Staycation

I've been off work all week! I always take a week off in July and one in August because summer is just too short. Sometimes I have travel plans, like I did in July, and sometimes I stay home, like I did this week. I didn't get as much downtime as I hoped, between my parents and my appointments, and wedding planning duties, but there was time for fun! The hubs and I went to a Cubs game (more on that below) and at the end of the week, went up to the lake!

Sometimes it's fun just to wake up with no plans! Wouldn't you agree?

Weekly Rundown:

Sunday: rest 

Monday: trail run 6 miles

Tuesday: auxiliary strength

Wednesday: trail run 6.5 miles

Thursday: auxiliary strength

Friday: run 6.1 miles

Saturday:

I wasn't feeling well on Sunday, plus it was rainy, plus my knee was unhappy, so I spent the day off my feet. On Monday, I headed to the preserve for a run on the main trail loop. After all the rain we had overnight, I knew the single tracks would be messy. I didn't expect to see much, but the bucks and the mamas were out. I even saw a few mushrooms. The trail was a little sloppy, and I ended up with muddy shoes. It's been a while since that happened!

Since I missed Monday's auxiliary strength sesh, I did a modified workout at home. We had 3 rotations of movements, and I set the timer for 8 minutes each. 

Rotation 1: 3x max effort push-ups. I did sets of 10.

Rotation 2: 5 x 50m sled push. Since I don't have a sled at home, I did 5 sets of incline sprints (10%) on my treadmill, 20 seconds each at 10m/m setting.

Rotation 3: AMRAP plate pinch catch done with 10# plate in each hand. I'm not sure how many I did!

Sprints E3MOM x 15 minutes. The workout called for 30 seconds of rowing; I subbed 20 seconds on the assault bike.

On Wednesday, it took a little extra push, but I got out the door early for my trail run. Instead of my usual route, I pulled in the first entrance, deciding to do the 3+ miles there and crossing the street to the part of the preserve I normally run. But on my way there, I saw the sandhills--not sure if it was the original Bob and Sandy--without the kids. I also saw a rare monarch. The butterflies have been scarce this summer. 

I also saw the three does--but not together. The rest of my run was pretty uneventful, but it sure was beautiful!

It was back to the gym for auxiliary strength on Thursday. We had 4 rotations, 10 minutes of work time each.

Rotation 1: 4 x8 turkish sit ups (10# dumbbell each hand). I did 5 rounds

Rotation 2: 5 x10 partner lying catch/throws (14# wallball). These were fun. My poor partner, though, I dropped the ball on her face.

Rotation 3: 4 x8 landmine thruster (75#) I did 5 rounds

Rotation 4: 4 x10 reverse hypers/GHD machine (8# wall ball between my feet). I did 5 rounds

After 2 cups of coffee, I felt ready for my Friday bike path run. I would have liked to get out even earlier, but since I didn't have to go to work, and it was cooler outside, I figured I could take my time. It's so freeing not having anywhere to be! I thought I might feel sore from Thursday's workout, but my legs were ready to go! It was still fairly humid, so after 2 miles, I started slowing down. I stopped a few times to take photos, including this one of the night heron I spotted sitting on a culvert that drains into the creek. I've never seen one of these birds before! The bright sunshine made getting a good photo challenging--the bird was more gray IRL. 

Off the road...

After Monday's run, the hubs and I headed to the city for a Cubs game! I was excited for this one because they were playing the Milwaukee Brewers. The rivalry is strong between these two teams. The weather held out for us, but the Cubs disappointed. They were terrible. They changed pitchers 5 times, and the batting was lethargic. They lost 7-0. We left in disgust during the 8th inning and drove to a restaurant/brewery, Forbidden Root, in the Ravenswood neighborhood. I'd been here in the past with my boys and had been wanting to take Mike there--I thought he'd really enjoy it. I wasn't wrong, lol. The brewery and restaurant use seasonal, local ingredients in the food and beer. It's really unique, and everything we had was delicious. He already wants to go back. It was great to end our day with a win!

On Wednesday, I drove out to my parents' to accompany them to my dad's hematology appointment. His last blood count was basically the same as last time, which means no progression towards leukemia. He will continue to have monthly blood counts. We go back downtown to see the specialist in October. My sisters and I have finally convinced my dad to talk to our care manager for some psychological support. He is struggling with the changes in my mom, and as much as we all are providing support to him, he really needs a professional. 

We drove up to the lake house on Saturday. It was beautiful and pleasantly cool, but very windy. Too windy to go out on the boat, waterskiing was off the table. I didn't mind. While preparing dinner on Friday, I accidentally sliced my thumb with a knife while slicing veggies. It was a deep cut, and I wasn't sure if I should expose it to the lake water. The poor conditions on the lake gave me the perfect excuse to take a pass, and instead, I washed windows.  We went to a brewpub for lunch, meeting my youngest son and his girlfriend and her parents--for the first time. We really liked them!

How was your week? Is it cooling off where you are? Do you struggle with getting good photos in the sun? Do you like to take staycations?

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