How, exactly, is August (almost) over?
I gotta say it’s been a month full of adventure, fitness, and fun. I don’t dread September’s arrival, but I’m not too keen on the final days of summer looming on the horizon. The best I can do is celebrate and embrace every minute before the daylight depletes and the cold sets in…
Before I get to the nitty gritty deets from the week, 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 8:00AM (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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)
Anyways, here’s what went down in my little corner of the universe this week:
Sunday…the first taste of the #Brrrr
Yikes, the low-50F temps were feeling a bit chilly upon wake-up. It’s too soon for capris, but a 1/4 zip was needed for my pre-church 3-mile walk. Since my Saturday had seen a lot of action (5-mile run and 44-mile bike ride), I kept things low-impact and low-key…more walking with Max (in the afternoon), then an evening 2-mile walk as well.
Never miss a Monday
Well well well… with temps in the low-50F’s, it was time to add gloves to the early morning gear gang. The day’s activities included an early morning 2-mile run, a 2-mile lunch walk, a short post-workday walk with Max, and an early evening 12-mile bike ride.
Take charge Tuesday
…and the early morning temps just kept getting colder! While 46F will feel rather balmy in a few months, it feels extremely frigid in August, LOL. I opted for the indoor bike (14 miles) and kept the outdoor action for later (two miles of walking, after dinner).
Triple workout Wednesday
The 5:45AM run happened, but we got hit with a few sprinkles. After four miles we called it (though the sprinkles had stopped). I did get a second wind, and ran a fifth mile after getting back home (and my Garmin tracked my drive, hah!). Afterwards, I did some upper-body work before getting ready for the office.
The day also featured another lunch walk, a post-workday walk with Max, and a chasing-the-daylight ride with Gustavas (11miles). Where did my daylight go???
Thankful Thursday
It was the usual early morning cardio gig with
Deb, only I kept my walk to just three miles and added a bonus 5-mile (indoor) ride afterwards. There also was a short glutes/leg workout and a quick 1-mile walk at work (through the skywalk).
The Thursday night group run was quite the fast and furious endeavor. We’re talking three miles, faster than usual, without the usual intermittent mile-mark breaks. It was fun, though, trying some Sketchers shoes for the demo run.
A low-key fitness Friday
With a busy Saturday on-deck, I kept my Friday on the low-impact spectrum with a sunrise walk and lunchtime walk (five total miles).
Long-run (and long-walk) SaturdayAfter a very late Friday evening (#
MyBad), I was pleasantly surprised how easy my 7-mile run felt. I don’t know if it was the beautiful sunrise, the perfect temps, or the excitement of football season starting (even though I didn’t go to any games in-person, LOL), but this run almost felt magical.
A short while later, after a very quick cool-off and clean-up, I met-up with a friend for an 8-mile walk! Yes, eight miles! I’m not sure I’ve ever taken on such a feat before, but this was a fun cardio endeavor. It also sufficed as a great post-run recovery vice.
…and what’s happening on Sunday?
The forecast is looking sketchy and potentially damp. I’m planning on knocking out a long bike ride (indoors) before heading to church. I’ll save the outdoor fun until later, hopefully under sunny skies (fingers crossed).
So, it was a busy week…and we all know that’s just the way I like it. Running was decent with 17 miles. Biking held its own with 42 miles (with at least another 20 happening Sunday morning). Walking dominated, with 27 miles logged. The daily planks and wall sits are going strong, and I’m happy with the strength work (short, but intense, workouts are working well with my schedule).
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog this week:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. Yikes, it’s almost that time of year (Labor Day) when some peeps take their “summer whites” out of their wardrobe rotation. Well, I’m not one of them. I might wear the white sandals (much) less frequently, but I keep a lot of the white pieces still (somewhat) on standby. After all, white is a color, too. Your thoughts?
Lastly, can I share an orchidfession? I think I may have a new obsession. On a whim, I bought the pink one (upper left) while getting groceries and gave it a new home on my desk at work. Just a few days ago, I had another weak moment when I spotted the purple speckled one (lower left), so that’s now residing in my living room. And, the latest news on the single-stemmed, multi-branched one (which I brought home a year ago)? The buds have started blooming! Aren’t they beautiful?!
So yeah, that’s the latest! A busy week, with plenty of fun to be had. Life is good!
Your turn…how was your week? Any fitness highlights that need sharing? Upcoming races? Are you a fan of orchids?
Ouch, 46F, that's cold for this time of the year. Ireland has treated us well since coming home, there's been heavy rain and today there's some crazy wind, but we still have around 60F or more during the day.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Skechers made running shoes! How are they?
I honestly don't really give a sh** about what colours you're supposed to wear during a certain time of the year (or at a certain age, for that matter)! Just like I happily wear black in the summer, I would wear white or other light colours during the winter if that was my jazz (I'm more of a dark/moody colour person except for particular items). Your outfit there looks great and the only reason for not wearing it at any time would be the weather!
My fitness highlight this week was coming back to the gym! (if we exclude the big DOMS of doom the days after, lol)
Indeed, we don’t need to see any temps in the 40’s for awhile! The Sketchers shoes were really comfy! I can’t remember what model they were. They were nice for the 3-mile run, but may not be the best option for longer distances. They were very lightweight, but the thick soles were a bit awkward.
DeleteWow, what a packed week, Kim!
ReplyDeleteLove how you mixed all those miles on foot and bike with strength work (and still had energy for that epic 8-mile walk!).
The Sketchers demo run sounds like a fun change of pace, and I have to say, the orchid obsession is a pretty great one to have.
That 8-mile walk was so fun (I was in good company), but it may have been a little overkill given the 7-mile run prior, LOL. Still, no regrets! Pushing ourselves (and our pace) is a good thing now and then. These orchids are really making me smile ;-)
DeleteThat is a packed week of adventure! I am enjoying the cooler mornings myself wish it could just stay just like this. Excited for football season as well!
ReplyDeleteI love football season, even though it means the temps are starting their downward spiral, LOL!
DeleteWe had cool mornings but I haven’t had to break out my gloves yet! I’m surprised how long our cool weather has lasted.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t need the gloves for the entire run, but the first 1/2-mile was chilly for August!
DeleteYou had a full week! Nice job packing it all in. Our mornings have gotten cooler here too, but only in the low 50s. I have felt like I've needed gloves but I'm able to still wear shorts for the most part. It makes me wish I was able to run! It's perfect running weather.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad I can still wear shorts too. It’s easy to ad arm sleeves (or wear a long-sleeved shirt) when the temps are borderline “cool” this time of year.
DeleteBrrr! You had some cold mornings- August seems a little early for 40s! But, it's a lot better than 90s.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun week, and YES! College football has started! I watched several games this weekend and enjoyed them immensely.
I hope you get some warm weather this week- summer isn't over yet.
August is much too early for temps is the 40’s, at least in my opinion. Thankfully, the days are warm by mid-morning/lunchtime or I’d be crying…
DeleteWhat a fun week! And wow, you joined in on the 8-mile walk! I'm not ready for the cooler mornings either, but I do enjoy the lower humidity and cooler daytime temps.
ReplyDeleteYour orchids are beautiful and I certainly understand your temptation to buy the latest one.
Agreed, the lower humidity was SO nice! I am really loving my new orchid “babies” ;-)
DeleteThe anonymous comment above was me!
ReplyDelete;-)
Delete8 miles is long for a walk.
ReplyDeleteWe've had 40s in the morning but it was last week when I wasn't running. So far it has warmed up. I'm not ready for summer to end.
I definitely don’t want summer to end either. Yeah, the 8-miler was a nice challenge, but totally fun!
DeleteOrchids are so pretty! My daughter has a couple of them which I have inherited while she is in college. Sketchers really hit the running market when Meb wore them and I think they have some decent shoes. Did you like the pair you tried?
ReplyDeleteThe Sketchers were really comfy…totally felt like I was running on clouds. I think they might not be the best option for longer distances, or speed, but they were nice for the 3-mile group run.
DeleteI'm not minding the cool mornings at all! Gloves already?
ReplyDeleteYour orchids are really beautiful!
Yes, gloves for the first part of that run in the 40’s….I HATE being cold!
DeleteBrrr, that's cool for the morning... although I actually like the high 50s for running! It sounds like you had a very nice, active week again with various workouts. And an 8-mile walk with a friend - hooray!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don’t mind the high 50’s for running, it’s just a bit too cold (yet) for August. It gets SO cold here in the winter, I am in no hurry too expedite anything cooler than summer right now..
DeleteI remember when it was practically a scandal to wear white after Labor Day. Who even decided that? Ridiculous! Great week for you with so many beautiful sunrises. I love that 8 mile walk with a friend. Sounds like a really nice time. :)
ReplyDeleteThe 8-miler was a challenge, especially at that pace. That just made it even more fun ;-)
Delete