Saturday, March 5, 2022

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. 


32 comments :

  1. How nice to see M! I am facing the reality that I'll be seeing Maddie less and less. Sigh. Yes the mud is fun but slippery too! Enjoy your time on the IAT today. Hopefully the wind won't be too bad.

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    1. I haven't seen either of my boys since the holidays and it felt so good to hug him!!! Actually, just to see him.

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  2. Sounds like you had a great week! I don’t do well planning a route to run for time — I usually underestimate how long something will take or else run faster than I planned because I’m worried about getting back to my starting point.

    Yay on seeing your kids. It’s my son’s birthday tomorrow, but he spent his weekend with friends. ~sigh~

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    1. Today I had a mileage goal but I needed to be done by a certain time. This required math on the run, something I am not good at. Somehow, it worked out. Whew!

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  3. Hooray for seeing your son. We have a gathering of sons planned for March... it's the samllthings..

    I see mud in my future - warm temps today and rain.


    Actually wind is worse than freezing temps.... so I wish I ran yesterday since today it is very windy...
    Hopefully all our snow will melt and I can vary where I run.

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    1. Seriously with the wind! I battled that today on my run, along with ice and mud. It was like a bad gift pack...

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  4. Sounds like you are really enjoying this trail running group!
    We usually have a mild February and then one last snow in March but so far our weather has been warm and I'm thinking Spring is right around the corner ( hopefully). Hopefully it is for you too!
    How nice to be able to spend that time with your son. Enjoy!

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    1. I've run with other groups but I really like the women in this group!

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  5. I was really surprised the trail (around the lake) wasn't more "mushy" Friday afternoon for my 5-miler with Barb. It was a good lower-body workout navigating all the unevenness, though, while we dodged the crazy wind. Tornadoes yesterday, and wind (again) today. Gotta love the roller coaster weather!

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    1. Spring is usually pretty wild, but yeah, it's been extreme, I think!

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  6. Well, hopefully our snow will actually be gone after today . . .

    I don't like running in the mud. At all. Good thing you think it's fun!

    Enjoy the time with your boys -- I know you will!

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    1. Idk Judy, I think that's all part of the fun of trail running!

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  7. All your runs sound amazing. It must be a relief to have the spring-like weather- it's coming! We've been pretty warm here and I'm kind of bummed because I was hoping for a little more "winter"- we may be done with our cooler weather.
    I'm glad you got to see your son! Mine is home for spring break and I'm loving it! Enjoy your day today- it sounds really nice.

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    1. I'm glad to be done with the bitterly cold weather ( I hope!), so this 'warmer' weather we're heading into is definitely a treat.

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  8. I love seeing all of your trail pics! It looks so scenic and gorgeous out there. Maybe one of these days I will try it again. It was 65 and so humid today. Not quite ready or that yet but it was a good training day. You never know what race day brings

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    1. If you have time when you're here in March, maybe we can meet up for a trail run? On the paved Lakefront Path?

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  9. That running group seems like a great fit! I've heard of lots of trail runners doing time on feet vs. mileage. My coach sometimes put time on there "60-70 minutes easy" but it definitely makes sense for trails...

    I'm glad you had the opportunity to visit with your son! Bartending is probably a great college gig to meet people.

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    1. He's loving the bartending job! He is particularly enjoying the people aspect of it--he was telling us some good stories. Clearly, he takes after his mother in that respect, lol

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  10. What a great variety of runs you had last week and all sounded fun! It's always good to see our kids. We see our oldest several times a week and we're headed to Florida later this month to see the newlyweds.

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    1. It's so nice to see them! I miss both of them, but I'm so proud of who they are becoming.

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  11. Yay for spending time with your son!

    It's great that you are enjoying running with the Trail Sisters. Running in that mud must be pretty challenging!

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    1. The mud throws in a whole new challenge, for sure! I'll be glad when things dry up.

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  12. The trail and road looks great!
    9.5 miles is awesome, for me it is impossible~

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  13. That tyre workout looks awesome and I love the mid-air shot as you jump onto it! I think that's a strength workout I'd like! What a solid week and so happy you got a hint of spring! As you look forward to warmer weather, I'm really looking forward to cooler weather. I love autumn and even the first part of winter here - the drop in temperatures really helps with my running and we don't have snow, ice or wind to contend with!

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    1. Your winters sound idyllic!!! I woke up to a fresh coating of snow again. Thankfully, it will all melt as this time year it doesn't get too cold.

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  14. That photo with your son is lovely, Wendy. And once again congrats on your eye operation, it looks really good.
    Like Shathiso I'm in awe of your tyre workout - but also of the fact that you join 5am classes! Do your weekdays always start that early?

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    1. Oh hell no...and that 5 am class is constant mental struggle for me. Not the class itself but getting up that early. But if I don't work out in the morning, it won't get done.

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  15. Ew! Mud! Not my favorite.

    Oh, I am so happy you get to see your youngest! That must make your mama heart so happy! I know you will have the best time <3

    Great training week!

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  16. We are having a snowstorm and it's supposed to get down to around 0.

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