Sunday, August 29, 2021

Going With The (weather's) FLOW

 


Well, it was a week!

And Momma N certainly had her own agenda for what kind of weather she was serving up for me. She kept me guessing, she threw a few surprises my way, and she definitely tested my tolerance for her antics.  

It's a good thing she keeps me entertained because there were never any dull moments.

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 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:

Sunday: cool in the morning...
Fresh off of Saturday's (almost) 49-mile bike ride, I thought it wise to keep things on the light side. The hubs and I went for a 2-mile walk with Max. Temps were in the mid-50's...can I just say #Brrrr? I know my summer is slipping away, but there's no need to rush the "crisp & chilly" fall temps just yet. I also did a short 3-mile "shakeout" bike ride (with Gustavas) later, and the temps felt much better by the afternoon.

Then, later, since there was a full moon...can you guess what happened? Barb and I met up, around 9:30, and ran and chatted for four miles. By nightfall, the summer temps (and requisite humidity) had returned, so I truly felt like I was back in my element.


Monday: morning rain; afternoon heat; day-long humidity
Surprisingly, the forecast rain was late to the party, so I got out for a 2-mile walk before work. After work, it was a double delight with a 2-mile #NevermissaMonday run followed by a 5-mile ride with Gustavas (the mountain bike)...in one of my vintage Dam to Dam shirts (see below). 


Tuesday: Continued humidity
With an easy day on tap, I opted for a 4.5-mile early morning ride, under the still (somewhat) full moon. When I got back to the house, Max and the hubby were waiting for me, so we knocked out a couple of walking miles before starting our work days. I also walked on my morning break, at work, and had every intention of another short walk...but the sky was full of storm clouds on my drive home and rain was falling by the time I reached my driveway. Oh well.


Wednesday: a repeat of Monday's weather (rain, heat and humidity)
I'd considered a bike ride, but it was lightning something fierce so I opted for a short walk. It was a good thing, because I made it back home just before the rain hit. Had I gone for a ride, I would have gone much farther and gotten soaked. Whew!


...but, the rain cleared before lunch, giving way to a sunshine-filled afternoon, The temps were warm (upper 80's with plenty of humidity), but also a breeze...so Amy and I met up for another weekly ride out to the lake. This was my 12th consecutive (weekly) ride on the hilly bike trail this summer!

BTW, that's another vintage Dam to Dam shirt

Thursday: moderate temps with unusually high humidity
After a 2-week sabbatical, Barb and I resumed our #5at5 routine. The 69F temps weren't too terrible, but the 100% humidity was just painful. My eyes were majorly burning from all the sweat dripping into them. After missing the two weeks of 5:00AM runs, it was a total buzzkill to only have the slightest hint of daylight when I returned home. Ugh...the early morning daylight sure disappeared quickly! Also, 5.5 miles of biking after work (keeping the legs loose and primed for Saturday's 20K race). 
 

Friday: continued humidity with sunny skies and warm temps
Easy-peasy day, fitness-wise...short early morning walk before work, and a 1-mile walk on the morning break. The son was home, so he and the hubs challenged me to a "dead arm hang" contest of sorts. I surprised them (and myself LOL) with a 40-second hang (hanging from an overhead bar). I may have found a new fitness thing to do on occasion (stay tuned). Also, a short 4-miler on the bike after work.
  

Saturday: crazy heat and humidity!
Race day! Wouldn't you know it, Momma N blessed us with a heat advisory for the DAM to DSM 20K (formally known as Dam to Dam)! While I can usually tolerate all things heat &humidity, Saturday's race was tough. Not sure if it was the extreme heat (temps had a feels-like of 92F when we finished), a fueling/electrolyte thing, lack of sleep (ahem, 3:30AM wake-up) or just one of those days when the universal forces-that-be just didn't align. My energy crashed and my calves got pretty angry in the final miles, so there was a lot of unexpected power walking. My finish time wasn't horrible (2:19), but definitely one of my "slower" D2D performances. No big whoop, though, because this event never disappoints, and I still finished with a smile on my face. Race recap coming, so stay tuned!
 
If the colors of our clothing looks dark, it's because we all were thoroughly saturated after those 12.4 miles in the crazy heat and humidity

Sunday's forecast? 
Most likely, an early morning bike ride, then the hubs and I need to hit the road for a family funeral. I may be delayed in reading/commenting/replying, but promise to catch up when we return to town Monday evening. Thanks for understanding ;-)

So, it was a challenging week in terms of unpredictable (and extreme) weather. I think I did alright, though, staying active while keeping things pretty low-key in prepping for Saturday's race. For activity, there was 15+/- miles of walking, almost 23-1/2 miles of running and 41 miles of cycling. Also, the daily push-ups are still happening, as well as the planks and now I've added ab rollouts with an ab wheel (yikes!). 
 
In case you missed out, here's what else went down on the blog this week:

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! What happens when you buy a cute sundress (without trying it on) and discover it's a tad bit too short? If you're a tall gal like me, you slide on a pair of capri's and pretend the dress is a tunic-length top instead. Hey, it works!


One perk of the early mornings (of the late-summer blooming season) is seeing the Morning Glories every morning. I planted a package of seeds, many years ago. They're supposed to be annuals, so I planted another package of seeds the following year. Well...both sets of these flowers have returned every year since (some are blue, some are purple). They kind of take over my mailbox flower plot, but they're so pretty....


Family ((sigh)). Our son accepted a job, out on the east coast, and left Saturday to drive out there. We had a big family dinner last weekend. I know we raise our kids to grow up and (eventually) go out on their own...but UGH. It's tough letting them go.


So, that's the latest and greatest in my little world. 

How are things in yours? Any races this weekend? Did your weather play nice last week? Ever tried doing ab rollouts, or dead arm hangs?


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30 comments:

  1. We had lots of humidity this week too! I'm glad I haven't had any races this summer and I really hope the weather cools off before my race. Congrats to your son on his job and move!

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    1. The heat/humidity is just the reality of summer, but the humidity has really been extreme this year. My next race (unless something pops up that I HAVE to do) isn't until mid-October, so I'm not too concerned with any more "heated races."

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  2. This month has sure been a test of mental toughness with the heat and humidity. Congrats on your race-no shame in walking! it's tough out there these days. It is so hard to let your kids go off and do their thing. Sigh mom life

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    1. I never feel any shame in walking...it's either because I'm going through a water station (klutz, LOL) or because it's the wise thing to do (heat or discomfort). No regrets!

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  3. I thought our humidity was bad until I went to Alabama last week. Seriously, that is humidity like I've never experienced. Makes our looks like child's play, lol. Anyway, kudos to you for racing in oppressive humidity. It's never easy to run this time of year. Congrats!

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  4. Congrats on your D2D 20K! Sounds like it was hot and miserable, but I'm happy you got to run it live this year since it's one of your favorite races.

    It's so hard letting our big kids go. I hope you son loves his new job and settles into the east coast.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your family's loss. My condolences.

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    1. Thank you, Deb ;-) This would be a fun race to rally a few of my runner/blogger gals to join me (ahem) (cough, cough)...

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  5. Hugs on the funeral. I’ll be right with you on the later commenting but for a happier reason.

    Congrats on conquering another D2D!

    We had crazy heat & humidity this week but the ocean breezes helped a ton & the rain stayed away until yesterday (plus t cooled down).

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    1. Thank you, Judy ;-) The race did feel like a conquest by the time I made it to the finish line LOL

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  6. Wait, you ran at 9:30 at night??? Our weather has been consistently warm and humid this week. Congrats on pushing through D2D! There’s a reason I don’t race in summer!

    Sorry to hear about the family funeral. I hope you find comfort in each other.

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    1. Of course, we ran at 9:30 at night ;-) Summer racing is kind of my gig...most of the time LOL

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  7. Sorry for the family's loss; my condolences.
    Nothing can stop you: weather, humidity, heat! Another good week of sport!
    Congrats to your son on his new job. I am lucky, both my son and my daughter work in the city where we live.
    Here weather is cooled down ...... let's keep the fingers crossed!

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    1. Thank you, Stefano ;-) The summer heat (and humidity) usually aren't an obstacle for me, but every now and then, they do get tough to battle!

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  8. Sorry for the family's loss, and sending hugs on your son moving too. A new job is an exciting start and I hope it goes well for him. I hear the humidity will be moving along soon - I'm looking forward to that! Good job on that race. We had a half this weekend and I didn't even help out. It was too hot for me!

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    1. The humidity can really be tough to battle, and it deserves the utmost respect...especially on race day. The fact that there were so many runners walking, at such an early point of the race, tells the story of struggle LOL

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  9. Oh, ouch- I feel you on your son leaving. It's so hard! But congratulations to him on the new job.
    Glad to hear that even though your race was hard, your hip/groin issue didn't seem to bother you at all. I'll be looking forward to the recap!
    Good luck today, and sorry you're traveling for a sad occasion. Don't worry about commenting late- we'll be here for you when you get back!

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    1. Thankfully, the hip/groin thing really hasn't an issue at all (though I was being cautious so as to not anger it).

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  10. So sorry for your loss. May the services go as best as possible.
    Congrats to your son on his new job. Hope the move went well. If he's anywhere near me and ever needs anything - give a yell.
    This week's weather. UGH. That's all I have to say

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    1. He's near Baltimore, for a few months of training, then will be re-locating to West Palm Beach!

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    2. ooh West Palm is fun. Couple of us down that way when I'm snowbirding. We'll wave :D

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  11. Congratulations on another Dam to Dam Kim! Humidity is tough, but you stuck in there. I love the idea of a nighttime run with a friend!

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  12. We had beautiful weather all weekend but the heat and humidity will come back later on this week - ugh! Congrats on another Dam to Dam race and I love that medal too.

    I have no doubt that your son will love his new city and job!

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    1. It's hard to have the son so far away, especially after just getting the oldest daughter (and now husband) back to Iowa, but we are really happy and excited for his new adventure ;-)

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  13. I love how you run at night. Not me. I am in bed at that time. Hot and humid last week and it is supposed to be cooler now. As I write this in the morning, it is in the 70s. That is exciting about your son! I hope it goes well for him.

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    1. Evening running is fun, but I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if I did it everyday. It's just a nice change in routine, especially when there's a full moon to admire!

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  14. Great active week for you despite the weather! And congrats on another Dam to DSM!

    Hope you son loves his new job and locale. So hard to let them go!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle ;-) The D2D actually was a perfect ending to a hot/humid week LOL

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  15. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    That's really amazing for your son (although I know how hard it is to let go). I wish him much success!

    I have to pop on over to read your race recap. I'm interested to see how this year went!

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