Sea to Shining Sea (WW # 104)

We appreciate your support of the Weekly Wrap.  Our Guest Host Series continues strong.  Thanks to all of you for making it a success.  This week's guest host is the lovely and inspirational Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner.  Be sure to visit Deborah and leave a comment.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be  Heather @ 3 Black Cat Co. on August 6th and Michelle @ Running With Attitude on August 13th.

To learn more about the Weekly Wrap or being a Guest Host please click HERE.

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First of all, Tricia and I are beyond excited to be celebrating our 2nd anniversary.  Can you believe it?  The Weekly Wrap is turning two and we plan to party throughout the month of August.  Make sure you come back, interact with other linkers, link up yourself, and enter to win some very cool items.   The more you interact and link, the better your chances are to win.

Happy Anniversary, Tricia!

Secondly, I'm having a visitor next week so please check in and see who came to visit and what shenanigans we got ourselves into!

Thirdly, my sister is currently visiting and I'm spending the weekend having a little extra fun.  Instead of my usual weekly recap, which is honestly not very interesting right now, I'm dedicating this post in support of Kristy from Runaway Bridal Planner. 

Some of you may know Kristy, especially from her Grow Your Blog or Giveaway hops.  I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Utah Valley Half Marathon.  She's run an impressive number of marathons in her quest to run in all 50 states.  She recently completed the Grand Canyon Rim To Rim To Rim challenge.  To say she is a busy gal is an understatement!  On top of all this, Kristy returned to college to obtain her Recreational Management degree.   Very appropriately, she chose to create a virtual race for her thesis project.  

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Have you entered a Virtual Race before? 

Registrations for the Sea to Shining Sea Virtual Races are open and if you register today, you can use discount code FUNRUN and save 15% off the registration price. HINT: If you are willing to share you signed up on Facebook during registration you can save an additional 10% on top of that.

Do you know what a Virtual Race is?

Runners, walkers or even hikers sign up for any distance they want to work towards as part of a goal. The best part of virtual races you pick your own course and distance and you get to go at it at ANY pace you prefer. Maybe you shoot for a PR or a slow enjoyable pace you enjoy, it's completely up to you! For your efforts and completion and just like a regular road race, you will be provided with a race t-shirt and beautiful unique finishers medallion to show off your accomplishment to your family and friends.

Love great race bling?

Sea to shining Sea has a beautiful unique finishers medallion you can earn here is a glimpse of the design. (Note: the actual medal will be a nice quality heavier nickel metal about 3 inches wide with a navy blue splash of color.)

With Virtual Races YOUR possibilities are endless.

Why enter this virtual race?

* Use it as a training run for a fall race you are gearing towards.

* To motivate you to stay active or to become active.

* Compete against yourself.

* Compete in your own way with no restrictions, run during the time of day and day of the week that works best for your schedule.

* It supports American small businesses, medal creation, and t-shirt screen printing all done by American based companies.  In addition, the event project itself is for a college thesis project so you'll be helping a runner get her Recreational Management degree!

* To earn a new medallion to add to your race accomplishment displays.





Want more competition?

There are group discounts upon registration. Get your family, friends, or your co-workers together for a fun challenging way to stay active and earn a fun medallion award.

Want to give it a try? You can REGISTER HERE today before registration prices increase.

Have you run a Virtual Race before?

Does this look like one you'd participate in?

If you could run anywhere, where would it be?

See you next week...and that's a wrap!

An InLinkz Link-up

Runfessions (July)

July is almost over?  Geez!  How can that be?  As another month comes to a close, it's that time again.  It's time for a healthy dose of runfessions.  Let's get started. 



I runfess...

I'm a bit annoying when I water ski.  I'll  beg  demand politely ask someone in the boat to take pictures for me.  I'm old, you know and ... I feel I need evidence.  Anyhoo, on this Monday morning (and I further runfess I was very late to work...shhhh...) it was just PoPo and me.  I was disappointed we had missed the official sunrise but I made my usual request anyway.  He rolled his eyes to which I replied, "But, you never know what you might get".  As I started to ski, he stood up and turned around (letting the boat drive itself) and took quite a few pictures.   BAM!

Original Picture -- No Filter

I runfess...

On the subject of being old,  I stopped at Publix to do my grocery shopping last Wednesday -- completely forgetting it was Wednesday and thus >>> the dreaded senior discount day.  My ego and I have been avoiding Wednesdays at Publix since our mid 40s.  {Heavy Sigh}   Well, at least I received a $9.84 credit toward my bill. 

I runfess...

I've completely forgotten my manners!  Marcia sweetly gave me this SPARKlet by Momentum when we were at the Utah Valley Half Marathon.  I'm not sure I gave her a proper thanks at the time (Thanks, Marcia!).  I wore Beast Mode on race day and channeled that extra motivation.  I love that you can put these anywhere at all.  In fact, Sanity (my bike) is now sporting Beast Mode.  She is, after all, training for her first Century Ride. 

I runfess...

Speaking of Sanity, I received new Garneau cycling shoes and Shimano clipless pedals for Christmas {thanks, Santa}.  I finally installed the new pedals on my bike this month.  I'm embarrassed to say I was terrified.  OK, OK at first I did have a great excuse -- a recently broken foot.  And then it healed.  And yet there they were, still sitting in their boxes.  I put my big girl panties on and got over myself.   

The big girl panties were a perfect fit!

I runfess...

I vowed I would not whine about running in our southern heat and nasty humidity in this post ...
...
     ...
          ...
               ...    
                        I so did it!

What would you like to runfess?

I'm linking with my friend Marcia today from Marcia's Healthy Slice.
Please stop by and join in with your own Runfessions!

I'm also joining on the Friday Five 2.0 linkup

hosted by Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness!

Stop by and see what everyone is talking about.

Southern Sizzlin' (WW # 103)

We appreciate your support of the Weekly Wrap.  Our Guest Host Series continues strong.  Thanks to all of you for making it a success.  This week's guest host is the lovely and inspirational Darlene @ My First 5k and More.  Be sure to visit Darlene and leave a comment.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be  Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner on July 30th and Heather @ 3 Black Cat Co. on August 7th.

To learn more about the Weekly Wrap or being a Guest Host please click HERE.

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Again, there's not much to talk about this week.  I'm just plowing through these triple digit temperature days and outrageous morning dew points as best I can.   I don't know how I trained for a marathon for the past two summers.  That almost feels like a dream now.  

Mailbox Greetings!   Check out Sarah Marie's new designs!

I overslept Tuesday morning (which seems to be a recurring theme of late) and only had time to run four miles.  The dew point was slightly kinder so I was happy make these miles progressive:  10:35, 10:04, 9:36 and 8:49.  Friday morning I had extra time and planned to run eight miles.  {Bahahaha} It was so disgustingly hot and humid that I had to stop multiple times.  My sweat was sweating.  I quit at four and a half miles.  I think eventually you reach a point where you aren't doing yourself any favors by trying to slug it out.  I don't quit very often -- but I had reached that point.  And I was toast for the remainder of the day. 

On the cycling front, I rode 20 miles on my bide trainer Wednesday evening and had full intentions of riding outside over the weekend.  That didn't happen.  Saturday simply got away from me as I was working/playing in the back yard and water skiing on Sunday took precedence.  Always. 

Mini (off leash to herd her squirrels), Lucca and Mojo

One other thing I've been doing some nights this summer is walking the dogs after dinner.  You may remember our college kid adopted a new puppy (heavy sigh).  When he isn't working on campus, he travels home to stay a few nights with puppy Lucca in tow.  We walk all three dogs about 2 miles.  I'll miss our walks when classes start again in August. But, I won't miss the cicadas.  We have to yell to hear each other over their deafening noise.

 Well, I can't let you go without a water skiing picture.  The water was 90 degrees.  90!  THE WATER.

One more... because I love the early morning light!

And that's a wrap!

How many pets do you have?

How are you handling the heat?

 

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Weekly Wrap (# 102)

We appreciate your support of the Weekly Wrap.  Our Guest Host Series continues strong.  Thanks to all of you for making it a success.  This week's guest host is the lovely and vivacious Janelle @ Run With No Regrets.  Be sure to visit Janelle and leave a comment.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be  Darlene @ My 5k and More on July 23rd and Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner on July 30th. 

To learn more about the Weekly Wrap or being a Guest Host please click HERE.

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Since I'm not specifically training for anything right now, I find it hard to make these Weekly Wrap posts interesting. I feel I'm just simply attempting to survive these incessant weeks of triple heat indexes. Whining about the weather is not very interesting and certainly doesn't help.  For the next month, my intention is to keep a base of running mileage and increase my cycling mileage -- laying the groundwork for a fall century or metric century ride.

So this is how my week started.  PoPo and I scooted to the lake to catch the sunrise.  I got in two long ski runs and he fished while I rested in between.  I went to work afterwards.   I wish I could take pictures while I'm out on the water.  Due to the sun's angle, I was able to create the prettiest rainbows when I kicked up my spray. 

I ran progressively on Wednesday.  There was no real speed happening due to the heat and humidity, but it was an enjoyable run.  I started at a leisurely (still sleeping) 10:56 pace and ended at 9:15.  

I cycled on the trainer Thursday night for 20 miles.  Looking for a diversion, I watched Naked and Afraid.   (I was neither.)  The woman in this episode kicked the dude's butt.  {Just sayin'.} 

Saturday morning, I noticed we were out of coffee.  Since coffee is a must after a run, I decided to run to the grocery store.  I can now report it is difficult to run holding a box of 36 K-cups.  When I reached my neighborhood, I stashed it in the woods and added a couple of miles before heading home.  It was disgustingly hot and humid. {#90before9}  I drank two cups of coffee afterwards anyway.

It was back to the lake that afternoon where I tried a new (to me) slalom ski.  The first run on it was not so good.  I think it is too short for me.  But I will try again in calmer water to make my final decision.  If nothing else, it has great bindings which I can switch over to one of my antique tried and true skis. 

Sunday morning called for another bike ride.   After a storm moved through, I went out intending to ride 30, but the overcast day felt so nice I went a little further. 

And that's a wrap!

Tell me, what are you training for?

An InLinkz Link-up+

Summer Fun (WW # 101)

Go check out what Christine is up to!

We appreciate your support of the Weekly Wrap.  Our Guest Host Series continues strong.  Thanks to all of you for making it a success.  This week's guest host is the lovely and talented Christine @ Into the Glimmer.  Be sure to visit Christine and leave a comment.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be Janelle @ Run With No Regrets on July 16th and Darlene @ My 5k and More on July 23rd.

To learn more about the Weekly Wrap or being a Guest Host please click HERE.

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My treat after 5 steamy miles

Tuesday's early morning visit to the lake

Another steamy run (aren't they all?)

After seven miles, finishing in the shady park

Creating my own breeze

I'm not training to run any races right now but I am trying to maintain some base mileage. I ran three times this week for a total of 17 miles. One of the runs included some speed work.

I am getting back to cycling in hopes of a fall century (or metric century) ride.  Sunday's 25 mile ride averaged 13.8 mph, had 348 feet of elevation gain, and my  heart rate averaged 152.  The feels-like temp was well over 90 degrees at 9 a.m.  I'm thankful it's so much easier to cycle in that heat than to run in it!

These were just a few highlights from my week.  And, as this goes live -- I hope to be on the water kicking up some spray.  So, tell me...

How are you enjoying your summer?

Are you training normally or doing things a little differently?

And that's a wrap!

An InLinkz Link-up

We Are A Hundred! (WW # 100)

You should go and see what Kim has been up to!

Our Weekly Wrap Guest Host Series continues strong.  Thanks to all of you for making it a success.  This week's guest host is the lovely  Kim @ Running on the Fly.  Be sure to hop over to her blog and show her some love.  Please do not just drop a post and run.  The sole purpose of this linkup is to support active women.  Our next guest hosts will be and Christine @ Into the Glimmer on July 9th and Janelle @ Run With No Regrets on July 16th.

To learn more about the Weekly Wrap or being a Guest Host please click HERE.

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Well, the month of June has come to a screeching halt.  It's scary how fast they seem to do that these days.  My running mileage was low, mostly due to a recovery period taken after the Utah Valley Half Marathon.   June's incessant rain didn't help either.

I kept my running minimal this week with only two runs but did incorporate two 15 mile rides on the bike trainer.   There was also water skiing (more on that below).

Saturday morning's mailbox greeting

You may have noticed in my post title that this is our 100th Weekly Wrap link up.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to write a poem to acknowledge the momentous occasion, now could I?   (No need to really answer that!  HA!)

{Ahem}  {Taps on Mic}

For one hundred weeks now

You've Wrapped It Up With Us

What were we all yacking about? 

What was all the fuss?

Connecting active women

Was my & Tricia's main goal

We hope you've made new friends.

Women to share your sole!

Although we're on "a break"

Please know that this is true

We may not always comment

But we're keeping track of you

We cheer in your successes

We're sad when you are blue

We should all lift up each other

It's just what strong gals do

Here's to another hundred

They'll be plenty to talk about

Training, races, working hard

A #holottafun, no doubt

At room temperature with salt

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. My grandfather was a farmer, among other things, and taught me that watermelon flavor peaks on July 4th.  Of course, I still believe that all these years later and continue to buy one as part of our celebration.   This one did not disappoint. 

I've already been on the lake this weekend and weather permitting will return before the four day holiday ends.  The conditions were ideal this morning.  Due to wind noise, I can never hear what music is playing in the boat while I ski.  I'm always surprised when I see (hear) the video.  This song is certainly not in PoPo's genre, but I guess he just let it play out anyway.

And that's a wrap!

Watermelon...with or without salt?  Room temp or cold?

How will you celebrate the 4th of July?  Any special traditions?

Although the song is ending in the video, can you tell what it is?

An InLinkz Link-up