I realize this is a term used by Californians to describe their typical gloomy June weather, but here in Illinois, we're experiencing some unusually cool and cloudy days. Let's face it, we have a lot of gloomy weather here, but not in the summer. Since summer is so short, I always feel we're being cheated when the weather isn't good. To top it off, unfortunately, we're feeling the effects of the Canadian wildfires again. It's weird because the cooler weather should make for good running, but I'm struggling a bit with breathing.
In spite of the less than desirable conditions, I had some nice runs this week! Two weeks to Leadville and I have never felt more ready to be done with a race, lol. I'm starting to think ahead to the rest of 2023 and will share my plans after the race is done.
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: Ice Age Trail Run 9.75 miles/ 1300 feet climbing
Monday: CrossFit, yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: Pool Running
Wednesday: Trail run 7 miles, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday: Strength training, yoga with Adriene
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: waterskiing
Running
After spending Saturday on the lake, we woke up Sunday morning to rain and 52F! It felt like early spring. I took my trail shoes to the Lodi Marsh segment of the IAT. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was steady, and I was grateful to have my
Brooks Canopy jacket to keep me dry. I was really surprised to see how thick the foliage was along the trail, considering that it hasn't rained for several weeks until now. The trail itself was really dry. Thanks to the conditions and the weather, this was a really nicely paced run for me. Sometimes I surprise myself!
I actually briefly got lost on Wednesday's trail run. I took a little detour into a section that is lined with tall pine trees. I've been there many times before, but on this day the foliage was very thick and I couldn't find the trail back out. I knew the direction I needed to go, so I looked for the trail. I literally ran into a deer and the poor thing was shaking, she was so scared. I stood perfectly still and let her take off. Once I was back on the trail, the rest of my run was uneventful. It was humid and all the foliage lining the trail was damp, so I was soaked when I finished. That post-run shower never felt so good!
Friday morning was another overcast, cool, blustery morning. What season is it anyway? I was achy and considering not running, but I had new shoes to try out, so off I went to the bike path. While my first mile was fast, I incorporated 1 minute walk intervals with each mile, to give myself a little break. I had the bike path mostly to myself, save for the Palatine High School boys' XC team. They were appreciative of my encouragement and returned it to me. This put a huge smile on my face. Sometimes you just have to go. Plus,
new shoes!
CrossFit
Monday's WOD was simple. The strength portion had us building to a heavy front squat, suggesting 80% of our max. It's been a while since we did heavy front squats and I could not recall ever doing a 1RM. I looked all the way back to November when SJ had me do those alternating back (6 reps) and front squats (4 reps) at 90#. I based this workout on that, thinking I'd hit 90#. Well, as you know, math is hard and I ended up with 105# on the bar. We did an 8 minute EMOM with one lift per minute x 7. On the 8th minute, we took off 20# and did an AMRAP for that last minute. I could only do 5 at 85#-my legs were trashed. The MetCon was an 8 minute AMRAP of alternating 10 box jump burpees and a 100m run. I completed 4 rounds of this!
On Thursday, SJ wanted me to work on hang cleans. If you recall, a few weeks ago, we did a clean complex in class and I struggled to get under the bar with 75# on it. She had me do sets of 3, adding plates each time to what I thought was 75#--but actually was 85#, which she told me after I successfully completed 2 reps and failed on the 3rd.
You can see the video on my IG. She was so excited about it and I was glad she didn't tell me until after the fact! I alternated those with bench hops. After that I did 30 second hollow holds alternating with single leg over dumbbell lifts, working the hip flexors. When we were done, I worked on the bar, doing several sets of knees to chest.
Off the Road...
I worked on Saturday morning--and it's been a rough week at work overall--but as soon as I finished with my last patient, I hit the road and met the hubs, Cocoa, and my father-in-law at the lake house. The hubs took me out for a ski and it was as fun as you would expect. After dinner, we went for a ride down the river. The skies continue to be hazy from the Canadian wildfires, which make for some interesting sunsets.
How was your week? Are you experiencing June Gloom? Is anyone else having issues with the wildfires? What are your race plans for the rest of the year? What are some wins you've had off the road?
I'm linking up with
Deborah and
Kim for the Weekly Rundown.
San Fran and Berkeley were definitely in that June gloom (thought it might just be me) but Napa was gorgeous and sunny. WE are not as hot and humid as usual but I'm ok w that. Sounds like you are ready to get your race done and dusted. I know you will love it once you are there! Hang in there
ReplyDeleteYou know it! I remember feeling this way before my marathons too. It's been a long training cycle!
DeleteIt's been an interesting year with the weather. Right now it doesn't feel like almost Summer. Though it is supposed to be hot this coming week. I love your shoes! I like your socks too. Good luck in your race!
ReplyDeleteThe race is still a couple of weeks away. I feel as if I've been training for it forever!
DeleteThose shoes are awesome! That poor deer -- but you are lucky, because they can do some really damage if they want to.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's been cool, cloudy, and rainy, but we need it and we had so much awesome weather in the last few months I'm not complaining. Good for Bandit (and us); don't have to walk him so early.
Enjoy your lake time!
You know I did!
DeleteGloomy? Blustery? What is going on? I'm having trouble imagining it down here in the inferno that is South Florida.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, now that I'm working on squats I can truly appreciate how much weight you're doing, how low you're getting (so low!) and also, front squats... I've never tried them but it looks so hard. I can see why your legs were trashed.
I'm excited for your race (possibly more excited than you are) and I want to hear your plans for the rest of the year. Hope you're enjoying the lake!
I got in some time on my pretty pink ski and an amazing trail run. So yeah, it was great!
DeleteLove those new shoes! Nice job with the weights! You're getting close to race day and it sounds like you're ready for a break from training. Looking forward to what you're planning for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm bringing the shoes to Brooks Hype Fest. I think a lot of people will be wearing them!
DeleteI'm slowing coming back alive after a sinus infection. We're having June Gloom and I'm not at all sad about it. I was talking to a friend last week and as natives we know the heat is coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are feeling better. There is a nasty upper respiratory virus making the rounds right now!
DeleteI agree that our Midwest summer is already short enough, we don't need any "non-summer-like" days thrown into the mix. We had a few really cool mornings last week, which felt like a fast-forward to fall. A big "no thank you" to that!
ReplyDeleteI actually don't mind the cool mornings but as long as the day warms up, I'm good.
Deletesame as Judy said since we live nearby.
ReplyDeleteI was able to get all my runs done and even a race missing the rain... but little sunshine this week.
I have a 7M race next week and thena 4m, 5k and then I start training for the big one...
The hubby picked tennis over the lake today... enjoy your time on the lake.
We didn't have a lot of sunshine either and what we did have was filtered by the smoke from the wildfires.
DeleteOver here we actually have some glorious June weather, best since we moved here 4 years ago. I totally agree that bad weather in the summer is a bit of waste of time when the summer is so short! I’m so sorry the Canadian wildfires are still going on and that they interfere with your running.
ReplyDeleteOur air quality today is in the unhealthy zone. You really do feel it when you're trying to run.
DeleteWe've had some gloriously sunny days but sadly today we had heavy rain and thunder right when our local Queens Heath Pride event was happening. It was also super-muggy for my run first thing - estimates varied between 85% and 95%!
ReplyDeleteEwww....humidity! We haven't had much of that yet. But it's coming!
DeleteI was happy that it wasn't 90 degrees on our party day this week!! I haven't even been swimming in our pool yet. It is a bit chilly for June.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteLooks like you had some beautiful runs. Can't wait to hear all about Leadville!
ReplyDeleteWe've had a cooler than normal June, but I'm not complaining! Any time we don't have humidity I'm happy!
Same!
DeleteWeather has been weird all over the place, it seems. It's been warm here, but not as warm as it usually is in mid-June, so I'll take it ;)
ReplyDeleteThose running shoes are awesome!
I love the design and the story behind it! They were designed by a trans artist named Wednesday Holmes.
DeleteNice job on those hang cleans! Amazing how much our brain messes with us. SJ did well not to tell you the weight.
ReplyDeleteWe're back in Zurich and I miss Crossfit!! Luckily, there's an outdoor gym nearby, so I'm using that to practice the toes-to-bar and the pull-ups. At least something!
I wonder if I ever will get toes-to-bar and a strict pull-up! I'm inching ever closer but sheesh!
DeleteHere june is hot like full summer, for this reason now my workouts start at 06:30 a.m.
ReplyDeleteNice job with the weights, you are working hard!
My plan is "not less than one race per month".
Have a good week.
It looks like we're heating up this week, so I will be part of the early run club!
DeleteA Post Of True Determination - Loved Every One Of These Photos - You So Rock
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs
Cheers
It's been a challenging couple of weeks!
Deletethe weather has definitely shifted here. we've moved into the grey sky, threatening to rain, thick Dutch humid air phase. I do not like it. we don't have a lot of airco here so it's humid and hot everywhere. inside, outside, in the train, in the office, in the bus... blurgh.
ReplyDeletebut you still got a lot done this week Wendy and nice you got to get out on the water again too!
love the shoes!
I'm so grateful we haven't hit the humid phase of summer yet. I can't imagine going to work with out AC!
DeleteI'm sorry the weather and the smoke are getting you down. We have crushing heat and humidity and constant thunderstorms. Usually, we get daily rain but it only lasts an hour, but this is just all dang day. I hate it. I hope this week is better and that you had fun at the lake house!
ReplyDeleteIt's always better at the lake!
DeleteI've noticed that Illinois people call it a lake house, Minnesotans call it a cabin (even if its essentially a house) and Michiganders call it a cottage! Sounds like a pretty solid week Wendy. Your strength training is ever so impressive!
ReplyDeleteI go back and forth between lake house and cabin, lol. That strength training is what keeps me running!
Delete