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!