Yes, indeed! It was a great week to be a runner, at least for this runner. On Sunday, I ran my first road half marathon in over a year. It wasn't pretty, but it was fun! And we celebrated Global Running Day on Wednesday this week. While I wasn't able to celebrate with my Brooks RHT teammates at Fleet Feet in the evening--I work late on Wednesdays--I did celebrate with Erica by doing a Go Run Tour.
It's always good to be a runner, but wouldn't you agree that it's better when you get to celebrate with other runners?
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: Chicago 13.1 half marathon
Monday: Yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: Pool Running
Wednesday: Global Running Day! 4 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: waterskiing
Running
On Sunday, I was out the door by 5 am to head into the city for the Chicago 13.1 half marathon. I didn't sleep well the night before, and even my Garmin expressed concern about my stress level. After meeting up with Erica and her crew, I held back, trying to avoid getting caught up in the start line push. My legs were stiff and I struggled with the heat from the beginning. There was no way I was going to DNF. Fortunately, there were a lot of friendly folks on the course giving me support. At mile 11, I caught up to one of my fellow Brooks Team members, and we ran those last 2 miles together, crossing the finish time in a somewhat disappointing 2:25:58. Overall, this was a really beautiful course in a part of the city most people never get to see. I shared more in the recap!
Wednesday was Global Running Day! Erica posted a Go Run Tour meetup along the Chicago Lakefront and since I was still in recovery mode, I signed up! Since we were meeting at 6:30, I had to hit the road early, which helped me avoid most of the construction and rush hour traffic. It was a beautiful morning with temperatures in the mid-60s. Erica led us along the lakefront from Belmont to Fullerton, with plenty of stops in between. She shared info and trivia about some of the statues and parks in the area. She also took us through the AIDS garden and around the Caldwell Lily Pond, a hidden gem that I never knew about! After the run, she and I went out for a cup of coffee. It was a really nice morning and for me, the perfect way to celebrate this unofficial holiday! You can see more on my IG.
Friday morning was cool--55F-- and I was excited about that! This was another very nicely paced run. My legs were tired on the back half but I dug deep and ran the whole thing. Where was this weather at last weekend's half?
Pool Running
On Tuesday, it was back to the dive well for some Fluid Running! The water felt great on my tired legs. I did a class called 'Back on Track', which was just perfect for recovery. Not too easy, there were a lot of long cross-country segments, which is my favorite way to move and stretch in the water, along with tabatas, sprints, and ups. I shared my corner of the pool with the 2 chatty runners, but I just turned up the volume on my freshly charged earbuds to drown them out, lol.
Strength Training
I took a pass on CrossFit this week--I thought it might be a bit much after my race. But on Thursday, I met with SJ for strength training. She had planned for more upper body work this week to let my legs continue to recover. I started out with dumbbell (25# each hand) bench presses, sets of 10. I alternated those with barbell rows (65#) sets of 8. Both of these movements were heavier than I had done in the past, so she only had me do 3 sets. After that, we worked on handstand push-up prep. I did sets of 8 with my knees on a box and in a pike position, pushed my head forward to touch a pad, and then back towards the box (see the setup below). The goal is to do them with my toes on the box but it is hard and it is scary! I'm going to continue to build towards that goal, tho. I alternated 3 sets of those with 3 sets of 12 RDLs using a resistance band. I finished up with knees to chest on the bar--I'm working towards toes to bar and dare I say I am getting closer?
Off the Road
Of course, we took a ride up to the lake on Saturday! The hubs and I wanted to go strawberry picking first thing and we picked 10 lbs of these red beauties! There's just no comparison to the store-bought strawberries. We'll be making all kinds of tasty treats in the upcoming weeks.
I also got some time on my pretty pink ski! The water conditions were perfect. The air and the water were much warmer than a few weeks ago. Summer is short and I need to get out there as much as I can!
How was your week? Have you been experiencing issues with the smoke from the Canadian wildfires? How did you celebrate Global Running Day? What is your favorite way to recover from a hard race?
Definitely sounds like a great running week for you Wendy -- congrats on your half! Finishing is winning, never forget that! I shudder to think at what my time might be for a half. Plus you were still really in recovery!
ReplyDeleteit was kinda a tough week to be a runner here. Of course many just ran outside anyway, but hey, I figure you only get one body so a couple of days inside ain't gonna kill me.
I felt the effects of the smoke too and it was nothing compared to what you experienced in the northeast!
DeleteYou did have a great running week! You definitely celebrated Global Running Day more than I did (a treadmill run and then sitting at the orthodontist with my daughter, sigh.) I haven't done any pool running in a while, but you're reminding me how good it feels. Summer is the time to do it (while our pool is warm) so maybe I'll get back in there.
ReplyDeleteThose strawberries look amazing! I'm envious. I agree, the store-bought runs aren't very good.
I look forward to those strawberries every year!
DeleteNice week of recovery! I did a lot of walking and kept things very low-impact (until yesterday). Oh, those strawberries! I have some rhubarb ready for harvesting and need some strawberries to mix-in for baking.
ReplyDeleteI would think there are pick your own places by you! It's definitely worth it!
DeleteOh those strawberries look delicous! I had my first ever strawberry bellini yesterday, and it won't be my last. Congratulations on a solid week of recovery -- and "not pretty but fun" sounds like a kind of success I enjoy. Off to read the recap now
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much done with long distance road racing, but that fun factor will always bring me back!
DeleteOh, I just love fresh strawberries! Excited to see what treats you make.
ReplyDeleteThe running tour sounds so fun! What a great way to celebrate Global Running Day.
I'm so glad it worked out!
DeleteWhat a great running week! And i'm jealous of those fresh strawberries - I love picking fruit but I'm one of the few in my family who has the patience for it. Fresh strawberries just taste so much better! Glad you got to enjoy Global Running Day!
ReplyDeleteI'm always surprised at how quickly we can fill up our box with those strawberries!
DeleteWhat a great week of running for you, Wendy! Congrats on your half marathon! Sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a really good week!
DeleteYum... fresh strawberries are the best. What are you making?
ReplyDeleteA race, a running tour, time on the lake = perfect week
I made strawberry pie, the hubs is making jam... and of course, I'll have a smoothie today!
DeleteNice job on learning that handstand push-up and getting closer to the toes to bar!
ReplyDeleteWe are leaving for Switzerland today. I won't have access to Crossfit anymore (drop-ins are expensive, USD 60 a time). But there's an outdoor gym where I want to learn the toes to bar and I want to get ONE strict pull-up!!
Right there with you, my friend! I hope you get there faster than me. I feel like I've been working on those forever!
DeleteA great running week, congrats. The Lakefront Run Tour is very scenic: good company and wonderful landscape are a inspiration for a fruitful run.
ReplyDeleteThe strawberries look delicious. In this period here we pick up sweet blackberries.
I love running along the Chicago lakefront--it just never gets old!
DeleteCongrats on your Half! I struggle when it is too warm so way to push through! I think I am done with half marathons, last did one in 2019. In my head I would like to do one more but then my body says, nope. sigh. But we celebrate what we can do, right?!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you--I think my long distance racing days are going to come to an end. My body is much happier with the easy pace and surface of the trails. I never thought this day would come, but here we are!
DeleteWhat lovely strawberries! And your global running day run looks super. I managed not to run on that day, as usual!
ReplyDeleteI know it's not an official holiday, but it's our day!
DeleteOMG those strawberries look amazing! I just told my mom that I need to hit up the local farmers market since it just opened for the season because the strawberries from the supermarket have been horrible this year.
ReplyDeleteSupermarket strawberries (and produce in general) seem to be getting worse every year! I can't even bring myself to eat them, especially after eating these.
DeleteOh, what a lovely week for you! I love fresh picked strawberries (and blueberries and apples and peaches) - there is nothing like them. Toes on the box? Nope. I'll pass. I'm sorry your race was hard, but I'm glad you had some running time with friends. That's the best.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's why I stick with it--for the camaraderie!
DeleteSo sorry the half was tough and disappointing. I know you were looking forward to it and all I can say is, it's still a success - you pushed through and did it. That finish time is definitely something I would love to achieve for me. All relative of course! Jelly of you running with Erica! That tour sounds amazing and knowing the area I really would have loved that!! You did what you needed to do to recover this week and that, my friend, is awesome. Those strawberries are everything, too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! It was a really great week of recovery and it reinforced that while I may be slowing down, running is still bringing lots of good times to my life.
DeleteI'm still amazed that they make headphones to swim with. I never knew that was a thing! (nope, I never get near an indoor pool!) That's great that you were able to get out on your water ski. I agree - gotta get out there and enjoy it!!
ReplyDeleteBack in the day, I had a waterproof iPod mini so I could listen to music in the pool!
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