Dig Deep Week (WW # 56)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

Click  >>HERE<<  to see rules.

M - REST
T  - Ran 6 Miles Slow + Strength
W - Ran 6 Miles Slow
T  - Cycled 15 Miles (15.2 mph)
F  -  Ran 7 Miles 
       (2 w/u + 5 @ 9:10 -- Mixed Bag)
S  -  Ran 18 Slow Miles
S  -  UNPLANNED REST

Total Miles Ran = 37
Total Miles Cycled = 15

I'm tired.  It's still so sickly hot and humid.  I could end this post right here because that would sum up my week {and many of you probably would probably thank me--ha ha}.  I put off speed work earlier in the week because I couldn't breathe in the muck.  It wasn't much better on Friday but I managed a little mixed bag of speed work by tossing in a few tempo miles plus several 1/2 mile repeats.  I did have a nice bike ride on Thursday morning.

Note to self:  Take off previous day's eye shadow before commencing to sweat.

Happy National Dog Day to these two nuts: Mojo and Mini.

Honestly, I was not looking forward to the 18 miles I needed to run over the weekend.  I went ahead with that run on Saturday instead of my usual Sunday.  I.Dug.Deep.  It.Got.Done.  I ran every step in a new pair of Mizuno Wave Inspires.  This is my go-to shoe so I did not break them in.  I had been trying out Mizuno's new Catalyst model but felt there wasn't enough ankle support for me on really long runs.  I'll keep wearing the Catalyst for shorter runs and races as they are comfy and somewhat lighter than the Inspires. 

They'll be a nice shade of light gray very soon!

Our oldest son was competing in Saturday's Dragon Boat races.  This is an all day event including multiple elimination rounds.  It's a big draw for our city with numerous teams involved.  His team took silver in their division.  But icky, it was so unbelievably, unrelentingly hot.   After sweating through my 18 miler, and sweating all afternoon spectating  -- I was toast.

The Dragon Slay-Oars (boat #2) narrowly wins their 2nd race of the day.

We went to the lake Sunday morning but experienced a minor electrical problem in the boat (it's always something!).  Sadly, there was no water skiing.  Hopefully I can make that up one day this week.  I did capture some great pictures of the cloud formations.  

I've tried hard to stay positive and not whine, but I hope for a break in the weather soon because I honestly feel I'm at my breaking point.   ... If I hear that weatherman say triple digit heat indexes one more time ...

And that's a wrap!

Have you ever been to a Dragon Boat race?

Do you break in new running shoes or just go with it?

An InLinkz Link-up

Number 100

Mizuno Wave Inspires

Yippee!  My new Mizunos arrived.  I haven't worn them yet as I'm saving them for a short weekday run.  I'm not sure how I feel about the lemon yellow.  I'm more of a neon yellow gal.  But, at least it's a color I've never had.

Saturday morning, I completed my first official long run as part of my training for the Chicago Marathon.  I ran 10 miles, nice and slow at an average pace of 10:30.  I felt good, much better than anticipated.  It was very hot, but I picked up a slight breeze in certain directions.  The front of my right hip has been bothering me this past week, but I am greatly encouraged that it felt better on this run.  I purposely kept my stride short, light and sloowwww.

Must. Stay. Healthy. Repeat.

Darn that stupid leaf!

At the end of my run it was about 85 degrees...at only 8 o'clock in the morning!!  I didn't think twice before jumping in the pool.  Thankfully, I remembered to take off my electronic devices (my Garmin has survived one plunge!).  The pool water was probably the same temperature if not warmer, but it still felt refreshing as my body temperature was surely 1000 degrees.  The thought of taking that plunge was the only thing that got me through the last two hot miles.

After a couple of cups of coffee in my porch swing, I worked in the yard (you know how I love it!).  Our new sod was finally laid out front after being on back order for months.  (Who knew grass could be on back order?)  It is absolutely beautiful but makes my landscaping look pitiful.  I had to get out there and start working!  It will take quite a few weekends of work.

We have grass again!

We had our Father's Day celebration Saturday afternoon just chillin' in the pool.  I recently posted about My Dad, who has been gone for many years.

Our grandson helped PoPo cut down a tree in the front yard.  He worked so hard moving and stacking those limbs.  It's all he could talk about later.  He also spent the night with us, so of course we had to bake cookies -- peanut butter with chocolate chips.  He slept like a rock.

Sunday, I did as little as possible.  I had another steroid shot in my elbow Friday.  The first shot lasted about 10 weeks, but then the pain returned with a vengeance.  I don't think this shot has taken affect yet -- or maybe my elbow is just sore from the shot itself -- or maybe I shouldn't have worked so hard in the yard!  Whatever the reason, after the training run and busy Saturday, my butt and elbow were dragging Sunday. 

Lastly, I just want to mention this is my 100th post.  As a baby blogger, I truly appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read it and especially those who took the time to comment.  That's my favorite part.  Thank you for letting me into your world and being a friend.

Tell me about your weekend!

 

I'm linking up with Tara who is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.  

Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.