Make Mine a DOUBLE

Let's just say it was a week of seeing (and doing) double.

It wasn't planned, but that's how things played out. I'm a strong believer in going with the flow. Besides, it's kind of fun to shake things up once in awhile, you know? 

Before I dis on all the doubles at play, 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 this week:

Sunday - Double the walking

You may recall Saturday was a busy day. There had been a 6-mile run (testing out the recovering hip), and a 32-mile group bike ride (under a pretty hot sun). When Sunday rolled around, I knew my body needed some low-maintenance time, so I got out for 3-mile sunrise walk. Later, I took another 3-mile walk, this time with Max. And that's all she wrote.

Monday - Doubling the dampness

We had rain in the morning's forecast, and it delivered (right after I returned home from a quick 1-mile wake-up walk). Barb, Allison, and I ran the Sully Freedom Fun Run 5K in light rain (which followed a heavy downpour right before the race start). As you can guess, even though the rain had let up, the humidity did not, LOL. Later, in the afternoon, I took Gustavas out for a 7-mile ride. By then, the rain was long gone, but the heat index was in the triple digits and the humidity was even more heavy than it had been earlier.

Tuesday - Double-Duty on Deck (literally)

You've heard of hot yoga? Well, I did Hot Barre on the deck upon wake-up, and followed up with an arm/shoulders workout (both from Peloton app). No at-work walking, due to the extreme heat and humidity, but a post-workday 10-mile ride (with Krystal) was tolerable.

Double-Workout Wednesday

Although the temps were sitting at 72F for the #5at5 with Barb, the humidity was (again) obnoxious. At work, we did our mid-morning 1-mile walk and declared it a "once and done" day. After work, Amy and I tempted fate by heading out on the bike path despite the "light showers" showing on our weather apps. We did feel a few intermittent sprinkles, but they didn't amount to anything. By the time we'd  finished the 15 miles, the threat of rain was gone...so I finished the day with a 2-mile walk. BTW, the pony tails were a big fail on the bike ride...another reason I usually resort to braids when I'm biking (to keep all the strays from sticking to my "glazed-over" skin).

  

12 hours difference, almost the same sky

Thankful Thursday - Double the Strength

Another humid morning, I took my strength session out to the patio (via Peloton). We lunged, we squatted, and we lunged some more. Afterwards, I got in a 2-mile walk as a means of recovery (oh, my glutes!).  Another 1-mile "once and done" walk, mid-morning at work. After work, the humidity was more bearable for a pre-dinner 2-mile walk. Before bed, I did an intense upper-body strength workout (also on the Peloton app), and I could barely hold my toothbrush afterwards. I kid you not.

drop it like a...lunge

Friday - A Double Challenge...

Several of us are taking part in a speedwork/training challenge with Deborah...and I had a 20-minute run on the roster. I didn't have to run it specifically on Friday morning, but when I woke up to a break in the rain, I decided to seize the day (so to speak). As if running for 20 continuous minutes (as fast as possible) wasn't tough enough, I also had 100% humidity (and slick/wet streets). Although I didn't have any noticeable DOMS from Thursday's lower-body extravaganza, I did have a touch of fatigue at play. I ran an easy-paced 1/2-mile for a warm-up (and I'd also done some dynamic drills before leaving my house), then started the (new) Garmin and took off. I ran a couple of my familiar "loops" around the college campus and finished when the timer said 20 minutes. I usually can run well under a 9-minute pace for this short of a distance... but not this time, LOL. Oh well. I did a short cool-down run, then walked a bit more until I was back home (three total miles run). 

 

BTW, that is not rain dripping from my chin

Saturday - A little bit of everything

You know me...it's nearly impossible to not only sit still, but staying indoors on a beautiful day simply ain't gonna happen. With the Midnight Madness 10K on deck for the evening, I wanted to do a little TLC work. I started the day with a barre class and core work (both via Peloton), went for a 2-mile post-sunrise walk, and enjoyed a relaxing 16-mile bike ride. And the race? Well, it was crazy hot and humid, with a new course (most of which was in full sun), and even this #HeatLovingRunner had a tough go at it. But, I did pull off a 1st place AG (not because I was exceptionally fast, but probably because everyone else was jinxed by the racing conditions as well). Race recap coming!

finishing a tough race with your lipstick intact, and no lingering fatigue? #WINNING

...and what's on tap for Sunday?

The jury's still out on what Sunday has in store for me. Possibly a sunrise ride? Most likely there will be some walking as well. 

So, what a week! I don't think we set any records in terms of heat or humidity, but the weather was a beast! Even when it's hot, I'm still a strong believer in taking your fitness outdoors, as long as you do so with caution. Running was decent (though still on the conservative side) with 17+ miles. Walking had 19 miles. Biking saw 48 miles. Several intense strength sessions, and all the daily planks, push-ups, and leg lifts. Yadda Yadda Yadda.

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

Heavy on the Pedals

Sully Freedom Fun Run 2022 Recap

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. These hot summer temps are tricky when it comes dressing. The heat outside is one extreme and the indoor A/C is quite the opposite. I was happy to find this fun dress a few years ago. The fabric is very light weight, but the elbow-length sleeves are perfect for those frigid indoor temps. Besides, I'm a sucker for Aztec prints.

The Florida son was home for a few days last weekend. It was great having the whole family together, even if it was for just a few hours on Sunday afternoon.

Finally, how about another peek at what's blooming? This week, the first of the daylilies and morning glories made an appearance. The balloon flowers, purple cone flowers and achillea are coming to life. And, the red lilies and phlox added even more color to the front yard.

Anyways, enough about me and my week of double-double fun-fun...

How are things in your world, fitness and otherwise? Are you enjoying the same intense heat and humidity? Are you getting outside, or keeping things cool (and staying indoors)? Ever done two races in the same week?

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