Sunday, July 5, 2020

Ice Age Trail 50k Training Week 5

This was a fun and challenging training week as I took my trail runs to some of the state parks in northern Wisconsin. The change of scenery was great as was the different terrain. Training for the Ice Age 50k sure has opened up my running world. I feel like a whole different runner!

Speaking of that, I ran 125 miles last month! I was surprised at that total. I finished the Great Run Across Illinois virtual challenge with miles to spare. I did the east-west 210 mile challenge and between May and June, ran 230 miles. Now I'm done with all my virtual challenges and can full on focus on my training. Good thing too, because Marcia has really started to spice things up for me!

The trails at Peninsula State Park were rooty and rocky.
Weekly Rundown
Monday: kayak, SUP
Tuesday: trail run 6 miles Peninsula State Park
Wednesday: SUP
Thursday: run 5.25 miles, strength train
Friday: rest
Saturday: trail run, 15 miles
Sunday: cycle 25 miles

Running
Still in Door County on Monday, I ran/hiked several connecting trails in Peninsula State Park. I started at Eagle Point, where I immediately came upon a snake on the trail. Instead of screaming like I usually do, I snapped this photo as he slithered away from me. Who am I becoming? 

I'm told these guys are harmless.

The sign at the trailhead warned: difficult trail. I didn't think much of it initially, but between the climbs, roots, and rocks, I did a fair share of walking on this trail. Once I connected to the Minnehaha Trail, I was able to do more running. This trail took me along the shores of Green Bay, which was shrouded in pine trees. It was lovely and peaceful. I ran through a campground--although it seemed more like glamping, judging by some of the setups I saw, and onto the Lone Pine Trail. There was a steep climb up a bluff and my heart rate was high during this segment! Once on the top, I enjoyed a nice flat, shaded path. The connecting Sentinel Trail was similar. I was only 4 miles in when I returned to Eagle Point, so I headed in the opposite direction on the Eagle Trail. 

This tells the story.

Well, let's just say this trail was challenging. Besides all the roots, stones, and climbing, this trail had a lot of mud at the shoreline. I couldn't figure out why until I began my ascent up the bluff on a very narrow, harowing trail along the edge of the bluff, passing by several bubbling streams flowing out of the bluffs. I looked down from my perch and saw a dead seagull in the brush below me, so I stopped looking down. I kept climbing. I passed a few caves that were carved into the bluffs. Eventually, I reentered the woods. I made my way around, thinking that I had to be getting close to the parking lot, but no! I kept going. Finally, I emerged at the top of the bluff, at the parking lot where I had parked my car. This 'run' was quite an adventure!

View of beautiful Horseshoe Bay

In contrast, I was home on Thursday and ran my 5 miler around my neighborhood. It felt good to put on my road shoes and I ran a decently paced 'easy' run. I felt good for the whole run, which to me was a win in the heat and humidity.

My long run this week was a 15 miler scheduled for Saturday. It has been really warm here, unusually so, and I woke up early to run the trails at Deer Grove Forest Preserve. I packed a cooler with several bottles of Tailwind, watermelon chunks, and a wet cooling towel. I started out slowly for my first loop, which ended up being about 8.7 miles. I stopped at the car to fill my water bottle and eat some watermelon. There is a campground in the preserve and I was grateful that the bathrooms were open. Fortified, I headed back onto the trail to finish my miles. The humidity and the temperature were pretty high by this point and I ended up walking quite a bit in an effort to keep my HR down. I was really tired and the chafing--chub rub and inner arm- was epic. Tough, tough run. Time for this run was 3:03. 



Cycling
Marcia gave me the option of a 7 mile run or a 15 mile bike ride for Sunday. The heat was back on again and after Saturday's difficult run, I opted for the ride, although I pushed it to 25 miles. I hadn't ridden my bike since last summer but after I clipped in, it felt like I had been riding all year long. Last year I was still nervous after my bike crash from the previous year, but on this ride, I felt good. I went fairly early so I wouldn't have to deal with inattentive drivers. There were a lot of other cyclists out too, so I was in good company!


Strength/Crosstrain
I didn't do a WOD this week, but I did get back to the gym for a strength sesh with Sammy Jo! We first talked about goals for the summer. As part of my preparation for Ice Age, we're going to focus on agility and stability, while still working on some of my strength goals. SJ had me do some hip and knee stability work with the resistance band. Then I did pull up work--she and I were both pleased with my strength! I finished up with prowler pushes where she varied the weight. It was so hot and humid during this workout. But SJ was pleased with my progress.


SUP/Kayaking
Among the many things I will miss about Door County, spending time on the water is tops on my list. Before he left for home, my oldest son and I kayaked out to the bluffs. The water is really high this year, so we weren't able to beach our kayaks and explore the caves. But we still enjoyed our paddle!


My youngest son and I had a lot of fun on Monday playing on the SUP! We took turns paddling around the bay and when he came back, we tried doing headstands and forearm stands on the SUP. I have an inflatable SUP, which is really fun but it is a little more bouncy that the fiberglass version. It requires a lot of core stability and while I was up for the challenge, I could not hold either inversion! We also kayaked--you can read my coffee talk post to check out the beautiful sunset we caught. 


And finally...
If you're still with me...we watched Hamilton on Disney+ on Saturday. Even though the musical had a long run in Chicago, I never saw it. Tickets were $$$. I entered the ticket lottery quite a few times but never won any. Now I'm having regrets for not splurging. While the video version wasn't a match for a live performance, it was really good.

This week, I'm the app ambassador for the RA Healthline app. That means I will be helping participants feel part of the community, answering questions, posting articles, and participating in chats. If you are using the app, look for me!

Lastly, this week I received a discount code from RoadID, so if you're looking to buy one, now's the time! The code is good through the month of July. Use WENDYISTAKINGTHELONGWAYHOME to save 20%. Seriously, that is the most ridiculously long code I've ever gotten...

What a week! It doesn't look like we're going to get any relief from the heat for a while. Should be interesting for training. What's it like by you? How have your runs been going? Any fun vacations? Have you substituted cycling for a run in a training plan before? Did you see Hamilton?

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



36 comments :

  1. Looks like you had a really stellar week with a nice mix of all kinds of activity. Glad you had fun with your son at the lake. Nice job on that long run it's been so hot!

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    1. That run was just brutal. I was surprised it went as well as it did. I didn't feel too well once I got home tho! My leg muscles were twitching!

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  2. Nice job getting it done under difficult circumstances, Wendy! Sounds like a fantastic week for you.

    Obviously, we did watch Hamilton last night. I was never willing to pay the $$$ for it either. I don't actually regret that -- as much as I would have loved to see it live, it would have been way too much money for the both of us!

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    1. It's frustrating--both witt theater and sports, you see businesses buying up all the tickets and comping them to clients. Meanwhile, we 'regular' folks end up paying $$.

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  3. I’m impressed with your son’s headstand! 25 miles is a long way to go for your first ride in a year. I hope your saddle isn’t to sore after that. Running in a pine forest sounds pretty nice — great week!

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    1. I hope not either! I'll just add that to the rest of my soreness from the weekend--oh the chafing!

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  4. Our forecast is for heat, heat, and more heat, so shrug, what can we do? I love living vicariously through your adventures on the trails as I stick to the roads/treadmill.

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    1. I'm not missing road running at all this summer! The trails have lots of shade, thankfully!

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  5. I never saw Hamilton when they were in NYC but I do plan on watching it on Disney+ this week. I heard it was really, really good!

    Congrats on your monthly mileage for June - that is amazing!! Awesome job on all of your workouts this week, especially that 15 miler in the heat and humidity.

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    1. That was brutal and I am paying for it today! Fortunately, we're having a very very low key weekend with lots of time to put my feet up and chill inside.

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  6. Well done on the workouts Wendy! Love that you were able to hit up some trails with climbs.
    We saw Hamilton here 2? 3 years ago?? It was amazing but getting downtown on the train through torrential rain was unforgettable as well.

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    1. I am glad I got those climbs in and have no fear, I will be doing more of those on the IAT near Lake Wisconsin!

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  7. I saw your distance on Strava today and thought you'd really pushed it on the run! Glad you were able to enjoy a bike ride. Our week got flipped around with unexpected company. Our nephew and 2 of his friends are on a road trip from Tennessee. They stayed with us for 2 nights, so I took a couple of unplanned rest days.

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    1. Oh, I bet that was so much fun! It was just my husband and me this weekend and it was kind of lonely! I miss my boys!

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  8. As you know, I'm all about cycling, but I use it more for recovery. I have a mountain bike, though, so there's that LOL It got really hot and humid in Iowa this past week as well...and I believe it's here to stay for awhile. At least it ain't snowing #glasshalffull ;-)

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    1. Cycling is part of my crosstraining. Always has been. And you know I don't mind winter...this hot and humid stuff is hard for me to run in.

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  9. Nicely done on the trail runs and the long cycle! I don't think I'd be as calm as you with the snake. I kept saying I was going out for sunrise. This week I just might to beat the heat. I do not tolerate it well. Love the caves photo, what a stunning landscape.
    Saw Hamilton live, haven't yet figured out Disney+, but I will

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  10. Wendy, what a wonderfully full and active week! You did it all :) Your 50k training is going so well.

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  11. Great job on your run on Saturday!! Great mileage for June!! I love following along in your training.

    I did see Hamilton (part of it) but plan to watch it again this week. I've heard great things about it. Plus, I LOVE Lin Manuel Miranda.

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  12. All those miles, and all those trails and roots and snakes! Brilliant work!

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    1. Now I'm back in Illinois, which is just plain boring in comparison!

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  13. Its been so hot this week! Great job with your workouts. Your trail run sounds like quite an adventure. Glad you could sub out your run for a bike ride this weekend. I bet that was refreshing!

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  14. I Am Rather Energized With This Encouraging Post - Your Confidence Is Blooming - So Pleased For You - Dig The Photos - Amazingly Clear Lake For Cursing Around On - I Would Encourage More Riding For Over All Mental Health And You Are Already Crushing The Cross Training Muscle Groups - Damn, What A Great Post - Have A Wonderfully Enriched Week Ahead - Stay Strong

    Cheers

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    1. Thank you!!! My confidence has taken a nosedive in this heat--trying to stay positive but I may have to drop down to the half marathon. Stay tuned.

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  15. You are amazing - 15 miles in that heat!!

    I LOVE you SUP pics. I'm trying to convince my hubby that I need one.

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    1. The inflatable SUP isn't very expensive compared to the fiberglass ones!

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  16. That SUP looks like so much fun. So nice that your son did it with you. I want to try it sometime. Your 15-mile trail run sounds grueling in the heat. I think one of the things I had to get used to when I first began trail running was the slower times. Now I love the laid-back atmosphere of a trail race. Walking uphills or on really rocky/rooty sections of the trail is the norm (at least in the part of the pack where I usually run).

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    1. Grueling is a great word for it. I dread anything farther than that and am rethinking my distance.

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  17. Awesome week Wendy! 15 miles in Saturday's heat sounds so tough - kudos to you for persevering!

    I love your SUP pics :)

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  18. Hey Wendy! In July in GA, my goal for running is to actually get out the door and get in the miles. They will more than likely suck, but that is why a local running store has the motto "Heat, hills, humidity". It is to be expected....As for Hamilton, my son and I were obsessed with the cast recording two summers ago. We FINALLY got tickets for the performance in Atlanta....on March 31....which meant that we were in lockdown. Fortunately, the show has been rescheduled for next August, so I am hoping we will get to see it live then (and it was super expensive, but after living through this pandemic, spending an evening at the theater with my teenager is just another example of a priceless memory)!

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  19. I've been hearing so much greatness about Hamilton I need to see it. I've never seen the live version either, so I'm lookin forward to it. You're doing so great with your running! 15 miles is great (from someone who is still having a tough time running 10).

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  20. You're amazing! And what a strong and beautiful tree!

    I feel like so many people are really laying out tons of miles in lockdown. It's pretty incredible. I love to see all the numbers add up!

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