We're heating back up now, but this week provided me with some really nice weather for my runs. I've been struggling with running since Leadville. My foot injury hasn't helped either. Fortunately, the foot is improving. Between being able to run relatively pain free and having some cooler mornings this week, running has started to feel good again. I'm still going to follow up with the foot ortho, just to make sure everything is all good.
With no races on the calendar for the rest of the year, I'm currently not training for anything. I am working on building up my endurance to prepare myself for the Mammoth Challenge in October. I've got 43 miles to complete on the IAT and I only have 3 weekends free to devote to that. I'm determined to make it happen, and if you know me, you know that once I set my mind to something, I make it happen! Cooler weather will definitely be my friend. Stay tuned for that!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 9 miles
Monday: drive up to Madison with Cocoa
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 6 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: rest
Total miles for August: 75 miles
Running
I took a pass on the weekly Trail Sisters Chicago Northwest trail run and went to my preserve to do some single track. I really needed the alone time. As much as I love my runs with the group, when we are chatting, I find myself unable to focus on the run. Plus, most of the women in my trail group prefer running on the limestone paths to running on the single track trails.
It was a picture perfect morning. I didn't get out as early as I should have, but it wasn't too warm or humid. I took my time, making sure not to catch my toe on any tree roots. There were a few hikers on the trails, but for the most part, I had them to myself. I really needed this run!
It was another gorgeous morning on Wednesday, with temperatures around 60F. I could not wait to lace up and hit the trails again. I found myself dragging a bit, so I dug in and pushed myself to pick it up, including hopping over all the fallen trees that cross the path. This was fun and I found myself in a much better frame of mind than when I started. It's funny how that happens!
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| The sun kinda messed with my photos |
Strength Training
No CrossFit this week as I had to drive Cocoa up to the University of Wisconsin vet school clinic. On Thursday, I met with SJ for our weekly strength sesh. She had me work on cleans again, specifically clean complexes: hang cleans (above the knees), power cleans (from the floor), and a front squat. Technically, there are 3 front squats in each complex. As I worked on technique, with each complex, she added weight, building to a final weight of 85#, which I landed! This was a PR for my hang clean and while it wasn't as pretty as the ones I did with lighter weight, it was the one I was most proud of! She was very happy with this as well. I finished up with accessory work: a core movement using a resistance band and a PVC pipe alternating with back extensions on the GHD (holding a 10# plate). After that, I did some work on the bar on my own.
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| Smiling because I mixed up the order of the movements. But I got them done. You can see the full sequence HERE. |
Off the Road
As I mentioned above, on Monday, Cocoa and I hit the road and drove up to the UW Madison vet school clinic to meet with the surgeon and discuss her options. And yes, we had options!! Based on the relatively recent issues with the remaining ear, the surgeon consulted dermatology to review Cocoa's history and weigh in. In the veterinary world, the dermatologist manages ear issues as well as allergies, which Cocoa suffers from as well. The dermatologist examined her and said she didn't believe Cocoa's ear was 'end stage' and wanted to try some new topical treatments. The decision was mine- ugh- but based on the 'not end stage ear' diagnosis, I opted to try the dermatologist's recommendations. Surgery will be a last resort and I am happy she won't lose her hearing...yet. We have to go back in a couple of weeks and they are going to do another thorough exam. She was such a good girl and everyone told me how cooperative she was with the exams, which made this dog mama proud.
And can I just say how weird and kinda sad it was to be in Madison without my Badger alum?
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| Cocoa wouldn't cooperate for a photo |
How was your week? Are you starting to see signs of fall? What is on your calendar for the fall running season? Any PRs this week? Don't forget to check out my monthly book review post on Tuesday!
We had a nice weather week too and the heat is coming!
ReplyDeleteGood news about the foot. And about Cocoa.
As you know, I have a half and a full this fall. Trying to stress about either.
PRs are my past. LOL
Yep. Finishing is winning!
DeleteSounds like you got some good news re Cocoa. Looks like you had some nice running days this week. Those cooler mornings are always a gift!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice week for sure!
DeleteGood news about you and Cocoa.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos in the middle of the woods.
Some tastes of autumn here too: a little bit cooler and shorter days. I hope to race again on Sept. 24th.
That's great news!!!
DeleteI'm glad the surgery can be put off for longer for Cocoa. Hope the new meds give her some relief.
ReplyDeleteThere are times I really just prefer to be on my own on a run too. The cooler mornings this week were really awesome, weren't they?
Such a gift!
DeleteOur weather is all over the place - extreme heat early in the week and rain with cooler temps yesterday. False Fall gives me hope but I know summer isn't done with us. PRs for Les this week - we did his first half marathon distance on the trail. I'm pretty proud of my "coaching" - he's 5 weeks out from his Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and currently injury free. His brother has no plans to run at all, so convincing Les that time on his feet, no matter the pace has been the biggest challenge.
ReplyDeleteI would think he'd want to get more miles on his feet for that challenge, just for the confidence going into it!
DeleteI checked out your instagram post- that is impressive. Congrats on that PR!
ReplyDeleteYour trail runs look so, so beautiful. I'm glad the foot is feeling good. I'm looking forward to hearing all about that Mammoth challenge! You've got quite a few miles to complete in those three weekends, but I have no doubt you can do it- it will be an adventure!
Looking forward to the book review post.
I may have to do back to back days on the trail for that challenge to get all the miles in. But I am determined to get it done!
DeleteGreat job on that clean complex!!
ReplyDeleteThat video really demonstrates well how hard it is. 85 lbs are heavy!!
Isn't autumn a perfect season for runners?
How are you going to get those 43 miles done in 3 weekends? Evenly distributed? Or one heavy weekend and two lighter ones?
Plus I did the complex in reverse, lol! My PR lift was done correctly lol.
DeleteI haven't quite decided how I'm going to get the challenge done, but most likely I'll do a couple of back to back days on the trails. My running group has offered to keep me company, so that is an option as well!
Love your smiling, strong photo! It's turning autumnal here with misty mornings and leaf colour changes, although it's also warm and staying so this week. No races planned, I'm toying with the idea of the Birmingham half in May but am not sure I will manage it. Feeling a bit down about my running so no talk of that. Would just like a good one, but maybe that needs me to sleep better and have fewer worries.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you about my running right now. Leadville really took a toll on me, physically, and I haven't quite recovered from that. I've never had that happen before.
DeleteI hear you - last time I really could not be arsed was after my ultra when all I wanted to do was eat and sleep!
DeleteLooks like some nice weather! IT is HOT and humid this weekend here, doesn't feel like fall at all but that is fine wiht me. I refuse to believe fall is coming :)
ReplyDeleteI want it to come, actually! I need some runs that feel good!
DeleteYour trail runs are always so pretty. Glad you enjoyed your run on the paved trail as well. That's definitely a very different experience when you're used to dirt trails.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about Cocoa - I hope the topical treatment works. I totally get it about visiting campus when your child is no longer there.
I try to run pavement at least once per week, just to mix it up and to work on speed.
DeleteThe trail run looks really fun. Did you take your own photos or did someone take them for you? I should do more trail runs, but I don't have any near by (other than the path NEXT to the bike trail) and I run pavement most of the time (without issues so far - knock on wood).
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that there were options for Cocoa and I hope the treatment helps!
I take my own photos--always on the lookout for a good spot to prop up my phone!
DeleteWe had a taste of fall here too and I was all for it! The humidity returned with a vengeance today.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have options for Cocoa! Hope the new treatment plan works!
We shall see. She loves the steroids, lol
DeleteNice job on the PR! When I was driving home from RAGBRAI in July (after having ridden from Ames to DSM that day), it occurred to me that I probably wouldn't be making that drive again for a long time. The youngest, who graduated from ISU back in December, moved out to Charlotte NC the day after RAGBRAI had gone through, so we no longer have any offspring living near the ISU campus. It really IS a sad, surreal experience...
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they feel wistful about these passages? I think it's harder for us.
DeleteThat is such good news about the foot and your running! Your strength work looks amazing as always! Congratulations on that PR too. I can relate to not being able to focus on the running when you run with other people. Only using an app for my run/walk intervals was distracting enough for me! Your trail runs look fantastic. I miss having a forest like that in my area. There is one, but not within walking distance.
ReplyDeleteWe've had some cooler mornings but now the summer weather has returned so I'm going to enjoy every bit of that.
We are so lucky to have these forest preserves--living outside of Chicago, it is very congested.
DeleteLooks like you had some fun runs this week. The cooler temps brought me some much needed mood boosts too! Glad you had options for Cocoa, and I hope the new treatment is successful.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love summer, I am looking forward to some cooler running temperatures!
DeleteI meant to ask about Cocoa, but I'm glad she is doing well! Cooler temps would be such a blessing right now. This heat is exhausting. You sound like you have a great plan in place.
ReplyDeleteWe finally got a break in the heat today! I'm looking forward to some better runs.
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