Thursday, September 5, 2019

Coffee Chat: Summer Don't Go...



What happened to summer?

That's the thought that's been on auto-repeat for the past couple of weeks. I could tell the days were getting shorter (those #5at5 runs have seen the sun rising later and later), and now the temps have gotten cool as well. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm just not ready for it to happen...yet.

In fact, there are several things I have enjoyed this summer. I don't want to see any of them coming to a screeching halt.

Let's gather for a virtual cup of coffee (or any beverage of choice), shall we?  Maybe there's a few others out there who want summer to stick around for a little longer....

Anyways, one thing I have really enjoyed this summer has been the opportunity to be outside, for almost every workout. Granted, there were a handful of late night strength workouts inside (just before lights out), and I do recall a recent intense stair workout that happened (also inside) due to a raging storm outside. But, most everything else happened al fresco. Obviously all the running and all the biking, but I also took most of my HIIT workouts outside via my backyard, side patio, or backyard deck. Where there's a will, there's a way, right?
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Often times, Coach Max was observing through the window...
It's a given I've LOVED all of my early morning runs. The quiet, the calm, the lack of traffic, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and all the birds and bugs carrying on in the trees...all of it! Sure, most of that is there in the daylight hours, but it's a lot more obvious in the pre-dawn hours when there's fewer distractions. Those early morning runs are my early morning caffeine.

Most everyone knows what happened with biking. I have never, ever, spent so much time in the saddle as I did this summer...and most of that happened just since the end of June. Currently, as of Thursday evening (September 5th), there have been 382 biking miles logged. I don't know how late into the fall I'll be biking, but I hope I can keep it up until there's snow on the ground (UGH, did I just say the "S" word???).
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Another ride with Gustavas (my bike) among the corn fields of Iowa
Speaking of biking, I have been pleasantly surprised with what it's done for my running. I started biking more as a way of having another cardio option on my non-running days. What I found was that it actually aided my recovery immensely...and (somehow) it seems to have bolstered my race performance. I have had three recent races, all of which were either the evening of, or the day after, a long, hilly bike ride. All three rewarded me with substantial course PR's...and two of those events were run under pretty hot and humid conditions.
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PR'ing at the Bix-7 (late July)
My most recent race, the NewBo Run Half Marathon (2019 recap HERE), was a race I'd only run once before (in 2018). I think I've found another gotta-run-it-every-year race to add to my roster. It features a couple of challenging hills (a steep one in the 3rd mile, and a long, gradual one near the finish) as well as 4ish miles of nonstop rolling hills. There's also a segment (5ish miles) on a dirt path through some beautiful woodland. It has just enough "easy" parts mixed in with some decent challenges to make it interesting. There's also an awesome post-race celebration, and the medals are unique ceramic creations. 
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So, anyways. Those are a few things I'd bring to the table. I am bummed to see summer end, no doubt. After all, it's been pretty kind to me this year.

Thankfully, most of the above-mentioned activities can (and will) continue in the cooler temps of fall, albeit with a few adjustments to wardrobe and safety gear. Although I dearly love pretty much everything about summer, I'd miss the change of seasons if it stayed summer-like year-round (yes, you heard it here, first). It just doesn't need to be in a big hurry to leave.

How was your summer? Good? Bad? Meh?

What would you share, if we were gathered 'round a table?

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

  1. My summer was good, with my achievement of my ultra coming in July, then August was utterly crap. I like back to school time, it always feels like a time of renewal and change to me. But in fact this time adjustment and calm. I seem to be adapting to my new medication and am able to run a bit stronger already, and I'm looking forward to some nice running just for fun (until I find out whether I got into London Marathon, of course ...). I loved your fun summer and seeing you take to your biking - well done on all the achievements that has brought, too!

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    1. Thank you, Liz ;-) I really had a great summer....hoping that momentum continues into fall (at least through October, to get me through my marathon). I"m glad to hear you're feeling better!!!

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  2. Biking really is excellent cross training, as you have amply demonstrated! Congrats on all it's done for you.

    My summer was intense and not ending on a high note -- well, maybe it will, becoming a Yoga teacher, after all, I worked really hard for that! Still have a lot to learn, though.

    I was VERY happy in TX (except in the summer, hello real humidity & temps in the at least the mid 90s for months). The payoff was the average temp of 60 during the winter & NO SNOW (well, a very occasional dusting).

    I ran on the treadmill Monday, mostly a time thing, and we discovered my husband had done some rearranging there which meant the headphones I wear weren't charged. At all. So he had to listen to what I was watching. :) It had been a long time since I'd been on the treadmill (but the headphone snafu was totally HIS fault!).

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    1. ha ha!! My hubby puts things in odd places (usually while doing something else, to "clear the clutter"), then forgets where the stuff is. Fun! Thankfully, with my "think outside of the box" mindset, I can rationalize where said stuff is hiding...

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  3. My summer was uneventful in a good way. I miss the morning light, but not the humidity. I need to get used walking Scooby in the dark again! I love how much you are loving biking!

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    1. The biking still has me perplexed. The hubby thinks I should get a road bike, so I can really enjoy the sport...not sure I'm ready for that kind of investment...yet. I'm still not sold on the padded shorts or clip-ins, either LOL

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  4. I'm ready for the cooler weather, but it's so much warmer here than there. Cooler is still plenty warm to run and bike LOL. My husband bikes a lot and he swears it makes him a better runner. I wish I could get motivated to actually bike...

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    1. I have no idea how biking works for the general population of runners, but for me it's been a game changer. Sounds like your hubby agrees ;-) Honestly, I don't mind the change of seasons, I just don't like when it happens so suddenly. That seems to be the trend in the Midwest, or at least in my area.

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  5. Love it when I find a new gotta-do-it-every-year race. Sounds like that's what the New Bo race is for you.

    My summer was great. I am a summer-loving girl too. I thought with my hubby's retirement we would be biking more this summer. We even got our bikes tuned up and a bike rack for the car, but no. We haven't biked nearly as much as I thought we would and I am kind of disappointed with that. You describing all of your bikeventures is very inspiring. Maybe I will have to see if Bill wants to hit some rail trails today.

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    1. The thing all of my biking has been local (except for those rides out to the lake, which isn't really very far). We've never racked the bikes and driven to any trails. With all these long training runs (EVERY weekend LOL), our window of opportunity is closing...

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  6. We have had a much warmer August than you have and I am just over sweating everyday. Biking is a great compliment to running and fitness all together. Love flushing my legs out on the bike after a hard workout too. I can usually bike through October here.

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    1. I'll be curious how late I'm able to go with the biking. I have no interest in being out there when it gets below 40...I'm already pretty "chill" when it's in the 50's LOL

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  7. Can you see me waving goodbye to summer? LOL

    the only thing I will miss is that it was light very early in the morning. Now I've noticed that it's not as bright outside at 6am and it's getting darker longer. Not so much a fan of that but I am a fan of no humidity.

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    1. Yes, I see you waving, and I think I also saw a victorious jump & crazy happy dance ;-) I know I'm the weirdo who prefers the heat over the cold. I manage the colder seasons, but I definitely prefer the heavy sweating of summer ;-)

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  8. Love that half marathon medal. Not ready for summer to end. It seems like the days are getting shorter so quickly!

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    1. It seems like just two weeks ago, the days were MUCH longer. Now, it seems like we lose 10-15 minutes of daylight daily.

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  9. Spinning classes help my running. I haven't been on my bike all summer. They've improved the path here but it's still so crowded!

    I love fall (sorry) but it will be too short!

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  10. I wish summer would stick around here longer but it just doesn't, so I roll with it. My cutoff temp for bike riding is 28 degrees. But you have to be very mindful about ice.

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    1. Yikes, 28 sounds cold! I probably won't be venturing outside once it approaches 40 or colder. Brrr!! I think I'd need a face mask LOL

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  11. Congrats on all your recent races! You did a lot of biking this summer. I think the most I have ever done on the bike was last week when I measured the marathon course.

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    1. I have said this many times, but I'm still in shock at all the biking. It's really been a great discovery ;-)

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  12. I do miss the early morning light but I am so over the summer humidity. Fall is my jam!

    I love that you have been enjoying miles on the bike and that it's aiding your running. You have just been crushing it all year my friend - I hope the Fall is good to you!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle ;-) Thanks so much!! I have been very fortunate, and I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts. I know it's not gonna last forever LOL

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  13. I never thought I'd enjoy biking so much either. I'd say we've both been pleasantly surprised by that discovery! :-)

    Your NewBo Run Half medal is so cool! It's very similar to my Big Sur Marathon medal.

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    1. The medals from last year were also ceramic creations, but they were glazed. They were nice as well, but I kind of like the unfinished one from this year a bit more...has a bit of a rustic look, which is reminiscent of the trails we ran. YES to all the biking revelations we've enjoyed (#fistbump)!

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  14. You have me so excited for the "fall" weather here! I've had to remind myself over the past couple of months of summer FOMO that the Florida summer heat and heat advisories will pass, that they only last for a little while, and that soon I will be able to do things like work out outside. We moved here about 4 years ago- summer is my favorite season but it takes a little reminding that I'll get "summer" soon.

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  15. As much as I hate the hot weather and don't mind treadmill, I too loved being outside. 10 miles on the treadmill broke my ability to focus and I haven't run any substance on it since.

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  16. I'm hoping to get more biking in soon now that I'm no longer in the desert and the weather's more tolerable! :P Cross-training is awesome!

    I had a lot of fun this summer! Exploring the country and a bunch of national parks was an awesome way to spend it! :]

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