Nostalgia:101

Can we talk about nostalgia? 

Specifically, can we touch on nostalgia for the good old days when the wind wasn’t such a nuisance ? Or a daily occurrence? Or seemingly always in the double digits, in terms of wind speed?

It seems the wind has taken on a life of its own in recent years. Even in the warmer months, there seems to be more windy days than not (I know, because I’ve had to fight it on my bike). In the cooler months, though, it can sometimes be a deal-breaker, or a wild card at the minimum. 

Alas, it IS a reality. As much as I detest the wind, it’s part of the outdoor scene (more often than not). This week was no exception…   

Before I dis on the deets front 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 in my little world of fitness and fun this week:

Sunday-Nostalgia for pleasant weather

Thankfully, I already had tentative plans for an early morning (pre-church) ride with Deb, because the weather outside was damp, windy and just plain icky. We did some miles together (12 for me), I headed off to church, and then spent the afternoon with my sis (and her dog) watching lots of basketball. Not to miss a day of #OptOutside “fun,” I did get out for a very quick 1-mile walk, and that was it. 

Monday-Nostalgia for warmth

With high hopes this would be my last run in a puffer vest, I enjoyed a couple miles amidst a stunning sunrise. Other highlights for the day included walking with Max (1.5 miles) and a 2-mile walk (with the weighted vest).

Tuesday-Nostalgia for a good muscle burn

Eager for a boost to my strength regimen, I started Day-1 of Tunde’s new upper-body 4-week program on Peloton. Yowza! Mission accomplished! This Day-1 was push-based, and there was some serious muscle burning going on. I also logged four miles of walking, two different 1-milers with Max, and a solo 2-miler (with the weighted vest).

Wednesday-Nostalgia for a double workout morning

It was a happy reunion with the Wednesday morning crew, at 4:45AM. Kelly and I stuck around and ran a bonus mile after Bill and Hannah departed (four total miles). After getting back home, I switched gears, and hit the steps for my final stair workout for the Fight for Air Climb. I’d planned on 50 flights of double-stepping, but decided to round-up to an even 60 (I mean, why not?). Later, Max took me for an exciting 1-mile walk, and I took the weighted vest for a 3-miler over lunch.

Thursday-Nostalgia for an action-packed Thankful Thursday

It had been awhile since Deb and I were able to join forces on a Thursday morning, and we definitely made up for lost time. After 12 miles on the bikes, we walked a couple of miles as well, though my spring blooms were not as prolific as hers. I finished the morning with Day-2 of Tunde’s program, this one being a pull-focused workout.

Later, the Thursday night group run saw nice temps and a great turnout! Another 3-miler with a tempo-ish pace, no regrets!

Friday-more nostalgia for better-behaved wind

With a full day at home, I took my time heading out for a weighted-vest walk. This turned out to be a challenging endeavor. The temps were in the low-70F’s, but the wind was (again) insane, so I (foolishly) layered a lightweight 1/4-zip over the tank with bonus arm warmers. I hadn’t gone 1/4-mile when I had to stop and remove the arm warmers (not sure what I was thinking wearing them in the first place, LOL). Back on the trail, I barely passed the 1-mile mark and needed to stop (again) to remove the 1/4-zip, which involved removing the vest to do so. Then there was a potty stop. By the time I’d returned to my house, the wind had escalated from 14mph to 19mph and I was an exhausted mess from all the annoying stops and on/offs with the vest. Yeah, first world probs, but I got those three miles finished!

Saturday-nostalgia for nap time

After a crazy late (albeit super fun) evening, Saturday morning had me craving a sleep-in (I blame several hours of rock concert shenanigans and a long drive home). I made it out for a mid-morning walk (pictured below), and a late-morning meet-up with the son (and girlfriend and her parents), then wound up crashing on the couch for a couple hours. With the Climb happening Sunday morning, I rationalized I really didn’t need to do a run…but the 75 temps were simply too good to pass up. Finally, around 4:45, I got the shoes laced-up and got out for three windy miles and called it good.

…and what’s happening on Sunday?

I'll be hitting the stairs, downtown Des Moines, at 8:00 for my 12th go at the Fight for Air Climb (Let me extend a HUGE thank-you to all who have generously donated to my fundraising efforts; the link is HERE and will remain open for a couple weeks). I’m also hoping to get to church afterwards, so the morning may be a bit busy. I’ll be checking out Day-3 of Tunde’s strength program in the afternoon (unless I’m feeling especially energetic and ambitious upon wake-up). 

So, not a bad week! The wind continues to be an unwelcome reality, and I’m SO over it. Thankfully, it’s becoming more of a warm wind than a bone-chilling blast. Nonetheless, I refuse to let it interfere with getting outside on the daily. This week, running saw 13 miles. Biking was minimal, with 27 miles in the saddle. Walking dominated with 17 miles, 12 of which were with the weighted vest. I’m liking the new upper-body program with Tunde (via Peloton), and am looking forward to the next three weeks. I’m still keeping consistent with the daily planking and core/leg lifts.

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

Enough with the Wind!

…another Week of Pi

Spring’s First ‘Fessions

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Oof, another windy day! By late morning, the wind was showing 20mph, but the mid-70F temps were feeling fabulous. Thus, I had to pull out some summer clothing (yay!!!) and had to keep my hair securely (well, sort of) secured in a messy up-do. 

Lastly, I have really been enjoying the March Madness! My brackets have been doing alright: I had 24 of the 32 first round picks correct, 11 of the 16 in the second round, and six of the eight 3rd round picks on target. Going into Sunday, I’ve got two of the Final Four locked-in (Duke and Florida), and my Spartans are still in the running (they play Sunday afternoon, as do Houston and Tennessee).

Go MSU Spartans!

So, that’s the latest. I’m moving onward, hoping the spring weather continues and the wind mellows a bit. How did your week play-out? Have you been doing battle with the wind also? Any races this weekend, or coming up soon? Are you taking part in the March Madness?