Sunday, October 27, 2019

Catching Up

I may have missed last week's recap, but I have the perfect excuse. My sister and I took our annual sister trip--this year was #8-- to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. We had a great time even in spite of spending a day with Tropical Storm Nestor. We shopped. We ate some amazing food. We laughed. We made memories.

And yes, I ran on the beach.

I don't normally like to run on the beach, but I couldn't say no to this stretch of wide, flat, and packed sand. People ride bikes on this beach! It's probably arguable but the beach on Hilton Head is one of the most perfect beaches I've visited.

Here are some of the highlights from the past 2 weeks of workouts.



Summary:
Monday 10/14: CrossFit
Tuesday 10/15: run 4 miles
Wednesday 10/16: run 8.5 miles, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday 10/17: Strength training and bootcamp
Friday 10/18: Travel to Hilton Head, SC
Saturday 10/19: run 3.6 miles
Sunday 10/20: biked 13.25 miles, kayaked
Monday 10/21: run 3 miles
Tuesday 10/22: rest day
Wednesday 10/23: run 8 miles, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday 10/24: strength training and bootcamp
Friday 10/25: rest
Saturday 10/26: run 3.1 miles, drove up to Madison to watch some rugby
Sunday 10/27: run 6.2 miles, Yoga with Adriene

The running has been good lately. My legs continue to feel light and I'm comfortably hitting distances I haven't seen since last winter. My endurance has seemingly returned and I'm really happy about that. I am using the run/walk intervals for my longer runs and am content to stick with that for now as I train for some long distance races to wrap up the year.

Sunday's run on a perfect fall morning
What the what? Although I made a declaration that 2020 will be the year of the 5k, I wanted to finish this year with some endurance in the tank. My running friend Steph talked me into the Hot Chocolate 15k, which is coming up next weekend. I also have the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. This might sound weird, but since I started off the year with the Mobile Half Marathon, it feels good to end the year with a half. Kind of like bookends, right? But I won't deny being both excited and nervous. I know that RA can pull the rug can out from under me at any time.

For the past 2 weeks of strength training, Coach Sammy Jo has been focusing on having me do deadlifts and back squats as an AMRAP (as many reps as possible) until I couldn't lift anymore. The weight was at 65% of my max on both lifts. We were both surprised and pleased at how many reps I was able to do. Is this the reason my running is improving?

My sister and I rented beach cruisers but instead of riding them on the beach (it was really windy), we rode on the bike paths that traverse the island. The island is really flat so it wasn't an issue riding a bike with only one speed. The foot brakes kind of threw me off, though! We also rented kayaks and paddled some of the lagoons. It was a very active weekend for us, which was a good thing since we indulged in a lot of good food!

A fall trip to the beach is really great way to extend the summer vibe. My sister and I loved Hilton Head Island. We both agreed that we could have used more time on this beautiful place. Life is indeed better on the water!

Watching the sun come up with the dolphins
How was your week? Are you enjoying fall colors? Any fall vacations you are planning? Upcoming races?

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

42 comments :

  1. We used to have a place on HHI in South Seas Plantation. Kind of wish now that we didn't sell it. Oh well, glad you enjoyed sister time and Nestor wasn't too much of a buzzkill.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a wonderful week with your sister! It is odd to have to use foot breaks on a bike. Sometimes we rent tandem bikes and I'm thrown off by that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I had trouble stopping with those brakes! No mishaps, tho. Whew!

      Delete
  3. I hear such great things about HH, it's definitely on my list. I'm excited for your races, I think your body is telling you that RA is moving out. Once I get through my half next weekend I'm going to dive into shorter races with a vengeance: 2 5k's, a 10k, and a 5 miler to close out the year. I runfess that I'm just a bit tired of half training.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm hoping that RA is going into hibernation. Although I'm not thrilled about running another half, I'm happy that my body is willing to let me try!

      Delete
  4. Looks like you had a great getaway. Rehoboth Beach is not flat, so I have to run on the boardwalk. It was be nice to run at surf’s edge. So glad running is good for you now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The beach at Anna Maria Island is sloped as well--that caused a lot of problems for me when I tried to run it. HHI's beach is perfect for running. Actually, for anything!

      Delete
  5. Lovely pics! Running on the beach is usually so hard but a flat and well-packed one is a treat. So so glad for you that running has come back for you and you are back to planning halves. Brilliant as I know it dragged you down when you were struggling a bit earlier in the year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am cautiously optimistic but will take it one run at a time!

      Delete
  6. Glad you enjoyed your sister trip never vacationed with mine, except as kids. We get along ok, but somehow I don’t think outperform vacation styles would jive.

    Glad to hear running’s been going well! Good luck with your races.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel lucky that my sister and I are compatible travelers. We basically like to do the same things. There's something to be said for sharing a room with someone my whole childhood!

      Delete
  7. You have had some great runs the last few weeks. Really hoping you continue to feel good. I get the nervous around the half races. I always think something will happen to deter me. I have a 15K in December which I just realized is in like 5 weeks! Looks like another great sister weekend too

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good to know about HHI! Our little tiny airport just added flights to near there and we were thinking it would be a good spot for a quick getaway. You sold me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HHI was such a pleasant surprise and I can't wait to go back with my husband!

      Delete
  9. Have fun at the Hot Chocolate race! Lovely pictures from Hilton Head. Glad you had a great time with your sister.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad you enjoyed the time away with your sister and that you seem to be hitting your stride with running. After focusing so heavily on 5ks this year, I have a new respect for the distance and look forward to seeing what you can o next year with them - and with the longer stuff mixed in too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even with the focus on speed, I know I'll need to build in some endurance too. I won't deny that it is a lot more stressful for me to train for those longer distances!

      Delete
  11. Glad you had a good trip to the beach and have been feeling good! Those races sound like the perfect way to finish out the year. Hopefully your RA will cooperate!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the variety in your weekly workout plan - strength, endurance, mobility - it's all there. All the best with the Hot Chocolate 15k this weekend! Will we be getting a race review? I hope so!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll post the recap on Tuesday next week. Of course I have a goal finish time but I'm not going to put it out there. I don't want to jinx it! :p

      Delete
  13. Welcome back! Your sister trips always sound like so much fun! I’m glad your running is going better. It just makes life feel better doesn’t it? Whether it’s crossfit or maybe just that the weather is finally endurable, who cares? You’re back at it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy to see that you had an awesome sister trip!

    The Hot Chocolate 15K races are always fun, and they have the best swag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The swag this year is particularly good! Loving the sweatshirt and can't wait to wear it!

      Delete
  15. Any vacation that includes a beach is perfect in my book. You are very lucky to a sister and one who likes to take trips.

    I did the Hot Chocolate 15k last year. I loved it. It was so well organized and fun. Hope yours is as well. Great swag too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This will be my third HC. You know these kinds of races aren't my thing but my friend Steph wanted to do it, so what can I say? I like the distance anyways!

      Delete
  16. Wow, it looks like a fun trip and your photos are beautiful! I love that you got the one with the dolphin in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was snapping away trying to catch those dolphins! They were in pairs. Glad I got at least one decent shot!

      Delete
  17. Huzzah for the annual sisters trip! I love that you guys do this.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sorry I'm so late commenting...the DC airport wouldn't let me access some blogs to comment (the comments wouldn't publish). Anyways, I'm glad to hear the running is going well. Let's hope the RA continues to play nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No worries! I always have the same issues with commenting when I"m not on my laptop!

      Delete
  19. So glad you and your sister had such a good trip! Makes me happy to see running is agreeing with you lately - hope this trend continues!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Hilton Head. So much fun. That dolphin shot is great
    Glad you had a great getaway and running has been good to you. Fingers crossed that continues

    ReplyDelete
  21. beautiful, Wendy! I've not been to Hilton Head. Actually I haven't spent very much time on the east coast at all. I know how you feel about a beautiful beach though. That's how I feel about Greece - some (not all) beaches are so perfect I just don't want to leave them!

    you had some great workouts and I'm so, so happy that your endurance is making a comeback! savour this and cross all crossables that it LASTS. I totally get the bookends idea :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. It sounds like you had a great time with your sister, Wendy, and how wonderful that you take the time to go somewhere each year.

    It's good to hear that your running is coming along better now that it's gotten cooler. A half to end the year sounds like a great way to go. Good luck with your training. I hope it continues to go well.

    ReplyDelete