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Squeezing Workouts into a Visit at the Farm
Bill and I spent the week visiting my mom, but carved in a little time most days for working out. It was a whirlwind trip (Monday to Friday) so we really only had three days full days to workout while there. Cardio is easy with the beautiful countryside beckoning me outside, but strength training is always a little more challenging. I take a limited amount of equipment with me and fill in the voids with Mom’s lighter dumbbells (after Dad died she gave me the heavier ones to take to the beach house). This was such a quick trip, though, that I didn’t worry about missing a lifting session and focused on cardio.
I do what I can while still remembering why I’m there, to spend time with my mom and help her out with some chores and running a few errands…
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll down for daily details…
Sunday
The 1725 Gravel Grinder ended up being one of the most fun events in which I’ve completed in a very long time. Even though we had no intention to race the 40-mile event (60 and 80 milers were also options at registration), I was disappointed when we received emails saying, “This is not a race.”
It was 75° and sunny by the time we rolled out of the starting chute at 9:45 AM. With rain not expected until 6 PM, we were looking forward to a beautiful day. Unfortunately, at mile 38 we heard the first rumbles of thunder, followed by spitting rain as we made the final long climb to the finish line. While waiting in line for our swag of a hat and a pint glass, and moments after this picture was taken by Andy of EX2 Adventures, the sky opened and we got drenched.
Our group of 7 started together, but Ed pulled away early and finished strong. The rest of us finished within a 10 minute range (I was in the middle of the pack finishing 3rd out of the 6 of us). I finished my ride with an average speed of 13.3 MPH, not bad for a mostly gravel course.
Monday
Up at 4:20 AM and out the door prior to 6 for the long drive to the farm to visit my mom, there was no time for my own workout, but I trained two clients virtually as we drove through the Shenandoah Valley. Once at the farm, Mom and I took off for town for an appointment and some much needed shopping therapy.
Tuesday
Two summers ago Bill rode his bike to the top of Whitetop Mountain on the Virginia Creeper Trail from Damascus while we were visiting my mom; and joining him for the same ride had been on my bucket list since. We left Mom’s house early and by 9:45 we had arrived in Damascus, gotten our bikes ready to roll, and hit the restrooms. At 70° with low humidity we knew it would be a comfortable ride as we climbed up into the cool mountains. For 18.25 miles we climbed anywhere from about a 1% to an 8% grade, but it wasn’t that bad, it was just steady slow climbing and I kept reminding myself that the ride back down would be worth the monotonous ride up.
Wednesday
It was a delightful 53° when I woke up, but with an early appointment with the vet for Mom’s cat Callie, I was out the door at 7:3o to drive into town. I wore my running gear in hopes of running while Callie was being examined (they’re still not letting people go inside with their pet), but after being told they’d have her back out to me in 10-15 minutes, I opted to read while I waited. Once home I had a ton of projects to work on with Mom so it was 3 PM and 74° with a light breeze before I finally headed out for my run. Not a fan of afternoon runs, I appreciated the fantastic weather working in my advantage and finished my run with an average pace of 10:06.
I’d forgotten to pack my Saucony trail shoes (affiliate link) and running on the new layer of gravel in my Altra Escalante (affiliate link) wasn’t ideal, but I made the best of it, and fortunately, didn’t bruise the bottoms of my feet.
Thursday
As if Wednesday’s temperature wasn’t delightful enough, it was 42° when I woke up and it had only risen to 44° by the time I headed out for my run at 7:40 AM. Even though I prefer not to run on consecutive days and it had only been about 16 hours since my previous run, the cool air gave me a pep in my step and I felt strong finishing my 5K at a 9:09 average pace.
Friday
We left the farm shortly after 5:30 AM, but had to stop midway home for Bill to give a short work presentation (working virtually has its benefits and drawbacks). While stopped, I took advantage of taking a 5K walk around the rest area (16:20 average pace). It was 63° at 9 AM in Fairfield, and another delightful June day in Virginia.
Once home, I was tired and completely unmotivated to lift weights, but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t so I headed to the basement. Of course, the second I got going I was happy to work out the kinks from sitting in the car for 6 hours.
Our son dropped Pablo off for the weekend so we took him for a 1-mile walk after dinner and then just chilled in the back yard. He cracks me up when he cocks his head to the side like this.
Saturday
Bill and I had full intentions to ride with the Velopigs (gravel group) at 10 AM, but decided to play it by ear based on Pablo’s schedule. By the time I got home from walking Pablo it was drizzling and the weather forecast warned of a severe storm risk for the entire day and overnight. We decided to keep our ride local once the rain stopped, but each time it stopped, it would start again before we could head out the door. By lunchtime, we’d given up on a ride outside so I hit up my spin bike (affiliate link) for 15 miles at a 16.2 MPH average speed.
Here’s What You Might Have Missed
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly RunDown: June 6 – 12 / Back in Business
- • Tuesday – Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder
- • Thursday – Virginia Creeper Trail: 36-Mile Damascus to Whitetop Mountain Climb and Descent
Questions:
- • How many pairs of shoes do you pack for a trip? ~ I had my running shoes, my cycling shoes, my Crocs for around the house, and my Topsiders for wearing with non-workout shorts. Luckily, I didn’t have to dress up and take shoes for that outfit…
- • How was your weather last week? ~ I heard that it was also delightful at home, but I’m sure nowhere nearly as fabulous as in the mountains of SWVA. It’s warm and humid again here in NOVA.
- • Did you run in a race this weekend? If so, was it live or virtual?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
I have an issue with shoe packing myself! Even worse if there are dinners out to pack for. Congrats on your bike event. Glad the rain held out for you. I got caught on the Reston event one year in a torrential downpour with nowhere to go.
Thanks, Deborah! BTW, we’ve decided to do the Reston Century this year. Any interest in joining us?
I love your comment about visiting your mom…how your priority is HER and not getting all the workouts done (although you are great at staying active regardless). I’m sure she appreciates having you and the hubs there, and is grateful for every moment spent with her. Sweet Pablo! Max cocks his head sideways all the time, especially if we’re FaceTiming with the kids and he cannot figure where the audio is coming from 😉
Yes, that’s definitely what’s most important when we’re at the farm!
I bet Max is so cute with his head cocked when FaceTiming the rest of his family. 😀
I love the week you spend with your mom. I know you do not see her often but make sure to do it when you get the chance. Haha, Pablo is too cute. My cats do the same but I blame it on their attitude. I usually pack 3-4 pairs when going on a trip but do overpack on clothes.
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Weekly Run Down: Summer School and a new level of exhaustion
Thanks, it was nice to see my mom. I just wish I lived closer.
HaHa, cats can get an attitude and I see it in Mom’s cat.
Shoes are the hardest part to pack! Especially if you need multiple running shoes 🙂 Sounds like really nice trip though. 40 degrees is my favorite running weather.
Yes, the weather was perfect! We’re having equally wonderful weather this week at the beach!
So happy you get to spend time with your mom & I know that made her happy!
The scenery down there is amazing. Although I’m LOL at 74 being a good temp for a run. That’s hot for us — but humidity does make a difference.
As I’ve written about, I take what I damn well please when we’re driving somewhere. 🙂 I learned the hard way!
For an afternoon, 74° was pretty amazing, but nothing compared to the 44° the following morning. We’re having another delightful week, this time on the Outer Banks, but the heat and humidity are supposed to return by the weekend when we return home.
Yep, same with me, when we’re driving, I don’t worry so much about overpacking. 😉
When we go to our lake house, I’m a good packer–it’s super casual so there’s no pressure. But when I go anywhere else, I always overpack and then don’t have the right stuff, lol. I always bring my running shoes, a pair of sandals, and my oofos. Anything else depends on what we’re doing. Glad you had some cool weather at your moms! That’s always a treat this time of year.
Packing can be such a pain with trying to figure out the right stuff to pack and I often get it wrong. Bleh!
We’re having another unseasonably cool week with low humidity, this time at the beach! It’s supposed to be back to hot and humid Saturday by the time we get home.
Wow, you had some great weather for your runs and rides! It looks beautiful. It’s funny that you had to bring four pairs of shoes for a four day trip (and also could have used your trail shoes) but I get it!
Just out of curiosity is your mom’s cat a calico? My sister has a calico named Callie!
Mom’s cat is just gray and white – I think calicos also have brown. Her name is Callie because mom loves Calvin and Hobbes. Callie’s brother was named Hobbes. Sadly, he was killed by a bald eagle two years ago. 🙁
So nice that you were able to spend quality time with your mom and also get in a few workouts during your visit!
OMG that photo of Pablo is just too cute! I also love when dogs move their head to the side like that – it’s almost like they are listening hard to what we’re saying, lol.
Thanks, Kim, it was great seeing Mom! Like you said about this Father’s Day being so special with your dad, each visit with her is precious.
the gravel grinder sounds like it was loads of fun!!
great week in general for you, though sorry to hear you forgot your trail shoes.
• How many pairs of shoes do you pack for a trip? usually walking/ old running shoes, regular running shoes and a pair of flip flops
• How was your weather last week? it was hotter than Hades 😀 though can’t complain since we had winter up until a couple weeks ago.
• Did you run in a race this weekend? Nope, still recovering!
Yes, the gravel grinder was a blast! You’d love it!
Hope your weather is getting a bit more reasonable. We’re having another unseasonably cool week, this time at the beach.