'fessing with the best of them

It's that time of the month and, yet again, there's plenty to 'fess about.

I know, I know...these are supposed to be runfessions, but I have a few extra 'fessions that need to be shared as well. After all, most of us runners have lives outside of our running shoes, right?

So, let's get started...

2020 (virtual) Bix-7 recap

The Quad-City Times Bix-7 is yet another favorite race that succumbed to a virtual format.

To say this was like any other virtual race, though, would be a drastic untruth. But, hey, this 2020. We got to make the best of the situation...so that's what we did.

When I say "we," I'm referencing (1) the Bix-7 event itself (I was an ambassador, so I got to see things--somewhat--from an insider perspective), (2) the virtual race course I ran on on race day, and (3) my awesome virtual team of badass runner friends, Team On Fire.

Just go ahead and GLOW

There's been all kinds of glistening and glowing in my world this week.

I'm quite alright with that. It's summer in Iowa; it's gonna be hot and it's gonna be humid (and not necessarily in that order). Besides, a little bit of sweat never hurt no one.

It was another week of (mostly) outdoor fitness, and I'm alright with that, too.

100 Days of Walking

I may be a runner, but go ahead and call me a walker, too.

Honestly, I will not take offense to being called a walker. Some runners shun walking, and may even be ashamed to walk during a run or a race, but not me. After all, walking has served me quite well, even before April 16th.

What's so significant about April 16th? That's when the Outdoor Walking Streak began.

Warm Weather Outdoor Options

It's been a hot summer thus far.

Trust me, I am NOT complaining (after all, I waited 9 months for summer to return to Iowa). The heat does make it a bit more of a challenge to enjoy the great outdoors, though.

I make it a priority to take most of my cardio workouts outdoors. Even when the mercury is off the charts, and it's hotter than Hades, I usually shun the inside option. I figure if I'm gonna be sweating anyways, I might as well enjoy the scenery.

That said, the extreme heat of summer is nothing to take for granted. It commands all of your respect and every last ounce of common sense.

Fitness Fun With or Without the Sun

It was another interesting week in Iowa.

There were some hot days, and there were some pleasantly cool mornings. Some with sunshine, and some without. And, again, I was able to take most of my fitness outdoors. 

I am ever thankful for the opportunities, and pretty grateful for the privilege.

Favorite Running Places & Spaces

We all have our favorites, don't we?

There are favorite foods to eat. Most of us have a favorite pair of shoes. Some have a favorite color (and some of us have several). 

Many of us are runners, and we have our favorite running routes.

Keeping in Stride by Opting Outside

Can you say Humidity?

Better yet...can you feel it? Humidity is no stranger to Iowa summers, but it's really been intense in recent weeks. I think we've had constant high humidity, every day, for the past three weeks. We did get a brief (maybe six hours?) reprieve Friday morning, but the humidity returned with a vengeance by mid-afternoon.

It is what it is, and (as I have said several times) I will gladly take the heat (and humidity) over the frigid temps of winter. After all, it's only here for such a short while...I wish I could say the same for Winter.

I believe this was week #4 of taking all of my workouts to the great outdoors. I don't get to enjoy that year-round, either, so I try to take advantage of the extended daylight and outdoor conditions.

Let's Take a Ride...a Long Ride

"Let's go for a ride," he said. 

It was the hubby's idea, and this ride was estimated at being upwards of 50 miles.

Oh, and this wasn't a car ride; it was a bike ride. Prior to this, my longest ride had been 20 miles on a borrowed road bike (for the Flying Pigs Duathlon, August 2015). This ride would be substantially longer, and it was on a mountain bike. 

What could go wrong?

Sully Freedom Fun Run 2020 recap

Well, it had been a long time coming, at least in my world.

After a 4-month hiatus, a live race became a reality for me. To say I was excited would be an understatement. After all, if this was any other year, I would have probably had at least eight other races done in that time span. Thankfully, there was a slew of virtual races to keep me busy. 

When I got word about the 2020 Sully Freedom Fun Run, though, it didn't take me long to register.

It's Feeling Hot Hot Hot and Humid

Anyone else feeling #HotHotHot this week?

Summer does get hot in Iowa, and we certainly have our fair share of humidity. We usually get an intermittent day (or a few) with reduced dampness in the air...but that wasn't the case this week. It is what it is, and I'll gladly take this over sub-freezing temps and snow. I'm just grateful my body can tolerate it. 

That said, it was another week of outdoor daily fitness. Hey, if I'm gonna get my "glow"on, I might as well be outside with the sunshine and fresh air. 

Just Chillin' with a July Chai

Don't mind me, I'm just chilling with a (hot) chai latte,' in the July heat.

 Can't you just see (or feel) the irony?

We all have our drinks of preference, and I'll choose a hat chai (most days) over anything else. The summer heat, and subsequent humidity, came barreling in this past week. Personally, I don't mind the heat much, but the humidity really does a number on my hair. Oh well, at least it's not snowing.

Anyways, it's that time of the month most of us look forward to...time for gathering round a table and chatting, virtually that is.  Shall we get started?