If I could have the perfect Midwestern winter, I would want the weather we have had since early fall. We've had a nice long stretch of sunny and what local weather legend Tom Skilling calls 'seasonally cool' weather. Sure, there have been a few inclement days, but for the most part, it's been really pleasant. Local peeps, you know what I'm talking about, right? We can get some pretty ugly weather this time of year, so to me, our current conditions are really a gift. It's been a year that has been filled with so much awfulness and I'm grateful for all the sunshine.
Oh, and I'm just fine with no snow. Sorry, not sorry.
Thanks to the nice weather, I've been getting outside for all my runs and continue to add my mileage bank. I didn't start out the year with a mileage goal, but I'm closing in on 1200 miles for the year! The pandemic may have curtailed a lot of our activities and canceled a lot of our races, but I'm pleasantly surprised with what has been my highest mileage since 2014. That has been a huge gift in a year that hasn't been giving me much to smile about.
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| on the IAT |
Monday: CrossFit (home WOD)
Tuesday: run 5 miles
Wednesday: Trail run 6 miles
Thursday: strength
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: trail run 8 miles
Sunday: rest
Running
With our continued good weather, I had no excuse to not get up early to run Tuesday. Yes, it was cold and it was dark. There were a lot of houses lit up with holiday displays and that made me happy. My NoxGear made me feel festive too!
I woke up Wednesday morning with a 'Humira' hangover. I am back to taking Humira weekly because I had a flare of symptoms a few weeks back. I don't always have side effects when I take it, but every once in a while, I feel yucky the next day. I had a trail run planned and I took it slow, spending most of my time on the single tracks. There were a lot of deer out, several different groups, which always makes me happy. The forest preserve is doing prescribed burns and the foliage was pretty sparse. I understand the rationale for the burn, but I missed the camouflage. I'm sure the deer did too, which is probably why I saw them all near each other in one of the areas that hadn't been burned.
Oh my goodness, Friday morning was pretty. I planned on running 5 before work, but my legs felt so good that I pushed it to 6. I had to hustle when I got home and I was a few minutes late to work. Oops! Luckily, my coworkers get me. I didn't even have to make any excuses. I told them the truth, lol.
On Saturday, my husband and I took a ride up to the lake. As soon as we unpacked the car, I laced up my trail shoes and hit the local segment of Ice Age Trail. This time, I was able to complete the entire segment. It became crowded pretty quickly! There were a lot of dog walkers, but oddly enough there was a group of teen girls celebrating a birthday. There was also a family with several screaming little girls. In spite of all that, I enjoyed the trail and the challenge of the hills. My hamstrings were not happy with me but it's a testament to the strength training I do with Sammy Jo that I was able to run this segment so strongly this week!
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| View from the top of one of my climbs |
CrossFit/Strength
Monday's WOD started with a 12 minute EMOM with 8 back squats at 50-60% alternating with a 30 second superman hold. I don't have a rack, so I'm limited by the amount of weight I can clean and press over my head to get the bar on my shoulders. After several warmup sets, I gradually increased the weight to 70#. It's not quite 50% of my 1 RM, but I was pretty proud of the 70# overhead press! The MetCon was 4 rounds/4 minutes of 50 double unders (I did 100 singles), 15 ball over shoulders (I don't have a med ball so I did thrusters, 15# dumbbells), and 15 atomic situps. It was a great circuit and I felt this one for a couple of days!
On Thursday, SJ started me off with hamstring curls on the ball, one leg at a time. We alternated those with 4 sets of 5 pullups, using the black band and lowering with 3 second negatives. I was happy to be able to do the first 3 unassisted! We ended with back squats, building to a heavy (120#) AMRAP. I did 10 reps and SJ was very pleased. So was I.
I had quite a few comments on Thursday's IG post noting that I was 'back in the gym'. I'm still going to work one-on-one with Sammy Jo, but I'm not comfortable going to group classes. We are required to mask the entire time we are at the gym and I just can't do cardio while masked. Plus, I'm not comfortable working out inside with a group of other people.
'Tis the Season to be Jolly...
After Friday's Coffee Talk post, I wanted to update you on my coworkers 'adopted family'. When I got to work on Friday, I was surprised to see that the gift list for all the children was almost completed! Now keep in mind that we just got the list on Thursday. I do work with the most wonderful people. Circumstances are tough for this particular family, but I'm grateful that we get to give the kids a Christmas.
Finally, I'm not trying to hone in on Kim's weekly memes but I had to share this 'playlist' of 2020 Christmas songs. We just have to keep laughing...
How was your week? Are you enjoying some nice weather? Getting outside? What's are the little things making you happy?
To be fair, I think mom Nature has been amazing ever since this pandemic started. Summer was sunny, warm and everything summer should be, fall was amazing. Gotta give credit where credit is due, right? Hooray for some unassisted pullups!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so great you're all puling together to give that family a nice Christmas!
I had that same thought about our weather this year--no complaints at all. But right now--it's what we need.
DeleteUgh, we have been hogging all of the ugly weather. We could barely walk the dog this week let alone run outside. Your playlist is right on the money.
ReplyDeleteI almost didn't comment about our weather because I know other areas of the country haven't been so fortunate. We all get our turn in the bad weather barrel, that's for sure!
DeleteWe have had quite seasonable weather in the DC area as well. We don't usually get snow until Feb if we get it. I'd love at least one snowy day to whip out the snow shoes. Even though you had a few days of not feeling well, seems like you really crushed it on the miles this year! Nice job
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot to drive me to the couch! Glad I have the trails--I have to go slow and it gives me some outdoor time.
DeleteThat last photo in the running segment is gorgeous! What a view!
ReplyDeleteOur weather was on the nast-ier side this week, but still, no snow here either -- all around us, it seems, so I guess we must've done something right. And the sun did shine on my long run. :)
It's always great to be working with great people!
I love this area of Wisconsin. It's very hilly--it's where the glaciers came through during the Ice Age. It's fun to see how it changes with the seasons.
DeleteMy week was going well till I got the news about my new student. :-) Will try to make the best of it!! I have no choice. That meme is hilarious! Thanks for sharing. We've had a few cold days but nothing like it should be for November/December so no complaint there (well, except for the wind).
ReplyDeleteWind? What wind? lol
DeleteLove that list of 2020 holiday songs! We had a pretty good fall in terms of weather but this week we had lots of wind and rain. I don't mind running in the cold but when you add wind and rain into the mix it's a different story.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! We've had neither and even decent temperatures too. I'll take it!
DeleteEven though it's not technically Winter for a couple weeks, I have enjoyed this early taste of it. Now, if only Momma N would smile at us and let it continue (a gal can dream, right?)>
ReplyDeleteI'd take the whole winter like this! Seriously. I don't need snow!
DeleteHow awesome that you're feeling so strong and that your strength work is paying off. I'm with you, no gym. Too many people. I agree with Marcia, the weather has been amazing th roughout most of this chaos. We had rain yesterday but I was in pending test anyway but today was an absolutely glorious 30 degree full sun. Love it.
ReplyDeleteMe too! If we have to deal with the pandemic so long, it's nice to be able to go outside.
DeleteThat's great that you can still do one-on-one sessions with Sammy Jo. The treadmill is the hardest part for me during OTF class because of the mask so I always try to get it done first, lol.
ReplyDeleteI really want to print out the 2020 playlist so I can look at it every time I need a good laugh. My favorite is "I'll be home for Christmas - duh!" I just purchased an ornament from Etsy that says "I'll be home for Christmas, been here all year anyway" LOL
I'm torn between buying that Santa wearing a mask ornament and not. Do I want to remember this terrible year? Sigh.
DeleteGlad you can still safely do the 1:1's! Strength is a bit part of your routine, so glad there's a way to do it. Lovely trail pics as always. Sorry about the Humira side affects :(
ReplyDeleteOh, no biggie. It happens every once in a while. I just push through it!
DeleteThe photo from your trail run is stunning! I do miss pretty views, which I don’t have on my neighborhood loop. LOL on the 2020 Covid Carols. Those are clever!
ReplyDeleteTrail running has really been therapeutic this year. Looking forward to more exploring in 2021.
DeleteNice that you can still work with your coach 1 on 1. There's no way I would feel safe in group classes either.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your trail photos - that last view is stunning!
That 2020 list is priceless - thanks for the giggle ;)
It's my new screensaver! I'll share the spring view 6 months from now!
DeleteSo Pleased For You And Hubby Getting Out Of Dodge Together - Congrats On Conquering The Whole Segment - Such Beautiful Views From That Climb - Stay Strong This Week
ReplyDeleteCheers
It was nice to hit the road, that's for sure!
DeleteHee hee! That playlist is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThree unassisted pullups? That's something you've been working toward for a while, right? Congratulations!
I still used a band..so there's still work to be done!
Deletewe bought a squat rack and bench for our basement and my son got it all set up this week. My goal is to "high bar" position squat with JUST the bar using good form by the end of the year. I'm happy seeing him so happy with this new set up, and to have him around to provide instruction.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great!!! Enjoy!
DeleteSorry about the Humira hangover. That sounds rough.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job working with what you have.
I love what your team is doing. Our family is making an effort to be extra giving this year, and I think its making all our spirits improve.
Adopting the family was a really great feeling and I loved seeing everyone pitch in!
DeleteLove the meme! So true LOL. I haven't been back to our gym since my family was sick. As far as I know, masks aren't mandatory, but we clean any equipment we touch and avoid everyone!
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting because as I'm sure you know COVID is spread through airborne droplets. Cleaning the equipment doesn't really do much to prevent spread. It's face coverings that are needed.
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