Running Into Fall

Fall has finally arrived in the midwest. It was slow to come--summer just didn't want to let go. The foliage is starting to turn into those beautiful colors we wait for. While it was still very warm at the beginning of the week, the temperatures settled into what is considered "normal" for late October. This is the best time of year to be a runner. The scenery is a feast for the eyes, and with cooler temperatures, it's the return of long sleeves, tights, and thumbholes!

The only bad thing about fall is that we know what's next. But let's not think about that. Here are some of the highlights from my week on the road and the mat.

Running:
With cooler temperatures, I enjoyed some nicely paced runs. Instead of heat, I had to contend with wind and allergens. I was so looking forward to my long slow 8-miler to the retention pond on Saturday. It was a cool, crisp morning. Instead of relaxing into my pace, I struggled with breathing. I sipped my Tailwind throughout my run, so my issue wasn't my fueling. When I finished, I had my answer. I was wheezing. It's hard when the legs want to go, but the heart and lungs are telling you to hold back. My legs weren't having it, and it was a battle for pretty much the entire run. But I wanted to run under 9 m/m. Mission accomplished.

Running the struggle bus around the pond

In contrast, Sunday's 4-mile run was a pleasure. Another cool, crisp, sunny morning, this time I effortlessly zipped around my neighborhood. I wanted to hold back, but my legs wanted to go and today my heart said, "go ahead". So I did. It felt great and I cheesily held tree pose in front of these gorgeously transformed maples. 8:28 m/m.

Like you wouldn't have done the same pose....

Yoga:
I was happy to go to 2 classes at the studio. Megan continues to take her class on a journey through the chakras. This week we did poses to align the naval chakra, which represents fire. It was an energetic practice, and we did a new-to-me sequence of crow to headstand to crow. I could not lift my head into that second crow pose. I'm going to work on that!

This was the crow before the headstand

We had a sub for my other class. Our apex pose was bowed half moon pose--another new pose to me! After all the prep work, we moved from triangle to half moon to bowed half moon. I am not at all flexible, but I'm always amazed at what my body can do with the right preparation.

CrossFit:
The first thing I did when I met with Becky was to ask her to try that crow-headstand-crow sequence. Of course, she could do it! Her response was "I like that!" but she acknowledged the challenge of lifting the head on the second crow. Then we got down to business. Becky had me do lunges with kettlebells dangling from the bar. This was extremely challenging to me. There were some seated twists. Lifting a 50# medicine ball onto a box. Many times.

Off the road:
As soon as I got back from my run, my husband, boys, and I drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to meet my parents, aunt and uncle, and sister and her family to celebrate my parents' 55th wedding anniversary. My mom booked us on an almost 3-hour tour around this beautiful lake. The weather could not have been better and it was wonderful to celebrate such an amazing milestone. The lake is a summer retreat for many wealthy Chicago families and we loved seeing all the mansions--some of them are over 100 years old. Think Wrigley, Harris, Swift, Sears, and Pinkerton, among others. The fall colors made a beautiful backdrop.

My family

My parents, Lisa, and me

How was your week? Anything fun and new in your workouts? Are you struggling with your training? 

I'm linking up with Tricia and Holly for their Weekly Wrap, as well as Angela and Ilka for the Sunday Fitness and Food Link Up!