Saturday, August 6, 2022

Nearing The Finish Line

Malaise and fatigue set in this week. I assume it's a combination of another very active weekend out of town and the stress of life. I pushed through my workouts and by Friday, I started to feel more like myself again. The heat and humidity returned with a vengeance and the hubs and I opted to stay home this weekend. Did I ever mention that we don't have AC at the lake house? Why would you?

I'm heading out early Sunday morning to beat the heat and meet the Trail Sisters for a run. I also have a job interview this week. I think the interview will be a good experience but I'm not sure it's a job that I want to take. The hubs reminded me that with a milestone birthday for both of us this year 'we are nearing the finish line'. That gave me pause, but I thought it was kind of a funny metaphor for where we are at in our lives!

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: Ice Age Trail Run 6 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: Trail run 6 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

After I worked Saturday morning, we drove up to the lake. The weather was gorgeous--comfortable temperatures with low humidity. Sunday morning I was out the door early for my trail run. I drove to my favorite segment, Gibraltar Rock. Still feeling fatigued from my trip to Alabama, I only wanted to do 6 miles. There is a 1 mile connector road between the 2 Gibraltar segments. Not wanting to run that, after completing the first 3 mile out and back, I drove my car to the trailhead of the other segment for another 3 mile out and back. No shame in that game and I enjoyed lots of dirt and about 1100 feet of vert. The foliage is starting to reflect the end of summer--lots of wildflowers and a different shade of green. It was spectacular!


Wednesday was hot and steamy, so I was grateful to have a trail run on the plan. The shade of the trees and a breeze helped keep me cool. I still had to take it slow--it was just so stifling--and I was excited to see the return of the mushrooms! Last year there were so many interesting varieties popping up all over the woods. I spotted a few different varieties and hunting for them kept me occupied while I pushed myself to complete 6 humid miles. Brutal.


Even though it was really humid for my Friday morning run, the cooler temperatures were such a gift. Sad when you think 70 degrees is cooler, but that's August. I was pleasantly surprised by a decent run. Only a few stops to take photos and catch my breath. I'll take it! The sunrise has caught back up to my run and I was happy to see it.

CrossFit/Strength

Even with the doors open, it was warm inside the gym on Monday. I took a spot by one of the open doors for my workout. The strength portion was an 18 minute workout of a 30 second plank, 1 lap of goblet lunges (I did 10 banded goblet squats 25#), and inverted KB presses (15#) 6 per arm. I think I did 7 rounds of this, but I lost count. The MetCon was a 1 to 10 to 1 workout for time with a 16 minute cap: dumbbell snatches (15#), hand release pushups, and ab mat situps. I got tripped up on the pushups and wasn't able to finish the workout. In fact, only one person in the class did. I felt those pushups for days after that!


On Thursday, SJ greeted me with "you're not going to like what we're doing today". She had me start out with a clean/front squat complex which--spoiler alert--I actually enjoyed. The complex was a clean into a front squat, followed by 2 more front squats. Front squats are not my favorite lift, but doing them as part of a complex didn't feel so bad. She started out light and built to my final weight of 80#. She was thrilled with my form and technique. Then she had me do 3 rounds of 12 Russian KB swings (50#) alternating with a heavy bag (95#) lift and hold for 20 seconds. I've never lifted the 95# bag before, so this was really empowering!


No final thoughts on the week. Hoping that the heat lessens its grip on us. Hoping that I find some relief from my work stress too. How was your week? Are you struggling with the heat? How are you getting it all in?

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


34 comments :

  1. I hope the interview went well! How exciting! That "finish line" is not one I've thought much about, but it has come up recently. Sigh.

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    1. It's tomorrow--but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to take the job even if they offer it to me. I'll share more coming up.

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  2. Doing the interview even if you don't want the job should really helped. When I was in college I interviewed for EVERYTHING. Because I'm not great at interviews.

    Your photos this week are stunning, Wendy! I think it was a difficult running week everywhere.

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  3. Enjoy your trail run today. Running with a group is always fun.

    GL with your interview. It's easy to get out of practice.

    Tough week on the heat front.

    What a pretty sunrise pic.

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  4. I hope the interview was a positive experience, even if not the job for you.

    There's no air conditioning at Dustin's family cabin either, which is mostly okay except for some summer nights its hard to sleep!

    Great week Wendy! Your strength work is really inspiring.

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    1. Thanks Jessie! Yes, it's just a little too warm for us this weekend.

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  5. Interesting On The Interview Front And A Fantastic Happy 50th Birthday - That Is A Milestone For Sure - Dig Deep Wendy And Continue To Accomplish Mini Goals Everyday - Proud Of Ya

    Cheers

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  6. The humidity has not played nice this week, especially the past few days. My 2-mile recovery run was a major sweat fest in the heavy air, and my bike ride is gonna be a sticky one. Oh well...no ice to deal with, LOL.

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    1. It's the worst in the gym--even with the door open, it's suffocating!

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  7. It's been warm and humid here and I've been tired from attending Commonwealth Games sessions! I got 5.5 miles in today by meeting a friend and having a sit down in a park in the middle ... Hope the interview goes well: good practice is always worthwhile.

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    1. Exactly! With only 4-5 more years of working, it's a tough decision to find something else. I'm not sure what to do.

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  8. It's been hot and humid here. We Californians don't really know what to do with humidity! Good luck on the interview - consider it a networking opportunity. Maybe the interviewer will know of a position that would be a good fit for you, you never know.

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  9. Hope your interview goes well this week! In my opinion, you should not settle for a job you don't really want. This heat is quite a challenge and it really wipes me out for the day

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  10. That's exciting you have an interview. I agree with the other commenters that it's a good thing, even if you don't end up wanting the job. You're putting it out there to the universe that you're ready for something new. Let us know how it goes!
    I had to laugh at SJ's Thursday greeting to you. I've been thinking about working with a trainer vs. on your own, and when you work alone you end up doing the same things, the things you like and you think you're good at. Trainers really push you. I guess Peloton classes do that a little, but once you get to know the classes you still choose the ones you like (at least, I do.)
    That photo from your trail run is amazing! Nice job on getting out there in spite of the weather.

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    1. I never mind going out to the trails in the humidity--I can always take it slow, right?

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  11. I thought of you yesterday when I rode past a huge beautiful mushroom. I though about stopping to snap a picture, but didn't want to get too far behind the group.

    Good luck with your interview. Whether you want the job or not, it will be good practice for the next opportunity that might have your name all over it.

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  12. How exciting about your interview! I hope it goes well, and I agree with Deb if it's not the opportunity you want, then chalk it up to good practice. When I started job hunting last year, I hadn't looked for a job in years so it definitely took me a little bit to find my interviewing groove.

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  13. Your crossfit workout sounds hard, but in the good type of way!

    That's really, really exciting about your interview. Fingers crossed that it goes well :)

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    1. I'm not worried about the interview--but i'm pretty sure it's not the job for me. Stay tuned.

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  14. I was so stressed about work a week ago, and now I'm just not. Nothing's changed to make it better. Maybe it's just the weekend, but I'm trying to hold onto that feeling of letting go.
    Your crossfit workouts sound so tough. You are strong for sure!

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    1. My job is ridiculous right now--but I am not sure that things are going to be better anywhere else. I think looking for something else is helping me to realize that.

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  15. Whew, you had quite a week. Wonderful photo's of your run. The sky is goregeous!! Intersting looking mushroom. Good luck with interview. You didn't tell us what type of a job it was. Enjoy your week.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. It was a school nurse position. It would be a great job but a step down for me and I'm not sure I want to do that.

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  16. I hope you find something you will love. School nurses are amazing, but oh, the parents. Love that SJ put together a workout that filled you cups and empowered you. That's the best.

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  17. Good luck with your interview! It can be scary to leave a job even if you know it's the right decision. I think our heatwave is finally ending tomorrow. Its been a rough couple of weeks!

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    1. It's been a much more pleasant week, weather-wise! The interview went well but for now I am staying put.

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