What’s with the Weather?

What’s with the weather, anyways?

It’s been said, if you don’t like the weather, give it a few hours (or a day or so), and you may change your mind. Such was the situation this week in Iowa.  

Last weekend we witnessed (and felt) a major nosedive in temps, an increase in wind, and basically nasty outdoor conditions. The last few days, though, the temps continued to rise, the sunshine felt ever-so-warm, and there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing (and feeling!) record-setting temps for mid-November. Whodda thunk!

Before I discuss 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, amidst the weather roller coaster ride:

Sunday had me spinning and grinning inside 

Wowza, those early morning temps were simply brutal! I know they will feel “seasonal” in another four weeks or so, but for November they were downright frigid. I opted to keep it inside, for a 20-mile ride, followed by some arms and shoulders strength work.  I did get out, in the early afternoon, for a short walk though.  

Never miss a Monday

The late afternoon forecast was looking more desirable, so I hit the elliptical in the wee hours (3-ish miles) and walked a couple skywalk miles over lunch.

After work, Max and I did a short ‘round-the-block walk, then I ventured out for my first Monday run since before the IMT DSM 13.1. Overall, things are feeling alright, but still not wonderful. After the first few minutes, though, everything loosened up and the run went well. 

Typical Tuesday (low-impact/active recovery)

Nothing super impressive for fitness (active recovery can be that way, LOL).We started the morning with seven miles on the bike. I walked a couple miles over lunch. Max and I walked after I got home from work. Then, later, I walked a 1-miler through the ‘hood to check-out the Northern Lights, and wasn’t disappointed (see below).

Wednesday - back with my gals!

It had been several weeks since I’d met with the Wednesday morning group. I’d been honoring my recovery pledge, but also the weather had been rather wet. This week, though, it was a perfect setting. If only these temps would hold for the next few months, I’d like winter a tiny bit more. After I got back home, I stacked a couple of Peloton upper-body workouts. There was more walking over lunch, and then with Max after work. Yadda yadda yadda.

A (somewhat) low-key Thankful Thursday…

Even without Deb joining me this week, I still was craving some bike time. I knocked out 15 miles before heading to the office. It was SO beautiful and sunny outside, I took my lunchtime walk outdoors. In an attempt to avoid street traffic, I just walked multiple laps around the massive downtown block where my office building is situated.  

Friday fitness free-for-all

After another early morning 15-miler on the spin bike, I found a great mobility/balance workout, via Peloton. My cranky hip actually did it justice, which was a solid reminder that I really should be doing these kinds of workouts much more often. My lunchtime walk was another outdoor endeavor, looping my place of work’s location several times again (a street was closed-off, so I was able to expand the route a bit, for two miles). 

Long Ride Saturday (and then some…)

There was a 200K Garmin badge on the line (I was around 26 miles short prior to starting), so that was on the morning roster. The temps were mild outdoors (low-50’s at wake-up), but windy. I was tempted, for a brief moment, to take the hybrid out to the trail. Truth is, those temps are pretty chilly on the bike, and with the 10-15mph wind gusts it would have been less-than-enjoyable. Anyways, I hit the spin bike, cued-up some good music, and got to it…and decided to just go for an even 30 miles.  And look at that pace! Woot!

Afterwards, the temps had warmed up a little more, so I changed into a dry top and hit the trail in the running shoes. I had no interest in running long, but a couple miles were in order, given the awesome weather! 

…and what’s on deck for Sunday?

The forecast is looking similar, in terms of temps, but it’s not looking as bright and sunny. The morning is looking chilly, though, so I’m probably gonna be inside in the early hours.

So another week of conservative running, but a good dose of cross-training. Running saw seven miles, most of which felt alright. Walking had 15 miles (I blame the frigid temps last weekend and Monday). Biking, though, finished the week with 80 miles! All is well!

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

The Active Recovery Reality Check

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I was back in black, and back with bare legs, due to the warm temps. So what if I had to do a quick sunless-tanning treatment prior to leaving the house, LOL.

Did you catch the Northern Lights? The display of color was simply mesmerizing! I didn’t even have to drive out of town to see the show.

Finally, there were several Garmin badges at play this week. While I don’t typically need the motivation to stay active, they are a nice perk. Saturday’s 200K biking badge was a great example…I already had some decent mileage, but the badge was a good incentive to finish the week with some high miles via the bike.

And, that’s a wrap! Although the week had a frigidly cold start, things were feeling much nicer by week’s end. I was totally good with that!

How did your week play-out? Temperature swings? Great workouts? Upcoming races? 

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