Big Weekend

It's marathon weekend in Chicago and even though I'm not running the marathon, it's still a big weekend! So many RHT members are running Chicago this year as well as a lot of local friends. I've got my marathon tracking app loaded up and I don't remember ever having as many runners listed as in years past. It's so much fun! I ran the 5k on Saturday--see below--and on Monday, I'm going to a meet and greet with Des Linden. My friend Kristin came to town to spectate with me! 

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: IAT trail run 11.7 miles

Monday: CrossFit

Tuesday: Pool running

Wednesday: Trail run 7 miles

Thursday: Strength training

Friday: rest/yoga

Saturday: Abbott 5k

I kicked off the Mammoth Trail Challenge on Sunday with a road trip to Milwaukee. My plan was to run the Lapham Peak segment, which is located in the Kettle Moraine National Forest. I didn't realize that Lapham Peak was a state park, but I was happy to see the amenities (aka actual bathrooms). As with all the segments, there was a lot of climbing. The leaves were just beginning to turn, but the mushroom game was strong! The trail also traverses a beautiful savanna and I was excited to see a few Bluebirds among the many birds I saw. I felt really good on this run! After I was done, I stopped at a local brewpub for lunch and an Ice Age Trail IPA. It was delicious!

I always check the WOD in the morning before I head out to CrossFit and on Monday, I was excited for this one. Well, for most of it, anyway...we are starting our powerlifting cycle and the strength portion had us doing back squats, 3 sets of 10, at 50%. My 1RM was 160#, I think, so I loaded 85# on the bar and did these without much of a struggle. We alternated the back squats with single arm dumbbell rows, 10 reps. I used a 25# DB but next time will use 30#. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP: 200m run, 6 cleans (55#), and 12 barhop burpees. I completed 3 rounds of this plus a final run. 

On Wednesday, I laced up my trail shoes and went to my usual preserve for what I hoped would be 6-7 miles. I ran to all the deer hotspots, but I only saw one and she ran away as soon as she saw me! I had more success finding mushrooms and there were lots of really interesting ones. There were more signs of fall--the leaves are starting to change colors and there were a lot of acorns and tree nuts falling while I ran by. Luckily none hit me, lol. While I always run slower on the trails, I felt strong on this run!

On Thursday, I woke up feeling not so good after receiving my Covid vaccine (#6) on Wednesday afternoon. I debated skipping my strength sesh with SJ, but I really wanted to go since she was having me do my annual end of summer benchmark workout. I took some tylenol, put on a pair of new shoes, and warmed up before she arrived. The workout was 5 rounds of weighted sled pushes (100m), 10 hollow rocks, 10 atomic sit-ups, and 10 push presses (65#). This was a timed workout and the goal was to complete each round in about the same amount of time (or faster). My first round was the slowest and the middle 3 were the same. But my last round was 13 seconds faster than round 4. I also improved overall from the previous 2 years, which made SJ very happy. Me too!

I also made my way down to the Chicago Marathon expo, because I had to pick up my bib for the Abbott Chicago 5k race there. I signed up too late for the mailing option. I got to McCormick place as soon as the expo opened and was surprised to see how crowded it was. I got in a long line to pick up my bib. It seemed like a lot of international runners were there as I didn't hear a lot of English being spoken. Makes sense--they probably wanted to make the most of their trip to Chicago. I wandered around the expo--as usual, as a major sponsor, Nike took up a lot of real estate. It took me a while to find Brooks. They were sharing a space with Fleet Feet and only had some Chicago merch for sale. I bought a pullover and a pair of Goodr sunnies--Chicago style--and headed home.

On Saturday, Kristin and I were up and out the door early to head downtown for the Abbott Chicago 5k. This race is designed to be a shakeout run for the marathoners and anyone else who wants to run. There were about 10,000 runners and the course was crowded. So sexy pace it was and we enjoyed running downtown. Don't let Kristin's shorts fool you, it was COLD in the city. The wind didn't help either. 

We met up with a bunch of Run Happy Team members who were in town for the race and went out for breakfast. It was so great to see everyone! 

After breakfast, Kristin and I drove through the city to a field where my youngest son was playing rugby with his new team, the Chicago Griffins. I guess he missed playing rugby after graduating from the University of Wisconsin and I could not be happier for him. They won, 63-12. 

We drove to a nearby brewpub, Short Fuse, where we met the boys and my oldest's girlfriend for some beers and a late lunch. We followed that with some axe throwing. I had never done that before and it definitely takes some skill! We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs with that. 

How was your weekend? Do you have any friends running Chicago? What elite runners are you cheering for? I'm excited to see Des, of course, and Molly Seidel, who is from Madison.

As you read this, I'm spectating the Chicago Marathon, including looking out for our fellow blogger Lisa! I'll have more to share next week. Next Thursday, I'm heading to Banff Canada with my sister for our annual sister trip. Check out my IG for updates.

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