A Great Big Week of Hmmm...

Things that make you go "hmmm..."

Suffice it to say I was hmmm'ing all week long. Not necessarily in a bad way, but definitely in a state of "what's next?"

Questionable weather. Additional race statuses changing. And, some more virtual goings-on.

Before I lay it all out, 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 ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down in my little world of fitness this week:

Monday - Hmmm, how about another virtual race?
Barb forwarded an email to me, Sunday evening, with info regarding the Crushing COVID-5K virtual race. It was hosted by our local parks and rec department. The caveat? It was to be completed by March 31st (you know, two days later), and this was the first I was hearing of it. We quickly made plans to meet up after work. My legs were still toast (after having done the Fight for Air Climb, also virtually, the day prior), but I was eager to take on the 5K distance anyways. I did a short (20 minutes) elliptical session in the morning, always a great recovery tactic. In the late afternoon sunshine, Barb and I rallied. We had a 1-mile loop (with no cross traffic) that we ran three times. We didn't run it with an all-out effort, but we definitely ran it hard, and finished feeling quite satisfied with our efforts. With a 1/2-mile warm-up (and a 1/2-mile cool-down), this post-workday excursion netted me four total miles...and some very cranky quads.

Tuesday - Hmmm, are those DOMS? #OhMyQuads
As predicted, I woke up in a world of DOMS Tuesday morning. Granted the spontaneous 5K wasn't the smartest decision, given the compromised state of my post-Climb legs, but I'd do it again. No regrets! I did 20 minutes on the elliptical before work, and then a 2-mile walk with the hubby and Max. And that was my recovery day.

Wednesday - Hmmm, shall we resume our weekly routine?
Thankfully, everything felt better upon wake-up on Wednesday. Although the state of Iowa is still not under a Shelter-at-Home mandate (at the time this post goes live), most are following the protocol. Barb and I are still running together, but are staying distanced from each other on the road. She and I did our ritual #5at5 routine and all was well.

Thursday - Hmmm, how about some hill sprints?
Even though my Spring 2020 race calendar is now null and void, I'm still #TrainingMaintaining, albeit in a modified manner. My strategy is to rotate between HIIT, Speedwork and stairs (still good training, even without another Climb on the calendar) each week. This week, I took on the "little block across the street." This little block has a couple hills (on opposite corners), and three laps gives me a mile in total distance. Hence, Thursday morning's six laps netted me two total miles and 12 "little" hills. Not bad for a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee (without any coffee LOL) kind of experience.

Friday - Hmmm, How about some upper-body work?
It was cold, windy and rainy outside, so a perfect day for some inside action. I'm participating in a kettle bell challenge for the month, so I expanded on that and did some extra upper-body strength work before heading in to the office. Anybody else love a good upper-body burn in the early hours!

Saturday - Hmmm, a great morning for a (virtual) 10K!
Saturday morning's temps were an evil flashback to winter (Hello? 17F feels-like temps, thank you very much). Thankfully, all of Friday's rain had moved on and there wasn't any ice to worry about. We set out to run the UN-Canceled Project Gratitude 10K, but added a bonus 1.8 mile on after hitting the virtual "finish line."

Sunday - Hmmm, tis the season...
With a recovery day on tap, Max took the hubby and I for a 2-mile walk in the early morning sunshine. Look closely, I dug out the obnoxious Christmas tights. A lot of people are decking their houses with holiday lights, so I thought it only appropriate to follow suit with my athletic gear. Why not?

All in all, a decent week. The running mileage was in the normal range for me (19 miles). There also were 12 miles of (intentional) walking, two elliptical sessions (40 total minutes), and an upper-body workout. The forecast is showing a couple days with temps in the 70F's this week...there may be some Gustavas miles happening (he's my bike, BTW).

In case you missed out, here's what all went down on the blog:
Gloomy Is as Gloomy Does
Give Me 19 Minutes...
Coffee? Make Mine a Lemonade

In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair! With the cold and damp weather conditions, I was embracing double layers on Friday. I've had this denim shirt for several years, and I love the challenge of dressing it up from time to time. Give me some sliver jewelry and my favorite pointy-toed shoes, and I was all set for a day at the office. As always, you're welcome to join me on Fridays...post a pic on Instagram, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and be sure to tag me (@runningonthefly).

This week saw my final two spring events getting the COVID-19 treatment. The Market-to-Market team relay (scheduled for May 9th) had to succumb to virtual status. Also, the DAM to DSM 20K (scheduled for May 30th) got moved out to September 5th. I've run this race (formerly the Dam to Dam 20K) for the past 12 years, so it will be really odd to toe the start line three months later than usual. I'm just relieved the event wasn't canceled. Glass half full.

Many of my running friends are doing the UN-Canceled Project virtual series for April, so I jumped on the band wagon as well. After all, it's not like I'll be doing any real races. Every week there's a different theme (to include Gratitude, Hope, Humor and Inspiration). I had two half marathons I was planning on running later in the month anyways, so I'm already in peak condition. I'll probably sneak in a 5K each week and probably a 10K on the other weekends. I'd call that a win-win.

So, it was another interesting week, in more ways than one. Knock wood, I've been very fortunate thus far. My routine (home, work and fitness) hasn't been affected much, but I'm aware that could very well change any day. For now, I'm just forging onward, taking each day at a time. Also, as much of a technology moron I am, I am thankful for what we have available. I've been ZOOM'ing and Face Timing with family and friends more than ever. There was a fun ZOOM session with numerous members of my awesome blogging/running tribe this weekend. And, I enjoyed an especially great virtual power walk, with my awesome WRD co-host Deborah, over one of my lunch breaks last week. Life is, indeed, quite grand...you just have to focus on all the good that's out there and not let the bad bring you down.

How are things in YOUR world? Have things changed dramatically, or not much? Are you able to keep up with your fitness routine? Any virtual races on tap?

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