Saturday, May 7, 2022

The One Where I Promise NOT to Complain About the Weather

That title ought to get me a lot of views! HA!

When I sat down to write this, I promised myself that I wouldn't complain about the weather and I won't. Even though we had a week of rain and clouds. Even though I had the blahs and was feeling pretty anxious all week. 

Instead, I'm focusing on the positive things: 
  • We had a peek of the sun on Wednesday and Saturday brought full-on sunshine which did wonders for everyone's moods,
  • We are no longer in a drought,
  • My husband mowed the grass this week for the first time this year,
  • The leaves are starting to bloom on the trees,
  • I got a fun Brooks Run Happy package of spring/summer gear this week,
  • The forecast for next week has us warming up significantly. Even Saturday got us up into the 60s.
I stuck to my workout schedule which helped a lot. Here's to hoping the sunshine and warmth will help chase those blahs away. 



Weekly Rundown:
Sunday: Ice Age Trail run 8.5 miles
Monday: pool running
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 7 miles
Thursday: strength training 
Friday: run 6.25 miles
Saturday: rest

April miles: 96 

Running

We took a quick ride up to the lake for the weekend. I needed some trail miles for my upcoming IAT race, so I laced up my muddy Cascadias and went back to the Lodi Marsh segment to get some hills. The Ice Age Trail Alliance installed a boardwalk over the marsh that I also wanted to check out. I was not disappointed. They actually moved part of the trail, placing the boardwalk directly over the marsh. This allows trail goers to view a section that was previously inaccessible unless you climbed down the bluff--something I had done in the past. I was thrilled--I was easily able to venture off the trail to view the marsh and was rewarded with the sounds of water coming out of the spring, lots of moss, and marsh marigolds!! I think you'll agree that it looks just magical, doesn't it? We haven't had a lot of spring yet, so this made my muddy, challenging run worth the effort. 


After all the rain we've gotten, I knew the trails in the local preserve were going to be muddy. For Wednesday's trail run, I planned a route that I thought would be the least muddy, but I still couldn't avoid getting my feet wet. Even the main trail had deep puddles that extended across the path. In spite of this, I enjoyed my run, taking note of the pop of green everywhere! The sun started to come out from the clouds, which lifted my mood immensely. I spotted a few deer in the woods at different points during my run as well. 

Aren't these red Brooks Shorts a fun pop of color?
They're super comfy and have tons of pockets!

Friday was rainy, windy, and chilly. BUT at the bottom of my Run Happy care package was a new Altitude rain jacket! There was no better time than this to try out the jacket, am I right? I put on the rain jacket with the matching shorts, and I headed out for my Friday miles on the bike path. I wasn't cold. The first 3 miles were fast, but at the turnaround, feeling a little uncomfortable, I looked down at my HR. It was 181, so I decided to put some walk intervals back in again.

Strength Training

Once again, this week I skipped CrossFit. I wanted to continue to allow my legs to recover from my back-to-back races and save them for my upcoming Ice Age Trail race next weekend. I debated about going to work with Sammy Jo, but she surprised me by giving me a session that was more upper body and skill-focused, also avoiding stressing my legs. She had me do 3 sets of 10 dumbbell rows at 35#! I was shocked that I was able to do this without a struggle. Who am I? I alternated these with banded side steps and air squats. After that, I worked on overhead snatches. A few weeks ago, I was leaving the gym after our session when SJ was instructing the class on the WOD. They were working on snatches and I loved how she broke it down. I asked her if we could do that at one of my strength sessions. I've always struggled with overhead lifts and snatches are the most technical lift that we do. I was really happy with how I did and so was she! I definitely have more work to do, especially on upper body mobility, but finally! I feel that I've got the movement down. It's kind of fun once you get it!


Cure Arthritis Challenge




It's time once again for the Cure Arthritis Challenge! Throughout the month of May, I'm logging my miles to increase awareness surrounding rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. RA can affect people of all ages, including children, but it is most prevalent in women. The incidence of these diseases is rising and researchers are trying to figure out why. The Cure Arthritis challenge is free, but you can donate to support research. Will you join me in spreading awareness? For more information click HERE.




How was your week? Did you get outside for some runs this week? Did you get to see the sun? 

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


26 comments :

  1. I totally agree the weather has been soul sucking but I am sick of complaining about it too. It is so glorious when the sun manages to come out! I'm so excited for some WARM weather finally!

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    1. I am happy about this turn of events! Now if only the mud would dry up on the trails--things would be perfect.

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  2. My daughter sent me an article about the lack of sun in Chicago last month-crazy! It sure does a number on your mood. A very solid month for you! Glad you are feeling strong. Happy mother's day

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    1. In spite of my blahness, yes, I am feeling strong! I'm hoping a few days of warmth and sunshine will make it all better!

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  3. We're having an amazingly sunny weekend and I had a super coastal run this morning.

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  4. I feel you on the weather affecting your mood - we've finally gotten some sun, but warmer temps elude us. Hope you have a great Mother's Day!

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  5. Wow- the picture from the IAT is beautiful. All that gloomy weather would have made me REALLY depressed, but I do remember how exciting it is when signs of spring finally arrive.
    We definitely have sunshine here- too much sun. I was wishing for some clouds during our race today!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Apparently we are zooming right to summer this week! Supposed to be close to 90. So crazy. I hope it isn't too hot for my race next weekend. As if I would have expected that!

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  6. It sounds like SJ is an excellent coach! Keep up the great work, both of you!

    We had far more rainy days than not this week, but luckily, it was dry on the days I wanted to work outside in the yard.

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    1. My husband finally got to do his yard work at the end of the week. I hope we are done with that weather cycle!

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  7. We didn't have a lot of sun, but we did get much more than was in the forecast. It's always best to focus on the positives ;-) I've been taking it easy on my legs, in terms of lower-body strength work, and my races have all gone well. But, it's time to refocus now that my Climb is done...I'm predicting there may be some DOMS in the near future, LOL.

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    1. It's a lot easier to be positive when the sun is out, that is for sure.

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  8. Haha, I'm starting to watch the weather in Switzerland more carefully since we will be back there next week. And it looks they're heading in to warm weather, too. I'm glad about that.
    Those red shorts look good on you! And you have blue bottoms, too! I only have boring black bottoms... I really need to up my game.

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    1. I actually mostly have black shorts too! But apparently Brooks is trying to color up my wardrobe, lol

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  9. I wonder why the incidence of RA and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases are increasing? Glad you're continuing to raise awareness and also show by your very example how you can live with it (not just survive but conquer your goals).

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    1. I know that researchers are looking into that--I think a lot of it has to do with the chemicals we are exposed to. I feel like so many people I know have autoimmune diseases.

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  10. I also tried to not focus too much on the weather last week even though it was super rainy, but I will say the weather for this week looks perfect!

    I hope that you had a good Mother's Day!

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  11. The sun is still in & out for us (last week, that is is, this week looks much better!).

    I'd say you're really well prepared for your IA race! I hope you get great weather for your race.

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  12. We are finally getting some nice sunny days. Luckily they are on the weekend because my son has been working at the soccer games - and that's a long day when the weather is bad! I bet getting a box from Brooks is great way to brighten up your week! It would be for me!! Nice jacket and shorts.

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    1. I wasn't expecting it, so it was so nice to come home to find that big blue box by my front door!

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  13. I'm complaining! It's still snowing here!

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