Let the Mayhem Commence

Is it ironic that the start of May also jump-started a spurt of activity?

I mean, there's been the usual weather-dancing (#wind and #rain and #morewind) and running gear confusion (#layers), but the month of May also adds in multiple events with race bibs. Sure, why not? 

Go big or go home, right?

Before I spill 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 ;-)

So...here's what went down, as the mayhem got underway, this week:

Fighting-the-weather Sunday

Ugh, the temps were chilly, the air was damp, and the wind was out of control (again). I got out for a fast 1-minute walk, and didn't feel like going any farther. It's just doesn't seem right to have all these spring flowers and blossoms with the crazy cold temps.

Back home, I hopped on the bike and did a fun 20-minute 80's ride (Peloton app), then remembered this weekend was the PeloFondo. OOPS. I had not paid any registration fees, but I really wanted to take part...so I continued pedaling until I reached 25 miles (while reading several WRD blog posts). I'd ridden 15 miles the day prior, so I set a goal of 50 total miles for the PeloFondo. I took a break, got some chai and a snack, and watched our church's live stream service. Later, I cued up another 80's ride. I felt pretty good after the class ended, so I continued pedaling to get to 10 miles...then just kept pedaling (and reading a few more blogs, LOL), and ended with 20...giving me a total of 60 miles for the weekend!

Never miss a Monday

We had rain in the forecast, but it was dry at wake-up. I usually use the bike for running recovery, but this time it was the opposite. My legs were feeling a little "jelly-like," but an easy-paced 5K worked like magic. Not only did I beat the rain, but also the approaching car (though it still succeeded in photo-bombing my pic). I also got in a quick 1-mile walk at work (after the rain had passed) in the afternoon.

Twofer Tuesday with Tunde

You probably know my Tuesday morning drill by now. I do back-to-back arms/shoulder toners with Tunde (Peloton app), and keep power-walking until I reach two miles on the treadmill. This morning's session was especially spicy. On a whim, I stepped outside, in the light rain, for the post-workout selfie...and WOW. Did that light rain feel wonderful on my overheated persona! Thankfully, the rain moved on rather quickly, so I was  able to get in a late-morning walk and an afternoon walk (two total miles) at the office.

Almost a no-wind Wednesday!

The temps were a bit chilly (low-40F's), and there was some fog...but the wind was in the single digits! Seriously, with all the crazy wind we've had (since forever?), single-digit wind feels like no wind. The day warmed up nicely, and we got in two 1-mile walks at work again. After work, I walked another 2.5 miles while catching up with one of my college friends on the phone. 

Double Workout Thursday

With the Fight for Air Climb coming up on Saturday, I kept the lower-body work at the bare minimum this week (just the usual 10 stair flights prior to each of my runs). I did 20 minutes of intense upper-body work, though. And, since I hadn't done any cycling since the PeloFondo, I did a 30-minute Peloton class featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers (for 10 miles). Much to my surprise, my guy Daniel (a favorite Pelo instructor) "liked" my Instagram post, LOL. I didn't even tag him (but I was wearing my One More For Luck tank). Day made.

A Friday #5at530

We'd had rain forecast for all day Thursday and Friday, but all we actually got was some overnight rain Thursday evening. Barb and I decided, kind of last-minute, to meet for a 5-miler Friday morning...but we opted to start at 5:30 instead of our usual 5:00. Can I just say how wonderful it is to do an early morning run with (almost) full daylight from start to finish? The temps wound up being really nice, by late afternoon, so there also was a 2-mile walk before dinner.

Taking it to the stairs Saturday

At long last, it was Climb day! My scheduled wave start wasn't until 10:10, so I had time for a short 1-mile walk before I needed to leave for Des Moines (an hour away). Momma N blessed us with immaculate weather! The temps were in the mid/high 60F's, with full sun, by the time I got to Principal Park, which is a baseball stadium in downtown Des Moines. Climbers had the option of doing one, two, three or four "laps" through the stadium, going up and down all the aisles. I haven't seen final results, but the prelims showed that I placed fourth in my age division. Running (or walking) a stadium makes for an interesting twist to the dynamics of stair-climbing. The stadium steps are different than traditional stairway steps...they're not as steep and they're deeper. Ironically, descending the steps is harder than climbing them because it feels so unnatural. Anyways, they said there were 834 steps to climb; doing the math means I climbed 3,334 steps (since I did four laps). Stay tuned, there's a short recap coming soon!

 

What's on tap for Sunday?

Did you hear me say there's some mayhem happening? I'll be heading back to Des Moines, this time for the Des Moines Women's Half Marathon/10K/5K (I'm running the 10K).  The weather is looking a bit damp (#DrasticUnderstatement), and my legs may be slow-moving, but I rather like taking on challenges such as these. Back-to-back events are a great way to see just what my body can do.

So, how did all the fitness play out? Running was decent, with 13 miles (plus another 6.2 happening Sunday morning). Walking had 15 (I'm including the two "miles" that showed on my Garmin from  Saturday's Climb). Biking dominated with 60 miles, but 45 of those were from last Sunday's installment for the PeloFondo). A couple of good strength sessions, daily core, daily push-ups, and daily leg lifts. Yadda yadda yadda.

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

Sort of on the Down Low

A Favorite Medal

MAYbe We Should Chat

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Green grass, magnolia petals, and pleasant temps. The lime and turquoise colors reflected the real feel of the real spring weather that we'd long been awaiting. Look closely, I'm even wearing sandals!

Here's a peek at the flowers by our house's front walkway. The daffodils have been showing off this past week, the tulips have opened, and the bleeding hearts are blooming as well. I think the irises will soon be joining the party as well.

If you saw my coffee post, you learned of the new bike in my life. I took her for a short ride Saturday afternoon. It felt really good to be back on the road!

So, that's the latest! We have real summer-like temps in this next week's forecast. I'm almost dizzy with excitement! 

How did the first week of May play out for you? Any mayhem happening? How about races...any race bibs pinned on this weekend?  

**due to my Sunday morning race, as well as Mother's Day activities, I may be delayed in reading and commenting on the blog posts. I will try to get all caught up before bedtime, though. #PinkySwear

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