Acting on Impulse

 

Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut, have faith, and seize the moment.

And that's just what I did, almost on the daily, this past week.

The weather kept me guessing (what's new?), the hip felt great (yay!), and the glute/hammy saw significant signs of improvement (whew!). So, we acted on a few impulses...

Before I drop all the deets, 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 world of fitness this week:

Another sunny Sunday...

I allowed myself a slight sleep-in (seriously, that's becoming kind of a new habit on the weekends), and got out for a 3-mile walk in the bright morning sunshine. The temps were chilly (39F, with a 34F feels-like), but warmed up significantly as the day wore on. I also got in a short 4-mile bike ride (mid-afternoon), and a 4-mile full moon run in the evening (see below).

Never Miss a Monday...

The forecast was showing a much warmer afternoon on tap, so I opted for a 2-mile walk in the cold 46F morning temps (complete with the full moon still in view). After work, the temps were SO MUCH nicer! Having run five miles on Saturday, and then four more under Sunday's full moon, my legs were quite happy with just a short 2-mile post-workday run.

Sort of a typical Tuesday...

As has been the new norm, the morning started with a Barre workout for breakfast. My glutes and hips were feeling a little strained following the previous three days' running, so some TLC was warranted (via the Peloton app)

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Later, after work, I spontaneously saddled-up Krystal for the weekly bike path ride. The temps were somewhat warm (70F), but crazy windy (19mph out of the south). The forecast was showing much colder temps on the way for the rest of the week, with even more wind, so this spur-of-the-moment ride was my best option for Ride #23. I got in 14 miles on the bike, then followed that with a 2-mile walk to catch my breath.

Weird weather Wednesday...

Sometimes you just gotta beat Momma N at her own (twisted) game. Let's just say the "40% chance of rain" mislead us (Barb and myself) to believe it wouldn't rain for our #5at5...until we were almost at the turnaround. The sprinkles started near the 2.5-mile mark. The actual rain hit shortly thereafter, only to taper-off by the time I made it back to my driveway. Oh well. All the rain had cleared out of the area by mid-morning, so I got in a 1-mile walk at work, and two more miles in the evening.

Double workout for Thankful Thursday...

The morning began with a fun (though challenging) upper-body stack. After work, I got in a 2-mile walk in the crazy cold and wind. Then, still craving a little more action, I knocked out 14 miles - are you ready for it - on the stationary bike in the basement. Desperate times...

Freaky Frigid Friday...

Holy Brrr, Batman! The early morning temps were showing 30F (and feeling 25F)! Curious as to how the body would hold up, I set out to walk 1/2-mile, run 1-2 miles, and then walk the 1/2-mile back home. Well, it was c.o.l.d! And my glute/hammy was feeling a bit tight (even after the 1/2-mile "warm-up" walk), so I ran one mile and called it good. I walked the 1/2-mile back home and made the command decision that it would be in my best interest to switch my registration from the half marathon to the 5K (for Sunday). I have never done such an extreme switcheroo with a race before, but this decision was an easy one. A 5K would be quite doable, but pushing through an additional 10 miles would serve no purpose and probably further complicate and/or compromise my already grumpy body parts, LOL.

And, after a long and busy day at the office, I spent a few more miles (12, to be exact) with Sebbe in the basement. I hadn't been on the stationary bike since April (I think?), so this was the perfect time to get back into a routine with a Peloton cycling class.

And a sunny (and quite chilly) start to my Saturday...

After another weekend sleep-in, I got out for a 10-miler on the wheels. Yes, it was cold (again), but the wind was minimal, and the sunshine was ever bright and beautiful. So what if I had to layer-up and don the winter jacket? By afternoon, the temps had climbed to the mid-60F's and the day (and evening) turned out to be quite beautiful. I even took a 2-mile walk under the stars, almost 12 hours after the bike ride...you know, just because.

...and what's on tap for Sunday?

Well, the morning will be all about the 5K race course of the IMT Des Moines Marathon festivities. The forecast is showing a similar afternoon as Saturday, so there may be a bike ride happening (and/or a walk as well) after I return home. 

In summary, things played out alright, though I had to play it cool in terms of running (as I assessed my race day well being). Running saw 12 miles; walking had 15; biking had 56 (with 26 of those indoors). Strength-training was more upper-body focused, but Tuesday's Barre gave the lower-body some TLC attention. While I probably won't take a sabbatical from running, I do plan to keep the mileage conservative and the runs short for awhile (mostly 2-3 miles, with an occasional 5-miler).

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

A Week That Had Me Going...HMMM...

Breaking-out of the Burnout

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. As we know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I'm making an effort to wear pink (in some capacity) on the daily. Friday was an especially cold day, so the pink puffer vest was a no-brainer

FYI...ROADiD has brought back the PINKiD for the month of October. Isn't it pretty? Personally, I never leave the house without one of my iD's in tow...you just never know when the emergency contact info could be needed. These are available for your pets, too. A bonus is that $10 from every PINKiD purchased goes to the American Cancer Society. You can save 25% with my discount link HERE.

Another full moon run! Wow, the weather was absolutely perfect, the sky was oh-so-clear, and the company of friends was epic. I've honestly lost count on how many of these runs we've done now (since May of 2021), but they've become a favorite monthly ritual.

So, that's a wrap. A lot of spontaneity and a few impulse decisions, but that was my reality. No harm, no foul, LOL. 

***Since I'll be racing in the morning, I'll be a little tardy in reading/commenting/replying to everyone's linked posts, but I'll try to have everything tidied up before bedtime. I #pinkyswear

How did your week play out? Cold, winter-like mornings? Any spur-of-the-minute antics? Any races on the roster, this weekend or upcoming?

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