Sunday, March 27, 2022

A Week of Challenges

This week, I continued to up my mileage in preparation for my back to back long distance races next month. I have mentioned the Earth Day 15 mile trail race that I am running on April 16. In Friday's runfessions post, I shared that I signed up for the Teardrop half marathon in Georgia without realizing that it was the weekend after Earth Day! Oops! All I was worried about was that the weekend was free for me to travel, lol. I think it will be fine, as I was planning on using the trail race as a training race for the Ice Age half marathon in May. I am not using a formal training plan, but am making sure to mix up my runs on dirt and pavement. I'm actually really enjoying training like this! We'll see how it pays off in a few weeks. 

My main running challenges this week were the increased mileage and distances and MUD. Oh my goodness are the trails mucky. This is my third spring running trails and it is definitely my most difficult because of the conditions. Strength and agility are all being put into play as I work to stay upright and move forward. Running on pavement feels relatively easy! And when have I ever said that?

Saw this crayfish on my trail run this week. He was pretty fierce, lol
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: run 11 miles
Monday: pool running
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: trail run 9 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: 6.2 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

Sunday morning was bright and sunshiny with temperatures in the 40s--perfect weather for a long run, right? With both a trail race and a half marathon coming up, I decided to get some pavement miles, using run/walk intervals. It was a good strategy. I felt stronger than I had in a long time. But don't get me wrong, I was tired at the end of this run. Part of me wonders if I really want to do these long distances anymore. Pool running the following day was really helpful with working out some of that fatigue and soreness in my legs--so much better than another pounding on the pavement.


I was weather stalking mid-week in anticipation of my Wednesday trail run. The forecast looked horrible, with heavy rain predicted. Fortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, I was treated to high humidity, mild temperatures, and mud. Lots of mud. I was also treated to multiple deer sightings! It looked like mamas and little ones out foraging for food. I saw one mama nuzzling her young one and it just warmed my heart. I looped around the preserve, not wanting to stop.


Friday morning was another raw, misty morning. As gross as that sounds, that weather is definitely my running sweet spot. I hit the bike path for a speedy 10k before work! No run/walk intervals on this one. I settled into a steady pace right away and dare I say it felt comfortable? I was pretty excited about this one, averaging 9:06 m/m.

CrossFit

No strength training this week--SJ was out of town. Instead, I did 2 classes! Tuesday's 5 am WOD was well attended and looking at the WOD, I'm not sure why, lol. The strength portion of class was skill work on the bar: kips, pull-ups, hips to bar, chest-to-bar pull-ups, box turnovers, and muscle-ups. Well, I have pretty much none of those except kips and banded pull-ups, so that is what I worked on. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP: 4 bar muscle-ups (I subbed big kips), 40 double under (80 singles), 12 front rack lunges (35#), and 6 strict press (35#). My shoulders were fatigued from all that bar work, so I went lighter than normal on the lunges and presses. This was a hard WOD and I felt it for a couple of days!

Thursday's WOD was a barbell workout--more shoulder work! We started out with a 15 minute EMOM of 2 laps of bear hug carries (50#), 30 second superman holds, and 10 banded PVC press downs. The MetCon was a 10-8-6-4-2 countdown of snatches, overhead squats, and push presses. Let me put it out there: I do not like snatches or OHS--my shoulders are very tight from running and these movements require a wide grip on the bar which challenges my shoulder mobility! I started out with a light 15# barbell and built to 35# for the last set. This was a great strategy as it gave me success but challenged me with each set. 

Mission accomplished!

Other challenges...

Work continues to be a challenge but in a good way. I came home from work on Wednesday evening and told my hubs that my brain hurt. It seems that with the return to a sort of normal brings all kinds of unusual ailments in clinic that are challenging not only me but also my partners. I am so fortunate to work with such wonderful physicians and we have been consulting each other frequently the past couple of weeks to sort all of this out. This is why I became a nurse practitioner in the first place--I love the diagnostic process--it's almost like being a detective. I'm mentally exhausted at the end of the day but in the best way as my brain is working harder than it has in 2 years. I had no idea how much I missed this! 


How was your week? Are you being challenged by the weather? The conditions? Your training? Your job? Coming up on Tuesday is my monthly mini-book review post. Somehow, I managed to read 8 books this month!

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 


34 comments :

  1. I guess I wouldn't know about the mud since I haven't been out on the trails all week. Yikes! I have seen lots of deer though. Very sweet and I hope the coyotes leave them alone. The water I look out on as I type is frozen once again. What a buzzkill! Stay warm!

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    1. The trails were frozen this morning--frozen muddy footprints, which was rough going in some places. I swear, this is such a challenging time of year!

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  2. Yeah the weather has been something else this week. I noticed it's only 7mph wind at the moment...gosh, that's child's play! That said, it's a 12F feels-like...I'm glad we'll have full sun for our run.

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    1. The sun was definitely a run saver for me. It didn't help deflect the wind, tho! I'm glad for the shelter of the trees, which helped when i was in the woods.

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  3. It's hard to use a formal plan (at least for me) esp. when you run different kinds of races and ones back to back.

    I have confidence that you will do great and enjoy yourself in the process.

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    1. I think it will be fine for what I'm doing now, which is yes, having fun!

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  4. it sounds like your training is suiting you well right now. I think you will be fine with your races close as long as you recover in between. I was worried about having 2 big races 2 weeks apart as well. I can;t believe how cold it is in Chicago this weekend! I am not prepared

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    1. I was not prepared for this cold either--we took a quick ride up to the lake. I did ok tho!

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  5. Ugh- mud, high humidity, a raw misty morning- you sure had some interesting weather this week! Sounds like your runs were great in spite of it all. Nice pace for that 10K- I'm pretty sure that would be my 10K race pace right now (if I were having a really good day.)
    Sounds like work is challenging and fulfilling- that's a good feeling! After the last two years, I'm sure it's a relief to start getting back to somewhat normal.

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    1. I cannot complain--in spite of the wacky weather we are enduring, all my runs were good!

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  6. I always look forward to your book reviews! I have had the challenges of my sick friends - my one with Covid (still alive, still very poorly, still out of hospital) and my one with RA (bad flare-up caused by a stressful week at work; had to run some painkillers up to her in the week) and my best friend, whose divorce came through this week. Still using running to combat all of this and give me some peace. Not doing an update myself, though! Hope the mud abates and love the deer.

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    1. I'm sure your friends are grateful for your steady hand. Running helps us with that, for sure!

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  7. That's so funny you have a picture of a crayfish because my husband found one on his run this past week! We don't see them often, maybe once every 3 years or more? I guess the crayfish was just crossing the road down by the river. My friend was saying on FB how she loves running in the mud on the trails. I replied with Ewww. haha! If it was the summer I would feel different, but I'm not a fan in this cold. Glad work is giving you good stress!

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    1. I can't say I love running in the mud, but it is challenging! After a while tho, i just long for dry paths.

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  8. Brain hurting is such an accurate phrase. Hugs.
    Mud is real. I'm not even on the bridle path much but the rain has decimated the reservoir loop to the extent we need to walk it to avoid turning an ankle.

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  9. I am not a huge fan of running in the mud. At all. Despite my only trail half being the Mud & Chocolate half (and it most definitely lived up to its name!). Glad you enjoy it!

    I like how the shorter runs are easier to fit into life, not gonna lie.

    Glad that you're feeling better at work lately!

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    1. I feel the same about the shorter runs! For me, an hour is the perfect time. But then again, I do enjoy getting lost on the trails, lol

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  10. I would not enjoy muddy conditions, but I know it can be part of the “fun” of trail running.

    Yay on work being challenging in a good way for a change. I’m sure your patients appreciate your brain power!

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    1. I have to admit I felt pretty rusty there and at times, I do struggle to remember the more rare things. I feel like my brain is starting to engage more quickly now. It's amazing to me to realize what the past 2 years have done to all of us!

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  11. Amazing week Wendy! I love those runs where everything clicks. It sounds like you are in the right job at the right practice! So nice to hear that your work is so rewarding.

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    1. I'm really happy with how running is going for me right now. I think I have the right balance of miles and crosstraining. The pool running will stay in the rotation for now. I think I need it!

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  12. That crayfish definitely looks angry! I love how you always see so many different types of animals while out on the trails.

    My work has been a challenge, but unfortunately not in a good way. It really just boils down to having too many projects and not enough people. There are 5-6 roles that need to be filled on my broader team. Once those are filled, things will most likely get better but it's going to take months for that to happen.

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    1. Don't get me wrong, we are busy but the change of what we are seeing has made it interesting and enjoyable again. I don't like being so relentlessly busy and I hope things slow down a bit before the beginning of summer physical season!

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  13. It sounds like running is treating you well which is great to read! Clearly the mix of trails and pavement is working for you.

    Work challenges in the way you described is exhausting but fulfilling - so much better than the alternative!

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  14. It sounds like you got in some good runs and it's great that you've gotten up to 11 miles. Your strength training workouts sound intense! Have a great week!

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  15. the weather is a huge challenge here. It's so hard to deal with the constant rain. These storms are very much not our normal.

    Love all your runs and training. I always look forward to your deer pictures and your gym workouts!

    I've got some exciting news on the work front, so that's always fun!

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  16. Look at that Friday run! Very speedy and no run/walk intervals! You're doing it all right, Wendy.
    You will have no trouble with your April challenge.

    Looking forward to your book reviews - my guess is that you don't waste your time with TV and read books instead. Good choice!

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    1. I do watch some TV, but I always prefer a good book for sure!

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  17. Training using both trail and pavement really is quite fun and useful too! Even though I don't always enjoy trail running, I've found that trail running has improved my road/pavement running! So I think I will keep that combination even if I'm not training for a trail race anymore.

    Your point about work - that was an eye opener for me but of course it makes sense! Our focus has been so much on the virus and now with an almost return to normal, other ailments are coming to the surface.

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    1. I definitely find that trail running has made me a stronger road runner-that was evident in my 20k I ran last May! I'm grateful for the variety.

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