I may not be running as much these days, but my post-marathon goal was to focus on strength training, and I’m happy to say I’ve held up my end of the bargain on that front. 
The trail may look pretty but I won’t kid you, this run sucked.
Here’s how the week in workouts went:
Monday: Run 4 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 3 miles + leg day
Thursday: Full body strength
Friday: 3.5 miles + SWIM!!
Saturday: CrossFit
Sunday: Rest
I’d been staying away from heavy squatting during marathon training, especially since I had that back-of-the-knee/hamstring insertion point issue. I’ve been feeling really good post-London though so I added some squat rack action back to my rotation. While I’m still not squatting/dead lifting the heaviest ever, things are moving in that direction, and Coach Lucifer seems to approve of my form.
Did you notice a certain 4-letter “S” word? Yeah I made it to the pool this week. Go me. While swimming will never be my favorite, it is a skill I’m glad I learned and I don’t want to abandon it, even if I don’t have any triathlons on tap right now.
Loving
Yellowbird. This little guy (or someone from his family) has been coming to my kitchen window for all 18+ years we’ve lived in this house. Thing 1 was a toddler and she’d scream “look its Yellowbird!” Seeing yellowbird again reminds me of those early years when my kids were little. Sigh. Time marches on. Kids grow up, things change, but yellowbird still comes around.
Fawn. Ozzy and I were out for our morning run/walk when we came upon a doe who didn’t bolt when she saw us. As we neared I realized why. She had a tiny fawn in tow. This is a bad pic but the fawn still had it’s white spots and was quite slow and wobbly. It was the sweetest thing. We stood and watched for a couple of minutes while mom ushered her fawn into the taller grass. I sure hope the coyotes stay away.
My Soxy Feet. I’m a sucker for fun and bright colors and these socks make me smile. They’re super comfy and who can resist the summery, watermelon colors?
Not Loving
Rocketman. It’s not that I hated it. I really enjoyed the music and I adore Elton John. I had no clue what his life story was so that aspect was both fascinating and heart-breaking. I think they tried too hard to be creative though.
The hurricane strikes again. I swear I can’t make this stuff up. My MIL had the “brilliant” idea to rent an enormous limo, load up the family (13 of us) in it then surprise my FIL for his birthday (which isn’t until the end of July) by driving around to all of his childhood houses, schools, places of employment, etc. This Is Your Life style. Sound fun? Try riding around in a limo, in horrible city traffic, for FOUR. FREAKING. HOURS. And then at the end? She announced who was the “most engaged” “asked the most questions” etc. Keep score much? I can’t begin to tell you how exhausting this was. I scored a mega demerit when I said “if you really loved him, this escapade would culminate at the nearest Pizzeria Uno.” A good deep-dish Chicago-style pie is my FIL’s favorite, alas the Hurricane won’t allow him to partake.
The Week Ahead
While Thing 1 has been out of school for 2 weeks already, Thing 2 still has a day and a half left. Gosh, wasn’t it just Halloween? This school year feels like a time warp.
Thing 2’s spring flute recital is this week.
Global Running Day!
How was your week? Did you race? Could you survive 4 hours in a limo with your MIL?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
OMG the limo thing – horrendous! And giving you scores! Golly!
Well done on a strong week apart from that horribleness. And getting back into the squatting was brave. I love Yellowbird – is it the same bird or a succession of them that have learned this behaviour, I wonder?
I’m bummed about Rocketman. My husband is SO looking forward to seeing it but maybe now we won’t rush. We have to spend our date nights wisely 🙂 And I absolutely LOVE that you have the same bird (or bird family) visit you year after year – the best! And you are a saint for putting up with that limo ride – dear Lord!!! I guess you probably had no choice but it sounds like the worst way to spend 4 hours!! Hope you were able to get your own deep dish and a deep glass of wine!
You have the craziest stories!! I somehow lucked out with an awesome MIL so I am just in awe of what some woman have to deal with.
Way to nail the strength training! That’s a perfect switch after a marathon.
OMG that limo ride! Kill.me.now. It sounds like some kind of weird torture treatment. But it reminds me of the time in high school when a friend and her brother drove me around for hours in their station wagon trying to convert me to their born-again Christian religion. Which I knew nothing about until I got in the car. Yikes. LET ME OUT!
I hope there was wine in the limo. I know you’re not a big drinker but desperate times…
Awww I love the bird story BUT that limo story oh my goodness!
Those socks are so cute – love the smiley faces 🙂
OMG, is it bad that I just laughed so hard at the pizza comment you made in the limo? LMAO! Well that sounded like torture but you survived!
I would have gotten road rage in that limo
And now you make me want Lou Malnatti’s! That’s the only Chicago deep dish I’ve ever had
Yay yellow bird!
I do just love your MIL stories! Your poor husband lol. Bet it feels good to focus on strength training for a while and not be bound to your marathon training plan. I am looking forward to getting back to swimming and biking this month
Well,when we go to visit my MIL we stay with her. It’s 24/7. She’s ok. Yes, she’s annoying, but she’s not terrible & the woman went through hell with her husband’s dementia.
I haven’t been swimming yet this year. I have a feeling there won’t be a lot of swimming this summer. And I’m sure I’m gonna miss it.
Young fawns are always sweet to see! We saw a deer munching away practically on the highway on our way down to my parents on Memorial Day (which I swear feels like it was a month ago!).
Oh my. That limo ride sounds SO PAINFUL! My MIL would always talk to ME the most (in situations like that limo) because everyone else was either rude to her (out of pure annoyance) or they’d ignore her. Not sure how many brownie points it ever earned me LOL
Dear Lord, I swear our MILs were separated at birth! That limo ride sounds like one for the ages – I wouldn’t have known whether to laugh or cry!
I love that yellowbird is still visiting – time really needs to slow down just a little!
Oh man your MIL is something else. I cannot imagine that long of a ride in the limo. Makes you wonder who was this ride actually for (her or your FIL)?
Bummer about Rocketman. I also love Elton John and have been wanting to see the movie.
Omg. No way. I have a hard time spending an hour with MIL.
I totally agree about the movie. I love his music and I was disappointed.
Ran a fun race on Sat. Plan to volunteer this Sat and probably race on Sun.
I like the story of the yellowbird. In my garden come seagulls, magpies, blackbirds and I feed all of them. Sometimes some little bat falls from the nest under the roof and, after a good lunch, I drive him/her to the shelter in Rome.
I would love to go swimming again. I just need about 1 day extra in the week to work that in!
I don’t really want to see Rocketman to be honest. I haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody yet either – I’m much more of a Freddie Mercury / Queen fan than of Elton John, though my grandma was a huge fan and so we used to listen to his records together a lot. I don’t know what it is, but the whole Hollywood making a movie about someone I love so much (Freddie) just makes me scared to see it. Weird right? That’s me 🙂
Your MIL is … so different! haha! My MIL has passed on and I never really knew her before her strokes, but from the stories and just knowing how she was after strokes – she was a very hard-headed individual! I can’t believe yours was actually keeping score! And I’d have likely gotten a demerit vote siding with you on going to Pizzaria Uno, haha!!