Just Cruisin'

Baby, let's cruise...

With back-to-back half marathons, over the course of seven days, cruising through some recovery was in order. We're talking minimal running, extra stretching, continuous walking and all kinds of time in the saddle.

I even tried to "bank" a few extra hours of snoozing, which is no easy feat for yours truly. Nonetheless, this week of recovery, was much needed and well-utilized.

Before I dis on the recovery 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 this week in terms of fitness, fun, and recovery...

Almost blown away on Sunday...

Fresh off of Saturday's half marathon, I was feeling pretty beat. After a bit of a sleep-in, I decided to test the legs. The plan was to walk 1/2-mile to the college campus, then run an easy mile. If things felt good, I'd run another easy mile and then walk the 1/2-mile back home. Well, all went well (these recovery runs work like magic, I swear) until I finished the second mile and started the cool-down walk home. Holy Wild Wind, it felt like I was walking in place. Afterwards, I noticed the wind was 32mph out of the northwest, so it was a ferocious headwind for that "simple" walk. Once I got back to the house, I didn't venture outside for the rest of the day. I did get a good nap in the afternoon, though.

 

Making it happen on Monday...

I had no interest in running Monday morning (ugh, still cold and crazy windy outdoors). Instead, I hopped on the bike for 10 miles of low-impact cycling and a sweet cardio fix.  

After work, Barb and I decided to head to the lake, giving us a bit of shelter from the wind. Still, it felt like we were running-in-place at times. But, three miles later, all was well.

Taking it easy on Tuesday...

I awoke to (still) cold temps and wind, but the sunrise was beckoning. I did a 2-mile walk before work and another 2-mile walk before dinner. I actually got out for a third 2-mile walk after dinner (while chatting with a friend on the phone), and also did some core work in the evening.

Double workout for Wednesday...

The morning started with a tough arm/shoulder strength workout, as well as some core and a bonus arm workout (Peloton app). As promised, the temps were feeing much warmer and the wind was practically MIA...so we got in two 1-mile walks at work (late morning and mid-afternoon). After work, I met Amy and Mike (remember them from all those long rides last summer, including the century ride?). We took it easy and stayed in town, but I finished with 15 miles of outdoor cycling (title pic, above)! Afterwards, I had another 2-mile walk & talk session with a friend (via phone).

Another Thankful Thursday with Friends...

As per usual, the day started early with a 4:30ish wake-up and a 5:00 (my time) ride and chat session with Deb. After 15 miles of pedal power, I cued-up a (glutes-focused) Barre class and did some more core work (via Peloton). The upper-70F's temps were absolutely fabulous, and worthy of a couple of walks at work.

 

Later, I met Barb and Allison for our monthly #FullMoon5Miler. Yes, it was definitely feeling like summer! Also, worthy of noting, this was my 24th consecutive full moon run...whodda thunk?

Feeling the #FinallyFriday vibe...

How about we cruise into the weekend with our first sunrise ride of the season? Don't mind if I do! I had to layer-up a tad for the upper-40F temps, but it was worth it getting back outside - on the wheels - in the early hours. Five Friday miles, thank you very much. Even with a hint of a sunrise, the day stayed pretty gloomy. Other than a 1-mile walk, late morning, there wasn't any other outdoor action (and rain was waiting for me as I drove home at the end of the day). Just a quick core workout, after dinner, and some stretching.

A (somewhat) #ShortRunSaturday...

I was at odds, come Saturday morning, on what to do distance-wise. I'm so used to running a minimum of 5-6 miles (most Saturdays), but the weather was looking iffy at best. I saw a window of opportunity, before the rain (and thunderbolts & lightning) was due to hit, so I seized the moment. I left the house with 2-4 miles in mind. Shortly after the 1-mile mark, I saw Mary and Rebecca a few blocks over, so I upped my pace to (hopefully) join them. It took me about four city blocks to finally catch them, but it was well worth the effort (nothing wrong with a spontaneous speed interval sprinkled into the run, right?). We chatted for the better part of two miles before I broke away to head home. So, I beat the rain, had some great conversation (and a few laughs), and finished with three solid miles on the Garmin. Afterwards, I did some core, stretching, and a light upper-body workout for my cool-down. And, I rode the hybrid (Krystal) down to the bike shop for her annual tune-up (and walked back home). Although the rain never showed, the humid weather prevailed. Late in the afternoon, I took another 3-mile walk (via a phone chat), and the muggy 79F temps definitely felt like summer had arrived.

...and what's on tap for Sunday? 

The weather is still looking questionable, but nice in the morning. Maybe I can swing another early morning ride (outdoors, on the mountain bike)? 

So, things are feeling good! Granted, I had some muscle fatigue (and general sleepiness) early in the week, but things evened out as the days ticked by. I kept the running miles conservative, ending with 13 miles for the week. Walking wasn't as high as I'd prefer (18 miles), but I blame the crazy wind. Biking was adequate, with 48 miles (23 of which were outside!). I kept strength-training limited to upper-body workouts (except for Thursday's Barre, which is more like a PT session). This week, I started a 5-week core program, via Peloton, and am loving it thus far. It has five workouts, each week, most of which are 10 minutes.

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

Recovery or Taper?

Kewash Trail Half Marathon race recap

May We Chat?

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I'm all about bright and bold colors, but I do (on occasion) like to mix in some neutrals as well. Hence, the kiwi cami and the gunmetal grey maxi cardi combo. A few pieces of chunky and funky jewelry, and I was all set for a casual Friday at the office. After all, casual doesn't have to mean jeans with t-shirts and sneakers. 

Finally, how about a peek at some of the spring flowers that have come to life in my yard? The daffodils are long gone, but the tulips are thriving. This week, the bleeding hearts made their presence known and the first iris bloomed Saturday morning. 

Anyways, another week done, and we're another week closer to summer. The increased daylight, both in the early hours and in the evening, makes me smile on the daily. Even though we've had some cold days, it does feel like we've turned the corner and are leaning more towards summer than winter...I just wish the wind would mellow-out!

How did the first week of May go for you? Any races coming up? Has your weather been shaping up, or hanging on to winter-like conditions?

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