It was with some trepidation this morning that I set off on a 10K training run. I haven’t run since Tuesday for a variety of reasons, primarily the heat wave that has descended upon Northern Ireland this last week. The heat has been intense and there have been a marked decrease in the number of runners and cyclists out and about. A marathon in Waterford on Saturday was cancelled for health and safety reasons.
I always feel anxious before a run and today I rose to a feeling of dread. I don’t like running first thing in the morning at the best of times. It takes my body an hour or two to wake up. Today, though, I had to get out early as I am visiting my mother this afternoon. I reluctantly donned my running gear and forfeited breakfast in order to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. It was a beautiful morning but already oppressively hot with no breeze at all.
A glass of barley water later and I was off. I chose a flattish route that takes me out to the shores of Lough Neagh and back again. It’s essentially a straight road but you catch a view of the lough at the turnaround point. It looked spectacular today in the morning sun and I was glad to see it as it marked the half way stage of the run. I felt reasonably comfortable and, although my time was far from spectacular, it was within the modest target time I had set myself on my comeback.
The heat seemed to crank up even more on the way back to the village. Passing motorists no doubt thought I was insane but there were also a few cyclists on the road which encouraged me that I wasn’t the only one who had been suffering training withdrawal symptoms. The last climb into the village was tough and I was drenched in sweat by the finish. But it was a good feeling and the endorphins rushing round my system assured me that it had been a worthwhile exercise.
My time was nothing to write home about but was over a minute inside the time I had set myself. The confidence boost was massive. Longford Marathon in mid-August is my target. I haven’t entered it yet but I hope I make it there. I intend to mix up my runs with some weights training during the summer. We also now have a cross trainer in the garage so there is no excuse for working out now, whatever the weather conditions.
Early morning runs are a necessity now given the hot weather. Today proved that I can do it. All I have to do is push the worry demons to the back of my head and get my lazy backside out of bed. I’m off to chez Mother now with Adam and Rebecca while Fionnuala and Hannah are staying at home to work on some new craft ideas. I hope you all have a great Sunday whatever you are getting up to.
How are you spending your Sunday?
What was your last workout like?
I’m spending my Sunday in a way that I hope is productive. First, after lunch, I’ll do my laundry. Then I’ll start my homework that’s due this Tuesday. After which, I hope to spend Tim writing my novel. I want to finish this novel this week and I already lost a whole day of writing yesterday.
If you don’t count the number of times that I do a quick jumping session because I am excited or the weird awkward dancing moments in front of the mirror, then the last time I actually worked out was on Thursday when I played volleyball with my course mates but even that wasn’t planned. I’m so undetermined 🤣
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You seem to be very busy so I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself.
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Thanks. But I would really like to achieve my goals
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Running in the heat is the worst… kudos to you for getting it done. I took a dance class yesterday (being brave and trying something new) so I am a bit sore. Today I am allowing for rest. Have a lovely Sunday.
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That’s very brave lol. You too 🙂
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Early morning runs are the only way. I decided not to train for a fall marathon to avoid long runs in the heat. At least running in the winter lets me dress like a ninja.
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That’s a great look 😂😂
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I’m having cycling withdrawals… I’ve had my stepchildren here which is always fairly fraught and are currently with my husband’s sister and her family in Dorset. The volatility of this household is frankly alarming and I’m craving a glass of red wine to compensate for this, or a darn good cycle … sadly neither of these is going to happen. Other people’s children are exhausting … at least if they’re mine I can bawl them out if they get it wrong (even if they do tower above me and are 18 and 19!). Not sure I can say it’s a great weekend … well done with the running. I’m envious but shall make myself feel better with the papers and a cup of coffee.
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Sounds hellish 😂
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I just slept through my gym class so guess my exercise is reading WordPress. Maybe next week…..
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Did you sleep through the gym glass as in turned up but fell asleep halfway through it? 😉
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Sunday is being spent doing reports for work (too much there during a regular week, so some things need to be done on the weekends). But will definitely take a walk in the stifling heat this afternoon, opting for shady sides of the streets, if “findable”. Last work was early this morning. Not one of my best,but far from the worst. 🙂
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Yes make sure you take a break. I’ve stopped bringing work home with me after doing it for years.
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First of all thanks for the likes you’ve given me. I have finally found the time to check out your blog. I started my day writing, the went to work out , going to a gym that specialices in strenghtening your back (they have doctors and special machines and stuff…). After that I was pretty spent, the workout only lasts 40 minutes but it is intense because you train your muscles until they are completely exhausted. Then I took the train home, took some pictures and managed to get some more writing into my day. My work week has been quite long, including Saturday, so today was the only day I had completely to myself. Later I am going to see a movie with a friend “Love, Simon”. Quite excited for that one. Have a great Sunday night!
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You’re welcome. You have certainly crammed a lot into your day.
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It’s expected to be 40C today, as well it’s Canada Day and my husband’s birthday, so we’ll have a small celebration tonight if and when it cools down.
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Crazy heat lol. Hope you all have a great evening.
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Thank you!
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It’s insanely hot here as well.
I went to church this morning where I heard an excellent sermon by my pastor, then after church went to the grocery store. Now I’m at home, listening to Casting Crowns and checking out other blogs. 🙂 Not a bad Sunday if I do say so myself!
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Glad you are having a good day and hope it cools down.
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Working out in the heat is not fun! I have to practice dance out on the deck (limited space inside), and last week I made the mistake of doing it at midday. My hair was sticking to me and my feet were burning on the hot deck!
My last workout was this morning when I did a warrior power yoga series with my mom. I haven’t done yoga very often for a while, so it was harder than expected! Still a nice break from my regular regime, though 😅
I could never run like you do! Rock on!
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No photos of that workout then? 😂
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Not if I can help it 😂
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Well done! Sounds like a really positive run and in that heat too! We did a 10 minute ab workout this morning as that was all we had time to fit in before going out. Tomorrow will be a nice hiit workout in the garden after work!
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Go you. I’m running again this evening 👍🏻
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Gym, Laundry day, watching criminal tv shows, reading a book, editing scheduled post
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You’re a very busy woman 😂
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Good job on your run!! Saturday I had an awesome 15 mile trail run with a friend. It’s amazing how easy the miles flew by with good company. And it was 90 degrees when we finished, but thanks to a Western wind, it felt pretty good.
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That’s a great workout! Thank you 😊
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I spent my Sunday with Number 1. We went to a local car show with my sister and brother in law and their 2 boys.
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Hope you had a great day 🙂
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Yes thank you. We had a wonderful day.
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👍🏻😊
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Today was my first full day back home from vacation. It was 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.44 in Celsius) and the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym today and work out. But I knew if I didn’t I would regret it much later in the day. So my husband and I dragged our tired, hot butts to the gym and worked out our chest and triceps muscles as well as did some cardio. After I was done (as usual) I was glad I went. Sometimes the hardest part is getting out the door. I admire your courage in doing what you did this morning. I can’t run to begin with but I don’t think I could do it in this heat. Cheers to you!!
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Good work getting out there! It’s difficult. My last run was rubbish, I only did 1.5 k and I was super slow. But I did yoga yesterday which was good.
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I ran a tough and hot 8 miles on Saturday and it took a lot out of me. I did NOTHING on Sunday and it felt great.
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Good effort. And wise not to run on Sunday. You definitely need your recovery days in this heat. What’s your next race?
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I’m running a 5 mile race tomorrow. After that, I really don’t know. My employer pays our way into a local 10 miler that would be a great race to have as my goal.
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How did the 5 miler go?
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Not as I’d hoped but probably as I should have expected. I have work to do.
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I spent my Sunday morning at church and then napping the afternoon away. Once I had sufficiently woken up from that, I went for a long walk on the beach. It was rather blissful 🙂
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I’m glad you had such a good day 🤔
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It is RIDICULOUSLY hot at the moment. I think the best time to run is around about 02:30 am 🤣
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Ha Ha. I’m not a morning runner. Ran my best 10K in about a month today in 27 degree heat 🤔
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