Sunrises & Shakeouts & Shenanigans

I love me some action-packed weeks, even if that means I'm craving a little extra sleep by week's end.

 This week had me doing a little bit (actually a “lot of bit,” LOL) of everything. Hey, it keeps me young!

Before I delve in and dis 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…

A Simple Sunday

After a busy Saturday, complete with a morning 9-miler and hosting my first-ever solo house-warming gig that evening, I was a tad bit sleepy come Sunday morning. I did have some good early-morning energy, though, as soon as I saw the sunrise, so I got out for a 2-mile recovery/shakeout run shortly after wake-up, followed by a 1-mile cool-down walk. Later, my friend Barb stopped over, so she and I knocked out a 2-ish mile walk while catching-up over a chat session. Max also took me for a couple of short walks.

 

A non-manic Never-Miss-a-Monday

The morning started with some Barre, glutes/legs strength, and core work. At work, I got out for a 1-mile lunch walk and a mid-afternoon 1-mile walk with Susan.

After getting home, I happily laced-up the shoes and headed out for three miles of feels-like-summer bliss. While I appreciate some warm weather acclimation, it felt so good to bask in the pre-summer heat, via the running shoes. Seriously, this is my jam!

A Taking-It-Easy Tuesday

The forecast was looking especially wet and ugly, so it was down to the basement I went. I repeated Monday's Barre workout, and added an arms/shoulders strength session to the mix. We had rain and wind all day, so I headed home early to beat the severe weather that was headed our way in the late afternoon. There were numerous tornado watches/warnings everywhere. Fortunately, they were over almost as fast as they began (in my area, that is), so Max and I got out for a walk after all the weather drama had ended.

A Double Workout Wednesday

Just like last week, I met Hannah and Kelly for the 4:45 Wednesday run (yes, I'm really glad to have found some other early-morning running friends!). I was back home before 5:30, so I ran a bonus mile (ironically at the exact same 10:03 pace, though it was a different distance as well as location). Wednesday's weather was absolutely beautiful, so Michele and I took full advantage with two different 1-mile walks at work. And, after getting home, the trail beckoned, so Krystal and I simply had to go for a 15-mile ride (wouldn't you do the same?).

A Triple-Threat Thankful Thursday

Believe it or not, I had zero issues falling asleep on Wednesday night, so Thursday's early wake-up was easy-peasy. Deb and I joined forces, virtually, at 4:30AM (my time, LOL) for four miles of walking and chatter (check-out the almost-matching shoes). After parting ways, I cued-up a short upper-body workout (Peloton), then off to work.

Later, I met-up with the Altoona Running Club for their weekly Thursday night group run. This week, a Brooks rep was there, and we got to try the Glycerin GTS-21. I've worn the Glycerins before, and they are so cushy and comfy! Momma N tried to dampen the 3-mile run, but relented after a few light sprinkles in the first mile.

Then, let's not forget the full moon! Fortunately, most of  the clouds had dissipated, but the moon didn't make its appearance until after 10:00 here. It wasn't high enough in the sky until after 10:30, but I got out for an easy-paced 1-mile run to keep the full moon streak going...this run marked three years of this monthly ritual! 

An Active Recovery Friday

Wowza, was my body ready for some downtime! Nothing spectacular to report...just some mobility and stretching upon wake-up. After a rainy commute to work, the day brightened up, allowing for a sunny 2-mile afternoon walk. And that's all she wrote.

A Super-Charged Saturday

It was another #LongRunSaturday and I had 10 miles on the roster. It's been a long time since I've run so many long runs solo, let alone double-digit ones. My solution? Break up the distance into smaller segments. I started with a 7-mile out-and-back on the trail (essentially, two 3-1/2 mile "legs"), pit-stopped at the house, then headed back out for another 1-1/2 mile jaunt (and back). Boom! Those 10 miles didn't seem (or feel) quote so daunting. A bonus: Max was excited to join me for the 1-mile cool-down walk after I returned back home. Garmin even surprised me with the 15K badge, so I was feeling pretty accomplished and special.

It was such a beautiful day, and Sunday's forecast wasn't looking too sunny (or dry), so I felt obligated to saddle-up Krystal and take a ride mid-afternoon. We went back out on the Chichaqua Valley Trail and rode almost to the farthest western point, and back (15 total miles).

…and what's on deck for Sunday?

As this goes to press, the morning forecast is looking sketchy. If there's a window of dryness, I might try to sneak out for a short shakeout run, otherwise I'll be doing some long run recovery work inside (Barre, more stretching, and core) and save the outdoor activity until afternoon (which looks cloudy, but dry).  

Yes, this week had a lot going on, at least in terms of cardio. Biking was a bit bleak, with only 30 miles logged (I blame the wind and rain). Running saw one of its highest mileage weeks of 2024 with 23 miles. Walking was marginal, with 14 (I blame the rain as well for that). I'm keeping the strength training more upper-body focused until after DAM to DSM (next weekend), but I have been slipping-in more Barre recently to keep some PT in the regimen.

In case you missed out, there was only one post last week on the blog:

Reunited With the Road

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. We've had a lot of rain recently, so our grass is vividly green and the flowers are so bright and pretty. Friday's weather was damp and chilly in the early hours, so I opted for some bright and bold color, and added a high/low cardi until the temps warmed up.

Iowa weather...

It was a crazy week of Momma N's antics here. Tuesday was especially scary with so many tornado warnings throughout the state. The small town of Greenfield (about 30 miles southwest of the Des Moines metro) was nearly leveled. I heard, Wednesday morning, they weren't allowing anyone in the city limits without ID depicting a Greenfield address due to the amount of damage and destruction. The pic below is from my backyard, after the 30-minute storm was clearing-out and the tornado warming had lifted...it almost looked as if nothing had happened 45 minutes prior.

Whew! I'm definitely ready for a solid week of taper. Admittedly, my training hasn't been too intense for next Saturday's 13.1, but that's my reality. Although I don't have (what I'd consider) the proper running mileage to fall back on, I do have a healthy base of endurance. I've done enough biking, that I'm confidant my legs will sustain me. If I need a few walk breaks, so be it. It's my favorite race, and I'm excited for my 17th D2D. 'Nuff said.

How did your week shake-out? Rainy weather, or insane storms? Is it feeling (or looking) like summer yet? Any favorite workouts that need mention? Upcoming races?

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