A Multiple Leap Week

There was a whole lotta leapin' going on this week.

Leap Day. Summer weather. Winter temps. Nonstop wind. Need I go on? 

Never a dull moment, and that's usually a good thing...

Before I dive into the deets from 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 past week, in my little "leaping" corner of the universe:

Up-&-at-it Sunday

There was lots happening, starting with this Wake UP The Legs Cardio Burner:

**30 flights double-stepped (moderate pace)

**10 flights single-stepped (fast!)

**10 flights triple-stepped (slow & steady)

*** 1-minute recovery, then repeat

Everything from the waist-down was burning (especially from those triples), the heart was a-pumpin' and I had a decent "glistening glow" when I finished. Later, there was a late-morning 3-mile walk in the sunshine, and a full moon 6-miler after nightfall (see below).

  

Never miss a Monday

The forecast was showing all kinds of good things happening after lunch, so I opted to get in some strength work in the early hours (chest & back and arms & shoulders, via Peloton).

Even though I'd had two busy days of  weekend running, there was no way I was missing a Monday run in the awesome weather. I saved my run for after work, kept it short and sweet (two miles), and it was euphorically fabulous in the summer-like weather! I even went for a 2-mile walk afterwards.

Taking it easy on Tuesday

The forecast was looking rather frigid for Wednesday, so I took advantage and got out for a 1.5-mile sunrise walk Tuesday morning. Wow, have I ever missed those early morning walks! Michele and I were able to get in two different 1-mile walks at work (mid-morning and mid-afternoon). By the time I left work for the day, the temps had dropped from mid-60F's to mid-40F's,and the wind had increased to 26mph. By the time I went to bed, the temps were sitting at 18F, with a -2F feels-like (courtesy of the 31mph wind). YUCK. 

 

Wild weather on Wednesday

Needless to say, we took a hard pass on a #5a5 (the -8F temps were a deal-breaker, call us crazy). Instead, I opted for a #10at6 (10 miles on the bike at 6:00), and did some upper-body strength and core  work. 

I did want to get a couple of miles logged, and the after-work 29F temps were much more bearable, even in the 12mph wind. Hard to believe I'd been in a tank top and shorts, two days prior, and the temps were almost 50-degrees warmer.

Thankful Thursday

It was still cold in the early hours when I met-up with Deb, so I kept it indoors on the bike (14 miles), and finished with a quick core workout afterwards. Check out the Leap Day Garmin badge, for doing a 29-minute workout! The day stayed windy, but sunny, so we got in our two 1-mile walks at work.

Low-key Friday fitness

Another 2-mile sunrise walk before work, and a 2-mile windy walk after. No big whoop.

A sunny & windy showdown for Saturday

The morning started with a slight sleep-in, and then a 2-mile walk in the crazy wind. Around noon, Barb and I departed town, Omaha-bound for the Leprechaun Chase 10K. The race was at 4:00, and I stalked the weather the entire 3-ish hour drive getting there. Thankfully, the 70F temps were warm, because the 21mph wind was brutal. This was my third time running this particular route, and it felt even hillier than I'd remembered. Not a PR, but a strong effort on a tough course with less-than-ideal conditions. I'm good with it. Stay tuned, race recap is forthcoming (hopefully Tuesday).

...and, what's happening on Sunday? 

The weather is looking warm (high-50's), sunny, and windy again (20mph #ugh). I might need to do some stair work in the wee hours, but I do plan to get outside for some sunrise walking afterwards. 

Overall, this week was decent, but oh-so-windy! Thankfully, we had bright sunshine on the daily. Running had 16+ miles, walking had 17, and biking had 34. My sleep was a little messed up this week, and my energy felt a bit compromised as a result. But, onward we keep moving and grooving.

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

I See The Light!

Post-Leap Day coffee chatting

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I spy, with my little eye, capri-length pants! And hot pink! And cheetah print! And, most importantly, all kinds of sunshine! Yes, it felt like we were back to our regularly-scheduled seasonal weather, and knock-knock-knocking on spring's front door!

Another full moon run! I met-up with Allison and Barb for the February full moon run on Sunday evening. We had perfect weather (60F), a clear sky, lively conversation, and a feel-good pace. 

Speaking of leaps, I have a big "leap" in the works. This month has a lot of action, a little anxiety, and some big excitement happening...stay tuned! Oh, and the 2024 Week of Pi starts on Friday, March 8th. Anyone care to join me for some Pi running...one day, a few days, or the entire week? I'll be running 3.14 miles every day, starting on Friday and ending on Thursday, March 14th...the National Day of Pi (and a certain someone's birthday). This is already the fifth year!

Alas, it was a busy and breezy week! All is well that ends well, for which I'm quite grateful. Onward!

How was your week? Any excitement on Leap Day? Have you been plagued with insane wind lately? Did you, by chance, get a sweet taste of summer? Any weekend races that need mentioned?

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