It's been a warm week, at least by February standards, and the snow is melting! At one point, we had 28 inches on the ground so the melt is a process, but patches of grass are peeking through the snow. My neighbor spied some green popping through the dirt and realized it was her daffodils! After such a cold and snowy month, this is a welcome sight. The people I saw wearing shorts and tank tops? Well, you can't blame them for a little wishful thinking. And yes, it's a great time to be a runner!
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 5 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: run 6.2 miles, walk 3.5 miles
Sunday: yoga
February miles: 80
Running
On Wednesday, I woke up to bright sunshine and temperatures in the 40s. Silly me, I thought the snow on the trails would still be packed solid, but it was mostly soft slush. I would have been better off on my skis! Instead, I pushed my feet through the snow for 5 slow miles. There is an old access road in the middle of the preserve that was mostly packed down, but the rest of the trails were mushy. It was beautiful and going slow made me savor what will most likely be my last snowy run. A runner can hope.
Friday morning was cold but clear. The sun is rising earlier, yay, and it was already up over the horizon when I hit the bike path. It's moving back into my frame, too! The path had some icy patches, but I was rewarded with mostly clear pavement and a nicely paced run. What a great start to the day!
By contrast, it was already in the 40s when I headed out for what I hoped would be my long run on Saturday. Unfortunately, we had some freezing fog overnight, which left a thin layer of black ice on the roads and the sidewalks. I had to use very nimble footing to avoid wiping out and I was pretty frustrated by this. After a loop around the retention pond, I headed home and called it a run at 6.2. I was pretty disappointed. Next time will be better!
CrossFit/Strength
With SJ out of town, I got in 2 CrossFit WODs this week! Monday's class started with a 12 minute EMOM of alternating toes-to-bar (I subbed hollow hangs) and 30 second double unders ( I subbed box jumps). The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP: 10 cal on the assault bike, 10 unbroken deadlifts (95#), 10 cal assault bike, 10 unbroken front squats (65#), 10 cal assault bike, 10 unbroken push jerk (45#). I completed 2 rounds of this challenging workout!
On Thursday, we started the WOD with 3 rounds of 30 second reverse plank holds alternating with 8 seated leg raises over a block. Felt very yoga-ish. After that, we did a brutal MetCon: every 2:30 x 8 rounds of 10 power cleans (55#), 9 toes to bar (I subbed situps), 8 bar hop burpees, and in the rest of the time, max calories on the rower. I completely overestimated my abilities and unloaded the weight on the bar after 4 rounds. The entire class laid on the ground panting after this one!
Updates!
On Saturday, I brought lunch to my sister's house, and then we went for a long walk to the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous! It was great to see her and catch up. She's done with chemo but is still suffering some after-effects of the brutal regimen. She'll still continue to receive one medication through September, but that treatment has minimal side effects. Coming up in 1 week is reconstructive surgery. She's nervously excited to move forward with that. I'm so grateful that she's done so well and I wish I could be with her for the surgery. She's one brave warrior!
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| The ice is gone! |
My husband was out of town again this weekend, continuing to do rehab on the cabin after the pipes burst a few weeks ago. The plumber has replaced the pipes. My hubs has ripped the carpet is out and he's painting the walls. Next week, we'll pick out new carpet. The cabin needed an update but it's a shame that it had to happen this way! Poor Cocoa misses her dad, though. She hasn't left my side all weekend.
How was your week? Are you experiencing a warm-up where you are?
I assume your sister has breast CA because you mention reconstruction surgery? It’s amazing how well people are doing with the tx’s these days. I wish her all the best!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are thawing out too.
Yes, she has breast cancer. I shared her diagnosis back in October.
DeleteSo nice you got to spend time with your sister. I’m glad she is doing OK. We thawed out from our mini-freeze here, and now are back yard is a mud pit.
ReplyDeleteThe thaw has been slow, so we've been spared much of the mud so far! I have a feeling the trails will be muddy once the snow cover is gone.
DeleteIf today is any indication, March will be coming in like a lion. High wind warnings, with gusts up to 60 mph. It's been a windy month but I've managed to sneak in some great running.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear that your sister is doing well!
We're going to get high winds later too!
DeleteNice! I'm so happy to trade in "endless mud" for "endless snow". We're making progress.
ReplyDeleteWe are!
DeleteSo happy to hear good news about your sister. Strength obviously runs in your family.
ReplyDeleteWe had thaw too. 40 degrees one day!!
Oh no about that wind. Because we always get your weather the next day.
We're in the 50s again today but it's gloomy. Still beats sub-zero!
Deletesure does...I hope those frigid days are over for this year.
DeleteYou and me both!
DeleteIt was so nice to have warmer temps and to see the snow melting, but the black ice and slush is annoying! Thats great news about your sister. So glad she is doing well!
ReplyDeleteThat black ice was not fun. You truly could not see it!
DeleteGreat news about your sister finishing her treatment. I am so glad she is doing so well. That black ice always scares me but it was nice to welcome some warmer temps this week here too. Great month of running and fitness for you
ReplyDeleteThanks! It wasn't the month I wanted but I kept moving. It really helped me get out of my funk!
DeleteWow! I didn't know that you had 28 inches of snow on the ground at one point. That's crazy, but makes sense considering how cold and snowy it's been in February! We had rain all day yesterday and now it just started raining again. The only good thing is that it's melting the leftover snow.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear the great news about your sister!
We got so much snow between January and February. It was way more than we normally get! Glad it's melting.
DeleteHooray for time with your sister! She's amazing -- tell her that!
ReplyDeleteIt is warming up here, the snow is slowly melting (depends on which side of the street you live on), although paths usually hold onto it far longer.
Poor Cocoa. Bandit definitely likes his pack together, although it's me he's always looking for.
I told her just that yesterday!! That chemo, tho...ugh. We're already talking sister trip for the fall.
DeleteWe have lost our cold weather now, though had some chilly times in the shade on today's run still. Well done to your sister x
ReplyDeleteAre you able to get outside now? I thought I heard the lockdown has eased for you.
DeleteWe've been able to go outside all the way through; it's not icy now which was keeping me in for a bit. Our lockdown has not eased yet but we have a "road map" which involves kids going back to school on March 08 and I THINK we can socialise i.e. sit down in a park, rather than just exercise, with one other person from then. Then every 5 weeks a bit more is relaxed, e.g. going out in sixes (running in fours in our case but that will be great) and thereon.
DeleteWith spring just around the corner, easing of restrictions couldn't come at a better time!
DeleteYour weather must feel amazing after all the cold and snow you had (despite the black ice.) I think I need to work harder in my strength sessions- I never lay on the floor panting at the end of mine! Although years ago when I worked with a trainer, I did exhausting workouts with him. I guess having someone to push you makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteYay for your sister! I'm glad her recovery is going so well, and good luck with her upcoming surgery.
I would never push myself as hard as those coaches do, that is for sure!
DeleteThis week's warm-up was MUCH needed. Even the two return-to-winter days were bearable because the air felt so much warmer. I'm thankful our streets are so clear and (mostly) dry so I can let Milly go into hibernation (where she belongs).
ReplyDeleteNow if the black ice would disappear...
DeleteHugs to your sister! I am glad she is doing well. I am also so glad the snow and ice is finally melting. I think after this week it will all be gone.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!!!
DeleteI'm so glad your sister is doing well! What a road she's been on. I'm also very glad to hear you got most of the snow to melt and temps to warm up before this snow bird makes her return. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYeah, you sure timed it well!
DeleteGreat news that your sister is doing so well! I continue to send good vibes her way.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to stay upright during your run Saturday - black ice is no joke! Hope your warm-up continues.
The upcoming week looks promising!
DeleteThat is so wonderful about your sister. I love that photo of you two.
ReplyDeletePoor, sweet Cocoa. Our pups really do miss their people (I say as Luna is barnacled on to my hip).
Stay safe out there! Sounds like even though it's warming up, there are still some rough spots to get through.
Of course now that Mike is home, I'm back to second fiddle status.
DeleteI'm so happy to hear that your sister is doing well. Your family must be so relieved. And I love the picture of you two. It's so nice that you live close enough to visit.
ReplyDeleteYour CrossFit workouts sound intense!
My coach once told me that if you don't feel 'wrecked' after a WOD, you didn't try hard enough.
DeleteSo glad it seems to be warming up for you guys! It's sometimes a challenge with it's still somewhere between the line of winter and spring. And so, so glad to hear your sis is done with chemo. Wishing her a very quick and fairly painless recovery with her surgery coming up!
ReplyDeleteIt's so brown and gross now, but the sun is out and that always makes everything better!
DeleteI'm glad to see your sister's treatment is going well. I've got a couple of friends who are going through this process too. Then I nagged my coworker to get a mammogram because I learned she has never had one (and should have by now)! Melting snow is bittersweet. Your trail looks very lovely!
ReplyDeleteNot bittersweet at all, lol! Buh bye...
DeleteGlad to hear your sister's treatment is going well and that you got to spend some time with her.
ReplyDeleteYou get such great action shots on all your runs, how do you do it?
I use the video setting on my phone and take a screenshot of the clip I like.
Deleteso glad you were able to have some sister time. best wishes to her & her recovery!
ReplyDeleteI will pass along the well wishes!
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