A Sunny Sequel to Summer

Can I share a not-too-surprising secret?

I'm not looking forward to the start of the fall season. But, bless Momma N's dear heart, she was quite kind in gifting me another week of summer weather...and the forecast is showing it will continue for several more days this next week. 

But still. 

It's not that I detest Fall, I just do not like that it's a precursor to Winter. Maybe Momma N could sense my trepidation? Alas, this past week was a nice one, in terms of weather and whatnot. 

Before I tell you all about this past week's fitness highlights, 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 terms of all things fitness:

Sunday was off to a chilly start...

How do 51F temps grab you? For an early morning 2-mile walk, they were quite chilly! Thankfully, the temps warmed up nicely and the sun smiled on us most of the day. Even though I'd done a 9.11-mile tribute run for September 11th (on Saturday), I felt obliged to do something else...so I took a 9.11-mile bike ride in the afternoon. There also may have been another 2-mile walk in the evening.

Never Miss a Monday.

Nothing real earth-shattering, but a pleasant 3-mile run (with 1/4-mile surges) was an ideal start to my morning. A couple more miles walked at work (morning and afternoon breaks) and a bonus evening walk. Check, check, and check

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A not-so-typical Tuesday...

Ugh. The morning temps were chilly, AND it was oh-so-dark! I opted to keep the morning workouts indoors (Barre and core, via Peloton app), but stepped outside for the post-workout selfie...and was treated to a sunrise like none other. There was more walking at work (two total miles) and an evening 2-mile walk...then, some serious upper-body and arm work in the evening.

         

Double Workout Wednesday!

Another fab #5at5 in the wee hours. The temps were cool but comfortable (55F), the streets were quiet, the stars were bright, and Barb and I kept out splits pretty even (10:25/10:22/10:11/10:24/10:22). Total perfection, even with the lack of daylight.

Later, it was another hot and hilly adventure on the bike path with Amy. Well, there was a bit of a breeze, but it still was a warm ride (88F) and ever reminiscent of Summer. No complaints; no regrets.

               

Thankful Thursday.

I took it back outdoors Thursday morning for some glutes/legs and arms/shoulders (Peloton app). We started in the dark but had daylight when we ended, 30 minutes later. I especially love these sweet, short & sweaty Peloton workouts because there is no time wasted and usually a substantial muscle burn afterwards. I also got in three (total) miles of walking and a glorious 12-mile pre-twilight bike ride (see below).

 

Fabulous Friday.

For the past few weeks, I've been doing "just go with it" runs on Friday mornings. Simply put, I just run and don't pay attention to the Garmin. I was happy to see my splits were consistent with a slight progression in pace. Even better, it was another beautiful "summer" morning, temps-wise. After work, I took Krystal out for a warm (and slightly humid) 17-mile ride before dinner. 

Saturday's wet survival..

Although Momma N had been playing nice all week, she sort of turned the tables on me come Saturday. "Light rain" was in the forecast (at bedtime Friday evening), but it had changed to heavy rain and #ThunderboltsAndLightning upon wake-up Saturday morning. Barb and I had planned for a #6at6, but that got pushed back an hour, and then didn't come to fruition. Barb had to leave town, and the rain was still falling...so I waited until 8:00 and finally pulled-up the big girl panties and headed out. It had been almost three years since I've run with music, so I cued up a few running workouts from Peloton (more for the music than the actual workout), and got seven miles knocked out among the puddles and  intermittent downpour.

...and Sunday?

The weather is looking a bit iffy, but there's all kinds of possibilities in store. There might be a morning walk (or run), and there will probably be a bike ride as well. 

So, yeah! Another week of fitness fun in the bank. The weather was simply fabulous (even the cool mornings), and I'm ever grateful to be able to get outside on the daily. Running was alright, with 18 miles done (and possibly a few more Sunday morning, weather permitting). Walking was decent, with 17 miles. And biking, always a favorite, had 53 miles of pedaling action (also with the potential of more miles added before sundown on Sunday). Strength training was solid this week, as well, and I had the burning muscles to prove it.

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

All In Good Fitness Fun

Describe Oneself...

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. As mentioned, this week was all about the summer feels, and Friday was no exception. It was a perfect day for easy-breezy flowy fabric. I'll let you in on a little secret, though...this sleeveless top is actually a mini sundress. I'm a tall gal (5'9), so a lot of "mini-length" dresses and skirts look like micro-mini pieces on me. My solution? I grab a hair tie and scrunch the heck out of the hemlines and make them pose as funky tops instead.

As much as I LOVE my sunrises, I gotta give huge props to the beauty of sunsets. Thursday's sunset was nothing short of breathtaking. I'm so grateful I was out on the bike and able to witness all the color in person.

How about you? How was your week? Any great brag-worthy workouts or runs that need mention?

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