Sunday, August 9, 2020

You Make Me Feel Brand New...

What a fabulous week for running, weather-wise. The heat broke and we were treated to some perfect running conditions. Cool mornings, temperate days... I felt like a whole different runner! While I can't actually say I felt brand new--I'm too old for that--my runs felt easier and I didn't have to take as many walk breaks. 

Fall is my favorite season for running. We're not there yet--in fact, the heat is back on as we speak. But it was sure nice to have a taste of the good life!

Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit with 1250m running!
Tuesday: Run 5.25 miles
Wednesday: Trail run 6 miles
Thursday: Strength
Friday: Run 8 miles
Saturday: waterskiing
Sunday: SUP and waterskiing

Running

I woke up early Tuesday morning before my alarm. I had a restless night. I always consider skipping my early morning run but you know I never do, lol. I'd feel too guilty if I did, especially this time of year. Talk to me in the winter...anyways, the sun is coming up later and the sky was just starting to lighten when I headed out for my 5 miler. This was one of the fastest runs I have had in a while and I only stopped once to walk.
On Wednesday morning, I slept in. I love cooler mornings for so many reasons including that I don't have to race to get out for a run before the temperature rises. I finally hit the trail about 8:30 and the temperature was still in the 60s. I ran most of this one on the single track so I could continue to work on agility. The deer were out in full force too! I stopped to snap a few photos of 2 fawns drinking from the creek. Mama was nearby and I loved seeing them leap over the foliage to get back to her. Later as I was finishing up, I spotted a buck and his lady in the woods. I also saw a few swallowtail butterflies and a frog (not a toad!). Running in nature never gets old. Sure beats trying to figure out what those clever license plates mean.
Antlers with the fuzz!

With my plans to visit Holly in Alabama this weekend again stymied by the pandemic, I got up early on Friday and drove up to Madison to visit my son. The weather was perfect and I figured I'd get my long run done up there for a change. By 8:30, I was laced up and running along the shores of Lake Monona. There is an 11 mile loop around the lake, but since I only wanted to do 8, I ran 4 and turned around, retracing my steps. This was an absolutely lovely run through some really pretty neighborhoods lining the lakeshore. I felt pretty good for the most part, but completely ran out of gas during mile 8. I could blame the heat of the day, but truthfully, it's my own fault because I pushed my pace. I won't do that again on my next long run. Sometimes a runner's gotta run, right?


CrossFit/Strength

Monday's WOD was another good one! For strength we worked on back squats and I built on what Sammy Jo had me do last week. The MetCon was 4 rounds for time of a 250m run, 15 deadlifts (75#), 10 hand release pushups, and 5 strict pullups. Did you say running? I felt strong for this workout and the running kept me in the game, for a change. Sammy Jo switched out my band for the pullups halfway through the workout, making it more challenging for me. Guess that means I'm getting close to a strict pullup!
On Thursday, Sammy Jo had me start out with front squats. Front squats are not my favorite lift. Holding the bar in front and trying to keep my elbows up and chest forward requires a lot of effort. After some warmup lifts, we built to 85# x6 reps, 4 sets. I alternated those with some work on the high bar, knees to elbows, working towards toes to bar. 

Watersports

Thankfully, my husband was able to fix the boat and we spent Saturday afternoon cruising around Lake Wisconsin. Good thing, because the heat was back on! I was able to do a little skiing too, but between the choppy conditions and the DOMS from Friday's run, I didn't go for very long. We took a sunset cruise on Saturday, stopping to play on one of the sandbars, which Cocoa just loved! On Sunday, the wind had died down, so I had a beautiful long ski ride around the bay. No photos though, because it was just me and my husband, who was manning the boat. I also SUPped around the bay. 

But wait, there's more!

After I finished my long run in Madison on Friday, I met up with my son. We planned to have lunch and walk up State Street and around the capitol square to look at the Black Lives Murals that were painted on the boarded up businesses. The murals did not disappoint. He said that a lot of them have already been taken down but that the city is making plans to preserve them. Sadly, a few of them have been defaced. I'm glad I got to see them. I posted a few more on my IG on Friday
This is one of my favorites--I like the effect of the words running  down the wall. That is my son in the photo. Masks are mandatory in Madison 

We met up with his girlfriend later for a beer at a local brewpub. We did a lot of walking-my phone tells me that between running and walking, I had over 26,000 steps. By the time I got home that evening, my feet reminded me of that. It was totally worth it. 

Sorry for the long post! While I post to share my workouts, these posts are also a journal for me. Sometimes I like to look back. Do you do that? How was your week? Did you get to enjoy some cooler temperatures? Have you had travel plans canceled because of the pandemic? Do you like to look at street art?

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


45 comments :

  1. I'm glad you share more than just running - I could check Strava if all I wanted to know was your running stats! Glad you got to spend time with your son and on the water.

    We finally booked a trip to Hawaii - we'll only be there 48 hours, just enough time to clear out of our condo since the lease is ending. Les' company will continue to work from home, his boss is considering downsizing their office space, so our time over there will be less than before. Not looking forward to wearing a mask for the 6 hour flight, but I'm ready to get it done.

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    1. Sorry to hear that your time in Hawaii will be ending! That was a pretty sweet deal.

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  2. We had cooler temperatures, but the humidity was still high most days, so the sweat-fests continued We saw deer on both our bike rides — including in someone’s front yard in a suburban neighborhood. Glad you had a good week!

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  3. Well I am a little jealous of those cooler temps. Still pretty muggy around here. Lots of deer around here too and they don't seem to be bothered by us at all. Glad you had such a nice time with your son and on the lake. Looks like the best place to be!

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    1. The heat is back and it's a steambath today. No AC at the lake and so we came home.

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  4. If you could send some of those cooler temps this way I would really appreciate it, lol. We are due for yet another heatwave this week and I'm just so over it.

    Your saw so many animals on your run on Wednesday - I'm sure that makes the run more interesting!

    I'm glad that you were able to see some of the BLM murals before they are taken down. I really love how a lot of cities have shown their support for the cause.

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    1. I really enjoyed it-I love street art and this was so meaningful!

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  5. Yes, I do use my blog as a sort of journal too. I try to keep it short, but this week was busy with good stuff so it was on the longer side.

    We did have cooler weather -- but not quite as cool as you guys. Still, gotta love that taste of fall!

    Sorry you're not able to be F2F with Holly, but that reunion will be sweet when it happens & it will happen!

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  6. The break in the heat was most welcome! I've had a mother/daughter sorority event cancelled, as well as a trip to Spain. Oh and a girls' trip to NYC for the marathon. Oh well. What a bummer to have another Holly meetup scrapped.

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    1. And my sister trip and...you know, everything. It's just been a tough year all around. Waiting for that vaccine.

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  7. Don't apologize for the post length, I really like your workout/slice-of-life combo posts! Those mural pics were wonderful to see.

    I thought when you said "the heat is back on", you meant your heater was on...i was like, wow, it DID cool off! Lol, not what you meant.

    And I had to laugh at the comment about figuring out what the license plates mean...as a mostly road runner myself, I'm familiar with the comparative boredom to trails!

    Yes, I've cancelled trips to Nashville and New Orleans...boo.

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    1. When I read the post after I published it, i wondered if anyone would get the license plate reference, lol! Thank you for your kind comments. I had more mural pics but the post got really long, so I took them out.

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  8. Ahh, I really miss lifting weights + would also reallyyy love to go paddleboarding again at some point! That's awesome that you've been staying so active though!

    I actually started my blog as an online journal so I'd have something to look back on, so I can definitely relate! :]

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    1. I feel greedy because I just want more time on the water! The season is just so short here.

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  9. Bill and I ran in Joliet on Friday. It was pretty cool when we started but very humid. We found a really nice trail to run on and even saw some deer in the nearby woods.

    Your son and his girlfriend look so good together! How nice that you got to spend some time with them, even though you did have to miss your trip to Alabama.

    You know I love to read the running part of your posts and the journal part. I makes the posts more interesting and personal, IMHO! :)

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    1. Going to Madison was really the best backup plan! I so enjoyed my day with my boy and his girlfriend. The hardest part is saying goodbye.

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  10. Loved the long post! What a fun visit with your son. I haven't heard what Minneapolis is doing with all of the murals- I really hope they preserve them like the Berlin wall, and have an exhibit in the Walker Art Museum...

    That cool weather sure was nice for running :) It makes a world of difference! Love all the wildlife on your run. Best part of running.

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    1. I rarely listen to music on my runs now--and never in the woods. I don't want to miss a thing!

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  11. Weeks like this are payoff weeks for all of the long, hard, hot slogs that we do. I can't wait for fall either, even if the races are going to be virtual.

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    1. I really enjoyed the cooler weather, even though it was just a teaser!

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  12. My blog is like an online journal as well. Heck, it's my blog (as your's is your's)...we can write what we want ;-) I don't know if it was fate or what, but the cooler temps hit just as my "house arrest" week was beginning, so I didn't get outside much for them. There will be plenty of opportunity for those cool temps soon enough, so I'm totally fine LOL

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    1. I'm glad for the break--as you know running has been a struggle for me this year and running in the cooler temps reminded me that i'm still a runner!

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  13. I saw one of the BLM murals here when I ran Randalls Island yesterday but I couldn't get a good vantage point as it was on the sidewalk. Glad you were still able to get away, even if it wasn't Alabama. How is Holly doing through all of this?
    Now humming Jay Z thanks to your subject line

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  14. Fantastic Post And Give The Hubby A Hug From Me - Stoked Her Fixed Your Boat Which Allowed You To Be In Your Happy Place - Proud Of You For Sticking With It - Really Enjoyed This Post - Very Satisfying And Peaceful - Be Well

    Cheers

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    1. Her???? How About He
      Classic

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    2. LOL! I'm lucky that my hubs is handy. I could never be married to a man who wasn't. What can I say?

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  15. I love reading your longer posts and seeing the rest of your life, too. What a great week! We're back in the heat - I had to bail on my long run on Saturday and get the bus home, and had an under 20 mile week for the first time in ages. Lovely strong pictures!

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    1. I should have had a 20+mile week but I bailed on yesterday's run in lieu of SUP and waterskiing. No regrets!

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  16. I really didn't notice much of a break from the heat this week! It was slightly cooler after some rain mid week but the humidity still made running feel really challenging. I'm glad you can go visit your son so easily and spend time out on the water! It looks so relaxing there!

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    1. It's such a pretty town. I love going to see him--it's about a 2 hour drive, which is completely doable!

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  17. I also enjoyed the break from the heat. One day I wore a long sleeve because it was "colder" than normal. Well, the heat is back.

    I love reading about your fun trips to Wisconsin!

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  18. What a wonderful trip for you. I absolutely use this post as a journal of my week, so the longer, the better as far as I am concerned.

    I love street art. I want to go take a tour of some of the art in our city soon. I am glad you got to see these gorgeous murals, too.

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    1. I'm hoping to do a run in Chicago to see some murals as well!

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  19. I look back fondly on our Panama City girls weekend. I would love to see Holly again!!!

    Love that you can get on the water. We have a large boat that you just relax on...no skiing or tubing. Not complaining but I do want a SUP!!!

    It was cooler I guess but not fall-like and now today it is HOT!!!

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    1. Well, buy one!!! The inflatable SUPs are so convenient--they are up and ready to roll in about 5 minutes. Not very expensive either.

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  20. Ah, sleeping in. Even when it cools off here (like it did last week) I don't dare sleep in. It's still 90 when the sun comes up.

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  21. Sounds like a busy week! I have wanted to learn how to SUP or maybe get on a jetski to experience that. Maybe one day.
    Sorry you have to miss your trip. I had to cancel one back in late March. No fun.

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    1. This is my second planned trip to see my friend that I've had to cancel. You are right. Not fun.

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  22. Sounds like an awesome week, especially spending time with your son and his girlfriend. Bummer on missing the travel plans. I think everyone who was going to travel somewhere is now camping because the parks are full every time I try to book something! :) The few days of cool weather was so great! Glad you got to enjoy it too.

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