Saturday, November 16, 2024

No More Wind!


Ok Momma N.

 It’s not the winter season yet, but that winter-like wind needs to slow itself down a bit. Actually, it could outright just sit this season out (as if, LOL). 

I haven’t officially seen frost on the ground, but there were a couple mornings with temps that were flirting with sub-freezing conditions. Ugh. 

Let it be said that I am NOT a fan of cold weather. The downside to a warm autumn is when the true seasonal weather arrives, it feels much colder than it should.

 Such is life in the Midwest. At least it’s not snowing…yet…

Before I dis on the windy deets, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

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Anyways, here’s what went down, this week, during all the wind and whatnot:

Sunday - a pseudo (low-impact) day of recovery
Following Saturday’s RCC Run the Woods trail race, my body (surprisingly) wasn't too weary for the wear. I tried to allow myself a sleep-in, but was still awake before 7:00 (futile effort, LOL). I opted for a good dose of fasted cardio, via the ‘mill (a 2-mile power walk) and the bike (10 miles). Since I’ve been slacking on the strength work, I cued-up a lower-body burner, via Peloton. It was only 10 minutes, but felt effective with numerous RDL’s, lunge squat pulses and squat jumps (hold that thought). Later, Max took me for a short walk around our ‘hood.



Never Miss a Monday
The early morning temps were looking cold and the wind was sounding fierce. I decided to postpone the run until after work, and opted for the elliptical (four “miles”) upon wake-up. After work, I got out for a very brisk 2-mile run in the dinner hour darkness.



Tuesday had me (unwillingly) playing host to the DOMS…
Remember that short 10-minute lower-body burner from Sunday morning? Well, my glutes certainly did! I could feel some muscle madness Monday night (which was much later than usual for the DOMS). By Tuesday morning, though, things were in full-on hurt mode. I started with 4-ish miles on the bike, then treated the grumpy glutes to some TLC, via stretching. Later, Max and I did more post-workday (windy) walking.

 

Wild Weather Wednesday…
The temps were chilly, but the wind was “only” at 9mph, for the weekly 4:45 meet-up. Hannah and Bill  took off after three miles, but Kelly and and I stuck around for a fourth mile. We were glad the mid-morning rain was true to the forecast, because once it arrived it lasted the entire day and throughout the evening. Stuck inside, I did some upper-body strength work after dinner. At least my car got a free car wash, thanks to all the precipitation (glass half full). 


Another Thankful Thursday
When the early morning temps are looking colder (and windier, LOL) than the evening temps, there’s ZERO guilt in keeping things inside. The cardio hour of power with Deb had us both walking 4-ish miles, her outside and myself on the ‘mill. The evening saw some outdoor action, via the running group (see below).


Friday - low impact for the win
How about some low-key Friday morning fitness? Works for me, given the prior evening’s activities. I got on the bike for seven miles of “wake-up cardio,” then followed with a short upper-body session (Peloton app). Another post-workday walk with Max, and I was in for the night.


Long(ish) Run Saturday 
I had tentative plans of running 4-5 miles. The thing is, I decided to check out a different part of town, and I couldn’t find my way back out…and it wound up being a 6-miler by default. No biggie on the bonus distance, but the wind was a beast! Thankfully, the sunshine made things bearable. Afterwards, I hit the bike for 10 miles of flush-out for the legs. Then it was on to an afternoon of tailgating and evening football, courtesy of the Iowa State Cyclones.


and Sunday?
The forecast is looking chilly, but not too windy. I may head out for a morning walk, or I might hit-up the treadmill for some power-walking (with a few less layers, LOL).

Overall, this week was decent. Running saw 15 miles of action. Walking had only 10 miles (I expect that number to be increasing with my treadmill situation, though). Biking had 31 miles in the saddle. I did get in a few good strength sessions (one lower-body, and two upper-body sessions). I’m still tweaking my available time for strength-training, which is looking like the evenings may be my best option for that during the work week. Stay tuned.  

In case you minded out, there’s only post from last week:

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Are you a fan of pairing grey and black together? How about funky necklines? Any guesses where I stand on the subject? The morning had been cold, but it warmed up to the 50F’s by the afternoon. My grey maxi-cardi was a perfect layering piece and I didn’t need a full-fledged jacket. Win-win!


Yes, another full moon was on the agenda, and this time it coincided with the Thursday night group run. I’ve been doing the Thursday night runs almost every week since I moved to my new town (late March), and this was the first time we had a full moon lighting our way. And, negative splits? I was good with those!


So there you go! Another week in the books, and another week closer to the winter solstice (which will put us back on the path to more daylight, LOL). Gotta keep that glass half full!

 How did the week play out in your world? Has your fall weather suddenly taken on a winter-like feel? Any remaining leaves? How’s the wind been treating you?

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21 comments:

  1. Oh no, winter windy has arrived! The wind can really make things tough but you didn’t let it hold you back!

    How does the pup like his new place and new walk locations??

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    1. Yes, the cold wind has returned, lucky me! As I’ve said before, the wind really is my biggest fitness nemesis (pretty much year-round, but especially in the colder months). Oh well, it makes for great mental training, right?

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  2. Glad you had a good week! We had one nippy morning but otherwise it’s been pretty nice.

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    1. We’re looking at a cold week. After Monday, it’s supposed to be in the low-30F’s most mornings…BRRRR!

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  3. It's definitely the windy season! We had a nice run of weather, didn't we? Sigh...

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    1. The fall was really nice because it felt more like summer, which was perfectly fine with me.

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  4. You had a bright full moon run and got a fantastic picture!

    We had rain and wind this week so our beautiful leaves finally got blown off the trees. It was a nice long fall, though, so I can't complain. We had a hard freeze on Tuesday night so the last of my flowers are gone.

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    1. I’m really surprised just how many leaves we still have on the trees. We have a full day of rain in tomorrow’s forecast, so that’ll probably change the scenery quickly…

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  5. Believe me, I am counting down the days until the Solstice! I'm just going to say it - this whole global warming thing where we had a few days of shorts weather in November is AMAZING. But sigh, I feel like winter is finally setting in.

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    1. Yes, the “real” weather is taking over. We all knew it would happen, but it’s still a shock to the system. As much as I dread the darker days coming, they do (eventually) lead to brighter days. Hard to believe we’re not really that far from it!

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  6. Brr! As much as I complain about the heat, I like the cold even less! We've had a hot fall, but we have some overnight temps in the 50s coming our way this week, and I'm excited (send that cold air our way- we don't mind!)
    DOMS is such a weird thing. I've had that, where it takes extra long to show up (why???) Strength training in the evening sounds like a good option. And, as always I thought of you when I saw the full moon!

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    1. The DOMS are a constant guessing game for me, LOL. They show up after what I think are somewhat “easy” workouts, then are MIA after tougher ones. Then, as last week indicated, they show up just when you think they’re not going to.

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  7. As you know, I like the cooler weather but not so much the darker afternoons. If only we could have it all! Solstice will be here before you know it :) It’s mice to know those glutes are getting a good workout

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    1. The glutes definitely got in some good work. I did another short workout earlier tonight (Sunday evening), so I’ll be curious how the DOMS play-out this time around…

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  8. The leaf collection has been in full force around our area. I'm sad to see the leaves go! Good job on your workouts this week. I am a fan of grey and black outfits!

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    1. I anticipate Monday’s forecasted rain will wipe-out the remaining leaves here. Then, we’ll have all the brown remains…awaiting all the white…

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  9. Oh nooo, not subfreezing temps already!
    Having said that, we’re getting exactly that at night this week, and threats of snow in the midlands. Ugh.
    Glutes can get some really brutal DOMS! I rarely get sore in my legs, only glutes and sometimes calves. Great with some extra TLC. The only thing that works for me for glutes is foam rolling!

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    1. I’m the same way…my glutes always take a beating when the DOMS are at play. I seldom ever have issues anywhere else.

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  10. Well, no leaves, no fall, and very little wind here. We did have that terribly stormy day, but that led into some cooler weather that I am loving. And I *think* our last hurricane is dissipating which brings joy to my heart. Great work getting everything in for you! The full moon has been absolutely wild here, and I love to see it! Cute outfit, too! I love gray and black together!

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    1. The moon was still looking very full a few hours ago when I was out. That was the fourth night of its brightness!

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  11. Wind can make it feel so much colder in an instant. Way to get all these workouts done, even in the dark (do you enjoy running in the dark? I ended up running in the dark - because I didn't time my afternoon run right and it got dark quicker than expected - and I do not like it. I felt like I couldn't see where I am going (even though I used my phone flashlight to guide my way).

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