Saturday, March 12, 2022

Winter's Revenge


Talk about your weather whiplash!

After a week of spring weather previews, Momma N pulled out the rug and threw us -smack dab- back into Winter. This started with a heavy snowfall overnight Sunday, and continued with cold temps and a heavy dose of wind...almost on the daily. 

Cold and windy weather is not a surprise this time of year, but it's still a buzzkill when it happens. Thankfully, the bulk of Sunday's snow was gone by Monday afternoon. The cold temps, though, set up homestead for the better part of the week...

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 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 frigid world of fitness this week:

Easy Like Sunday Morning.
After Saturday's 50K on the bike, I kept things on the down-low with a mere 12 miles of cycling and a quick afternoon 1-mile walk before more Big 10 basketball watching.


Never Miss a Monday.
As mentioned, we got dumped on overnight, to the tune of 5-7 inches of snow. Monday morning's workout was all about snow removal. After work, I did a Pi Week preview, of sorts, and knocked out a windy 3.14K run (which translates to 1.95 miles), and finished the day with some core work.


Another Tunde Tuesday.
Tunde is fast becoming a favorite Peloton instructor, especially with her arm/shoulders workouts. I stacked a couple of her upper-body workouts for my early-morning sweat session. Later, I had Pi for runch (it was Day-1 of the 2022 Week of Pi challenge), did a 1-mile walk at work, and met up with Amy for a 2.5-mile after-dinner walk.


An Easy-Peasy Double Workout Wednesday.
With all the Pi running on tap for the week, I kept most of the cross-training on the low-key. The day started with 10 miles on the bike, along with a short core workout and a 1-mile walk at work. Later, Wednesday's Pi run took me on a new route, around the west side of town and ended with a jaunt through the Grinnell College campus.


Thankful Thursday.
Thursday had me multitasking with a double stack of Tunde's arm workouts while "Pi power-walking" with Milly! Holy shoulder smolder...I'm always amazed how much fire 3-pound dumbbells can generate! The Day-3 Pi run had me chasing a couple of hills on the county road, north of town, while repping my Iowa Hawks (who had defeated Northwestern earlier in the afternoon).


Friday "Fan" Fare.
I had Friday off from work (long story, but Max had ACL surgery and needed a doggy nurse on duty at home). I met up with Barb for a chilly Pi run before picking Max up from the vet. The temps dropped (and the wind picked up to 20mph wind) as the day wore on, so we timed our run well. After bringing Max home, I did a short 10-mile ride on the bike (while he napped). Later that afternoon, the Hawks defeated Rutgers...advancing to the semi-finals in the Big 10 Tournament!


A Sunny Shamrock Shuffle Saturday.
Holy Brrrr, Batman! The cold temps hit rock-bottom, and the wind was most evil for the Shamrock Shuffle in Iowa City. This was a new-to-us race, for both Allison and myself. The event offered a choice of a 3.17K or a 6.34K distance, and featured two figure-8 "loops" through a park (and surrounding neighborhood). On a beautiful day, it would be a great course, but on a freezing cold (and bitterly windy) morning, it was brutal, even with a 1.5-mile (approx.) warm-up. After returning home, I wanted to complete Day-5 for Pi Week, but had ZERO desire to head back outside...so I fired up Milly for 3.14-post-race miles. In full disclosure, I ran the first 1.95 miles (there's that 3.14K distance again, LOL), and walked most of the remaining 1.19 because my legs felt so trashed from the morning's racing antics. So, a little more than seven total running miles and slightly more than one mile of walking for the day.


What's on tap for Sunday?
Obviously, there will be a Day-6 Pi run. As I'm nearing the end of Pi Week, my legs are feeling a bit weary (I don't typically run this kind of mileage on consecutive days, especially for an entire week). I want to do some morning cycling, to flush out the legs, but I plan to keep those miles conservative (no intense classes or climbing/intervals). The Pi miles may have to be with Milly, due to the situation with Max (the hubby is out of town, and I can't leave Max unattended). 

In summery, this week was pretty Pi-dominated, and not just on the streets or with running. Walking was lack luster (due to the running, but also the crazy cold outdoors), and only had 10 miles. Biking took a hit, also due to the Pi running, and only had 32 miles pedaled. Running saw almost 22 total miles for the week. Strength training was limited to just upper-body (two sessions), though I did incorporate some easy stair-climbing (10 flights before all of my runs, except for Saturday's race).

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. In case it wasn't made obvious, this was a big week for Iowa Hawkeye basketball! The women's team won the Big 10 Tournament last weekend, and the men's team pulled off a last-second victory over Indiana, taking them to Sunday's championship game. So, I've been sporting the black and gold. A lot. Friday was no exception.


Finally, a robin-spotting! When I pulled into work, Wednesday morning, I saw this robin in the tree outside of our office building.


Peloton milestones...On Thursday morning, I passed the 200-class mark. Later, I received notice that I'd reached the 100-strength class mark. Also, they praised me for the increase in workouts, minutes, and calories burned in February. The truth of the matter is, those increases were more a result of being back on the indoor bike, as opposed to the outdoor bike (while in Florida for January)...but I'm not telling, LOL.


Finally, one more tidbit about Iowa basketball...in their game against Northwestern, Thursday afternoon, the men's team set a slew of new Big 10 records. While I'm not much of a basketball player myself, I LOVE watching the game. I try to catch as many Big 10 games as my schedule allows, not just when Iowa plays.


Whew! It's been a busy week! 

What's been happening in your world? Did your weather turn rather chilly (again) this week, too? Any races this weekend, or in the near future? Got a favorite sports team?


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32 comments:

  1. I really struggled with the below zero temps this week. It seems like it's way too late in the season for that. Oh well this week will be warmer. Hope Max's recovery is going well!

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    1. Yeah, my race yesterday felt like a cruel slap in the face from Momma N. That was January weather she served up, not mid-March. I'm over-the-moon excited for this week's forecast, though!!

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  2. We had similar weather. The week started with a tease of spring, and now snow has returned!

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    1. Our snow (last Sunday night) was just too much, LOL. It looked like a pre-Christmas setting...pretty, but so not appropriate for March.

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  3. TS Eliot said March is the cruelest month, right? I'm looking ahead to the warmer weather that's on the way! I hope Max is doing well.

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    1. Actually, I think he was referencing April, but March definitely is a contender. We have a beautiful week on tap, so all is playing out well...

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  4. Well... actually I hate to say it, but it's been hot here! A little too hot for March (IMO)- we've been getting into the upper 80s. A lovely cold front blew in last night and it was 50 for my run this morning- but it won't last. It'll be back to 80s next week. Hang in there- spring is coming!
    I'm mad at myself for not watching college basketball. I don't normally watch it, but when football season ended I was so sad, I thought I would get into basketball- maybe next year.
    Happy Pi week!

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    1. I just saw that Baylor is the No-1 seed in the East division! My Hawkeyes came out as the conference champions today, so that is so exciting! Now we head on into total March madness this week...

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  5. similar weather warm on Sunday and then snow Wed and yesterday. Of course, I ran in that and a race no less yesterday.

    Glad that we have more daylight and hoping for some warm weather so that the snow melts.

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    1. The last itty bit of our snow disappeared this afternoon, so now we just await the great dry-out of the ground. Good riddance!

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  6. Yesterday was awful! But I came out on top since I saw that Friday was the best shot for weather and got my long run done while it was still nice. I'm going to get a slice of that pi tomorrow!

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    1. Our weather turned real nasty as Friday wore on (it was cold in the morning, but it got colder and much windier). Saturday's weather was just a continuation, but even colder. Glad that's all behind us now ;-)

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  7. Oh dear, sorry about the snow and drop in temps, what a pain. It's been variable here but we managed to get a sunny (if squelchy underfoot and windy) run in this morning. I was trapped in the house by having a workman in Weds-Fri - Matthew was dealing with him but I wanted to get work done before he got here and then couldn't run while he was here because I couldn't use our one bathroom to shower in. Argh! I did nip out on Friday and it was bliss!

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    1. It feels so good to get out after being trapped in side ;-) I feel like a caged bird that's been set free!

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  8. Hugs to you & Max! Chester had knee surgery when he was just 9 months old.

    This week it was cold, it was windy, it was very gray (except this morning), and of course snowy. The good news is there will be a warm up! the snow should melt.

    Congrats on *almost* wrapping up Pi week & your race!

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    1. Yeah, Max had an almost identical surgery on his other hind leg in July 2020, so this is a routine I well remember. The next three weeks will be the most challenging trying to keep him as immobile as possible...SO NOT EASY!

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  9. Not much of a college basketball fan, but I've been hearing the Rutgers loss agony from my timeline. I've heard leprechauns have a side of mischief so maybe they were behind the wind yesterday and Momma N's revenge. Has been fun to Pi with you,

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    1. Well, the leprechauns were really having a jolly good time yesterday with their antics ;-) YIKES, it was brutal out there! I'm so glad you've been Pi'ing with me; the grand finale is tomorrow!!

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  10. The weather is all over the place! That is seriously chilly for a March Shamrock run.

    I hope Max is recovering alright! I am loving Tunde as well. I only had 5 pounders at my parents, but it was enough to do some upper body with her classes!

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    1. Yeah, I was really slow in "meeting" Tunde, and I regret that immensely. She's a keeper!

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  11. Yay on your century strength class! Why didn’t your count your race toward your Pi miles? You must be really dedicated to dedicated Pi runs. I will join in tomorrow for Pi Day. <>

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    1. Well, I really want the Pi runs to be 3.14 miles, and the Shamrock race was slightly over that, LOL. Besides, adding those bonus Pi miles didn't seem that big of a deal...until I was caught in the middle of them and was feeling exhausted.

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  12. Our weather definitely took a turn for the worse when our 60's Friday gave way to bitter cold, sleet, and snow on Saturday. It's sunny today, but still very cold. It's supposed to climb into the 60's tomorrow, though!

    Yes, I have a favorite team and they're the new ACC Champions! Go Hokies!

    Happy birthday eve!

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    1. As you know, now both of our teams are conference champs! Lucky us ;-)

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  13. Well done on all of the Pi running! And congrats on hitting the century mark in Peloton strength classes. I'm glad you're enjoying Tunde's classes - she's long been one of my faves.

    Hope Max recovers quickly!

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    1. I absolutely LOVE Tunde!!!!! Her 10-minute toning classes are the bomb...they've been a perfect fit for my Tuesdays, when I'm trying to keep the day's workouts (somewhat) low-key but worthwhile.

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  14. Our temps were crazy but nothing like yours That is super cold for a spring race! Hope Max is on the mend. Nice job with all those Peloton milestones glad you are really enjoying it so much too

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    1. Peloton has really been a great fit for me...much better than I anticipated. And, I have a great Pelo gang for support and feedback <3

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  15. Seriously. We went from beach weather to wind, rain, tornadoes and 30 degree temps. It's ridiculous.

    I guess UMiami is in the NCAA tournament in SC. Mr PugRunner has tickets and is thrilled to pieces.

    I'm going to start with Couch To 5K this week. My knee feels really great, except for when it's cold, so I am confident enough to try.

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    1. C25K will be a great place for you to regroup. Iowa's weather (last weekend) was similar...warm on Friday, tornadoes on Saturday, then snow overnight on Sunday. Fun times!

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  16. Winter's Revenge is the perfect title for this post, LOL. The weather here last weekend was absolutely crazy - we had crazy cold temps and lots of wind mixed in with snow and hail.

    I was so sorry to hear about Max :( I am glad that he is healing and feeling better.

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  17. I hope spring is heading your way this week! I think we might have seen the last of our snow, but who knows. That must be tough to keep Max restrained. Poor doggy! Hope he's healing up well.

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