I See The LIGHT!

This time of year can be tricky and temperamental.

The temps are all over the map (currently, they're flirting with spring in Iowa), the wind is unrelenting, and the threat of snow is far from over. But, the daylight is increasing! My early morning outdoor antics are seeing signs of the sunrise and my post-workday activities are not shrouded in darkness anymore.

In a nut shell, things are looking brighter as we work our way through the final weeks of winter.

Before I dive into 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:

Sunny Sunday...

The day started with a quick 2-mile run in the (still) sub-freezing temps, but the bright sunshine was all that (and more). Next, there was a 2.5-hour drive to an 89th birthday party for my dear aunt (actually, my godmother). It was great seeing her and so much of my extended family. Then, there was another 2.5-hour drive back home. After all that car time, my legs were craving some movement, so I got out for a 2-mile walk after returning home.

Never miss a Monday...

Since there hadn't been time for a stair workout on Sunday, I made it happen on Monday instead (wouldn't you have done the same?). I'm keeping these workouts ever-changing, for variety and for fitness' sake. 

This week's edition:

**10 flights single-stepped (somewhat fast)

**20 flights double-stepped (moderate pace)

***repeat twice***

**finish with 10 more flights of singles

All told, that was 100 flights of varying intensity and speed. Afterwards, I added in a quick glutes/legs workout and some light weights/high reps for the arms and shoulders. Lots of muscle movement and burning, and the glistening and glowing was on-point.

After work, I met up with Barb for four miles of fun in the late afternoon sun. The weather was nice, and our splits were pretty even!

TLC for Tuesday...

Monday's "triple threat" (stair workout, full-body strength and 4-mile run) left me feeling a bit rundown (no pun intended) come Tuesday. The DOMS were clear and present, so the elliptical (3-ish miles) and "foaming & rolling" were my low-impact go-to's for the rest/recovery win! Walking also served me well, with three total miles logged.

What a Wednesday...

The day began with a fun #5at5, under a clear sky, with Barb and Allison. The weather was beautiful, so Michele and I got out for two different 1-mile walks on our work breaks. And, I logged another 3-mile walk in the evening, while phone chatting with a friend. After an almost 18-hour day, and 10 total miles on foot, I was beat.

Another Thankful Thursday...

Despite my fatigue from Wednesday, sleep did not come easy. Don't ask me how, but I still awoke before my 4:30 alarm. It's like my body just knows to wake-up regardless of how much (or how little) shuteye happens, LOL. Anyways, although I was fully alert mentally, my body was still entertaining some residual DOMS (from Monday's lower-body stuff), so I thought the bike would serve me best for the weekly virtual meet-up with Deb. After 14 miles of pedaling, I decided to head out for a quick 1-mile walk for a cool-down. Ironically, it was a tiny bit warmer in Iowa than Virginia!

 

After we parted (virtual) ways, I returned to the basement. I'm still dealing with what feels like tendonitis on my right arm (just below my biceps), so I'm keeping the arm workouts fairly light (but doing high reps). I also did some core work, and two 1-mile walks at work. And, thankfully, a much better night of sleep!

Low-key Friday...

I summoned the elliptical for some low-impact fasted cardio upon wake-up. Since Peloton doesn't offer elliptical workouts, I often times sub-in a cardio workout for my listening entertainment. Well, it wasn't until I was halfway through the workout when I remembered this was my 1,500th Peloton workout...and I wasn't really doing the actual workout itself. Oh well, I did 5-ish miles on the elliptical, and I went slightly past the 30-minute timespan of the Peloton workout. I have ZERO guilt, but #oops.

 

Non-stop Saturday...

Even with a decent night of sleep (or because of it?), I was woke up around 4:30. After almost an hour of deep breathing and relaxation fails, I got up. I wasn't meeting Barb until 7:00, so I hopped on the bike for five miles of pedaling. Holy brrr, did it get cold overnight! My app said 20F, with a feels-like of 15F. Thankfully the wind was MIA and the sun was bright for our 5-mile run. Both of us were joking how much harder it felt to run in the sudden winter-rebound conditions...but we finished with an average pace of 9:58. Whodda thunk. After showering and cleaning-up, I was off to some out-of town errands and shenanigans for most of the day. 

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

The morning is looking sunny and much warmer (mid-40F's), so I plan on getting out for some walking (after I spend some quality time on the stairs). As for the evening, I have a date with Allison and Barb, for our monthly full moon run. Granted, it'll be a day late, but the moon will still be full-looking. 

So, a decent week with plenty of action; I'll take it. It feels great to be back in a consistent walking routine again...this week saw 15 miles! Running had a respectable showing with 16 miles. Biking  was very minimal this week with only 19 miles, and that's alright. Truth be told, I'm getting bored on the spin bike. This next week is promising some warm temps on Monday (hello, upper 60F temps are in the forecast), so maybe I can go for a real ride outside. 

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

Just Chillin' (but not too much)

5 'Fessions 4 February

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Don't ya just love it when you find a forgotten scarf, hidden in the depths of your closet? When that hidden scarf pulls together two different-colored items into an coordinated outfit, all the better! Things that make you go hmmm.

This little meme caught my attention. I think it speaks volumes.

So, there you have it...another week all wrapped up and tied with a pretty bow.

How was your week of fitness? Any fun workouts? Has it been warm enough to hit the streets in shorts yet? Did you get an abrupt Welcome-Back-To-Winter gift this weekend? Have you noticed the increasing daylight, both in the morning and evening?  

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