Sunday, July 1, 2018

Smokin' Hot

I'm smoking and it's not because I'm running fast. Not at all. I'm not puffing on the peace pipe either. Tempting as it is, it's not my thing. I'm smoking because it is so freaking hot out that I can't even walk on my deck without shoes. Running? Ugh. What a summer we are having! How in the hell (because that is where we are living now) am I supposed to train for the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon I am running in 3 weeks?

I'm smoking mad. Sort of. I guess it's more frustration than mad. I know I have no control over the weather. What I theoretically do have control over is my ability to train in these conditions. That's been a real challenge this summer. We did have a break in the heat and the rain earlier this week and I was able to get in some quality runs. I also dug deep and finally got a long run in--not outside, though.

I know it's still in me.

Praying for a cooler race day...



Running
Monday's cooler morning temperatures were a gift that I fully appreciated. I took myself out for a 6 mile run and I felt so good that I did 9:1 run/walk intervals, dropping the intervals on the first and last mile. This was the fastest run I've had in a long time. I didn't finish feeling like death, either, which was a nice change of pace. Wednesday was still cool but more humid. I was having some knee pain and stiffness, so I slowed it down again. I ended up stopping at 5, because I just didn't feel well. I'm pretty sure that my RA is trying to flare again and I wanted to play it safe. I tried to do speedwork after Thursday's CrossFit, but that was a complete bust.

Total filter fail with my hair! But you get the gist--I was happy with this run on Monday!
I woke up at 5 on Saturday to try and beat the heat and finally get a long run in. I checked my phone but with a dewpoint of 77 and a feels like 90, I turned over and went back to sleep. After a couple cups of coffee and considering my options, I decided that-GASP-the treadmill was a viable option. I had to dig deep and pulled out some old music--some dark, melancholy stuff that helped me get in my head and push me hard. But I did it and it wasn't horrible. I feel much more prepared for RnR in a couple of weeks, although I'd like to do one more long run before then. If only the weather would cooperate.

10 treadmill miles never felt so good!
Even with the success of this 10 mile indoor run, I struggled somewhat as the miles added up. I don't know exactly how fast I was running because my watch and my treadmill are both not calibrated properly. Estimating between the 2 devices, I assume I was running around 10 m/m, using 9:1 run/walk intervals. I was surprised at how hard this felt! I had the AC set at 78 and the humidity inside my house was 46%. I had a fan blowing on me, which helped a lot. My heart rate monitor told the story. At one point in the run, I was having some chest pain and I looked down at my watch to see a heart rate above 170. I took a longer recovery period after that and slowed my pace down to keep my heart rate around 160. This run brought my monthly miles to 90 for June. I can't complain about that, even though I've complained a lot about the weather!

Finally, I kicked off July with a slow 5k recovery run around my neighborhood. I passed on my local 5k/10k this year--I didn't want to push it in this heat and you know me, I can't "just run" a race. There's always next year! By the way, as a follow up to Miranda's post about all the things she finds on the run, I wanted to share my find from Sunday's run. I found this ninja star laying on the road. Glad it wasn't thrown at me! My men were fascinated with it and spent some time flinging it at the tree in our backyard, trying to get it to stick.

Ninja warrior, anyone? I googled it and it goes by the name of Shuriken.
They're illegal to carry but not to sell. Go figure.
CrossFit
Coach Sammy Jo wanted me to go for a one rep PR on my back squats. My PR is 165#. I couldn't do it. But I did squat 155# and I was good with that! Damn, that was heavy. Then we had some fun. I worked on handstands as well as some core activities. I like the core work I do there--I did plank pull-throughs with the wreck bag. That's 50#, y'all! Then I did plank pikes on the slider plates. For some reason, my shoes kept coming off the plates.


Yoga
Since I ran on Monday, I didn't do a vigorous class, instead opting for some recovery work. Five Parks Yoga has a Yoga for Runners Class, which I did for the first time ever. It was good and I recommend it.

King Dancer pose on Sunday for a little quad love
Off the Road
With the end of the month, I said goodbye to 2 of my ambassadorships. InknBurn ambassadors have a 1 year stint after which they are considered "alumni". I really enjoyed my ambassadorship with INB, although my bank account did not! I love all the funky, brightly colored pieces I've bought over the past year. Wearing INB to races has been fun--I have yet to not have someone compliment me on my gear. I loved the interactions with the other ambassadors and hope to stay in touch with them. The women who own the company are really hands-on with the ambassadors, which made for a great experience. For our farewell, they asked us to put together a collage of our favorite INB moments--I had so many that it was hard to choose, so I decided to put some of my race photos in a collage. I think you'll agree that INB sure made running fun for me this year! 

Oh, and by the way, they had one last amazing product for us. I can't spill the beans yet but I'm pretty excited about this one. Stay tuned!


The other ambassadorship that I'm ending is with Tabio socks. While I like the socks, I can't say that I loved my time with Tabio. It was a little directionless--I wanted to have a giveaway, but never could pin them down on the details. Since Tabio is new to the US, I think there's a little learning curve for them in working with bloggers. The company gave us the opportunity to end the relationship and I was ok with that. So many socks, so little time...and now I can go back to sharing my obsession with ALL THE SOCKS. I just ordered these from Zensah--low compression socks, anyone? My fallen arches can't wait to share my hometown love. Now I won't feel like I'm cheating on Tabio...


And that's a wrap! How was your week? Hot enough for you? Would you have resorted to treadmill miles to get the long run in? What kind of interesting things have you found on the run? Have you had an ambassadorship that was a great experience? A bad experience? 

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap, where all the coolest fitness bloggers link up and connect! Please, guys--don't drop your link and leave without commenting on and linking back to the hostesses' blogs. Also, consider commenting on a couple of other bloggers' links. We've had a few complaints about a lack of reciprocity. Think about why you're linking with us. Thanks so much for supporting the Weekly Wrap!




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72 comments :

  1. Gosh, to think I was curious about the lighter I think some yard workers left on my neighbor's stone wall - or was it their kids? I'd worry about that Ninja star being evidence of a crime -- now you know the type of tv shows I've been watching lately. The heat hasn't driven me to the treadmill, but I couldn't bring myself to go to hot yoga today - I ad my fill of being hot and sweaty after yesterday's ride.

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    1. Oh, see that's why I don't do hot yoga. As if I need to sweat more? Hot flashes and this weather have not been a good combo for me.

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  2. well you know how I am feeling about this heat! I am so glad that I signed up for the 10K not the half for RnR but now I am worried about that! Hope you all have a cold wave come through :) I did not know they had low compression socks. Wonder how those would be for my feet? Very jealous of your handstands! You should do a tutorial post

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    1. I actually have a handstand post in my drafts folder! I'm working on it...

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  3. Even though I'm much quicker to throw in the towel in the heat, 10 miles on the mill -- thankfully I haven't had to resort to that yet. I have 6 miles of speedwork tomorrow and that's gonna be hard. I should do it outside, I have a race on Wed . . . but not gonna happen.

    I hope you guys get some nice cool weather for the half! Boise has very low dew points so I'm thinking I'll be ok. I hope so anyway. :)

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    1. I think you'll be just fine in Boise. I should have planned on something there!

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  4. My guys would have been flinging that Ninja star into our trees too! We'll get through RnR as best we can. You never know, maybe we'll be blessed with a cooler morning. I'm so impressed with your treadmill long run. A runner's gotta do...

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  5. I am visiting NC this week and the temps have been in the 90s. Now I get it ha ha. I am use to temps in the 60s. I am not running right now as you know but I don't think I could run in this heat. In the past, I don't think that I would have done any of my runs on the treadmill (i have skipped them instead) but my recent treadmill rehab has given me a new appreciation for it so I probably would give it a try again if I had to.

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    1. I won't hesitate to turn to the mill if I have to again. It definitely was the lesser of the evils this summer has thrown at us!

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  6. Great job on your treadmill run! Though I do not dislike the treadmill, I don't think I could run 10 miles on it consistently. We have found some ambassardorships through the years that were not the best ones, therefore we no longer advertise their products.

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    1. My longest TM run was 11 miles and that was 7 years ago! But if I didn't get some miles in for RnR, mentally, I'd be sunk. I'll do it again if I have to.

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  7. I'm glad you were able to get in your long run, even if it was on the treadmill! I managed to get in 9 outside yesterday but I had to start pretty early. And I told myself that if I couldn't finish I could do the rest of the treadmill. Hopefully you can get in a few more good runs before your race! And fingers crossed for cool weather on race day.

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  8. You do have a very impressive spread of INB gear! You probably know I did an ambassadorship with a drink mix company awhile ago. For me, it wasn't a product that I really liked, so it was tough promoting it...but I was so excited to be an ambassador for something LOL I have since learned to pick and choose what I promote. I pass on a lot of promos because I know I sincerely will not be 100% excited about the products anyways (probably why I don't get many offers anymore). And that 10-mile TM run is so badazz....I doubt I could bring myself to do that. Good job!

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    1. I'd still promote Tailwind if I was running marathons. I love the product and they were an amazing company to work with. I'm pretty picky about who I represent. Not sure if I'll do more or not. I'm kind of good with clothes for now... :p

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  9. I am in the same boat as you with the weather. I’ve been out early this week to beat the heat but it is still hot. I skipped my run this morning because I woke up late and it was already hot. I am sure I would have done it on a treadmill but I do not have one.

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    1. I'm lucky that I have my old reliable treadmill! I've had it since my oldest was born--he's almost 21. I think it's lasted this long because I don't use it much.

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  10. That's an impressive thing to find on a run! When I did my DIY marathon, my friends and I "collected" a whole household of furniture, spotting things left in front gardens and on the pavement - loads of fun!

    I've submitted my link to my rather pathetic total of 7.6 miles run this week, but then I did FALL!

    Impressed by your treadmill run - well done, and hope it gets cooler for you this week. It's only got up to about 84 degrees here but that's hot enough for this English lady!

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    1. I hope it gets cooler too! We've got a 4th of July run on Weds--I'd like to be respectable at least! LOL

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  11. I'm hoping that race day is much cooler than this week too. Yikes! Fingers crossed.

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  12. It's not ideal, but the treadmill can be the best option in conditions like that. Now you've got a good long run before your race. I can't believe it's only 3 weeks to go.

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    1. I'd like one more long run and that's what is going to happen this weekend.

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  13. The weather has been absolutely ridiculous this week. It's hard to believe that my Tuesday run had my hands so freezing cold and my weekend runs had me sweating before I even started running. Summer running, I still love you!

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    1. I do still love summer running but it has been ridiculous this year!!!

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  14. Fantastic job getting in a long run on the treadmill! Sometimes you just got to zone out and get it done. Probably better than the heat/humidity that the Midwest was treated to this weekend-yikes! I only am up to 4 miles post broken leg, but even that was tiring!

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    1. The alternative--getting outside--was not at all attractive. I couldn't make a habit of the treadmill, but it sure wasn't horrible.

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  15. Oooooh! Scary ninja star! I wonder why that was by the side of the road??? Way to gut out a 10 mile run indoors. Have fun at your upcoming half. I am sure you will do great! Keeping my fingers crossed for a low heat and humidity race day for you.

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    1. Isn't that the craziest thing to find in the road? Glad no one was throwing it as I ran by.

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  16. I like when I find money, haha! I would have totally used my treadmill. That's why we have them right? To be there during bad weather days? I hope your knee is doing ok now and you just had a brief fluke with the pain and stiffness.

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    1. I totally thing that the knee pain is related to the humidity. Today is nice and no pain.

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  17. Wow - a long run on the treadmill? That'd be so boring but sometimes it's just too hot to be outside. I ran nearly 2 miles outside this weekend, which is the most I've run outisde in several months now that i'm 5 weeks postpartum!

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    1. That run hasn't happened for the last 2 weeks, so desperate times call for desperate measures! Great job on your comeback run!

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  18. It takes a lot to get me on the treadmill, so I’m not sure lol! That ninja star was a cool find! This week, my running find was a cat on a roof! Crazy!

    I have had some fabulous ambassadorships and some that were a little less incredible. The good ones always outweigh the bad, though!

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    1. I'm with you on the treadmill! You know it's bad when I'm doing that!

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  19. LOve the top right shirt, almost looks tie dye. Ambassadorships I've found to be a mixed bag. The one that was chasing me (Bib Rave Pro) I didn't want, and they were pretty awful about my not being interested and then told me "well your Instagram isn't enough". Um, I told you that when I said I don't do the minimum of posts per race.

    Sorry to hear re: RA Flare, the weather is hard enough even without a chronic illness issue. Take care of you. And yes, it's like Coco said the other week, we can't acclimate with such a weird start to summer. we're all in similar weather patterns though, we who were freezing are now boiling

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    1. I don't want Bib Rave either--I don't want to have to wear their shirt at races. I get why they want that but I don't. I like my InknBurn, thank you!

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    2. I wouldn't mind wearing the shirt or buff, to me it's similar to wearing the random race shirts I sometimes wear for subsequent races. But I'm not spamming my instagram when it isn't something I'd normally do.

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    3. Funny that you say that--I"m not a fan of pushing products on my IG unless its integrated into my photo. Like you say, it isn't something I normally do either.

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  20. Way to go on the treadmill! Having a fan definitely helps and I only run on it when I have to. That's cool you found a ninja star!

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  21. Never in my life have I run 10 miles on a treadmill so I take my hat off to you. I’m lucky if I can hang in for three! I hope your weather eases up a bit for the race.

    That ninja star is pretty cool. My husband would have been fascinated with it too.

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    1. My longest ever treadmill run is 11 miles and that was over 7 years ago! Hoping we have better weather for the race too.

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  22. Totally with you on the "smokin hot" theme. Even though I didn't run this week, I had flashbacks to training for the Chicago Marathon last summer, lol. I really hope that race day is not right in the middle of another heatwave. I decided to drop down to the 10K since I know I'm very under-trained for a half marathon at this point. I'm okay with that since I'm actually just more excited to meet everyone than race, lol.

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    1. I can't wait to meet everyone! I'm holding out for the half, tho. We'll see what the weather does that day.

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  23. So sorry about the flare up... it's been a rough few days with more heat to come. Fingers crossed race day is an unusually cool day for you!

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    1. We've got a break in the heat and humidity today and it is heavenly. This is more like it...

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  24. Treadmill miles count for double - or at least they sure feel like it on treadmill long runs! Great work getting your long run done. Hopefully a cold snap comes just in time for Chicago RNR!

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  25. Ugh, flares for you and flares for the heat. gross. This week is supposed to be better, though! I hope you have a better week.
    Best on the run find ever? Also, perhaps one of the more worrisome?

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    1. Right to both counts! When I saw it, I first thought it was a gear for a car...

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  26. The heat is so ridiculous, I wish it would ease up! Nice work on your squats and plank pull throughs!!!

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  27. I don't know how you who run in humidity do it. I don't mind a little, but I'm so used to dry heat I don't know if I could handle humidity.
    I have done long runs on the treadmill and they seem extra long, but if I have enough distractions I can do it.

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  28. Ugh, this weekend was a struggle bus for heat and humidity. Here's hoping for cooler weather soon!

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    1. We've got a lot of summer to go--I hope we all just acclimate!

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  29. Fingers crossed for better race day weather for you!

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  30. 10 miles on the mill. No way. No how.

    I like skirt sports because of its community but that's about it. Same with Rock n Roll but there aren't enough east coast races this year. I gave up ZOOMA and plan to give up on the rest (Nuun, legend,

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  31. Huge kudos to you for getting 10 on the mill. Between my hammy and the heat I knew there was no way I was running the RnR half - now I'm lucky if I hold up for the 10K. Honestly, I'm more looking forward to meeting everyone :)

    Sounds like Inkburn was a great experience! I feel that way about Skirt Sports and SPI Belt. I've also been enjoying Headsweats but am planning to let Zensah go.

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  32. Oh man, you must have had to dig deep to run ten miles on the treadmill when there wasn't a blizzard outside. It just doesn't seem right to have to do that in the summer. LOL

    Thanks for the linkup!

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  33. OMG I don't know how you guys are dealing with your heat! it's WARM here but I can take it! I HAVE resorted to treadmills but usually in the winter! I mean 10 miles on a treadmill!??? Cue Wayne and Garth "I'm not worthy!" The oddest / most interesting thing I found on a run was a bathroom scale. Along the train tracks / bike path. I thought wow, someone finally really did throw their scale out the window!

    How are the Zensah's in compression compared to tabio? because I really love the tabio socks but I figured out I need to order them from France so I haven't done it yet.

    I do love InB. I already have a hole in my clothes budget from the few items I've bought this year.

    I have only been an ambassador for one company and that's Rock 'n' Roll. It's not the best for people outside the US but if you are in the US it's great if you can make it to several races. I enjoyed my first couple of years tremendously. There are changes in the program that put me in a more neutral position. I still love the races and when I'm no longer an ambassador I will still participate!

    Not linking up this week as I unfortunately won't have time to go through all the links.

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  34. If you can run 10 miles on a treadmill you can run any half out there! That takes some focus!
    As for the handstand...I would seriously fall on my head! Great job!
    And as for Ink n Burn, do you LOVE their stuff? I want to get a tank and shorts but worry I'm not going to LOVE them and they are pricey.

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  35. Which RnR race are you doing? Chicago? I was just talking to a friend today that's running it. I wish you both cooler race weather!

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  36. Good for you getting those 10 miles done on the treadmill. I have a pretty nice treadmill, but since I started "really" running (outside) I have barely used it. Here's hoping the weather cools waaaaaay down by RnR!

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  37. Ugh, yeah. It's so hot. We went from a way-too-long winter to hotter than hell. It's hard to get up the motivation for these summer slogs, but I know it will pay off. Good job chugging on through.

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  38. Kudos to you for having the courage to end a relationship with a company that wasn't working out for you. Sometimes I think bloggers are afraid to end an ambassadorship but it shows a blogger's true colors when they're able to publicly admit when a relationship just isn't working out.

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  39. Holy hot summertime...I am not sure about the Chicago course, but I hope there is some shade :)

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  40. I don't blame you for hitting the treadmill! I'm game for the treadmill in extreme weather conditions; i.e. psycho dangerously cold winter weather, blizzards, tornado threats, and extreme heat is in there too. No shame in the treadmill! A run is a run is a run! I have had some lame ambassadorships and some amazing ones. Sweatpink and FitFluential are two I dropped but BibRave has been SO good to me. And there is no pressure to buy anything - it's just straight up honest reviews, running and writing.

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  41. I am impressed by your treadmill long run! Hope you can keep the RA flare in check - heat is awful for my autoimmune issues.

    I've never done an ambassadorship and not sure I'm cut out for one. I'm not very brand loyal (I relate to your desire for ALL THE SOCKS), and not very loud about promoting things even if I do love them.

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  42. It's really hot here in NC this week, too. I've also had to take some of my workouts indoors. I really need to get out there at the crack of dawn to handle it, but lately that doesn't always happen :)

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