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Missing Most of the Olympics
I put my sleep as a priority a couple of years ago and even bought a Fitbit (affiliate link) to track my sleep. I have a long way to go to get the recommended 8 hours per night, but I’ve come a long way from seeing high-4’s and low-5’s as my nightly averages with weekly averages now in the high-6’s or low-7’s.
With 4:30 to 5:30 AM wake-ups, I try to get to bed by 9 to 9:30 PM with lights out by 10 or earlier. As a result, I’m missing most of the Olympics. I’ve recorded some of the events, but know that I probably won’t get around to watching them…
I was working when American Molly Seidel got a bronze in the marathon on what was only her third time running that distance – how amazing! I wasn’t sure how much of the women’s marathon made it into the prime time coverage because we weren’t able to watch TV Friday evening; however, I got extremely lucky and it was rebroadcast Saturday afternoon and I got to watch the entire race (plus the men’s marathon) with my 10-day-old grandson. I think he wants to be a runner when he grows up!
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
Bill and I had big plans for our 40th wedding anniversary… Bill had designed a 40-mile route that included 2 of the 4 climbs in our upcoming Reston Century; however, a light drizzle turned to heavy rain so we decided to move our ride to today.
I took advantage of my free time and once the rain moved out early in the afternoon, I ran 4 miles (9:47 pace) for our 40 years. It was a humid 78° and with the sun peering from behind the clouds, I opted to stay on the shaded neighborhood trails.
Monday
A glutton for punishment, I lifted weights for an hour prior to seeing my 6:30 AM client. Just before dinner, I remembered that I hadn’t rolled or stretched after my run the day before so I multitasked and took care of it while calling my mom.
Tuesday
Up and out the door at 5:30 AM for a 33-mile ride with Bill in the cool 59° delightful dark morning air, we stayed mostly on the W&OD Trail and averaged 15.5 MPH.
I spent 2 hours during the afternoon teaching my twice-a-month fitness orientation class at the 55+ gym where I demo how to use each piece of cardio and strength training equipment.
Wednesday
It wasn’t until noon after a busy morning of clients that I was able to get out for a solo ride. It was 79° with 8 MPH winds (11 MPH gusts) coming from the northeast. Funny, I must have always been riding toward the northeast because I always felt like I was riding into a headwind. Don’t get me wrong, it felt great as compared to the usual August humidity, but my legs got tired fighting the wind.
I rode 35 miles (14.3 MPH average speed) and included riding Meadowlark in the opposite direction than usual, but in the direction we’ll be climbing during the Reston Century. I also climbed Woodburn, our first of four climbs during the century and my new favorite hill with which I have a love/hate relationship.
Once back on the W&OD Trail, I detoured into Leesburg to stop by Plum Grove Cyclery and rode by this really cool mural being painted along Harrison Street.
Thursday
l had planned to test ride the Cannondale Topstone gravel bike that I’d test ridden in early July, but Bill’s work got crazy and we decided to cancel. I’ve found no other higher end gravel bikes in my size in our area for comparison (I had hoped to test ride a Giant and a Specialized) so I’m going to take a second look at this one. Hopefully it will still be in the store next week when I stop back by.
With my ride canceled, I decided to go for a walk on our shaded neighborhood trails while chatting on the phone with my mom. It was warm at 87° with a little humidity creeping back in and I kept the pace comfortable at 17:24.
Friday
I lifted weights for an hour between clients before heading to the 55+ gym to teach my balance and stretching class. During the class I participated whenever I wasn’t walking around the room checking on form as I led my students in 45 minutes of weight bearing leg exercises, balance drills, and stretching.
Saturday
I opted to ride my spin bike (affiliate link) because I didn’t have time to join Bill and the VeloPigs and get home to shower and make it to the twice-monthly fitness orientation class I teach. I rode 20 miles at a 16.2 MPH average speed. As with other stationary cardio machines, I’m not sure how closely this equates to riding outdoors, but there are no hills to maneuver across (where I slow on the ascent and speed up on the descent) nor headwinds to fight, just a steady level 9 spin. I usually ride at level 10, but with a hilly ride on tap for today, I kept it a little easier.
If You Haven’t Checked in, 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: July 25 – 31 / Adding Two New Hills to My Century Training
- • Friday – Catching Up Over Coffee: May This GiGi Brag?
Questions:
- • Are you good at pivoting to another activity when something gets canceled or rescheduled?
- • How was the weather in your neck of the woods last week? ~ Our weather felt more like September than early August!
- • 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.
Admittedly, I am pretty much watching the Olympics recaps and highlights on the news. Happy anniversary to you both! Looks like a really solid week of training for you 2 on the bike. You are really ready for Reston this year
Thanks, Deborah!
You just gave me a light bulb moment…if today’s rain is too ominous, I could always hop on the stationary bike for some “long riding.” I know, a big #duh LOL I also question how closely is compares to actual road riding, but it is a better option than a total pass. Well, I DID sacrifice sleep for the Olympics, way too much, especially the past 10 days or so. No regrets, but I’m really feeling it now. I saw the final 5-6 miles of the women’s marathon Friday, after dinner. WoW, just wow!
If it did rain, I hope you had a great indoor ride!
You rode a lot of miles despite having to rearrange your plans! I really only ride outside on the weekend, so the rain can mess me up! I do have lots of indoor options, though. We watched the Olympics most evenings, on NBC or the various “apps” on Xfinity. I caught a lot of the track events by staying up too late. 🙂
I’m lucky that I have the option to ride on my lighter work days. I understand how a rainy weekend could completely blow riding on both days. It’s great that you have an indoor alternative!
I’m with Deborah–we haven’t watched as much Olympics as I would have liked. We don’t have cable and the NBC coverage is the pits, chaotic, and full of commercials. I did watch the women’s gymnastics, diving, and some track events. Sleep is definitely my thing–I don’t know how people get by on less than 7-8 hours!
Yes, I would have loved to watch more of the Olympics as well. We just don’t watch that much TV anymore…
Well, last week I had to when my treadmill died, LOL! We had cooler weather until this weekend. Now it remembered it’s summer, unfortunately!
Happy Anniversary! That’s a big one — how awesome.
That mural IS really cool (now if people would just mind it).
Sounds like a great week, Deb!
Thanks, Judy!
I need to go back and take a pano of the entire mural. It’s very cool. The artists were working on it today when we drove by.
Happy anniversary! Sounds like a fun week.
We were able to watch a lot of what we wanted via Hulu, i.e. the women’s marathon a little after it actually happened. What a fun one to watch!
Cool mural (and pic!)
Thanks, Jessie!
I was so happy to get to watch both marathons. I certainly didn’t expect to!
Happy belated anniversary!
What a great way to celebrate.
SummerStreets isn’t a race, but does an organized group run count? Alas we’d turned closer to August by then but this week weather was magic
Cari recently posted…getting to the CORE of it
Thanks, Cari!
In 2021, organized group runs definitely count as “races”!
Yes the last six miles or so of the women’s marathon was on prime time. SO EXCITING!!!
I did the opposite of what you did and stayed up late every night watching the Olympics, and I really felt it. Luckily it’s over and I can finally get some rest.
Sounds like you had a great week!
Thanks, Jenny! Hope you get some rest this week!
Happy Anniversary!! You had a fun week too! I also try to make sure I get plenty of sleep but lately I have not been sleeping well. Could be this “meno” thing? I am bummed I missed the woman’s marathon.
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Fit Five Friday and August Ultimate Coffee Date
Thanks, Zenaida!
Yes, sleep (or lack of sleep) is definitely tied menopause.
Hopefully, you can find a replay of the women’s marathon online somewhere.
Happy 40 years! How incredible!
We have another tropical disturbance coming, so it’s been fairly wet and sloshy around here.No bueno.
No races at the moment, but soon.
Thanks, Jenn!
Ugh, I hope Fred wimps out.