A Wind-Blown Recovery

Well, can you say wind?

Yet again, the wind was a force to be reckoned with in Iowa. We’re talking pretty much on a daily basis. 

My body was ready for some recovery time (I’m looking at you, busy weekend), and getting outside was not only a priority, it was paramount. There was a lot of walking. There was some decent running. And, at long last, there were some miles logged on the mountain bike.

…and, there was plenty of crazy wind awaiting most of my adventures…

Before I get to the nitty gritty deets from the windy 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, fun and windy whatnot this week:

A Beautiful Sunny Sunday

Fresh off of the previous day’s 72-mile Market-to-Market Relay, my body was craving an easy-peasy morning. After all, it had been a 19-hour day of non-stop action (my Garmin reported 29,708 total steps for the day, #JustSaying). I tried sleeping-in a bit, but was still awake before 6:00AM. After several failed attempts t falling back to sleep, I got dressed and went for a 2-mile walk before heading to church. Later met the parents, the sister, and the son (and girlfriend) for brunch.

Later, by mid-afternoon I was feeling restless. I did grab a short 20-minute nap, and felt a strong tug to get outside on the bike. This spring has had its warm moments, but it’s been insanely windy most days. Sunday’s afternoon temps were sitting at 70F, and the wind was taunting me with 12mph wind…but I decided to just suck it up and go anyways. I grabbed Gustavas (the mountain bike), aired his tires, and away we went! It was only 13 miles, and we had to fight the wind (while on a gradual incline), but after the turn-around we had a decent tailwind to bring us back home. Talk about feeling like a caged bird that had been set free! 

Never miss a Monday

Well, although it had been two days since the M2M Relay, I think the windy bike ride did a number on my quads. I decided to go easy on the impact, and hit the elliptical for 3-ish miles (about 20-ish minutes), with the weighted vest. The morning had been chilly, but it was beautiful by lunchtime, so I took my 2-mile lunch walk outside.

After work, I took Max for a short walk amidst the late afternoon/early evening wind. Ugh. It took some clever self-talk, but I headed back out for a 3-mile run. The wind was crazy and my quads were totally on fire…but the warm temps were on-point. I guess “1 outta 3” ain’t bad, right?

Tough Tuesday vibes…

It was another morning when the pillow and blankets felt oh-so-good. Apparently my busy weekend was catching up with me, and the lack of sleep had taken a toll. I took Max for a quick walk, then got ready to head to the office. Ugh, I’m not used to feeling any form of fatigue, so this was rocking my world, LOL. I got outside, again, for a lunchtime walk. After work, the wind was crazy (yes, #again). I took Max around the block, and called it good. 

Woot Woot Wednesday!

The early morning temps were finally seasonal, the wind wasn’t as psychotic, and I finally felt like I’’d gotten my energy back. I met the group for sour usually 4:45AM Wednesday run and all went well. 

After taking Max for a quick walk, I hit the basement for some Peloton time. I found a good 20-minute upper-body burner, then stacked an ab workout on for the finale.

The day also included another 2-mile outdoor walk, over lunch, another 1/2-mile walk with Max, and another outdoor ride with Gustavas! The wind felt much more intense than the 8mph (via the weather app), but it was nice to be back on the Chichaqua Valley Trail instead of in my basement.  

Thankful Thursday

I was on my own this week (instead of working-out, virtually, with Deb), so I allowed a slight sleep-in. I had time for a quick 7-miler on the spin bike, then caught quite a stunning view of the sunrise on the way to the mailbox. Not much else to report, but there was another lunchtime 2-mile walk outside, as well as a lap around-the-block with Max (both of which were in the wind). That evening, I also knocked-out an upper-body and core session.

Fast and (not so) Furious Friday

With a busy afternoon and evening on the roster, the early morning was my only chance for some cardio. I made it happen with a 5:00AM start on the spin bike, and 25 miles later I called it good. The afternoon and evening included a fun time tailgating and baseball (see below).

Long Run Saturday

The plan was to run 8-10 miles. How did that play-out? Quite nicely, thank you very much. I was a tiny bit late rising and shining (in my world, LOL), and didn’t get out until around 8:00. The temps were in the low-60F’s, but the humidity was sky-high. No complaints, other than I didn’t fuel or hydrate enough and came close to crashing around Mile-7. I swung back home, grabbed some water and a snack, and the final two miles went MUCH smoother, ending with nine total miles. I was totally good with that!  

…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?

I’m thinking the day will start with a refreshing sunrise walk, then I’m gonna play it by ear. Most likely, there will be more walking (or bike riding) in the afternoon. It feels good to finally have some true late-spring-like weather. 

All in all, this week went well, though there were a few bits of sleepiness and fatigue. Last weekend was pretty busy, and I think all that non-stop action caught up with me. This week saw 15 miles in the running shoes. Walking logged 16-ish miles, most of which were outdoors (even over my lunch hours while at work). Biking saw a resurgence with 55 miles, several of which were (finally!) outside, on the trail. Several sweet strength sessions, as well, made for a well-rounded recovery week. All good! 

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

More Spring Chillin’

Klompen Classic 5K - race recap

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. As mentioned, there was an Iowa Hawkeye baseball game to go to, so the involved wearing black and gold. I may have subtly thrown on a medal, from the 2018 Kickoff-2-Kinnick 5K, and worn it as jewelry. Why not? If nothing else, it was a great conversation starter.

Friday night’s baseball game was so much fun! After a not-so-promising start, the Hawks rallied and wound up defeating the Purdue Boilermakers with a final score of 14-5. Friday’s game was the second in a 3-game series, and Iowa also won on Thursday (10-7) and Saturday (15-9). Go Hawks! 

So, that’s a wrap on the week’s fitness antics and such.

How did your week play-out? Has the wind been playing nice, or has it been a nuisance? Any races on the agenda? 

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