August’s Final Hurrah

How, exactly, is August (almost) over?

I gotta say it’s been a month full of adventure, fitness, and fun. I don’t dread September’s arrival, but I’m not too keen on the final days of summer looming on the horizon. The best I can do is celebrate and embrace every minute before the daylight depletes and the cold sets in…

‘Fessing it up for August

 

…and just like that, it’s time to hit the ‘fessional.

You know the drill, a few ‘fessions released, exposed, and shared does us well. Besides, there’s no sense in keeping all this stuff to myself, LOL.

So, here’s what needs disclosing for August…

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!

Summer Fitness Options Aplenty ... and how to choose which to do

The heat is on; on the street. Can you feel it?

Trust me, I am NOT complaining (after all, I wait nine months for summer to return to Iowa every year). The heat does make it a bit more of a challenge to enjoy the great outdoors, though.

I make it a priority to take most of my cardio workouts outdoors. Even when the mercury is off the charts, and it's hotter than Hades, I usually shun the inside option. I figure if I'm going to be sweating anyways, I might as well enjoy the scenery.

That said, the extreme heat of summer is nothing take lightly or ignore. It commands all of your respect and every last ounce of common sense.

Against the Wind...on the daily

How do you like your wind? 

Myself? The wind is pretty much my biggest nemesis. It doesn't keep me inside, but it's definitely not my favorite dragon to slay.

That said, I can't exactly brag about slaying any dragons this week. I certainly did battle with plenty of them, though, both on bike and on foot. 

Warm Weather Outdoor Options

It's been a hot summer thus far.

Trust me, I am NOT complaining (after all, I waited 9 months for summer to return to Iowa). The heat does make it a bit more of a challenge to enjoy the great outdoors, though.

I make it a priority to take most of my cardio workouts outdoors. Even when the mercury is off the charts, and it's hotter than Hades, I usually shun the inside option. I figure if I'm gonna be sweating anyways, I might as well enjoy the scenery.

That said, the extreme heat of summer is nothing to take for granted. It commands all of your respect and every last ounce of common sense.

A Mayhem of 'fessing

The month of May may be winding down, but there's still some mayhem at play.

No, that's not a riddle, but merely my reality.

Even with a relatively race-free summer calendar, there is still plenty to keep me busy. And, quite honestly, that's how I thrive. But, first things first...shall we clear the air a bit and runfess a few things?

Upright and Vertical (sort of)

Upright and vertical...ever tried to hold that position (physically and mentally) when things felt tough?

Whether it be the weather or the demands of a challenging workout, it's always best to just put on your big girl running gear and face it head-on. I'm a strong believer in tough conditions making one tougher, after all. Why not embrace the #badass training coming to you free of charge?

This week gave me lots of gritting-it-out moments, but I'm grateful for every one of them.

Running Walking Biking in the HEAT

Baby it's hot outside...

Trust me, I am NOT complaining (remember, I waited 10 months for summer to return to Iowa). The heat does make it a bit more of a challenge to enjoy the great outdoors, though.

I'm still taking most of my cardio workouts outdoors. Even when the mercury is off the charts, and it's hotter than Hades, I usually shun the inside option. I figure if I'm gonna be sweating anyways, I might as well enjoy the scenery.

A Coffee Date...shall we?

If we were having coffee, I'd probably be opting for water.

How's that for a buzzkill on this much-awaited, monthly coffee get-together? It's not that I'm anti-coffee...I simply just do not care for the taste of it. But, I could sit in a coffee shop all day, basking in the heavenly aroma of the stuff.

That said, it's gotten so hot in Iowa ((finally)), that I'm slamming the water like it's my job. That's all good...the heat AND all the water. Glass half full (no pun intended LOL).

Anyways, there's a lot of stuff I'd share with you, as you enjoy your java...

Suddenly Summer!

Suddenly, it's Summer!!!!

That's right, Friends, the calendar proclaimed it to be summer (over a week ago), and it finally feels like it has officially arrived...in full steam, none the less.

Walk Much?

To walk or to run...which would YOU choose?

Until a couple years ago, my answer would have (obviously) been to run. No second thoughts, no debate. 

Although walking and running share a lot of the same traits and features (more walking benefits HERE), I have noticed a few differences that are often over-looked. It wasn't until I was forced to substitute walking for running (after that emergency surgery in 2017) that I finally got it. I not only recognized these differences, but also learned to respect them.