Sunday, October 3, 2021

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:

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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33 comments:

  1. I’m glad you had a good weekend in the DMV. If I’d known you were here I would have loved to see you too.

    Safe travels home!

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    1. It was a fast & furious (in a good way!) weekend, and we actually spent the majority of our time in Baltimore. I wish I'd have had more time and I would have hit you up for an in-person coffee chat. Rain check?

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  2. I've been enjoying this extended summer as well. Our Badgers aren't playing very well at all.

    At least you got your shirt in time for the game...just think, the USPS is actually going to slow the mail down now.

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    1. I'm just thankful the shirt got here, period...and it was the actual shirt I'd ordered. But lesson learned ((again))->no more FB ads!

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  3. Oh no, Fall is very much in force here -- and I personally love that.

    Such a fun weekend for you Kim, & how great to be able to meet up with Deb!

    Glad you're getting to enjoy the Summer temps you love so much. You can have them!

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    1. IT's cooling off a bit this week, so it will feel more seasonal...as long as it's not the cold pre-winter stuff we had two weeks ago, I'll be happy ;-)

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  4. I'm so happy that it worked out for us to run and hang out together, and thank you for making the trip over! Your team certainly didn't disappoint on Friday night! Hope you can get some rest before your work week starts tomorrow!

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    1. Saturday's adventure(s) was such a fun time! After spending most of the day in an airport or on an airplane, I think we both will sleep quite soundly tonight ;-)

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  5. A fun week end despite the wake up in the middle of the night.
    I am so happy because, at last, fall is here! This is the perfect weather for my region.
    Enjoy your summer like weather.
    I only travel, with my son, for the national team of rugby.

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    1. My husband has the goal of making it to every Big 10 (our university's athletic conference) football stadium. It's a lot of fun, but the travel is definitely tiring.

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  6. Wow, that is quite a trip- seeing your son, the football game, a virtual race, blogger meetup- you really packed it into those two days!!!
    Sounds like you had a great week- hope your summer weather continues for a little longer. OH and btw I just heard that the postal delays are going to get even worse- so keep that in mind for your next shirt purchase!

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    1. It was an action-packed weekend, but so much fun. Our weather is looking good this week!!!

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  7. Sounds like such a fun trip! And phew, quite an early wakeup! We still haven't been to a college football game with my daughter. We'll probably only get one in, or maybe two. She isn't very interested in that. Great workouts this week!

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    1. Yes, Friday was a nutzo day...with a 2:30ish wake-up and the evening game, we weren't back to our hotel until after midnight. But, oh well...it was fun being at the game ;-)

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  8. Glad the weather cooperated for you this week! Sounds like a fun trip to the MD area. We probably crossed paths between our trips around DC, MD, and VA this weekend!

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    1. I thought of tracking you down, but with your marathon, I figured you'd be a little busy and a little tired. The weather was absolutely beautiful this weekend, though ;-)

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  9. What a fun "away game" adventure with a win on top of it! Yes summer resurged here and I begrudgingly turned the air back on. It's all good though. I'll never wish away mild weather. I'm eagerly awaiting Thing 1's arrival home this Thursday! Yay!

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    1. That's exciting Thing 1 is coming home for a visit ;-) This football game (and all the other extras) really was a great time. We're only about six hours behind on sleep LOL

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  10. What a lovely week! We've definitely gone into proper autumn here, it was long sleeve fuzzy inside top weather this morning at 6.30, and I got to use my new chest light (where o where did my old one go?!)

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    1. The weather was total perfection (in my opinion) this week ;-)

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  11. Such a fun week or workouts and fun activities too! Our weather here this week was way more "Fall-like" so it seems like you took our summer weather from the previous week lol.

    Wishing you safe travels home!

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    1. I'll gladly trade weather with you, Kim, anytime. Just let me know when you need it to happen ;-)

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  12. Busy week and what a fun weekend! So nice that you got to catch up with Deb :)

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    1. MY best friend from college spent a long weekend in Boston...wish I could have been with her (because you may have had me showing up at your race LOL). But, it was a grand time with Deb...I'm itching for another blogger reunion!!!

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  13. What a fun (but also busy!) weekend. How nice you were able to visit your son. Safe travels home!

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  14. That sounds like such a fun week! And weekend. That's great you were able to visit your son.. And how wonderful to get in so many miles on your bike! I love that you were able to let your manicure dry too. Multitasking!

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    1. I have zero complaints for all the busy-ness of the weekend ;-)

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  15. who knew they had flights that early!? Looks like a jam packed week and fun filled weekend. Sorry I missed your visit

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    1. Well, our flight was actually around 5:30, but we had to get up early to make the drive there (an hour away). It was a total bummer you were in NY (though, I know you were having a great time), but I'll be back ;-)

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  16. That shirt is fun even if over traveled to get to you. Glad you had a good getaway and a win. My Irish lost but the Giants somehow managed a shocking win, so I'll take it.
    While I'll do pre-dawn runs, I can't get there with the walks. Partially safety, partially it just doesn't feel like a dark thing -- odd because I used to walk home in dark.
    I have had so many more rock removals lately -- in the same shoes and socks I always wear. Party they didn't tell us about?

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    1. Well, and I'm very lucky in that I have a very safe place for walking here. I usually head towards the college central campus, where there are numerous lamp posts along the sidewalks.

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  17. I love how for you summer temps are in the high 50s haha! Here it got back up to the low 70s again- we had a summer encore for a few days too, but it's gonna drop back down to the 50s and 60s by the end of the week. I'll admit the weather is partly what had me canceling my run for tonight- that and my leg feeling a little wonky so I decided rest was better than pushing it. But I wasn't keen to run in 80+ degrees this evening.

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