Sunday, June 14, 2015

Water water everywhere!

We have had so much rain this late spring, I feel like I live in the Northwest. Some summers in the Midwest are like this. All you can do is make the most of the rare sunshine you get. Or learn to make your own sunshine.


Which is what I tried to do. I ran what I hoped would be a quick 4 Saturday morning before I went into work. Not so much. The humidity was 90%, and even though it was 65 degrees, it felt like I was running in a sponge. My friend Penny used the word moist to describe the conditions. While that pretty much sums it up, there's something uncomfortable about that word, isn't there? Anyways, I eaked out an average of 8:54 minutes/mile, and was happy that I at least was sub-9 for that short run. There were puddles everywhere.

When I left work around 1 pm, it was 85 degrees and sunny. Crazy, right? I decided that I wanted to take my kayak out for a spin paddle. Luckily for me, my oldest son was home and he agreed to help me put the kayak brackets on my Jeep. It wasn't as easy as it seemed and when we were done, we had sweated so much that we both had to change our clothes. My husband helped me load up the kayak, and laughed and laughed at the thought of me doing this by myself at the retention pond.

Well, I got the last laugh. Not only did the park district employees help me take the kayak off the car, they carried it down the hill to the lake for me. The studly park district employee with the big biceps (man, he was cute!) told me to come find him when I was done and he'd put the kayak back on my car. No problem, right? Meanwhile, I headed out onto the lake into the sunshine.


This is the retention pond where I do my speedwork, and a lot of my long slow runs. I also run here quite a bit in the winter because the path is plowed and sanded, and the bathroom is open and heated. I've never been out on the water though, and I really enjoyed seeing the park and the path from a different perspective. I didn't have much company on the water, except for a dragon boat full of kids. They must have been learning to row because they kept stopping and listening to the instructors. I couldn't hear what they were saying but it wasn't warm and fuzzy. When the kids were rowing, they were grunting.


There was also another guy in a different type of kayak who was rowing furiously to get back and forth across the lake. I think he made 2 trips for each one of mine. Overachiever.


Me, I paddled at a nice leisurely pace. Got yelled at by a fisherman tho, when I ventured into a part of the lake that was apparently off limits to boats. Who knew?


I spent about an hour paddling around the lake, making 2 trips around it. It wasn't exciting but it was relaxing and just what I needed. I headed back to shore and my new boyfriend loaded my kayak back up on my Jeep.

Sunday morning I woke up to rain. It had rained all night and everything was even more soggy. I had a virtual 13.1 miler on tap for Sunday. My plan was to get up early and go. Mother Nature had other plans, clearly. But I checked the weather radar, and it looked like most of the rain was going to pass to the south of me. By 730, I was out the door.

Of course, the 90% humidity meant that I soon became a sweaty mess. I did a lot of puddle jumping on this one. The creek along the path was up to the top of its banks, and the retention ponds were starting to overflow. There weren't a lot of people out running, but I had plenty of company with the ducks. It was that kind of morning.

By the end of my run, I was completely soaked and exhausted. The last 3 miles were a lot of run/walk combo. This was a tough one--one of the toughest halfs I've run since last summer. Humidity is not my friend. I'll post a complete recap of this run on Wednesday, because the Wednesday word is Fortitude, and in these conditions, I needed a lot of fortitude to complete this run.

When I got home, I wrung out the sweat from my running clothes. Wow. I asked my son to take a picture of me as I dripped sweat all over the kitchen floor.

I don't know if you can see but my skirt is completely saturated. With sweat.
Mother Nature is doing her best to ruin everyone's outdoor plans. But you can't stop a runner, can you?

What's the weather like by you? This has been a really disappointing start to summer. I'm hoping that it turns around for us!

I'm linking up with Tara at RunningNReading for her weekend update! Check it out! Lots of great posts.


78 comments :

  1. You have a jeep? Did I know this? Jeep wave!!! I didn't mind the humidity yesterday, and my run was so good I am still riding the high. My house is spotless and I'm about to start cooking! I've even started packing...LOL. Taper madness at its best, I'm sure! Great job getting it done this weekend!

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    1. Oh, yes, I love my Jeep! It's a little banged up with 2 new drivers learning on it, but it's the best car for me!

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  2. This weather has been nuts. Not wet here but very warm. I liked that San Francisco weather - tough to come back and do my heat acclimation training!! The kayaking looks like fun. That's awesome you had people willing to help you with the kayak - probably helps that you look fabulous :) Great job on the 13er!

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    1. The kayaking is really fun--some great cross training with the rowing! My arms were sore today.

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  3. Good for you still working ul a drippimg sweat.
    i love to kayak... makes me feel like Pocahontas :)

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    1. I hadn't thought about the Pocahontas connection, but I'm going to channel that on my next outing! :p

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  4. I ran Ragnar this weekend and had to dodge so many giant puddles that had formed because of all the rain we've been having. (Even got my feet fully submerged a few times during my night leg. That was fun.) Kudos to you for making the most out of things and getting in your runs and a nice little paddle. You're making me wish I had a kayak!

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    1. I saw a lot of peoples' posts from Ragnar this weekend, and it coudn't have been fun with all that rain! Kudos to you for getting out there and doing it!

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  5. Your Kayak looks like so much fun! I hope to go in Hawaii next week. Congrats on finishing your skirt sports virtual run! I love these. My virtual 13er became a bike ride this time. Not trained for a half right now. It's all about moving forward right?!

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    1. I wasn't trained for a half either--but if the conditions had been better, I would have pulled off a sub-2. As it was, I'm happy with my 2:06. I wasn't planning on long distances until marathon training, until I won the entry...

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  6. I was a complete sopping mess all week after beach running. So. Hot. So. Humid. What'cha gonna do? It's taking all I can do to sub 10 my miles. UGH. I'm jealous you can keep yours under 9. I love that you went kayaking all by yourself and found a studly helper.

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    1. Yeah, but after 9 miles, I was DONE. I should have gone even slower than I did. Live and learn, right?

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  7. I felt a little lightheaded too, on the last couple of miles. I really started to question my sanity, because I knew what was going on. But I'm stubborn and I knew I could do it. Heading to bed very soon, tho.

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  8. Same weather as you. Yesterday, my coach had 18 on my schedule. I made it to 17 and called it quits. I was so drenched and the chafing was crazy!! I'm so proud of all your running latt and I definitely want to come up by you and paddleboarding!!

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  9. It really was all about water this weekend wasn't in! HA! And I can't believe you got in trouble for a kayak. Is that really interchangable as a boat??

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  10. Mother Nature has lost her mind here too. I'm just trying to work around her :-)

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    1. Aren't we all? I'm crazy, as soon as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, I run outside just to feel it on my face. It's pathetic!

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  11. I think our weather has been a bit better, humid for here, but nothing compared to what you have! Yesterday was even a little chilly and I think today is supposed to be only in the high 60s! I like that so much better than hot! Although there is no stopping July and July and August are just hot miserable months in my book.

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    1. It's been miserable here! All we can do is make the best of it...

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  12. For once Mother Nature is being nice to us over here!
    Well done for getting out kayaking. Looks like great fun.

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    1. Ah, now I see where my good weather has gone! Enjoy the sunshine!

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  13. We've GOT to get the kayaks out together soon! Good on you for finishing. It was a total sponge at the tri too. A muddy, thundery one.

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    1. That had to be the toughest 13.1 I've ever run--well, there were those 2 hot sweaty halfs I did last year. The hardest part about this one is that it was a virtual run, and I knew in the back of my mind that I could quit and no one would be the wiser. Except for me...

      Great job on your tri!!! I can't wait for the recap. And yes, we need to get out on those kayaks!

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  14. Yup, we're getting lots of rain here, too. No dog walk this morning. Maybe later & I have a short run later too . . . I thought it would be a treadmill run but it's supposed to clear up, then rain some more. At least it's not a total wash out - there are breaks - & all our new plantings are getting a good watering.

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  15. I've been dying to get in a kayak for a paddle... it looks so relaxing! I live on a gorge by the ocean and it's the perfect place to paddle. SOrry the weather hasn't been great where you are! We're lucky it's warm but not humid yet here in Victoria.

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  16. My husband ran a 12 hour ultra yesterday and the humidity was so bad many seasoned ultrarunners quit. Chad said his shoes left footprints because they were so wet. Mother nature didn't stop him!

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    1. Good for him!!! I can't believe how much I sweated. It was brutal.

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  17. Yep, I looked like I'd just jumped out of the swimming pool when I finished my 10 miles yesterday morning - eeeeeeewwww! I'd planned to stop by the grocery store on my way home but decided I would not inflict my nastiness on the other shoppers and staff - ha! Way to get it done, Wendy!! Hope you had a great weekend and thanks so much for linking up with the blog!

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    1. I was literally dripping sweat when I finished, I had to wipe the kitchen floor after we took that picture!

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  18. LOL! Did you make up the meme or did it already exist?!

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  19. I'm super impressed that you went kayaking after work.... it seems like so much effort to get your kayak on the car, drive down, etc....but it's always worth it!

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  20. I love kayaking! I can't wait to get up to the lake so I can get some in. As for the weather - it's rainy today. whomp whomp.

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    1. I'm looking forward to more kayaking. If it ever stops raining.

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  21. haha, I love your kayaking story! is your helper single? ;) our weather has been steamy and humid! I've tried to stay in the ac most of the time but we've had some random thunderstorms here and there.

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  22. We've hit record high temps here in NC. It was 92 degrees for my race yesterday and we walked more than we ran it. It was good, our only goal was to finish safely and upright. It looks like w have much of the same this week too. You have had some soggy weather for sure. Hopefully it starts clearing up for ya!

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  23. Good for you. I would never have done 13.1 in humidity or rain!

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  24. It is really hot and humid here. My knees and elbows sweat, no matter what time I go out. I am looking forward to cooler temps, but I know it's going to be a while.

    Good for you for getting out there and getting it done.

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  25. We haven't had the rain like you guys but the humidity is in full Maryland force! Awful. But I'd better get used to it--it's only June!

    You are making me want to get my pretty green kayak out and get out there!

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    1. We never really got to enjoy a spring this year! Went from cold and rainy to hot, humid, and rainy!

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  26. That humidity would just about kill me! It's been hitting 100 here in Central California, but a dry heat, so I guess that's nice?? Your kayaking afternoon sounds like fun!

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  27. I felt sorry for van 1 for ragnar--they got pummelled! I had it pretty easy. But the forecast for the next week looks like we need to grow fins and gills.

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  28. You definitely can't stop a runner! We don't stop for ANYTHING!

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  29. We've had LOTS of rain too! And full on humidity. I love kayaking. Last time I went out I ran into a paddleboarder and tipped. Haha! Oh well.

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    1. Ooops! My biggest fear, especially in a gross body of water like the one I'm in!

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  30. Great post Wendy! I love reading your recaps of your weekend! :) Moist.... I HATE that word! Ha!

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  31. I love that you got the parks guy to help with your kayak. :) Kayaking is definitely on my bucket list!

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  32. LOL on "moist" -- I agree! Our humidity has been oppressive. There's no oxygen in the air!

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  33. Ugh the humidity. It just kills me and sadly every time we get rain, the humidity just goes up up up. Yuck :(

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    1. We get a break today and tomorrow, more rain and humidity. What a summer so far!

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  34. With all of this upper body "relaxing" time, I bet your arms are jacked!

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  35. Ugggh, I feel your pain. It's been rainy and super humid here as well. Dare I say I'm thankful that I"m resting my hip at the moment and don't have to run outside? I'm dying to run though. I've never been in a kayak before, I think I would love the solitude of it though!

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    1. It's hard not running no matter what the weather! I hope your hip calms down quickly.

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  36. I am glad I can back to this today to take a look- looks like I can not comment on your blog if I read it on my I-phone. The kayaking always looks fun, we plan to do some this weekend down in Captiva. and cheers to new friends with biceps :) !!!

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  37. I am trying to embrace the humidity As I am moving to Tampa in August! I have never kayaked and really want to, it's sounds fun and relaxing!

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    1. I'm trying to embrace the humidity in Chicago...and I keep talking about moving to Florida!

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  38. It rained here yesterday and of course as I go out to run it stops and get ssunny. Which means hot, humid and muggy. I could barely do 3 miles I felt like I was going to pass out. Humidity is the one thing that will kill my runs.
    My sisterand I actually want to go kayaking this weekend...I haven't been in ages...we'll see how it goes!

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    1. It's raining again today, and it's supposed to rain again tomorrow. UGH!

      Enjoy the kayaking!

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  39. Humid out in DC! So nice you were able to go kayaking, I haven't been in a couple of years - I should add it to my list for this summer.

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