One Last Cold Blast

 

Holy Freezing Buttocks, Batman!

If there ever was a week of roller-coaster-like weather antics, this would be it. We're talking drizzle, snow and frost for starters. Fortunately, things turned more seasonal, with some warmer temps and (almost) nonstop sunshine, as we approached the weekend. Whew!

Before I share the details, 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:

Another never miss a Monday!

Fresh off a rather successful rally-back half marathon, this week was all about recovery. I knew there were some icky ((cold & damp)) temps coming, so I got out for a quick, easy-paced 2-mile run before work. There had been intermittent rain, overnight, but it had ceased momentarily, so why not? Only...the drizzle morphed into light sprinkles before I made it back. A short while later, the snow came...and continued to fall most of the morning. Thankfully, it all melted upon hitting the ground, but UGH. I stayed inside after work, and pedaled 10 easy miles on the indoor bike. 

Trivia...the pic on the left is from the morning run, the other two popped up from a year ago. Notice anything they have in common (all by coincidence)? 

TLC Tuesday.

Nothing crazy, nothing intense. I love my early-morning walks, especially during a recovery week, so I did a quick 1-miler before work (notice the winter jacket, fleece headband and gloves?). Also, another 1-mile walk after work. And plenty of stretching, foam rolling and muscle massage.

...when your leggings match the flowering trees...

Winter-rewind Wednesday.

The temps may have rebounded back to winter (28F, with a 23F feels-like, thank you very much), but the air was quiet and calm. Barb and I did our ritual 5:00AM 5-miler, and we were greeted by the hint of sunrise...already by the 2-mile mark! By the time I'd made it back home (around 5:45) the daylight was amazing. No, the sun had not quite yet risen, but things were looking so bright!

another #5at5 in the books

A thrilling Thursday...

Still under a frost advisory (insert eye-roll), I opted to stay inside for the morning and knocked out 10 miles on the bike. At lunch, I took to the streets and did a 2-mile plogging walk (see below) under the sunny sky. There also was another 2-mile walk after work.

jazz hands...or 10 miles?

A much less frigid Friday!

Woot! Temps were still cool, but much more bearable. My legs were itching for a little bit of action, so we ran a quick two miles before the workday. Oh, did it feel good to NOT be in full leggings (with all the layers on top). Max took the hubs and me for a 2-mile walk after dinner, and then 20ish minutes of upper-body strength work after we returned home.

back with the bare legs!

Long run Saturday.

As I said on Instagram, it's all about balance, my FrIeNds. This run had a little bit of eVeRyThInG ...wind, fog, hills, paved streets, a cemetery, more hills, a gravel trail around a lake, and more wind. Eight miles, and every mile offered a different challenge. No regets.

all about balance...

Sunny Sunday.

I joined a bunch of my blogger gal pals in running/walking in tribute for the 9/11 Memorial. Wow. For myself, there's so much gratification in getting to see so many sunrises. That's one of the biggest perks of being an early-riser. The beautiful sunrise not only warms the heart, but brings the promise of hope.  After returning home, I joined Max and the hubs for a 2-mile walk.  

We shall never forget...

So, a recovery week, but with a little bit of action. Much to my surprise, my body was already feeling "recovered" by Tuesday. Since I have nothing on the immediate calendar, I didn't see or feel the need to jump right back into anything strenuous. You may have noticed I passed on lower-body strength, HIIT, and stairs this week. In all honesty, I don't need those workouts every week. Running logged 20 miles, walking had 12 miles, and biking had 20 miles. There was only one (upper-body) strength workout...and I'm alright with that. Onward! 

In case you missed out, here's what else went down on the blog:

Sunny. Windy. Chilly. Mix & Repeat.

Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon 2021 recap

Feelin' Fine: Back in a Bib

In other news:

As mentioned, it was a chilly week. Optimistically, I donned a cold-shoulder blouse and instantly regretted it once I got to work. Fortunately, I keep a black cardi at my work station for such "fashion fails" LOL. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. Care to join me on Fridays? Post a pic of your outfit on Instagram, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and be sure to tag me (@runningonthefly).

Thursday was Earth Day. My 2-mile lunch walk involved the act of plogging. Granted, usually plogging is in reference to picking up trash while running or jogging, but walking was my plogging poison that day. I think every day should be Earth Day, but I'm glad there is one day that celebrates it.

Our magnolia tree. UGH. This poor tree seldom ever makes it through the spring season unscathed. Sure enough...the tree was in full, beautiful bloom and then the hard freeze hit Tuesday overnight. 

So, that wraps up a nice recovery week! I'm so grateful to be back in prime condition. I don't have anything on the calendar (at the moment) until DAM to DSM (September 4th), and then the Air Force Marathon a couple weeks later (September 18th). I will probably find a few smaller races, over the summer, to squeeze in...so I'm going to work in some speedwork, on occasion, before my official 26.2 training begins.

How are things in your world? Did you experience a pseudo winter freeze this week? Any Earth Day plogging? Upcoming races?

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