Saturday, April 16, 2022

Another Round of Weather Roulette


Well, another round of Weather Roulette went down this week. 

Can I runfess that I'm not a very willing player? Every time I wash the fleece-lined tights, headbands and gloves, I wistfully hope it's for the last time this season...only to have to dig them out ((again)) for "just one more run." 

Thankfully, I do know the end is in sight, and that all these cold (and windy) days will be a fading memory. And, thankfully, I am grateful to have a good supply of fleece-lined gear in my possession for the time being. That said, I'm ready to spring ahead to brighter and warmer days.

Before I tell you about this little game of roulette, 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 chilly and windy world of fun and fitness:

Sunday, Sunny Sunday: recovery!
The morning sun was all that, and my 2-mile recovery run was on-point. Let's just say that Saturday's struggle bus endeavor was forgiven. Later, Barb and I took on the 17mph wind, and walked five laps around the lake (total distance: five miles) and I also did 10 miles of (indoor) pedaling afterwards.
 

Never Miss a Monday: Walking and Fartleking!
The temps were chilly (yet again) in the wee hours, but the forecast was calling for things to be warm and sunny by afternoon. I got out for a 2-mile sunrise-kissed walk before work, and saved the run for later. By afternoon, the temps were wonderful (60F's) for my post-workday run. In fact, the weather was feeling so nice, I spontaneously morphed my 3-mile run into some fartlek fun. For having not done any semblance of speedwork (since last summer?), this was a good benchmark test for my legs. I made it back home in less than 30 minutes, and that's with two stops for selfie ops. Afterwards, I took another 2-mile walk (as a cool-down) while chatting with a friend on the phone. Multi-tasking!


Another Tuesday Toner with Tunde: upper-body burn!
As has been my Tuesday routine in recent weeks, Milly and I spent some time with Tunde (Peloton app). I stacked two of her 10-minute classes, and continued power-walking until I reached two miles. Holy! The result? Shoulders: smoldering; Biceps: burning; Legs: totaled. I'd call that a success! I also took advantage of the warmer than expected weather, and went for a short 1-mile walk after work (see below).


Double Workout Wednesday: Just go with it!
With our #5at5 rained out, I opted for 10 miles on the indoor bike. I also pretended the glowing orb (over my shoulder) wasn't the ceiling light, but the hidden sun, LOL. After work, the rain had moved on out much sooner than was forecast, so I did a quick 1-mile (windy) walk. Back home, I crafted a fun interval workout:

*10 stair flights (double-stepped)
*10 push-ups
**repeat both for four circuits
*hit the bike for 8 miles
*10 more stair flights (also double-stepped)
*10 more push-ups
**repeat the stairs and push-ups for four more circuits
Totals: 80 stair flights, 80 push-ups, 8 biking miles, lots of sweat, legs maxed-out


Thankful Thursday: Back in a puffer vest!
With the erratic weather, the forecast kept changing every few hours (regarding rain and storms). Barb and I texted each other at 4:30 in the morning, and decided to just go for it. Spoiler: we stayed dry (the rain had been pushed back a few hours), but it was another chilly morning in Iowa. By mid-morning, though, we were treated to some snow flurries and the wind picked up...to the tune of 20-30mph sustained wind for the remainder of the day and evening!


After work, I stacked a short (but intense) upper-body strength workout with another 10-minute Tunde toner. Holy ouch...this Tunde class was shoulder-focused, with a lot of extended arm holds (in various directions). I'm glad I did that class just standing (and wasn't attempting to power-walk on the 'mill) or it could have been a face-plant disaster, LOL.


Friday fitness: A little bit of everything!
With plans of an evening run, I decided to keep it inside for the morning. Sebbe and I did about six miles of Tabata cycling (Peloton app), then pedaled for another 4ish miles as a cool-down. Have I mentioned how fun Tabata is on the bike? I see a lot more of those workouts in my future!


Friday's weather was (again) cool and breezy. By late afternoon, though, it had calmed down some, so I took Max for a very, very short walk (he's still recovering from his surgery), then did a quick 2-mile walk (on my own) before dinner. Later, I met Barb and Allison for another full moon run. Much to our surprise, Momma N really came through for us...the temps felt perfect (low-50F's), the wind had mellowed, and the clouds parted while we ran and chatted for four miles. Believe it or not, this was my 12th consecutive full moon run. I think we've only had one of these runs with cloud cover, so we've really lucked out with "miling and smiling" under the glow of the moon. Does it get any better? Honestly, I can't see this monthly ritual ending any time soon.


Long Run Saturday: Grit it out!
It's a really good thing we had full sunshine because the cold temps (28F, with a feels-like of 19F) and the 11mph wind (which felt more like 111mph, just saying) were just pure evil. Let me add that my legs were feeling trashed from the previous evening's full moon run (that we may have run at a near-tempo pace, #oops). Alas, I'd considered going for 10 miles, but called it good at the 8-mile mark. I walked about a mile back home, after parting ways with Barb, and then did an easy 6-mile ride on the bike after returning home.


What's on tap for Sunday?
There's rain (and possibly snow) in the forecast, from mid-morning and on, so I may head out for a short recovery run in the wee hours. I'm hosting Easter dinner, so any other fitness fun (like an indoor bike ride, for example) will have to wait until later in the day. No big whoop.

All in all, it was a productive week, even with the crazy "revert-to-winter" weather. I'd love to see the wind calm down some (yeah right!) and the temps warm up a bit...but it is what it is. Thankfully, I'm able to keep active even if I have to dance around the weather now and then.

This week's stats:
Running: 22 miles
Biking: 44 miles
Walking : 16 miles
Stair-climbing: 130 flights (50 of which were part of running warm-ups)
Strength-training - two upper-body sessions, three core workouts, daily planks and push-ups

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. In an attempt to keep warm, I layered a teal button-down under a turquoise cardi. I was pleasantly surprised how well the two similar colors worked together, especially with contrasting khaki pants and punch of color from the cheetah print scarf (and booties).


As mentioned, Tuesday's temps were a welcome surprise! There had been rain in the forecast, but it didn't show until late evening. There also had been tornadic conditions, but nothing materialized in my area of the state. The late afternoon temps were so nice (and sunny!) that I was able to wear sandals for my post-workday walk. No complaints!


So, that's a wrap on another crazy week of Iowa weather. Thankfully, it played out drier than was forecast, even if the temps were still chilly and windy. I'm hoping that all these less-than-ideal conditions will level-out in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed!

How's the weather for you? Still winter? Somewhat spring-like? Any races this weekend, or happening soon? Workouts that need mention or some brag time?

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33 comments:

  1. Looks we both have had it with the weather! I know that we'll probably just skip spring and go right to summer. I did enjoy our one day of warmth last week!

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    1. Yeah, this "spring" is simply stupid. Not that it's been much warmer in previous years, but this year seems especially cold, windy and never-ending.

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  2. Congrats on all the full moon runs!
    It's back at winter here. 30 degrees for my run this morning. Hopefully spring will come soom!

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    1. The full moon runs have been so much fun! I'm so glad we've started that monthly ritual ;-)

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  3. The full moon was gorgeous on the horizon! I am so over these winter temps. It looks like we'll have a warm up next Saturday. Of course I'll be out of town. Haha!

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    1. These winter temps need to leave the scene! At least you'll be somewhere warm ;-)

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  4. every time I thought the gloves were gone for good, we got a cold snap and then and 80's day. It's crazy to adapt but we do it! Your full moon run looked fab. Those Tunde arms classes are paying off for you! Looking good. Happy Easter

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    1. Yeah, my headbands, gloves (in various thicknesses) are still in rotation. Enough already! Tunde's classes have been a total game-changer for me ;-)

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  5. I'm with you on the fleece lined tights! I didn't have a pair in the wash (finally!) this week. I think it's finally over here. But soon it's those odd temperatures (40-50) that are hard to dress for! Happy Easter!

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    1. I agree, the 40-50's are tough nail with layering. The wind is such a factor, that it's far more complicated than it ought to be, LOL.

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  6. Yes we had it all this week - rain, wind, hot, cold... Congrats on getting out there in all conditions... it will get warmer, right?

    Not today!! Brrrr

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    1. My early morning sunrise run was so nice...then, I returned home, the clouds took over, and the temps dropped. We did have rain/snow in the forecast (due to hit late morning)...so we shall see if that will happen.

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  7. So many posts about the weather this week — maybe that’s the true sign of spring. ;-) We even got up to the 80s this week, but now we’re back in the 50s.

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    1. I think we're all frustrated with the lingering winter weather conditions! I'd love some of those 80's to come my way!

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  8. Nope... you don't want to hear about my weather! :) Don't worry- before you know it. it'll be in the 90s there and everyone will be complaining except you.
    You're really getting intrigued about these Tunde arm workouts! I may have to check it out this week.
    Nice job on getting the workouts in around all that crazy weather. The full moon run sounds amazing!

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    1. That's right, everyone will be complaining about the warm weather except me, LOL!!! Tunde's workouts are 10 minutes, and they're with light weights...I'm amazed at how tough 3-pound weights can be for these moves!

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  9. Wow, you have had changeable times! Good work to get it all done, and the usual variety of workouts and runs, too. I've had lovely sunny runs from Thursday onwards but Tuesday's run, when I was doing strava art for my wedding anniversary, was SO wet I was literally wet through and hanging clothes on radiators as I went through the house towards the shower!

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    1. We've had some sunshine, thankfully, so at least the cold temps have been (somewhat) bearable. But, it's just been SO cold and windy!

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  10. We went from a high on Wednesday in the mid-80's to a high today in the mid-50's, but at least it's sunny. Sorry about your potential snow...

    Happy Easter, my friend!

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    1. So far, the rain/snow has been a no-show....fingers crossed it stays away! Happy Easter to you, too ;-)

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  11. Gah. The weather this year. Thankfully it hasn't been THAT cold here, but we've had rain and lots and lots of wind. Today the sun peeked out for a while and we've fit in workouts everyday as a family (trail run yesterday with my husband while the kids biked ahead and then a long family walk today), but we're still wearing puffer coats, hats, and mittens. Sigh!

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    1. For as miserably cold and windy that it's been, we haven't had a lot of rain (totally jinxing things by saying that, LOL). I'm so ready to pack up all the winter gear...

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  12. Yep we've got snow on the way! And we had another day when the wind was so bad that I happily opted for the treadmill. We just can't win but we keep playing!

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    1. The wind was so crazy here, Thursday, I could barely get my car door open...then I almost lost a leg when I closed it (with the wind's gracious help).

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  13. I put away a lot of my winter running clothes...maybe I jinxed the midwest :) I hope we have a little bit of spring, even though I love the summer almost as much as you!

    I hope the pup is healing well!

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    1. I'm calling the vet tomorrow to get an opinion on Max's condition. He's gimping around, very speedily, but not using his recovering leg much. He seems content, but I know it's probably not good for his "good" leg to be doing so much of the work. I'm hoping once we get through April the weather will start to match the calendar ;-)

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  14. I was able to wear a skirt one day this so that was wonderful! We did get snow at home today, but I was gone. A little bit here,too.

    Happy Easter!

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    1. We had some snow this afternoon, but nothing accumulated. Still, it's not fun watching it come down...

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  15. Great week Kim despite Mother Nature's lack of cooperation!

    Happy Easter!

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    1. Yeah, Mother Nature seems to have her calendar all jacked up. Apparently she has Winter and Spring confused...

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  16. We had all of the seasons this week, but the one constant was the crazy wind! I was almost blown away on my walk in the park this morning, lol.

    I hope you had a great Easter!

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    1. The wind has been a strong (and stubborn) constant here as well. I don't mind a daily breeze, but these 20+mph sustained winds are too much!

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  17. Our weather has been up, down, and all around.

    I love that you are wearing Jaguars colors! So cute!

    We can just do what we can do and I think we are all making the most of the Mother N situation. I had to wear long sleeves again today. In Florida. In April. Make it make sense.

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