Saturday, March 23, 2024

Just Keeping On

Our early spring was put on hold this week with the return of cold, windy, and snowy weather. By the end of the week, I was feeling a bit fatigued. I don't know if it was due to the cold weather, an impending illness, or just the toll of some very active weeks. I'm finally adjusted to the time difference and am sleeping better. Hopefully, when things warm back up, I'll find my mojo again!

Weekly Rundown:
Sunday: Ice Age Trail run 7.5 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Fluid Running
Wednesday: trail run 6.5 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: run 6.2 miles
Saturday: rest/work

We were up at the lake on Sunday and I had every intention of getting up early and heading out the door for some miles on the Lodi Marsh Segment of the IAT. I must have been tired because I slept until--gasp-- 7 am! Unheard of! So no leisurely cuppa for me. I drank my coffee while I ate my oatmeal and was out the door by 7:45. I like to have the trail to myself, so getting out there early is key. It was cold and windy, and the sunshine did not help to warm me up at all. Maybe it was my push to get out the door that drove me to run this segment faster than I ever have. 


I also made my way down the steep slope to the marsh and was rewarded with the promise of spring--there was a stream flowing out of the hill into the marsh, green buds on the water (watercress according to a hiker I encountered), and a large flock of cranes nesting! While it was a gorgeous morning, I won't lie, I was happy to be back in my car out of the wind and the cold.


On Monday we had another WOD made of up mostly accessory work. For the strength and skill portion, we did a 15 minute on the clock sesh of 10-15 GHD back extensions, 1 lap banded side steps, 8 single leg RDLs per side (I used a 20# KB as a counterbalance), and 4-8 ring dips (I used the parallel bars). I made it through 2 rounds of this. The MetCon was a 16 minute EMOM of toes-to-bars or progression (I did a banded pull down activity x 8), double under (I did 2 sets of 40 singles per round), ab mat sit ups (15), and single arm DB snatches (25# 6 per side). Lots of core and I'm feeling it already!

On Tuesday, I resumed my weekly Fluid Running workouts. It sure felt good to be in the water again!


I woke up in a funk on Wednesday--not sure what it was, but I thought a run would be the fix. It was sunny but cold and windy when I arrived at the trails. I felt pretty fatigued right from the start of my run, but about a mile into the woods, I saw a deer coming towards me on the trail. I stopped to get my phone out for photos, and soon I saw several others! There were 6-7 in total. They didn't pay much attention to me once I stopped and I took quite a few photos. I felt as if they were posing for me!


I had a pep in my step after that which helped me leap over the many trees that had fallen across the trail since the last time I ran there. After a few more miles, I stopped at the camp to use the bathroom. I crossed the busy road to the west side of the trail and once again, I felt very fatigued. The trail I wanted to run on required me to cross a creek that was flowing pretty well. I looked for a spot that wasn't too deep and started carefully stepping on a tree branch that stretched across the water. Wouldn't you know it, the branch broke and my feet fell into the cold water. Yikes! I stepped back onto the branch and scrambled over to the other side. Once I started moving, my feet were fine--yay for wicking socks--and I finished my run, heading through the woods and back across the road to my car. What an adventure!


I should know better by now, but when I checked the WOD for Thursday, it looked kind of easy. I don't know what I was thinking. The strength and skill portion was 14 minutes of L sits (hands on a box) 10-15 second hold, handstand hold 20-30 seconds, and 2 laps bear hug carry (I used the 65# bag). Thank goodness SJ had me do these things so many times when I was working with her! I did 3 rounds of this. The MetCon was a killer: With 22 minutes on the clock, we were to attempt 6 rounds of 15 pushups, 15 calories on the bike, and 15 ball over shoulders (I did 20#). I didn't think I would be able to do all those pushups but guess who did all but 5 because time was called? Yep, I did 90 pushups!!! 


I woke up to SNOW on Friday morning. I debated the treadmill vs running outside. Thankfully, I had those GoreTex Ghosts plus a pair of waterproof pants that Brooks sent me last year. Sufficiently protected from the elements, I headed out. It was slow going--really slushy and windy. I didn't feel great either--not sure why--but I had fun with it. Finishing such a tough run gave me the strength to deal with everything this very challenging day threw at me. Running is just best, isn't it?


As you read this, I'm running the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k with Deborah! I've run this many times before and it's always a fun event. I'm planning to run with Deborah and just enjoy it. Be sure to check my IG later for an update.

How was your week? Have you been battling the cold weather? Snow, anyone? Did you run a race this weekend?

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






29 comments :

  1. Have so much fun running with Deborah! I hope the weather is ok for you. Those deer are so cute!

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  2. Yikes, glad your feet weren't too wet or cold after the unexpected dip in the water. Those must be great socks! Also 90 push-ups?! Wow!!

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    1. Yeah, that really surprised me! She had me break them up in 3 sets of 5 for each round, and surprise! i got them!

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  3. It’s definitely still winter like in Chicago! I am so excited to catch up with you today

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    1. What a fun morning we had! I guess we'll have to run something longer next time so we have more time to talk, lol!

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  4. I hope you ladies are having fun! Way to go on 90 push ups! Hope you have more energy this week and are feeling back to your normal self... and I hope it warms up for you!

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  5. I hope you and Deborah are having a great time at the race!

    No snow here, but we've got a cool and rainy week ahead according to the forecast. I love that you were able to get out and make the most of your snow. If you can't beat it, join it, right?

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  6. Yes- running is just the best! Sounds like you had some fun adventures this week! If I were doing your workouts, I would probably never check the WOD beforehand- because I would never end up going, ha ha. It all sounds really hard to me, and my wrists are hurting just thinking about those 90 pushups (and seeing the photo of your handstand.)
    I love the photos from your trail runs. The deer obviously came out to cheer you up!

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    1. This week, my wrists were completely cooperative. I have these Yoga Jellies that I can put under my hands to provide some cushion when they are unhappy:https://amzn.to/4a1JOpM

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  7. The return of the snow was a brutal awakening. This time of year is so unpredictable in the Midwest. Oh, and the 20+mph wind can leave any time now. Good luck at the Shuffle!

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    1. We had a brisk wind off the lake for the race this morning, but luckily the route was sheltered mostly by the tall buildings!

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  8. I’m bummed my trip wasn’t this weekend! One of these days I’ll get to meet you.

    I hope you have a great time with the 8K.

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  9. It felt kind of cool while we were in Hawaii last week! I sound like a local because the lows were in the upper 60s. But I got to run all my favorite routes, so that is a win!

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  10. Running helped my mental state this past week for sure! Love the Brooks gear. I hope you are having fun at the race!

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  11. That handstand, Wendy!!! That's my big goal for 2024. I know I can do it - it's just a question of practice. Somehow, I'm scared of pushing my feet up against a wall when I'm on my hands. I can do a headstand perfectly well so there's no excuse.
    Fantastic job on those 90 push-ups, too.
    I'm excited to read your Shamrock recap! I'm sure you had fun!

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    1. Doing a handstand against the wall isn't my albatross, it's holding it without the wall! Goals...

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  12. 90 pushups is really impressive!! I think they're so hard, and will do more of them when i recover from this cold.
    I hope you enjoy the race today! It looks so cold over there, very good job to get out on the trails. But I bet also with the cold it's much nicer to run there than on the treadmill.

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    1. It's always better to run outside than on the TM. And I did consider it on Friday morning, for sure!

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  13. Love the deer and glad you got out of that stream OK! And that you're enjoying your race right now. I did a ten-miler today, not sure if it was worth it as I had to have a nap in the afternoon and I had things to do ...

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    1. That was Liz / LyzzyBee sorry

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    2. So glad you got the 10 done!!! Hopefully a short nap gave you all you needed to get your things done.

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  14. Oooh! I hope the Shamrock Shuffle went well! It sounds like such a fun event, and I'm sure it was fun together! I've been really exhausted this week too... I'm sure the moon is doing something weird that is having an effect on us. Your trail runs are always so incredible.

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