In My Happy Place

Gardening was the theme of the week, or at least in my spare time and when it wasn’t raining. This time of year keeps me busy with spring cleanup before my lawn guy comes to spread mulch. I find working outside with my flowers and plants to be very therapeutic and look forward to it.

 

Overview of the Week

Before getting into each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…

 

Sunday

Cycling: 40 miles
• Average speed: 13.2 MPH
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,434 feet
• Start time: 9:56 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail to Thomas Mill/Canby/Diggs Valley loop
• Weather: 59° and sunny, climbing to 63° and overcast
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm warmers, jacket, and fingerless gloves (took jacket off after 8 miles)

Physical therapy stretches: every 3-6 hours

After way too long I got out with the Gravel Rats for a fantastic group ride. Unlike the VeloPigs, they ride year round on Saturdays and Sundays, but it has never seemed to work out for me to join them since the fall.

 

Monday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Walking: 3 miles
• Average pace: 15:18 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 140 feet
• Start time: 8:47 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 52° and partly cloudy, climbing to 58°
• What I wore: capris, l/s shirt, ear warmer headband, and gloves

Gardening: 2 hours

Physical therapy stretches: every 3 hours

It was a beautiful afternoon, so after work I got outside to clean up my perennial garden. It was great to get back in my gardens even if I had to be super careful not to aggravate my back – I wear knee pads and walk on my knees rather than bending over.

 

Tuesday

Cycling: 30 miles
• Average speed: 11.7 MPH
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,558 feet
• Start time: 9:49 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail to Thomas Mill and Woodburn loop
• Weather: 52° and raining, climbing to 56° and overcast
• What I wore: bike pants, l/s jersey, rain jacket, and fingered gloves

Gardening: 2 hours

Physical therapy stretches: every 3-6 hour

I waited until it stopped raining to start my ride, but by the time I got all of my gear on and rode my bike out of the garage it had started raining again. Fortunately, the rain stopped 30 minutes into my ride and didn’t return. I added both Thomas Mill and Woodburn back into my hill work routine for the first time this season. It felt great to work on climbing again and even better to be flying back down!

 

Wednesday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Physical therapy stretches: every 3-4 hours

 

Thursday

Walking: 4 miles
• Average pace: 15:29 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 192 feet
• Start time: 5:59 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 52° and partly cloudy
• What I wore: capris, l/s shirt, down vest, ear warmer headband, visor, and gloves

Cycling: 27 miles
• Average speed: 13.2 MPH
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 948 feet
• Start time: 9:19 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Clarks Gap loop
• Weather: 56° and cloudy, climbing to 63° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm sleeves, jacket, and fingered gloves

Physical therapy stretches: every 3 hours, plus 1-hour of physical therapy

Luckily, the rain stopped not long before I planned to step outside for my weekly virtual cardio workout with Kim. With plans to ride outside later in the morning, I chose walking over staying inside on my spin bike.

 

Friday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Balance and stretching: 45 minutes

Gardening: 2.5 hours

Physical therapy stretches: every 3 hours

I had hoped to go for a walk, but my todo list was 13 items long and I just ran out of time – 12 out of 13 items checked off isn’t too bad, though. 😉

 

Saturday

Walking: 3 miles
• Average pace: 14:38 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 9:26 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° (42° and raining outside)
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

Cycling: 6 miles
• Average speed: 15.8 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 10:21 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° (43° and raining outside)
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

Physical therapy stretches: every 3-6 hours

For the second Saturday in a row it was cold and rainy outside so I was stuck inside our basement on my treadmill and spin bike. I walked first and by the time I got on the bike, my legs were shot so I kept it really short.

 

Last Week’s Blog Posts

In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…

 

Questions:
  • • Do you have spring flowers popping up? ~ I’ve only seen daffodils, hyacinths, and snowdrops so far.
  • • Do you mind switching to Daylight Saving Time? ~ I don’t mind it at all. I love the extra hour of sunlight in the evening and enjoy my pleasant walks or runs pre-dawn where I can bring up the sun.
  • • Did you run in race this weekend? ~ no

 

And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!

 

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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!

 

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