Back to the Dark Side

Typically, the time change (in either direction) is not a big deal. 

Also, typically, I look forward to seeing the (somewhat) early morning sunrise return. After all, I know it’ll only be a matter of a few weeks before we’ll be back to the morning darkness, so I cherish the limited time we have it back. 

That said, we didn’t get many visible sunrises this week, and Momna N took the warm (and dry) weather away…

Before I get into the deets from the dark 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 blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here’s what went down, amidst the time change…

A very sunny Sunday

Despite the “extra”hour of sleep most may have enjoyed, I was blessed with a nasty case of insomnia Saturday evening. I quit looking at the clock after 2:30AM, and eventually woke up a few hours later. I got out for a vigorous 3-mile walk, though, and felt refreshed and rejuvenated. I succumbed to a nap, mid-afternoon, and knocked-out my 22 flights of stairs (per the November 22 Repetition Challenge), and that was it for the day’s fitness. 

Never miss a Monday

The forecast was looking wet and windy, but the conditions were still dry upon wake-up. After my 30 push-ups were done (another fitness challenge), I got out for a 3-mile run, thankfully beating the rain, but totally missing any semblance of a sunrise due to the thick cloud clover. The rain was there by the time I drove to work and remained all day thereafter, forcing me inside for my 2-mile lunchtime walk (just like old times, LOL). I saved my 22 flights of stairs for the evening, and called it good for the day. 

A low-key and low-impact Tuesday

The forecast was looking rainy (again), but it was still “dry” upon wake-up. I got out for a very fast-paced walk through the ‘hood, then cued-up a Peloton workout (arms and shoulders) before hitting the shower. As expected, the rain was there on my morning commute (again), and stuck around the remainder of the day as well. I was thankful to have access to the skywalk, since outdoor walking was not an option.

Quadruple Workout Wednesday

Here we go, time to figure out the layers with the “getting colder” weather. Somehow, running in the dark helps with forgetting how cold (or wet) the conditions are. Also, the inclines don’t seem as oppressive! Anyways, three miles at 04:45AM and all was well. The 22 flights of stairs were waiting for me after I returned home. There also was a short chest/back workout afterwards, the usual lunch walk, and a bonus 10-miler on the spin bike after work. 

Triple-threat Thankful Thursday

It was cold, damp, windy and icky outside, thanks to the overnight rain. I knocked-out my 22 flights of stairs, then hopped on the spin bike for the early morning cardio session with Deb. She took it outside, but I had plans to run after work, so the indoor cycling sufficed (15 miles).

Afterwards, I hit the basement for a weekly dose of glutes/legs strength-training. Romanian dead lifts and split lunges (the kind of lunges I actually like, LOL) for the double-win.

Then, let’s not forget the weekly evening group run. Ugh, the temps were damp and chilly (and windy!), but all went well. As per usual, this 5K endeavor saw negative splits and a tempo-ish pace. And it felt really good to finish and get back in my warm car.

Low-impact fitness for Friday

Oof, it was a #HolyBrrrBatman kind of morning in my ‘hood. Time to break-out and dust-off the puffer vest! Two miles of very fast-paced walking (and 22 flights of stairs) were what was happening in my world.

I had the afternoon off from work (so no lunchtime walking), but Scott and I hit the Carver Hawkeye Arena for an evening of basketball. Our Hawkeyes hosted the Eastern Illinois Panthers, and came away with a solid 91-47 win. Go Hawks! With all the walking back and forth, from the parking lot, and then up and down the arena steps numerous times, the day ended with over 12,000 steps despite the limited “focused” fitness.

High-steppin’ Saturday

Being out of town, with improper layering gear (my bad), the  near-freezing temps had me surrendering to the treadmill at a gym. Amazingly, the 4-mile run wasn’t as painful as anticipated. Afterwards, I took advantage of the extensive selection of dumbbells and upped my weights on my upper-body workout.  

Then, on a whim, I decided to test my grip strength with a body hang. I had no idea how long I could hold, so the (almost) minute-long endeavor left me satisfied. I ended the gym session with a turn on the stairway, and those 22 flights were done for the day. A short walk, outside, for a cool-down and I was done (until the evening’s Not Quite Brothers’ concert, giving me a grand total of 20,885 steps). 

.

…and what’s happening on Sunday?

The forecasted temps are looking “seasonal” and there should be plenty of sunshine. Perfect conditions for a morning walk (and possibly more walking in the afternoon). 

So, despite the less-than-desirable weather, I did get outside everyday. The running came in with 12 total miles. Biking was meager with 25 miles. Walking was pretty strong with 17 miles. And, four solid strength sessions left me feeling quite accomplished. 

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

The Return to the Routine

A Time for Coffee; A Time for Chatting

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Although it’s still football season, there was an Iowa Hawkeye basketball game on my roster. I wan t sporting officially licensed apparel, but the black and gold were still on display, via this designer original hand-knit sweater.  

Where, exactly, did all this rain come from? As mentioned, this was a very damp and dreary week! Looks like we’re already headed towards setting another record for rainfall…only one week to the month. Don’t be jealous.

Finally, how about a little bit of humor? I’m so glad all the political propaganda has come to an end. This map made me smile. What do you call the carbonated beverage? 

So, that’ll do for now. It was a challenging week, weather-wise, but I made the best of it. This next week is looking much drier and sunnier. Yay! 

How did your week play out-out? Wet weather? Fitness gains? Any races? 

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