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Memorial Day
As we enjoy time with family and friends over a three-day holiday weekend, it’s important to remember that Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember and honor our military members who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. These heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom.
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 30 miles
• Average speed: 14.5 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 961 feet
• Start time: 7:07 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Sterling/Leesburg loop
• Weather: 55° and sunny, climbing to 64° and breezy
• What I wore: bike bibs, s/s jersey, light jacket, and fingerless gloves (took jacket off at halfway point)
Motivated from the previous day’s ride on the W&OD Trail, I got out early for a quick solo loop. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and I had a wonderful time. It was a good reminder of how much I love riding on the trail.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 2 miles
• Average pace: 15:01 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 91 feet
• Start time: 4:56 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 80° and partly cloudy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Tuesday
Cycling: 40 miles
• Average speed: 13.6 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 2,070 feet
• Start time: 8:53 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Hamilton loop with Thomas Mill and Woodburn climbs
• Weather: 64° and sunny, climbing to 73°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey and fingerless gloves
Determined to get back into summer riding mode, I texted a couple of friends to see who was available to hit the hills. Luckily, one friend was available and more than willing to jump right back into the thick of things. He readily agreed to everything I proposed and we ended up riding farther than I’d initially planned.
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
While thinking about some of the exercises I don’t work into my routine very often, I though of pistol squats. My physical therapist had me doing them as part of my rehab a couple of years ago, but somehow I eventually quit. They’re still as tough as always and I’m back to only being able to do them with the assist of my TRX (affiliate link).
Thursday
Walking: 4 miles / 1 mile
• Average pace: 16:03 minute/mile / 14:58 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 178 feet / 52 feet
• Start time: 6:02 AM / 1:46 PM
• Location: neighborhood streets / neighborhood trails
• Weather: 51° and breezy / 69° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, two light jackets, gloves, and mittens / shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Running: 1 mile
• Average pace: 9:41 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 36 feet
• Start time: 1:30 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 69° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Kim and I mixed things up by power walking and talking; although you’d never know that I was walking fast based on by my average pace – I forgot to stop my watch while stopped to take a picture for our collage.
Later in the day, I ran for a mile just to test things out… I’ve gotten spasms in my back a couple of times in the past week, but I think they’re from not being careful with where and how I sit. Even though I felt fine running, I opted to walk the mile back to our house.
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Saturday
Cycling: 45 miles
• Average speed: 12.6 MPH
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,316 feet
• Start time: 9:13 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail to Western Loudoun gravel loop
• Weather: 63° and sunny, climbing to 76°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
There were signs placed about every half mile on the W&OD Trail honoring fallen military members and giving trail users an opportunity to reflect and say a little prayer for each young man and woman pictured.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions
- • Did you or anyone in your family serve in the military? ~ My father and father-in-law served in the army.
- • Which workouts were your most enjoyable, toughest, and/or memorable? ~ Walking with Kim was my most enjoyable and riding gravel with my husband was the toughest.
- • Did you run in race this weekend? ~ No
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I hope you solved the problems at your back. I have problems at my back, for this reason I take often thermal baths.
I served 20 years in the Coast Guard that in Italy is a branch of the Navy. It was a beautiful period spent with very good friends.
Yes I raced but after this time I will not change my mind anymore: no more trails/cross races,
Thanks, Stefano, my back is feeling better.
How wonderful to hear that your years in the Coast Guard were so enjoyable.
Glad your back is feeling better.
My lower back aches about 6 miles into all my races. Ugh. Not fun. Any help??
My favorite was my race Sunday even though it warmer than I’d like.
Both my fil and father fought in Italy during WWII. For different sides. Lol
Thanks, Darlene! My suggestion is to focus on engaging your core while running with good posture. When I ran long distances I would start to slouch as I got tired and that’s when the pain would set in.
How interesting that your father and f-i-l fought in the same country, but on different sides.
yep when I look at pix, I can see that tired slouch by that point it’s too late and pain has set in.