Our summer's theme of heat, humidity, and smoke continued this week. Last week's cooler temperatures felt so good, but they were just a minor reprieve. Wednesday's run felt fine despite the smoky skies, but I paid for it later! I've never smoked, but I had chest tightness and a cough after that run. It felt as if I'd smoked a pack of cigarettes. I do love summer, but this year summer has been on fire!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: run with trail sisters 6 miles
Monday: auxiliary strength
Tuesday: Yoga with Adriene
Wednesday: trail run 7.5 miles
Thursday: auxiliary strength
Friday: Fluid Running
Saturday: waterskiing
I met my Trail Sisters at a preserve close to my parents' home. Only 5 trail sisters, 1 trail bro, and a dog were there for the run. Ilisa, our leader, asked the bro to lead us as this isn't a trail we run very often. Weeeelll....this trail runner was a little unhappy with the route he took us on. You know I love my single track, and there is plenty of that. While he took us on some of those trails, most of the running we did was on gravel trails that surround the preserve. He led us back to the parking lot after only 3.5 miles, and some of us decided to go back in for more. He offered to lead us again — we got a little more mileage and some single track. It was fine, but not the run I was hoping to have.
When we finished up, we spotted a mama deer and her fawn. Silver lining, right? If we hadn't gone that way, we might not have seen them!
Monday's auxiliary strength session had 4 different movements, 10 minutes each:
Rotation 1: 4 x8/leg: weighted (25# single DB) single leg step up with leg drive
Rotation 2: 4 x to failure seated banded row (green band, 12 reps, I did 5x because I had extra time)
Rotation 3: AMRAP low box jump medley: 18", 20", 24" (step up, drop off). 24" (step up, drop off) x 20
Rotation 4: 4 x10 chest throws to the wall (14# medball, did 5x)
Humid and smoky is the best way to describe Wednesday's trail run. It was sunny, but with an AQI of 145 and a 'feels like' temperature of 91F, this run was a challenge. There was plenty to distract me, though! I saw 3 bucks chilling in the woods in the same spot where I saw one last week. This must be 'the spot'. I also saw a group of does and fawns deep in the woods, but I was too far away to get a photo. They were watching me very closely, too, and I didn't want to scare them. After I passed by, I had the thought that they reminded me of 'Mean Girls', standing around and judging me, lol. The things that go through my head on the run!
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| That 'haze' is actually smoke from the Canadian wildfires. |
Thursday's auxiliary strength workout had 4 different movements, 10 minutes each:
Rotation 1: 4 x12 landmine squats (60#)
Rotation 2: 4 x8 Pendlay rows (85#)
Rotation 3: AMRAP battle ropes x 15 seconds
Roration 4: AMRAP hurdle medley course
I loved these movements, but the heat took a toll when I got to the hurdles. My heart rate spiked multiple times, and I even got dizzy. I recovered between reps, but still felt a little off the rest of the day.
It was a happy coincidence to see 6 of us wearing our gym t-shirts to class that day!
Still feeling a little off after Thursday's workout and not wanting to deal with the heat and humidity, I returned to the outdoor pool for a Fluid Running sesh. No photos. The water felt great, and it was just what I needed before heading into work.
On Saturday, we drove up to the lake, and by 9:30, I was behind the boat on my ski! The water was a little rough, but the hubs did his best to find me some calm spots. Holly would have been proud of me!
Off the road...
After Thursday's workout, I drove out to my parents' to meet my mom for her semi-annual neurology appointment. I was saddened to learn that her cognitive screening score dropped 6 points from last time. I have noticed some subtle changes--my mom is very good at covering up her lapses-- but this was a reality check. My dad still vacillates between reality and denial; he also fights us on having the caregiver. This has been a recurring theme, and the nurse practitioner backed me up when I told him that it was this or assisted living. He said he would prefer if we just left them alone. He says he's helping my mom, and he might believe that, but in reality, he is not. After the visit, we found him sitting in an empty waiting room. I am worried about him. I was incredibly sad on my drive home.
Late last night, Cocoa was shaking and couldn't get comfortable. I was nervous, thinking about what happened to my beloved Cleo, so off we went to the UW veterinary ER in Madison. They checked her out, and nothing serious, thank goodness. We took her out in the boat earlier, and she was drinking some lake water--that was most likely the culprit. After some IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine, we were on our way home. Guys, I was less than a half mile from the lake house when a deer ran into the side of the car! Come on, man! I thought they were my friends, lol. The deer ran off, and my hubs' car got a small dent in the side.
How was your week? Are you dealing with extreme heat and wildfire smoke? What was your favorite workout this week?
Oh gosh you had quite a week between your mom’s appt, a scare with your dog, and being hit by a deer! Sheesh! My week was a walk in the park compared to yours. We had friends over for dinner last night and one of them has a mom with advanced early onset Alzheimer’s. It was really sad to hear how she has deteriorated. Her husband is providing all the care. When they left I told Phil that if ever happened to me, I would want him to put me in a care home or hire help. It is a lot for a care giver (in this case the husband has to bathe his wife, help with feeding, etc, so it’s very very intense). Gah. It’s all so sad and I hope there are better drug treatments by the time either of us is at risk for Alzheimer’s. I do not have a family history but Phil does.
ReplyDeleteWe have had so much wildfire smoke this summer. It has canceled some of the activities at Paul’s summer program, like pool days. It is sad that this seems to be what we will deal with going forward. :(
My favorite workout this week was my 4 mile run on Tuesday morning. I had the day off to go to 3 doctor appts so went for a run around the lake by our house after dropping Paul as his day camp. It’s such a pretty area to run!
One of the other bloggers in our group used to live in Minneapolis and ran around the lake there. It looks so beautiful!
DeleteI am much more sensitive to the heat now as well and that’s really why I am not running right now it’s just not enjoyable for me in this humidity and heat. It is so hard to watch our parents age-and I can only imagine how I will feel if I am lucky enough to live that long myself. We want my mom to hire a driver PT for my dad to take him to appts so she does not have to be an Uber everyday but he won’t hear of it. It is a struggle! I feel you
ReplyDeleteLol on the 'mean girl" deers. Overall it sounds like a challenging week with the heat, smoke, and parental worries- you're good at putting a positive spin on it!
ReplyDeleteI think you're in one of the toughest spots right now with your parents. I remember how we had to fight with my dad to get him into assisted living. But once we got over that hurdle, things got so much easier. After a lot of complaining and adjusting, he actually liked assisted living. If you can just get to that point, things will be easier. I know- it's super hard right now.
I hope you have some clearer air this week!
Oh, gosh, what a week! I’m glad the deer didn’t do serious damage — or cause a major crash!
ReplyDeleteThat is so hard about both your parents. Sending lots of support your way.
Glad Cocoa is on the mend!
Opps - that comment is from me. :-)
DeleteSorry for all the turmoil this week. At least we have our fitness to help us cope. Poor Cocoa, I hope she’s feeling better. That would be so scary. And the aging parents…I’m on the doorstep, but not quite “inside” yet. I can really see a difference each time we’re together, especially with my mom. I know I will have a similar battle awaiting me when it’s time for assisted living discussions, etc.
ReplyDelete