… the inferno that is South Florida in October, of course. I try not to complain too much about the weather in the summer, because everyone knows summers are hot. But this week was extra special- 96% humidity? Feels-like temps of 90 at 5:30 am? I am not on board with this. Hopefully this was summer’s last attempt to kill us before finally giving up.
But there were still runs and workouts! Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s just see how this sweltering week played out…
Monday
Double workout day- I started with a leg day at home. Runner’s Touch, goblet squats, Bulgarian split squats, tibialis and calf raises… things I really don’t need the gym for.
After I dropped my daughter off I did go to the gym. I pushed and pulled the sled for 10 minutes and then did a 3 mile treadmill run with hill repeats.
Tuesday
It’s funny- I’ll do anything I can to get out there and do a long run, in spite of the heat, in spite of schedule conflicts- I can overcome any challenges. But I had about 1000 excuses NOT to get out my pull up bar this morning. “My legs are sore- maybe I need a walk to flush them out instead.” Nice try- get out the bar. “My thumb has been hurting- maybe I shouldn’t risk it.” Hmm… get out the bar and get started, and you can stop if it hurts.
SIGH. After a tremendous mental battle I got out the pull up bar. Even hanging from the bar is hard! Then I did negatives (ouch) and several sets of pull ups, assisted with the band. Will I ever be able to do an unassisted pull up? Honestly… probably not. But at least my back is stronger than if I weren’t trying at all.
I also did overhead press (with 15 pound dumbbells) and rounded out the workout with core- planks and dead bugs.
Wednesday
14 mile long run! ONCE AGAIN, I had to split it up because I had a doctor’s appointment. I ran 4 blissful miles in the dark before taking my daughter to school, then ran 10 more at a nearby park with a grassy trail. I’m trying to run as much as possible on grass, because apparently there are some big grassy sections in my race.
On that subject, a couple people asked me recently when my race is. Well, that’s a GREAT question! I’m running the Forgotten Florida 50 mile (eep) and it was supposed to be February 3rd, but they sent an email this week saying that it had to be rescheduled to February 17th. Luckily that date works for me! Unfortunately it means I won’t be at the Ft. Lauderdale half marathon that my husband and Darlene are doing the same weekend. I think I speak for all three of us when I say we’re hoping for some decent weather.
Thursday
I decided to do a recovery run. I walked a mile and then ran two miles. This run left me questioning my plan of eventually doing back-to-back long runs- it was so hard to get moving. As a matter of fact it left me questioning my life choices in general, specifically my decision to move to Florida twenty years ago.
I followed this run with some planking- inspired by the people doing “Coretober,” I’m trying to get in some core work every day.
Friday
You know what’s not hot? The gym! I did a leg day consisting of sled pushes and pulls, squats, deadlifts, tibialis and calf raises, and rounded things off with benchpress and abs.
Someone asked me last week if I’ve increased my weights dramatically lately- no, it just looks like it! My gym got two new power rack setups, with the really big 10 and 25 pounds weights. I love it because now I look much more bad-ass.
Saturday
5 mile run. Grr. To make things a little more pleasant, I used my Orange Mud hydration vest so I could drizzle cold water over my head. It helped!
Sunday
On tap for today: OFF! Sleeping late, waffles, Dolphins game. Possibly putting up outdoor Halloween decs if I can stand the heat. AND THEN…
We have a cool front coming our way!!! Right now the forecasted low for Tuesday morning is 56 (in other words, heaven.) I have a continuous 15 mile long run planned for Wednesday, and if we don’t get this cool down I’m going to be extremely angry, or cry. Or both. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Header photo by Andy Watkins on Unsplash
40 Responses
Ugh sorry about the heat. Heat and distance running do not mix well at all. That’s so strange they changed the race date on you. Good thing it still works!
Yes, there was some complicated explanation about trail permits or something. I’m not too pleased, but just glad the new date still works.
It’s crazy how hot it still is in Florida! We’ve cooled off to below normal temps–fall is definitely here! I miss being warm, lol, but I don’t miss running in the heat.
I struggle with that strict pull-up too and I wonder if I’ll ever get one. I always console myself by remembering how much stronger I’ve gotten. It’s all about the journey, am I right?
Ha, that’s one thing that makes me realize I’ll never do a strict pull up- if YOU can’t do it, I’ll never be able to. But that’s okay. The journey, like you said.
I really hope you get this cool front that is forecasted. It seems like the hot season is longer and longer these days. That is the case for my sister in AZ, too. I guess this is the reality of climate change. 🙁
You had a solid week of workouts. The pull up bar work sounds hard! I have never been able to do a pull up. And I don’t work on it so I never will. But that’s ok. I had a pretty good week of workouts. I did a CG without on Monday which I really liked – it was isometrics and plyometrics. Then I did my usual hotel room lower body workout on Friday. Yesterday I ran 4 miles and will repeat that today.
Hope your dolphins do well today. We’ve lost all hope for the Vikings, especially with Justin Jefferson out with an injury.
Oh really? I think the Vikings are playing the Bears today (my other team.) It’s at the same time as the Dolphins game but I’ll be following that game as well.
Yes, the CG workouts are ALMOST all really good. I did have a handful that I especially like and one or two I didn’t (there was one really intense shoulders one, yuck, and a couple with 1000 or so hip thrusts…)
I know- it’s still super hot in other places too. I guess it is climate change. It never used to be this hot here, year round. SIGH.
Hope you get some relief from the heat soon! Sounds like it doesn’t stop you from getting it done and following your plan. Glad you are in a good place right now
Thanks Deborah. The thing is- if I let the heat stop me, then I really wouldn’t run at all. Even in the winter it’s been hot here lately, so I just have to suck it up. And use lots of ice and cold water.
LOL on questioning your decision to move to FL. I think the statute of limitations has run out on that one!
You did a great job pushing through — morning temps in the 50s sounds like our weather!
Ha ha, I guess you’re right. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it!
I’m glad it’s finally cold up north, so there’s a hope of it making its way down here. We’ll see.
Wow, what a great week despite the heat! I know what you mean about getting out for a long run vs. other workouts. But you did it and did both!
Thanks Melissa. Yes, just running is so much easier!!! Of course some people feel the opposite and prefer strength tp cardio. I don’t get it, ha ha.
I’m sending good weather vibes for a chilly Wednesday. There’s nothing that you can really do with heat like that, except modify your training to stay safe, wait for it to pass, and NOT LET IT MESS WITH YOUR HEAD.
I know… you’re right. I can’t change the weather, I just have to roll with it. It probably won’t be as cool as I want on Wednesday, but any break in the heat will help.
Woooof that’s hot! Too bad you’re not here, you’d love it. Mornings are coolish, like I wear gloves when I walk Rex, usually around 10 degress. Then the afternoons warm up to the mid-teens (I don’t know what that is in F).
You’d think after all these years I’d be able to translate C to F, but no. I could look it up but I”ll take your word for it that it’s beautiful!
Fingers definitely crossed for next week’s long run! It makes SUCH a difference.
Oh no on the rescheduled race! Well, it gives you more time to train & more wiggle room, but that’s so sad about your husband & Darlene.
I used to do a trail run where a small portion was on grass. I always try to train for whatever the race will throw at me — if possible.
Yes, last year’s race had a lot of sand, so I did a lot of sand running. Grass is much better than sand!
Yes, the “cold front” should be headed your way!
When did you find out the change in the date of the race? It is months out, I guess, but has it changed your training plan at all? I feel like the date switch is a big deal and you’re just going with the flow, which is amazing. I think I’d be a lot more tense about the whole thing!
Oh, I was definitely freaked out when I first heard about it, especially since I wasn’t positive immediately if that weekend would work for me. But, they were very apologetic about it, and offered a full refund if it wasn’t possible. So what can you do… it’s only two weeks. It’s also far enough in advance not to be a huge deal.
Boo on the date change. Can you come spectate? if not, we’ll meetup before or after in Boca.
Hope you get that cool down… our weather (except for the rain) has been great for long runs.
I doubt I’ll come spectate- I’m not even sure if I’ll be driving back from Orlando on Saturday night or Sunday morning. But we’ll meet up at some other point before or after the race.
Wow, 56 will be *amazing* after all of that heat! I can’t believe it is still so hot there. yikes!! That’s interesting they had to change your race date. Bummer you have to miss seeing your husband’s race. What is the maximum distance for your long runs on this training cycle? And, have you figured out which shoes will be your race shoes? I wasn’t able to run in my plated shoes for Chicago because I hadn’t training in them. I was a bit bummed about that because they really do make me faster! (or at least feel faster!)
HA. I’m so far from figuring out which shoes will be my race shoes. I’m hoping to try the new Altras this week.
Also, great question about the long run distance. I was thinking of doing back-to-back long runs but am now re-thinking that. I guess I better get it together- right now I’m just slowly increasing my long run, but I need a more solid plan.
Look at you with this badass weights on the bar 🙂 Pull-ups are just plain tough! So are pushups … I’ve been doing them, daily, for a couple years. I can almost touch my nose to the floor, and I can definitely feel a lot more strength in my back & chest for all my efforts. Someday, I hope to be “smashing” the floor, LOL.
Pushups are GREAT but I can’t do them these days because of an ongoing wrists issue, ARG! They would really round out my at-home strength days, so it’s very frustrating.
I didn’t realise October could still be so hot in Florida! I thought it would start to cool off. But then – I’m in Italy and here it’s just somewhat below summer temperatures (except today because we have two cloudy days with some rain). I hope you get that forecasted cool front. We’re looking forward to what looks like 31C (87F) on the app but what the bar owner in town had heard could be up to 38 (100F)!
Yes you do look badass! But I know weights on the bar are not always as heavy as they look.
Yes, these big weights are deceptive (but I’ll take it!)
100? Ack! I hope you’re enjoying the trip in spite of the heat.
As a matter of fact it left me questioning my life choices in general, specifically my decision to move to Florida twenty years ago. – Haha.
Okay, so it’s getting rainy and colder up here in Canada and I am rethinking my decision to live here. The car is cold in the morning and I’m JUST. NOT. READY. FOR. IT. Why can’t we combine our two climates and make the perfect place to live?! I will gladly send down a cold front if you’ll send some heat my way! Deal?
DEAL! It’s funny that you’re already getting too cold. Well, not ha ha funny but the other kind. Our cool down has started and I’m ecstatic. It won’t las though- this time of year always goes back and forth. Yes, if only we could somehow combine our two climates. I guess that’s called living somewhere not as extreme (like South Carolina???)
The heat sounds so incredibly wearying and oppressive, Jenny! I sincerely hope you get your cool down. It impresses me so much that you are so relentless about running, despite the discomfort. You have so much mental and physical fortitude — it’s very inspiring.
Love your giant bad-ass weights. They definitely look intimidating!
Thanks Suzanne! If I didn’t run in the heat, I would never run. But it’s getting harder and harder every year.
Oof, this is hot… and you know how I feel about the humidity. While we had a pretty hot start to October (temps in the 90s), at least we don’t have the humidity. That’s killer if you want to run outdoors. I am impressed how much running you still get done.
Haha, and I had to laugh about your internal dialogue about getting out the pull up bar. If it’s any consolation, I don’t even do pull ups so whatever you do, you’re way ahead of me 🙂
Yes, I think in California, even when it’s in the 90s it cools down a little more at night? I could be wrong, but I think your early mornings are a little more pleasant than ours.
About the pull up bar- that’s what I tell myself. I’m ahead of where I would be if I didn’t do it at all! So there’s that.
Impressive strength work Jenny! You are creative fitting it all in 🙂 I can’t believe its that hot at 5:30 am!!
Believe it! Except that we finally got our cooldown, hooray!!!
The Dolphins are tearing it up! I really haven’t been paying much attention to football, but it’s hard when your favorite team is showing up.
I’m sorry it’s so hot. I’m currently wondering if I should turn on the heat in the house! We are dropping to the 40s tonight!
Great workouts. I struggled getting to the gym this morning, too.
I want to move to northern Florida (or, out of the state entirely…) You guys definitely have more of a “winter” than we do.
My goodness, I could not deal with that temperature and humidity! Crikey! Well done on a strong and solid week!
Thanks Liz! I feel like I can’t handle it either- not sure how I made it through, but it’s over now.