Sometimes your best strategy is perseverance and a positive attitude.
Case in point: this week’s weather. Early on, we had some warmth, and plenty of sunshine. Then, as the week wore on, we had some frigid temps and bone-chilling wind. At least it stayed dry, nor was there any sign of the white winter stuff (I’m refusing to say that word out loud, LOL). And, up until yesterday’s hard frost, we still had a lot of colorful foliage remaining, but it’s not looking too barren yet.
Before I get 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 blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-) Anyways, here’s what went down in my little world of fitness, fun, and whatnot this week:
Sunday, sunny Sunday
It was another (somewhat) chilly, but super sunny morning in Iowa. The trail is looking different every time I hit it. After a late night rocking and rolling (and extensive dancing) at a concert, a slight sleep-in was in order. That said, the fresh, crisp mid-morning air was quite invigorating. After 3-1/2 miles of brisk walking, I was feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Other than the daily 22 flights of stairs, there wasn’t much else going on, but I still ended the day with 11.761 steps.
Never miss a Monday
The morning started out chilly (low-40F’s), so I opted for a 6-mile (indoor) ride (along with 30 push-ups).A few hours after posting my fitness-themed selfie, I noticed a Facebook memory from a year ago. I guess (I not only had struck a very similar pose on the bike, with a water bottle, but I was even wearing the same blue shorts! I guess I’m nothing if not consistent.
I didn’t realize how nice it had gotten outside (70F and sunny! #FacePalm) until after I’d finished my 2-mile lunch walk, via the skywalk. By the time I got home, after work, the remaining daylight was dwindling at record speed. I wasn’t able to get out until almost 7:00PM, but the 61F temps were still shorts-friendly for my3-mile run.
A somewhat typical Tuesday
I don’t think it’s a secret that I try to keep my Tuesdays low-key and low-impact. That doesn’t mean that I sleep-in or slack on my fitness, though. I hoisted the weighted vest (15 pounds) on, climbed onto the elliptical, and knocked-out 3-ish miles (20 minutes). Afterwards, I cued-up a short arms/shoulders workout, via Peloton.
The sunny weather was beautiful, albeit a tiny bit cool. Nonetheless, I took my lunchtime 2-mile walk outdoors.
Double workout Wednesday
All was calm, and our on-person lights were bright at 4:45AM on Wednesday morning. Holy Yowza, somehow we kept a faster-than-usual pace for the 3-mile route. Hannah stayed after and ran a bonus mile with me. After getting home, Max and I did a loop around the lock, then I hit the Sweat Den Down Under, for some strength work (chest and back). I took my lunch walk outside, again, and did more walking with Max after getting home from work.
Triple-the-Fun Thursday
The
morning began with 22 flights of stairs (as part of the Daily 22 Repetition Challenge), then I joined
Deb (virtually) for our weekly cardio chat session. I was on the bike (16 miles) and she was on foot (walking).
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| (collage courtesy of Deb) |
Afterwards, I resumed my weekly lower-body strength-training. This was the third week of doing the same glutes/legs workout (Peloton), and this was the first time I didn’t have any DOMS waiting for me the next morning.
The temps had taken a turn for the much colder, so I stayed inside for my lunch walk. I did head over to the weekly group run, though, after work. The 38F temps weren’t a deal-breaker, but that wind felt cold! Yet again, it was another tempo-ish paced run, but it honestly felt pretty nice.
Friday with a touch of frost…
It was bound to happen, and whomp, there it was. The first official frost of the season had arrived. That morning sunrise, though, was pretty spectacular on my pre-workday walk. There was more walking over lunch and after work (two miles each time).
Long run Saturday
Although I don’t “need” super long runs right now, I do like to run a little longer on the weekends. It’s nice having the option to wait for visible daylight, which doesn’t happen during the work week. Besides, there was a 10K Garmin badge up for grans, so it was a win-win. Anyways, this run felt relatively effortless, though the air was cold! Thankfully, I nailed the layers and was really happy with my consistent splits. Afterwards, I hit the stairway for the daily 22 flights and finished with a short upper-body (arms/shoulders) session.
…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?The morning forecast is looking identical to Saturday’s, so I’ll probably be bundled-up for some outdoor sunshine walking. I have ab afternoon of Iowa Hawkeye basketball on the roster, so that’ll be exciting!
All-in-all, I’m really happy with how this week’s fitness played-out. The 16+ running miles all felt great! Walking was respectable, with 18 miles logged (most of which were outside). Biking, well…it’s been meager in recent weeks, as I’m just not excited for a long winter of indoor spinning. This week only saw 22 miles in the saddle, but I’m hoping to get some cycling mojo back soon. As for the November challenges, the daily 22 flights of stairs is going strong! In recent months, I’d been doing 15 daily push-ups, but I have started doing 30 push-ups, on alternate days, instead. So far, so good!
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. With the sudden plummet in temps, I needed some serious warmth and this new ultra fuzzy 1/2-zip fit the bill. It was only too fitting this particular fashion piece reps the Iowa Hawkeyes. Hey, it’s still football season, after all (and they came through with another victory this weekend, this time over Purdue). Go Hawks!
I apologize for all the talk about our weather, but it’s been a very weird fall in Iowa. I just heard that Friday evening’s hard frost was rather late in the season this fall as well.
After my Saturday morning workouts, I had to hustle-off to a monthly coffee gathering with some of my gal pals. A few of us then hit one of the metro’s holiday pop-ups for lunch. Yes, it’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Finally, Garmin had a few badges thrown my way this week. A couple were expected, and a couple caught me by surprise.
So, there you have it. Another week of fitness, another week closer to 2027 (how are we less than two weeks out from Thanksgiving?).
How did your week play-out? Did your weather take a turn for the cold? Are there any remaining leaves on your area’s trees? Any fitness gains this week? Any upcoming races?
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