Running Against the Wind - Market-to-Market Relay 2019

We were running against the wind. All five of us. All day.

But, hey, at least we outran the rain!

Such was the day for our team at the 2019 Market to Market Relay on Saturday, May 11th. The temps were chilly (it never got warmer than 55F), the air was damp, and the wind was brutal. That said, it still was a fun adventure in our five sets of running shoes.

Walk Much?

To walk or to run...which would YOU choose?

Until a couple years ago, my answer would have (obviously) been to run. No second thoughts, no debate. 

Although walking and running share a lot of the same traits and features (more walking benefits HERE), I have noticed a few differences that are often over-looked. It wasn't until I was forced to substitute walking for running (after that emergency surgery in 2017) that I finally got it. I not only recognized these differences, but also learned to respect them.

Brrrrr...brrrr...brrring on Spring, please...

Well, it's been a cold one....

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I thought it was May (?). Shouldn't we be well-past the temps of winter? Thankfully, we're past the fear of snow...but just barely.

But first things first...





Welcome to the Weekly Run Down! I am so excited to host 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 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through Monday (noon). Please share your 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.

Here's the Run Down on what happened last week:

Never miss a Monday

Knowing the temps were due to plummet (and that rain was on the way), I decided to get out for an early-morning 2-miler. The morning sunshine was just emerging, and all the blooms were looking so beautiful.

Opt Inside Tuesday

The rain had not yet come, but the air was damp, the wind was crazy and the temps were cold outside. Fasted cardio, inside (via 25 minutes on the elliptical), was the perfect solution.

Opt Inside (again) Wednesday

The rain had started Tuesday evening, and continued through much of the night. The temps were flirting with near-freezing as well. It had been a long time since I'd had a nearly inactive, true rest/recovery day. I did 20ish minutes of yoga, in the early hours, and (other than a 1-mile walk with Max after work), that was it. No fasted cardio, no HIIT, no elliptical, no running or walking. And all was well.

Action-packed Thursday

Barb and I had thought about heading out for a #5at5, but a few quick texts back and forth (at 04:30), and we both were in agreement to postpone. The rain had been much less of a issue than was forecast, and had actually ceased mid-Wednesday afternoon (It had been forecast to last the entire day and into the evening). That said, the air was mucho humid and the wind was nutzo (ahem, a continuous 22 mph). Stuck inside, I hopped on the elliptical for 25 minutes and did some upper-body strength work.

Later, after work, Barb and I were able to get in five miles at the lake. Seeing all the random trash strewn alongside the trail, we grabbed a couple of bags from my car and did some clean-up after we finished running. I seriously do not know how people can be so disrespectful and lazy.

Freezing Friday

I was majorly confused exactly what season it was in Iowa on Friday morning. There was lots of bright sunshine (summer?). The blooms on the trees were fragrant (spring?). But the temps were barely above freezing (winter?). Thankfully, by noon, things shaped up.

Teamwork Saturday

Saturday started with a 3:50 a.m.wake-up, followed by a 4:45 a.m. departure to make it to our 7:15 wave start. I was on a team of co-workers, and we had 76 miles to tackle in the Market-to-Market Relay. The temps (again) were cold (low-50F's), crazy windy, and the air was damp. That said, we had a great time trekking and running across some of Iowa's trails and small towns. I ran a total of just over 15 miles (over the course of three different legs), and I slept quite soundly that evening. Full recap will be posted this week...stay tuned.

...and a restful Sunday

Somehow, even with a short night Friday, and a long day on Saturday, my body was still awake and alert around 6:00 a.m. Not sure how that happens, but after lounging (and trying to unsuccessfully fall back to sleep), I got up and went for a walk with the hubby and Max. Thankfully, all of my muscles felt fine and not too weary from the prior day's running adventures. And, yes, the temps were STILL cold (mid-40F's). Later, after church, there was a nice lunch with the hubby and two (of the three) kiddos and a late afternoon dinner with my parents. Life is good!

So, all in all, it was a pretty restful week. The mileage crept up to 22 (for running), but 15 of that was from Saturday's relay. The walking kept me active (approx. 10 miles) without overdoing it. It felt great to get that upper-body workout in on Thursday. The 50 (cumulative) minutes of elliptical and Wednesday's yoga gave me a good mix of fitness. All is well.

In case you missed out, here's what happened on the blog this week:

Spring Is In The Air (sort of)

Armed & Ready

Friday Favorites...What I've been loving lately

In other news:

FridayFashionFlair... Did you see it on Insta? Is there a better warm weather color than navy? It's like a toned-down black, but not as dark. Pairing it with white and that classic nautical combo always looks sharp. As usual, feel free to join the fashion party...(1) post a pic of a featured outfit, (2) grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and (3) give me a tag (@runningonthefly).

Despite the winter-like temps, we have been enjoying all kinds of spring beauty...

Finally, last but not least, I want to wish a blessed Mother's Day to all of you moms out there.

How was YOUR week? Lots of fitness? Seasonal temps? Rest or recovery? Are your spring flowers still in bloom?

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Friday Favorites - What I've been loving lately

There's been a lot to love recently, even with the hum drum weather.

As week #2 of my Destination: Downtime draws to a close, I've been reflecting on said downtime. It's been an interesting ride. I'm not especially gifted with full-on rest/recovery. I do honor rest and recovery days, but I'm not typically sitting idle in a comfy chair as I do so.

None the less, there's a few things that I have been loving lately. Care to hear of a few of my Friday Favorites?

Armed & Ready

Arm warmers....I certainly wish I was the one holding the patent (assuming there is such a thing).

Here we are, in the midst of Spring. Some days it still feels like Winter, while others feel like Summer has arrived in full force.

What's a runner to do when the air is chilly, but the temps are going to be rising while you're running? Not a fan of freezing it out in the first mile, I opt for some handy dandy arm warmers.

Care to hear a few reasons why?

Spring Is In The Air (sort of)

Not everything is as it first appears....

Hence, Spring 2019.  We have the blossoms, the budding trees, and the flowering bulbs. The grass is a cosmic shade of green. The birds are happily chirping round-the clock. But the temps are hit and miss (mostly a miss) as of late.

At least it isn't snowing.

Chatting & Chai & a few Runfessions

It's that time of the month...again.

Are you ready for some chatting? Over coffee (or, in my case, chai)? What say we throw in a few Runfessions...you know, just to keep it real?

I'm always game for a (virtual) meet-up with like-minded people. Here's what I'd share if we were having a (virtual) coffee gathering...