The Dog Days Of Summer

What was I just saying about August usually being hotter than July? The second week of August sure did live up to its reputation, with temperatures in the upper 90’s and oppressive humidity. Thank goodness for air-conditioning for indoor workouts and recovery!  

Weekly Wrap

I’m bummed that this isn’t really a sultry beach sunset,
but I’m still visualizing myself at the beach!

I thought I might need to take it easy after the Farm to Fork Fondo, but my legs felt pretty good after the yoga class I took on Sunday, so I jumped back into my regular workout schedule.

If you haven’t yet, please check out my recap of our 65 mile bike ride and all the food we enjoyed along the way!

Weekly Wrap

Here’s my report for the Weekly Wrap Link Up hosted by Holly and Tricia:

Monday: 30 min strength training at home before catching the train to NYC.

Tuesday: 5 mile run through Central Park.

Central Park Run

We were working in our office until midnight on Monday night (sorry, Carla, but I am too old for that!) and once I got back to my hotel room I got sucked into watching the Olympics, so I didn’t get to sleep until after 1:00 am. When my alarm went off at 5:00 am I literally could not open my eyes, but after hitting snooze three times I convinced myself to get up so I could go for a run. The weather actually was pretty nice, and made me glad I had pried myself out of bed.

Wednesday:  45 min Real Ride at Revolve. 

Revolve Find Your Power

I got home after 9:00 pm on Tuesday, but I had to make it to this class so I could thank Aimee for helping me get in shape for the Farm to Fork Fondo. The heavy “hills” she puts us through made it possible for me to power up those hills in Lancaster! 

Thursday: 60 minute Orange Theory Fitness class

With a forecast calling for temperatures in the mid-80s at 5:00 am, I had no desire to go for a run. Luckily there was a rare last-minute opening in the 5:00 am OTF class. Getting up at 4:15 is rough, but it is feels so good to have such a great workout done by 6:00 am!  

OTF Results

For this class we spent 15 min in each area:
rowing (two blocks of different patterns)
 floor (two blocks of three exercises each)
treadmill

Friday: 45 minute strength workout at home.

Saturday: 8.5 mile run

Custis Trail Run

I met my friend at 5:45 am in a futile effort to beat the heat, and convinced her that since the humidity was going to slow us down anyway we might as well run hills. I’m not sure she agreed with me, but we got it done. It was so gross, I had to borrow a fresh t-shirt from her so I could stand myself on the drive home.

Sunday: 32 mile bike ride

It was only half as far as the Farm To Fork Fondo and fueled only by PB toast and Nuun, but we enjoyed our tide on the (mostly) shady end of the Mount Vernon Trail. 

[Tweet “Staying motivated through the dog days of summer #fitness #weeklywrap”]

Speaking of dog days, Tiger Lilly is hanging in there. Taking her for walks is more of an exercise in patience than physical exercise, not because she’s so slow (which she is), but because she now stops to sniff everything–including random spots on the pavement–and takes forever before she’s ready to move on. 

Tiger Lilly

Although she still can walk, she’s definitely more wobbly and falling on her bum more frequently when her hind legs give out. I’ve started carrying her up the stairs when I go to bed at night, and carrying her back down in the morning, but unless I remember to block off the stairs she may climb up on her own while I’m in the shower.  :-/

How are you beating the heat?

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29 Responses to The Dog Days Of Summer

  1. I almost titled my post the same thing! LOL! Great minds…

  2. Karen says:

    Awww, Tiger Lilly. That really tugs at the heart strings.
    That is great you felt ready to roll after your long bike adventure!
    I can not believe you ran hills in this heat lol I can not even handle speed bumps right now with out tears.
    Great week Coco

  3. Kimberly G says:

    I have no words for the weather this week – yuck! You had a strong week of workouts – congrats!!

  4. I don’t know if I am beating the heat but I am hanging in there! I just want the humidity to drop! just a little please!!!! Nice week for you after that big bike ride, impressive!

    • Coco says:

      Yeah, the humidity is what makes it more dangerous I think, since the sweat can’t evaporate? It’s a smidge nicer today.

  5. Sonia says:

    The run in Central Park after a late night should earn a treat for you! I can’t function like that. The Farm to Fork ride sounds delightful!

  6. Marcia says:

    Busy week! And dog days for sure! TL is so cute, bless her heart. I well know the carry-up-the-stairs routine. Haha!

  7. Glad to hear Tiger Lilly is doing ok. When our lab got older she couldn’t do stairs either so we had to put her bed right at the bottom of them. She was too big to carry up unfortunately! Great job on your 32 mile bike ride. That probably felt like a piece of cake compared to what you did last wk!

    • Coco says:

      Yeah, TL is probably too big – 65 lbs – but that’s my functional fitness test. Since she holds still I can do it. I tried leaving her downstairs one night and she whined. 🙁

  8. Carla says:

    my mouth is like this —–> O <—- as I just woke to POUNDING POURING RAIN!!!!
    first time since school let you.
    and Im sooo happy to hear it <3

  9. Can’t believe you did a hill workout in this weather! It’s tough out there lately.

  10. Aw Tiger Lily! I wouldn’t say I’m beating the heat. I’m just resigned to it, I guess! Great week! Impressed with your early mornings after your work trip!

  11. Farrah says:

    Forreals! It’s so darn hot and humid these days. x_x I’ve found that decorating myself in ice packs with the fan blowing at me works pretty well though! (I’m too cheap to turn on the AC.) Great job this week! 32 mile bike ride!? :O!! Your dog is adorable! <3

  12. Chaitali says:

    The heat has definitely been crazy this past week! Getting out early seems the smart choice. I had a 5k on Saturday that didn’t start until 8am and that was painful. Impressive that you jumped right back into your workout schedule!

    • Coco says:

      Summer racing is just too miserable! Although for some reason I’m tempted by the Leesburg 20K. Hopefully I’ll forget to sign up ….

  13. How old is Tiger Lily? Poor girl. We carried Chester around a LOT at the end, and he felt heavy — he was a whopping 8 lbs towards the end! I know I couldn’t do 65 lbs. 40, yes, but that’s about where I stop.

    It’s funny, it was amazing how slow our walks had gotten, too, while he could still walk. Then when he was gone, and it was winter, Lola was really booking. Now SHE can’t take the heat.

    Bandit is a different story, but he’s about 3 years younger than her.

    Take care you don’t push too hard, that’s part of what got me sick! That, and so much interrupted sleep, and all the stress of the past year . . .

    • Coco says:

      She’s only 8 1/2 – it’s the DM that’s slowing her down. Yeah, my sleep habits suck but I’m trying to be better.

  14. I think we all have the same thoughts about these past few weeks being the dog days! Geeze, I keep saying we’re on the back side but I wish Fall would hurry up.
    I hope you got caught up on your sleep.

  15. HoHo Runs says:

    Someone just hooked me up with an internet site and schedule of Fondos around here. I honestly didn’t know such a thing existed. Your event was the first one I’d ever heard of. I wish I had found out much earlier in the year. But, I’m very curious to try one now. Your Central Park run was very speedy. Tiger Lily is just reading her mail, you know. Maybe she is a slow reader? Thanks for linking, Coco.

    • Coco says:

      LOL, I try to tell her that she’s sniffed out all the neighborhood intel she’s going to get, but she insists there’s more. 🙂

  16. Getting up at 4:15 by choice ? OMG, way too early for me. France is not a morning country. The gym doesn’t even open until 9 a.m. ! LOL
    Good for you for getting all your workouts in while traveling. I try …

  17. You had a busy week! Especially following your 65 mile ride! I just have no words for this weather…I’m so over it!

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