It was hard to believe that the time had gone so fast since my son and his girlfriend had announced their engagement 15 months ago. But here we are--wedding weekend! This week was all about last minute preparations and wrapping up all the details we've been planning for the past year! The runs and the workouts continued uninterrupted, though. I would never have gotten through this weekend without them!
...THE WEDDING.
EEEK! It's here!
Next week is my oldest son's wedding. All the planning is done and the big--very big--event takes place next weekend. This week will be all about preparing for the big day. I am excited and also anxious! I've been asked to give a speech at the wedding, and I have it written. I'm only working one day this week. My future DIL and I have plans on Wednesday for a mani-pedi, which will be relaxing and a chance for us to decompress. And yes, the workouts and runs will continue, right up to the big day.
It feels like a marathon, with all the pre-race jitters!
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!
Throughout my adult life, I've used running to help me through the tough times. When the pandemic hit, and there was nowhere to run, I discovered the trails, both near my house and up in Wisconsin. The trails have become a refuge for me, a place to escape from the heaviness of life and to soak up nature, appreciating the simplicity of listening to birds, watching the deer, and looking for mushrooms. I like to go early in the morning, while it's still peaceful. Instead of feeling fearful about being alone, I savor the solitude.
Every time I run the trails, I see something new. Nature is always changing, and that keeps things interesting for me. On Wednesday this week, I didn't see any deer and very few mushrooms. But as fall approaches, the sun is a little lower in the sky, and this year we have smoke from the Canadian wildfires, which has kept things interesting, at least from a photographic perspective. Imagine my surprise when I came upon this spot on the main trail! I thought it might make a pretty selfie, so I set up my tripod and used the 10 second timer. I jogged down the trail, waited for the fast flash, and ran towards the camera. One take was all I needed.
One of my Trail Sisters once commented that I am very observant. When I run on these trails, my head is on a swivel. I'm looking for tree roots on the trail. I'm looking for deer, of course. But while I'm looking around, I spot a lot of good stuff. This year, it was the mushrooms. And sometimes, the good stuff is the angle of the sun on the trail. I always leave these trails feeling content and calm.
What will I see next week?
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!
Not only did we have a lot of rain this week, but I also spent a lot of time on the water. I love being on the water, whether I'm in the boat, on a ski, or in my kayak. I was able to do all those things this week!
I also worked on easing my knee back into running--as you might expect, it didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. But I got some good mileage in. The rain didn't keep me inside, although the humidity was off the charts. There was no escaping the water this week!
Yes, I got my answers this week to what was going on with my knee, as well as my treatment plan. Meanwhile, with my activity modifications, the pain calmed down to almost no pain--except when I did too much. I mean, 'too much' according to my knee. When my knee starts to bother me, I pull on my compression sleeve, which helps quite a bit. Hopefully, I'll be back to running soon.
I runfess: It's too hot to run anyway.
For the past couple of weeks, the temperatures have been in the 90F/30Cs with high humidity. The real feel has been over 100F/40C. It's just gross. It feels as if we are living in the tropics instead of the Midwest. We're not used to this!
This week was all about moving my body in a way that didn't aggravate my knee injury. It helped that as the week went on, the pain lessened. I'm so glad that I'm able to walk. When I first started walking on my trails, I felt like it was taking forever! But as the week went on, I started to enjoy the slower pace. I'm spotting a lot more things that I might not have seen had I been running. And I have to admit that I'm glad to be walking when we are experiencing some of the highest temperatures we've had in years!
I'm working hard to keep my miles up so that when I'm ready to return to running, it won't be like starting over again! Fingers crossed that it will happen soon.
I was all confused this week--my work schedule was altered to accommodate my 3 partners who were all out of the office this week. Plus, I had to drive my parents downtown on Monday for a doctor's appointment at Northwestern. More on that below. Besides my work schedule, the only other thing consistent in my life is my workout schedule, and I had to move things around to fit into my days. I got it all done, though! I think that is what kept me sane. I like to think that I'm pretty flexible, but this week I didn't know if I was coming or going!
Is anyone else hearing the Cars' song All Mixed Up running through their head right now? Or is it just me?
This really is the best time of year to be a runner! Or is it fall? I love them both so much. As for all my complaining about the slow arrival of spring, I will grudgingly admit that these cooler temperatures have made for some great runs. It has also allowed me to really appreciate the arrival of all the blooms. I've made sure to get out early to soak up all the beauty and solitude that comes with being alone on the trails.
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Yep, the weather has been kind of sucky, but that hasn't stopped me from getting outside and getting it done. I have to admit that even though the temperature has been more like April than late May, it's given me some really decent runs. What would be ideal? Cool mornings and warm afternoons. Wouldn't you agree?
We're up at the lake for this Memorial Day weekend. Sadly, it's going to be too cool for any waterskiing, even in a wetsuit. I can only hope that it starts to warm up! At least the rain is gone. I'm looking forward to hitting the trails on Sunday and Monday. Check out my IG for the details!
Living in the Midwest, we're used to wild weather swings. This past week was off-the-charts bonkers. Considering what we've experienced this year so far, that's saying a lot. It was record-breaking warm, so wild weather was to be expected, but a DUST STORM? That was a first for me. I'm glad I wasn't outside when it blew in. I wear hard contacts, and when dust gets in my eyes, it's a very painful experience. Back in the day when my boys played baseball and the bored players kicked up the dust on the diamond, I'd have to run to the car with my eyes closed to avoid the dreaded contact attack. IYKYK
Anyhoo, the dust storm was weird. I wondered if the locusts were next. Is it the end of times? Not to get all deep and philosophical, but fellow Midwesterners have to agree, we've been subjected to some really extreme conditions these past couple of years. Mother Nature's got some splaining to do.
Meanwhile, today we're in the 50s, after breaking records for highs in the 90s just 2 days ago. The wind continues to blow. Dare I ask: what next?
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Last week, I asked for sunshine and Mother Nature delivered. It wasn't especially warm--Lake Michigan is to blame for that--but I can't complain. Everything is in bloom, and I enjoyed lots of time outside soaking it all in. I can't get enough!
Did I say lots of time outside? Read on...
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As far as springs go, this one hasn't brought its best conditions. In fact, I'd rate it a 5/10, and that's generous. A lifelong Midwesterner, I long for spring after our cold winters. But this year it's been slow to warm up. The sun has been MIA most days. And let's not even talk about the incessant wind.
Despite the poor conditions, I have been getting all my runs done outside. Thank goodness for good gear! While spring is slowly arriving, I am seeing color on my runs. Green grass, leaves budding on the trees, mushrooms popping up, and flowers blooming. Now if it could warm up...
I have been a runner for most of my adult life. The impact that running has had on me is immeasurable. From mental health to physical fitness, from confidence to composure, from youthfulness to body acceptance--the list could go on forever-- running has provided me with so much more than miles. After two runs with friends this week, I was reminded once again of the many benefits of this never-ending gift.
My why regarding running has changed over the years, but no matter what reason I have for a particular run, I always get so much more than I need. Even the bad runs teach me something--and really, is there ever a bad run? I feel so lucky to be a runner; as I age, even more so! Running truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
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I hate to be that person who talks about the weather, but as a runner, it's in my DNA. While we in the Midwest are accustomed to wild weather swings, this spring has been more challenging than usual. Don't like the weather? Just wait--it will change. And let's not even talk about the ever-present wind. It's enough to send a runner to the treadmill!
That may be an exaggeration, but I'm glad that I'm not training for anything. Content to 'just run', I got all my miles in this week. I'm always grateful for the sunshine, even on the cooler days. I also received some new gear, which always makes me happy!
Will Spring ever come? It was a gloomy, cool week here in Chicagoland--at least until the end of the week when the sun finally came out! That didn't stop me from taking all my runs outdoors. I had a lot of fun on my trail runs leaping over puddles and fallen trees. It sure keeps things interesting!
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It has been A WEEK.
Volatile weather, wild swings on the stock market, and 3 trips out to see my parents kept me on my toes. Add to that all those extra work projects I'm involved in. I had to be flexible with my workout schedule and I got it all in except for one run. I'm really leaning into my workouts for stress relief as well as committing to them as 'my time'. I'm going to do my best to not let anything get in the way of that.
The week ended on a high note, though. On Saturday, I had a date with Erica at a sound bath in the city. After that, I met up with the kids for some beers. It's always so great to see them and any time I'm in the city, I do my best to connect!
After all that activity of the past two weeks, I settled back into the routine of everyday life. But not before I ran a race! Long-time readers know that I like to run the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k in March—it's a race that I return to year after year. I think I first ran it in 1993. My youngest son said he'd run with me. This was his longest race distance so far.
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| The iconic Columbus Drive start line |
For the past couple of weeks, it has felt that way! This is a long post, but it's mostly photos. It's been a busy but very fun couple of weeks out of the office.
