Beautiful Weather for the Win
This week we were blessed with mostly phenomenal weather and I was lucky enough to be able to spend quite a bit of time outside enjoying it. The temps were warm, but not hot, and the humidity kept its distance. Rain came in the evenings and the wind was mostly in the form of a gentle breeze. I could get used to this kind of weather!
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: 32.25 miles
• Average speed: 14.3 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,171 feet
• Start time: 8:17 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Hamilton loop
• Weather: 69° and sunny, climbing to 80°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
It had been a long time since my friend Betsy and I had ridden together, and with an impromptu text, I caught her just before she left our neighborhood on her bike. She wanted to ride along the rural roads that I took her on a couple of summer’s ago so we headed west on the W&OD Trail. We saw three different groups of people “Rucking to Remember” and like last year, there were pictures placed about every half mile honoring fallen military members, giving trail users an opportunity to reflect and say a little prayer for each young man and woman pictured.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of full body
With the exception of virtually training one client, I took the day off. I spent much of the day editing pictures and finishing my recap of the 100-mile gravel grinder race from a couple of weeks ago. You can read the recap here.
Tuesday
Walking: 2.03 miles
• Average pace: 15:13 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 96 feet
• Start time: 9:47 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 77° and sunny with lower humidity, climbing to 79°
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Cycling: 30.87 miles
• Average speed: 13.1 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,519 feet
• Start time: 10:55 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Leesburg loop with Thomas Mill and Woodburn climbs
• Weather: 79° and partly cloudy, climbing to 82°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
Gardening: ½ hour
It was my first time in four weeks climbing my favorite two hills. I had tapered before my race and then given myself some recovery time post-race. It felt great to be putting in the work for my next race, GRUSK in mid-July.
The first of the two hills is about 1.75 miles long and the second is about a mile. I caught myself going 37.7 MPH at one point down the first hill. It’s a bummer that both hills have hard stops at the bottom where they meet another road running perpendicular.
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of full body
Walking: 3.07 miles
• Average pace: 15:09 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 131 feet
• Start time: 7:34 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 65° and sunny, climbing to 69°
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
We’ve settled into a glorious weather pattern after more rain than usual in the month of May. I took advantage of the beautiful morning weather with a walk between client sessions.
Thursday
Walking: 4.05 miles
• Average pace: 15:42 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 176 feet
• Start time: 5:33 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 58°, clear, and breezy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, nylon shell, and visor
Cycling: 35.19 miles
• Average speed: 14.2 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,450 feet
• Start time: 10:11 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Hamilton loop
• Weather: 68° and sunny, climbing to 72°
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
It was another beautiful day to get outside early for a virtual walk with Kim. And yes, my fingers were cold enough that I wore my gloves for almost the entire walk.
Collage credit: Kim
Later, after after a few hours of work, my husband and I went out for a bike ride and saw our friend Chuck out on the trail.
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Gardening: 1 hour
Saturday
Cycling: 8 miles
• Average speed: 17.2 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:54 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 66°
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 3.07 miles
• Average pace: 15:07 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 96 feet
• Start time: 10:53 AM
• Location: neighborhood streets
• Weather: 79° and sunny, climbing to 81°
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Gardening: ½ hour
My husband and I had both gotten in plenty of cycling miles for the week and opted not to ride on one of the most gorgeous mornings imaginable. I wanted to watch some Unbound coverage so I stayed inside on my spin bike and watched for a while before heading outside to enjoy the weather while walking and gardening. It would have been a beautiful day to hit up a winery or brewery, but I was scheduled to teach my fitness machines orientation class from 1-3 PM.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly RunDown: May 19 – 25 / Remembering That Memorial Day is More Than Just a Three-Day Weekend
- • Tuesday – US Endurance 100-Mile Gravel Grinders Nationals Race Recap
Questions:
- • Did you do anything or attend an event to honor fallen military members? ~ We used to visit Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, but haven’t for a few years.
- • How was your weather this past week? ~ Amazing after a rather dreary Monday.
- • 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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We did have gorgeous weather this week — glad you got to get out and enjoy it!
Indeed!
We had great weather last week – a little rain at the start if the week, but the rest was great and not too hot! Nice job getting to enjoy it!
Thanks, Melissa! Glad your weather was equally nice.
Ohhh…. I’m envious. Our weather is super hot and humid, and that’s how it will stay until October. I’ll just live vicariously through you.
I’m excited that you have another race coming up! Sounds like you have a lovely summer stretching ahead of you.
Ah yes, this time of year our weather is nicer than yours, but during the winter…
If it all pans out, we have a really fun summer ahead of us, including a couple of trips with our bikes.
What an amazing week!
Too bad you had to miss out on that beautiful Saturday ride outdoors, but it seems like you made the most of it during the week. And you also got to walk outside and do a bit of gardening on Saturday – so it’s a win!
The weather was gorgeous and I’m grateful that I only work part-time and can get outside as much as I do. BTW, I have complete control over when I offer the classes, but it’s impossible to know when I schedule them a month in advance what the weather will be like. 😉
Nice week, Deb! Sadly, this was the first year (in many) that Barb and I didn’t meet-up for a run through the cemetery on Memorial Day. That was a tradition that involved her and I, as well as numerous other local runners.
Thanks, Kim! Yes, I remember those cemetery runs with Barb. You’ll have to start a new tradition near your new home.
I love your race shirt from the gravel race (I see it in your pic up there!). How exciting you have another race coming up this summer!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…Weekly workouts – milestones
This next race will be very different. It’s a ride up to West Virginia’s highest point. It’s a good thing I like climbing. 😉
We were home for the Memorial Day weekend but just spent time with family. It was nice. It gets really wild up on the lake on those holiday weekends.
In contrast to your perfect weather, it has not been perfect here–we’ve had quite a bit of rain!
Spending time with the family is really nice, I’m glad you were able to do that.
Hope your weather is improving this week.
Looks like a lovely week with a great mix of relaxing and exercise! All the sunshine, incredible! (I’m sure you’re wearing all the SPF of course 🙂 )
Happy Memorial Day Deb!
Thanks, Jessie! And yes, I’m applying plenty of sunscreen!
Our weather has been trash with some awful heat waves. No, thanks.
Great week for you – you always get in so much cycling, and I love that for you. I wish I was more confident on our bike, but it’s hard for me to get motivated to head out on the bike.
Jenn recently posted…Welcome To June!
The more you ride, the more confident you’ll get. I was originally motivated to ride so I could spend more time with my husband when he was no longer able to run with me. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the sport and have made a lot of new cycling friends.
Yes we had nice weather this week. It’s hard to be indoors.
You know that I had a race but couldn’t run it. Thankful at least I could walk.
The beautiful weather must have gone all the way up the east coast because I’m hearing from everyone how nice their weather has been.
Glad you rallied enough to at least be able to walk the race.