Settling Back into the Routine
Talk about a week of transitions! Between navigating a scorching mid-90s heatwave and a total weekend washout, the theme of the week was all about adapting, staying productive, and finding the silver lining.
After spending a week away to officially close on the childhood farm, it felt wonderful to settle back into my usual groove with clients and tackle the ever-growing yard work before the skies opened up. We also welcomed a very special guest into the house for some added fun (and excellent rainy-day nap companionship!). From outdoor miles and creek-side trimming to sweaty indoor Peloton sessions, here is a look at how I made the most of a busy, weather-unpredictable week.
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: 26.21 miles
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Average speed: 13.7 MPH
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 778 feet
• Start time: 10:21 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Reston loop
• Weather: 77° and drizzly, climbing to 84° and partly cloudy
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
Stretching: Peloton Jenn Sherman 5-Minute Post-Ride Stretch
Walking: 3.1 miles
• Average pace: 17:13 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 129 feet
• Start time: 2:23 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 84° and mostly sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Since I had attended mass the previous evening, I enjoyed the rare luxury of sleeping in until almost 8:00 AM—hardly my usual routine! Eventually, my husband and I geared up for our ride, only to be met by a light drizzle the moment we rolled our bikes out of the garage. Fortunately, the air was warm enough that the rain didn’t feel chilly, and it cleared up within ten minutes, leaving us with perfect cycling weather.
Once back home, I capped off the morning with a stretch class and a walk before preparing for a very special guest.
Who is our special guest? Pablo! While our son and daughter-in-law explore the Scottish Highlands on a weeklong hike, we’ll have the pleasure of watching Pablo while they’re away. We are so excited to have him visit!
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 3.69 miles
• Average pace: 17:06 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 129 feet
• Start time: 12:14 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 92° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, tank top, and visor
Core: Peloton Ally Love 5-Minute Barre: Core
With clients scheduled back-to-back from 6:30 AM until noon, I made sure to get my strength training in before starting my workday. After my final session, I headed out for a walk with Betsy. Even though she could have walked earlier while it was cooler, she was kind enough to wait for me to finish work so we could catch up.
Tuesday
Cycling: 30 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.3 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:27 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° in the basement, 68° and cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton Sam Yo 5-Minute Post-Ride Stretch
Gardening: 3.5 hours
With only one early morning client on the schedule, I had the rest of the day to tackle my to-do list. Being a farm girl at heart, I checked the forecast and immediately went into work mode. Seeing that rain was moving in Wednesday afternoon—and predicted to stick around for nearly a week—I knew I wouldn’t be able to get my bi-weekly trimming done over the weekend as planned.
I tackled the job with gusto, but I’m only as productive as my equipment allows and had to stop just short of finishing when my batteries ran out. To avoid this in the future, I’ve already ordered a third battery so I can power through the entire yard in one go. Truthfully, though, my own “internal battery” was wearing down almost as fast as the Black & Decker ones!
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Gardening: 1 hour
Walking: 5.04 miles
• Average pace: 16:11 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 90 feet
• Start time: 1:05 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 93° and mostly sunny
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Core: Peloton Rebeca Kennedy 10-Minute Core Strength
For the third day in a row, temperatures climbed into the mid-90s. Because of my work schedule, I wasn’t able to get my walk in until the heat of the afternoon and kept it on the shaded trail. However, I did manage to squeeze in the rest of my trimming project down by the creek between a couple of early morning clients. I figured I could always walk in the rain, but yard work is a different story. Fortunately, the storms held off until late afternoon.
After dinner, I finished the day with a core class that was incredibly challenging—I’ve already bookmarked it so I can come back for more!
Thursday
Walking: 4.11 miles
• Average pace: 15:27 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 135 feet
• Start time: 6:08 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 64° and cloudy, turning misty
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and baseball cap
Core: Peloton Emma Lovewell 5-Minute Core Strength
After a week away to visit and close on the farm, I was happy to reunite with Kim for our weekly virtual cardio workout, and grateful that the rain held off until after my walk. It’s always great to catch up, and we certainly had a full two weeks’ worth of news to dive into!
The rest of the day was dedicated to catching up on chores—watering the houseplants, tackling the laundry, and getting fresh sheets on the bed. It feels good to be back in the swing of things!
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Core: Peloton Emma Lovewell 10-Minute Core Strength
It was a total washout of a day, with steady rain settled in from early morning until long after bedtime. Since outdoor activities were off the table, I indulged a bit after teaching my class and running a few errands, choosing to curl up with Pablo for a cozy afternoon nap—the perfect way to spend a rainy Friday!
Saturday
Walking: 3.0 miles
• Average pace: 15:43 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 9:35 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 66° in the basement, 53° (feels like 47°) and raining outside
• What I wore: shorts and sports bra
Cycling: 5.6 miles (Peloton 20-Minute Switzerland Climb with Christine D’Ercole)
• Bike: Peloton Bike+
• Average speed: 16.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 11:19 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 67° in the basement, 53° (feels like 48°) and raining outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Cycling: .82 miles (Peloton 5-Minute Cool Down Ride with Christine D’Ercole)
• Bike: Peloton Bike+
• Average speed: 9.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 11:41AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 67° in the basement, 54° (feels like 48°) and raining outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Stretching: Peloton 5-Minute Post-Ride Stretch with Christine D’Ercole
Core: Peloton Emma Lovewell 5-Minute Core Strength
When a chilly rain stuck around for the first day of a long holiday weekend I’d been eagerly anticipating, I had to remind myself that we’ve been in a serious drought. My prayers for rain were finally being answered!
I made the most of being stuck inside by putting my indoor cardio equipment to good use, pounding out some solid miles on both the treadmill and the Peloton bike. Later on, I bundled up like the Morton Salt girl and braved the elements for a trip to the grocery store and Saturday evening mass.
Garmin Badges Earned
Two Garmin badges made their way to me this week…
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • Are you experiencing unseasonable weather where you live right now, or are things tracking normally for late May? ~ From record breaking high temps to a drought-ending rain, the third week of May was very different from the first two weeks.
- • How do you handle it when the weather completely washouts your weekend plans—do you pivot to indoor workouts, or embrace a cozy rest day? ~ Both, Friday was a cardio rest day and Saturday found me leaning heavily on indoor workouts.
- • Which workout did you enjoy most this past week? ~ It was great to get back in the grove with a Thursday morning virtual cardio workout with Kim!
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!
Ah, yes, I immediately thought that the Peloton ride must be in Switzerland! (To be fair, it could have also been Austria, Germany, France or Italy, but I’m biased).
YAY for rain! Yes, it’s not good for outings but it’s good for nature and good to sneak in naps without feeling guilty.
Do you have any bike races planned this year?
Yes, I’m so thankful for the rain and can almost hear the grass and trees making happy little sighs. 😉
No organized bike events planned for this year, but there’s one on our radar for January 2027 down in Florida!
I completely forgot to press post on my weekly run down until I saw your email last night. So thanks! Our weather has been kind of horrendous with no end in sight. Always happy for indoor options. Enjo your time with Pablo!
Thanks, Deborah! You know we’re loving having him visit.
Not sure about the email comment… it must have been someone else.
I was hoping your special guest was Pablo!!! How nice to have a furry companion for your nap on Friday (napping with the fur babies is the best).
Yes, you needed rain, but why does it always come at the least convenient time??? Anyway- sounds like you had a great week of workouts. Thank goodness for indoor options!
Indeed, Pablo and I had a powerful (and long) nap together. 🙂
I’m keeping a positive attitude on the rainy weekend, and yes, I’m always grateful for indoor exercise options.
Our weather was all over the place this week!
Yesterday the cashier at Trader Joes asked me my favorite rainy day activity and I said taking a nap — does that count as an activity? 😉
Enjoy your time with Pablo!
Napping definitely counts as a rainy day “activity.”
We’re having wild weather swings here–I’m sure Kim has filled you in on the Midwest’s crazy spring–and I’m seeing a lot of downed trees on my trails both at home and in Wisconsin. Today is beautiful, though, and serene! Enjoy your weekend and time with Pablo!!!! He’s a lucky dog!
Thanks, Wendy! We’re having a blast with Pablo visiting!
How nice to have a Pablo visit… and oh wow, the Scottish Highlands! I actually enjoy a rainy day because I get so much done indoors. When it’s nice outside I can’t stand being indoors so a rainy day forces me to do that boring indoor stuff 🙂 I love having indoor workout options at home.
The pictures the kids are sending home from their hike along the Scottish Highlands Trail are beautiful! And there seem to be so many Highland cows along the trail – so fluffy and cute!
I agree, rainy days are good for forcing indoor projects to get done.
Crazy how much rain you’re getting! I hope things turn around for the rest of the long weekend. Over here, though, we’re enjoying (or, at lest I am!) summer-like conditions with the heat and humidity. Hello to sweet Pablo!
I just checked and we’re still in a drought based on the much lower than average rainfall for the area in 2024, 2025, and earlier this year. 🙁 Needless to say, I’m still cheering on the rain.
Pablo says hi to you and Max! 🙂
We’ve had a very rainy spring! So much that my daughter has only had one softball practice because the field is constantly flooded! It rained yesterday and today, but we’re hoping that Memorial Day stays clear. Hopefully you get some better weather soon!
Oh wow, that’s amazing you’ve gotten so much rain! We’re still in a drought even with this rainy weekend because of way below normal rainfall in 2024, 2025, and earlier this year. Needless to say, I”m continuing to pray for rain – just wish it would come overnight, not when I want to play outside. 😉
You have had so much going on! I’m glad you were able to rally!
When it’s a washout, I either try to find a break in the clouds or head ot the gym. Not my favorite, but you have to do what you have to do.
so glad you were able to get back on track! And that Pablo was able to visit! How fun!
Thanks, Jenn! We’re loving Pablo’s company!
90 degrees for a few days… then race day – 40s and rain!!
I did it! Only really bad before and after and most runners showed up.
I hoped Monday we’d be on the lake but the weather was iffy.
I enjoyed staying home and gardening.
Too bad you couldn’t take your boat out on the lake yesterday. I’m sure you and your husband are looking forward to many fun days on the lake this summer!