Sunday, November 26, 2017

Running on the Sunny Side of the Street

What a difference a week makes! Last week, I wrote about relentless rain and gray skies, about sucking it up and getting outside even though conditions were less than optimal. And then....the sun returned. This time of year, seeing the sun is a gift. We were so fortunate since this week we had sunny skies almost every day.

With a race coming up on Saturday, you know I watched that forecast closely. While I'm saving my race recap for Tuesday, I'll share that we had near perfect running conditions for the half marathon, which made for a near perfect run! This runner is thankful.

So how was my week of training?



Running:
While I took today (Sunday) as a post-race rest day, I got in 4 quality runs this week. On Monday and Wednesday, I had a goal of pushing those run/walk intervals from my usual 4:1 ratio to a 9:1 ratio. I was pleased to be able to do that on both runs without sacrificing pace. Wednesday's run was 6 miles and I was tired at the end. That run showed me that my longer intervals were not yet ready for prime time. Still, I found this progress really encouraging!


On Thanksgiving, since it was race week, instead of my usual Thursday speedwork, I decided to take my legs on an easy 4 miler around the 'hood. That was a challenge for me. I take my RA meds on Wednesday night and this week, I felt pretty sick on Thursday. I don't always feel crummy the day after my meds, but if I do, I can usually push through that feeling. It's like having a hangover from a night of partying. This week, apparently I had a little too much fun at the party. Ha! I wish. Anyhoo, I did about 3 miles before calling it quits and heading to the couch until we had to leave for dinner at my sister's house.

Saturday was race day and I felt pretty much back to normal. With a 9:15 am start, I was able to take my time getting ready for the race. If you follow me on social media, you know I had my best half marathon of the year, finishing the race in 2:07:21. I'm still smiling, by the way....

CrossFit:
With Thanksgiving on Thursday, we only had one session at CrossFit this week. Coach Kate didn't go easy on us with a Tabata workout in 8 rounds of 5 activities: Row, Thrusters, Burpees, Push Press, and AbMat situps. When Steph texted me the next day to ask if I was sore, I told her no. But come Thursday, not only was I feeling the effects of my RA meds, I had DOMS.

Even with no weights, the 35# barbell made 8 rounds of these thrusters a challenge!

Ab Mat sit ups. Repeat x 8 rounds.

Yoga:
I continue to do my yoga recovery workouts at home. Now that I'm done training for anything, I need to get myself back to the studio for some classes.

This warrior caught the sunrise on Wednesday's run!
I won't lie, it feels good to just sit on the couch this morning, drinking coffee, and writing this recap! I'm looking forward to scaling back the miles for the next couple of weeks until I start training again for a winter half marathon. I'm starting to think about 2018. How about you?

How was your week? Any turkey trots? Don't you agree that running in the sun feels so much easier? Are you planning your races for 2018?

I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap!




69 comments :

  1. We have had almost non-stop sunshine the past several days, and YES, running does feel so much easier!

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  2. In the winter running in the sun is so much better than when its cloudy. Congrats on your race! Glad you were feeling good for race day.

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  3. The winter sun does feel so nice! Glad to see you had a few enjoyable runs this week. I have not thought much about 2018 yet and what I want to do. It is quickly approaching though isn't it? Hope you get some rest today!

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    1. Do we ever get enough rest? I did have some household chores to attend to, but there were plenty of breaks on the couch.

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  4. So glad you got some sun. I remember it being so dreary this time of year when I lived in Indy.

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    1. I really notice a difference when the sun is out. Everything feels so much easier!

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  5. Sun makes everything better. Seriously.

    Congrats on a good last half for the year! Ending the year on a high note (so sorry about FL).

    Nothing is on my schedule for 2018 except some thoughts. Some of the races I'm thinking about don't increase in price until Feb, and as far as I know they don't sell out, so it's kind of on the back burner for now.

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    1. I'm so sad about Florida, but it's funny how things work out. Stay tuned.

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  6. We've had a lot of sun the past week. It was foggy, cloudy, and cold before I left for Vegas, then all sunshine and near record warmth. That doesn't help the ski resorts.

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  7. Ah yes, sunny days make a huge difference in my well-being. Glad you had such a good week!

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  8. I think I got a little tanned today in the warm sunshine. Nothing beats that solar power. I am beginning to plan 2018 and I'm excited to see what adventures it brings! I'm so happy to hear you had a great half marathon and can't wait to hear the details. Thanks for linking.

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    1. I got a little burned yesterday--not sure if it was sunburn or windburn! So worth it, no matter what it was.

      I'm looking forward to seeing what 2018 will bring!

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  9. Great job on your race! It's rare that I get to run in the sun during the winter (dark before work, dark after work!) but when I do get the rare opportunity (or the weekends) it makes a huge difference!

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  10. I love a cold sunny day run! It does feel easier. Love your warrior pose in the sun. I need to bring regular yoga back. I've been way too sporadic lately.

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  11. The sunshine makes ALL the difference! We had some great weather this weekend - it was worthing missing Black Friday sales for. ;-)

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  12. It was in the 90s here in So Cal last week, with lows in the high 70s. Absolutely ridiculous! We escaped to Carmel for Thanksgiving and it was perfection. Cycling 17 Mile Drive is a favorite. I can't live long without seeing the ocean, even if the sun is hiding I'm in my happy place.

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    1. That's my favorite place in California! We honeymooned there and then there was our wonderful trip 2 years ago when I ran Big Sur. It has to be the most beautiful place in the world.

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  13. I'm ok after--it's a day or so later when I feel it!

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  14. Love running on a sunny winter day! Great job keeping up with your workouts this week!

    I have started planning spring and summer for 2018 and I may be up to 8 half marathons if I actually sign up for all of them. So far, I'm signed up for 4 and I'll likely sign up for at least 2 more of the 8. Eeks....might be overload!

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  15. Great to hear you got sun! I agree it helps and is easier, way easier than running in the rain. Congrats on a fantastic half!

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    1. I really love the weather we've had this past week. If only winter could be like this!

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  16. SOSO SO MUCH YESSSSS.
    I trotted for 5.5 miles.
    All in the sun. All with friends.
    and it shifted everything.

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  17. We have sun now too but also have WIND. Grrrrr. But, I'm out there regardless and it doesn't seem to bother Star at all, which is insuring since she's my little reindeer :-) Congrats on the race!! Looks like you had FUN and ran well - a perfect Thanksgiving combo!

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    1. Oh yes, we have wind! I didn't mention the wind? I think the sun outweighs the wind.

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  18. The sun this week has been a game changer. Winter wouldn't be so bad if it would just stay sunny!

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  19. Yay for the sun, I am not a fan of gray days

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  20. We've had similar weather here and the sun makes for perfect running conditions!

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  21. My point of view about the sun changes with the seasons. In the summer (and most of the fall this year) I’m all about hiding from it. Once it cools down the sun feels glorious! I’m glad you had a great race. My next one will be the Palm Desert Half Marathon in February.

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  22. Congrats on having a great race! I look forward to the recap :) It's so nice when the weather cooperates on race day.

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  23. YEY for a great race week! I did my first ever turkey trot!

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  24. We have not had a whole lot of sunshine this past week so getting out when I can!

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  25. Aw man, I'm sorry you were having a rough time with DOMS and your RA. I hope the sun keeps shining for you and you feel better soon!

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  26. Thursday sounds like it was rough! I hope you didn't have to do a lot of cooking and cleaning, but I imagine you probably did. Sounds like things perked up with the race, though. I'm happy for you that you had sunny weather and a great race!

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    1. Lucky for me, my sister had Thanksgiving, so all I had to do was show up. I felt a ton better the next day.

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  27. I'm so happy you had great weather and a great race. Isn't it the WORST when DOMS sneaks up when you're already not feeling well? That happened to me when I was sick last time. Not fun at all.

    Looking forward to reading your recap!!

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    1. Seriously? Thursday was a bad day. Luckily for me, it passed quickly!

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    1. Yes! The longer we have this kind of weather, the shorter winter will be.

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  29. I didn't do any turkey trots on Thanksgiving. I just ran on the treadmill while I watched the Macy's Day Parade. This week has been really nice here as well. I agree, when it is sunny runs feel much easier.

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    1. I didn't realize it, but Turkey Trots have become quite the phenomenon!

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  30. No turkey trots for me. Work work work work work. You know how that goes. So happy to see the sun this week. Great job on your half. I still see a BQ in your future...

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  31. Another great week! We did a rainy turkey trot here - the company made the weather much more tolerable :)

    The sun is a double edged sword here. While I do far prefer brighter days, our sun can make it unbearably hot to run. That being said, we don't generally get those dreary winter days like you have, so it changes things.

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  32. Running in the sun is a toss up...it's nice if the temp is cool but here in Florida the sun can mean it's super hot most days. I agree that running when its cloudy and grey out can be hard though! I skipped my turkey trot in favor of sleeping in since it was the only day this weekend that I could!

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    1. I'm glad my TT was on Saturday! I got to sleep in on Thursday but snuck in a few miles on my time. Gotta love that!

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  33. Congrats on your best half of the year!! Glad that the sun came out more for you last week! I definitely enjoy the sun during the winter. I've already got some races set for 2018, mainly fun ones! :)

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  34. The sun almost always makes everything better. :)

    Congrats on your half! Looking forward to your recap.

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  35. I just got in my Life planner and I'm thinking about 2018 as well. I have noticed I don't have near the amount of races as I had last year either. May have to start doing something about that!

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  36. I am loving incorporating Crossfit into my training. It is so great to see what other people do at their Crossfit Gyms!

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