Monday, September 23, 2019

We Fun SO Hard!

I'm a little overdue for a weekly recap--but when you read my post, you'll understand why! I'm resting on the couch recovering from an incredibly full and satisfying week. Sometimes life fills you up and makes you realize how truly lucky you are. This past week was one of those weeks. It was also my birthday week. I received some very good career news and I had some really good runs.

To top it all off, I headed south to visit my former Weekly Wrap co-host and waterskiing partner in crime, Holly. We were joined by the lovely Teresa for some fun in the sun, some running, and shenanigans. Who's old? Not us! Our motto for the weekend: We Fun So Hard!

We did!



Weekly Recap:
Monday: CrossFit (with 750m running)
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: run 8 miles
Thursday: waterski
Friday: waterski and hike
Saturday: Backpack Buddies 5k and waterski
Sunday: waterski

The week started off with good news that I received my full practice authority nurse practitioner license. I'll share more about this on my coffee talk post next week. Pumped up about that, I headed off to CrossFit. I was excited to see pullups on the strength workout and because we only had to do 4 reps of 3-5 strict pullups, Coach Sammy Jo had me work on them using the red and yellow bands. Getting closer, my friends! We alternated those with farmers carries. After that, there was a 20 minute EMOM: rope climbs, AMRAP GHD situps, 100m sprints, and AMRAP handstand pushups. You know I was excited to do those rope climbs and yep, I did all 5 of them! Holla!


I didn't do a lot of running last week but did manage to accumulate 13.5 miles. On Wednesday, I set out to run 6 miles. It was so nice out and since I was already using run/walk intervals, I pushed it to 8. I won't lie--I was a little fatigued at the end and maybe even a little queasy. I runfess to having some regrets about pushing myself when I headed into work that day. My other run of the week was on Saturday, in Alabama, when Holly, Teresa, and I ran a 5k. Does anyone want to read a recap of my 5k? I don't know that I'll post one. But I will share with you that the conditions were perfect for this midwesterner--65 degrees and low humidity--and I not only ran a great race, finishing in 26:43, but I won womans' masters! Since it was my birthday, I'll take it as a gift!


The rest of the week was spent on the water. I traveled to Alabama via Atlanta on Thursday. Holly picked me up at the airport and we spent the 2 hour ride catching up. Later that evening, we did what we love. We skied our hearts out. Holly wanted to catch the sunset and it did not disappoint.


We had some time to kill on Friday while we waited for Teresa to arrive, so we went for a hike. The south is full of history, and we went to Fort Toulouse, which is a historic fort built in the early 1700s by the French during the French-Indian war. There is also a 1000 year old Indian mound. The Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers combine at the site, so there was a lot for us to see. I love the live oaks with the moss hanging down from them, even though Holly kind of burst my bubble when she told me the moss is actually a fungus that kills the trees. It's still pretty, right?


Teresa arrived and it was out to the boat for more skiing. Teresa didn't want to try skiing--she hadn't done it for years-- but was up for some tubing. Full disclosure: I am not a fan of tubing, but I was game. Holly wasn't too wild when she was pulling us but it was bumpy and we did some screaming when we flew out of the wake! I had some whiplash leftover from a bad wipeout the day before and I wasn't sad when she pulled us back to her pier. We did have a lot of laughs, though!


Saturday evening, I went skiing again! This was after the race and an afternoon of wine tastings. Teresa was a good sport while Holly and I geeked out talking about waterskiing. She took a lot of pictures for me. Maybe it was the wine?


I passed out early Saturday night. I was tired. Holly tried to talk me into skiing early Sunday morning, but it was cool (65 degrees) and I was a wimp. Teresa and I went along to watch Holly and with the steam coming off of the lake, it was truly magical!


Later that morning, after the temperature warmed up, it was my turn. Holly has a new waterski and she convinced me to try it. Guys, I never knew that a waterski had magic in it, and maybe it was the cool pink colors, or maybe it was knowing that this would be my final outing for the season, but whatever it was, I had a great ride.


We finished up the day with lunch on the boat and some girl talk. It was hard to leave. As runners, so much of our focus is on logging miles and training for races. As I've grown older, things have shifted (and not just my body parts!). I still run, yes, but instead of chasing PRs and finish times, running has become an opportunity for me to spend time with running friends. I'll be forever grateful to this sport for bringing so many wonderful people into my life.


How was your week? Who are the waterskiers out there? Has running brought more into your life than fitness?

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics.








27 comments :

  1. loved seeing all of your photos all weekend! Looks like this trip was just what you needed. Happy birthday again

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    1. At the end, we were so sad! But I guess that's better than being ready to go home, right?

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  2. What a fun getaway! So glad you had a great birthday!

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  3. So glad you had a great week! Congrats on your job stuff and the race!
    I am too nervous to waterski but I think I would be open to tubing. Seems like there is less work involved.
    Happy birthday!

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  4. Happy Birthday Wendy! A 26:43 5k is a great way to celebrate. Your trip sounds like so much fun.

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  5. Fun does a body and soul good! Glad you enjoyed!

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  6. I love all of this post! But climbing those ropes again: amazing.

    Running has brought me some lovely friends and opportunities to serve my community, as well as its own self.

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  7. My week was pretty much same old, same old and pretty darn exhausting. Don't see that changing in the near future.

    Glad you had a great birthday week (so did Mr. Judy, btw). Sometimes I really wish my birthday wasn't in winter!

    Congrats again on your Masters win. Sounds like a great week overall.

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  8. Sounds absolutely perfect to me.

    Water, friends, racing, award!! Oh and wine lol

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  9. Major congrats on your full practice authority nurse practitioner license--that's HUGE. And I already said congrats on the Masters win but congrats on that again AND happy (belated) birthday to you :) Love seeing good things happen for you!

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  10. Happy birthday! Sounds like the good vibes lasted all week long. And congrats on the good work news too :)

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  11. Glad to hear you had a fun time down south. Great seeing all the smiles ;-)

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  12. I really enjoyed seeing all of your photos from this weekend. I love that you get to see Holly and Teresa a few times a year and that running has brought so many awesome people into your life! Also, happy belated birthday :)

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    1. Thanks! It was so much fun. I'm so glad I have some waterskiing runners in my life!

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  13. Congrats on the win, and looks like a fun weekend! I never learned to waterski properly...I confess I prefer tubing.

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    1. I rarely tube and this weekend reminded me of why I don't do it more often! LOL

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  14. Looks like you had a GREAT time this weekend. Congrats on your win. I love all of your pictures and yes the one of Holly with the steam is pretty cool. Sorry it took me so long to read your post. Thanks for linking up!

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