Long Run

Today was only the second time for me to run this week. With going back to work part time, I've not had as much time to get everything in. It is going to take some getting used to, even just working 20-30 hrs a week.

But I was determined to get in at least four, preferably five miles today. I took my Nunn water and at mile three I ate a GU salted caramel with caffiene, yummy. That definitely helped me to finish. After some chores then I took the paddle board out. The lake was busy which makes for choppy water but it was still a lot of fun paddling down past the bridge and back.

 

First day to paddleboard!

It was the perfect day for this.....

Just look how calm the water is....

A little workout, a little relaxing....Then who do I meet on the lake??

The fisherman was doing what he loves......

....while I enjoyed being able to paddle in the middle of the lake with hardly no boat traffic...I do practice safety. Have my life jacket, something to drink, water shoes, and a whistle, all tucked inside the handy cargo net.

This little setup only takes about six minutes to put on and load the board.

I am extra cautious with my phone. I have the Lifeproof case, but I also use this little waterproof case with a neck strap. Doesn't make that great of pictures through it and the sound is a little muffled but that is ok. I normally sit down and take it out when I want to shoot some photos or talk on the phone.

I worked really hard yesterday power washing both porches, all the porch furniture, cleaning all the outside lights, and planting flowers, basil, and tomatoes. So today was a lake fun day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A good reward for my labor.

 

Strength training

The Jeff Galloway half marathon training method I am using has the long run increasing every other week. The alternate weeks back up a few miles. This week I only had three miles on the plan (week 6). I did my three inside. Easy peasy.

I decided to try to do some strength training. Remember I am 55 and only been running for a year and a half. In other words I am not a very fit athlete. I found this plank challenge I am trying. Honestly, I don't know if I will make it even to two minutes, but I am going to give it a try. I'm on day 8.

This week I also did a few walking lunges. 20. My rear end has been sore for three days! I guess that means I need to do them more often. I think I'll try side lunges and just try to work up slowly. The goal is to be strong enough that I won't hurt my knees, hips, ankles, etc. while I am working towards the half marathon. We'll see how this goes....

 

Still running

Yes, I am still running. Although not quite as obsessed as I was. Enjoyed an easy three mile run last night. This humidity has been pretty bad though. When I finish, the back of my head all the way to my crown is soaked. I am still planning on a fall half marathon. Have a Fourth of July 5k, I am looking forward to sweating that out....not.

Today I did a little of my cross training exercise, that I am crazy about.

...paddle boarding. Great way to get your vitamin D and some core/arms/balance work. Call me crazy but yes, I invested in my own board. Hey, it was cheaper than.....an annual beach vacation, eating dinner out every week, or lots of other things folks spend money on in a year...(nails, hair color, etc., ha) and we live so close to the lake, with my own board I can go whenever I want to.

Was also trying out my panorama view on my phone camera. Did ok, even though it was taking the pictures behind a plastic (waterproof) covering.

 

Ahhhmazing......summertime.

 

 

 

 

 

Cross training

Enjoying my staycation this week. Took to the water again to paddleboard.

This time I rented one from a new local outdoor store. I got to see what it was like loading it in the truck. They give you a pad and straps that are easy to put on and hold it very secure.

This was an 11' board, but it was really wide and heavy. I think it weighed more than 30 pounds.

I really prefer the boards the guy has down at the park. I did paddle all the way to the bridge and back in only an hour and a half with a stop to rest a bit. This board didn't seem to glide as smooth or fast as the other one I've used. It definitely was a workout and I was paddling against the wind just about all the way to the bridge. It was probably only a mile to a mile and a half, and took me 35 minutes to get there. Too bad, I don't have a waterproof phone. There were some great photo ops.

Since I was by myself I wore my life jacket the whole time and stayed fairly close to the shoreline. It was an adventure.