About Me

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Here comes the sun!






What a sunshiny and glorious week! The theme? Here comes the sun, let's get it done! 

Monday had warm temps with a slight break from the massive humidity. I spent most of the day at my desk (at work). Apparently the five miles on Saturday and three miles on Sunday did a number on me because that single Monday mile felt pretty slow and sluggish....even in the cooler weather. But I got it done.

#nevermissaMonday
Tuesday was pretty uneventful. Work. No running. Planking. 

I have been craving a sunrise run, so I was out the door by 5:20 on Wednesday for some early morning miles. I was quickly reminded of the beautiful calm and tranquility that accompanies an early morning jaunt in the running shoes. One great thing about getting the run done early is that I get a huge boost of mojo to start my day. And, often times, when the fitness happens so early, I forget about it...and get a huge happy "surprise" when I finally remember it later in the day.

Early morning "sunrise miles" are the best
Thursday also blessed us with pleasant temps. I didn't have any necessary miles to do, but I did sneak in a 4:02 plank while home for lunch.
Yes. Planking in my work clothes. It happens.

Friday also had me lacing up and heading out for another sunrise run. Why, oh why, have I not been doing these early morning runs more often?

A couple of sunrise miles felt great!
I was off work shortly after lunch, but I had an evening of tile work on the agenda. Our first home was a townhouse in Iowa City. We still own it, but now rent it out. Our tenants were gone for the entire week, so the husband had been going over every day to do some repair work in the bathroom....replacing the tub/shower unit and sub-floor. He had tiled the wall surrounding the tub, and now it was my turn to help with tiling the floor.

I'm also taking part in a squat challenge for the month of July. Although I did not keep track of total numbers (or cumulative minutes), I did spend a couple hours in an almost continuous squat position over the bathroom floor, "buttering" the tiles with mastic, laying our the tiles and adjusting the spacing of said tiles.

Tile squats, not for sissies!

Saturday morning had us back in the car, returning to the townhouse for more maintenance work...including grouting the floor tiles (which also involved a few more hours of squatting over the floor).

Did I mention that my booty was feeling ever-so-sore from all the previous evening's tile work? Granted, there are special knee pads you can strap on to make the tiling job a bit easier, but I simply prefer to just stay on my feet (and squat) instead of working on my knees. A couple hours later, we were done and quite pleased with how the new bathroom looked!

What do you think? 
Sunday gave me another opportunity for a run in the sun. Although I didn't make it out the door until mid-morning, I still had mild temps and ample sunshine.

I even dug out an old favorite pair of shoes, my Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's. These were the shoes that got me through my first two marathons (Quad Cities Marathon 2013 and IMT Des Moines Marathon 2014). They are probably well past their prime, given the number of miles, smiles, and races within the laces....but I have not been able to let them go. They still feel oh-so-comfy! I would probably not do a long run (or race) in them, but that quick mile on Sunday morning felt simple effortless, and my wonky foot felt great.

I totally LOVE these shoes!!!!
 I also did several hours of garden squats...digging up and transplanting numerous hostas (in my yard, and also at my parents' house).

In other news:

Ever in the midst of fashion dilemmas, I noticed my hot pink nail polish kind of clashed (ever-so-slightly) with my pretty orange sandals. All was not lost on this outfit, though, because I also noticed the blue athletic tape coordinated nicely with my dress.


Also, speaking of fashion.....I had to laugh out loud when I noticed I had color-matched my headband and shoes to the pretty pink of the logo on my shirt. And I did it without even realizing. Seriously, I cannot make this stuff up.


We had a wild storm blow through late  Thursday afternoon. It was over and done within 30 minutes, but the sky was looking pretty scary on my drive home from work.


And, last of all, I'm in the midst of another monthly challenge, this one involves squats. We're calling it the Booty Patrol. My tush felt pretty shredded after all the tiling and gardening this weekend! Mind you, I'm still doing the daily planking and push-ups, too! 


How was your week? Lots of miles and smiles in the sunshine? Have you ever laid tile? Any interest in joining me for a daily squat challenge for July?

As usual, I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap. Lots of great reading awaits...head over and check out their blogs and all the other linked blogs as well.














24 comments:

  1. I wish I could get out for a run as early as you do! Good luck with your challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You seem to have a never ending supply of energy! I've got a stack of bills to pay--maybe you could come help me out with those? :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, although that offer is enticing...I think I'll pass ;-)

      Delete
  3. OOOO I wish you lived closer. I'd love to redo my tile/shower but have no idea where to start.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have done so many re-do's in our houses (and several updates in this townhouse as the decorating trends have evolved). The work sucks...but it's always worth it when we're finished.

      Delete
  4. I can't get myself to get up and do those 5 am runs! I need coffee :) and sleep. Cute sandals have a great 4th

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard getting out of bed early (especially after a late night of blogging LOL), but I never regret it ;-)

      Delete
  5. I'm most definitely singing "here comes the sun" after your title :)

    Amazing job with running and planking this week!

    I've been known to select KT Tape based upon my race day outfits...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to add a few more colors of tape to me arsenal....currently I only have hot pink and royal blue LOL

      Delete
  6. There is nothing better than an early morning run. I have those Inspires and ran many miles in them. They were my Tidy Bowl pair. LOL. Hostas are my favorite. I have so much shade and they thrive in my yard. I think the "guacamole" variety is the prettiest color. I did several hours of gardening squats today. I hope you had a wonderful 4th. Thanks for linking Kim!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had forgotten how much I loved those Inspires ;-) I need to checkout the new ones (not even sure what number ...12's?) to see how they fit. I had a couple pairs of the 11's and they were good, but not great for me

      Delete
  7. The bathroom looks great! I wish my husband and I were that handy/talented.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The home improvement projects are tough...usually some blood, sweat, tears (and a few carefully chosen curse words)...

      Delete
  8. I truly can run any time of the day, but the morning runs certainly have a special tranquil quality

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love squats and love those tiles! Great work!

    I missed out on the Wave Inspire 8s. I got into running just in time for the 9s (the orange ones, no less). Still one of my favorite shoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got them a few years ago as "previous season" shoes, and totally loved them. I didn't need new shoes until the 10's (?) came out. Those were good, but just not quite as great. I had them in two colors and rotated them. I love my Brooks Adrenaline 15's, but the Mizunos were just fantastic...I should check out the latest model and see how it fits.

      Delete
  10. Before I moved, I started doing sunrise runs before work and I loved them! I need to figure out how to get it done in my new neighborhood, as I love starting the day off with a run since I feel so accomplished!

    Squats are great...sometimes they bother my knees so I have to go a little wider, but I may need to hop in on the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm doing 50 squats everyday (currently anyways). Squats are easier for me than lunges because of my balance/coordination (or lack thereof)

      Delete
  11. Home improvement work is no joke! It is like plank, push up and squat all in one! Home improvement work kept me busy this weekend too! I love a sunrise run, it is always worth getting up for :) Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got up last Saturday (following the evening of tile squats) and could hardly use the toilet LOL You know you're working the muscles good when simple things like that seem impossible

      Delete
  12. The sun has finally come our way ! I love being out before 7 when it is still cool but we have glorious blue skies already. I haven't gotten in on the squat challenge yet, I am still trying to plank and push up though life is BUSY at the moment so I am not doing it every day.
    I have tiled before, but not for a huge project like a bathroom. You rock !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've done lots of tiling. UGH. I love the finished results, but usually am cussing under my breath while doing it.

      Delete
  13. That should be the theme of my June and more than likely July miles = Slow and Sluggish! But hey I'm kicking A$$ in my strength training classes and sessions. They are in the AC, don't judge :)
    I love the new tile in the bathroom! I so need to do some fixer up work at my house, but when am I home long enough?? Thanks Kim for keeping me motivated!

    ReplyDelete