Turnabout is (not) Fair Play

They say turnabout is fair play, but Momma N didn't want to play nice this week. 

I was dreading the end of summer, so I was already in a blah kind of emotional state. Suffice it to say I was not the least bit amused when the frigid fall-like weather arrived a day early. Nor did I appreciate the sudden plummet in temps and upswing of wind.

Alas, I did live to tell about it (or you wouldn't be reading this LOL). Just because I can handle the crazy Iowa weather doesn't mean I have to love it. But, I refuse to let it dictate my livelihood. Or something like that...

Before I share the crazy 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 8:00AM (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 ;-)

So, here's what went down in my little suddenly-cold world this week:

Sunday, sunny (& warm) Sunday...

We were still embracing all things summer over the weekend, with warm temps, sunshine, and humidity. Having run 10 miles Saturday, I opted for a simple 2-mile recovery run Sunday morning. My hammies were feeling super cranky at wake-up, but were feeling so much better after those two miles.

Then, the hubs and I loaded up the bikes and headed to Solon. We met Mike and Amy, and pedaled for 32 miles on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. So what if we had to fight a headwind after the turn-around? The breeze felt good in the late summer heat. The adventures didn't end there...the hubby and I also rode a short 4-mile trek to the dollar store (after returning home), and then Barb and I met up for a 3-mile run under the full moon that evening. I slept like a rock that night, believe it or not.

Never miss a Monday!

This was another easy-paced 2-miler that left me feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for the day. I may have accidentally fallen back to sleep after my alarm (notice the daylight?). So, to summarize, there had been three runs, 36 (approx.) miles ridden, and not much rest within that 24-hour period. Although my body was feeling pretty tired, I had zero regrets. And, the best part was that I was able to capitalize on what was to be the last of the summer weather for most of the week (but I didn't know it at the time). 

A tired Tuesday...

It's almost like Momma N was trying to teach me a lesson. The Tuesday morning temps, upon wake-up, were a good 30-degrees colder than when I'd gone to bed. Holy Brrr...the last remnants of Summer were long gone and it felt like Fall was here to stay (a day early, none the less). My 10-mile ride ended after five because the wind was so cold in the 53F temps. There also was a chilly 1-mile walk at work, then a 2-mile walk with Max (after work). 

Double workout Wednesday

After almost 46 hours of little-to no activity (other than Tuesday's short ride and some walking), I felt very well-rested come Wednesday. Despite the chilly 45F temps (or maybe because of them?), our #5at5 run felt great...gloved hands, long sleeves, leggings and all that jazz...but very happy legs.

After work, it was time for the weekly bike path ride, #16. Although the temps had warmed up substantially in the past 12 hours, it still was a bit chilly on the bike. Of course, there was some wind (it wouldn't be a bike ride without it, right?), but we did have sunshine. Hard to believe we've kept this routine solid for 16 weeks! I'd like to make it to 20 weeks, but it will be touch-and-go as we continue to lose daylight and warmth. Stay tuned!

Holy Brrr Thursday!

Don't be fooled by the bright, sunshiny morning light. It was 43F (with a 40F feels-like, just saying) in Iowa. Yep, that's a puffer vest and fleece headband. Granted, these temps will feel balmy and awesome for running (come February), but in September they feel mighty frigid for walking. I'm glad I can laugh about it. Thankfully, things warmed up by the afternoon, so I was able to get in a nice 10-mile bike ride after work.

Feeling good Friday!

With our weekend plans still uncertain, I decided to run a few solo miles Friday morning. I set out to run four, but the air was cool (no longer freezing cold) and the streets were clear. Everything felt great...so I tacked on an extra mile and ended the pre-dawn morning with five miles. Seriously, I really love it when that happens.

A sun-sational Saturday.

Confession - I didn't have my Garmin with me for Friday morning's run. While I know all of my usual routes with near-perfection, I did veer off for that final "bonus" mile. I decided to take Gustavas for a ride, in the early hours on Saturday, to verify just how close (or not so close LOL)  I was on the actual distance. It turns out that bonus mile made the route show 5.24 miles...so I wasn't too far off. BTW, the temps (at 6:30AM) were a mere 43F (with a feels-like of 40F, thank you very much). A short while later, the hubs and I loaded the bikes (again) for another long ride with some friends (see below).

On deck for Sunday? 

We're heading to the town of Brooklyn (about 20 miles east of us) for the 4th annual Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Run. The first memorial run was held in September of 2018 (she'd disappeared in July of 2018, and her body had been found a few weeks later, in August). This event pays tribute to Mollie and takes place on the hilly 5-mile route that she last ran on.

Anyways, despite the abrupt change in seasons (and temps), I did manage to get outside everyday (which is always a goal). The running was borderline conservative, but all of those 17 miles were fun and felt fantastic. Walking took a nosedive with only nine miles (oops). Biking dominated, though, and kept my legs busy with 141 miles on wheels (that's what happens when there are two long rides within the same 7-day span). Also, some stairs (for warm-ups, prior to the runs), continued planking/push-ups/ab-rolling, and a solid upper-body session (Monday evening). 

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

Have a Strategy

Summer's Final 'fession Session

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! I was feeling a little "taupe-y," so I added the burgundy skinnies and some cheetah print to add a little funk to the look. Why not?

I mentioned my late-blooming sunflowers on my Runfession post, but here's another pic. The tallest one is almost to my shoulder, which is pretty remarkable considering I didn't start the seeds until late June. I pinky swear to be a little more timely next year.

Finally, as mentioned, the hubs and I joined our friends (Mike and Amy) for another long ride on Saturday. The morning started off really cold (low-50F's and windy, at 9:00), but it was in the low/mid-70F's by the time we finished (late afternoon). We had all kinds of bright sunshine, but that unrelenting  wind continued all day ((again)). Still, it was a good time relishing some summer-like weather before it's completely gone. 70 miles!

So, that's a wrap! Rumor has it we're supposed to be treated to some more summer-like temps a little while longer (can you say, 90F!). After the abrupt weather plummet this week, I'll gladly embrace any (and all) unseasonably warm temps Momma N cares to throw my way. 

Tell me what's happening in your world...

Fall-like weather? Crazy wind? Any races? Any cancellations?

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