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.