Can you believe we’re hurtling toward July at warp speed? Even though technically it is not, I think of Independence Day as “mid-summer” since school resumes in mid-August. Before I go any further, here’s how the week’s workouts went:
Monday: Rest, walk 3 miles
Tuesday: Trail Run 4 miles + walk 3 miles
Wednesday: Run 3 miles + Strength-Balance-Mobility
Thursday: Chest-Back-Shoulder strength + Core Strength
Friday: Walk 3 miles, Trail Run 2 miles
Saturday: Walk 4 miles + Heavy, Full-Body Strength
Sunday: 3 mile walk, 3 mile Trail Run, Core Strength
It was a “beat the heat” kind of week, and I was successful on that front. I’ve been acing my goal of not lingering over coffee and getting out to run instead. The trails are my happy place and I’m blessed to have access to them right outside my back door. Getting out to move in nature first thing puts me in a good place physically and mentally, and it sets me up for a productive day.
While of course I will continue to run, I decided to shift my focus and be more intentional about strength training. Maybe that’s the humidity talking, but with no races on the horizon, now’s as good a time as any to focus elsewhere. I runfess it feels pretty darn good to know I don’t HAVE to head out for a run at all if I don’t want to. I’ve trained for 10 marathons through summer heat, I’m kind of over it. Ha!
While I typically include 2-3 days of strength training in my schedule, I’ve been pretty much winging it for awhile now. Going forward I’ll be following a plan.
It’s Birthday Season
I mentioned in my Runfessions that we’ve got six birthdays to celebrate in the next four weeks. Thing 1’s 19th birthday kicked off the festivities. We took advantage of restaurant patio dining for the first time since this pandemic started. It was a gorgeous evening and a very enjoyable experience. I was also pleased to notice how much business the restaurant had from curbside pickup.
Family Time Outdoors
Enjoying the outdoors daily is one of the ways I’m hoping to pump the brakes on summer and really soak up every moment before it slips away. We’ve gotten into the habit of convening for family dinners outdoors. This could very well be Thing 1’s last summer at home so I’m soaking up family time as much as I can.
I wish I could press pause when everyone is together outdoors, laughing and connecting on warm summer nights.
New on YouTube. Fast & furious Core Strength Workout. I runfess this one turned out a bit more intense than I intended. Maybe it’s just me but I am still feeling it in my obliques. Yikes!
How was your week? What are you focusing on? Did you set goals or intentions for summer? How will you make the most of it before it slips away?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
We are also spending more time on the patio and I am really liking it. I love your potted plants and lights. It is nice to have everyone home and hanging out at night (although I think my kids are getting tired of us). I am also enjoying more strength training. Summer running is a beat down!
I agree, the 4th of July starts a fast-forward motion to Fall (and …Winter), so I try to spend as much time as possible outside as well. Although my 26.2 was deferred, and I have a 13.1 in October…I’m thinking I may just leave it at that and not UP the registration to the 26.2 after all. I’m used to having all kinds of long runs to crank out in the (very) early hours (come August/Sept.), and it’s kind of refreshing at the prospect of NOT “needing” to do so this year.
We’re in the middle of a rainy cycle right now, but otherwise, except when it’s intensely hot, we’ve been eating outside on our small deck. I LOVE eating outside! Everything tastes better outside, right?
I need to do some core work, so I’ll check out your video! Hopefully the DOMs won’t be TOO bad. 🙂 Both Lola & Bandit make appearances in this week’s video. 🙂 Lola in the beginning & end, and I remember thinking at the end that I really hope that’s one of the dogs, LOL!
We also are out on the patio way more than in the past! We bought a bit more seating a fire pit (though we don’t really need a fire pit right now, it’s too hot, ha!)
summer marathon training is no joke, not surprised you’re looking forward to changing your intentions a bit! But you are VERY lucky to have such great trails out your backdoor! That’s amazing.
I agree – getting my workout done early in the morning always sets the tone for my day. When I don’t workout early, I notice that things feel “off”.
Happy Birthday to Maddie! I am glad that you’re able to do some outdoor celebrations, especially with so many birthdays coming up in the next few weeks.
I also can’t believe that the 4th of July is a week away. I really hope that we have nice weather because I fully intend on enjoying lots of drinks, food and my deck.
Yes, we’re halfway through summer already. I’m not doing long runs right now and I’m good with that. I just need breaks every once in a while to focus on something else, as you’re doing with strength.
Your deck looks lovely! We’ve been enjoying family dinners on the deck too – truly one of my fave things about summer!
I’m with you on setting some new intentions – I’m noodling over what my focus will be for the next couple of months.
I will definitely be checking out your new core workout!
I’ve been loving summer this year–it has been really nice weather-wise and I’m spending so much time with my family that I couldn’t be happier. I hope it continues!
I could do without these long runs tho… :p What was I thinking?
I think I will be switching to shorter runs and more weights as the humidity settles in. Life is to short to suffer when there’s not even a race on the calendar. I’m glad Thing 1 had a good birthday dinner. I get eaten by mosquitoes when we try to eat outside, but I’ve been able to have my coffee outside before they notice me. 😉
Happy birthday to your daughter, and I hope you have many wonderful celebrations ahead!
It’s just a little too hot for patio dining right now. Theroetically, I would love to enjoy our view, but it’s just not in the cards. Blah.
Things were going so well and then they began to fall apart for us here, so we are focusing on staying well, getting some projects done around the house and working.
I love that you are getting together outdoors! And you have a beautiful place to do it, too.
When we come together as a family, we also meet outdoors. It’s not only safer, it’s nicer!
It’s a good time to focus on strength training! I am also trying to prioritize strength, so I’ll lift before I run and not worry about my legs feeling tired on a run. Happy birthday to Maddie!
I see we both like flowers. Love being outside…supposed to rain today. So far so good (after a rainy weekend).
My focus is on nature, staying active and healthy.
OMG, your daughter looks so much like you…in a good way LOL
especially when the weather is so nice I really ache to get outside. and while I didn’t do much in the running or strength training department last week, I went outside when I could just to really soak it all in. I can imagine the importance for you all as well with the chance that it’s Thing 1’s last summer at home. Happy Birthday to her!
it was quite humid and hot here last week, this week should be cooler and I do want to get a few more workouts in than I did last week. We already started packing up things and I’m trying to sell two wardrobes in my exercise space so that area is a bit of a tip at the moment. I may need to dig my spin bike out from under the debris…
Good week for you Marcia!
I need to figure out how to get out earlier before the heat really hits! It is really oppressive, especially since I’m still not acclimated to the warmer weather.
I need to be out by 6am on the days I run. If I don’t then it will be a miserable run. I definitely do not miss training for a marathon. So jealous that you have a trail so close to your house.
We have a balcony and I am so thankful we have it. My mother and I like to go out there and relax and people watch. We live on the 2nd floor so that makes it easy to do. We can also see how many cars do not stop at the stop sign.
Happy Birthday to your gorgeous daughter! That last photo of the patio — that looks beautiful! As my kids get a bit older and are more able to have “proper” conversations, I’ve really loved catching up with them. It’s winter for us so we’re indoors around the heater and huddled up in blankets! But I’ve really loved that catch-up time in the evenings.