Out & About

So there I was again...

It was (yet) another week of recovery (this time from M2M), maintaining (aren't we always?) and taper (D2D is coming up on June 3rd). It's both a blessing and a curse to have so many favorite races all happening within a short time frame. I do it every year, and I have ZERO regrets, but it does make for a busy and active season.

This week was all about finding that sweet balance between continued training and downtime. How did that work for me? In a word - perfection!

Before I delve into 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 ;-)

So, here's what went down as I rode that balance...

Sunday - M2M Relay Recovery:101

With Saturday's 19-hour day (and 13 miles of running) in the rear window, I did my best to sleep-in...but woke up around 6:30 anyways. I stayed in bed and tried to fall back asleep, but gave up and got up, LOL. The sunrise was beckoning, so I headed out for a 2-mile walk. My legs were feeling mucho fatigued, so I saddled-up the bike and also did an easy-paced 7-mile ride as well (to flush out some of the achiness).  Other than 18 holes of miniature golf, that was it for the day.

  

Monday - A little bit of everything easy-peasy.

I don't know if there's a specific "window" of time for the DOMS to set in, but I'd thought I'd cleared it by Sunday evening. WRONG! Monday morning had me feeling like I'd been hit by a bus. My solution? A short recovery run (title pic, above). Just an easy-paced 2-miler, amidst the rising sun and I felt much better afterwards. We passed on walking during our work breaks because the wind was an obnoxious 14mph. After work, I got in a windy 7-mile bike ride and a 3-mile walk. I went to bed feeling more like myself.

Tuesday - Easing back to my typical routine...

The morning workout started indoors (because I didn't feel like dragging my heavier weights up from the basement) and ended outside, on the deck. I squeezed in a 2-mile walk before work and also a couple of 1-milers at work.

After work, Amy and I decided to do our weekly bike path ride a day early since the weather was so perfect (high 70F's with only 4mph wind!). Hello, 15 miles of ideal biking conditions, at long last! Afterwards, I took advantage of the summer-like conditions, and walked for three miles while chatting with a college friend on the phone. So, doing the math, the day ended with seven miles of walking and 15 miles of biking...all of it low-impact cardio.

Wednesday - How about a #5at5!

I think it had been three weeks (?) since our last early-morning 5-miler, so this was perfect timing. Again, nice weather and pretty much full daylight after the first mile or so. Two more miles walked at work, and a free evening (well, unless you count laundry...).

Thursday - More low-impact cardio fun!

Deb and I took it outside for our weekly virtual workout/chat session. It was a bit too cold to ride outdoors (ummm, mid-50F's and windy, for both of us), so we power-walked instead (four miles). Afterwards, I did some lower-body strength work and a core workout. I also got in a mid-afternoon walk at the office (we passed on a morning walk due to the cold temps and wind).

Although it was still pretty windy, after work, it was also quite warm (75F). I decided to grit-it-out and go for a 10-mile bike ride anyways. I have been waiting for these temps for a long time, after all, I might as well take advantage...right? Afterwards, I did another 2-mile walk in the early evening. 

Friday - another easy-peasy day

Thursday may have been a low-impact day, but it left me feeling pretty wiped-out come Friday morning (and there were some DOMS from the lower-body strength workout). I had every intention of doing a 2-mile pre-work walk, but Max gave me "that look" with his pleading almond-shaped eyes...so I grabbed his leash. Suffice it to say that a quick walk with Max ain't so quick, because he has to mark every lamppost and inspect every suspicious clump of grass. My 2-mile walk morphed into a leisurely 20-minute 1-miler (I kid you not), but Max was quite happy. Later, a friend and I managed a mid-morning walk (at work)...and that was it for the day.

  

Saturday - Welcome back to Long Run Saturday!

Two of my fellow M2M team members had long runs on their agendas, and I wanted to get in 10-miles (as my final long run before next weekend's DAM to DSM 13.1). Allison started her 20-miler early, and I met up with her at 5:45. Her and I ran for an hour (about 5-1/2 miles), then swung by Rebecca's house. The three of us then met up with Lauren and Mary (both had been on last year's M2M relay team), and we headed out on the bike path for a short out-and-back segment. I hit my 10-mile mark shortly after we made it back to town, so I bid everyone farewell. This was a major win in so many ways...long runs for the marathoners, a long run for me, and extra chat time with two other runner friends. We had perfect weather (57F, sunny, very minimal wind), and we kept an awesome pace. Afterwards, I summoned the bike for 10 miles of "leg flushing & stretching." I even managed an easy-paced 2-mile evening walk after dinner. Whew! 

...and what's happening on Sunday?

The weather is looking beautiful again, so I'm planning on a long bike ride mid-morning (or thereabouts)...maybe 25 miles. There will probably also be some walking in the sunshine.

So, that's how my week played out: 17 miles of running, 25 miles of walking, and 49 miles on the bike.  Strength work was kept to the minimum with daily core work (most days), one upper-body session (Tuesday) and one lower-body workout (Thursday...but the DOMS were still lingering on Saturday morning).

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

A PrEvIeW of SuMmEr

To 'Fess or Not To 'Fess

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. The weather has been tricky to dress for. While we've been flirting with summertime temps, our mornings have felt a bit like fall...so I have been rocking the layers. It was 47F Friday morning, just saying! Thankfully, the afternoon temps have been wonderful.

There's been a lot of blooming in the garden. I love all the colors...they totally brighten my days!

And, remember the amaryllis bulbs? The first one bloomed a few weeks ago, and this past week the second one started blooming. This one has five blooms! As you can see, the orchid is still in bloom (just behind the amaryllis), and it has a new leaf sprouting.

And, that's my story. Balancing the recovery, with a taste of taper, while maintaining some fitness fun, all seemed to work in my favor. My body is feeling good, I kept myself busy, and I slept pretty well. No complaints; no regrets.

How did your week play out? Ever tried to find a good balance between recovery and taper? How's your weather been? Any weekend racing? Plans for Memorial Day? 

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