Facing The Heat Head On

The heat is on, and so is the humidity.

It's all part of the summer gig, but Holy Humidity Batman! We always have humid days in Iowa, but there's usually a break now and then. Well, this year? Not so much.

While we have had an intermittent day (or afternoon/evening) with lower humidity...more often than not, the high humidity has been there upon wake-up the next morning LOL. Thankfully, the early morning temps have been comfortable (60F-70F, on average), but my app has indicated the humidity has been in the 90th percentile most of those mornings.

Oh well, since I can not change it, I choose to face it head-on. Such was the case this past week...

Before I share the heated 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 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 blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

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

Sunday Sunny Sunday

The morning started out with a short 2-miler with the hubby (FYI, I was dressed first #JustSaying). Then, we loaded up the bikes and headed to a trail for some riding. Total biking miles, for the day, came in at 35. A few highlights were the numerous mulberries (everywhere) along the trail, meeting two of the kiddos for lunch at the turn-around, and then finding some cash in the parking lot after we'd returned to the trailhead. Not bad for a day's fitness. 

Never Miss A Monday

As mentioned, most of this week's fitness endeavors involved muggy weather conditions and Monday's 5K was no exception. But that sunrise amidst the funky clouds was legit. After work, I met Barb and Amy for the weekly hilly bike path endeavor. Even though the humidity wasn't as high (a mere 61%), the mid-80F's temps still felt pretty sticky. Although the hills are much easier with Fritz (the hybrid bike), they are still keeping me pretty humble. After returning back to town, Barb and I pedaled a few extra miles...ending with 20 total miles on wheels.  

Easy-Peasy Tuesday

I was really craving a sunrise ride...but the streets were pretty slick (from the overnight rain), my legs were feeling a little drowsy (from the hilly ride 12 hours prior), and there was no visible sunrise (#whompwhomp). So, a pre-workday walk was a win-win. I may have beat the rain (it showed up right after I returned home), but the humidity was clear and present (again). Two bonus miles walked after work as well.

 

Double Workout Wednesday

Another #5at5 adventure with Barb under continued balmy conditions. Seriously, my app indicated 100% humidity, but there was ZERO rain falling...that's how thick the air was (at least it wasn't snowing, right?).

Later, after work, it was Gustavas' turn for some riding. We rode (mostly) flat streets for 12 easy miles.

A Little Bit of Everything Thursday

Thursdays are a non-running day, but I try to keep them somewhat action-packed with strength training, HIIT or stair work (or a combination thereof). How does this sound:

*1-mile bike ride to the outdoor stairway (mountain bike)

** FIVE circuits of:

-10 flights of stairs (180 steps)

-10 burpees

-10 push-ups

* 1-mile bike ride back home

Wouldn't you jump, too? 

In addition, there was some walking at work (one mile during my morning break) and 1/2-mile with Max (before dinner). There also was an intense upper-body strength session in the evening (no pics, but I pinky swear it happened). And a great evening of sleep!

Low-key Friday Fitness

More balmy temps, but the hazy air and hide-&-seek clouds do make for quite a show! Just an easy-paced 2-mile run (amidst the stunning sunrise) and a 2-mile walk (after work).

Long Run Saturday...

Not gonna lie or sugar coat it, this 12-miler was a bit of slow-mo production. Both Barb and I were not feeling much mojo when we met up at 6:15, and neither had any grandiose goals as far as pacing or finish time. Things did feel much better after a few miles (energy-wise), but my average pace went from 10:20 (for the first 7.62 miles) to 10:40 (in the final 4.60 miles). I know that because I accidentally "saved" my run on the Garmin (instead of "pausing" it LOL) at our potty stop. I blame the glare of the sun and the compromised view with the sunglasses (and user error). Oh well, no big deal. I know what really happened, and so does Barb, even if it looked like I did two separate runs. Afterwards, we spent an hour recovery walking in the lazy river at the city pool. I'm guessing we walked maybe 2-3 miles (?), and it felt really good on the tired legs. 

 

What's on tap for Sunday

Our usual 4th of July race is actually happening on Monday. Instead, I'm planning on a short recovery run (upon wake-up), then we're heading to a trail for some biking miles with friends (40-ish miles).

Even though it was a heated (and humid) week, I'm thankful for all the workouts I was able to get done (most were outdoors, after all). Running (Sunday thru Saturday) totaled out at 24 miles. Walking saw 14 miles. Biking dominated with 69 miles. Also, there was one upper-body workout and one stair workout (total stair flights were 100, which also includes the warm-ups before my runs).

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

Going to Extremes

A Lot Can Happen in Four Years

Coffee Chat this 'n that

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Let's just say I'm patriotic and proud. I love dressing in red, white and blue...and not just on significant American holidays. 

This week's flowers in bloom...purple balloon flowers, the first of the orange daylilies, peach daylilies, and phlox. 

There's more than just flowers in my gardens. Saturday afternoon, I spent almost three hours squatting and yanking out numerous hearty weeds from three of my garden plots. The pics (below) of the overflowing wheel barrows don't quite do justice to how much work was involved...and there's still plenty left to do.

So, there you go. We're over halfway through 2021 (How did that happen???) and the summer season is in full swing. 

How did your week play out? Any great workouts? Tough runs? Ever accidentally saved your run instead of pausing it? Plans for Independence Day?

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