Embracing My Current Reality

My current reality?

It's definitely not what I would have pictured or imagined a few weeks ago, but that's not a bad thing. Not in the least.

This past week saw very little running (umm, how does a single, solitary mile grab you? LOL). Instead, it entertained all kinds of other fun fitness things, which is always a good thing. 

And, the weather? Well, it was a brief summer-rewind situation...and that was a GREAT thing.

Before I give you the low-down, 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 universe, this week: 

Sunday's reality? A mix of indoor and outdoor fun.

Temps were a bit chilly in the morning hours, but the sky was clear. I started the day with a 2-mile walk, then had a 3-mile "walk and talk" with my BFF from college a few hours later. In the afternoon, I couldn't resist a 6-mile adventure on the bike in the pleasant temps. Still feeling energetic, I saddled-up Sebbe (in the basement) and knocked out nine miles (via a Peloton cycling class). So, yeah, five miles of walking, and 15 miles of cycling for the day.

Monday's reality? Give the running a rest...

Time was of the essence, in the morning hours, so I high-tailed it and did a high-powered 2-mile walk, finishing in 29:39 (that's a 14:50 pace, thank you very much). The forecast was showing a very warm afternoon on tap, so I purposely saved the #nevermissaMonday run for after work (title pic, above). My PT had advised me to keep any runs short and very easy-paced, so I did just that...a 1-mile run (10:36 pace) sandwiched between two (1/2-mile) walks. Then, I did a quick "costume change" and was ready for the handful of trick-or-treaters who knocked on our door. 

Tuesday's reality? Barre, back in the basement (and the start of Planksgiving '22).

The morning started with  Barre and an upper-body workout (both via Peloton), as well as PT before work. There also was a 1-mile walk (afternoon break, at work) and another walk (three miles) after work. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:15 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:00 total minutes} 

Wednesday's reality? Slay that 13.1 (biking) dragon.

I probably could have squeaked out a short run, but I was really craving some serious sweat equity, via the bike. I cued-up a Tabata ride, an interval ride and a low-impact ride (all via Peloton), and finished with 13.1 miles in the wee hours. Max and I walked a mile over lunch, and a friend walked another mid-afternoon mile with me at work. The temps were warm (73F), but with 18mph wind, there was no way Amy and I were about to attempt a "bonus" ride to the lake, so we enjoyed a wind-blown 3-mile walk instead, after work. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:15 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:00 total minutes}

Thursday's reality? More Barre (and glutes/legs) for breakfast.

It had been a few weeks since I'd done any specific lower-body strength work, so I started with a Barre workout (as a bit of a warm-up). The lower-body workout was only 10 minutes, but it was intense with three sets of split squats and dead lifts. Ouch. I did a quick 1-mile walk, afterwards, to shake out my throbbing legs. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:15 forearm side plank (each side), 30-second Chaturanga plank-->5:30 total minutes}

Friday's reality? Can you say DOMS!!!

The morning started off innocently enough with a couple of Peloton rides (and 14 miles of indoor cycling). We had a full day of heavy rain in the forecast, but it hadn't yet arrived, so I got out for a quick 1-mile morning walk before heading to another PT session (before work). I don't know if was the previous day's lower-body extravaganza or the morning's PT exercises (my gal worked me hard, just saying), but my body was in a world of DOMS - for the entire day - afterwards. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:15 forearm side plank (each side), 35-second Chaturanga plank-->5:35 total minutes}

Saturday's reality? Go the distance...

It was icky, cold, and rainy outside, so my "top o' the morning" began bright and early under a ceiling light. I was on the bike at 06:00, with a goal of 20 miles. I had three Peloton rides cued-up, and got to it. I was going for distance and endurance, not speed, so I kept the resistance mild. Wouldn't you know? I passed the 20-mile mark sooner than anticipated, so I found another cycling class and kept going (eventually ending with 27 miles). Now, that felt good! Later, after a long day of football watching, I got out for a 2-mile walk (somehow, sitting still feels more exhausting than movement). {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:15 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:00 total minutes} 

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

The forecast is showing mild temps with a touch of wind. There will definitely be some outdoor action on tap...walking, maybe a short run (?), and possibly an afternoon bike ride.

So, there you have it. Despite the limited running, I successfully busied myself with other things. My PT gal told me (Friday morning) she's already seen a big improvement in my range of motion, so that's very encouraging! This past week's running was almost null and void (one mile, LOL), but I'm fine with that. Honestly, it's more of a priority to rehab the troubled hammy than pat my ego by running when I really don't need to. That said, walking served me well with 22 miles, and biking was on-point with 69 miles. I'm doing daily PT exercises and stretches (as well as in-person appointments, twice weekly), continued strength work (but keeping the lower-body moves "light" for the time-being), and am enjoying the benefits of Barre a couple times each week as well. Oh, and let's not forget the Planksgiving '22 Challenge (see below). 

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

Gimme an I

It's Time for Planksgiving '22

If we were having Coffee

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. As much as I love bright and bold colors, I'm still a diehard with the classic black and white color combo. No harm in adding a punch of color, though. Question for you...do you button your sleeve cuffs? I don't like the "tight" feeling of buttoned cuffs, so I tend to leave them unbuttoned. I think it adds a bit of a whimsical touch of funk. Your thoughts? 

Planksgiving '22! The challenge started on Tuesday (November 1st) and goes through Thanksgiving. No specific rules, but merely a challenge of planking daily. You get to decide whatever position(s) and  how long you're "on the floor" ...but I do encourage you to try to increase your "holding" time (either daily or every couple days) and try new positions (to vary the muscles being worked). Personally, I'm committing to five total minutes each day (at the minimum), and am working on increasing my holding time for side-planks and Chaturanga planks. 

Finally, the weather was simply wonderful (up until Friday). We had afternoon temps in the low/mid-70F's! Now, this is the kind of fall weather I could really get used to!

Anyways, enough about me!

Tell me about YOUR week! Any kick-buttocks workouts that left you proud? Weekend races? Summer-rewind weather? Are you joining me for Planksgiving '22? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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