Saturday, June 18, 2022

Slow Burn

"I'm alright with a slow burn,
Taking my time, let the world turn,
I'm gonna do it my way, it will be alright."... Kacey Musgraves

The heat was on this week! We broke long-standing records for high temperatures. We also had a crazy bad thunderstorm on Monday. The tornado warning sirens went off 4 times. Thankfully not much damage happened and we didn't lose power. It's been a wild weather ride this year, hasn't it?

Wednesday's steamy run

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 8 miles
Monday: CrossFit, bike ride 12 miles
Tuesday: pool running
Wednesday: trail run 5 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: waterskiing

Running:

Last week, I wrote about my funk following my difficult week. I was still feeling blah on Sunday, but I made a last minute decision to join the Trail Sisters on their run, thinking that the company would do me good. I was so right about that. My friend Jennifer was there--she's the one I ran the Earth Day 15 mile trail with-- and since she wanted to do 8, I joined her. I've been having trouble getting back in a groove after my spring races and this is just what I needed. We talked the whole time! We are also very compatible, pace-wise, something that is rare. When we finished up, she hugged me, but really, she did me a huge favor by just being there. I am so grateful for this group!


When I woke up on Wednesday morning, it was already 80F with 80% humidity! I considered my options over a cup of coffee and decided I best get moving to beat the heat. By 6:30, I was at my favorite preserve. I sprayed insect repellant over my entire body and headed down the trail. In spite of the conditions, the shade of the woods kept me comfortable and I marveled at how good this run felt. But considering the conditions, I was grateful that I was able to get it done and not feel completely trashed.

By Friday, the humidity dropped a bit, but it was still 70 degrees when I headed out. I worked at a nice steady pace, not too fast, but I still had to take a few walk breaks (and a porta-potty break). Along the bike path is a large boulder with a plaque commemorating a young man who, in 1972, drowned while rescuing 2 children from drowning in the adjacent lake. This week was the 50th anniversary of that event and there was a memorial bouquet in front of the rock. In the 25 years I've run, biked, and walked this path, I've passed this rock many times. I was also reminded of the time I had to fish my oldest son out of this lake when he rode his bike into it! He was 5 and distracted. Fortunately, that incident had a happy ending. Food for thought on my run!

Cycling

What the what? On Monday, I finally took my bike to the shop to get the trainer tire switched back to a road tire. You know I couldn't just bring the bike home without taking it for a ride. I was reminded of how much I love this bike. I had gotten a tune up last summer but hadn't road-tested it since I was recovering from my injury. The gears shifted smoothly and I felt as if I was flying. I didn't want to stop, but since I'd already done the WOD that day, I called it quits at 12 miles. I also rode my bike to and from Thursday's strength session, but that was a short little ride.

CrossFit/Strength training

The theme for Monday's WOD was RMUs aka ring muscle ups. Most of what we did was prep work. For the strength portion, we did 15 minutes of 8 RMU turnover drills using a resistance band, 8 kip swings, 1 lap of inchworms, and 8 compression situps. I think I made it through 4 rounds of this. The MetCon was an E3MOM of 250m row, 20 wallballs, and AMRAP RMUs (I did ring rows). This was tough and I was only able to complete 5 ring rows each round before time was called.


On Thursday, Sammy Jo was setting up outside when I rode up on my bike. She had planned a kind of circuit workout for me: heavy sled pushes 50m, hollow rocks and atomic sit-ups x10 each, and push presses 65# x 10. The plan was for me to do this 4-5 times, with rest in between each set equal to the time it took me to do the circuit. Much like we runners do with speedwork, the goal was consistency. I won't lie--this was HARD! After the push presses in round 4, I seriously thought I was going to vomit. SJ asked if I wanted to stop or did I want to take a little extra rest and go for 5 rounds. I think you know me well enough by now that I don't like to DNF...and yes, the 5th round was my fastest. She was so excited that I went for it. I hung out for a while to recover before hopping on my bike to ride home. 

Waterskiing

On Saturday we drove up to the lake and we were rewarded with an absolutely perfect summer day. It was about 78 and sunny. My youngest son drove out from Madison to join us for lunch and a few hours on the lake before he had to return for work. I skied twice! The water was a little choppy but it was warm. Summer is so short here, so I have to take advantage of any opportunity I have to ski. It felt great. After dinner, we took a long boat ride down the river. My soul is happy.

GOOD NEWS!

My oldest son messaged me this week to let me know that he received his journeyman card. In the union world, this is akin to a diploma. To achieve this, he was required to complete a 5 year electrician's apprenticeship, which included going to school and working. College isn't for everyone and as I like to say, we need smart people working in the trades too. He's working with a great company right now and likes what he's doing. His father and I could not be more proud of him!!!

Speaking of fathers...today is Father's Day! We'll be spending the day with my dad and my father-in-law. I realize how lucky we are to have both of them still in our lives. My oldest son will be joining us as well. 

How was your week? Are you celebrating Father's Day? Were you hit with some major heat? How did you adapt your workouts? Do you see any memorials on your runs? Any good news to share?

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










30 comments :

  1. Congrats to your son! That is fantastic for him. You packed in a bunch of solid workouts this week despite the heat. I still have not been on my outdoor bike yet. I have no idea why. I was talking to my daughter that day the sirens were going off. Crazy hot weather for us too!

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    1. It looks like the heat is coming right back this week! Meanwhile, I'm enjoying some 'normal' summer weather.

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  2. It is just gorgeous this weekend, but I'm bracing for the return of the heat. It's been so nice to turn off the air! We had storms but no sirens. I think we were North of the worst of it. Congrats to T! That's awesome!

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    1. We're heading to my parents, but I hate to leave the lake! This is spectacular!

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  3. Our heat has left the building. great for running but not so much for water activities. Can't have everything.

    Good news about your son.

    Enjoy your day!!

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    1. I have to agree and said the same thing to the hubs yesterday. But the water felt warm...lol

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  4. Congrats to your son, that's a great accomplishment! We had a few tornado watches last week, but nothing materialized...but the humidity was h.e.a.v.y. I'm with you on taking advantage to get outside everyday...our summers are far too short in the Midwest.

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  5. Yes, we need smart people working in the trades- as a matter of fact, if your son feels like moving, we need him down here! Every time we have an electrical problem it takes forever to get someone to come out, and then it's always some complicated issue that costs us an arm and a leg. I've thought many times that electrician would be a brilliant career choice.
    Sounds like you had a great week in spite of the heat. Yes- shade makes all the difference! The picture from the lake is beautiful- glad you're enjoying the summer so far!

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    1. It's been super hot and humid but the last couple of days have been perfect. Savoring them.

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  6. Congrats to your son! You can't go wrong working as a tradesman, really -- they are so necessary & almost alwyas in demand.

    Yes, finding someone to run with whose pace is close to yours is a gift. Glad she helped you out of your funk.

    It was warm here, but really not too terrible. And now downright cool! It won't stay that way long so I'm savoring it.

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    1. I definitely am clawing my way back out of that funk! It was a much better week overall.

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  7. Well done on those 5 rounds! My goodness, it sounds like a really tough circuit that SJ had set up for you.

    YAY on your son's diploma! I could go on forever on how valuable learning a trade is.
    Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of apprenticeships. It's a training system with part school, part work, where they learn the trade in a company. After 3-4 years, they graduate and then they can continue their schooling if they want to. It's a great system: they learn to deal with the real working world at an early age and there are hardly any unemployed young adults.

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    1. That sounds exactly like our union training system here in the US! I love it!

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  8. Love The Good News And That Is A True Reflection Of You - Well Done - Pleased You Dug Deep And Met Up With The Sisters Tribe - The Freedom Of Riding The Bike - Well Done - Have A Delightful Week Ahead And Finish Strong This Month - Proud Of You

    Cheers

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I am so proud of him. We had tough times with him in high school, so this mama is breathing easier these days.

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  9. aww, congrats to your son on his journeyman card! Yes, I agree that college isn't for everyone and one can make a fulfilling career doing something different!

    Your week sounded pretty amazing, and it warms my heart that you found a trail sister that is compatible with your pace and personality :) That's so nice.

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    1. I love the group overall--probably the nicest group of women I've ever run with. It's hard to find your people!

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  10. Congrats to your son! You must be very proud!

    The temperature was in the mid-90's on Friday with very high humidity, but it's been very cool with low humidity yesterday and today.

    Depending on my route, I sometimes run past a memorial bench placed for a runner who was hit and killed while crossing a street a few years ago.

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  11. P.S. Yay for getting your bike back out on the trail!

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  12. Huge congrats to your son! That is so wonderful.
    Yay for getting your bike back in action. And way to push through that tough WOD!
    We had record-breaking heat on Friday (99?) but a crazy cool weekend. Who knows what the week ahead will bring.

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    1. We're going to break more records this week! This summer is bananas!

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  13. Congratulations to your son, that is wonderful news, and yes, not everyone has to be an academic and go off to the ivory towers! And a good week for you in the end. We had hot heat here (unusually) and there were so many other people out at 6am on Friday, normally I have the streets and lake to myself!

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    1. I have noticed that as well! I like my early morning 'alone' time. :p

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  14. Congratulations to your son!
    So glad you found that group. They seem like an amazing bunch

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  15. That's so awesome about your son! Congratulations to him! It sounds like you were able to turn your funk around and have a better week with some great workouts!

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    1. Yes, it was definitely a better week. I won't lie, i'm still feeling a little unsettled.

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