Just Keep Moving Forward!

Talk about your action-packed weeks!

Of course, that’s the way (uh huh, uh huh) I like it.   

Biking and walking were both vying for center stage. Strength training had some moments. A new July challenge started. And, running staged a rally-back. All was well as the summer heat (and requisite humidity) ushered us into the new month and Independence Day weekend.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty 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, in my little world of fitness and whatnot, this week:

Sunday - moving on foot and on wheels

The morning started with a 3-mile sunrise walk before church. Have I ever mentioned how much I adore my sunrises?

Shortly after church, Amy and Mike arrived on the scene. We pedaled to Mingo, via the Chichaqua Valley Trail, and ran into Dave and Susan (friends from my former town). Small world, huh! Lots of heat, plentiful humidity, and a few random mulberries…all par for the course, and 29+ miles done.

Moving and grooving through Monday

After a week’s sabbatical from the running shoes, I was eager to lace-up and see how things would feel. The first mile was a bit stiff (which is somewhat typical even when the hips are happy, LOL), but everything loosened up shortly thereafter. Three miles never felt so good! I also got out for a 2-mile (weighted vest) lunchtime walk and a bonus 2-mile evening walk.

Tuesday - lots of low-impact movement to be had

The early morning saw a 2-mile walk (again with the weighted vest), bonus walking with Max, and a couple upper-body workouts (via Peloton). BTW, I didn’t realize just how heavy the 8-pound dumbbells could feel until trying to punch them after 40 minutes of focused upper-body work. My arms felt like jelly, and probably would have been giving me the side-eye if they had faces, LOL. 

I had to be in Grinnell (my former town) for the afternoon, so it worked out to meet with Amy and Mike for a reunion ride on the hilly bike trail! It had been almost two years since I’d tackled those hills, and was feeling a little intimidated. Oof, those hills were every bit has challenging as I remember them, but I was able to hold my own. There’s much to be said about all that cross-training I do.

Wednesday - early morning moving and shaking

After a few weeks’ reprieve from the 4:45AM gig, Hannah and I resumed the routine. We knocked-out four miles in the humid, though moderately cool, conditions. Later, my 2-mile lunchtime walk was a major sweatfest, but no regrets!

 

Thankful Thursday - on so many levels!

It wasn’t until I’d gone downstairs (to let Max out for his morning business) and was running back upstairs, that I noticed there wasn’t any of the recent hip crankiness. Wow! The 2-mile walk felt great (even in the heavy humidity). I could feel a little strain during the glutes/legs workout that followed, but it was much less severe than in recent weeks. Again, wow! Later, I took Gustavas (the mountain bike) for a 6-mile ride…because he hadn’t seen much action in recent weeks.

  

Celebrating the 4th on Friday

It was a very steamy morning. The 2-mile “wake-up-and-greet-the-day” walk was rather sauna-like.

The stage was set for another reunion ride of sorts. This time it was with Sandy and Russ. We me at the nearby trailhead for 30-ish miles of heat, humidity and lively conversation. The trail doesn’t have crazy hills, but there are numerous inclines (hence almost nonstop pedaling). I decided to take Gustavas for this outing, not only to UP the intensity a notch, but also because his red color is patriotic. Besides, it has been several years since I’ve taken the mountain bike on a long ride. About that increased intensity? Mission accomplished.

Saturday - more humidity to run through…

Although the temps weren’t too terrible (mid-70’s), the humidity was (again) off the charts. Nonetheless, these three miles felt decent and the hips were happy. A bonus? I beat the rain!

…and what’s happening on Sunday?

The jury is still out on my Sunday fitness roster. Most likely, there will be an early morning walk before church. It’s looking like a nice day for biking, so that’s a distinct possibility for the late morning or afternoon.

This week felt great, in so many ways. First and foremost, I’m grateful the hips are feeling MUCH better. I kept the running on the low spectrum, because (1) I want things to continue to heal and (2) I have no need for excess mileage. That said, running logged-in with 10 miles this week. Biking had a strong showing with 79 miles. Walking was respectable with 18 miles as well. Several strength sessions were added to the mix (a few short upper-body workouts weren’t noted above, but they all played valuable parts). In other words, I’m feeling pretty good! Also not mentioned: a daily 3-minute challenge (involving side planks and wall sits) and a Wall Pilates program (just because) debuted. 

In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog:

When the Damp Runs Deep

A Star-Spangled Coffee Chat

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Yes, Friday was Independence Day in the USA. I made sure to celebrate the day in true “fashion.” 

About the pesky hip issues as of late. It’s not actually the hip flexors at fault, but the vicinity…namely the outer “joint” region (where I’m pointing in the pic). Although I know there’s still more healing to be done, things are feeling so much better.

Finally, last weekend (on June 29th), was the EIGHTH anniversary of my emergency knee surgery ordeal. The nasty scar has faded tremendously, but there still is some slight residual skin discoloration on the actual knee cap. While this was a challenging experience to get through, I was blessed with a complete recovery. Although there was no running for almost three months, I developed a huge respect for the simple act of walking. My love of walking is still going strong!

So, that’ll do for now. July is off and running, literally and figuratively. The summer heat is my reality, as is the humidity. The days are still long, and the sunrises are captivating. All is well in my world.

How is your July going thus far? Any racing over the weekend? Did you celebrate the 4th? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter