Meandering back to Maintenance Mode

Ahhh, it feels so good to have the "big" race in the rearview mirror, and a recovery week in the foreground.

This week was all about easy-peasy (but active!) recovery. The running was kept at the minimum, and there was a lot of muscle TLC and low-impact movement.

We also welcomed the "real feels" of summer with the arrival of consistent warmer temps and our first touch of humidity.

Before I get 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 as I embraced all kinds of recovery: 

Sunday - active recovery, via the bike

With an invite for an early bike ride, I didn’t need to be asked twice. I met Jim at  the High Trestle Trailhead, in Ankeny, at 7:00.  The temps were cool (by biking standards), but the wind was nearly MIA. We set out for a possible 25-ish ride, but continued on to the Madrid stop before turning back (which would net us closer to 40 total miles). We did have increasing wind on the return trip, but the temps warmed up as the morning progressed. No harm, no foul and my post-half-marathon legs felt great. I even got out for a 1-mile walk later, but did succumb to some napping by late afternoon. 

Never miss a Monday

With a busy evening on the roster, time was of the essence for a morning run. Yikes, it was a warm & muggy 2-miler, but all was still feeling fine post-race. At work, Susan and I joined forces for a 1-mile walk mid-afternoon.

After work, I did a quick change into my biking gear and snagged a 5-mile ride in celebration of World Bike Day…before heading off to a much-anticipated (and needed) massage. 

Tuesday - a major TLC day

Although I wasn’t (yet) feeling any physical effects from the previous days of action, I knew some easy-peasy movement was in order. There was a 2-mile sunrise walk, some light upper-body strength work, and a 1-miler at work (mid-afternoon). Oh, and an accidental 2-hour nap, in front of the TV, Tuesday evening (#oops). 

Wednesday- celebrating Global Running Day!

What better way to celebrate Global Running Day than by going for a run? I met Hannah and Kelly for our weekly 4:45AM 3-miler, and we had almost full daylight after the first mile. I also joined Michele for a 1-mile walk mid-morning, and knocked-out two more miles of walking over my lunch hour. Then, after work I had an appointment for an “assisted stretch” session and consultation at the Stretch Zone (yes, more post-race TLC).

Thankful Thursday 

As per usual, I met-up with  Deb (virtually), and we had a good catch-up chat as we power-walked four miles amidst our sunrises. Back home, I cued-up an upper-body workout before heading to work. Other Thursday highlights were a late-morning 1-mile walk at work and the weekly Altoona Running Club 3-mile run (with social time immediately following). 

A grandiose FriYAY

Never a dull moment…the day started with a 2-mile walk before work. The sun was bright, the temps were warm, and the wind was mild, so there was a 2-mile lunchtime walk as well. 

A sweet & saucy Saturday

I had seen there was a group run with the Capitol Striders (A Des Moines-based running club), so I decided to take advantage of (1) a new route to run, (2) a mid-sized distance and (3) meeting more new peeps. Mission accomplished! I ran the 5-mile route with Amy and Carol, and we caught up with Eric for the final last mile or so (whom I'd known for several years already). Afterwards, there were donuts waiting for us, which was ironic since it was World Wellness Day, LOL. When I got back home, I grabbed Krystal (my hybrid bike) for 15 miles on the Chichaqua Valley Trail, and later followed-up with four bonus miles (this time with Gustavas, my mountain bike) in the late afternoon (see additional deets below). Also, an evening 2-mile walk, just as the sun was setting, was a must-do. 

...and what about Sunday?

The day is looking lovely (warm and sunny, with minimal wind). I'm meeting-up with some peeps, mid-morning, for some Sunday Funday Biking Shenanigans. There'll probably be some walking, as well, later in the day and/or evening.

So yeah, it was quite a week! The running was kept at the minimum (13 miles) and walking took precedence with 21 miles. Biking had a nice surge in mileage, with 63 miles in the saddle. There were a couple of short upper-body strength sessions as well. As far as recovery from last weekend's half marathon, I felt great all week (BTW, the DAM to DSM recap is coming this week!). There weren't any weird DOMS or residual aches or pains. I attribute that to my general state of fitness and endurance. As mentioned in previous posts, my spring running wasn't anything grandiose (nor consistent), but the biking (and walking) has seen me through and kept my legs strong and my cardio in-check. There's much to be said about cross-training!

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

Riding the DAM Taper

Chitchatting & Whatnotting (with a side of coffee)

In other news: 

Friday Fashion Flair. Suffice it to say I was feeling a lavender vibe. Hey, it’s a fun, light and fresh color for summer, so what’s not to love?

 Friday may have  been National Donut Day, but we celebrated with breakfast pizza at work. Kind of the lesser of two (unhealthy) evils, but at least there was a little bit of protein, courtesy of the eggs, LOL. 

And, let's just say there were several Garmin badges earned this week! Monday was World Bike Day and Wednesday was Global Running Day. After my lunch walk, on Friday, the Step into June badge popped up (walking 100K before June 14th). Global Wellness Day caught me by surprise on Saturday. After getting back from my 15-mile ride (Saturday morning), I saw I needed just over three more miles to get the June Ride badge (biking 100K June 2nd-8th). I was on a time crunch and didn't have time to ride any longer...so I took Gustavas out for those extra miles later in the afternoon (call me crazy).  

Anyways, I'm enjoying all things summer and am looking forward to taking advantage of the long days, the warmth, and all the outdoor fitness options within my reach. Truly, this is my favorite time of year...the daylight is amazing and will continue to increase (at least for a couple more weeks).

How's our summer, thus far? Any Garmin badges earned this week, or at least the equivalent in terms of activity? Did you celebrate any of the world/global days mentioned above? 

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