Sunday, February 25, 2018

Calming the Beast In Me

Another week, another wrap...it's Sunday and it's time to recap the week of training! Welcome to the Weekly Wrap, hosted by Holly and me, where all the cool fitness bloggers share their training and race recaps! Is it your first time linking with us? Check out the rules in the tab above.

How was the week?



Running
We got a ton of rain early in the week and that meant all our snow was washed away. Poof! Too bad all that rain was followed by a return to the freezer. The day after all that rain, I stuck to the streets in my neighborhood because I figured that bike path would have lots of icy patches. On Thursday, my intention at the retention pond was to do speedwork. With that cold wind whipping across the ice,  speed wasn't an option, so I just stuck to my intervals and dug deep. After battling that wind, I was pretty crabby, channeling my inner Mrs. Kravitz as I saw smelled a young mom and her friend smoking weed while they watched her toddler play on the playground.


Saturday morning, I woke feeling a little off. The weather threatened rain, so after some coffee, I hustled myself out the door for 5 miles. Cold and windy, I headed out into the wind so to have the wind at my back on the way home. I had no plan for pacing this run and decided to just go with it. Once again I realized that you never know what a run is going to bring as my legs just decided they wanted to fly. I skipped my first interval. Interval #2 passed and I was still feeling good. Finally, at interval #3, 14 minutes in, my body asked for a walk break and I obliged. I decided to see if I could do 14:1 intervals for the rest of this run. I finished 5 miles in 44:52 (8:58m/m). This was my fastest run in a very long time and yep, I was really happy.


Crossfit
After another missed Monday--Coach Sammy Jo was injured--I made the decision to go back to once weekly at the box. I haven't done a Monday for about a month, and truthfully I'm not really feeling it right now. I kind of like the flexibility of having that Monday for yoga or for a run if the weather on another day isn't so favorable.

When I went to workout with Sammy Jo on Thursday, I did a combination strength and conditioning workout. I PR'd my front squats at 115# and tried to do the same with my static press, but I'm stuck at 55#. It's truly amazing to me that when Sammy Jo added on 10 more pounds, I could not get that bar past my shoulders! She also had me do a circuit of goblet squats, rowing, and ball slams.

Doesn't everyone close their eyes when they do goblet squats? 
This is 105# but I did end up doing 115# x 2 reps after this
Front squats are hard!
Yoga
In lieu of that planned CF workout on Monday, I did an Ashtanga class with Erin on Five Parks Yoga. She had a guest instructor for this class, an ashtanga certified instructor, and it was empowering to see Erin as a student! About 15 years ago, I was an avid ashtangi. I practiced Ashtanga for several years before moving on to vinyasa. While I enjoy the variety of a vinyasa practice, the athleticism of Ashtanga is unlike any other.. I had forgotten how many chaturangas you actually do during one class! It was a great class and I definitely will do this one again.

Crow pose
On Sunday, it was too windy to run--at least, for me it was. Don't let that Warrior 2 picture above fool you--my coat actually blew away when I stopped to take the picture! I swapped out my planned Monday yoga workout instead and did a new to me Mandala Flow Journey class from Five Parks Yoga. This was a challenging flow around the mat with some poses I hadn't done before.

Randoms
So as a follow up to Friday's Runfessions post, I did get my lab results back and yes! my liver enzymes are dropping. Still, not enough to make my rheumatologist happy and so she's changing up my RA medications. The offending medication--methotrexate-- is gone and she increased my Humira to once weekly. I started that Thursday night. Friday I wasn't feeling so fabulous. Hoping that I adjust to this new regimen quickly and that it keeps quiet the beast in me.


Because I am obsessed with socks, I'm excited to announce that I've been offered an opportunity to join Club Tabio! Through my affiliation with SweatPink, I was able to try these amazing socks. I look forward to sharing more information with all of you in the future. PS They aren't just for running!


Are you looking forward to a fresh start for Spring? Zooma is starting a Spring Clean Challenge! This isn't a weight loss program. The Spring Clean Challenge is a 6 week program designed to help participants create healthy eating and fueling habits to keep you running strong and feeling great. There will be a Facebook group to support and motivate participants. The challenge will be lead by 2 certified health coaches. Did I mention that there will be prizes and swag? The challenge runs March 15-April 29. If you're interested or want to learn more, you can check it out on Zooma's website. Use my code WENDY2018 to save 10% on registration.

How was your week? What's the weather like by you? Are you still in the deep freeze or has summer come early for you? Have you ever done ashtanga yoga? Do you care about what socks you wear for a run? Are you planning on spring cleaning your fitness routine?


Linkers: don't forget to link back to and comment on the hostesses' blogs! Please don't link and leave. It's nice to comment on a couple of the linkers' blogs as well. The linkup stays open until Wednesday, so try to come back and visit a few of the late linkers. Have a wonderful week!





70 comments :

  1. Yes the cool fitness bloggers link up indeed! :) Did you really see moms smoking pot while their kids were playing?? Crazy! Look at you with 115# of squats-super impressive friend. Glad to hear that your lab work is going better. Have a great week

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    1. You know I don't care if people smoke weed but seriously while your kid is playing? It was a "come on man" kind of moment for me. Pissed me off.

      Yeah, that liver thing kind of freaked me out. If my doctor hadn't stopped the methotrexate, I would have. No need to further anger my liver.

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  2. What an awesome week you had! Glad your liver enzymes are improving, albeit slowly. Hopefully the change in meds will help without untoward side effects. I'd hate to see my liver enzymes these days...

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    1. You'll have to read my coffee talk post Friday---because I am sure I made them go back up again! Doh!

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  3. Our weather has been just as crazy. Warm temps to melt the snow and then snow. Now rain to wash away the snow. But snow is predicted for the end of the week. Cab't wait for Fla!!

    I am always impressed with your lifting and yoga. Now I am impressed with your speed!!

    Yes I am picky about my socks - balenga, feetures are my faves with compression sleeves.

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    1. I got a little inspiration from you, my speedy friend! I'd love for that speed to stick around. We'll see how things go now that my medications have been changed.

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  4. That's great news about your lab work! Same (or very similar) weather on my side of the Mississippi this past week, but today is beautiful. A bit breezy, but the temps are approaching mid-40's and we have SUNSHINE!

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  5. I hope your new medication regime works for you and you'll be feeling your best soon. Of course, if medical marijuana is an option, you now have a couple of new friends who could help you out. ;-)

    Thanks for the linkup!

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  6. We had some warm temps earlier this week but its been raining since Thursday. I'm ready for some sun! Glad you had such a good run on Saturday!

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  7. I think summer has definitely come a little early but honestly, I'm waiting for Mama Nature to drop the "hey, it's still winter!" bomb on us any minute now. I'm glad your lab results are moving in the right direction! That's definitely good news! Hopefully, your system will balance out the new meds in no time.

    I struggle with strict press, too. It's so hard! My shoulders don't always like to cooperate.

    And, um...that's pretty crazy about the two pot smokers watching the toddler. :/ I guess it's better than doing meth or shooting up heroin? C'mon man!!!

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  8. I'm totally jealous of your sub 9 run! I hope the change in RA meds will do the trick. Ain't nobody got time for elevated liver enzymes. I'm due for some Five Parks yoga! She has really helped my hip and back. So, I need to get into a routine with that.

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  9. A speedy run is always a boost. But boo to the liver enzymes - hope you get the new meds sorted out quickly.

    I do like cute socks, but I'm also really particular about the amount of cushioning.

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    1. The Tabio running socks have cushioning and compression, strategically placed. I"m looking forward to sharing more about them in the future.

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  10. As usual your workouts are on point! I don't think that I've ever done ashtonga yoga. I'll have to look in to that! As for socks, I'm a feetures gal myself. And even though I know no new things for race day, I always like a fresh pair of socks for a goal race!

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    1. While I've been selected to represent Tabio, I have to admit that in the past, I've never been loyal to any of my sock brands. Guess I'm going to have to change my wandering ways. There are just so many good choices out there!

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  11. I don't have fun running socks, but I like fun regular socks. I got a pair of socks with sea otters for my birthday, and sea otters are one of my favorite animals. i need to look at that website to see what else they have.

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    1. You know who has the best regular socks? Target! Back in the day when I was a staff nurse, I used to buy them there all the time to wear with my scrubs.

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  12. Did you really see them smoking pot? Gross! And yes, I totally care about my socks. Glad that your run went well!

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    1. I saw it and I smelled it! I don't care if people smoke weed, I really don't, but in front of a little kid is just wrong.

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  13. Congrats on rocking your workouts this week, especially your runs! Isn't it amazing when everything just clicks and you have a super awesome run?!

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  14. OMG I can't believe those moms at the park!
    We got rain all day on Friday and looks like nice Springy weather this week. But chances are we might get one or two more "winter" like days in March. We'll see!

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    1. It's sunny and warming up this morning. I can't wait to head out and run in the sunshine!

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  15. I’m impressed by your CrossFit workouts — you’ve had some great trainers too! Im been traveling so much this week, I don’t k is what the weather is like.

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  16. I love your Warrior II picture! I did some of that myself today. :)

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  17. Spring here was last month - we have winter back now. I'm very picky about my running socks because all the synthetic ones I have tried give me blisters after a few miles. Merino all the way.

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    1. Spring is here today! I'm going to enjoy it because I know it won't last.

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  18. Our weather has been all over the place. Super freezing one day and then extremely warm the next. We lost all our snow but had some fall last night....however it's raining (surprize!) and I'm sure we'll lose it by the end of the day.

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  19. That is hilarious about the moms smoking weed! OMG :-) And I love that your legs were so zippy for that run! What a great surprise. And as for thoughts of Spring, all I'm thinking about is spring skiing! Once the mountains close, I want it to immediately be summer... A girl can dream.

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    1. Yeah, that run took me by surprise, intervals and all. I have an 8k in a month, so I'd love to have that kind of pace there.

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  20. Awesome run - runs like that where the paces and everything click are the best! I don't quite want winter to end yet, because we just got more snow for skiing - but it is easier to say that when there's no real snow where I live (and run).

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    1. I'd love to live in a place where I could drive an hour or so and enjoy the snow! As long as I don't need to deal with it here.

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  21. Oh gosh about the weed!!!

    Looks like you are doing great and I hope the new meds get you where you and your doctor want you to be. I am absolutely not a sock person, but my kiddo adores crazy socks (one of our friends calls him Bacon Socks, because that's what he wears LOL).

    It's almost summer here. They are saying one more freeze, but I am kind of starting to doubt that.

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    1. My youngest son (who is 18) has always loved crazy socks too! Guess it runs in the family.

      I hope that that one more freeze doesn't happen when I'm down there!

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  22. That running photo definitely says "Happy!" Hope you adjust quickly to the new meds regime. And BOO!!! to those two mums. After several hot/heat wave weeks, we finally got some rain this week to cool things down. It has been so beautifully refreshing. Shathiso @ www.thegaboronerunner.com

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    1. I know our turn with the heat will come in a couple of months. Nothing like what you get, but we do get some pretty extreme warmth in the summer! For now, I'm enjoying the change of seasons (for the most part!).

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  23. Congrats on surprising yourself with that speedy run! I love when that happens.

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    1. I love it too! It's so rare these days that it really made me happy!

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  24. we had a ton of rain over the past few days! Dreaming of dryer weather . . .

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  25. Summer has come early and I'm not super happy about it! It was a hot weekend for running this past weekend. It's making me dread running lately. I'm also obsessed with socks, but I have a Pro Compression addiction :-)

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    1. We've been stuck in the cold for so long that today's 50 degree temp felt like summer!

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  26. I hope the new medications work well for you! The weather has been all over the place recently. Lots of rain for us on the weekend but fingers crossed we get a couple dry days :)

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  27. Gosh - I can't believe you don't have any snow!! We are covered!! :) Woohoo on your last sub 9 minute run! You are a rockstar!

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    1. I was wondering about that! We got so much rain last week that it washed all our snow away.

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  28. Oh goodness, we had quite the last week of crazy weather! We had Spring-like temperatures but TONS AND TONS of rain!! It was such a mess all week long! But, luckily this week will be SO much better! YAY!

    I'm a running sock addict and have to wear my Thorlo's for each run! I do have a few ProCompression socks that I love too, but I don't wear those near as often as I do my Thorlo's. I'm all about the added cushion and blister prevention! :)

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    1. I used to wear Thorlos! Now I just can't seem to settle on one favorite.

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  29. I'm sorry your counts are off and you need new medicine! That stinks!
    We're back to rainy weather again... spring can't come fast enough!

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  30. We finally had a week of true winter weather over here and now I'm ready for spring lol. I've been doing a Starting Strength program and it's got 3 days a week of squats programmed and I have never been so tired! But, I am getting stronger and stronger so something is clicking! Congrats on the PR for front squats!

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    1. Wow, that's a lot of squats! Once a week is just fine by me. I'm amazed at the change in my body, I mean booty...

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  31. It is surprisingly still rather cool in HK, but I am enjoying it. I only wear Feetures socks when I run/workout because I don't like to wear socks (ever if I can avoid it) and they are thin enough to not cramp my style, haha!

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  32. We actually got some snow last week but it warmed up quick so was gone fast. Nice week! Awesome you had your fastest run in a long time! You look strong in those CF pics!

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    1. I like when we get snow and it goes away before it has a chance to turn ugly!

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  33. Good luck with the medicine. Every medicine causes bad side effects for me... to the point where I hate taking meds at all. If it has a side effect, I get it. Yuck. It definitely feels like summer here the last few days with highs nearing 80, yikes! I kinda want a cool down, but no snow like you guys get. Love all the CrossFit pics of you doing squats, you look super strong and powerful.

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    1. I hate taking meds too--this illness has just really humbled me. I'll do whatever it takes to get on top of my illness but it doesn't mean I like it!

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  34. I was excited for your snow to be gone, but not for the re-freeze... Our animals look so confused when the weather does that. Hey I’m Spring! No, Winter. Spring. Winter. Sp... anyways. 😂


    I’m glad they’re getting your meds figures out so you can feel your best! And SERIOUSLY what’s up with the mom’s smoking pot while with their toddlers!!???? Oh it would be hard not to say something go them... (but what good would that do anyway?)

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    1. I so wanted to say something, but I felt like that old person "get off my lawn!" so I just walked away and stewed...

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  35. I haven't been to an Ashtanga class in over 10 years... I need to find one down here! That blue sky looks so nice and inviting ... we've been gray down here for too many days to count.

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  36. We are finally getting some spring weather and I'm loving it! I am picky about what socks I wear to run in. I want them to be comfortable and cute. People are so crazy! I can't believe someone would smoke weed with a toddler in their care. It's so sad!

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