Saturday, July 9, 2022

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:

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?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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32 comments:

  1. Nice week of workouts despite the sultry conditions, Kim! Your flowers are beautiful. I love this time of year for all the blooms!

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  2. you sure did have an intense week! So glad you are joining me for some running fun the next few weeks

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    1. This running/training challenge is gonna be a good test of my grit...and I'm looking forward to it!

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  3. Congrats on the AG win! You sure did a lot of workouts in spite of the humidity.

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    1. The humidity is my reality...might as well just go with it, LOL

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  4. Yay for an age group win! The Midnight Madness run sounds fun. I like evening/night races during the summer and I think there should be more of them!

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    1. The evening races are fun! They're a great challenge and make for a unique setting with the diminishing daylight throughout the race.

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  5. I’ve never done an evening race. Clearly it didn’t hold you back. :-)
    Love your Friday Flair dress.

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    1. Thanks! It's fun to get out of the usual "morning racing" zone ;-)

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  6. I love "stacking" races in the same week. Especially since there are so many fun races in the summer. I've been mostly on the treadmill since I can't hack the heat, but this week I've started doing a one mile outside "chaser" run after my treadmill runs. I'll be interest to see if this does anything to help build my heat tolerance.

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    1. That's a great idea to do those 1-milers! It's not a long distance, so it's over & done!

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  7. You have a lovely garden Kim -- that work really pays off! Your heat & humidity is heading our way, but this week was mostly very nice. But dry, oh so dry.

    Congrats on your AG win!

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    1. We have had a nice "fairly dry" week here, but the humidity is creeping back today...

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  8. Ha, I've thought about taking my mat outside for some hot yoga, but I'm afraid the mosquitos would eat me alive.
    Sounds like you had a great week- your hip must be feeling good. Congrats on the AG win! Maybe you weren't "exceptionally fast" but everyone had the same conditions and you came out on top. Looking forward to the recap!

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    1. So true! This definitely wasn't anywhere close to a "fast" 10K finish time for me, but I know all of us had the same hills, heat and humidity to conquer. Finishing is definitely winning!

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  9. What an active week! We have a heatwave that's just started so I'm dialling the running right down! It's 81 right now at 7pm which is not common!

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    1. Yeah when the heat rises (along with the humidity), it gets tough out there!

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  10. The humidity has been so oppressive this week! Luckily today we are getting a little reprieve from it. Such a great idea to take some of your workouts - like yoga - outside. Sometimes a change of scenery makes such a difference.

    Love the family photo :) So glad that you were all able to get together for a few hours to catch up.

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    1. I love taking the workouts outdoors. Of course, I can't haul out every hand weight I own, so I have to pick & choose (and select workouts that accommodate a limited range of resistance options), but it's all worthwhile.

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  11. What a great week! Nice job getting it all in despite the heat. And BIG CONGRATS on the win! So exciting!

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    1. Thanks! The first place AG was a surprise...but a good one ;-)

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  12. The flowers are gorgeous! Sounds like such a fun week Kim, congrats on the race(s)! I love that feeling when your upper body is that shaky/sore from a killer workout! Must have been some solid Peloton'ing to make it tough to hold a toothbrush :)

    Thanks for hosting the link-up for us all!

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    1. Yes, my arms and shoulders were burning! But, I have to admit, it's a pretty sweet feeling ;-)

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  13. Congrats on winning your age group AFTER your Peloton classes, a 2-mile walk, and a 16-mile bike ride! You're a beast!

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    1. Ha, thanks! I certainly felt like an exhausted beast after crossing the finish line!

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  14. Love those flowers... one of the reasons why I love summer.

    I had a very hot 5k on Wed (in fact someone died). Congrats on your award.

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  15. You continue to amaze me with your consistency! Come rain, or shine, or mugginess, you are out there killin' it! What a solid effort on that humid-race on Saturday - cannot wait for the recap!!

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    1. Thanks, Shathiso ;-) You're such a great supportive fellow-runner and friend ;-)

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  16. Humidity is always a killer. Way to get your workouts in. And congrats on your 10k AG win.

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    1. No doubt, the humidity is a tough by-product of summer (at least in the Midwest). It's my reality, so I just go with it...

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