Happy Monday! It’s time for the Weekly Wrap with HoHo Runs and Taking The Long Way Home!
If you do a weekly recap post, this is a great way to check in with other active bloggers for extra support, sharing and accountability.
Here’s the week in numbers:
Sunday – rest
Monday – rest
Tuesday – Turtle Trot 5K (Bald Head Island)
Wednesday – rest
Thursday – rest
Friday – rest
Saturday – 6 miles, running
This week managed to turn into a bit of a rest week. With 4th of July and a week long vacation in Southport, North Carolina, running wasn’t much of a priority. And, to be honest, I got a little lazy. It happens, and I have to let myself be ok with it. Granted, regular running is great for my anxiety and general well being, but I need to be comfortable with being still, too.
Sunday – rest
Sure it was a rest day for me, but not so for little man. He was all set for the First Coast Kids Triathlon, downgraded to the “Splash and Dash” duathlon because of the weather.
We arrived at the venue at 6:30 for packet pickup and sent him into transition to set up. Rather than swimming 100 yards, biking three miles and running 1/2 mile, he would now swim 100 yards and run a mile.
He nailed it and scored this fabulous 10th anniversary medal.
The event did a great job making lemonade out of the weather lemons, and I hope little man will be up for another go at it.
Monday – rest
It was time for our family vacation. My brother and sister-in-law have a beach house in Southport, NC, and we were invited to join them for the 4th of July festivities for which the town is known. Between in-laws and cousins and friends, there would be 13 of us, so it was bound to be a big gathering. We started the seven hour drive at the crack of dawn and made it to our destination in time for lunch at the house.
After getting settled, we spent the latter part of the afternoon at the beach. It was a beautiful day and the water was incredibly warm. Little man was able to get in some boogie boarding and swimming.
I could barely keep my eyes open past dinner, so little man and I called it a night while the rest of the adults stayed up chatting.
Tuesday – Turtle Trot 5K (Bald Head Island)
I do have this ongoing 5o Races in 50 States challenge, and since I was spending time in North Carolina, it only made sense that I would get to cross another state off my list. Fortunately, the Turtle Trot 5K on Bald Head Island was just the thing. I’ll recap the race later this week.
Unfortunately, the next ferry after the race wasn’t until 12:30, so we had a bit of time to explore the island. We climbed the Old Baldy Lighthouse, which was definitely an experience.
At only 109 feet, it’s definitely not as tall as some of the other lighthouses I’ve climbed, and there was no ventilation, so I was a sweaty mess by the time we climbed the WOOD LADDER THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR to the observation deck. It was a little unnerving, but the view was gorgeous.
We grabbed a quick bite to eat (by this point, we were starving) and then took the ferry back to the mainland.
Next up: water sports! The group was renting waverunners, and I was hoping to paddelboard, but the wind was an issue. I was a little bummed, but opted to hang out on the dock with my sister-in-law while Mr PugRunner took little man out with him.
We ended the day with a yummy meal and ice cream, but had to get home to prep for the 4th of July festivities.
Wednesday – rest
Southport is home to one of the most famous Independence Day celebrations in the country. It’s a very small town feel, with a huge parade and fireworks display. The town seems to shut down for the day, and residents and guests bring out chairs and coolers and settle in for the festivities.
We sent Mr PugRunner and my brother-in-law out early to claim a spot for our chairs and we followed behind. The parade lasted about 90 minutes, which was really cool. We don’t get to go to parades all that often, and it was neat to see the scale of this one.
Back at the house, we grilled chicken and sausage, and the kids played cornhole, horseshoes and water balloons. Then it was off to the waterfront for the fireworks display.
Thursday – rest
Thanks to a loooong drive back to the house, courtesy of traffic and detours, I was more than happy to sleep in a little.
The plan was fishing in the morning. We rallied the troops and headed out to the fishing dock, where little man caught two fish all on his own!
After lunch, we went to the pool, and then we brought in pizzas and returned to the ferry for the Cocoa and Cosmos program on Bald Head Island.
Due to very limited light pollution on the island, guests can see so many stars on a clear night, and we were lucky to have that clarity. The conservancy had one telescope, through which we could even see the rings of Saturn! I’m pretty good at finding constellations, but the rings were a new one for me. Stunning.
Friday – rest
Around lunchtime, we said our goodbyes, packed the car, and got our return trip underway. Seven hours can be slow-going, but little man was a total trooper and we were very happy to be reunited with the pugs at 8:30!
Saturday – 6 miles, running
I was so happy that S and A wanted to get in a run in the morning, even if it meant getting up early after our long trip. I was so stiff and stretching my legs felt amazing.
I was also thrilled to have my Forerunner 735XT back. There had been some technical difficulties, and thanks to Garmin’s amazing customer service, we have been reunited and all is well.
The rest of the day was spent with laundry, grocery shopping and snuggling the pug babies. Little man had some time playing with his buddies and we watched movies and just enjoyed not doing anything at all.
So now what?
I am a little nervous about being behind on miles for the month. I am thinking that even if I slack on July, I can gain ground in the upcoming months. I also desperately need to commit to a couple of half marathons before the end of the year. Our schedule has not been conducive to finding those races, but I am on the hunt and will have to come up with something soon.
How was your week in training?
Did you do anything fun to commemorate the 4th of July holiday, if you celebrate?
I think it’s totally okay to throw in a rest week, especially during the summer! It looks like you had a lot of time to relax and hang out with family which is most important 🙂
Kim G recently posted…Weekly Wrap: Why Is It SO Hot?!
It is, but it’s tough when the momentum has been going to brilliantly!
We did have a great time!
Looks like you were plenty busy in spite of low miles. I agree with Kim–I think it’s ok to take it easy. Sounds like a fun week, but what’s up with a midday race in North Carolina?
Right? When I saw it started at 9:30, I wanted to cry! I was hopeful that since it was on an island, it might be breezy and cool… not so much. It was quite a struggle. But it was for a good cause so I guess a little discomfort can be excused.
Congrats to your son on his race. And sometimes we all need to take a lot of rest and just enjoy what is happening!
Thank you! We are very proud of him!
Haha I first thought that said “Turkey Trot” and I thought I was in a time warp! Congrats to your little guy on his race – he looks so happy! My oldest son’s birthday is July 5th, so we are always celebrating him along with the 4th.
Nope! We are very much in turtle nesting season right now! Love it!
So fun to be able to celebrate your son’s birthday through the holidays!
It’s healthy to take a little break now and then. So don’t feel too worried! I know you’ll make your goal!
What a great time away! Sounds like so much fun! I hope little man did better on this car ride than the last one when he got sick, poor kiddo!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursdays Threads
He actually did really well. I don’t know if he was just excited to see his cousins and then excited to get back home, or if his anxiety wasn’t buffing him, but he was an amazing passenger and traveler. I had plastic bags packed, just in case.
congrats to your son on another race! He looks so happy! You all are having a fun summer together
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…Summer Watermelon and Grain Bowl Meatless Monday
We are in a super fun phase of not smiling for pictures, so I am taking what I can get. We are having a great time, and I’m so glad for it.
Looks like a great family vacation, especially with the extended family as well. Like others have said, there’s nothing wrong with some downtime. You’re fit enough that a few days (or a week LOL) will not have you back-pedaling.
<3 That means a lot. I was actually really happy to get out there this morning and see that 6.5 miles was no big thing. I always worry that I lose it quickly, but it's probably all in my head.
Rest and recovery is so important and often overlooked. Great job!
Definitely overlooked, but it’s hard to manage it sometimes.
Congrats to your son on his race! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little downtime – you always seem to stay pretty active and once you settle on your races you’ll be right back at it 🙂
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Some Goals for July
I hope so! I’ve never gone this long without an actual plan since I started running, so this is difficult for me. I just need to keep up those longer runs and I’l be ready for whatever comes my way!
That sounds like a great week. You definitely had enough going on not to worry about exercise, and, you’re right that it’s important to be comfortable with rest days. OMG on that lighthouse ladder. Yikes!
Coco recently posted…2018 Farm To Fork Fondo — Pennsylvania Dutch Review
I thought I was going to cry! It was so rickety and the hole was so tight! I’m totally claustrophobic and I thought I was going to throw up or pass out! Another fear conquered!
Everyone needs some rest.
You still were pretty active.
No running on the fourth. Too hot. Went on our boat and watched the fireworks at night.
That sounds like a perfectly fair compromise! Glad you had a nice week!
We all earn those extra rest weeks, so there’s nothing wrong with you having taken one last week while on vacation. Its clear you all had a blast at the beach with family. To me, nothing says “summer” more than spending time at the beach.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Chicago Marathon Training Log – Week 5
We do get a lot of beach time around here! It’s kind of less summery when it’s right down the street, but we are enjoying it all the same!
It sounds like a great vacation! Rest weeks can definitely be refreshing and get the batteries charged for getting back into the routine 🙂 That’s great how well the triathlon your son did handled the weather!
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review
He did so great! It was a bit of a different experience than last year, but we all just rolled with it and had a great time.
what a fabulous rest week!! I know we tend to want to stick to our schedules, but training is really a guideline and if you miss some miles one week, it’s not going to set you back! I have quite some challenges in my program – weeks 10, 11 and 12 all have extra stuff thrown in (including my 50th birthday and apparently something else that the Hubs is planning behind my back!). We have to just trust the training we’ve put in and do our best and, as you say, find races that work for YOUR schedule. You will be fine 🙂
congrats to little man on his tri turned duo – way to go!! it’s so great that he likes to do these things!
I had a good training week, but no 4th for me (middle of the week and only thing happening for Americans in NL on the 4th is in Amsterdam – we were doing home reno so I wasn’t going to travel 85 miles for a hot dog !) . Sounds like where you guys were was really phenomenal for the celebration!
Renée @runlaugheatpie recently posted…Week 27 – It’s not like on TV
You do have a lot going on and 50 is going to be fabulous!
I know it’s just a guideline, but coming from an inactive background, I’m always worried that I’ll backslide into bad habits. It’s silly – I don’t know that I could give up working out if I tried, but I’m getting a lot of comments about how much weight I’ve lost and how strong I look, and that’s got me a little motivated.
That sounds like the perfect way to spend a 4th of July vacation. It’s so cool the town goes all out for the holiday! I wouldn’t worry about your mileage! I think we all need periods of no running, else it grows tedious and stale. Congrats to your son on his duathlon! Thanks for linking.
You are always so active so I think when running is sometimes not the priority, that’s okay. But well done on squeezing in that race – 50 races in 50 States, now that is quite a challenge! I love all the photos of your boy and that one with his medal is the absolute best!
It was a great day for him. He doesn’t love sports and being active a ton, but he always has such a great attitude and gets out there and does his best. I hope he starts liking it more as he gets older.
I do hope I can hit all 50. It’s going to be a challenge, especially for some of the less “popular” states, but it’s a great way to try to see our beautiful country, with a little incentive for me.