The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer, but there's still plenty of summer-like weather left! We had some amazing weather this week--finally! I enjoyed some really nice runs that made me feel like a runner again. While I worked up a sweat, it was nice not to be drenched when I finished. 

It's my favorite time of year, and I plan to make the most of it!

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: Ice Age Trail Run 7.1m/1200ft

Monday: strength training

Tuesday: Yoga with Adriene

Wednesday: trail run 7.25 miles

Thursday: strength training

Friday: run 6 miles

Saturday: fun at the lake

We were still up at the lake house on Sunday, a cool, breezy morning. There would be no waterskiing, so I took my feet to the Gibraltar Segment of the IAT. I hadn't been there for 2 months! Summer flies by so fast. Speaking of flies--I was hoping the cooler weather would keep them away, and I was right. I had the woods mostly to myself, save for a fellow hiker, a man who kind of gave me the creeps. I can't pinpoint what it was, but he made me uncomfortable. I made sure to put a lot of space between us, and I was relieved when I heard his truck drive away. 

After that, I completely enjoyed my time on the trails. I was surprised to see so many different variety of mushrooms! Whatever will I photograph after this summer of mushrooms comes to an end? 

So on Monday, auxiliary strength started getting us ready for this fall's powerlifting strength cycle. We started with a review of deadlift technique and then started building for a heavy deadlift, 4 x 3. I maxed at 180# as did my partner. Not bad after no heavy lifting for 9 months!

We finished up with accessory work, 3 x3 box jumps (18") alternating with 3 x8 per leg barbell reverse lunges (empty BB). 

It was too cold to go to the pool on Tuesday (53F), so I took my feet to the mat. My back was tight--I tweaked it on my last deadlift-- so I chose Adriene's Pelvic Floor Yoga. It was the perfect choice-my back loosened up nicely- and I felt great when I finished.

Wednesday morning was absolutely beautiful--55F and bright blue skies. I was excited to hit the trails. It was very peaceful--there were few people on the trails, but I did run into my friend Amy with her vizsla Greta, whom I haven't seen in a long time! I saw lots of wildflowers, but only one deer, which was hiding in the foliage at the very end of my run. No complaints! I could have this weather all year round!

On Thursday at the gym, we worked on bench presses, building through 4 sets of 3 lifts. I was thrilled with hitting 85# for my last set. I have a long standing goal of hitting 100# for my 1 rep max--this was a great start! As SJ said to me after class, "You all got stronger!" Yes, we did!

After we finished bench pressing, we had accessory work: 

5 x1 lap broad jumps

5 x 5-seconds pull-up negatives.

I had an early meeting before work Friday morning, but wanted to get a run in prior to starting my very long day. I was up and out the door at 5:30 in the pitch black morning. No fear, I was wearing my NoxGear. Yes, I'm a poet...lol. Anyhoo, on my way on this out and back, I stopped to admire the predawn sky. My pace was brisk, thanks to the cool (55F) conditions. On the way back, I stopped at that same spot to admire the sunrise. It was a really peaceful run and set me up to stay calm throughout my busy day at work. 

We went up to the lake for the long weekend and were joined by my sister and her husband. The weather could not have been better. We enjoyed time on the water and just hanging out in the backyard, wrapping up the day sitting around the fire. We had lots of laughs! After this ridiculously hot summer, it was so nice that Mother Nature bestowed this perfect weather on us.

How was your week? Are you enjoying cooler conditions? Are you seeing any signs of fall? Any plans for the long weekend?

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