Rock What You Got

Sometimes, you just gotta go with what you're given.

We've had an unusually extended heat wave. We're talking nearly three continuous weeks with near record-setting temps and continuously high humidity levels.

With a September 18th marathon on deck, I've been keeping pretty active on the bike(s) and on the feet. I've been in constant motion and was due for some scaled-back recovery time. 

Wouldn't you know, Fate intervened and allowed both to happen...all within the same week. Lucky me. I like it when that happens! 

Before I share 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 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 ;-)

Ayways, here's what down this past week:

I became a RAGBRAI rider!

Sunday morning found the hubby and I hitting the road at 5:45AM for an 88+ mile adventure on Day-1 of the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. He's a long-time veteran rider, but this was my first time. Full details are on the recap (HERE), but suffice it to say this was a very l-o-n-g day in the July heat and humidity (and there were several hills as well). But the odds are ever in my favor that I'll be returning.

 

Never miss a Monday.

Much to my surprise, I awoke Monday morning feeling (dare I say?) mostly recovered from the previous day's cycling antics. Not wanting to chance anything, I opted for a 2-mile walk (with the hubby and Max) and saved the running for after work. The temps were pretty warm and humid (I know, #still), so I kept the miles low (two miles) and slow. The knees felt a little stiff, but everything else felt good. And that summer breeze really made me feel fine...if you know what I mean.

Not quite a typical Tuesday...

I usually try to work in some biking, either on Mondays or Tuesdays, but opted to take a pass this week. Even though I was feeling recovered, I knew there probably still was some residual recovering needed that I wasn't noticing on the surface. So, I kept things easy-peasy with some walking...two miles before work, a mile at work (morning break), and a couple more miles after work. 

Not a typical Wednesday, either

Remember that little bike ride mentioned above? Well, Barb had ridden on Tuesday and wasn't yet back to town on Wednesday morning. While I'm every bit capable of running the #5at5's on my own, I decided to just wait and run with Barb on Thursday morning instead. Besides, my legs would benefit from an extra day's rest. So, some more walking (in the morning, at work, and after work) and some upper-body strength work served me just fine. BTW, this day was a warm one...I heard it set a record high for July 28th in our town (triple digits with the heat index!).

 

Double workout Thursday!

With the two "bonus" days of low-maintenance/low impact activity, my legs were ready for some action come Thursday. Barb and I did our #5at5 in the early hours (and it was probably the hottest and humid-est early-morning run ever). Then, 12 hours later, I met up with Amy for the weekly 15-miler on the hilly bike path. Sadly, my special lily had only one bloom remaining Wednesday morning; by afternoon, it was gone. I'm grateful that I took the time to stop and sniff it every time I walked, ran, or biked by it the nine days it was in bloom, alongside our mailbox.

  

Kind of a frigid Friday

Are you sitting? Overnight, our temps plummeted 30-degrees! While the mid-60's feel awesome for summer running, they're pretty chilly for summer walking. As I was lacing up the shoes, Max gave me his "Mommy-can-I-go-with-you" look...and how could I say no to that face? The thing is, once we'd  left the driveway, he decided HE was going to take ME for the walk instead of vice-versa LOL.

 

Long run Saturday

Momma N had blessed us with some cooler temps, but she also sprinkled in some overnight rain. As luck would have it, there was some remaining light rain and mist come Saturday morning. With 15 miles on tap, I didn't want to wait-out the rain, so I headed out around 6:00. Actually, the sprinkles were so light, I barely noticed them (and they actually felt pretty refreshing). I got in five miles before meeting up with Barb (by then, the rain had halted), and then she ran the remaining 10 with me. Even with the cooler temps, the humidity made for quite a sweat fest. It has been a long time since I've run 15 miles (like, since MCM training, Summer of 2019). While these miles weren't easy, they went off like clock work. I may have taken a few intermittent naps afterwards, though, while watching some of the Olympics coverage...

Sunday's forecast

I'm not sure what's on tap, fitness-wise, for Sunday. Possibly a short recovery run; if not, there will be an early-morning walk (or maybe both). We'll be helping the younger daughter move to a different  apartment (for the new semester at college), and maybe a moderate bike ride after returning home.

So, even though things weren't as active as usual, it still was a great low-key week. The weather was crazy hot and humid, so it worked out well to keep things (mostly) on the down-low. Running mileage totaled out at 22 miles (most of which was from Saturday's long run). Biking was on the higher spectrum, with 103 (but 88 of those miles were from RAGBRAI). Walking dominated with 17 cumulative miles of daily action. 

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

Summer Smiling While the Sun is Shining

"On Your Left" - Reflections from my first RAGBRAI

Some SUN*RUN*FUN 'fessions

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! As mentioned, the temps took a 30-degree nosedive overnight. Thankfully, my cold shoulder blouse wasn't too uncomfortable. Just because the temps felt more like Fall didn't mean I had to dress like Summer had ended, right?

More flowers are blooming! The hosta are really coming to life (lower right), as are the blooms on our Hydrangea tree (upper right). I'm finally seeing some Morning Glories and a few of the roses by our mailbox. Summer is such a beautiful season! 

Well, that's a wrap for now. This week gave me some heat, and earned recovery time...I'm glad I was able to capitalize on those gifts.

How are things in your world? Was it hot, hot, hot and humid for you, too? Are you training for any fall races? Any races this weekend?

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