The Cherry Blossoms have come and gone, but there are still a lot of pretty trees that make being outside this time of year so enjoyable–unless you suffer from seasonal allergies.
Around my neighborhood, we have pink and white dogwood, flowering crab apple, flowering plum, and pink and white magnolia trees. On my commute, there’s a stunning crape myrtle that makes me smile no matter how miserable the traffic is.
Pretty In Pink
I soak in the beauty of trees in bloom on my weekend walks with Scooby. The photo above is the tree in front of our next door neighbor’s house. Below is the tree at the end of my street that usually is one of the first to bloom.
Our weekend bike ride took us through other neighborhoods popping with blooming trees and flowers. The weather was gloomy on my Sunday long run, but even through drizzle these trees caught my attention.
As the week wore on, I noticed more lush green than bright pink in trees, but now gardens are blooming with tulips, azaleas and, soon, hydrangeas. I do not have a green thumb myself, but I appreciate the effort of those who do!
Weekly Run Down
While my legs had absolutely nothing left to give after the last mile of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, I joked on Monday that I obviously hadn’t run fast enough because I didn’t feel sore. I think I am finally fully recovered from the injuries and issues I’ve been dealing with, and feel stronger after all that physical therapy. I pretty much jumped back into my regular routine–and added in some hills to prepare for the GW Parkway Classic in two weeks.
Monday: Strength Workout
I meant to do a quick workout, but kept remembering one more exercise I wanted to do. I took it easy on my legs, but did most of my physical therapy exercises, upper body exercises, and some core exercises.
Tuesday: 5.4 Scooby Miles
I was planning on yoga, but when I woke up early to perfect running weather, I opted for Scooby Miles instead.
Pretty crazy that I finished my run just as my 6 am class would have started.
just a few hills
Wednesday: Cyclebar
I didn’t have a lot of energy heading into this class, but somehow Francina got my legs going and I had a great ride. After class, I found a nook and squeezed in a few stretches and planks.
Thursday: CorePowerYoga
Continuing the headstand series, we focused on tripod headstand. While I can do a tripod headstand, I definitely need–and enjoy–the practice.
Friday: Orange Theory Fitness
I had a hard time getting the watts up on the rower–maybe my legs were tired after all.
I don’t have an elevation profile to prove it, but the treadmill block included “push” pace intervals at 4% or 6% incline. We were invited to choose our incline, so I did one of each with the GW Parkway Classic elevation profile in mind.
Saturday: 18 miles with the Conte’s Arlington Bike Shop group ride
Even though I did absolutely fine on all the hills during my first ride on this route last week, I was nervous now that I knew what I was in for. Why do I doubt myself like that?
photo-op during the “oxygen break”
I requested after the steepest climb
Sunday: 10 mile hilly run
I tackled the hilliest route I know–the Custis Trail in Arlington. It was tough, but the pretty trees (shown above) distracted me from the challenging incline. My legs did well until the very last climb when they were done.
I might do one more hilly run this week, but next week I will need to give my legs a bit of rest before the race.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up for recapping our workouts and staying accountable and motivated. 
Is your neighborhood pretty in pink?
Have you finished your taxes?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Heck, we’re just getting out tulips & I was so pitifully grateful for that! Now, some sun would be nice.
That’s great that you’re feeling all healed up! Just in time for the next race. 😊
I love tulips — but have never planned ahead and planted bulbs.
We’ve had bulbs at several houses but not this one. The previous owners didn’t plant any, and while we talk about it (which means my husband expects me to do it), we never get around to it. Part of the reason is that this was supposed to be a temporary home. 10 years later we’ve lived here longer than we lived in our first home!
Tulips are big around here. Big Dutch influence — NYC was New Amsterdam, after all. 🙂
Knowing the hills were coming used to make me so nervous as well! All of the trees are so beautiful but the pollen ugh! We have to take the good and the bad
Yes. My allergies aren’t too bad, but I’ve been sneezey and headachey. But still i want the windows open!
I love seeing your OrangeTheory workouts. I am tempted to sign up at my gym. Do you have a monthly membership for unlimited classes or a number of classes per month?
They have both membership options. I actually buy a class pack in case I need to skip for a business trip or other reasons. I really love it!
I see. I will have to look into it.
No pink in bloom here yet. My magnolia tree has all the fuzzy buds, so it won’t be long. I just hope all these frigid temps move on out (and stay away) so those poor buds don’t get frozen off. My legs felt fine after the CB, but it was my entire body that felt fatigued. I’m sure the air travel didn’t help, and the head cold was a buzz kill. Alas, I think I’ve just about rallied back 😉 Thanks so much for linking with us, Coco!!
All that back-to-back travel can wear you down. Glad you are feeling better.
Bloom? What bloom would you be speaking of? We have 6inches of fresh snow on the ground. LOL Nice week of workouts for you. Glad your injuries have resolved.
Your snow is CRAZY! It looks pretty but I am so glad for pink blossoms instead.
The photos of the trees look so pretty – I wish I didn’t have allergies so I could enjoy them, lol.
Nice job on tackling that hilly run!
Glad you can enjoy the pictures at least. 🙂 My body is worn out now. Clearly I have not done hill repeats this season!
My taxes were done at the end of January. I always try to come about even and wasn’t sure how that would be this year with the tax changes and the student loan deduction shifting. I came in right about the same place, enough to get a pedi before my Florida trip.
I love all the varieties of pink. We have mostly the same here, although magnolia/dogwood aren’t as prevalent as they used to be due to landscaping changes.
We use an accountant, and he didn’t get us our drafts until last week! For the first time in ages I don’t owe, but that’s because we finally got our quarterly estimates right (since I’m a partner of a multi-state law firm our taxes are complicated).
Oh multi state is crazy and I’ve heard especially so in DC area!
Part of why I don’t think I’ll ever “grow up” and move to the suburbs besides not having kids is that I do not want to deal with complicated state taxes. Living in & paying NYC residential taxes keeps me from owing state. Federal is let’s make a game of it always. Glad you don’t owe.
Seeing flowers at this time of year makes me SO happy – it’s been such a long winter here. Nice job with the hilly run – that elevation profile looks intense!
That route is really all hills, with some worse than others!
Nice job on that hill run- that’s some serious elevation!
Even with the cherry blossoms gone, the flowers you still have are gorgeous!
It really is a lovely time of year around here.
Your trees are gorgeous! Magnolia is my absolute favorite. We had the beginnings of daffodils here but now they’re buried under 6+” of snow. It’s still coming down. We won’t have flowering trees here for at least another month.
Your weather is insane — and even made our local news!
LOVE the pretty pink blossoms!!! gorgeous! our blossoms are more white than pink.
lots of running and biking miles this week. nice! way to get those hills done!
I haven’t done either taxes yet. Ugh. I always have an extension for my US filing (which is such a pain in the patootie, given that it’s all a formality since I already pay taxes in the country I live in!) and with NL taxes when you don’t file on time it just means that it takes longer to get any refund. NL already sent me a bill though, two months ago, based on what they THINK I have to pay… thanks, tax authority. thanks a lot 🙁
Oh, interesting. Do you have to file as a citizen even though you don’t earn here? What a p.i.t.a. Was just hearing on NPR that unlike some European countries the U.S. will never have free-filing via the IRS because of a law lobbied for by H&R Block (etc.) Grrr.
Got my taxes done …phew (have to pay so I wait!)
Ran a HALF on Sat in unexpected heat…legs are sore not because I put it all out thre but because I didn’t train.
I have a 15k in 2 weeks, Hope there are some cherry blossoms lef t in Brooklyn.
Glad you are all healed up.
Great news that you’re feeling fully recovered! Sounds like a great week of work outs. There are a lot of beautiful trees blooming in my neighborhood. I have no idea what they are but I appreciate the beauty, in spite of the congestion from my allergies.
So pretty there! I’m still waiting for things to start blooming here.
Great job with your ride – that’s some elevation!
So gorgeous! I love the dogwoods and all the cherry blossoms. We have hibiscus here and some other flowering plants, but it’s not quite the same effect with all the palm trees.
You always inspire me to want to get on my bike. I wish I lived somewhere where there was better riding.
Those are stunning trees! I love all the spring blooms! Even though we have been covered in a layer of pollen for a few months now, I still love the spring!
So glad to hear you are feeling better and stronger!
That 18 mil ride and your hilly run have my legs feeling tired just reading about it!
Great week lady!
ah how pretty! we are just getting our blooming flowers here.