling a big groggy (with a cranky back, none the less, and a compromised Achilles)? Well, myself, I take a pass on running and go for a walk instead. It's not a bad thing, especially if you're in good company. The hubby and Max escorted me on a 2-mile walk before we headed off to church. Most of the snow is gone, so that's a good thing!

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All in all, it was a bit of a challenging week. The extreme cold really blind-sided me, and it felt odd to be doing so much winter-like stuff (indoors) when we haven't even made it to Thanksgiving yet. Alas, it is good to be flexible, and have indoor options.  Total running miles finished out at 12. There were 9 miles walked as well as 30 minutes of elliptical time. Thursday's HIIT workout reignited my love for fast and (somewhat) furious cardio, with a little bit of strength and balance work mixed in, so I'm eager to get back to doing that more often. I think there was a bit of DOMS at play this weekend (probably from the HIIT workout), so my hamstrings are feeling a bit grumpy at the moment. I'm keeping an eye on the Achilles thing...it's probably time to add a new pair of shoes to my arsenal.

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:
A Filtered Fall-Out
Let's Warm Up!
5 Strategies That Rocked My Recovery

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair! I'm not typically a mono-chromatic person, but once in awhile I do get matchy-matchy. The mohair sweater was a bit warm, since the temps climbed to the mid-40's by lunchtime. This sweater is one of my hand-knit creations. I actually made a different sweater with the yarn, several years ago, but never liked the pattern, so I unraveled it and re-knit it MY way (and added the fringe details to funk it up a bit). That's what #artgeeks do, right? As always, you're invited to play along...post a pic (on Instagram) of a featured outfit, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and be sure to tag me (@runningonthefly).

The hubby and I made it to another Iowa football game on Saturday. We typically don't get to so many games in a season (we've been to four games in the past six week). This was a big game, though, because  Minnesota had been undefeated. There's a traveling trophy that goes to the victor each year, a bronze pig (no laughing), called Floyd of Rosedale, so it's always a fun game of friendly rivalry against the Golden Gophers. Well, spoiler, Iowa ended Minnesota's run for 10 consecutive wins this season! Of course, the Iowa Wave always gets me blubbering. For those who don't know, at the end of the first quarter, everyone (including both teams and referees) takes a few minutes to wave to the children at the Stead Family Children's Hospital (the large building overlooking the stadium), and we can see the kids waving back. Sigh...

    

Finally, this pic popped up on my Facebook memories this week.The Las Vegas Rock'n Roll  (2017) was my big rally back half marathon after my surgery. It was such a fun weekend in a crazy city, and there were several bloggers there. Does it get any better?

Anyways, that's it for now. On to the next week, hopefully with much more seasonal temps and weather.

How was your week? Any fitness achievements? Any races? Winter-like weather for you, too?





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48 comments:

  1. It's got a tiny bit warmer here towards the end of the week, which has been nice, though a bit of wind. Not too wet. And no snow. You did really well and I love your bright colours, of course. Thank you too for hosting the link up, such a high spot of my week!

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    1. Thank you so much for joining us!! It's fun to read about all your adventures ;-)

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  2. well done, lady! I'm still always amazed at how you get it done so early and I love that you are honest about the fact that you are not ALWAYS feeling it (but you do it anyway!)

    hey who's that tiny person next to you in the Vegas photo? Must be Marcia! FUN TIMES! I had my memories pop up from last year too and just smiled and sighed :)

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    1. Yes, that's Marcia ;-) Her and I ran the 13.1 together...well, we did some walking, too LOL I was being cautious with my return to long distance running (and this was the farthest I'd run in almost six months), and she was having some pain issues, so it worked out perfectly ;-)

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  3. Yeah, it was cold, but hey, we are midwesterners and what do we do when it gets cold? We suck it up..even if it sucks... it is supposed to moderate this week and after my wipeout yesterday on black Ice, I'm looking forward to it.

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    1. We have moderate weather in the forecast, too, so I'm hoping to be outside all next week.

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  4. Your at home stair workouts are so awesome! And what a wonderful realization that it is the off season and you don't HAVE to go out for 5 miles if you're not feeling it! :)

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    1. ha ha ha! Right! As I was lying there, feeling a touch bit guilty for not wanting to run the "full five miles," that light bulb went off. Gosh, it was like a huge weight had been lifted LOL

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  5. I'm with you...I love SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    So I am running outdoors and if it is sunny, I grin and bear it.


    LV weekend was so fun...need to have another blogger meet-up race.

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  6. Other than me forcing myself to get outside for a run once a week, I'm just fine with running inside all winter! My motivation drops to zero when the cold weather hits. However, once I'm out there I feel just fine, but it's a big hurdle to get out that door! Thanks for the indoor HIIT workout ideas. I tuck them away for when my hammies are ready to get moving fast again!

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    1. I just don't have the touchy feeling things going on with my treadmill that a lot of others have LOL It's always my last resort, and due to extreme weather. This weather last week would have been extreme for January, but it was super extreme for November.

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  7. I love how you all are such big football fans. College games are fun! Hope your back is feeling better!

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    1. Yes, we love NCAA football and also basketball ;-) Thankfully, my back felt better after a short while of walking. I think I'm just sleeping weird...

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  8. As a Minnesota alum, I was pretty bummed about Saturday, but I'm nowhere near the level of a football fan as you and your husband :) So I'm still happy for your team! Sounds like a fun week!

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    1. Thanks ;-) We have total respect for all Big 10 teams, and don't wish any bad will to any of them, even on game day. That said, this was a big victory for Iowa...after a couple of recent close losses, we needed some redemption. Beating an undefeated team (and for Floyd LOL) felt pretty nice ;-)

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  9. I think the premature blast of polar air made this week seem longer than it should have. I'm finally turning the corner mentally and not feeling "ripped off" by this weather putting an abrupt end to a very short autumn. What can you do? I thought of you as those Gophers went down. What a fun game to spectate! That blue knit sweater creation of yours is so pretty!

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    1. I'm holding out a small ray of hope we still have some autumn weather remaining, and this cold blast was just a fluke. I'm probably in denial LOL

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  10. I so agree with you - I feel a bit blindsided by the sudden shift to winter temps! You still managed to get so much done! Hope your back and achilles settle down.

    Thanks for the link-up!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. Momma N was downright cruel unleashing that stuff on us last week! My back has been hit/miss recently...I think I've been sleeping weird (and there's been a dog curled up in the crook of my knees most nights). The Achilles, has been a little wonky the past couple of weeks. It isn't debilitating, but it's definitely off or something. I'm just thankful it happened now and not prior to MCM.

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  11. We had winter hit us here too in Cleveland. I was not ready and stayed inside this week. Way to go on getting it in! Hope you're feeling 100% or close to it soon.

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    1. Winter is inevitable for us Midwestern folk, but it certainly doesn't need to arrive so early LOL

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  12. It's been cold here, too. Although I will say it's not as cold as it was last year. I remember running a turkey trot in single digits. Now if I can just remember what to wear for these cold temps!

    Hope the achilles is feels better soon. That's a PIA!

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    1. The running gear is what's so tricky! I"M not used to bundling up in multiple layers this early in the season.

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  13. Glad you had fun at the football game! We had some 20s around here, but now it's in the 30s and 40s. I need to remind myself that I've got to take Scooby out anyway, so it might as well be for a run!

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    1. Good point! Max doesn't run with me, so I don't have that as an incentive. It was so cold, we've just been taking him out to the back yard instead of doing actual walks. When I have taken him out for a walk over lunch, he gets so excited!

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  14. Aw man winter hit us so hard this week. At least it was over 30 and sunny this weekend and you better believe that I got out there and took full advantage. I really love that I'm not training for a long race right now so I can work out as much or as little as I want to, it's a nice change up.

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    1. I agree, it IS a nice change up to be able to run just for the fun of it ;-) I'm hoping to be back outside this entire week...fingers crossed!

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  15. Looks like you had a great week and brought some of your old tried-and-true workouts back into your mix. That's the great thing about being between training cycles, right? It got down to 5° at my mom's house one morning last week, but 21° was the coldest I saw on my weather app here.

    I like your matchy matchy mono-chromatic outfit!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. Yes, it was fun bringing back some HIIT and stair work. I'm working on an off-season plan of attack (sounds like a misnomer LOL), and trying to figure out a simple schedule for each week....I do plan on having some HIIT/stairs in there!

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  16. I LOVE your header tights , and while I'm not team summer, I totally agree with you re: winter coming too early. It is just too soon. Winter (and Christmas -- the stores are already playing Christmas music!) get in your lanes.
    I thought of you when I saw your score & wondered if you were there. What a game. My Irish made me happy today too. One of my training friends ran Vegas today. It's definitely one I want to do one day

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    1. Vegas is a lot of fun, but it does throw everything off by running in the evening. I think the half started at 5:00 or 5:30 (??), which is darn close to meal time LOL

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    2. And the time change for me from the east coast. I'd have to go in early just to acclimate to that. I was in Phoenix for a conference last year and never got on local time. Ditto for a Colorado/Dakotas road trip -- wouldn't work so well for a race

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  17. I was looking back on TimeHope and apparently we had snow and really cold temps around this time last year too. I guess I blocked that out! I still think its too early and I hope we have some milder temps again before winter really arrives.

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    1. I don't think we had snow last year...but I have blocked it out of my memory as well. We're supposed to have milder temps this week, so I'm hoping to be back outside on a daily basis.

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  18. It's so funny how each person views seasons...all my northern friends are like "Nooooo, winter!" and down here in Florida we are like, "Yes! No more humidity!" This weekend for our races it dropped to the coldest temps we've had since January- it was in the 40s on Sunday! Felt AMAZING for running though! I was freezing my butt off after the race, but during the race it was fantastic!

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    1. Ha! Our northern winters are painful! But, I guess you'd probably argue your summers are evil, so I guess it's a wash LOL I don't mind the cold, but I do appreciate a bit of a transition (and we weren't given that). The 40's are nice for racing!

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  19. Haha, love that Wednesday morning debate in bed! Good for you for convincing yourself to get up. 3 miles are better than 0 miles!
    Your HIIT session is awesome! For the inclined push-ups: are your hands or your feet on the step?

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    1. I should have clarified that...my hands are on the step. The HIIT wound up being a lot tougher than I anticipated. Those triple steps really mess with your muscle (short term) memory, fair warning! ;-)

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  20. We had sub-zero temps at the end of October...now it's unseasonably warm and dry. Can't win!

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    1. Honestly, I think 2019 has been such a weird year for weather. Winter was brutal, spring was all of two weeks, summer was hot (which is the norm), but then it abruptly ended. Maybe three weeks of actual autumn-like temps...and BOOM! Winter is back LOL

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  21. Not ready for winter at all. We are about to have a freezing rain even here which is a huge bummer. Love your sweater. Such a pretty color on you!

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  22. I'm always so late to these link ups!! Blame the toddler, teenager, and pregnancy brain lol At any rate I am sooooo not ready for winter! We are traveling to FL for Thanksgiving and should be avoiding our western NC ice/rain showers. Ha!! Great long run!! :-) I know it feels so weird to be indoors so often already. I've already been on the spin bike, elliptical and machines way more than I would like!

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    1. I just hope this taste of winter was just a fluke. The real winter can wait until the week before Christmas ;-)

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  23. Ugh. I feel your pain. Obviously, it's not AS cold here, but it's brutal to us.

    Congratulations to your team! Hurricanes had a bye this week so we didn't watch a lot of ball.

    I love that sweater. It looks so cozy. All I want to wear right now is PJs.

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    1. The abrupt change of season is harsh, no matter your locale.

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  24. Well it was just as cold here too. I agree that I wouldn't complain too much about it either if it were January or February, but November!?!!? That is just so wrong! I would love to run RnR Las Vegas again. I also enjoyed it when I ran it. Totally a different experience.

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