Feeling Fall's Big Chill

How would I best describe this week? 

In a word, BRRR! If I could add a second word, it would be WINDY!

But I digress. As much as I detest the fall season, I desperately try to hang on (ever so tightly) to it. Why? Because I detest the winter season even more (at least in terms of the cold weather). 

While we didn't have actual full-blown (I use that term loosely, LOL) winter weather, we did have winter temps. There was some sunshine, thank goodness, so the chill of the wind wasn't as bad as it could have been, but still BRRR (have I said that already?). 

Before I dis on all the chilly 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 ;-)

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

Sunday morning with Sebbe

The outdoor temps were chilly (18F feels-like due to the 24mph wind). so I opted to stay inside. It had been awhile since I've done a longish ride, so I summoned Sebbe and we had at it...to the tune of 25 miles. Apparently, my bike resets after two hours, because I can guarantee those 25 miles took much longer than the 11:52 on the monitor. Yes, my legs felt like jelly when I dismounted, but I was able to navigate the stairway afterwards without issue. In the afternoon, I spent a good 90 minutes raking leaves and pine needles (in the still-blowing wind) and took a twilight walk under the stars.

 

Never miss a Monday!

It was another cold morning (23F feels-like with 8mph wind), but there were dragons to slay and streets to conquer. This was Week-3 of early-morning Monday miles with Amy. Same routine as before... a 1/2-mile warm-up walk, three miles around the central campus, and another 1/2-mile cool-down walk back home. Later, there was a 1-mile walk at work (mid-day) and then 10 more miles with Sebbe after work. 

  

Another easy-peasy Tuesday Schmooze Day

Nothing grandiose...three "miles" on the elliptical and a 1-mile walk with Max after work.

Double Workout Wednesday

Talk about your crazy early mornings (maybe it was the upcoming full moon?). Barb and I met up for our weekly #5at5, and any guesses how many vehicles we saw while doing our thing? Let's just say I stopped counting at 33. We typically may see 10-15 vehicles at that early hour, but this was more than double...and the bulk of those were in the last couple miles.

Later, after work, I had a basketball game to watch and wanted to have most of my bike ride done before the 6:00 tipoff. By the time I got dinner mixed up and ready to bake, I didn't get on the bike until a little past 5:00. Needless to say, I pedaled with gusto! 15 miles of intervals, done, in just over an hour! Those endorphins felt ever-so-sweet (and the MSU Spartans won, handily, over the Butler Bulldogs).

Thankful Thursday

My legs were feeling a little jelly-like, following the fast and furious 15-miler spinning episode 12 hours prior. I opted for some lower-body stretching to give my legs some TLC, but that didn't mean my arms were on vacay, LOL. I also did some upper-body strength work before heading into the office. There was more walking on my morning break, and a full moon run in the evening (see below).

Friday fitness, courtesy of Sebbe

Believe it or not, it was another frigidly chilly morning in Iowa...how does a 13F feels-like grab you? I kept it inside, again, and did 12 miles of spinning in the wee hours. Later, at work, we layered up and kept our walk (somewhat) hidden from the wind during our morning break...but BRRR (there's that word again).

 

A sunny Saturday 7-miler!

I met up with Barb, at 7:00, for an approximate hour of Saturday morning "miling and smiling." The 33F feels-like temps were feeling (dare I say?) comfortable since the wind was only 6mph. We had the waning gibbous moon still shining when we started. Eventually the clouds cleared from the eastern sky, and we ended with seven miles and full sun. I had to wear my Route 66 Marathon jacket as a tribute to all my fellow 66'ers toeing the start line in Tulsa...it was exactly five years ago that I was there, embarking on that fun (but hilly) course. Afterwards, I summoned Sebbe (again) for eight miles of moderate pedaling. Also, there was some walking mid-afternoon.

So, as I said, BRRR! It was a chilly and windy week in my region of the US. Running mileage was decent (18 miles), walking was a bit meh (9 miles), but biking resurfaced as my favorite indoor go-to (70 miles). I'm still doing the daily push-ups and planks, but you don't need to see pics on those. There also was a short upper-body session (I'm trying to figure out a great day to sneak in another upper-body workout...stay tuned). And, the hubby found a reset button on the treadmill! I have not cued up Milly for any action, yet, so stay tuned on that as well...it will be interesting to see just how much get-up-and-go she does have left in her.

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

with a little help from My Friends

Tough Races Make For Tough Runners

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! With the outside temps being cold, the indoor temps (at the office) are on the chilly spectrum as well. There's just something about a blanket shawl that elicits warmth and coziness. This one even has front pockets! 

An update on the orchid...now it has six blossoms on one of the stems, and three on another. It's really looking nice!

And, another full moon run! We decided to run Thursday evening, even though the full moon wasn't "official" until (very) early Friday morning. It looked pretty full to us, LOL. Three total miles, under the very bright moon, with Amy, Barb and Allison had all of us feeling good. Turns out, going a night early was a great strategy because Friday evening was cloudy and much windier (and colder). This monthly ritual is now seven months strong! 

So, that's the latest and (sorta) greatest. It certainly feels like Fall is no more (though there still are quite a few of leaves remaining on the trees). With all the wind, and continuing freezing temps, that party is probably about to end.

How did your week play out? Sub-freezing temps? Wind? BRRR-like conditions? Full moon running?

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