When Summer Stages an Encore

It's almost like Momma N knew she'd wronged me.

After the previous week's fast-forward to all things (late) fall-like, this week saw a resurrection of all things summer. We're talking daily sunshine and near-record-breaking temps. Let's just say, I was totally back in my element.

Before I share all the summer-like 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 in my little world of fitness and fun:

A sunnny start

If you recall, I was fresh off a 70-mile bike ride from the day prior.Even though the legs were a bit tired, we had the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Run on deck. This is a 5-mile route, and it's very hilly. Of course, there was plenty of wind as well. The hubby ran solo, but Barb and I ran together...both with the goal of running easy. We had a few short walk breaks, rocks removed from shoes, and some struggling with fatigue. It felt like the hills had gotten more steep since last year's run, and I had overdressed, so I spent the majority of the run feeling sluggish. I'd left my Garmin at home, since I knew the distance and was not running it for any specific finish time. When we finsihed, Barb and I were thoroughly exhausted. Then, she pulled up the stats from her watch. Both of us were dumbfounded to see we'd run it with a 9:22 pace. No wonder the run had felt so tough...that was a fast pace on such tired legs.

Never miss a Monday

Still feeling tired from the weekend, my Monday run was kept short...like only "one mile" short. When I got back, the hubby and Max were waiting to go for a walk (two miles). I also walked at work (morning and afternoon). Walking for the recovery win!

Later, after work, I was ready for a little more action. I took the mountain bike out for 12 miles of post-workday fitness. The ride went well, but the bugs were a nightmare. Approximately 1,573 bugs pelted my face, sunglasses and helmet. Thankfully, zero were swallowed. But the summer temps were fantastic.

Typical Tuesday

Nothing major on tap since I was still giving my body some grace following the weekend's long ride and tough Mollie run. Two early-morning miles walked, and two more at work (morning and afternoon breaks). Also, 10 miles on the bike after work, and everything was feeling recovered and happy.

 

Double workout Wednesday

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my early-morning 5-milers? When the temps (59F) feel so perfect, and the air is calm (no wind!)...well, it just doesn't get much better. Then, when the miles feel fast and easy, well, that's just a bonus. After work, it was time for the 17th ride on the bike path. Nice, warm temps but plenty of wind (I ask you, what's new?), but 15 miles later and all was well.

Thankful Thursday

Another early-morning pre-dawn adventure, via walking. The streets are all mine at this early hour, and I never regret getting out there. Give me more warm summer-like temps, and it's hard to not feel giddy. After work, another easy 10-miler on the mountain bike while the manicure dried (you know, #priorities).

Fly-out Friday

With a big weekend happening, the hubs and I were up at 2:45AM (that is not a typo), picked up our friend (Paul) and were headed to the airport by 3:15 (that's not a typo either). We were headed to Washington, DC, then driving to the Baltimore area for the Iowa vs. Maryland football game that evening (see below). I got in some planking before the busy day began, then there was all kinds of walking in DC (seeing some of the sights), and then more walking at the game (to and from the stadium). 

A virtual race with plenty of in-person fun

Is there anything better than repping your alma mater the morning after a big victory? Yes, actually - running an awesome virtual race with an awesome running friend, while supporting the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital! I was already planning to run this race virtually, and when I mentioned meeting up and running with Deb (from Deb Runs ), she decided to register as well. We ran the 3.1 miles, along the W&OD Trail, and then spent a few hours chatting and catching up afterwards. I'll do a brief recap this week, with a few more details. Stay tuned! (There also was more walking, and a bonus 1-mile "Maryland" run when we got back to our hotel).

So, it's been quite a week! With the busy weekend happening, I purposely front-loaded the days prior...while keeping the cardio (mostly) low-impact. The running miles were conservative (15), but walking was decent (22 miles). Also, although the biking was consistent, it was on the conservative spectrum as well (47 miles). But, the return-to-summer weather was such a welcome gift. 

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

Turnabout Is (not) Fair Play

I Never Met a Sunrise I Didn't Love 

October's Ultimate Coffee Date

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Yes, there was a Hawkeye game on tap for Friday evening, so it's only right that some Hawkeye fashion be featured. This shirt has an interesting story in that it was another Facebook ad purchase (I know, I really should have known better). The good news is that it did arrive (albeit 17 days after it was ordered and paid for), but tracking the shipment was laughable at best. It "shipped" within two days of ordering, but spent two days landing in no less than six different "transit processing" cities (in China) before sitting for the better part of an entire week. Then, it arrived in Chicago, went to a suburb (I cannot recall which one), spent a night in Des Moines (an hour from my hometown), detoured to Kansas City (for a couple days) before finally arriving in my mailbox.

Iowa Football!

As mentioned, we traveled to the Baltimore area (via Washington, DC)! The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins (51-14) Friday evening.  Also, we got to hang out with our son, who relocated there a couple months ago.  We had a blast at College Park, and our Hawkeyes did not dissapoint. In true Hawkeye spirit, all the Iowa fans "waved" to the Children's Hospital between the first and second quarters of the game.

So, yeah. It's been a  busyweek (and an even busier weekend). I'll be traveling back to Iowa Sunday morning, so I will (again) be delayed with the blogging stuff until mid-afternoon. I will try to read a few of the linked blogs before our first flight takes off. I appreciate your understanding and patience!

How did your week play out? Were you treated to a return of summer temps? Or, have the fall temps not yet staged an appearance? Got a favorite football team that you've traveled to their games? 

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