What I Love/Hate About Summer Running

Summer running - it sounds dreadful but oddly refreshing at the same time. I have a love/hate relationship with running during the summer months as I refuse to use a treadmill unless absolutely necessary. As I began to make a list of my loves/hates with summer running, I honestly thought my list of dislikes would be longer than my list of likes, but it appears that isn't so!

LOVE

-Endurance built up from running when it's difficult to breathe - I mean really...when cool fall weather hits, I feel like I can run super fast! Ok, maybe not but you know what I mean.

-Sweating - You know sometimes you just need to run and work up a good sweat? It feels oddly cleansing!

-Summer storm showers that make afternoon runs a little cooler - Ah yes, so refreshing. Getting caught in a shower during a hot run is fun, too (unless you have a baby with you...whoops).

-Running through sprinklers or jumping in a swimming pool after a nice, hot run - It's so very refreshing!

-That feeling of accomplishment....like you just did something really hard core by going for a run in "feels like" temperatures of 100+ degrees. No, I don't recommend this.

-Longer daylight hours for late evening running.

HATE

-Heat. Yuck.

-Humidity. Double Yuck. Welcome to the south!

-Mosquitos - the official state bird of Louisiana (no, not really...it just seems like it around here)

-That feeling after a hard run that you might unload all of your stomach contents on the side of the road - Yeah, gross.

As I mentioned before, I'm surprised that my dislike list isn't longer than it is! Maybe I really DO enjoy running in the summer? Maybe.

Today's Tuesdays on the Run topic was hosted by Patty, Erika, & Marcia!

Dopey Challenge Training Week 4

Week 4 of Dopey Challenge training is almost over and boy was it a WET one! It has rained on and off several days this week and there's the promise of more rain to come. In years past, I remember our area being in a drought at this point and so far, this has been one of our wettest summers to date!

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Saturday - 6 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - 3 mile run
Tuesday - Rest Day
Wednesday - Cross training with Tone It Up
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday -Squats/Lunges/PT Routine

As I mentioned earlier, it rained a bit this past week and although I didn't let the rain stop me, I did get caught in it once. Whoops.

Saturday's run took me by one of my favorite running spots by the river! I wasn't quite early enough to make the sunrise, but I did get to see a little early morning sun!

What's a long run without the humor of these guys? They crack me up!

I also had the opportunity to sneak in a celebratory run on Monday afternoon! Why were we celebrating? Well, Brayden officially began walking that afternoon! At 15 months old and 5 days, I'd say that's an accomplishment worth celebrating!

This one turned into a run/walk because I had a sore calf and a sore hip. Both were totally random and I decided not to push it. I spent a bit of time on the foam roller after returning home which helped tremendously!

On Wednesday, I did one of my favorite total body workouts from Tone It Up and I was definitely feeling it on Thursday! 

After picking Brayden up from my mom's house on Thursday afternoon, I decided to take him out on a run. I checked the radar/weather and it looked as if I had a pretty decent gap for a 3 mile run so I decided to go for it.

Well, I was wrong. It began to POUR down rain on us when we were a little less than half a mile from home. FAIL.

Thankfully, the Bob stroller kept Brayden completely dry and I was the only one soaked! WIN!

As far as training goes, I do have to say that I love this 3 day a week running training plan and it's totally doable with my schedule! Thank you, Jeff Galloway!

Tomorrow includes another long run, as long as the rain stays away! Have a fabulous weekend!!