After strolling about downtown Kansas City yesterday in 42C (humidex?) on an impromptu mini raw seafood crawl (oysters and sushi!!), both of us were so relaxed and/or wiped that we slept in and didn't run at all, even though the heat wave is finally receding. My body is slumping too much in relief to do much, but I did do a time challenge thingy posted by Z: 50 X 3 low jacks-1 push up/pike-1 jump. It took me just over 9 minutes.
I did it outside because the temp is actually a refreshing 25 degrees Celsius for the first time in ages, and there has been a large cicada hatch. I imagine it is weather-related. We have windows and the back door left open for the first time in weeks, and the metallic chorus of cicadas drew me outside.
The heat itself wasn't too bad--I've been in considerably worse during a summer trip to Egypt and Kuwait--but the humidity was nasty and the bad air even worse. how could a small town almost in the middle of Nowhere, Midwest, have bad air? It could be pollen, it could be pollution from the forest fires in CO, and it could definitely be pollution in general judging by the local ads to reduce fuel consumption. At times, it rendered my head into the anvil of a merciless hammer. Pain killers don't do anything, except for the strong ones that knock me out, but at least I found out that adrenaline helps. Fortunately, I don't get headaches that often. Conditions have to be just wrong.
At any rate, there is still more of summer to come, and apparently the historically hottest part is still ahead of us. It's a close tie right now, but in due time, this summer might unseat those horrible months in south Virginia as my Worst Summer Ever.
This week, the highs will be in the 31-35C range. Hopefully the humidity won't jack up in compensation. The temps were supposed to be lower, but we were supposed to get thunderstorms...somehow, this spot misses a lot of action in more ways than one.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
pistol whipped butt
Zwow #12 again today. I think I'll do this workout every week because it hits the (rather soft and weak) target. And I experienced a minor triumph today: I descended fully in a one-legged squat for the first time in my life without losing balance! Both legs too! but I couldn't get up. Part of the problem was that I was barefoot and my heels were rising from the floor: the added heel lift from shoes might have been enough. With more strength I might find that I can drop ever so slightly less, too. Right now, it's kind of an action potential all-or-nothing situation and maybe I'm going past the point of no return. Next time, I'll wear shoes. Meanwhile, I'm thrilled that my efforts are paying off.
Next week's plan:
3 long (hr+ runs), and hopefully one with some tempo running like this week. I'm starting to feel the need for (relative) speed again.
3 zwow or other strenuous circuit workouts
2 bouts of clamshells/deadlifts/shoulder rows
Next week's plan:
3 long (hr+ runs), and hopefully one with some tempo running like this week. I'm starting to feel the need for (relative) speed again.
3 zwow or other strenuous circuit workouts
2 bouts of clamshells/deadlifts/shoulder rows
Friday, July 6, 2012
Friday
5.56 miles on the TM. Started at 6:30 am before the room got too hot. Third hr+ run of the week done! All I have to do tomorrow is a circuit workout of some sort, equal in difficulty to one of Z's.
I have been missing my easier circuit workouts recently and I'm starting to feel the lack of clamshells and deadlifts. These exercises are very important and help counteract my asymmetry/scoliosis/etc. My right shoulder and left hip became less (and now recently and gradually more) bothersome. Next week, I will try to do at least two sessions. These are easy enough to tack onto any other workout.
It's still hot out. I'm reminded of a trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, an hour or two drive. I can't remember if the van had air conditioning: everything felt hot. The transition from ~0 in Korea to ~30+C in Thailand had been a bit abrupt, but I got used to traipsing about with a light sheen of sweat, removed periodically in public toilets, which were Indian-style with water and not paper. Perfect for a bit of a refreshing splash.
Anyway, I'm in this van, sweating, and sitting ahead of an older couple almost shivering in pashmina cocoons. They told me they were cold all the time in Thailand because they had come from India.
I still want to go to India, and I think now would be the time to go. It's cooler and much rainier there now. Kansas could use a monsoon season too.
Meanwhile, I've adjusted to the heat somewhat in that I don't notice the heat as much, I'm not eating much of anything besides fruit and popcorn (and protein supplements), and I'm definitely more lethargic, even though I've been sleeping and napping very soundly. As a test, perhaps I will see just how much of tomorrow I can sleep away.
Fingers crossed that Sunday will indeed cool down as forecasted. Only 31C!! It's amazing to consider that a good day for a long run.
I have been missing my easier circuit workouts recently and I'm starting to feel the lack of clamshells and deadlifts. These exercises are very important and help counteract my asymmetry/scoliosis/etc. My right shoulder and left hip became less (and now recently and gradually more) bothersome. Next week, I will try to do at least two sessions. These are easy enough to tack onto any other workout.
It's still hot out. I'm reminded of a trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, an hour or two drive. I can't remember if the van had air conditioning: everything felt hot. The transition from ~0 in Korea to ~30+C in Thailand had been a bit abrupt, but I got used to traipsing about with a light sheen of sweat, removed periodically in public toilets, which were Indian-style with water and not paper. Perfect for a bit of a refreshing splash.
Anyway, I'm in this van, sweating, and sitting ahead of an older couple almost shivering in pashmina cocoons. They told me they were cold all the time in Thailand because they had come from India.
I still want to go to India, and I think now would be the time to go. It's cooler and much rainier there now. Kansas could use a monsoon season too.
Meanwhile, I've adjusted to the heat somewhat in that I don't notice the heat as much, I'm not eating much of anything besides fruit and popcorn (and protein supplements), and I'm definitely more lethargic, even though I've been sleeping and napping very soundly. As a test, perhaps I will see just how much of tomorrow I can sleep away.
Fingers crossed that Sunday will indeed cool down as forecasted. Only 31C!! It's amazing to consider that a good day for a long run.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
maybe it's too hot to type
But I have AC! Thank you, Willis Carrier! Last two summers, we turned the AC on maybe 3 days the whole summer, and this year, it's been running almost constantly since March or April. This makes me sad. We don't keep it set super cold, usually 76-82 F depending on the day, but it still seems like a waste. And then I step outside and thank science for the technology.
Seriously, though, I really hope that this is the last old largish house we live in. We didn't have much time to find a place, and this one fit the bill location-wise, but it is a sieve/energy hog. Fortunately, we don't own it, and we will likely be moving again in Dec.
Anyway, the dog and I did 1.5 miles at about 7 am, when it was already close to 30 C. The run back became a walk for various reasons, the most visceral of which was a mass casualty event. We jogged to the creek, to the portion where it's convenient for him to enter, and found umpteen dead fish. I've never seen even one before because of all the feral cats.
I'm not sure what the culprit it, heat or some sort of pollutant, but it effectively nixes runs with the dog for the time being, unless upstream looks better. Will check later. Meanwhile, we'll walk.
Seriously, though, I really hope that this is the last old largish house we live in. We didn't have much time to find a place, and this one fit the bill location-wise, but it is a sieve/energy hog. Fortunately, we don't own it, and we will likely be moving again in Dec.
Anyway, the dog and I did 1.5 miles at about 7 am, when it was already close to 30 C. The run back became a walk for various reasons, the most visceral of which was a mass casualty event. We jogged to the creek, to the portion where it's convenient for him to enter, and found umpteen dead fish. I've never seen even one before because of all the feral cats.
I'm not sure what the culprit it, heat or some sort of pollutant, but it effectively nixes runs with the dog for the time being, unless upstream looks better. Will check later. Meanwhile, we'll walk.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
4th of July
No work for me today, so I got a couple of workouts out of the way.
6 mile treadmill run, including about 20 minutes tempo effort. On my stingy treadmill, that is about 6.6 mph. LOL. The room was rather warm, but I think I've actually gotten somewhat used to that sort of thing.
Then I did Zwow #24. Originally, I'd hoped to do one of the longer workouts, but I wanted to start one asap after the run and it was quickest to pick the newest. It turned out to be one of the ten minute workouts. I couldn't quite keep up with Z, but I was close. More impressively, I actually did some dive bombers. I've never been able to do them properly before, and I'm not sure I was doing them properly today, but I was going through the entire motion without collapsing at least. For one set, I did 7 in a row, and this hobbled me for the sets after it, but it felt like a triumph.
This leaves me with one more circuit workout and one more hour-long run for the week. I think I can manage 2 workouts in 3 days. (knock wood)
6 mile treadmill run, including about 20 minutes tempo effort. On my stingy treadmill, that is about 6.6 mph. LOL. The room was rather warm, but I think I've actually gotten somewhat used to that sort of thing.
Then I did Zwow #24. Originally, I'd hoped to do one of the longer workouts, but I wanted to start one asap after the run and it was quickest to pick the newest. It turned out to be one of the ten minute workouts. I couldn't quite keep up with Z, but I was close. More impressively, I actually did some dive bombers. I've never been able to do them properly before, and I'm not sure I was doing them properly today, but I was going through the entire motion without collapsing at least. For one set, I did 7 in a row, and this hobbled me for the sets after it, but it felt like a triumph.
This leaves me with one more circuit workout and one more hour-long run for the week. I think I can manage 2 workouts in 3 days. (knock wood)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Heat wave
More heat. Maybe I'm getting used to it. yesterday was a bit of a respite, a high of only 36C, and it felt almost normal.
Yesterday: 1.5 miles with the dog
Today: Zwow #5 again. I am pretty drained these days. This morning, I decided to do a workout asap and get it out of the way before I got into the kitchen or on the computer or wherever, and #5 was the only one I have memorized.
Yesterday: 1.5 miles with the dog
Today: Zwow #5 again. I am pretty drained these days. This morning, I decided to do a workout asap and get it out of the way before I got into the kitchen or on the computer or wherever, and #5 was the only one I have memorized.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
In the shade of a tall prison wall
Saturday: nice 6 miles on TM. Weekly workout goal met!!
Today: 13.3 miles outside. We took the dog for a couple of miles down to the creek and back, and then we dropped him off and ran onto post and around for a bit, then back home.
That sounds deceptively simple. We're still in this heat wave, and we slept in a bit longer than we should have, so the run was done in ~32-36 C (humidex?), and it became more and more walking. Probably the last 1.5 miles were walking. No shade and big hills.
However, it wasn't bad. We took our time, walked when the uphills were too steep, drenched ourselves completely at a couple of water spigots on post (a benefit of running on post: random water access points), hung out in the shade from time to time, stopped in a store to get icy cold drinks and chips, and generally didn't let our heart rates climb too high. Near the end, we were on a path that didn't go the expected way and so we had to backtrack through an especially muggy section...that was the low point. Other than that, it was not overly uncomfortable. And it took us 3 hrs. 10:20/mile when we were actually running. LOL
My goals for this week: 2 more 1+ runs, and three Zwow (or MarC) workouts, definitely including another stab at the pistols.
Oh, yes, at one point we were running in the most refreshing shade ever, cast by the old prison wall. Old stone like that can impart a surprisingly chill even on hot days, and the psychological dampness in this case added extra coolness.
Happy Canada Day!
Today: 13.3 miles outside. We took the dog for a couple of miles down to the creek and back, and then we dropped him off and ran onto post and around for a bit, then back home.
That sounds deceptively simple. We're still in this heat wave, and we slept in a bit longer than we should have, so the run was done in ~32-36 C (humidex?), and it became more and more walking. Probably the last 1.5 miles were walking. No shade and big hills.
However, it wasn't bad. We took our time, walked when the uphills were too steep, drenched ourselves completely at a couple of water spigots on post (a benefit of running on post: random water access points), hung out in the shade from time to time, stopped in a store to get icy cold drinks and chips, and generally didn't let our heart rates climb too high. Near the end, we were on a path that didn't go the expected way and so we had to backtrack through an especially muggy section...that was the low point. Other than that, it was not overly uncomfortable. And it took us 3 hrs. 10:20/mile when we were actually running. LOL
My goals for this week: 2 more 1+ runs, and three Zwow (or MarC) workouts, definitely including another stab at the pistols.
Oh, yes, at one point we were running in the most refreshing shade ever, cast by the old prison wall. Old stone like that can impart a surprisingly chill even on hot days, and the psychological dampness in this case added extra coolness.
Happy Canada Day!
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