Sunday, July 9, 2017

Summer's Got Me Like....

Ah, summer! It's the time of year we long for during those cold, snowy winter days. The days are long, but here in the Midwest, the season is short. It feels like every free minute is packed as we try to squeeze in as much outdoor time as possible.

This weekend was no exception as I wrapped up my work week on Wednesday night and readied for a full three day extravaganza!



Friday is normally a running rest day. I rested my legs, but I took my arms to my hometown to kayak with my high school friends. One of my friends organized what is becoming an annual kayak outing "krawl" around her birthday. This year I made a new friend and reconnected with an old acquaintance from middle school. There were shenanigans, but there was some kayaking too. The biggest challenge was docking and getting out of the kayaks. Everything else was easy and fun.


My friend planned our destinations--there were 5 bars along the river where she planned on stopping. We were going to eat lunch at out first stop but the service was so bad that we were worried we'd never get back on the water. In fact, my friend ordered the pizza from our next stop so that it would be ready when we arrived.


Paddling into the wind took us a little longer than we expected. The pizza was ready when we got there and it was good too.


On the way to our next stop, I was challenged to paddle through the fountain. There was the threat of storms so I had packed an umbrella. I pulled it out with the hopes of keeping dry...


...but I was soaked! 

It was a really fun day. I was exhausted when I got home. Who says exercise has to be boring?

The next morning I woke up early with the plan to start the day off with a run, but that didn't happen. Tired from my day on the water, instead I sipped coffee and got ready to spend the day with my son at his rugby tournament. We left the house at 7:30. I sure didn't think we'd be there until 5, but the games didn't stop as they won the championship. It was a long day in the sun, and we were both exhausted, sunburnt, and hungry by the time we got home.

Even though I certainly didn't anticipate how long our day would be, I was really glad I skipped that morning run. I went to bed at 8:30 that night.

I may have skipped that one run but there was running this week. The 4th of July took me to Payton's Hill and the limestone path where I had a powerful, affirming 6.5 miles. On that run, I conquered Payton's Hill for the first time in months. Sunday, I had planned to meet my friend Juli for a 10 miler in the forest preserve, but even though I went to bed early the night before, I woke up feeling exhausted and decided to run/walk those 10 on my own. It was a good call. My tummy, my knees, and my feet rebelled. I finished my run but it was not easy or pretty. I felt pretty crummy all day Sunday.


There was yoga too. I missed Monday's class--I had to work that morning-- and I felt it on Tuesday's run. Wednesday's class set things right. We did a lot of hip openers which was just what I needed.

Cocoa hoping for a treat
There was that final CrossFit workout with Becky. She didn't go easy on us but she made it fun. Did you know Becky is leaving? You'll have to read the recap.


The weekend ended with a Cubs game on Sunday. After my difficult run, my husband and I drove into the city for the game. I wasn't feeling great but didn't want to be a party pooper. No worries, the Cubs decided to ruin the party, letting the Pirates score 10 runs in the first inning. I've been to a lot of Cubs games in my life and I don't ever remember a game like this. While we stayed for the whole game--it was a gorgeous day--the Cubs never got it back.


See that score? I chose to focus on #17, who I like to refer to as "my boyfriend".
As I finish up this post, I've got my legs up and I'm starting to feel better. Praying that this pain and fatigue is just because I overdid it this weekend and not a flare. Stay tuned.

Whew! How was your week? Your weekend? Do you pack them full? Coming up this week: RockNRoll Chicago!

I'm linking up with Holly, Tricia and their guest host Christine for the Weekly Wrap!







74 comments :

  1. Great weekend! Except the Cubs, ouch. Some weekends are busier than others for us, this one has been pretty mellow. I crossed the 1,000 mile mark for the year this morning with my favorite 10 miler.

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    1. That's amazing! I hope to hit 1000 miles for the year. That all depends on RA and I hope he stays quiet.

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  2. I know what you mean about trying to spend as much time outside as possible in the summer! The runs in the heat are a struggle but I still think I would take them over the cold and snow of winter.

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  3. The day of kayaking sounds like so much fun! 10 runs in the first inning?!? Yikes!

    Hope you're feeling better!

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  4. Whoa, you really had an action packed weekend! I love that you are taking full advantage of the summer and all that it has to offer :)

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  5. There are always groups of kayakers in the water near my home. I'll be wondering next time I see a group if it is a girls trip like yours!
    Congrats to your son!

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    1. We got a lot of attention--I don't think that a lot of groups of kayakers are out on the river! Maybe we'll change that.

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  6. The Kayak Krawl sounds like a ton of fun! I remember the good news/bad news about progressing to the championship rounds. We were always happy to spend the rest of the day at the fields but it does take a chunk out of your weekend. I hope you're feeling better now.

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    1. I felt bad being envious of the teams who got to leave hours before we did...

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  7. Great to see you on the path today, Wendy! You looked strong out there--keep it up!

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    1. Thanks and back at you! You looked amazing! I hope to run into you more often!

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  8. Looks like you had a really exciting week! Your kayaking trip sounds like a blast. I love the picture of all the kayaks - so colorful. Great job with your crossfit workout. Crossfitters are so impressive. I don't know that I could do that kind of workout.

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    1. I used to say the same thing but working with a coach, 1 on 1, made it a lot less intimidating.

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  9. Who did say exercise had to be boring? Fool! The kayaking excursion sounds like so much fun. I'm LMAO at you holding the umbrella. I know you'll miss Becky but also know you'll embrace the experience of another coach. I'm all about packing too much into a weekend. That's why I #alwaysmissamonday. #sorrynotsorry.

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  10. Ahhh shitty about the baseball game! I would be SO EXHAUSTED from that day at rugby for that many hours in the sun. WHOA. That's hard core. Super smart about pre-ordering pizza for the next stop! I hope you feel better and rested tomorrow.

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    1. I"m so glad my Mondays are half days at work! Princess shift.

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  11. You really did have a slammed packed weekend of outdoors and sunshine ...enough to make anyone exhausted! That girls kayaking excursion looks like some serious fun!! Rest up ...you're going to crush RnR Chicago!! :)

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    1. I think we #holottafunners should plan a kayaking weekend, just sayin'....

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  12. Oh gosh, that kayak krawl sounds like a blast! I"d love to do something like that some day (probably not this summer LOL)

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  13. Sounds like a rough week (except the fun kayaking trip!), ending with that crappy Cubs game! What can we say...we're die-hards. At least the weather was beautiful. Congrats to your son on the championship. Like I said, some rough spots, but overall--a good week!

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  14. Well done for making it through your long run, despite feeling rubbish. And that kayaking looked like so much fun - I haven't done that in ages! You've inspired me to give it another go :)

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  15. We've been packing the days but that is because of the parents being in town! Yesterday, we unpacked the days and hung out more than worked on things

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  16. How fun! Kayak krawling sounds like a blast. And there's nothing better than baseball. Except when it's on tv... 😜

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    1. Ha! About 10 years ago, I had surgery and let me tell you that baseball was my best friend! I knew every player on the Cubs that summer!

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  17. What a fun thing to do with your high school friends! I'll have to keep that in my back pocket :) And congrats on conquering the big hill again!

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  18. Kayaking looked like you had so much fun!!! Our weekends are usually jam-packed as well. This weekend was a quiet one for us - for the first time in ages.

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  19. Your kayak outing looks like it was so much fun! I've only done it once and I sucked at it, but I should really give it another try!

    I hope you feel better!

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    1. Ohh gosh, I think anyone can kayak! You have to try it again.

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  20. Is it weird I feel like I'm missing summer??? This knee injury means no long runs whining about the heat and well that's part of summer! I love to kayak though, it's one of my fav things and I don't do it enough

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    1. You could def kayak with that knee! I agree with you, part of summer is whining about running in the heat. LOL!

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  21. You are having so much fun. That's the way life should be.


    Believe it or not, I've never kayaked.

    There never seems to be enough time to do it all....now if I didn't work.....

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  22. Kayaking and pizza sounds perfect! Our summer's here are long, long, long! Pretty much endless summer and I find myself cursing humidity in January. Ha! Thanks for linking. :-)

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    1. I'd love a shorter winter--even if it meant more humidity in the summer!

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  23. Rest up this week so you can have a great time this weekend! I know if I spend a lot of time in the sun I get very tired. Let's hope that's all it is.

    Your kayaking definitely looks like a ton of fun.

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    1. I was hurting this morning but I'm feeling much better now! Ready for the weekend!

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  24. I didn't do much this weekend, but this coming weekend is a wedding shower for family. My mom, myself, my aunt, and the bride's sister have been planning, and it's almost here.

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  25. Yay!! good luck on your RnR Chicago! I am so jealous! One of this years, I will do this race!

    What a fun kayaking day you had with your friends!!

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    1. I just opened the confirmation email and I have to admit that i'm a little overwhelmed! I need to figure out the logistics.

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  26. Sounds like a really busy week! Great job on conquering that hill but I'm sorry the next run was so tough :( Fingers crossed that you start to feel better soon.

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    1. I feel like I"m going non-stop these days! Summer is like that...

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  27. I spent a few hours kayaking a couple weekends ago - and it really was a lot of fun! your weekend looks pretty amazing. Hope that you aren't starting a flare, sending good vibes your way :)

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    1. Today I kept saying no to my red, burning hands...thankfully they stopped acting up. I'm going to bed early and praying for no more of that nonsense.

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  28. That day on the river sounds like exactly what I need right now! How FUN!!! My fitness is anything but these days and I'm trying to break into making it fun again...now I just need a restaurant dotted river...:-) Hope you are feeling better (despite the Cubs!) and it's not a flare up. xoxo

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    1. Can you come and join us next summer? It was so fun!!! Maybe too much fun. Hmmm.

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  29. Yes to summer fun!!! No matter how hot or humid it gets, I much prefer summer to winter. There is so much more fun to be had when its warm and sunny.

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  30. I love summer weekends! Looks like you had such a great time - is kayaking hard? I've never been. Hope you are feeling better!

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    1. I don't think kayaking is hard at all! You could make it hard, of course, but you can also just leisurely paddle along.

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  31. I love how you are enjoying Summer Wendy!! I'm so happy that your RA is feeling better - so good to see you inaction mode again!! #superwoman
    Love your sunglasses! #prettycool

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    1. Well, thank you!! Those sunglasses are from goodr and they are polarized, oh and did I mention $25?

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  32. We are packing in the fun every weekend over here too. You've got to when winter will be greeting us soon enough. I'm kind of glad that I'm not training for anything right now. It's nice to sleep in when I can.

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    1. After RnR, I'm looking forward to dialing it down a bit. I do want to do a fall half before RnR LV but other than that, I'm good just coasting.

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  33. I hope you're feeling lots better today and that all you needed was rest. I have a Nationals boyfriend, too - only he doesn't know it. ;-)

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    1. I was a little worried, even this morning, but as the day went on, I felt a whole lot better. This RA is a freaky thing.

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  34. AWWW that kayak crawl sounds right up alley! So much fun with old friends! That would make a girl tired! Looks like a beautiful week even though your Cubs lost :-(

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  35. I love that you manage to do so many fun things in one weekend or ONE day! :-)

    I heard about the game. Bummer. At least you went and made the best of it.

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  36. What an awesome kayaking trip! Sounds like a blast! Congrats on your son's rugby championship! Sorry to hear about the Cubs. We are planning on going to a Cubs (hubby is a cubs fan) vs. Giants game in August and both teams aren't doing as well as last season. Oh well.

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  37. Looks like a superbusy, super fun week!!! I want to do a kayak pub crawl, loooks soo fun!

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