Sunday, July 14, 2019

Hot Fun

The heat is on! This week was a warm one and looking ahead we've got more of the same to come. The weather this year has been wacky, from that polar vortex in January, to all that rain in May and June, and to this blast furnace we are currently enduring. What's a runner to do?

We adapt and make the best of it. There were early morning runs and late nights on the patio listening to music and hanging out with the boys. Lots of hydration. Summer is all about fun, right?



The week in review:
Sunday: Stampede 5k 27:12 2d in AG
Monday: Five Parks Yoga Flow
Tuesday: rest day
Wednesday: run 5 miles
Thursday: Strength training, bootcamp, and EAD weekly challenge
Friday: rest day
Saturday: run 3.1 miles

Forearm stand aka pincha mayurasana
Running was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I had that 5k on Sunday where I ran my best time since the Cocoa Classic in December. The cool weather that day was a huge factor in my success. The heat was back on after that and running was a challenge. On Wednesday, I did a really good job of holding back on my pace and finished a 5 miler feeling pretty good. Saturday, not so much. Even though I ran a 10 m/m pace, the heat and humidity crushed my soul. Or maybe it was the lack of sleep the night before. Whatever it was, I finished 3.1 miles and walked the rest of the way home.

Wednesday's 5 miler
Strength training continues to be a bright spot for me. Coach Sammy Jo had me work on snatches for the first time ever. She told me that she wasn't sure I had it in me, but I proved her wrong. While the weight was light this week so I could master the technique, she promised me that she'll add more plates next time. I was pretty excited about this! I also worked on one-legged box squats aka pistols. So hard.


The weekly challenge was either 300 ft of vertical rope climbs (20 climbs) or 300 ft of seated rope plate pulls (20 15' segments using a 45# plate). I opted for the plate pulls and completed all of them. To which Sammy Jo said it was "too easy" and to expect some rope climbs next week.  Bootcamp was the usual mix of fun. At the end we worked on pullup progression. I opted for kip swings. My hands were talking to me after all that pulling!


Off the road, we continue to make the most of summer. The warm nights really make sitting outside on my patio really inviting! It was even cool enough for Tom to build a fire. No s'mores, tho.


As you read this, I'm lining up for another 5k. I originally and optimistically signed up for the half marathon distance at this Christmas in July race last March when I thought I'd be all trained and ready to go. As always, I'm glad I had to option to drop down to the 5k. If you want to know how it went, be sure to check my Instagram for updates. I'll post a recap on Tuesday.

Hot runs in the morning and cool nights on the patio /via @oldrunningmom #runchat #running 

How was your week? Hot enough for you? Are you struggling with running in the heat? Do you like to hang out at night while it's still warm?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.



44 comments :

  1. You certainly inspire me.

    I ran a 5k yesterday. It didn’t go that well. But hey. I was out there.

    I love summer nights.

    Good luck with your race. 5ks in the summer are no joke.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was a great week on the bike for me with one hilly run in the mix. Having a pool to fall into when I get home really helps on hot mornings.

    We get an early sunset because there is a hill behind our house. It's great because it's still light out, but no more direct sunlight, so we really enjoy sitting out at that time of the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love a pool or a lake to fall into these days. Today's race was really hard and I only did the 5k. The half marathoners were really struggling out there.

      Delete
  3. Good luck on your next race. You are an inspiration, it's not easy to race with this heat.
    The summer nights are nice but sometimes in my city there is too much noise (music high volume, screaming people ecc.).

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great job this week and awesome job on that 5K!

    The heat here is just going to get worse here next week - 90s and high humidity, especially on the weekend. I'm already trying to figure out how I am going to get my long run done on Saturday :( Currently counting down the days to Fall lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't want fall to come yet--but I wouldn't mind a little moderation! I'm enjoying sitting outside in the evening when it's a little cooler. The cicadas are singing as we speak...

      Delete
  5. All the best with your race! I've got 3 clients racing the half. At least it's a tad cooler today. I've been loving the evenings outside and watching the sunset from our deck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What is this cooler weather you speak of? It sure was brutal on the trail today. Several runners passed out from heat exhaustion. What a summer.

      Delete
  6. You are KILLING the strength training. I love to read about your work with Sammy Jo. Very inspiring! Good luck in your 5K today. I am excited to read your recap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Soon I will be working with her 2 days per week. I can't wait. It's so empowering!

      Delete
  7. I wish I could enjoy the summer evenings. Unfortunately the mosquitoes enjoy me too much. I got NINE bites in 5 minutes while checking on my flowers. NINE. Your strength training is impressive. Sammy Jo has turned out to be a great coach for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have mosquitos too but they spray here so they aren't horrible.

      Delete
  8. It's so hot :( I run really early (around 4:30 am) and this week the so called lows at that time of day will be in the 80s. Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Our heat increased this week, but really didn't feel as bad as forecast. It was odd how the evenings have felt so much cooler than the mornings here. Yes, 2019 weather needs a re-do. It's been totally whacked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's more humid in the mornings and that makes it feel warmer.

      Delete
  10. You had 2 great 5k's this month! I call that a win! Ugh on the heat I am looking forward to getting away next weekend to Colorado and enjoying some cooler temps

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pistols are eeeeevil!
    Congrats on the AG, awesome running
    Spent tonight reading "a little" on the riverside. Turned to three hours and past dark. Wonderful whoops

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had a few of those evenings lately--sitting outside and oops, it's bedtime!

      Delete
    2. Scott Jurek's North - need I say more?
      Linking your review in my post

      Delete
  12. Congrats on your AG placing in the 5k!!!! I cannot imagine how cool weather feels right about now...omg it's been SO nasty here. Love the plate pulls - I did something similar with my trainer and it was NOT easy...kinda like those pistol squats - ouch!! Hope the second 5k went well...off to check your Insta!

    ReplyDelete
  13. well done this week Wendy! and way to go on your AG placement! we have weird weather here - humid, cool, then warm, then cool. I just don't even know how to dress. If I had a patio I'd be all about sitting around in the evening on it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's just hot, hot, hot right now! Glad I'm all about the 5k. Yikes to anything more.

      Delete
  14. It was SO hot running at the beach. Each run I was SOAKED in sweat to the point it was kind of funny! I miss the beach, but I'm glad to back running in the cooler mountains!!! Glad your strenth training is going well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so lucky to have those cooler conditions! You really do have the best of both worlds.

      Delete
  15. You are killing it on those strength workouts! I am excited to read your 5K recap! The heat is absolutely killing me - this week will be rough and might involve the treadmill (if my bump doesn't get in the way) or pool running. Last week we had a bit of a respite probably due to winds off the lake, and I'm hoping we get something like that again soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The heat has been difficult and I'm glad that I've been doing those 5ks. I have another one on Saturday. I may just focus on these shorter races. It's kind of fun!

      Delete
  16. Way to go with your AG! I don't know how you're moving that fast in this heat - my races have been much slower than I would like, but finishing is winning, right? You are just crushing your strength training - so inspired by you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really struggled on Sunday! I need to figure out how to be more heat-tolerant. Especially for shorter distances!

      Delete
  17. The weather is so wacky! We've had thunderstorms every afternoon/evening for the past week...sometimes a storm in both afternoon and evening. I'd say it's nice that the storms cool things down, but they also make it really humid, so I think it's about an even trade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've had blazing sunshine until today--it's been warm! We could use a little rain. I can't believe I'm saying that after the rainy spring we had!

      Delete
  18. I am absolutely still struggling with the heat. Just like you, I have good days and some bad days. It's just how it is in Florida though. I'm hoping since we had an early summer we get an early fall and a drop in the humidity. Keeping my fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always feel guilty complaining to Floridians about our weather! You have to deal with it so much longer than we do.

      Delete
  19. Ugh, I'm defintely struggling with the heat and with getting over my cold (or whatever it was). It's been a tough two weeks.

    I just can't do pistol squats. While I'm sure part of it is strength, I also feel my knees just don't want to cooperate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My knees don't mind the pistol squats but my hips and quads complain! They are really humbling.

      Delete
  20. I'm just glad my day of the big race at the weekend was relatively less hot! Well done on tailoring your life and running to the weather!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just don't want to feel that badly, I guess! I'm hoping to line up for my half marathon in September. We'll see if the body cooperates.

      Delete
  21. I love summer nights when it's still warm when the sun goes down...a rarity here in So Ca.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess I didn't realize that it cooled off at night in So Cal!

      Delete
  22. I loved your IG Christmas in July pics. It's such a fun theme for a race!

    I love summer nights, but I don't love the mosquitos (they certainly love me). We hung out outside last night while Pablo was visiting and the mosquitos had a feast!

    ReplyDelete