Gimme Gimme Some Sunshine!

Can you say SUNSHINE?

I say that because there was ample sunshine, and summer-like temps, for most of the week! Even the humidity played nice, for the most part. And the wind? Well, it definitely had its moments, but it didn't  give me too much attitude.

Overall, it was a pretty busy week, but that's just the way I like it.

Before I share all the sunshiny details, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

 I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

So here's what went down this week:

Starting with last Sunday's ride...

While I usually start my weekly review with Monday's stuff, there was a bike ride that played a big part in this week's fitness fun...so I'm including that (just this once). This ride was part of the Bicycle Brew BBQ, a group ride that featured an out-and-back route on the Chichaqua Valley Trail. It was 46.2 miles of fun, but almost constant pedaling (the perils of a rail trail with gentle rolling hills). 

Never miss a Monday, especially when it's Memorial Day.

In years past (with the exception of the Covid-laced 2020), a group of us have gathered at the lake for a tribute run. We run a lap around the lake (1-mile), then veer off to the cemetery (right nearby). Our cemetery has a lot of hills, and most of them are short and steep. We keep silent (except for our labored breathing), and pay our respects to all who are laid to rest, and admire all the American flags. Afterwards, some stick around for a few bonus laps around the lake. After the previous day's bike ride (and a few hours of intense "garden squats"), my energy was pretty dismal Monday morning. Although the four hilly miles felt better than expected, I still had more gardening awaiting my attention. I was an exhausted mess that evening.   

A very tired Tuesday.

Believe it or not, everything hurt (from the waist-down) Tuesday morning. I got out for an easy 1.5-mile walk before work, and that was all I had any early-morning energy for. Later, I heard of the 215 bodies of Indigenous Canadian children that had been found recently (more info HERE). I saw where people were encouraged to devote 2.15 miles (walking or running) in prayer, so I felt compelled to participate. Although I could not fix the tragedy, nor even begin to understand it, at least I could pray about it. So, I walked a slow 2.15 miles after work...

Global Running Day!

Did you get out and celebrate our special day? Obviously, as runners, we don't need a designated day to go for a run, but it's nice that there is a "day" that commemorates our sport. I met up with Barb, and we knocked out our weekly #5at5 in the early hours (almost in total daylight now!). After work, Gustavas and I pedaled 10 miles...and "selfied" in the same spot, 12 hours after the morning's run.

How about some stair work?

Thursday saw a very late start for me (we're talking a 6:40 departure from the house LOL). So, here's a question for you... did the dog walk veer off for a short stair workout, or did we simply bring Max along with us? He'll never know, and I'll never tell. We did get in a 1.5-mile walk, with an interval workout sandwiched in the middle (10 flights/10 push-ups/10 more flights/10 more push-ups/10 final flights/10 final push-ups). 

Friday's fitness.

First we run, then we lift...both outside. Oh, what a beautiful morning! I got out for a quick 2-mile run, and "cooled down," afterwards, with some upper-body strength work on the deck. Have I mentioned how good these summer-like temps feel?

Saturday: Welcome to Summer!

It was one of those runs. You know the type...your body just feels sluggish, the sudden humidity made the temps feel much warmer, and the wind (again) refused to play nice. We had eight miles on the roster, and we ran not three steps further. Kind of a bummer when a beautiful morning lands you on the struggle bus, but that's the reality once in awhile. The good news? My average pace was 10:06 (???), so although the run felt tough, it is reassuring to know my body can still move. Besides, every run is a gift...especially the tough ones because they make us even tougher.

...and then shortly after returning home (and a quick shower), the hubs and I hit the road for Adel (about 80 miles away). We met up with some friends for a long ride adventure. The temps continued to heat up (91F when we finished), and the wind was a bear (17mph, I kid you not!). We cycled to Dallas Center, along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, had lunch (and some "refuel"), then headed back. Total miles on my bike computer showed 28.9. Whew! It definitely felt like summer, but it was great to reincarnate the weekend biking gig.

Sun-kissed Sunday.

Trying to keep things on the down-low, I got out for an early morning 2-mile walk. Upon returning back home, the hubs and Max were waiting...with dog leash in tow. Not one to refuse an invite, we headed back out for an additional 2-ish miles in the morning sunshine. There still were more garden squats awaiting my attention, so my easy-like-Sunday-morning wasn't so easy LOL.

 

So, it was a busy week, but the weather was top-notch. It got warm, but we didn't have much humidity until the weekend. No complaints, though it would be nice to have the wind take a vacation any day now. Total running miles were 19; walking saw 15. Gustavas and I rode about 85 miles. Plenty of stairs climbed (70 flights) and some upper-body strength. I'm good with that!

In case you missed out, here's what else went down on the blog this week:

Can we just pick a lane?

Global Running Day - Let's RUN!

Coffee Chat...this & that

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Warm temps (actually, pretty hot temps LOL) outside usually mean freezing cold temps inside. My solution? A light-weight, ruffly-sleeved blouse. The flowy fabric has enough coverage that the (too cold) air conditioning won't be a frigid distraction at the office.  

The hubs and I  went to our first picnic in a l-o-n-g time Thursday evening...and, he promised everyone a sour cream raisin pie. I usually make this pie once a year, for his birthday, and he's the only one that will eat it. It's a high-maintenance endeavor with cooking the raisins (to plump them),  then cooking the sour cream mixture (in a double-boiler) and making the meringue. There's a reason I only do this once a year, and it's definitely not a crowd pleaser. Amazingly, we only brought home two leftover slices.

This week's flowers...still more peonies to admire, fragrant catmint, and the first of the hosta blooms made their appearance.

...and, finally, my May totals took me a bit by surprise. I didn't realize how close I was to hitting the century mark for my running miles!

So, that's a wrap. It feels oh-so-good to finally have summer-like temps on a consistent basis. We all know I've waited a long 8-9 months for them!

How did your week play out? Did the summer temps arrive? Any races on the calendar? Sour cream raisin pie: yay or no way? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter