Falling for Fall (finally)

Many runners proclaim fall as their favorite season.

This past week, almost had me understanding why. I mean, the temps were in the 50's for the majority of the week! Although we had daily wind (I ask you, "What's new?"), the sunshine was simply magnificent. It felt more like early fall than pre-winter. Momma N must have been indulging in some naughty beverage(s), but she "righted" herself once the weekend arrived.

No doubt, she likes to keep us guessing...  

Before I disclose all the deets of the week, 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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down, this week, in my little corner of the universe:

Sunday? Recovery:101

Remember Saturday's cross-country 5-mile race? And the Iowa football game? Oh, and a late night of live music? Yeah, my body (and mind, LOL) was needing some downtime come Sunday. I got out for a 2-mile walk in the early afternoon, and a 3-mile walk in  the evening. I think there also was some napping, stretching and foam-rolling (not necessarily in that order). The day is kind of a blur...

Monday? Back in action

The forecast was showing a beautiful afternoon on tap, so I kept it inside in the morning with 11 miles on the bike, and some upper-body and core work.

 

After work, I met Barb for four miles of running (and chatting) fun. This was my first post-workday run since the time change, and Holy Wow, that daylight sure disappeared quickly! The low-60's temps were fabulous; the fast-approaching darkness, not so much.

Tuesday? Low-impact fitness for the win

Nothing too grandiose happening, but I didn't keep idle. After a 3-mile "warm-up" on the bike, I did some upper-body and core work. There also was a mid-morning 1-mile walk at work and a 2-mile work before dinner. 

Wednesday? Double workouts on deck

Although we had mild unseasonably warm daytime temps, it still was chilly in the early hours. I met Barb and Allison at our "spot" for the weekly #5at5. Michele and I got outside for two different 1-mile walks at work, and there was another 2-mile walk after work. The evening ended with 16 miles on the bike.

Thursday? Always a busy day

Although we had very different settings, it was another fun virtual get-together with Deb.  I decided to join her birthday festivities, and knocked-off 6.6(ish) miles...in some capacity (it's what friends do, LOL). I ran for three miles, walked a mile back to my house, and finished with 2.6 miles on the bike. 

 

After we said our goodbyes, I did some Barre work and another upper-body workout (Peloton).    **Side note: Had it not been for the 18mph afternoon wind, I might have contemplated an after-work ride outside. Yes, it was that nice. 

Friday? Get 'r done

I'd originally planned to do a glutes/leg workout Thursday morning, but "deferred" it to Thursday evening. Come Thursday evening, though, I further deferred it to Friday morning. It was a mere 20 minutes of weighted squats and lunges, via Peloton, and it was a doozy.

 

Saturday? A little bit of everything

I'd been fighting an out-of-nowhere cold most of the week, so I finally caved and took some "nighttime" meds Friday night and didn't set an alarm for Saturday morning. I woke up at 7:30, which goes to show just how much my body needed the R&R. That being said, ugh, there were some blatant DOMS along for the ride (as a result from Friday's glutes/legs extravaganza). Unsure of how far to run, I set out on a 4-mile route, but wound up doing a bonus mile since things things felt better after I'd gotten warmed up (not only was it a cold morning, temps-wise, but the DOMS were nasty!). Back home, I did a 5-mile ride to flush-out the legs a bit further, and also headed back out for three miles of walking in sunshine.

...and Sunday?

The forecast is looking very similar to Saturday - chilly in the early morning, but warming by late-morning. I'm thinking I'll be on the bike, upon wake-up, and outside later for some walking.

So, as mentioned, the weather was pretty nice this week, even though it turned a bit cold Saturday morning. That being said, I still much prefer summer, LOL. Anyways, running had a respectable 17 miles this week. Walking saw 20 miles. Biking had 38 miles. The DOMS from Friday's glutes/legs workout were crazy intense, which most likely indicates that I have been slacking in that area, so that's obviously something I plan to focus on in the next few months. I really love the 10-minute arms/light weights workouts from Peloton...they're short but very thorough, especially doing them a few times during the week.  

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

Look! It's Another Weather Rewind!

Living History Farms 5-mile *Race Recap*

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Yes, I'm still wearing the white skinny jeans, though we're well past Labor Day. Why? Because white is a color too, and jeans are a bit more of a casual wardrobe item (I'd keep the "dressy" white pants for the warmer months, though). Throw on a colorful shirt, a maxi cardi and some funky booties, and you're ready for the seasonal weather.

These Facebook memories crack me up! Apparently, the yellow RUN tank top is a Monday morning favorite in mid-November.

...and, in case you missed the recap of last weekend's cross-country race, the battle wounds really showed their colors in the days following. The bruise on my left shin actually wraps partway around the outside of my leg, is very sensitive to touch and is much darker than the pic shows. My right wrist was quite a sight as well. Suffice it to say I don't do these things half-a$$ed, LOL.

Whew! That was quite a week! Lots of action, some quality time outdoors, and pleasant weather. I really couldn't ask for much more.

How are things in your world? Did you get a nice reprieve from the pre-winter weather, as well? Any weekend racing, or upcoming Turkey Trots this next week? 

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