Outside is Alright

Yes, it was another cold week.

But the fresh air? The breathtaking sunsets and sunrises? The company of friends? A house full of family?  All made for a worthwhile week of fitness and fun, and the frigid temps were bearable.

Yes, you read that correctly. The cold of the pre-winter season wasn't too bad...

Before I share all 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 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 in my little corner of the fitness world:

Sunday - Spinning and Grinning

A new routine, that's been a great fit, is a longish Sunday morning Sebbe ride. Like last week, I did 25 miles of intervals (again) this week...and finished almost five minutes faster. Later, Max took the hubby and myself for a 2-mile walk.

Monday - Welcome to Peloton!

Yes, I drank the Peloton Kool-Aid, and signed up for the free 2-month trial. Sebbe and I did our first official class, a 30-minute cycling workout. The class, plus a little extra cool-down pedaling, netted me 12 miles for the morning. The weather conditions were mild, so a friend and I got in a couple of 1-mile walks at the office. After work, I ran a tempo-paced 3-miler, while hastily chasing the sunset...and it was a beauty!  

Easy-Peasy Tuesday Schmooze Day

Another cold weather routine that has filtered back into my fitness regime is the Tuesday morning elliptical gig. This week, we did "4 miles," though I always question how accurate the distance really is. The timer showed 30 minutes...if only I could knock out that kind of pace on foot! There also was more walking at work (one mile) and after work, with Max (also one mile).

Double Workout Wednesday

With the promise of warmer temps by the afternoon, I hit the basement in the early hours. This time, we took on two Peloton classes, for 15 combined miles. Also, more walking on my morning break at work.

After work, Barb and I had plans for a #5at330 in the 50F temps. The forecast was showing gusting winds headed our way by late afternoon, so we wasted no time in lacing up and meeting up. And, with  temps in the 50F's, it would be a shame to not wear shorts (instead of capris or leggings).

Thankful Thursday!

As was forecast, the temps did a nasty plummet overnight, giving us a feels-like of 0-degrees, thank you very much. This was the 10th year of our local Turkey Trot, and may very well have been our coldest Trot yet...but, (WOW) the turnout was huge! As in years past, there were 1, 2, and 3-mile options for distance, and participants were encouraged to bring food items (or monetary donations) for our local food bank. Barb, Allison and myself ran the 3-mile route. I have not heard back on totals, but the food/cash donations were plentiful. Coupling that with our Thanksgiving gathering, which included  nine seated around our extended dining room table (and three dogs underfoot), my heart was very full.

Back in Black Friday

As mentioned in my Runfessions post, the Winter Run Streak is now my reality until New Year's Day 2022. That said, I opted to begin my day on the bike, doing the Turkey Burn Ride (and stacked on another 20-minute Pop Ride) for 18 miles of intervals and hills. After a quick change into warmer (and drier)  clothes, I did a 2-mile Streak run in the bright (but cold) sunshine.

A Sunny Saturday Showdown

When the morning begins with a few hours of surprise rain, the run gets postponed until mid-morning (at least it does this time of year). When Barb and I did get out, at 9:00, we had damp air and cloudy skies. Within a couple miles, though, the sun came out and the mid-40F's temps felt almost tropical for our seven miles. Afterwards, there was Big 10 football on tap. The Hawkeyes had defeated the Cornhuskers Friday evening, but their fate (in claiming the Big 10 West title) was riding on the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota game. Also, there was a hotly contested match between Michigan and Ohio State for the Big 10 East title. So, let's just say there were several hours of "recovery" on the couch following my run.

 

Alas, this played out to be a busy week! With Peloton added to my fitness arsenal, I have even more options for sweat equity...so stay tuned! In addition to the cycling, so far, I've done a full-body strength class, and a post-run stretching session, and am looking forward to doing more core-focused work and yoga. This week, the running saw 20 miles, walking had a meager 9 miles, and biking dominated with 70 miles. 

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

Feeling Fall's Big Chill

Thankful.Grateful.Blessed

"Fession Time, Feelin' Fine

In other news:

Fashion Friday Flair! I was #BackInBlack on Friday, and not just in terms of the post-Thanksgiving shopping ritual. There was a lot of Iowa Hawkeye spirit in our house, with the football game against Nebraska and a basketball game against Portland State. Both teams were victorious, and the football team is headed to the Big Ten Championship game next weekend, where they'll face the Michigan Wolverines. We're staying tuned for which bowl game the Hawks will have on their agenda. Go Hawks!

Last, but certainly not least, if I can give a shout-out to our running community. Actually, calling it a "running community" is kind of a disservice given the fact that we share more than just a love of running within our little network. Several of us laced up and trotted (virtually) in unison, and I could feel the love, support and encouragement from all of you. It warmed my heart on a cold and windy morning!

Alas, so that's a brief synopsis of my week. We did have a full house for Thanksgiving, though I was remiss in getting any pictures (and I call myself a mother AND a blogger, LOL). Hey, it is what it is.

So, enough about me...how did things play out in your world, fitness and otherwise? Any turkey trotting? Crazy cold temps? Excessive wind?

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