Hello June! We spent the last days of May sort of split down the middle. It was hot and humid for part of the week, then a fresh breeze blew in and we experienced a good 20 degree temperature drop. Here’s how my workout week went:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run 5 miles + Strength
Wednesday: Bike 15 miles + Swim
Thursday: Run 6 miles +Swim
Friday: Bike 12 miles
Saturday: Run 6 miles (sucked despite cool temps)
Sunday: Strength
Training plan? What training plan?
On the workout front, there’s good news and bad news. I’ll spill the bad news first: While I’m getting in 3 runs/week, there is zero quality (no speedwork, no tempo, no nothing) and there is no “long” run to speak of either. I “should” be training for RnRCHI, alas, I’m winging it instead. I feel like running however I want right now so that’s what’s happening. RnRCHI may be a trainwreck but I runfess I don’t really care. I’ll cross that bridge…and hopefully that finish line when I get to it. You heard it here first.
They don’t call it an Assault Bike for no reason. Clearly I am dialed in to the pain.
The good news is I’ve been biking and swimming. Go me. The other good news is, I finally made it back to the squat rack. Since my back-of-the-knee, popliteus muscle injury, I’d been laying off the heavy stuff out of fear. That all changed this week and I’m happy to report all seems to be well. A superset of squats, cleans and assault bike action went excruciatingly well.
Hatchlings
When we were mountain biking in La Crosse a couple weekends ago, we came upon a tiny turtle on the trail, no larger than a silver dollar. Thing 2 picked it up and relocated it out of harm’s way. Later I read an article about turtle nesting and learned that when relocating turtles, it’s important to note the direction they are headed and to put them out of harm’s way IN THAT direction, because turtles are extremely stubborn and will go the way they intended to go no matter what. So if you see them crossing the street, don’t put them back in the direction they came. Put them toward where they’re pointed.
Speaking of stubborn turtles, the other day out on my run, I came across this sucker, in the middle of a very quiet residential street. Apparently it’s a Blandings turtle and it is endangered. What this pic doesn’t convey is how big this one was. It was a good two feet long and every time I tried to get close enough to the side of it for a pic, it’d turn to face me. See the stink eye it’s giving me? Let’s just say I did not pick this sucker up and relocate it. I swear, my neighborhood should be renamed Wild Kingdom.
Speaking of Hatchlings
Remember the woodpecker who’d taken up residence in our siding? Well the Caveman finally got up there with his filler putty and deflecting tape, only to find a nest full of baby woodpeckers all snug in our east wall. Pffft. Of course he didn’t have the heart to evict them so I guess we’ll wait until they fly the coop.
Oh and that Bag…
Remember the big bag I came home from La Crosse with? Many of you do, because I’m still getting emails from inquiring minds who wanna know wth was in that mammoth bag. So here you go.
Basically, it was a super-sized welcome bag filled with all kinds of local colors, flavors and goodness. Much of the loot is missing because it has been consumed….or absconded with.
I could not for the life of me get Ozzy out of the pic
Here’s some of what the bag contained:
- A few bottles each of Smart Water and Powerade (because they knew I was racing and were super thoughtful).
- Locally roasted Kickapoo Coffee beans
- Coffee mugs and an invite to drop in for free coffee from the Charmant Hotel and the Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Chocolate from the Radisson Hotel, La Crosse
- Travel Mug from Wiscorps Conservation
- Water Bottle and t-shirt from Sparta, WI, America’s Biking Capital
- T-shirt from Artspire
- Ball cap and gift card for a shopping spree at Duluth Trading
- A variety of local craft beer, wine, ginger beer, many of which were consumed before a photo could be taken. The perps shall remain nameless.
How was your week? Are you on a training plan? Or winging it? Seen any turtles?
Join us for the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup where we’ll be talking about Global Running Day!
I have not seen any turtles recently, although I have heard it’s hatching season.
Luckily I have a coach so I’m definitely not winging it!
Oh, no on the baby woodpeckers! I hope they learn to fly (away) soon! That was quite the swag bag – niiiice. I’ve been winging my races all year — you’ll be fine. 😉
I’m right there with you, winging it. My knees hurt so bad today that I pretty much never moved from the couch. I don’t know what’s going on. Sigh. I ran 7 miles yesterday, so long run for the win.
Last week on my bike ride, I saw a giant turtle on the side of the bike path, buried in the mud. I left him alone. I didn’t know if he was a snapping turtle. I didn’t think he was dead because there was a skid mark behind him. I don’t know how he got there because it was right along Algonquin Road!
I don’t think I have ever seen a turtle while out on a run or out and about. However, a few years ago I saw something in my yard that I thought was a pile of concrete (it was a patch of something grey). I walked over to see what it was and it was a HUGE Snapping turtle. Of course I’ve never seen one so I didn’t even know what a snapping turtle was. I took a picture and my dad told me that’s what it was. I think my neighbor may have come over to see it too and thats what he said it was too, It really looked like something pre-historic.
Not sure if I”d call it “wining it,” but sort of LOL Probably “maintaining the status quo” is a better description in terms of my training. I have Dam to Dam behind me, so RnR is the main “big” race next on my roster….I’m hoping to maintain my 10-mile base and take things easy until after Chicago (when the 26.2 training will kick in). The Pennsylvania daughter has a turtle that a friend rescued almost seven years ago. It was the size of a quarter back then, not it’s bigger than my fist….and is still residing with us until the daughter figures out if she’ll be in PA long term or headed elsewhere (or, hopefully, back to the Midwest…a mom can dream, right?).
My training looks similar to yours lately…no workouts, no long run in awhile, and just kind of winging it. Its nice to just do what I feel like especially when the weather is being crazy. That looks like a great welcome bag!
I am ok with winging it! It is summer! 🙂 I was to busy looking at the claws on that turtle! YIKES!
Well I knew it would be tough for me to train for half this time of year, that’s why I am doing the 10K in Chicago. Plus I will just be more relaxed 🙂 Great news that you are back swimming and biking. I love switching it up in the summer time
I’m also winging it as far as training goes for RnrChi. It’s not a goal race and I’ve done it twice before so I’m really just focusing on enjoying the races and the weekend and meeting you and all the other ladies of course! I just love the city of Chicago so much!
I am laughing at the fact that Ozzy wanted to be included in the photo – such a cute pup!
Winging is my way of life. No stress. Not unless you want to PR.
I know you will do fine and have fun.
Kudos on the biking and swimming.
I think we are getting your weather. Cool temps this week.
That’s some big bag. How did you get it on the plane?
No turtles here, but I’ve seen goslings and baby prairie dogs. If the adults have a death wish, the young’uns are just psycho. I’m always careful driving by the prairie dog colony, and now moreso.
I saw a turtle on my run yesterday but I left it alone. The trail I was on goes right along the major drainage ditch in our neighborhood so I imagine it was probably headed back in that direction. I do know it’s the season so I’ll keep an eye out for any stray turtles in the street. Also been a weird influx of possums in our neighborhood so now I have to check the backyard before letting the dog out. I know how you feel!
That’s awesome that your knee is doing well. Since winging it feels good, I say go for it! I’m training for a marathon but totally being mindful and not just pounding the pavement.
I’m also winging it at the moment, and I have to say, I’m loving it! I’ll kick back into full, organized training mode in a few weeks, but I’m enjoying just doing whatever I feel like and not having any pressure on myself.
what the heck is up with the turtles??? I definitely haven’t seen any lately. nope. but geese. LOTS of geese.
I had to smile at the Charmant mug. I didn’t realise it was the name of the hotel. Charmant (pronounced shar-MOHNT) means Charming in Dutch . You can drink out of it knowing also how charming you are!
My training plan “officially” starts on the 11th of June. I have however been winging it pretty much for … 6 weeks? Even with Liverpool Half in the mix. I’m am ok with it. But I’m ready to have a goal now. And this weight has to come off (and it is going to if if it’s the last thing I do!!!). I am training again with a group, and I stopped massage on Tuesday nights so I have the time and energy to train. You will be fine for Chicago. Just try to have fun and soak in the experience with all the lovely bloggers you’ll meet up with there. (total envy over here).
Even if you’re winging it, you’re still being incredibly active and I’m sure you are going to do just fine, and/or have fun out there.
It’s turtle nesting season here, so we are seeing lots of them. There was one actually depositing an egg while we were running the other day, and we saw one on the dunes at the beach this weekend. They are everywhere, and I love most of them. Here, we have Florida Soft-Shelled Turtles. They are huge and hideous and have this ridiculous snorkel thing on their noses. They also kind of hiss so I don’s mess with them. There is also a giant snapping turtle in the canal behind my house. So that’s fun. That being said, we’ve been fortunate enough to be at the beach at such times to see turtles going back out to sea, or to get to see inside their nests. It’s incredibly cool.
Good tips on the turtles! I will remember that if I ever come across one. Of course, if it’s a snapper, I’m not sure I’d be the one moving it. Lol. Sounds like you had a great month!
That turtle is 2 feet long? Wow! He definitely looks like someone you don’t want to mess with.
I certainly hope that RnRCHI goes better than you’re anticipating that it well. There’s still several weeks til race day. Hopefully you find your mojo again sooner than later!
I didn’t know the directional thing about turtles. My boys had slider turtles when they were kids which grew to about 12 inches. They pooped. ALOT. They now live at the lake. IF (and I can’t type that big enough) I do RnR Chi, it will not be for time. Me and summer heat/humidity are not friends. But, maybe I’ll see you there. 😉 Thanks for linking.
Winging it sounds good! I’m just happy to be running without pain so “training” for RnRChi is non-existent. It’s funny you mentioned turtles – I usually see them at this time of year when I’m out running, but this year nada. On the other hand, the bunny rabbits are everywhere!
So, that’s not a Blanding’s Turtle (the throat isn’t yellow and it’s carapace isn’t domed) but a Common Snapping Turtle. I’m glad you didn’t try to move it! Its bite can cause serious damage (broken or severed fingers!)