Everyone’s back

We made it! Everyone is back at school and out of the house. GM had his first full day Thursday this week, and …. After two full days of everyone out of the house, I’m feeing bittersweet – it’s always sad when another summer ends and also when the craziness of back-to-school activities and schedules starts. But we always survive and each year brings new fun memories.

This week also brought the beginning of September! Here are some highlights from our August (and more are in my post from earlier this week):

196.88 miles running

Lots of walking and lifting weights
Several fun and active vacations (like Montreal!)
And of course, the aforementioned back to school

Here’s what the week looked like:

Sunday: 10.1 miles running, hip PT

Long run Sunday! Especially after a few days of dark morning runs in the streets, it was nice to get outside during daylight and run along some trails and along some places without streetlights. I was hoping for 8-9, but right around mile 6 when I was feeling tired I ran into someone who was lost – I told her I’d run with her to a specific road that would take her to where she was going, and that pushed me another mile or so before we split off. At that point, I was feeling good – it’s amazing how running with someone else and talking, even if you’re running faster than usual, can pick you up and push you to go further. So then I decided to run a little longer and ended up with 10! It felt good, and I got home before a rainy morning started.

Monday: 5.25 mile run, weight training (shoulders, started back, biceps), hip PT, 3.1 miles walking while working

First Monday with everyone at school! It was GM’s first day at school with his big siblings, and even though he was only there for 3 hours, it was so strange with him being out of the house. I didn’t have time for a lunchtime walk (I used my lunchbreak to grab GM), but I did get in some walking while working on my treadmill (what I use instead of a walking pad).

Tuesday: 5.02 mile run, hip PT, weight workout (some legs + back/biceps), 1.3 miles walking outside and 2 miles treadmill walking while working

It was STEAMY out – feels like 80s before the sun came up! I started by walking but ended up mostly running slowly through the humid air. I finished at 4.35 miles but decided I could just run until I get to 5 and maybe not wash my hair (runner/girl math?) so I kept going to get to 5. I was glad to have gotten it in! I also got in a little walking before starting my day.

Wednesday: 5.02 miles walk/run total, hip PT, core workout and some weights, 2.8 miles walk

I had a busy day of back-to-back meetings starting early, but luckily, since school starts early, I was also able to get in a pre-work walk before it all began. It was steamy again, so I got in some walking with my run and even my post-run walk was sweaty. I will still prefer this to 30 degrees in a few months!

Thursday: 5.01 mile dreadmill job, hip PT, short chest workout, 4.25 mile treadmill walk while working and 1.88 mile outdoor walk

I woke up to crazy thunderstorms! They were due to end by 6:35, but that would be too late for me to get out, so I did my first full treadmill workout in a while. And you know what? It sucked! I really am not in treadmill shape yet, so this winter should be interesting. I also did get in some treadmill walking while working – I had a lot of proofreading, writing, editing, etc. to do and my brain sometimes works better while walking. I also got in a quick 1.88 mile walk to and from the bakery to buy bread and bagel shop for bagels.

Friday: 5.25 mile run, hip PT, core and short weight workout, 2.75 miles walking while working and 1.45 mile a.m. walk

TGIF! We made it to the first week of school for everyone! While it wasn’t a full day for everyone, it was a week of all early mornings so I’m counting it as full for now 🙂 I found myself snoozing a LOT, but since it was Friday, I was okay with that. I had already done my weight training for the week, so whatever I got in would be a “bonus” in my mind! Thinking like this (big picture vs. every day) helps me a lot.

Anyway, I did my PT, did a core workout, a few weights, then went outside for a dark run (still not my favorite), and started my day! With the kids out of the house before 7:30, I also got in a short walk outdoors before work. I had a few things on my plate that I was having a hard time getting done at work (ugh brain fog some days!) so I got myself on the treadmill to walk and work it out. Walking almost always helps me focus – and it did! I didn’t anticipate almost walking 3 miles but I had a lot of work to get done.

Saturday: 5.03 mile hotel treadmill run, hip PT

We got into Cincinnati late at night, and of course the kids woke up early so I was tired for this run. It was thundering out, so I decided to hit the hotel gym. I was going to take advantage of the weights but they were being used when I was ready, so I got in a 5 mile treadmill run. Of course it was free when I was done, but it was time to start our day!

The day was busy but fun. We started out with breakfast at one of our friends houses. Then we hit up the hotel pool. Next, it was time to watch the Boston College versus Cincinnati football game! Unfortunately BC ended up losing, and it was nearly 100° for the game, but it was fun to see our alma mater play. We were supposed to run right over to the FC Cincinnati MLS game afterwards, but it started thundering and lightning and there was a rain delay. The game was supposed to start at 7:30, and at 10:30 it still hadn’t started! Eventually LM and I decided to just skip it because she was tired after a long day, so we had a little girls night in our hotel room before going to bed while the boys stayed out. They ended up just postponing the game, so nobody got to go.