Every August the heat gets to me. I stop running for most of August. It happened again.
I ended with about 45 miles for the month. It’s low compared to July (almost 70) and June (85). I really wanted to get about 75 in August, but just couldn’t do it. I got out for one trail run. I did my Vertigo virtual race on a trail. It felt great to be back, but I had forgotten how hard trails can be! And I got very warm and walked most of the last half. Then I did the Sinister virtual race the day before my 40th birthday. I am now a master runner. LOL
I finished my 12 week weight lifting program. As always, it took me over 12 weeks, even though it’s only 3 days a week. But I did it and that’s what counts, right? I took a week off in the middle for our vacation in July. And for a few weeks I just didn’t have the energy to do it. When I lifted, I tried hard to increase my weights. It’s still a process of increase weights for the first set and have to drop down for the second set for my upper body.
I also bought a spin bike at the end of July. So I’ve been trying to get on twice a week for at least 30 minutes. I keep trying to adjust the seat, but I think I need those padded shorts. My butt just can’t get used to it. The seat isn’t very comfortable. I need to look at either a different seat or some sort of padding. Other than that, I love it. It’s a pleasant change and a great compliment to running. I rode 50 miles in August! Since it’s a basic bike, I can’t sync it to my watch. I tried some sensors, but they didn’t work. So I have to enter the cheap computer info manually to my watch and then Strava.
My weight has been going up then down every week. It’s like a damn rollercoaster.
It seems no matter what I do; I gain, then lose, repeat. Even if everything is the same. I am abut to give up on trying to lose weight. I guess I can just be overweight for life. There are worse things I could be. I figure I’ll just eat what I feel like and then workout how I want. I’ve tried everything else. It feels like ever since I went gluten-free and gained a lot of weight quickly, I just can’t lose it.
So for September I’m going to do my runs to work on my challenges and commitments and not worry about a mileage goal. I’m going to give myself a few days off from lifting and then start my 12-week program again. I’m going to keep hopping on the bike twice a week. I want to get back into yoga and cardio kickboxing type workouts too.
I think I am finally willing (able?) to let go of running a marathon or ultra. I just don’t think I’m cut out for those distances.
How was your August? What are your plans and/or goals for September? Drop them in the comments! And then head over to Instagram and give me a follow for (almost) daily updates.