Sunday, April 15, 2018

Ready for Anything

Well, wow. I feel like after last week I can handle just about anything that comes my way. Fortunately, life was uneventful this week. The weather, however, was not. Are you tired of talking about the weather? I am. I wish it would just settle the hell down but nope, we have been on a wild ride this week, going from snow on Monday to spring and 70 degrees on Thursday, and then back to cold, gloomy weather on the weekend. In all my years, I don't ever remember a spring quite like this one. I keep thinking that the climate has got to right itself, but nope, not yet. I looked ahead for the next month (I checked multiple weather sites) and it doesn't look like anything remotely warm is coming our way.

I hope that's wrong. In the meantime, I'll just resign myself to the fact that I'll be running in the cold. On a more superficial note, I won't be able to model my new InkNBurn tanks and shorts anytime soon. At least outside I won't.

Ok, enough whining about the weather. In spite of it all, I had an excellent week of training! And that's what this weekly wrap is all about. While Holly is away this weekend, I've got a guest host with me, the lovely Teresa from Finding Fabulous at Fifty! Be sure to show her all the love you normally bestow on Holly and me, including linking back to her blog. 



Running
As I mentioned above, it snowed on Monday. Whomp Whomp. Monday was also opening day for the Chicago Cubs, which had to be postponed due to snow on the field. The White Sox played, though. Maybe they didn't get as much snow on the south side? Anyhoo, I did my run all decked out in Cubbie blue, which got a few smiles from the walkers and other runners on the bike path. I did 6 easy miles, no walk intervals, and was really pleased with this run. On Wednesday, I did another 6 miler, the same deal with no walk intervals. For some reason, this run felt really hard. Maybe it was the wind. But I pushed myself and finished faster than I did on Monday. Ok, then. 

6 miles in the snow

In case I thought my speedy speedwork from last week was a fluke, this week showed me that nope, it's the real deal. On Thursday, that one warm day we had, I took my pseudo-800s to the retention pond. I counted correctly this time and did all 8 with good consistency, averaging about 8:10 m/m on each interval, even running into the wind. I had to talk myself into doing the last 2 intervals because I was starting to get pretty winded and queasy, but I finished and boy, did that feel good!

Speedwork in the sunshine

Unfortunately, Saturday was just plain nasty with rain, cold, and high winds. I seriously considered running outside but when my car was shaking from the wind gusts, I gave in and took it to the treadmill. I had an easy 4 on the plan and that's what I did. Cocoa kept me on task--she didn't move from my side for the entire run! Since my treadmill is no longer accurate, I used my Apple Watch to track this run. It also tracks my heart rate, which I found useful. The bad thing about the Apple Watch is that it doesn't sync with any fitness apps. It's also quirky and hard to adjust when my fingers are sweaty.

On Sunday I attempted my long run on the treadmill but my body wasn't having it and I DNF'd at 3.5 miles, sweating buckets and trying to shake off my nausea. I may not get in a long run before next weekend's 10 miler. I'll just have to wing it. Not that I've done that before... 😜😜

Treadmill Run
This is my new InkNBurn kit: Macrame singlet and Boho Daisy Shorts. I love the new fabric in both pieces.
It's got some stretch to it! The shorts are super cute. 

CrossFit
Sammy Jo had a fun circuit for me this week. We started off with some back squats and if my calculations are correct, my max set was 115# x4. I could be wrong. It felt heavy, anyways! Those glutes were on fire! 

Back Squats

When I was done with that, she had me rotate 3 times through a routine of hopping over the bench, handstand walk up the wall, and crocodile walks. The crocodile walks were fun but hard. I started in a plank position with my toes on sliders. I couldn't use my legs at all and I plank walked across the gym. My core was on fire. Can I just say how much I love my coach? 

Crocodile Walks

Yoga
Since I ran on Monday, I didn't have time to do a full yoga practice but I was in need of some hip and hamstring love. Five Parks Yoga to the rescue! I did a nice Deep Stretch Yoga Class: Hips and Hamstrings for 30 minutes. Ahhhh. After Saturday's treadmill run, I decided to do another yoga class and did her Slow Flow Jungle Yoga. What I really wanted to do was stretch, and there was plenty of that but there was also strength since she has you move so slow through the practice. It was good!

Pasarita Padottanasana
My hamstrings (and my shoulders) need more love. This was our InkNBurn ambassador pose of the week.
I'm wearing the new Sunflower pullover. Love. Love.
Pasarita Padottanasana
Randoms
There was a silver lining to the weekend's horrible weather--I spent Saturday afternoon writing blog posts and watching the Cubs game. What a game it was! In the 2d inning, the Cubs were down 10-2. Wrigley Field was nearly empty. We couldn't believe that anyone was there at all. It looked miserable. Everyone was covered in blankets and plastic bags. It was so weird because you could hear individual voices chanting and lots of expletives instead of the usual crowd noise.  Those die-hard fans were rewarded because the Cubs started to rally. In the 8th inning, they scored 9 runs. Yes, you read that right. That was so much fun to watch! The Cubs won, 14-10!!


On Sunday, I attended an empowering self-defense session called Girls Fight Back. Geared towards young women, attendees are taught how to prevent violence and protect themselves. Who can't use more of that? I'll be sharing more on Tuesday's blog post.


How was your week? Crazy weather where you are? Can we stop talking about the weather? How about those Cubs? 

Thanks for supporting the Weekly Wrap, hosted by Holly and me. If you are new to the wrap, please check out the rules in the tab at the top of the post. Have a wonderful week!

90 comments :


  1. thanks for clueing me into the Five Parks yoga! I have not been able to get to class this last week and I desperately need it. I will be cueing it up later tonight.

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  2. The weather is a drag but GO CUBBIES GO! I was at the Thursday game (they lost) and that was our only good weather day. The game on Saturday was awesome!

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    1. That game was incredible! So fun to be watching from home, under my nice warm blanket. I hope to go to some games later this season, once (and if) it ever warms up!

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  3. Yeah the weather here has been totally crazy. It was 70 and sunny yesterday but today we're back to 40 and wind/rainy. Oh well, the weather will just continue to be crazy I guess!

    I can't wait t hear more about the self defense class that you took today!

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  4. The weather continues to be erratic down here as well ...just not the extremes you guys are experiencing. Someone has seriously pissed Mother Nature off this year!! I know you guys are sick and tired of the snow but I never get tired of seeing the beautiful snow pictures. Lol

    You are crushing that speedwork ...so glad you're still flying high on those great runs!

    My Dad has always been a Cubs fan ..funny since he's never been to Chicago! Anyway, I grew up watching and pulling for the Cubs! Go Cubbies!

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    1. I've been flying high on my runs and then today's treadmill DNF brought me back to reality. Isn't if funny how running does that?

      I'm glad to have a Southern Cubs fan as my friend!

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  5. It seems like we will never be done complaining about the weather. I have a feeling it will be one of those years that goes from cold to hot and humid in a week.
    I've actually started doing a little bit of yoga again and its kind of nice! I can't promise I will stick with it though (I never do.) I'll need to look into Five Parks. Is it free?

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    1. Yes, the Five Parks Yoga videos are all on YouTube. She has her own channel. There are a ton of different videos. I love her instructional style. Normal.

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  6. You are so fit, I don't think that you will have to worry about winging it on your race! We had very similar weather....snow to 80 degrees back to snow this week. I'm over it lol. I just want to live one season at a time.

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    1. Thank you! I'm sure I'll be fine too, as long as the weather cooperates!

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  7. It seems like the weather has been crazy everywhere!

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  8. It's been very cold here as well - what the heck? Climate change is very real.

    Why were you so nauseated this week? Is that from your RA meds? Doesn't sound fun at all.

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    1. I was just queasy today. I'm not sure if I ate something funky or caught a bug.

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  9. I'd LOVE to be talking about the warm spring air and how great it felt to be wearing a tank and shorts outside and sweating like crazy...oh, wait. I guess that did happen on Thursday...only to plummet 30+ degrees in the next 24 hours. The peeps in northern Iowa, though, received 10+ inches of snow, so the minimum we received was tolerable (just unwelcome). All the new InB stuff looks awesome!

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    1. Well, I was sweating like crazy (and not in a good way) this morning on the treadmill...

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  10. I heard about the Cubs opener - crazy! Our weather was super nice Friday and yesterday, and rainy and cold today -- but no snow at least! Glad you had a solid week of training.

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    1. I only wish I had that long run done today to seal the deal!

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  11. I agree I'm so done talking about this weather - I just wish it would get its act together!

    You are so strong I'm sure you'll do great with your race!

    Looking forward to hearing more about the self-defense class.

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    1. I'm glad that class came along! I'll share more on Tuesday.

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  12. Wow, snow and 70 degrees in the same week! This Spring weather is CRAZY for sure! It was 84 degrees here on Saturday at home (89 on Friday), but I totally missed it because we were in Atlantic city where it was not that hot. At least the sun was shining though!

    I am interested to hear about your post on Tuesday because I am always saying there should be a defense course for runners!

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    1. I had that very thought after I left the class today. The class was just an overview, but it whetted my appetite for more self-defense skills!

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  13. Yes how about those CUBS?!? We needed that bright spot this week! I'm done with the weather. Done. Cute I&B stuff!

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    1. I've got more INB stuff on the way! I may have overdone it this winter, thinking ahead to warmer days...

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  14. I see those muscles, Wendy, in your tank top and shorts!! Looking strong!! We had severe weather yesterday and I’ve been pretty stressed out ever since. Stuck indoors two Saturdays in a row with three kids and two dogs in our smallish lake house?? Aaaaaaah! No wonder I signed up for a 25k trail race next weekend! (Gulp) I sure hope it warm up for y’all up there sometime soon!

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    1. I'm so excited for you, running that trail race! I'd love to do a trail race, but where would I train? There are no "trails" here in suburbia.

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  15. Your workout schedule is amazing! How do you find time to fit everything in? I did a road 10k this weekend, in between a trail half last weekend, and my "A" race for the season, a trail 25k next. I didn't medal, but I had a great weekend enjoying the warm spring weather in Richmond, VA.

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    1. Sounds so fun! I'm so jealous of everyone doing those trail races. We don't have anything like that around here!

      I work part-time, and my house is a mess...that's how I get it all in! LOL!

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  16. You fit in so much in a week! Apologies for not knowing this even after reading for awhile, but do you also work? I love to hear how people fit in fitness around busy schedules! It's not easy.

    Such drastic weather changes you had! We had similar, though the winter extreme was definitely really extreme :(

    Thanks for hosting the link-up!

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    1. I do work--I'm a nurse practitioner and I work part-time! I was downtown in Chicago a couple of weeks ago for a conference and between the communting and the long days, I really struggled to stay on top of my workouts and blogging.

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  17. Isn't it strange how some runs just feel hard, for no particular reason? I had that this week, too.

    I would love to stop talking about the weather, but seriously, it sucks. And our "warm" day was a high of 55. And that feels warm to us. Sad, isn't it?

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    1. I'm not sure what happened today on the treadmill, but it's happened to me before and it makes me wonder if I have some kind of motion sickness thing with it. Very weird.

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  18. I love how you got after it both with your speedwork and those squats! Looking forward to your post about the self-defense seminar; I was actually attacked while running a few months ago (a bystander intervened and I wasn't physically harmed), but it has really piqued my interest in the topic.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that the bystander intervened! The instructor touched on that--to be an active bystander. Glad you are ok!

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  19. Doesn't it feel awesome to see consistent increases in speed? Makes me feel like a boss! I'm looking forward to your post on Tuesday. Safety on the run is something I'm always thinking about!

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    1. I've enjoyed my speedy burst. I don't know how long it will last but I'm riding the wave as long as I can!

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  20. I'm always so impressed with how much you do in a week - it's so inspiring! I hate blaming the weather and my pregnancy, but at nearly 35 weeks pregnant and most days this week either being pouring rain and 30s or colder, I stayed inside and didnt get out much. Way to go coninue to be awesome! Thanks for hosting!

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    1. I really get antsy if I'm sitting around too much! Heading out into the snow as we speak. Oh, did I say snow?

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  21. I like that crocodile walk. I've never tried it, but you can bet I'll be pulling out my sliders tomorrow! Friday and yesterday were gorgeous, but cold rain moved in today...

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. Sammy Jo really encouraged me not to move those legs at all, but to swivel my hips as I pulled myself forward. Can you say core?

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  22. It does feel like my US running and blogging friends have spent a lot more time this year talking about crazy weather. I'm headed back to the east coast and about to get a taste of the craziness! It's causing me some packing anxiety! LOVE your Cubs OOTD and the comeback story (not a Cubs fan, but I appreciate anyone who roots for their fave team).

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    1. Being stuck inside and able to watch that whole exciting game was definitely a silver lining to this crap weather!!!

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  23. Well done on getting those workouts done even if the weather was so crummy. Something is definitely weird - we are supposed to be in autumn but it's still raining, some days quite cold, and other days really hot. So climate change is definitely real. Such odd weather. I'm definitely coming back for your blog piece on safety. That's one thing I have become increasingly paranoid about when running outside alone. Too many nasty people out there with very nasty intentions. Shathiso at www.thegaboronerunner.com

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    1. I completely thought of you when I wrote the post--that story of you being mugged on the trail has stuck with me!

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  24. I'm not sure what was crazier--this past week of weather, or that Cubs win! At least the Cubs rallied. The weather? Not so much. Glad you had such a great week!

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    1. That Cubs rally was pretty amazing and I said to my husband that the weather was a silver lining because we got to watch it! If it was nice out, we probably wouldn't have sat down for the afternoon.

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  25. Those crocodile walks sound hard! I can't believe your weather. We have had a good amount of rain but that's normal and our temperatures have been stable.

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  26. We actually had decent weather. A bit of temperature fluctuation that's not exactly normal, but compared to most of the country, our weather is paradise here in Charleston. Yesterday it was nearly 80 degrees on my long run. But I'll take it! I'm tired of being cold! Good luck on your upcoming 10-miler!

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    1. Oh, gosh, I'd take that warmth over what we have. But I know, be careful what you wish for. Hot weather running is tough too!

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  27. Not one of my better weeks - some very ill friends, cat died, the weather was the pits.

    On the bright side, I PRd at my 5 mile race yesterday.

    Yes, we have to be ready for anything - the good and the bad.

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    1. I'm so sorry about all the bad that happened in your world this week. Fingers crossed that things will get better!

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  28. We've been so sick for so many days....I'm done with it. I missed my long run and thought about getting on my treadmill but just couldn't even do that.

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  29. Oh man! Our weather has been bad- but no where near THAT bad. It's been a weird, weird spring. I'm dying for warmer weather to come back for good!

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  30. Ugh yes, I am so tired of snow! We had an ice storm over the weekend so I'm planning to take tomorrow off to get my long run in.

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  31. We actually had some freakishly warm weather for a few days, but now that's gone and we're back to chilly, rainy weather! I can't wait for spring to stay!

    Great job with all your workouts. I wish I had a treadmill at home to fall back on, though I'd probably get really bored with it too! Love the InknBurn outfit!

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  32. I am ready for the weather to even out and be "normal" again... Great week!

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    1. YES! I don't quite understand what's going on. I'm ready for normal weather.

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  33. I’m with you, Mother Nature needs to finally let Winter go into hibernation. I think that we’ve all suffered more than enough. Bring on sunshine and warmer temps!

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  34. The self-defense class sounds interesting! I look forward to reading more about it. I've just given up with the weather and just take it as it comes now. Last week was so crazy that what else can we do?

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    1. The class was really empowering! Looking forward to sharing more.

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  35. You should come visit me. It's beautiful here High 80s, low 90s all week. Just sayin'.

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  36. Everyone up north is all like "I'm not looking forward to the cold." and down south here we are like "it's so humid! I wish it were colder!" I guess Boston sent us some weather though because it's chilly and windy here today!

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    1. Isn't it funny how it's all a matter of perspective? I just don't want to be cold any more.

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  37. Allie keeps me company when I'm on the treadmill. There's a great cubby with those padded moving sheets, and she settles in for the entirety of my run. She and Cocoa think the same.

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  38. LOL! We had HAIL last week! In Florida! And huge tornadic storms this weekend! Stop it!

    Still really cold and windy here. Over it.

    I can't handle the treadmill. I really wish I was one of those people who could make it work, but I get so bored, so hot and my hips and knees react very negatively.

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    1. Crazy weather everywhere! Why? I hope it warms up for all of us.

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  39. Our weather decided to be sunny and warm just for my race yesterday...not exactly helpful, since it's been months since I've run in those temperatures!

    3.5 - 4 miles is the max I've run on a treadmill because it always makes me nauseous too. Something about the belt motion.

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    1. I'm thinking motion sickness or something too. Altho I've never had that before, there's a first time for everything.

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  40. That weather looks crazy! Snow and shorts in the same week? Within just a few days? Crazy. Our weather hasn't been that bad, a little chilly in the mornings but otherwise quite nice.

    Treadmill long runs are the hardest. I can run 6-7 miles on one but that's about my max. I guess if I had to, I could, like if the weather was that bad or it was simply unsafe, but it's a big mental battle.

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    1. The longest I've ever TMd is 11 miles. I was training for a winter half and I had to get it in. But nothing even close to that since.

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  41. Today is almost 50 degrees and sunny, so I'm thinking optimistically that this may stick around! Oh I hope so... I don't blame you for DNF'ing that treadmill long run. Those are mentally so hard!!! Better weather is on it's way. Let's just keep saying that until it's true!

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    1. I keep thinking that! I look at the calendar and look at the date and think it's GOT to warm up.

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  42. I do not envy my Chicago friends and family with this horrible January you all are having. Lol. But your CrossFit class sounds like it was a blast. No way you'd catch me at a baseball game in that cruddy weather, though! Hang in there, good weather is right around the corner!

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  43. Sounds like a terrific week of training! Long runs on the treadmill or any run on the dreadmill is always harder for me so I get the DNF. At least you had a nice 70 deg day on Thursday. Over here it's mostly cloudy or rainy.

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  44. Love your beautiful strong photos and I need to check out those yoga YouTube videos. I go to an hour-long class twice a week but at the moment I have a cough still left over from my cold (even though I ran marathon distance on Sunday) so I feel awkward in class.

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  45. Great week, Wendy! It's been so windy here lately, but mostly gorgeous and perfect. I don't like talking about the weather too much because so many are still suffering through such crappiness. LOL

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    1. The wind is enough to break me, though. Fortunately, things seem to be turning around for us here and we've even had a few days without wind!

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