From Meh to Great
With the weather continuing to be gorgeous (I think we’re on day 39 of no rain, though), my husband and I took advantage of getting out on our bikes. After about a month of feeling somewhat meh about riding, it felt great to get back on two wheels again! As we enter into the colder months, my goal once again this year will be to try to get out at least once a week on my bike. If I can’t run, I need something besides walking to get me outside…
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
Walking: 2.26 miles
• Average pace: 15:24 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 57 feet
• Start time: 11:17 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 56° and sunny, climbing to 60°
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, light jacket, visor, and gloves
Cycling: 16 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 1:26 PM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° in basement
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
I feel like I’m a broken record when I say that it was another gorgeous fall day for a walk. Believe me, I’m not complaining and I’m happy for fall to take as long as it wants to turn colder. During my walk I stopped in my neighbor’s front yard to take a picture of these beautiful persimmons. They’ve even had to prop the tree up to support it as it leans over due to the weight of the abundant fruit.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 2.05 miles
• Average pace: 15:02 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 81 feet
• Start time: 10:08 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 56° and partly cloudy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, nylon shell, visor, and gloves
Tuesday
Cycling: 40.08 miles
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Average speed: 13.4 MPH
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,519 feet
• Start time: 1:26 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Purcellville loop
• Weather: 66° and mostly sunny, climbing to 76° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
My husband and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and got outside for a ride. We even stopped for burgers at our favorite butcher on our way home!
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Gardening: 1 hour
Thursday
Walking: 4.06 miles
• Average pace: 15:50 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 192 feet
• Start time: 5:41 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 61° and partly cloudy, climbing to 65°
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Cycling: 25.47 miles
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Average speed: 14.7 MPH
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 791 feet
• Start time: 11:06 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Reston loop
• Weather: 77° and partly cloudy
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
Once again, I lucked out with fantastic weather for walking, but Kim was stuck inside on her treadmill with 24° colder temps than I had at my house.
Later in the morning, my husband and I went out for a bike ride. We rode across a new bridge on the W&OD Trail which crosses over a busy street that used to be an at-grade crossing. It’s much safer now.
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Drive to the farm
Saturday
Rest day
Even though I took a rest day from any organized exercise, I stayed busy doing chores around my mom’s house.
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 ever experience burnout with exercise? ~ I’ve never once burned out from running or lifting, but think that might have been what was up for those couple of weeks with cycling.
- • How’s the weather been where you live? ~ It’s been glorious both at home and at the farm!
- • Did you run in a 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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39 days of no rain? Oh, that does sound a bit scary – although I would enjoy the beautiful autumn weather as well!
I always admire how many steps you get in without running. All that walking and gardening gets you a lot steps!
I do sometimes feel tired from running, especially after a marathon. It’s great to take some time off and then get back into it with new motivation. Glad you’re loving the cycling again!
I stand corrected, it was 38 days of no rain, but close enough I guess. We did get about a third of an inch of rain Sunday night into yesterday morning so that was good.
It’s smart to take some time off after a big event like a marathon and you’re good at doing that. My time off from cycling wasn’t part of my training plan, but probably should have been.
You were doing a lot of cycling, so your mind and body probably just needed a little break. Glad you’re still enjoying the fall weather! We’re still “enjoying” (ahem) hot and humid weather down here. I hate to say it, but I can’t wait till it gets really cold up north (sorry!) so some of that air can make its way down to us.
I think you’re right. I find it interesting that I’ve never experienced it with running or lifting, though.
That new bridge looks nice! It’s probably SO much safer and convenient than before. I’m feeling the “burnout” on strength training, but it’s more due to my (current) lack of time than over-doing it. I just did some lower-body work this morning. It’s gonna bite my buttocks (literally!) later, but I’m hoping that reignites my mojo.
It was great not having to cross four lanes of busy traffic while riding on the trail. Of course, the bridge means there’s a new hill on the trail. 😉
Agreed, I think you don’t have lack of mojo, but lack of time.
Do you eat the persimmons from your tree? Sometimes they have them at the grocery store and I make smoothies.
I burned out on yoga many years ago but never running or strength training either. I have added yoga back into my regimen, but more for stretching and only short classes.
The persimmons are in a neighbor’s yard, not mine, so I haven’t tried them.
Ah yes, yoga… I used to practice yoga pretty regularly, but have mostly quit. I’m not sure if it was from burnout or just a general lack of time to fit everything in and it was my least favorite activity.
We have had some great fall weather to enjoy! I have definitely had running burnout a few times most likely due to over training. I try to stay much more attuned to making sure that doesn’t happen but keeping in lots of variety
This has been one of the best falls I can remember!
We’ve had great fall weather… so lucky but I am so glad to be done with long runs… 6 miles is a pleasure…
We finally got some rain last night.
No race until Thanksgiving.
Enjoy your break from training! Running 6 miles probably seems like a walk in the park, right?
So glad that “meh” feeling is gone. I don’t usually feel burned out on exercise, but some days are harder than others with the heat and humidity. it is what it is.
Gorgeous views by you, as always. Things always look the same here.
No races here.
Thanks, Jenn! And yes, it’s been a gorgeous fall here in Virginia.
Keep those stunning fall photos coming! Well done getting out there and making the most of the sunshine!
We’ve had some rain and wind this week so most of the beautiful leaves have fallen off of the trees. 🙁