A Break From the Heat

I returned home on Sunday from Alabama and back to the steamy conditions we've been experiencing for most of summer. But by mid-week, cooler, more temperate weather blew in, and it looks like it is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It feels good and dare I say-almost cold compared to what we've been experiencing. But you'll get no complaints from me.

It was also back to work for me and a return to the chaos of 'school physical season' in my office. Every year, we get phone calls from panicked parents who waited until the last minute to schedule their kids' annual physicals. Believe it or not, we are already scheduled through September. That, plus the continued influx of newborns, had me hopping! It's a good problem to have, but I will be glad when the rush is over!

Weekly Rundown:

Sunday: waterskiing

Monday: auxiliary strength

Tuesday: Yoga with Adriene

Wednesday: trail run 7 miles

Thursday: auxiliary strength

Friday: run 6 miles

Saturday: rest/work

Holly and I got in one last waterski before she took me to the airport to return home. It was another hot, steamy Alabama morning, but conditions were pretty perfect on the water! We returned the boat to the dock, had lunch, and said goodbye to Teresa. I always enjoy the ride to Birmingham from Holly's house--it takes about 1.5 hours, and we get a little more time together. My flight to Chicago was delayed due to 'weather', but looking at the radar, I saw nothing. I finally landed at 8 pm, and the hubs was there to whisk me home.

Woooo, it was hot and it was steamy Monday morning when I walked into the gym. I felt like I was still in Alabama. I knew it was going to be a tough workout no matter what we did! We started a new 4 week cycle of movements.

Rotation 1: 4 x8 landmine clean and press. (45#)--probably could have gone heavier.

Rotation 2: 4 x:40 (1:20 rest) goblet squats (35#)

Rotation 3: AMRAP ladder drills

Rotation 4: Slam ball broad jump laps

I stayed after class to work on this week's summer challenge: "Let's Monkey Around". There were 3 movements:

-Scale the rig 12 times. I tried to do it as written, but it was really hard. I also tried different modifications--hanging monkey arms or hanging monkey arms using a plate for assistance. It's really hard to hang from an overhead bar using only one arm. I managed to move back and forth 5 times on one section of the rig, and my shoulder started to hurt. 

-Oh, but wait! There's more! 50 pullovers. I tried, but I was too sweaty and slipped off the bench. 

-The last movement is 150 PVC sit-ups--doing straight leg situps with a PVC pipe behind your shoulders. 

We are allowed to modify the movements, and I worked on the first movement. I attempted to scale the rig, but I couldn't get around the poles that hold it up. So then I moved my hands back and forth on one section. I did this about 10 times and finally gave up.

With impending storms, I was up and out the door early on Wednesday to hit the trails. It was another very humid morning. While I was driving into the preserve, I saw both does with their fawns along the road, confirming what I thought--that there are 2 mamas in the woods. I didn't think I'd see them again, but on my run, I did, separately, seeing the doe and fawn as I finished up. I also saw a buck chilling in the woods, as well as several other deer.

It looks like the mushrooms are starting to dry up, but I did see a few more new-to-me versions. This has really been a fun summer in the woods! The humidity started to take a toll, and my final mile was more of a walk than a run.

Thursday's auxiliary strength workout had 3 rotations. We had 8 minutes per rotation to complete the movements.

Rotation 1: 4 x8 seated press/arm (20#)

Rotation 2: 3x max effort pull-ups. I did 3 sets of 5 using the red band and assistance from one of my classmates.

Rotation 3: 4 x10/side med ball (12#) twist throws. I just love these!

Afterwards, we did an E3MOM with 15 minutes on the clock of :20 assault bike sprints. Everyone laughs at me because I actually like sprints-reminds me of speedwork we do for running!

Then I set out to work on the summer challenge. After Monday, I was all set to quit, but a couple of classmates shared some modifications with me. To modify the scaling the rig, I started on a box and dropped one foot off the side and dropping one arm, switching back and forth. I had to do 80 of these--I counted the 10 I did on Monday--and finished them. I did sets of 10, rotating through all 3 movements. I modified the PVC straight leg situps, doing them without the PVC pipe. I completed 80--I will finish the other 70 at home over the next couple of days. The pullovers I did on the ground, holding onto the rig while lifting my legs over my head. I was required to do 80 of the modified version, and I completed those. This was the last week of the summer challenge, and I'm glad I didn't quit!

 

Friday morning was smoky but cool. Even with the Air Quality Alert, I laced up and headed to the bike path. The cool air felt good, and I wanted to see the sunrise. The smoky skies make the best sunrises, and I wasn't disappointed! Overall, this was a decently paced run that set me up for what was a really challenging day at work.

Off the road...

After work on Saturday, I met my coworkers at a nail salon for mani/pedis!. One of my partners retired last week, and she treated us! She's standing in front of me. I do love my coworkers. 

How was your week? Did you get a break from the heat? Are you experiencing smoky skies? 

PS I published my monthly book reviews on Friday! You can check out that post HERE. A few years ago, I reviewed The Hunting Wives. It's now a series on Netflix, and oh mylanta, it is raunchy! And totally bingeable.

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