When the most exciting things going on in your life are returning to teaching your LifeStretch class and renewing your first aid certification you know it’s summer in the desert (COVID-19 version).
Way back in March I joked that Sheltering in Place was much like summer in the desert. It’s too hot to go anywhere, I’m mostly laid off from work because it’s the off-season, and we don’t go out to restaurants very often. The only difference is wearing masks and not getting our occasional weekend at the beach. Oh, and racing (I had my 40th marathon planned, remember?).
Summer in the Desert
So it's finally summer in the desert. What does that mean? #running #weeklyrundownClick To TweetIronically, now that some things have started opening up in Southern California and I’m back working again, it’s almost like I’ve switched seasons. Yes, I only have two clients in town, but I’m seeing them each three times a week, and, as I mentioned, I’m back teaching LifeStretch once a week. Suddenly it doesn’t feel so much like summer in the desert.
Well, except for the weather. It’s been hot this week, topping out at around 108 degrees a few days. And the mornings (and I’m talking at 5:00 am) haven’t been much of a treat either. It’s been in the low 80s almost all week. Now that is summer in the desert.
Today I renewed my first aid certification. I did it online. I don’t really need it for my personal training job, but I am required to keep it up to date to stay certified as an RRCA running coach.
A couple of weeks ago I got a notice that it was about to expire, so I completed it today. It’s good for two years. It wasn’t until I went to the RRCA website to update my profile that I saw that it said my first aid expires in October, the same time as my CPR/AED certification expires. Apparently I had forgotten that last time I renewed my CPR the first aid was also included. Ah well, I’ll be doubly prepared. if anything happens.
The Weekly Run-Down
Monday
If you recall, a week ago Sunday was the day that I was so dehydrated that my heart rate was really high just a half-mile into my run so we ended up walking (and it was still higher than it should have been). So my workout on Monday was to really rehydrate and recover. I spent the day drinking water and Nuun like a champ! I know I was getting it done because on Monday night I was up to pee three times!
Tuesday
Bad sleep or not, Tuesday’s run was a 180 degree turn around from Sunday. Alan and I ran six miles and it felt so good! And my heart rate was right where it belonged.
Wednesday
I didn’t get out quite early enough (these days 6:00 am is late!) so I ran just 3.5 miles with Australia. It was a good 3.5 miles though.
Thursday
We’ve started to make it a habit to drive to Lake Perris on Thursdays. It’s about a 75-minute drive but so worth it to have cloudy skies and cool weather. Alan even had some of his triathlon club members to swim with! While they swam I ran five miles. While I love running in the cooler weather, I seem to have a motivation problem with running after such a long drive. I had to push myself to finish the whole run.
Friday
Running rest day so I did an upper body and core workout. At home, because I’m not ready to work out at the fitness center where I work. Which sounds weird but it is what it is. I also taught my first LifeStretch class in three months! The group exercise room is marked off with nine feet between participants and I turned the fans on high, but I still feel a little nervous because out of four participants only one (my training client) wore their mask.
I’m not sure how to approach this so I can get people to wear their masks during class. After all, we’re stretching not jumping around, and if I can handle it even with talking the whole time, they certainly can. The problem is, our rules allow them to take off their masks while they’re exercising. Any thoughts on this?
I also got in about 10 minutes on the elliptical because I had my client doing a circuit workout, so we both did a little cardio in between sets.
Saturday
I’ll admit I was a little nervous about my scheduled long run leading up to Saturday. The lows have been in the 80s and I really was concerned that it would heat up too quickly and I would either have to give up or it would be just a miserable experience.
It turned out to be neither. While the last couple of miles were tough (it was close to 90 by then after all), a combination of my early start, shade, and even a little breeze got me through most of my 10 miles without a problem. I’ve discovered the best solution for running out of fluids on the run: Starbucks! They are happy to give me a cup of ice water to refill my bottle. I always carry a mask or wear a gaiter even though I can stay socially distant for the most part. It’s handy for going into Starbucks!
Sunday
This run was so different from last week! After my long run, I really worked at rehydrating so I felt good. We ran four miles on the trails with Australia and Buddy, then I took Tito out for about a half-mile. He loves to run but his little legs can’t go too far!
Total Miles: 29.5
How are your workouts going? Are you holding up to summer weather?
In case you missed it:
12 Essential Life Lessons Learned from Running
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Rachel , Deborah, Lisa, Smitha, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Nothing better than finishing a long run at Starbucks!
I would find it difficult too to run after a 75-minute drive. Good for you for doing the 5 miles all the same!
My legs just don’t want to move after sitting in a car that long!
I don’t what to suggest about the mask thing-can you nicely announce that you would feel more comfortable if everyone wore them? That is nice that you are able to escape each week w Alan for a change of pace. Glad you are feeling better. That dehydration can sneak up you quickly
Getting out of the desert once a week feels so great!
Running in the summer is always a challenge. If we do not start on time, it quickly becomes too hot and the whole running experience is ruined. Glad that yours turned out better.
If I don’t start on time it doesn’t get done!
Our summer is here in full force now. It seems like every week, it’s gotten a little warmer. This past week, the humidity arrived in all its glory LOL Thankfully, it’s not crazy humid every day ((usually)). Glad you got the hydration nailed 😉
I’m so glad it usually not humid here. It makes such a difference (in a bad way).
I am so glad you got your hydration back on track after the dehydrated fiasco! and it sounds like it really helped last week!
as for your class and the participants not wearing the mask… it’s really hard to enforce it if it’s not the rule. I guess if you are wearing your mask and everyone is spread apart enough you are probably fine. But yeah, I would be nervous. I don’t even think I’m returning to my massage work because 1) no one is required to wear a mask here and 2) it’s just too close for comfort. you cannot massage and maintain distance…
Always loved Starbucks on those hot days that I needed an ice water refill. We have only one in town but they got used to seeing me in the summer and pretty much already prepared my water and iced cold brew for me when I walked in!
Looks like a great week for you!
Your escape to cooler temps sounds perfect! Glad you were able to get a break from the heat.
That is so tough about the gym. I wish I had a great suggestion. Is it possible to make your class mask required? Especially with everything going on in CA!
Amazing what some hydrating can do, eh? Glad you got it right this week!
Lola is so funny. She pants on our walks no matter the temp these days for the most part (she’s 14), then she comes home and has zoomies around the backyard.
My gym is enforcing social distancing during class with marked off boxes that we have to stay in; masks are required for entrance to the gym but not for class. I think as the instructor you have the right to tell the participants what you need them to do to keep everyone safe. With the amount of COVID around right now, I’m really shocked at people who balk at wearing masks!
I”ve also had the nice people at Starbucks give me water when I ran out. It was cold and so good.
That is a tough one about the mask. Perhaps tell them that you would feel more comfortable if they kept their mask on?