Sunday, June 20, 2021

Show Me Some Summer


...and just like that, it was full-on Summer!

We're talking daily sunshine, heat, humidity. The whole nine yards (and then some).

Thankfully, I was able to take most of my workouts outdoors, and that's always a good thing. There was plenty of action on foot and on the bikes, and even some sweat equity on the outdoor stairway. For myself, this is what the summer season is all about...getting outside as much as possible and soaking up all the sunshine (safely).

Before I share all the 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 ;-)



Anyways, here's what went down this week in my little world of fitness:

Another #NeverMissAMonday
As mentioned in last week's WRD post, my right hammie and right foot had been a little iffy recently. I kept the Monday morning 3-miler easy-paced and all things felt great. WHEW! After work, Gustavas (the loyal mountain bike) and I knocked out 16 miles. Not a bad way to start off the new week, on Flag Day none the less.


Easy-Peasy Tuesday
Nothing flashy; nothing strenuous. Since I'd run the past four days, it was time for a day on the down-low. A 2-mile morning walk (with the hubby and Max), a 1-mile walk on my morning break (at work), and another 2-mile walk after work. The hubby is bringing running back into his fitness routine, so I took Gustavas out for 1-mile ride while the hubby ran (after dinner). And that was all she wrote.
 

Double Workout Wednesday
Barb was under the weather, so I was on my own for the weekly #5at5. I pretty much had all the streets to myself until the final mile or so...hardly anyone else in sight except for a couple of dogs (walking their humans), a fellow runner, and a handful of vehicles. That sunrise, though...


Then, after work, it was a return to the hilly bike path out to the lake (and back). This is a new ritual my friend, Amy, and I are hoping to continue through the summer. It was Fritz's turn for some action (remember him, the new hybrid bike?). The hills are so-much-easier on the hybrid (have I mentioned that before?), but I'm still working on my strategy for the last hill on the return trip...it's the longest and the most challenging. Fifteen total miles, and my legs were done for the day.


Full-body, full throttle for Thursday
Yes, my friends, you can take your strength workouts outdoors! You can use lighter weights (and do more reps, or do them in slow-mo), and/or you can hold two of them together (in the same hand) to UP the resistance. We did some upright rowing, shoulder pressing, curling and hammering...and interjected some squats and lunges just for fun.


Family Fitness Friday
The hubby joined me, Friday morning, for a brick workout (of sorts):
1-mile run
40 flights of stairs (on the outdoor staircase at the college)
1-mile run back home

Boy, was it a balmy morning! The humidity felt much hotter than the 79% on the weather app, just saying. There also was a 1-mile walk (at work) and another after dinner.


Super Saturday
With a busy day on tap, my morning began with a 5:40 departure for my long run. I ran a couple miles, then met up with Barb at 6:00 for another seven miles, then ran the last mile back home. It had been a hot minute since my last double-digit run, so it was nice to rectify that...10 miles!


After a quick rinse-off in the shower, the hubs and I headed to Des Moines to explore another trail, the Great Western Biking Trail, with Mike and Amy. There were a few segments where the ride was a little rough (peat gravel and several bumpy "seams" along the asphalt), but it was very scenic and not too hilly...38 miles of pedaling action. Then, after that, there was a meet-up with the two daughters for some wedding dress fun (see below).
 

A welcome refresher for Sunday
Kind of ironic the last day of Spring would gift us with rain...but we desperately needed it. And, my legs needed a quick shake-out after the previous day's antics...so I was out and back home before the real heavy rain arrived. Besides, I've run marathons in the rain LOL, a couple of miles ain't nothin.' 

So, another week under the summer sun, done and dusted (literally...we're in the midst of a nasty drought). Running was moderate, but not crazy, with 22 miles. Walking had 10 miles. Biking dominated with 70 total miles. And, one full-body workout, and 90 flights of stairs climbed. Thankfully, whatever was provoking the hammie and foot were MIA, so all is well.

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I have a favorite tried-and-true summer top that's been around for several years. I love the colors, the pattern, the paisleys, the fit and the cut, so I have not been able to part with it. Sorry, not sorry...some things just stand the test of time, and this piece is one of them.  


Our Saturday ride turned into a fast and furious adventure after a later-than-planned start (parking was a nightmare at the trailhead). The oldest daughter had a 2-3:30 appointment at a bridal store (nearby, in Des Moines), and she found her dress!! Wow, I was on the verge of an emotional blubbering breakdown seeing her in all the beautiful dresses...but I was able to hold it all together. For now.


Happy Fathers Day! I'm so thankful, and quite grateful, to have my father nearby. And, I'm really appreciative of the hubby for all he does for our family. 



So, whew! Lots of action and all kinds of summer. I'm totally good with that.

How did your week play out? Does it feel like summer is in full-swing? Any fitness or training highlights? Any races happening?

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38 comments:

  1. how great that your husband is back into running! Still trying to get my hubs to get on the Peloton. Congrats to your daughter-how fun to go wedding dress shopping. I am impressed she found her dress at the first shop!

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    1. Yes, I'm glad to see the hubby doing some form of training (for running). He goes to the gym consistently, but he kind of "wings it" whenever we do races together. The daughter had to make some quick decisions because she's procrastinated so late in the game LOL

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  2. I'm so happy you're loving your new hybrid! Both of my fitness highlights last week involved my gravel bike. It's probably closest to your hybrid by weight and style. We're heading out for a ride shortly and since it's Father's Day, I'm letting Bill decide the course which will determine which bike I ride. ;-)

    We had a taste of fall-like weather last week. Cool and crisp, but by the time we'd returned home from the farm that was behind us and it's back to hot and humid. We had a doozy of a storm last night and that cooled things off a bit, though.

    Yay for your daughter finding her wedding dress! Have you found your dress for the wedding? I'm still looking...

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    1. It was really cool for a couple of my early-morning walks last week. It was in low-60's and that's cold if I'm not running, and downright frigid on the bike (as you know too well). I haven't even started on the search for my dress because we have not had a wedding date until just recently....stay tuned ;-)

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  3. Busy and fun week for you! Props to you for holding it together while your daughter tried on dresses. What a fun outing and how great she found THE DRESS!

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    1. Oh gosh...fair warning, Marcia. It was all I could do to NOT have a breakdown while I was waiting for her to come out in the first dress.

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  4. Wow, I wept buckets when I went to my best friend's dress fitting!! So hard to hold it together. Glad you're enjoying some nice weather. It was blazing hot for a week or so here and now back to rain, grey and pretty cold!

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    1. Yes, I could feel my cheeks burning and my eyes were a gooey mess LOL We had really hot weather a week ago, but this past week wasn't too bad, albeit humid. Rain today...which was badly needed.

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  5. What a great week! So fun on the wedding dress shopping. I bet the hybrid makes a huge difference on the hills -- now, if you'd try clipping in .....

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    1. Right? Once you clip in, you never go back--and I can't make a rhyme!

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    2. The wedding dress shopping was a fun experience, but also kind of surreal. The hybrid is excellent on the hills! As for the clip-ins, I don't feel any less of a cyclist foregoing them LOL

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  6. Loved seeing the dress news on social. So exciting for all of you.
    Glad Barb was feeling better for your Saturday mischief. Ten miles is a fun mental barrier. I can do it walk run with Beth, but I cannot do it solo. One day soon.

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    1. The 10-mile distance is definitely a nice mental barometer...kind of scary that yesterday's 10-miler really didn't feel that tough considering the humidity. I think my body is more ready for this next marathon than my mind is...

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  7. Congrats to your daughter on finding 'the dress'. So fun!

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    1. Yes, the Mother of the Bride is a fun role to play ;-)

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  8. Yay! Glad to hear the foot and hamstring are totally fine. Congrats on the long run- that ten miler feels good, doesn't it?
    So excited for you and your daughter. And I was weepy at my son's high school graduation... I can't even imagine wedding dress shopping!!!
    Sounds like you're determined to enjoy every second of summer, and off to a great start!

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    1. The 10-miler really felt good, even in the humidity. The dress shopping was a total surreal experience, but also such a proud moment as well. The lump in my throat and wet eyes were tough...

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  9. Looks like a fun and busy week! Love seeing all the biking miles you're getting in. Clearly bonding with Fritz is going well :)

    Congrats to your daughter on finding her dress! So exciting (and emotional)!

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    1. Fritz certainly has become a fast friend ;-) Oh, the dress shopping...sigh...proud, surreal, emotional...

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  10. How exciting that your daughter found her dress! When is the wedding?

    Very fun that your husband is doing some running!

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    1. The wedding date is August 12th! Not a lot of time LOL They got engaged almost a year ago, and finally decided it was time to make it official. The hubby runs on occasion (he does a few races with me from time to time), but he never has been very devoted to truly training for them.

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  11. Dogs walking their humans? Haha, that made me laugh. I would need the whole day to recover if I run 10 miles. You biked and then met up with your daughters. Wow! Excited and happy your daughter found her dress.

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    1. Yes, dogs DO walk their humans ;-) (they're just really skilled at making us believe we're the ones in charge).

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  12. So glad you're feeling good - and how fun is it that your husband is running! I would love to run with my husband - we used to run together before kids, but since #2 was born we've run together only a handful of times. Dress shopping - yay! How much fun, but also, wow!

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    1. Oh gosh, I'm so relieved (still knocking on wood, though) that things all seem to be fine with the hammie and foot.

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  13. Our week was split between Spring and Summer and I'm not gonna lie -- I prefer the Spring!

    Happy you got what you love, Kim -- and so did your daughter! You have lovely daughters.

    It's really great to have your family nearby. Even now, though much closer than we've ever lived to my mom, it's still a bit of a grind visiting. Happy Father's Day to your hubby!

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    1. My parents live only a few blocks away, so we're fortunate to have them close by. My sister moved back to town a few years ago, so now we have her in the area as well. When the oldest daughter had the opportunity to move back to Iowa, we were ecstatic (and the then boyfriend wanted to come along, as well, and the rest is history).

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  14. You've really been embracing this biking and I love it!

    Congrats to your daughter I'm sure she's glad she found the perfect dress! Can't wait to see it (I'm sure you will post it on here when she gets married ;-) )

    Humidity is definitely something I could do without- a friend visited Pittsburgh this past week and it was in the 50s still in the mornings. Oh how I wish! Here we're lucky if it's less than 78 in the mornings, no matter how early we run.

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    1. I agree the humidity really can be tough. I am able to tolerate it easier than others (it seems LOL), but I definitely prefer when it's not so oppressive.

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  15. I like that you're using both Gustavas and Fritz. I'll bet you're getting an extra fitness gear from the two different bikes. Congrats on the wedding dress...very exciting!!!

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    1. For me, it just makes sense to use both bikes since they give me different kinds of workouts. I'm loving the mix of running and biking as I approach this next marathon.

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  16. Whoa you had a super busy week - nice job!! Love that you were able to go wedding dress shopping with your daughter - how exciting!!

    Happy Father's Day to your dad and husband!

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    1. It's funny, and I would bet you can relate...the week doesn't seem that busy until I look back on all the stuff that went down. I'm just accustomed to being active, usually daily, so it's just kind of my routine.

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  17. Oh wow, dress shopping! So great she found one she loves. I bet that was emotional. I used both of my bikes this week too :) I'm in search of some new cycling shorts with side pockets right now. Great workouts this week - fun that so many involved your husband! Happy Father's day to him!

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    1. I found some "bike (under) shorts" that I wear under unpadded cycling-type shorts that have the side pockets. I'm seeing a lot of these cycle-length shorts everywhere this year, and I love the side pockets. The padded undershorts were maybe $20 (?) and are a great option, for me at least, instead of numerous traditional biking shorts...and don't look as dorky LOL

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  18. what a week Kim! and great that the hubs started running again! very exciting that your daughter said yes to the dress!! I can imagine it was an emotional moment!!!

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    1. Yes, the dress! It was a pretty surreal experience. The hubs does some races with me, now and then, but seldom trains for them, so this is a very good thing to have him actually running as a training option.

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  19. Great news about the dress! That's always a big hurdle.

    You are so lucky that your hubby now runs. No luck here on the home front.

    I'm all about being outdoors. I just make adjustments for the weather.

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