Let's Get Settled

It's all fun and games, settling into a new place, until the weather gives you attitude.

Although the week started off kind of winter-like (with the requisite cold temps, nasty precip, and blowing wind), things did turn-around by the weekend (except for said blowing wind). Oh, did I mention the wind was rather beastly and downright inappropriate?

Nonetheless, what can we do but persevere, hopefully with a smile. A sense of humor never hurts either.  

Before I delve into all the "moving" 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 ;-)

So, here’s what went down this week in my (new) world of fitness and fun:

Sunday: Let’s go!

After a very slight sleep-in, I got out for a 2.5-mile windy walk…then returned to the house for more unpacking and organizing. There also was a nice Easter brunch with my parents, sister (and her significant other), and my son. That evening, I christened my new 15-step stairway with 80 flights of double steps (with a 30-second pause halfway through). Believe it or not, those three extra steps, going both up & down, make a huge difference compared to the 12-step stairway I’d grown accustomed to!

Monday: Let’s not miss a Monday!

I was awake, dressed & laced-up before 5:30, and was back within 20-ish minutes. Even though this is a new neighborhood for me, I’m used to running in the pre-dawn hours and know how to do so with caution. Besides, there were plenty of streetlights so I felt completely safe. I also got in a short arms/shoulders workout before bed (of course, that was after more unpacking, LOL).

Tuesday: Let’s lift!

The icky rain (and snow flurries) made it an easy choice to stay inside. It seemed like it had been  forever, so I cued-up a 30-minute upper-body workout (Peloton) in the early hour, followed by a 10-mile bike ride. I have not had time, in recent weeks, to do anything lengthy and it felt awesome to be lifting real weights again (and not just heavy/awkward moving boxes). By the time I got home, after work, the precip had moved on, so I got out for a 2-mile walk before dinner.

Wednesday: Let’s get windblown!

The feisty weather continued, especially the crazy wind. I got on the bike (again) for six miles before heading to work. Although the wind was nutzo, the temps were nice and the sunshine was on-point, so Michele and I got out for a 1-mile walk in the afternoon. 

After work…Not sure what I was thinking, LOL, but I really wanted to go for a short run in my new 'hood. Well, Momma N didn't show me any mercy. That 27mph wind was simply insane...but I persevered and got two miles knocked-out in the running shoes.

Thursday: Let's be thankful!

With my new daily schedule (commuting 40ish minutes), I'm needing my early morning workouts to be done around 6:00-6:15 to allow me time to get showered, dressed, and out the door around 7:00. That called for an earlier-than-usual meet-up with Deb (4:30 instead of 5:00). I had plans for an evening group run (a 3-miler, which went well!), so I kept it inside with a 15-mile morning bike ride while she walked.

Friday: Let's keep it low-impact!

After Thursday's evening group run, my body was feeling depleted. I'd contemplated some elliptical time, but opted for a short upper-body workout instead (via Peloton). I was able to get out for a sunshiny (and windy) 2-mile walk over lunch, and that's all she wrote (other than more unpacking/organizing that evening). 

Saturday: Let's fight the wind (again)!

After a late night watching the Iowa women defeat UConn in the semi-finals, I by-passed setting the alarm...and slept until well after 7:30! Yes, a 2-hour late sleep-in does happen in my world now and then. I didn't get out until after 8:00 for my run, and Holy Blowing Wind, Barman! My splits were all over the place from fighting the 14mph wind and high-speed gusts for five miles. But...the wind only got worse as the day progressed, so I was smart just getting it done and not procrastinating. Onward!

 

...and, as for Sunday? Let's climb! 

As most know, in the morning I'll be taking it to the stairs, and repping my alma mater, at the Fight for Air Climb in downtown Des Moines. I only have a 15-20 minute commute this year, and a climbing buddy, so I won't know how to act, LOL. This will be my 11th time taking part in the Des Moines FFA venue, and I am every bit as excited now as I was when I first took on this challenge in 2013.

So, suffice it to say it was a busy week, on many levels. The unpacking continues (still searching for one misplaced/mismarked box of clothing), but the new commuting schedule is going alright. The wacky weather was a challenge, but that's kind of a Midwest reality. Running saw 12 miles (I need to up that weekly mileage, LOL), walking had 8 miles, and biking 31. As mentioned, it felt great to get back to more focused strength work...I'm looking forward to getting back on track with that after the Climb is done.

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

Grooving & Moving (not necessarily in that order)

Time for a Chatty Gathering

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Given the success of the University of Iowa women's basketball team, it's a given I'd be donning the appropriate outfit. They defeated UConn Friday evening, advancing to the championship game for the second consecutive year. They face undefeated South Carolina Sunday afternoon. Go Hawks!

...and March Madness has had me feeling rather joyful! I was in second place, in the office pool, after the first weekend, and am currently in first place! There's only one other who has a chance of taking me down, and that's if Purdue should win the championship game Monday evening.

And there you have it, another week of fun and fitness in the books! I'm really hoping the weather turns the page and stays on the spring agenda. It would be nice for the wind to tame down just a bit as well , though I know it won't disappear (as if!).

How was your week? More crazy weather? Feeling like a winter rewind, or a true spring? Any racing this weekend, or upcoming on the calendar? 

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