Sorry summer but don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Time’s up. Please go. That’s right, I live in the Northeast and I’m very much looking forward to fall and winter, my two favorite times of the year. Here’s why…
WEEK OF AUGUST 19, 2019
RUNNING
I will not miss running in the heat and humidity one bit! I much prefer being cold at the start (and even middle and end!) of a run then the sufferfest of hot that has been the majority of this summer. Please, make it stop! Oh and the bugs! There’s nothing worse than having biting flies chasing you while you’re drenched in sweat, in the middle of a long run, and wasting precious energy on swatting them away. Shall I go on?
According to my coach, it was “good” I had to miss the 100on100 Vermont relay so I don’t have to taper and can continue training for the Hartford Half Marathon in October. She’s sweet.
Monday: easy 6 miler | 8:29 average pace
Tuesday: 8 x 800 track sets | 7.02 miles | average 3:11 for 800 meters
Friday: long run | 11.0 miles | 8:30 average pace
Sunday: short hill reps 4 x (90 sec, 60, 45) | 6.36 miles | 8:12 average pace
Total = 30.38 miles
CYCLING
The one bad thing about summer ending is there are only about 8 weeks of riding outside until spring. I’m more upset this year since I’ve been mostly running and haven’t spent as much time as I would like on my bike. However, I do enjoy riding though the winter on the bike trainer and binge watching new shows…so I guess I still hate summer. #Itried
Thursday: 1:27:30 | 21.4 miles
SWIMMING + STRENGTH
Another great thing about summer ending? The end of kid’s swim lessons at my gym! Praise be! I was able to swim in a (mostly) pee-free pool last week and I basked in it. I say “mostly” because is a public pool ever really free of urine? No. The answer is no. #therearestilloldpeopleinthere
My strength coach Antwan is back in full effect and kicking my ass sufficiently. The ass kickings will continue, no matter the season. Aren’t I lucky?
Swim: 2000 yards with 10 x 50 descending intervals
Strength: one hour of brutality
THINGS I LOVE
Brooks. The running shoe and clothing company. They are amazing and here’s why.
Natalie Mitchell (aka NatRunsFar) is a blazing fast marathoner and is sponsored by Brooks. She was also part of our Vermont 100on100 Relay team and asked Brooks to give everyone on the team a new pair of shoes. They did.
When she told them I was unable to run the relay due to a death in my family, they let me keep the shoes anyway! I had been keeping them in the box they came in, by my front door, and was ready to return them until Nat gave me the good news.
Seriously, Brooks, you are the best. I have been wearing Brooks since I started running WAY back in 2000 and this kind of customer service and just human-ness is why I will continue to buy and wear Brooks shoes and clothing.
Thank you!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Apparently, in order to go to school with the masses I have to prove I’m healthy. That proof, oddly enough, can only come from a physician in the form of a physical. I mean, can’t I just give them my racing records from the past 10 years? Sheesh.
Since I’m so freakin old, my immunization records were put in a manilla envelope sometime in the 80s and then probably into a metal filing cabinet until ultimately being tossed in a dumpster, un-shredded, with all my personal info. I’m sure the Russians have it by now. Anyway, since there is no record of my immunizations, I had to get a tetanus shot (that hurts like a bitch!), Hep 2 and then a blood draw. Not cool.
I was willing to overlook it since it means that my graduate classes are starting soon. I cannot wait!
PODCASTS
I’m always hunting for new podcasts that have nothing to do with running. Most of the time when I’m actually running, I don’t want to listen to a podcast about running. Am I alone in this?
My favorite non-running podcasts include Rich Roll, WTF with Marc Maron and the Sunday Sit-down with Willie Geist. Recently, I remembered that late-night host and comedian Conan O’Brien had started one called Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. And friends, it’s hysterical. I mean, even the commercials are funny. The only issue is that sometimes I laugh out loud and it’s incredibly hard to run and full belly laugh, but obviously totally worth it.
READING
After finishing “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” in record time, I realized the movie is still in theaters and, obviously I only see kid and/or Marvel movies at the theatre these days so there was no need to rush. Anyway, the book is amazing and hysterical and I highly recommend it, no matter what your theatre habits are.
I just started reading “The Need” by Helen Phillips and I was not prepared for what happened. It’s an emotional roller coaster from the first chapter and is incredibly hard to put down. If you’re looking for a thrilling page turner, this one’s for you! Full disclosure: I haven’t read the entire book so it’s possible it’s a tremendous letdown but I don’t really think that’s possible.
From here on out it’s probably going to be a series of textbook and journal reading for me so I’m trying to enjoy it.
RANDOM SAGA OF THE WEEK
My stepson’s girlfriend is a huge Jonas Brothers fan so when we heard they were playing at the local casino, we got four tickets and went to dinner with them. It was randomly on a Wednesday and my husband had zero interest in going to the show. I know about three songs and Nick is hot so I figured it would be fun…until my husband gave our tickets away to a bartender and her 12 year-old daughter. WTF?
Sorry Nick and the other two, nothing cool about that…ok fine, the 12 year old’s head exploded when her mom told her she got tickets to the show and I guess I did (yes me!) my good deed for the year.
And I saw Lenny Kravitz on Sunday which was 300 million times better. More on that next week…
Do you love or hate summer? And no, there’s no in between!
Favorite non-running podcast?
When is the last time you needed a shot or blood draw?
Shush your mouth!! How dare you talk about summer that way! Sure, running in it sucks but all the other stuff is top notch. We’ll be cooled off soon enough. Don’t rush these things!
HAHAHA – I think everything is better when it’s cooler.Sorry!!
Ah this is a toughie…I love summer but hate running in the heat. If someone would invent an alternate universe where the temp stays under 60 degrees until 9AM and then it’s free to go up to 80 after that, I would sure appreciate it. And if they could keep sunrise at 5:30am that would be great too.
My fav non running podcast is Young House Love.
I would be the first to apply for citizenship to said alternate universe! That is a great thought 🙂
And thanks for the podcast recommendation. I’ll have to check it out.
I love summer but I do love fall, especially the running part and miss the East coast foliage. What I don’t miss is the winters! You can keep those. Lol
I tell everyone who says they hate the winter that they need to find something they love to do for that season. We ski and snowboard and it makes me want to stretch out the winter months!! But I hear you on the brutally cold days and all.the.clothing!
We have a cabin in the mountains so I get a taste of winter. I love the snow in small doses.
Most things are good in small doses 🙂 Very cool to have a cabin in the woods!
WHAT?? Wait until next week for Lenny update?! Even though I was there, I love to hear your thoughts.
LOVE LOVE LOVE-did I say LOVE Summer… when I move to Florida, I will have one of those Endless Summer vanity plates that say something to the tune of ‘SMRLVR.’
I feel for you with the shots. I, too had to cough up my immunization records recently and go for a physical. Had the blood drawn, too. I (We) are in that grey area of Measels vaccination back in the 70s, so I asked them to draw a titre. Praise be I did that, because I was not immune-even though I was vaccinated as a kid-and with the Measels going around these days, I chose to get a booster. Have a great Semester!!!
HAHAHA – I promise to review it ASAP. Basically I loved everything about it and only wish I was underneath the stage so I could have touched him!! I mean, the man does not age!! And his voice? It’s almost comical how powerful and pitch perfect it is!! So sorry we didn’t get to see each other 🙁 And I won’t pass up an opportunity to visit you in FL when it’s spring here – I hate the spring!! And yes, I had the titre done and now I need to get the MMR!!
Hey there! I have to share this about Brooks … so my daughter attends a Title 1 high school down here in Florida (high schools located in economically disadvantaged areas). Her cross country coach applied for a grant from Brooks last year and found out that they were accepted about a week ago. Because of this, every member of the XC team receives the following – team shorts, jackets and jogger pants; 2 pairs of socks; and a pair of shoes selected from their website. How cool is that?! I absolutely love Brooks and have been running in them for years. This makes me love them even more!
By the way, the J Bros was a great concert! Saw them a few weeks ago and it was a lot of fun. I really didn’t know any of their songs, but a good time nonetheless (plus I found some good beer to keep me happy!).
Bernadette is the best! I recommend that book to everyone. The other one by Maria Semple is good as well…quirky, but entertaining.
Have a great one!
I am not surprised AT ALL about the love of Brooks and how much community outreach and service they do! They are simply the best and I appreciate you sharing that story – love it!!
Thanks for rubbing it in about the Jonas Brothers 🙁 LOL
I *just* started Where’d You Go Bernadette. I do anticipate being done pretty soon too. And score on the Brooks shoes! I run in the ghosts right now… that’s awesome they let you keep them despite not racing the relay (and you picked some super fun ones too!!)
Yep – it’s a quick read and just so fun! I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I did. And yes! I usually wear the Ghost (just ordered another new pair) and will keep these for shorter runs or easy days. Love Brooks!
Right there with you on summer running it’s awful. Bring on the cool temps and warming up with coffee post run. Ahhh soon enough! I just finished the new Daniel Silva book more of a thriller but a good read. Thanks for linking up
YES! Finally someone who agrees with me!! Thanks Deb 🙂
I’m SO ready to wave bye-bye to summer. Although I don’t think it’s been super hot this summer, it’s been so darn humid and rainy. I hate going outside when it feels like soup, lol.
Hope that you had a blast at the Lenny Kravitz concert!
YES!!! The humidity and rain was off the charts – just awful. And Lenny was THE BEST!!
I hate summer. Hate it. I live in Houston, and the humidity is like 110%. I’m looking forward to the three weeks of winter we’ll have.
I think I would literally die if I lived in Houston. You are a trooper!! Hang in there. Fall is coming!
You probably already know this, but I LOVE summer ((sorry)). Our winters in Iowa are brutal (I’m sure the ones you experience compare favorably LOL). I detest the treadmill, but had to do like 20 runs on that beast over the course of about 5 weeks this past winter. Granted, it gave me some major speed work (because I had to up the speed progressively for almost every run to get workouts DONE), but still. I’d rather be a sweaty mess outside in the sunshine than dripping all over the ‘mill (as I look longingly out the window). ….does that answer your question? 😉 Anyways, looks like you had a solid week…well done! And, YES, to the Brooks company! I didn’t discover their shoes until a few years ago, but I have had great luck with every shoe I’ve bought from them.
HAHAHA – yes, I know you are a diehard summer girl and luckily our winters haven’t been so brutal that I had to use the treadmill last winter very much but, I hear ya – it sucks!!
I love summer for everything but running. You can’t waterski in the cold or even in the cooler temps. I love spring and fall. I don’t love winter. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it. Yep, I took the middle road. #sorrynotsorry
Your unhappiness about having to get a vaccine and have your blood drawn made me laugh. Welcome to the helping professions! Where you have to protect yourself from diseases…and trust me, you’ll want to because who knows what that person in your clinic has…Somedays I want to wear a biohazard suit!
Since when are you Sweden? If you had snow skiing in Chicago you would love winter just like me – I’m sure of it! You need to come spend some time in Vermont with me this winter so I can convert you 🙂
HAHAHA – yes I know you are right about the vaccines but I have been in my little bubble for so long and it’s hard to bust out!! And now I need an MMR!! There are worse things…
I am with you on being ready for fall and winter! I’m much more of a bundle up and embrace the cold person than a heat-lover, especially for running. I just wish we could combine the long summer sunlight hours with fall temperatures.
Ugh to the blood draws and shots – so many needles in one appointment for you! I’ve had so many blood draws in the past year that I felt like a pin cushion at one point. I didn’t know that when you lose a pregnancy early on, you have to keep getting blood draws until HCG drops below a certain point, which means going in for draws every few days… and then I got pregnant (and stayed pregnant) the next month. I’ll be very happy if I don’t see another needle again for a while!
I hope starting up grad classes soon goes well for you! How exciting!
Yes! I do wish there was more daylight in the winter!!
That is rough with all the blood draws you had to do!! At least I have good veins so the draw was not that bad but the pain from the tents lingered for DAYS!
Thanks Laura! Enjoy your final weeks (?) days (?) of being pregnant!
Wait, how did I miss that you are training for the Hartford Half Marathon? I’ve done the marathon and the half. I actually enjoyed both of them! I love the northeast in the fall. The colors of the trees are gorgeous!! Don’t you have your blood drawn every year? I go around this time for a physical and have blood drawn to check for diabetes, high cholesterol, and a bunch of other stuff. I went yesterday to the doctor and she told me that since my numbers have been good, I can skip a year. Oh, and you know my love for Brooks. I just like their shoes but their clothes not so much. I have the same pink shoes you have too. 🙂
I don’t know but I’m running it and I can’t wait!! I’ve done the half a few times and the marathon twice. They are well organized and close to my house so it’s easy 🙂
And no, I don’t get a blood draw every year – and now I’m wondering why? That part wasn’t so bad, it was the tetnus that hurt for DAYS! And yes, I know you love Brooks as much as I do! #twinning
Completely agree, why do I have to have proof of immunizations for an online class? No one is going to come in contact with me??? You can’t catch the flu through a computer??? (not yet, anyway) ♀️ Good luck with your classes! You will be amazing!
OMG I didn’t realize you had to do that for online classes?? That makes zero sense!!
Thanks Dawn! You know you will be hearing all about it 🙂 Good luck to you too!
I am 1000% with you on the GTFO summer heat & humidity. The bugs have been exceptionally awful this year too, or maybe I’m just that delicious. I’ll go with the latter. When I had to prove immunizations for grad school in 2006 it was crazy to try & track it down.
I’m sure you are extra delicious too but the bugs were off the charts this year!! Thanks for agreeing with me 🙂 See ya summer!
You’re old? I’m 61 and was totally okay with that until today when I read a FB comment where someone referred to her 61-year-old neighbor as “her elderly neighbor.” Not cool, not cool.
Have a great week, you youngster!
HAHAHA – it’s funny how age works, isn’t it? Sometimes I feel really young but then something like that happens and you’re like WTH?? It’s all in the attitude right? Not to mention how fit we are! Keep doing YOU at 61 – you’re amazing!
When I went ice skating every single day, I loved winter. Since then, not so much. I love summer (except for running in heat) and I especially miss when the daylight fades. Thanks for the podcast recommendations. I’ve been looking for some good ones!
I forgot about the darkness – I definitely don’t like that but I’m game for the rest. Ands YES to ice skating! When you find something you love to do in the winter, it’s not so bad.
Hope you enjoy the podcasts 🙂
Where’d you go Bernadette was filmed on a boat that I went on to Antarctica! I need to go see it…the cast looks amazing.
Great week of workouts for you! I hate to think about what’s in the water at any public pool 🙂
Oh yes! I remember reading your blog about your marathon there. How awesome!! I can’t wait to see it either.
And yes, I try to put it out of my head while I’m swimming 🙂