Gimme A (coffee) Break

If there ever was a coffee date I've been needing, it would be this one.

Actually, I'd be savoring a chai latte. As much as I love the aroma of coffee, I've never acquired a taste for the stuff. I do adore the quaint atmosphere of a coffee shop, though. And if there are a few friends, gathered around an intimate table...well, all the better.

I'm not a stress-filled, anxiety-consumed person...usually. Things have been a little out-of-the-ordinary in recent weeks, though, and I'm eagerly waiting for a break in the action, so to speak. There's a lot to be said for things returning back to their original positions.

So, shall we gather over coffee, or your beverage of choice, and chat for a bit? 

Here's what I'd share...

First of all, I'd tell you how my July played out, at least in terms of fitness and what not. With the Air Force Marathon's cancellation (I deferred my registration to 2021), my weekend long runs hit an unanticipated plateau. Not a big deal, but my running miles would have easily passed the century mark had my 26.2 training continued. The walking remained consistent, and I even passed the 100-day milestone on my outdoor walking streak (on July 24th). I brought back the weekly stair workouts, and Gustavas (my mountain bike) came out of hibernation. All good things.

I would also share my frustration with the continued "virtualization" of (virtually) all things racing. It seems like each week, there has been another live race assume virtual status (if not outright cancelled). It is what it is, right? Even the IMT Des Moines Marathon succumbed to the COVID craziness this week. The irony is that I'm contemplating deferring that as well (I was registered for the 13.1), but I know that race course well from having run it so many times that I could easily run the course on my own and call it good. Ugh...too many decisions...

Another race, the Drake Road Races Half Marathon, also decided to go virtual. I actually ran the 13.1 miles (virtually) back in April, on the race's original date. At the time, the race officials didn't yet have a postponed date on the calendar. That race course, though, has changed a few times over the years, and it's in an unfamiliar part of the city...so to run that course, on my own, would be challenging. I've not yet decided if I will attempt to run that race course, or just be happy with those 13.1 miles from April.

This medal will be arriving soon...should I run those 13.1 miles one more time?

Over coffee, I'd tell you about my favorite race DAM to DSM 20K (formerly Dam to Dam). Like Drake, it was postponed (from May 30 to September 5), but is also (now) going virtual. The postponed date would have featured an altered course, deviating from the traditional point-to-point route to a looped 10K route (in town). A group of runners are gathering, on September 5th, and running this "altered" route on their own so I'm planning on joining them. That's one race that simply cannot be "virtualized" on the streets of my town, even if it has to assume an altered route.

While we're talking all things virtual, I'd remind you of the Great Run Across Iowa. I've been "running" across my home state since June 2nd. My 70-day deadline ends on August 10th, but I have long since passed the virtual finish line (I'm just logging bonus miles for the time-being). I needed 249 total miles (walking and running), and I'm currently (as of August 6th) at 359.9. I'd hoped to get all 249 miles just in running miles alone, but I'm going to be a little short. Oh well, with all the walking miles added in, I'm not disappointed in my effort.

done!

Out of the blue, I recently received a package with the shirt, bib, and medal from the Driscoll's Strawberry Classic 10K. This was a race I'd planned on doing over Spring Break. Well, we all know what happened in March, so our trip to Tampa Bay didn't happen. I'd gotten word that the race had to cancel, so I assumed my race swag was forfeited. Having the shirt and medal in my possession, though, prompted me to run the 10K (virtually, of course) nearly five months late. Are you ready for this? I did it with Milly (yes, my treadmill), with a start time of 4:47a.m., and lived to tell about it! In doing so, we set a new "distance PR" of 6.2 miles...and rest assured, that PR is gonna hold for a very, very long time now. 

Lastly, over coffee, I'd give a brief update on our little guy, Max. Most know he'd undergone surgery for an ACL tear (as well as a dislocated knee). We went back for his one week post-op check, and all looks well. They removed the numerous layers of bandaging (which resembled a cast), and left the suture site uncovered. We return next week for the suture removal, and will really be keeping his activity on the down-low in the mean time. He's an active dog, so this has been an especially challenging time for all of us. He needs constant supervision, which has put a slight strain on my early-morning walks and runs (the hubby has been out of town, so I've been the chief doggy nurse). Thankfully, my sister (who works from home) has been able to watch him during the day, so I've been able to go to the office.

wearing the cone of shame...

So, yeah. As you can see, I really needed this coffee break, and I had a lot to say.

What would you share, if we were having coffee? Was July kind to you? Any more virtual racing? If you received a race packet, several months after the fact...would you still run the race (albeit virtually)? Ever done an impromptu virtual race, in the wee hours of morning? 

Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.

I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday with Fairytales and Fitness link-up. 

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