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We've gotten so much rain that I may have to take up swimming. I'm not a fan of swimming. I don't mind the water--I'll jump off the boat to waterski or paddle around in a kayak or SUP. Just don't make me do laps. Running has certainly been a challenge, though.
I did get my workouts in this week. I just had to be a little creative on those rainy days.
I took Monday and Tuesday as rest days so I could recover from Sunday's brutal hot long run. I wasn't sore as much as I was really fatigued. The heat really took a lot out of me. I wrote about that run and published the post on Wednesday. I certainly didn't expect people to take the time to write really thoughtful comments and suggestions, and for that, I am so grateful. I won't leave home again without my trusty handheld bottle filled with Tailwind! What was I thinking?
Anyhoo, I did a 6 mile run on Wednesday in the cool, damp conditions before the rain started. I was still tired but using the 4:1 run/walk ratio, I had a satisfying run. I wore new shoes! For our Global Running Day activity, RnR gave me a 25% coupon for Brooks. I bought a pair of Adrenaline GTS and took them for their maiden voyage. They were very comfortable, but I need to use my Spenco orthotics with them. I'll do a full review after a few more runs.
On Saturday, the clouds finally moved on and the sun came out! I took my long run to the only place I knew wouldn't be flooded. The forest preserve loop from where I park my car is 10 miles. There would be no turning back once I started. Unfortunately, from the very first mile, the run was a struggle. I used my 4:1 run/walk intervals. At mile 8.5, I finally called it quits. I tried, I really did. But in spite of carrying my handheld with Tailwind, taking it easy on my pace, and run/walking, I felt awful. While it was much cooler than last weekend, the humidity was still pretty high. I did the best I could.
CrossFit
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| The iconic Busse Woods bridge |
Speaking of CrossFit, Sammy Jo continues to have me work on upper body strength, which I am really enjoying. I did strict presses again and was able to do 60# x 2 reps. There was also hamstring curls on the ball and seated rows. For conditioning, I did a circuit x 3 of 10 calories on the SkiErg, weighted box step-ups and wall ball throws. It was good!
Yoga
I was able to do 2 Five Parks Yoga videos this week. On Monday, I did Flow and Stretch, which I really liked. There were 4 flow sequences throughout the one hour class. In between, there was stretching. I enjoyed the structure of this class. The other class, Post Workout Recovery, I did after my run on Wednesday. I felt really great the rest of the day and it made me realize that I need to stretch more after I run.
PT exercises
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| Half Moon pose |
I will admit to slacking on my PT exercises on Monday and Tuesday. But on Wednesday, I got right back to it and actually increased the repetitions for each activity. While I can feel that doing the hip work has been helpful when I run--I do notice a difference in how I feel, the VMO strengthening isn't making a difference in my knee pain. I still believe that my knee pain is RA related. On Thursday, I had a lot of knee pain when I woke up. I'm sure it was related to the weather, but it was so painful that I did have to take some pain medication. I'll continue to do the VMO strengthening because it certainly can't hurt me.
And that's a wrap! How was your week of fitness? Are you having crazy weather this summer? What was your favorite workout this week?
Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! Holly and I host this fitness party where you can share your workout and/or race recaps with other like-minded bloggers. We have a few rules, which you can read in the tab at the top of this post. Thanks again for supporting the Weekly Wrap!
I have a similar post in the works for this week about being ready to ditch running for the summer. It's been tough going around here as well. I actually do love swimming laps! My favorite workouts this week were cycling workouts. So much more manageable in the heat. Thanks for the linkup! Hope we both have a better week of running
ReplyDeleteI enjoy cycling in the summer too. Except this year it's either been ridiculously hot or raining. Looks like we're going to get more of both this week. I may have to get creative again! Have a good week.
DeleteYou know I'm waiting for you to take up swimming for real. It's very satisfying to slay that beast. Just saying...
ReplyDeleteI never say never and it may come to that if I can't get any decent workouts in!
DeleteI had a lot of similar thoughts in my post about the crazy weather. We had almost daily rain, but not heavy enough to do any damage or flooding. Just enough to be annoying (but it was needed). Hope the Adrenalines work for you! They are my favorites ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo, we don't need the rain. When I ran yesterday in the forest preserve, water lined both sides of the trail. The mosquitoes are thriving.
DeleteThe humidity is just rough. Luckily I haven't faced it too much on my running days - our weather has been all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to get acclimated to the humidity! Is it possible?
DeleteWe have had more rain than last year but certainly not 6” worth! Uff. Wild weather this year! And I wish I was a swimmer but I’m certainly not. I can doggy paddle pretty pathetically and that’s it! Hopefully my kids get more swimming genes than me :s
ReplyDeleteI'm an expert doggy paddler! LOL
DeleteYes very crazy - hot, rain, cold, humid, rain.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was my run yesterday. I got it done with a friend and no rain and it wasn't warm. Perfect weather. If only it would stay that way.
That does sound perfect! I'm hoping for those conditions tomorrow morning. It would be enough to make me like running again.
DeleteI love that ski erg!!! My previous gym had one and I wish my current gym did. It's such a great workout and a nice change from both running and rowing (which I happen to love).
ReplyDeleteWe have had a fair amount of rain, and thunderstorms, this week, too. It rained so much on Friday night that part of the trail in the park up the road was turned into a pond. There literally was no escaping it unless we turned around. Needless to say, we ran through it - 3 times!! And, even though I was with the group, that run was hard, too. I totally would have bailed if they weren't there. I'm really proud of myself for grinding out my last three miles instead of just heading home. UGH.
Favorite workouts definitely have to be strength this week. So much glute and hammy work!!!
That's definitely the value of the group run--you have peer pressure to keep you moving!
DeleteI wish we lived close to each other. I think we'd be very compatible workout partners! Bring on the strength!
You prompted me to check and see how much rain we've gotten this month and I was shocked to see that it's 6.63 inches. Of course, much of that was while we were on vacation and we didn't have to deal with it. We kept getting flash flooding alert on our phones for back home...
ReplyDeleteI didn't run all week to give my body a little more of a rest. All the sitting I did while driving across Wyoming-Utah annoyed my spine and running just exacerbated it.
Thanks for the linkup!
Isn't it funny how all that sitting can make you hurt? I hope you can loosen up and feel better this week!
DeleteHumidity is the worst, worse than heat. Ugh. Not much rain here in the UK and we're headed for a heatwave. I spent last week running on days I don't usually run, as we had a coached track session on Wednesday and I was volunteering with running club on Saturday, so I ended up running Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, and now I'm going to run tomorrow with my friend Claire. Fortunately I can get a long run in as I didn't have one this week and will have a busy weekend at the end of the coming week. Just hope we don't get too HOT. We're headed to the canals, so hopefully not.
ReplyDeleteHappy running, hope the rain has gone away for you now. And hooray yoga!
I hope you don't get too hot either! This summer has really sucked for running.
DeleteI got hot but it wasn't too bad and then I only went and FELL, which was too bad, and I had go just go home. Grr.
DeleteOuch! I hope you are ok!
DeleteWe're getting some rain this weekend, but no flooding. Not as much rain. But it was really humid, and that definitely did not make my long run today at all pleasant, but it's done.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to keep up with PT stuff! We know we need to do it and it doesn't take that long, but when you put it all together it takes a lot of time! I'm sure the knee strengthening exercises can't hurt.
I should be doing those PT exercises right now!
DeleteIt’s really hot down here right now! I’m not running much for now. I’ve already ordered some NUUN hydration tablets for when I do start running longer. I hope the weather clears up for you!
ReplyDeleteWe've had some nice days this weekend. I hope it lasts!
DeleteWe had alot of rain in May but June has been a little better. Now its just the heat that we are dealing with! I've been loving how I feel after doing some yoga that focuses on stretching. Its actually gotten me to be a little better about stretching after my runs.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking doing yoga at home. That way I can tailor the classes to what I need that day.
DeleteThe humidity has been so tough - it makes me worry about the rest of this summer. I hope you get a break from all the rain!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly been a challenge!
DeleteOne of the things I taught my students while teaching in Japan: lovely weather, if you're a duck. Hope the flooding hasn't caused bad damage. I think I might have mentioned this last week, but I love your CrossFit pics on instagram. So fun.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! I just love what she has me do. I might be struggling with running, but its fun to see the gains I'm making in strength.
DeleteI have come to love swimming, but only because my knee was forcing me to choose something besides running. I can also do it rain or shine, and we've been getting a ton of rain here too.
ReplyDeleteDid you take up swimming after you start having knee issues? Or were you a swimmer before?
DeleteWe had that rain week before last. I don't know how many inches, but I had to drain the pool several times during the week (that's rare). Hopefully those PT exercises will kick in and banish that knee pain. It takes a while for that to happen, I think. I need to get back with Five Parks yoga. I've slacked in that area since my race.
ReplyDeleteYeah, my knees have not been happy this week. I can't decide if its the humidity or what. I'll give the exercises more time, I guess.
DeleteOh, man! Hamstring curls on the ball can be so tough. But I have kind of a love-to-hate-them kind of feeling. They can be painful, but I think they're definitely productive for my hamstrings!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like those hamstring curls! They're hard but so effective!
DeleteI just may take up swimming soon. The outdoor pool is opening up this week and the temps are looking toasty. I don't love swimming laps but if I can do it outside, I'm all for it!
ReplyDeleteI'm embarrassed to say that I don't really know how to do the front crawl. I mean, I can, but it's not pretty. I probably should take lessons.
DeleteWe could use some of that rain south of here. The state is having wildfires and any moisture is welcome. Hopefully you won't need an ark.
ReplyDeleteI"d be happy to send the rain your way! We're supposed to get more on Tuesday.
DeleteI have a post coming on Wednesday that you will appreciate, although it doesn't make running in high humidity any better. It's just freaking ROUGH.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what you have to deal with in Texas! We get a few breaks here and there, but it's probably relentless for you.
DeleteWhile I do love to be in pool and pool running, I'm not a fan of swimming laps either. For some reason as I've gotten older, I'm not a fan of having my face in the water all the time. This summer seems even more brutal than last ....or maybe it's just because I'm a year older. Lol I'm really enjoying my strength training these days ...I need to remember these hamstring curls on the ball for my next leg day.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising that I don't mind pool running but swimming laps? No thanks.
DeleteHaha I felt like I went swimming on Thursday morning - caught in the downpour! I've never been to Busse Woods to run, but it sounds great!
ReplyDeleteUm, I think you need to venture out here for a race! I'm sure you'd kill it!
DeleteWe got a ton of rain this week too! Lots of it between Sun-Thurs, thankfully no flooding (everyone here was on edge still after Harvey). Humidity is rough to run... I usually wait until evening to run because even though it's a bit hotter out, the humidity % is lower.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't even complain when I consider what you deal with down there--the humidity has to make mine look wimpy!
DeleteHow did I miss your post about your long run? I am gonna look it up right now. I think the humidity takes more out of you than the heat. I am mentally preparing myself for my long run tomorrow. Have to get up extra early to try to beat the heat and humidity. Why did I sign up for an August marathon???
ReplyDeleteWhy did you? Right now I'm so glad I'm not doing a fall marathon. A half is bad enough!
DeleteThe humidity is so draining...I'm not surprised you needed two days to recover. Great job listening to your body. You still came back strong and fit in a lot of workouts!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm on a 4:1 ratio for running too :)
The run/walk intervals are really a lifesaver when you need them. I'm kind of sad that I do, but hey, it is what it is.
DeleteI didn't realize how much it rains over there. Great job getting your workouts in! I really should get into yoga and do more stretching.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how much it rains here either! LOL!
DeleteI'm sorry the weather and your RA isn't really helping your runs lately. humidity is a real beyotch. I hope that you are not too down about it. Your crossfit and yoga are going really well so I think it all counts. Personally I don't even know how you do it! But I guess we all make the time for the things we want to do the most, right??
ReplyDeleteMy week was pretty ok, nothing much to complain about. Except the weather which cannot make up it's mind right now!!! Pretty irritating to have to wear a jacket and scarf on the official first day of summer!! My favorite workout was probably my interval training Friday, but BodyPump takes a close second.
Yeah, it's been a tough summer so far. But today I had a good run and sometimes that's all it takes.
DeleteI love swimming, just haven't made the time for it. SUP too!
ReplyDeleteI need some time on the water.
DeleteThe heat I can deal with, but the humidity is killer. I'm still waiting for that happy medium! I guess getting out early is key, but mornings are difficult for me and by the time I can get out the air is so heavy, I (too often) bail. It's so much easier to bike when it's humid. That's at least a decent alternative.
ReplyDeleteI love running the most, but I need to get out on the bike. If it's as warm as they are predicting, you know where I'll be.
DeleteWe had so much run over the past few months...sadly I'm not running right now so I can't complain. But you still had some great workouts! The humidity is always rough on me...I hope your knee starts feeling better!
ReplyDeleteWhen are you getting back to running?
DeleteBoom! Look at you with those strict presses! I'm gonna hit up my rower and do some upper body today too :)
ReplyDeleteI am loving my strength training right now!
DeleteI can't say that I miss Midwest summers at all! My husband and I are visiting the Midwest for a week or so and while I want to run all my favorite old routes, I'm fairly certain I won't make it far in that weather. Awesome job on those strict presses!
ReplyDeleteI hope you recap your Midwest runs so I can see how you do! Always looking for tips.
DeleteEven if you stop running I'm so impressed with the variety of workouts! We haven't had too much rain but it's been unbelievably hot and humid in Charlotte that running is miserable, even early in the morning.
ReplyDeleteYou know I won't stop running but oh mylanta, it was a tough week.
DeleteGirl, I wish we had some rain. I think it would make my run much more bearable than this agonizing heat. I run with my Camelback for long runs. I had to cut mine short at 9 miles yesterday because I ran out of water. It's just so bad! Love your strength work though! I'm doing my best to stay on top of strength work during this training cycle!
ReplyDeleteI"d be happy to share the rain with you! LOL
DeleteWe got a little rain the other day, but nothing to write home about. The heat has been intense, but I feel like I am slowly getting used to it ;)
ReplyDeleteI wish I felt like I was getting used to the heat. It's been a tough summer.
DeleteAll that rain sounds tough! Hope this week is a bit drier :)
ReplyDeleteI wish! Nope, more rain coming tomorrow.
DeleteWe could use a little rain lately. We've had a really nice summer that hasn't been too hot but it hasn't rained for quite a while.
ReplyDeleteI would gladly send you some moisture! Give me your address and I'll let Mother Nature know...
DeleteGreat minds think alike! :P I've been thinking of taking up swimming during the week too since it's been so hot (or thunderstormy--there seems to be no happy medium!)! Like you, I'd much rather go kayaking or find a SUP though. *-*
ReplyDeleteSo maybe we could meet up and do water sports? :p
DeleteI'm 4weeks postpartum, so besides walking, I'm not super active right now. My favorite day though would be the day we walked around the zoo - I still got in 11,000+ steps that day!
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me you won't miss a beat when you hit the road again!
DeleteI’m so sorry to hear about your continued knee pain. I know firsthand how annoying that can be. I hope that it stops bothering you soon!
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe how much rain you got this week!! I have a friend that lives in Wisconsin and she said it flooded there too.
Yeah, it's really weird. I just keep doing my PT exercises hoping for relief.
DeleteI always question my sanity when out on a difficult run during the summer, but I also constantly remind myself that running will get easier again in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI do that too!
DeletePT stretches are so hard for me to keep up with, but I know I need to. Summer heat isn't too crazy this year. I try to run either super early or super late and it seems to work out. Best workout last week was on a mountain overlooking town. It was slowwww, but beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe had some super rainy weather that brought in a cold from and dropped the temps to the 70s, in Houston, in June! It was only for a few days, but it was nice while it lasted!
ReplyDeleteThat yoga video look like a good one to try!
I need to be better about my PT exercises! Haha