This week was my perfect fall week. The weather was gorgeous – it felt like summer (70s/80s) in the beginning of the week, the sun was shining, and the leaves were changing. I was lucky enough to get outside every day for a walk, run or hike, and take advantage of the beauty. It was a great week to be outside, and I’m glad I was able to enjoy it! I’m so glad I’m back running. I tried to get in some longer miles this week when I wasn’t weight training, and while I’m not back to where I was before the broken toe incident, I am getting there!

Here’s what the week looked like:

Sunday:  6 miles running, 2.83 miles hiking –  Sunday was an active day, and it was gorgeous out so I can’t complain! I was able to get in a long, slow run and visit some of my favorite areas where the leaves were changing. And then, we all got in a hike at Squires Castle, a great place near us with trails and — you guessed it by the name — a former castle! The kids love playing hide and seek in the castle, and then we went for our walk, stopping for a picnic and playground visit in the middle. The weather was gorgeous and I loved it!

Scenes from my run

With the kids on the hike

Monday: Chest and tricep workout, core workout, 25 minutes indoor cycling, 2.6 mile run, 1.2 mile walk – This was my first time being able to do a chest and tricep workout with real dumbbells. In the past weeks, I have been modifying the workout to include my kettlebells, but today I was finally able to use weights. Man, it was hard! I stuck to 15 lb for the entire workout and it wasn’t easy. But it was doable, so I’m eager to see how it feels as the weeks progress. I was also able to get in a short run and bike ride after the lifting.  I also got in a lunchtime walk around my office campus – just 1.2 miles but it was gorgeous outside!

Tuesday: Shoulder and leg day, short core work, planks and pushups, 20 minutes on the bike, and 2.7 mile run – Again, using the weights was HARD. I’m quickly realizing that, but it’s also a good feeling knowing I have nowhere to go but up! I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. work for, and although I was hoping to get in 3 miles, by the time I got off the bike, I only had time for a 2.7 mile run. My pinky toe is still a little sore, so it’s probably for the best that I don’t push it — but still, an even “3” would be nice!

Wednesday: Bicep and back day, plus short core workout, 20 minutes on the bike, planks and 3.16 mile run, then 4 miles walking later in the day. Another day of using dumbbells and another day of thinking, wow, this is hard! It was GREAT to use dumbbells for the bicep workout though, it made it much more efficient since I didn’t have to do one arm at a time, and could make sure I had actually controlled motions for my bicep curls and hammer curls. I’m so grateful to have access to a mini home gym in my basement – if you had told me two years ago that we’d have this set up, I wouldn’t have believed my luck.  I was also lucky enough to get in 2 walks during the day and they were gorgeous. The colors this week are truly incredible!

Some scenes from my walks

Thursday: Leg workout, planks and push ups, 15 minutes indoor cycling, 3.1 miles running, 4 miles walking – It was another tiring Thursday! I made it out of bed later and started my workout later, but still wanted to get in a run. I went outside with 25ish minutes to spare, but was feeling so good I decided to get in a 5K before work.  I was also able to get in some walking. That night was my daughter’s cross-country race! She is doing k-2 xc and had to miss most of the practices due to her broken arm, so I’m so proud of her for sticking with it and finishing with a race! She did a mile and did great!

Friday: 6.25 miles running, 3.5 miles walking– YAY for a great running day! You know those runs that just feel good and it feels good to feel good? This was one of those runs. I started off feeling strong, with minimal soreness from leg day and in my toe, and just was glad to be able to get in a full 10K. Friday is my off day from weights and I had planned on running 4-5 but I couldn’t stop and was so proud to make it to 6.25 — my longest run since my toe was broken! And one of my fastest as well.

• Saturday: 6.01 miles running and 15 min indoor cycling, 2 miles walking later in the day – I had plans to meet up with a friend for breakfast so I set my alarm to get in a short run before breakfast. I managed to wake up before my alarm went off and was pleased to get in 6 miles instead of the short run I was expecting.

Total: 29.94 miles running! Plus some walking, weight training, and indoor cycling.

Overall, my toe is feeling nearly better (still some minor pain), but it has felt great to be outside and running when I can. I’m not going to lie – Friday and Saturday were nice to be able to just run and not have to worry about fitting in any weights.

• Are the fall colors in full peak yet near you?
• Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you and/or your family being?

I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.