Summer's Extended Stay

Summer has been booked for an extended stay, and I couldn't be happier!

Just when I had pretty much accepted that fall was setting up homestead, this past week rewarded me with a summer weather encore. The mornings were still cool, but not as cool as they had been recently. The afternoons, though...ahhh! Pure bliss!

This past week also had me approaching the taper phase of my prep for the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon. There was a lot of fitnessing going on, and plenty of sweat equity banked. And I was loving every minute of it!

Before I disclose all the summer-like deets, 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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down this week in my little world of fitness, frolics, and fun:

A Sunday run like none other...

The Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Run was the main fitness venture on deck for the day. This took place in Brooklyn, IA (about 20 miles east of my hometown of Grinnell). Barb, Allison and myself met up with Nikki there, and the four of us chatted as we ran the hilly 5.5-mile route. Not sure how we managed a 9:49 pace on all those crazy hills, but oh well. I got out for a 2-mile walk, mid-afternoon, and that was it for the day. My legs were shot and I was exhausted.

Never miss a Monday...

Typically, I do my recovery runs on Sundays (following the typical Saturday long runs), but that didn't happen this week. Instead, I intended for Monday's run to be a couple miles of easy-does-it recovery running. Well, you know what that say about the best-laid plans, LOL. The first mile was very easy-peasy, but I could feel my legs coming to life the further I ran. The second mile (#oops #again) wound up being much faster than it felt (#facepalm)...so, another progression/negative-split run, by default. I did stop, after the second mile, and walk the remaining mile back home (for a cool-down), so there's that. We got in our usual two miles of walking at work (during our morning and afternoon breaks), and I walked an additional three miles in the warm summer-like temps that evening.

Take-it-easy Tuesday (for real, this time)...

The day started with a major "burned breakfast" (my arms and shoulders, that is), and a quick 1-mile walk before heading to work. Just one walk at the office (one mile, mid-morning), and then a couple more miles walked after work. And that was it.

Double workout Wednesday...

I met-up with Allison and Barb for the weekly #5at5, and it was an eerie fog fest at that early hour. The temps were mildly cool in the morning (61F), but warmed up nicely by mid-morning. Two more 1-mile walks at the office in the bank.

After work, I was craving a bike ride, but didn't have the self-imposed pressure to hit the bike path anymore (#happydance). I kept the ride local, for 14 miles. This was the first time I really noticed how low in the sky the sun is now, in the early evening hours. Being in town, there are a lot more trees and buildings for the sun to disappear behind. Ugh.

Triple threat Thursday...

On tap: Another (virtual) meet-up with Deb, on another foggy morning. I started with a 3-mile run (with a much easier pace this time, 10:21) and then finished the "cardio hour" with a 2-mile cool-down walk. Next, I hit the dumbbells, for some glutes/legs strength work (yes, in my kitchen, LOL). The temps were absolutely wonderful (hello again, 80F's!!!), so we did our usual walks at work (two total miles for the day). Then, that evening, it was another full moon 4-miler (see below). Yes, that was 11 total miles on foot.

A Friday fallout...

After two very early mornings (both with 4:25AM wake-ups), and 18 total miles logged on foot, my body was ready for a serious recovery day. I got in a 2-mile walk before heading to the office, and the usual walks at work. I'd thought of going for a bike ride after I got home because the temps were fabulous (90F), but the wind was insane. I had ZERO desire to hibernate in the basement, on the spin bike, so I took a pass on cycling. I did a short walk with Max and called it good.

Long Run Saturday...

I met-up with Allison and Barb at 6:00. I was contemplating 10 miles, but with 19.5 miles already for the week, I was already feeling fatigued before I even left my driveway. Like most long runs (for myself, at least), the first 3-4 miles always reaffirm just how tired I really am. After passing the 5-mile mark, though, I eased into autopilot mode. We had perfect weather (a balmy summer-like morning, 68F), so I really was in my element. Allison split-off around the 7-mile mark, and Barb and I continued on. As we were approaching the 9.3-mile mark, just before we'd be parting ways, I had a light bulb moment. Since I was so close to the 10-mile mark, and was feeling good, why not just go for 11 miles? So I did! I haven't run past 10 miles since DAM to DSM (early June), so this was a significant mental and physical conquest. Afterwards, I did an easy 7-mile bike ride, to flush out the legs, and then it was on to Kinnick Stadium for some Hawkeye football!

 

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

The 90F heat is continuing, so I'll for sure be spending some quality time outside. Tentatively, I'll probably do a short recovery run in the early hours, and some walking. If the wind plays nice, I may do a long bike ride as well. Stay tuned...

So, this was quite a full week of fitness! Running topped the 30-mile mark (the Garmin says 30.6), which is the highest weekly mileage these legs have seen in a long time. Walking was decent, with 22 miles. Biking had a very conservative week (21 miles), and that's alright considering all the mileage on foot. I'm really happy with the 11-mile Saturday run; that'll usher me into a nice taper for the DSM 13.1 (Oct. 16th). I'm going to keep with the upper-body strength work, and go easy on lower-body stuff, these next two weeks. Onward!

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

In Denial...

20 Hilly Trail Rides: DONE!

Fall's First 'Fession Session of'23

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. We all know I'm a Hawkeye fan. I had this free t-shirt with a neat logo (it says "IOWAVE," a merging of the words Iowa and Wave), but I didn't like the ill-fitting crewneck or awkward too-short "long" sleeves. So, what's an art geek to do? I cut out the shoulders, shortened the sleeves, and cut it into a V-neck. I even tied some of the cutting scraps onto the sleeves (resembling bows, LOL). Presto! A little bit of a funky upstyle to an ordinary t-shirt.

As mentioned, there was another full moon run this week. These have really gotten to be a fun monthly ritual. Technically, the full moon officially happened Friday, but we did our run an evening early. It still looked pretty full to us, LOL.

So, another week of fitness and fun is done. I know it's the fall season, but I'm loving the summer weather conditions at the moment. The forecast is showing more heat this next week, though not quite as hot. I'm still good with that!

How did your first week of fall play out? Any great workouts that need mention? How's your weather been?

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