Welcome to the Weekly Rundown, hosted as always by the indomitable Kim and Deborah. The week started strong, but as it went on things felt harder than usual. I can’t exactly put my finger on what was wrong, and when that happends the only thing to do is put my head down and keep grinding along. Here’s how it all played out:
Sunday
11 mile long run that felt AMAZING! I got up super early and was able to complete the first six miles in the dark. At that point I hardly felt like I had done anything, and all I had was my usual five mile route left. I finished feeling about 100 times better than I did at the end of last week’s long run.
Monday
Leg day! I started with Runner’s Touch exercise and then did the sled, squats, side planks with leg lifts…
… and ended with tibialis and calf raises.
Tuesday
Back to the gym! I started with the sled…
… and then did a 3 mile treadmill run, with hill intervals.
Wednesday
I had to be home all day to wait for the dishwasher repairman. Originally they gave us a window of 7 am- 7 pm (seriously?) but luckily the night before were able to narrow it down to 10:30-2:30. This meant I was able to do my 4 mile run in the daylight.
I also got out my pull up bar and did a few sets of negatives- as always, ouch.
Thursday
The early morning school traffic has gotten a little better, but there’s still a discrepancy between the time I would like to leave for school, and the time my daughter is actually ready. This gives me more time than I need before we leave, and a little less time than I would like at the gym. I’ve solved this- for now- by starting my workout at home with things I don’t need the gym for.
Runner’s Touch, lunges, side plank with leg lifts at home. Then, at the gym, sled, squats, deadlifts, tibialis and calf raises.
Friday
Early morning 4 mile run!
Saturday
Off. I was able to sleep in a little before work. At night, watched Baylor lose, SOB! Our quarterback was injured in the first game of the season (what kind of luck is that?) and has been out ever since. Things are not going well.
Sunday
On tap for today- 12 mile long run! I’ll start in the dark again to avoid the heat, but I’ll be honest- I think running in the dark is a little creepy and depressing. I’m not really looking forward to it, although the second half will be in daylight. Right now running in the dark seems the lesser of two evils, though.
Workout-wise it was a pretty good week (although what happened to upper body? Oops.) Football-wise it was a little sad. Baylor lost horribly, and our high school homecoming game got rained out. But at least we still have the Dolphins! A good long run and a good football game are just what I need to shake me out of this funk.
How was your week? Are you loving the start of fall, or dreading what comes after? – September is a hard month in South Florida. It’s still so, so hot. It’ll be another month before we can start hoping for a cool down.
36 Responses
Looks like a great week of workouts for you! I don’t mind running in the dark if it’s hot out–but yes, it is a little creepy, lol. I love this time of year, obviously! I don’t dread what comes after, but winter isn’t my favorite season.
Yes, you’ll be having some really nice running weather for the next couple months. And I know you get outside if at all possible year-round. You aren’t afraid of a little snow!
Nice work on your workouts! I am glad your run felt so good last Sunday. I do not like running in the dark either. I am not an early enough morning person to be out in the dark and it just kind of throws me off to not be able to see far ahead of me. Years ago when I was marathon training I would do mid week runs in the dark and one day I got totally freaked out when a deer ran in front of me! I was living in the suburbs at that point. I would not run into a deer in my neighborhood now!
Since I was traveling I got more workouts in as usual as my travel days don’t start so early, esp on the east coast when work days tend to start later than the Midwest! So I did a CG workout on Monday, another lower body workout on Wednesday, a 30 min dreadmill run (spelling intentional. I hate the dreadmill) on Thursday and then I ran 4 mi yesterday and will run 4 again today. So a solid week for me! This week will be different because I have to be in the office Mon-Thur this week since my new hire is here for more training.
And our weather has been great lately. Don’t hate us too much as in a couple of months it was be cold, dark, and snowy.
Oh, don’t worry- I might be hating you now, but in January I’ll be remembering why I live in Florida.
I run with a light, but I still feel like I can’t see as well as I would like in the dark. A deer would scare me too- but there’s no chance of that in my neighborhood.
I’m glad you were able to get in extra workouts last week- that must have felt good.
I’m with you on the depressing feeling of a dark run! They always feel amazing when done, but getting out there, and being out there, is a bit odd for me. I’ll keep mine up for a bit then I’ll be back on my treadmill in the early mornings!
Yes- dark and warm is one thing, dark and cold would be REALLY unpleasant.
Great job on that 11 miler! It’s kind of fun to start so early, it’s like you’re barely awake and don’t remember the first half 🙂
Way to stick with the strength training Jenny!
Yes, the first half of the run feels like it didn’t even happen. I think I’m on to something here!
It looks like you had a solid week. I saw the Baylor score and virtually sent my sympathies your way.
Another option when things feel harder is to consider if you need a break. 🙂
Yes! I do think I need a little break- next week is going to be a little cutback.
I’ll run in the dark if I have to but it’s not my favorite. I am fully enjoying fall and not even thinking about what follows. Ugh. Great week of workouts for you! Georgia Tech actually beat Wake Forest last night and I’m still smiling! Haha!
Luckily the Dolphins won today, so I can smile again.
Good for you for enjoying fall- I could never enjoy it up there because I was always dreading winter so much.
I am glad your long runs are going so well. Your training this cycle is so strong! Way to maximize your gym time by starting at home. Have a fabulous week ahead
Thank you Deborah! Things are going well, but I’m tired- I think I have a cutback week coming up.
It’s the weeks like these that will get you to the 50 mile finish line. All that matters is the “11 mile long run that felt AMAZING”.
Blerg to running in the dark. The only good part of it is when the light starts to break.
Yeah, I’m still not a fan. Even living in Florida, I need all the sunlight I can get!
Well we don’t have to deal with the heat, but it’s so cool in the mornings now (sorry) but then by the afternoon it’s warm-ish (it’s all relative!). Makes dressing interesting.
Odd, yup, it was kind of a tough week for me too. Also no idea why but I seemed to have bounced back (next up, 24 hours, probably less, fasting tomorrow for Yom Kippur).
You’re doing great getting all your fitness in! Isn’t it frustrating having to wait on others to get things started? Mine is not a teenager though. 😉
Ha, are you referring to Bandit or your husband?
Good luck with your fast… and I hope you have a better week.
Well, I am in full agreement on the football situation…Iowa was majorly skunked by Penn State and Michigan State had an almost as bad loss against Maryland. But the ISU Cyclones pulled off a victory over OK State, so that was a good thing. ((sigh)) I know exactly what you mean about starting a long run in the dark! Once daylight appears, it feels like then the “real” run begins 😉
Yes, that’s a great way to describe it!
I’m loving fall in my new place! I am also interested to see how winter is here, as it is much shorter and less cold than Calgary. I’m here for it!
Shorter and less cold sounds good!
Awesome week! I don’t mind the dark as long as I’m in familiar territory. It’s sort of peaceful 🙂 the more I do it, the more normal it feels. Love how you figured out how to time hack your morning workout! Very smart to split it like that!
Yes, I know people say running in the dark is peaceful- I tried to think about that on my run today! I agree that it gets better the more you do it.
6 miles in the dark -uff. I couldn’t do it (and I just don’t feel safe). I understand that you’re trying to beat the heat though.
I love that you are doing some exercises at home on the day when you take your daughter to school to maximize your workout time – it’s hard when other things take precedence over your time and break up your day in chunks.
The dark part of my run actually wasn’t too bad! Overall it was easier than running in the heat of the day. And yes, it’s a little frustrating to have things interfere with my workout time, things I don’t have control over (like my daughter!) We all just have to do the best we can with the circumstances we have.
I always forget how hard September is for me. The onset of SAD is SO FAST. I’m all chipper summery go go go and then there’s a morning when I can no longer imagine dealing with what is on the calendar on that day and it just stays that way for months and months. I’m hearing people rave about the weather and all I can think of is how much I want to hide under my blankets for the next six months. Oh, well. One must persevere. I’m alive, I’m healthy, and I just need to bring more yoga and meditation into my life.
Yes, and you need your SAD lamp! That’s exactly how I was when I lived up north but we didn’t have those lamps back then. Everyone would be talking about how beautiful the leaves were, and I couldn’t even fathom how I was going to get through the next six months. Ugh.
Your Sunday run does sound amazing! Isn’t it great when a run goes like that? You know I love pre-dawn running, but I do stay in my little neighborhood where I feel much safer.
Yes, I think I remember you said you find running in the dark “peaceful.” I guess it is… I tried to look at it like that.
Amazing.
I drive to school one morning a week, and A is READY when i run into the driveway. He is always about being early.
Love all those double digit runs! I bet they feel great.
My daughter used to be almost OCD about being early for things, but somehow now she’s shifted away from that. She doesn’t want to be LATE, but she doesn’t feel the need to be super early… darn.
I love fall. It’s my favourite season, though it never seems to last long enough (because late September/early October) can really feel like summer, and November is often WINTER (le sigh). But I still love fall for as long as it lasts. Fresh, crisp air. The beautiful colours. The promise of routines. And I actually love the darker evenings. It makes me feel more cozy and settled.
As always it’s so much fun to read along to your workout plans! What a great week.
And oof on the long window for the dishwasher repair. The worst is when you wait for them and then they call and have to switch to another day! Glad that didn’t happen, hope the dishwasher is working…and I’m still giddy about your new kitchen. It looks so fabulous, Jenny.
Grr! The dishwasher is NOT working because they had to order a part! And now they have to come back another day! Well… it will all be done eventually.
I also like the darker evenings- I agree, it feels more cozy. Now all I need is some crisp, cool weather and I’ll be all set!
There are some weeks where the only way through is through. They’re so frustrating – but hey, you DID move forward. Sorry for your bad luck in football…at least the Dolphins are keeping it up! 🙂
Yes, it’s lucky we have the Dolphins- Baylor is not having a great year.