Muddy Shoes

Like so much of the country, we are on a roller coaster ride of weather. There's a saying about the weather here in Chicago: if you don't like it, wait because it will change. We've finally had some warmer weather, a little teaser of spring, that has melted most of the snow and ice. I ran in the mud and it was a blast!

I know it's too soon to get excited about spring, but this so-called 'false spring' was just what I needed to put a smile on my face this week!

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: trail run 9.5 miles

Monday: pool running

Tuesday: CrossFit

Wednesday: trail run 6.3 miles

Thursday: Strength training

Friday: run 6 miles

Saturday: rest/travel to Wisconsin

Running

I joined the Trail Sisters Chicago Northwest running group on Sunday at yet another new-to-me trail! I hoped to get 8+ miles in and ran with a few other women who also needed a long run. One of them is running the same 15 mile trail race as me in April, so it worked out well. Interestingly, she is training by time and wanted 2 hours of running. The trails were still snow-covered but the snow was strong and the temperatures warmed up while we ran. I was worried I'd be underdressed, but not to worry, I wore just the right clothing and was comfortable. We all used our Yak Trax, though. It was a nice run with good company and I ended up with 9.5 miles, which was more than I hoped for. 

On Wednesday, I took a chance on my local trails. I had no idea what shape they were in, and all I hoped for was that the ice was gone. Most of it was melted and instead I had to deal with mud. Lots of sloppy, mushy mud. It was actually fun to run in it, but it's hard work! After 6 miles, I was more than ready to call it a day. My soundtrack for this run was the singing of so many birds. I also heard the cranes overhead. Can spring really be far away?

It was cool on Friday morning, but no wind and no ice or snow was a win! I happily headed out to the bike path where I was alone for most of my run. I felt so good on this run! The birds were singing and I saw the cranes again! Here's to hoping that spring is right around the corner. 

Cross Fit and Strength training

There were quite a few people at the 5 am WOD on Tuesday! I had hoped that we were done with pull-ups--there's been a lot of that lately--but nope, pull-ups were programmed into the strength portion of the WOD. I did mine using a band, 6 sets of 5 with a negative descend. It was an EMOM, and I alternated those with 10 push presses (45#). The MetCon was spicy: 4 rounds 3:00 with 1 minute rest of 12 deadlifts (105#), 1 lap slam ball (30#) on shoulder walking lunges, 12 ball over shoulders, and 1 lap slam ball toss with burpees and broad jumps to the ball. I felt this for several days!

Fortunately, SJ programmed something completely different for Thursday's strength session. I started off with agility work, hopping over and shuffling around mini hurdles. I alternated these with my old favorite, swinging the sledgehammer at the tractor tire and KB farmers carries (50# per arm) 2 laps. After 3 rounds of this, I did tire flips x 3, then 3 tire jumps (landing on the tire), repeating this sequence on the way back. I alternated those with 2 weighted sled pulls around the gym. This was fun and I welcomed the break from all the upper body work I've been doing lately! So did my hamstrings and glutes...

And yes...

I got to see my youngest on Saturday! We're up at the lake and we spent Saturday in Madison. We had lunch with him and then a beer at the restaurant where he is a bartender. My heart is happy. Sunday's plans include a run on the Ice Age Trail and dinner with my oldest!

How was your week? Are you having 'false spring'? Or real spring? We're getting closer! BTW I did pool running, I'm just not posting a photo this week. 

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