That Spring Feeling

Spring is officially here, and I’m definitely feeling its vibes.

The weather is warmer (for the most part). The daylight is exponentially increasing. The trees are budding. The grass is turning green. Spring bulbs are blooming. 

Yeah. Things are feeling good!

Before I dive into the deets from 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, in my little corner of the fitness universe: 

Feeling the rewards of procrastination on Sunday

The previous day’s chilly and windy conditions just weren’t enticing me to get out for a semi-long run. I played the procrastination card and came out victorious…Sunday afternoon’s 6-miler was all that and more. Other fitness mentions: elliptical in the early hours (3-ish miles), evening walk with the granddoggy, and daily core work. 

The Never-Miss-a-Monday feeling was top notch

The morning had the hips feeling a bit cranky (I’m looking at you, Sunday afternoon’s 6-miler), so I opted for a 2-mile walk (with the weighted vest) and did some hip mobility work (#AllBetter). I had a run club meeting over the dinner hour, so my Monday run didn’t happen until after 8:00PM. I was chasing daylight to make it back to watch the NCAA men’s championship game…maybe that’s how I squeaked-out a 2-miler with negative splits (just barely, LOL).

Tuesday’s TLC had me feeling the low-impact vibes

The windy morning started with three miles of walking (title pic, above) followed by Week-3: Day-1 of Tunde’s upper-body program (Peloton). I’m really loving this program, and my muscles are feeling some major burning! Later, I got out for 2.5 miles of walking with the weighted vest.

Feeling the Double Workout Wednesday euphoria

The past few Wednesday morning runs have been hit-and-miss with the weather, but this week blessed us with minimal wind. Hannah and I knocked-out four miles at 4:45 with a decent pace. Afterwards, I hit the mat for some Barre (as a cool-down).

Then, later in the afternoon, it happened. The temps were sitting at 64F and the wind was still behaving, so I took Gustavas (my mountain bike) out for 10 miles! The thing is, 64F usually feels cold on the bike, so I layered-up and even had a headband over my ears. Not even a half-mile in, I had to lose the top layer. I lost the headband a few miles later, LOL. Let’s just say 64F feels MUCH hotter in April than it does in the summer months, even on a bike. Lesson learned.

Feeling like a Thankful Thursday…

The morning had me on the bike at 5:30, pedaling and chatting with Deb for 15 miles. That was followed with Week-3: Day-2 with Tunde (lots of pulling-based moves!). I also got in a little bit of walking (two total miles for the day).

Friday - Feeling the need for some low-impact/active recovery fun

Gotta say the early morning daylight is wonderful, but Max and I were both wondering where the sunshine was on Friday morning. He and I walked around the block, then I headed back out for two miles with the weighted vest. The sun made its appearance after lunch, and by late afternoon the wind mellowed substantially, so I snuck in another 2-mile walk before my dinner plans.

Saturday had me feeling like testing my endurance…

Kelly and I met at 8:00 for some Saturday miles (16 for her; five or six for me). The mid-40F temps tempted me to wear shorts, but the capris wound up being a perfect choice (it was a tad bit windy, LOL). Kelly has been doing heart rate training for her upcoming marathon, so I let her take the lead with pacing…and all went well! In fact, I was able to push my endurance to seven miles without issue. After we parted ways, I hit the basement and did the Week-3: Day-3 workout with Tunde (30 minutes of upper-body and core, via Peloton). The wind really picked up in the afternoon. Neither Max nor I enjoyed the 23mph sustained wind on any of our walks.  

…and what’s happening on Sunday?

I’ve got my eye on Garmin’s Weekend 40K Biking badge…not sure if I’ll rise and ride early (indoors) or save it for the afternoon (the temps are forecasted to be in the 80F’s!). I know, first world probs!  

This felt like a great week! The running saw 20 miles. Walking had 20 miles. Biking logged 25 miles, but that 40K (25-ish miles) will be happening (in some capacity) on Sunday as well. Getting outside, finally, for a “real” ride was awesome on Wednesday. I’m looking forward for more of those outdoor miles! Peloton’s upper-body program, with Tunde, has been a great fit. I even got some heavier dumbbells this weekend. Onward!

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

Perseverance Pays Dividends

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I pulled-out this vintage-ish favorite for my Friday fun. It’s one of those pieces that I just cannot part with because I love the color, the design, and the sparkles. Have you ever hung onto a favorite wardrobe piece, for many years, because you know you’d regret tossing it?

As mentioned, the granddoggy was here for a few days recently. Lola is such a sweet little cutie! Her and Max get along well with each other. She has her 9th birthday coming up next month.

Lastly, Saturday evening’s cloudy forecast actually gave way to a surprise appearance of the full moon! I’d anticipated a possible early Sunday morning run, or maybe Sunday evening, but neither of those were necessary. I only did a quick mile, since my body was still (technically) in recovery mode.

 

So, enough about me…tell me something about your week! Any great training sessions? Windy runs or walks? Upcoming races? If you’re into cycling, have you been able to get out for a ride yet this season?