Usually, 4th of July is a fun holiday, full of friends and fireworks and celebration. It’s honestly a highlight of summer, and we do look forward to it, whether we stay home and catch the local fireworks or travel to try something new.
This year, there is a bit of a solemnity to the day. For one thing, the pall of COVID-19 falls over the celebration, ensuring a need (for me, personally) to stay outside and socially distant). For another, the recent protests, tensions, and unrest leave me sad for the state of our country.
My hope is that this Independence Day can be a rebirth. That we can see our flaws, admit our shortcomings, learn, grow, and be good to each other. It’s my 4th of July wish.
Sunday – Couch to 5K Week 9 Day 3 (4.29 miles, total)
Finally, it was time for my last session of Couch to 5K. Ridiculously, I was nervous, but it had to done.
Monday – 3.66 miles, walking
I was all about getting in a nice walk on Monday. Mr PugRunner was back at work and little man had to get back on his schedule.
Tuesday – 3.11 miles, running + 1.22 miles, walking
Tuesday was supposed to be a crazy busy day, but somehow, my whole schedule got changed around. I did my very first standalone 5K, and earned my Starlight Bridge 5K medal and shirt for my efforts!
The boys went out on the water for the day, and so I worked on cleaning and organizing at home.
Wednesday – 3.91 miles, walking
After my walk,
I picked up Dunkin and went to a friend’s house for a socially distanced coffee date. Little man and her daughter sat in another part of the yard and chatted as well, which was great for them. We talked about school options, our community, running, and everything in between. The interaction was so good and so needed.
Thursday – 3 miles, running + 1.76 miles, walking
With the heat and humidity as awful as it is, I made the executive decision to drop from straight running to 4/1 intervals. It’s still way more than I ever used to do, but it just wasn’t worth feeling sick or pushing too hard when there’s just no getting away from the summer.
It’s also worth noting this is the first time I ran with a buddy since November. I was nervous and embarrassed, but it ended up being absolutely fine.
Then it was time for some pool time with a friend and her kids. We spent a nice morning chatting from six feet apart while the kids swam.
That night, I sat in on a Zoom watercolor class with the St. Augustine Moms contributors. It was a lovely way to spend an hour.
Friday – 3.82 miles, walking
I was super excited because Hamilton was streaming on Disney+ and I had my whole day planned around this momentous event.
First, a nice walk.
Then it was into the kitchen to make our themed meal. I planned Sausage (Made In The Room Where It Happens), Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette, Colonial Corn Pudding, and Hamilton’s favorite cream puffs. And wine. All the wine.
I fancied it up with our wedding china and crystal, and then sang (quietly-is) for the next two and a half hours. Even though I’ve seen the show and often listen to the music, watching it on screen really inspired me. We have to do better.
Saturday – 3.11 miles, running + 1.53 miles, walking
Normally, on 4th of July, I’m up early, heading off to a patriotic 5K in the broiling summer heat. Not so today. I did put on my red, white, and blue and took my runfie with a flag.
I started too late and practically melted, but I laid out another 5K with 4/1 intervals. I’m satisfied with that.
In the evening, we grilled out, enjoyed some 4th of July cocktails, and lit a few sparklers.
Goal-getting
So, on the running front, I’m just going to chill at the 5K mark for a week or two, to settle in. Once I feel really comfortable, I’ll start adding to it. I miss going out for six or seven miles at a time, but that’s a future goal.
My partner and I DID cross 120 miles for our Best Damn Race Virtual Florida Challenge, and earned our Daytona Beach digital badge! Whoo hoo!
I am also working on something called Hadrian’s Wall Challenge with Conqueror Events. I’ve completed 38.5 of the 90 required miles, and having a blast doing so. Of course, I love the bling.
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
How was your week in training?
Do you have any plans for the 4th of July weekend?
Looks like a busy and productive week for you. Glad you got to ave some running with a friend. It makes all the difference doesn’t it?! Love the patriotic outfit. Things did feel very different this year didn’t they? Just finished my Hadrian’s wall challenge it was a fun one. Thanks for linking and have a great week
Huge difference!
I am about 57% through the challenge. I didn’t want to rush it, but it’s going swimmingly.
Yay for finishing couch to 5k! It sounds like you have been able to do some fun things lately despite everything going on. Love your 4th of July cocktail!
We try to make our own fun when we can!
I love hearing about all of these 5k’s going down! I’ve been using 4:1 intervals in the heat or if I’m just having a bad day and it’s a really handy tool to have in the tool box.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie recently posted…Weekly Sweats: Highs and Lows
Honestly, it’s so much more running than I’ve ever done. I used to do 1:30/:30, and so this is huge for me.
I love that concept of a tool box. You might have given me a great idea for my next post 🙂
I LOVE your 4th of July wish 😉 I keep hoping for kindness (with a little bit of compromise) among all the strong-willed fighters…and it’s just not happening. UGH. Our Fourth was low-key, too. At least we had a race to go to and then bday celebrating with the oldest on Sunday.
Is it so hard to work together for a common goal? I know the het world isn’t going to be EXACTLY how I want it, but I’m ok with getting closer. I feel so alone in that. I love that you had a real live race. We have one this upcoming weekend, and I don’t think I can bring myself to go. Happy birthday to your oldest!
I wish things would get better in the US as well but I think you know the one thing that has to change for anything to happen…
Looks like you had a fun 4th!
I know what it is. Waiting for it…
Love to see you laying down those 5Ks!
Nicely done with your Hamilton-themed dinner!
I need to check out that Hadrian Wall Challenge.
The Conqueror Challenges are pretty fabulous. And the medals are gorgeous. I do anything for a good medal, but I also like how easy it is to record the distance and stay on track with everything.
Hamilton was fun. I enjoy getting to cook on theme.
Great work and well done getting to and staying at the 5k mark. I’d totally walk/run if I had your weather, and did so most of our hot summer last year.
It’s just so brutal out. Even today, it sort of felt cool? But then it most certainly was not. We were a mess by the end of it.
Congrats on completing C25k! Your comeback has been amazing. What a fun way to enjoy Hamilton. I agree the 4th was very different and super low key this year. I hope we can only go up from where we are right now.
I want to say that up is really the only way we CAN go, but then I look around and maybe not. Ugh.
Thank you for the kind words. It’s been a fight, for sure.
That’s so great that you are running with a friend. Some normalcy.
I think intervals are fine. I walk a lot during my 3 miles runs these days. Just too lazy to wear a watch and set intervals.
I loved Hamilton the 2nd time. I watched it alone. I hope to watch it again with the hubby.
It was a really good feeling 🙂
I love the intervals. I know that it helps me push myself a bit more if I have something pre=set.
I plan to watch Hamilton every day. Each time I see something new.
We watched Hamilton too (no themed dinner, though) — for the very first time.
Sounds like a really lovely & social week!
I hope you loved it!
runswithpugs recently posted…week 26 (2020): regressions, setbacks + back to square one
Way to go for “graduating” from C25K! That must be satisfying. I can’t even imagine running in the summer heat. That patriotic cocktail looks yummy! Hubby and I got take-out sushi to celebrate the 4th. It’s a far cry from what we usually do but it was fun.
It was a yummy drink. I was trying to be a little more festive.
It was satisfying to finish.
I agree that the 4th of July felt very off this year due to all the reasons you listed.
I didn’t watch Hamilton yet but it’s on my to-do list for this week!
I hope you love it!
runswithpugs recently posted…week 26 (2020): regressions, setbacks + back to square one
Hamilton!
When our paths cross in person we’re going to do as much theater geeking as we are running.
Smart decision on the intervals. Heat is just unhealthy.
I love the idea of a rebirth. There was a lot of chatter in my industry about reframing July 4
That would be AMAZING. I’ve been going to the theater since I was 3 or 4. I love it and miss being able to just catch a matinee.
There are a lot of beautiful aspects of this country. We just need to give them power and voice.
Love the glasses you wore on the 4th!
I have yet to watch Hamilton. I know, I know. I better do it. The meals looks so delicious. I am hungry right now too. 🙂
I do hope things are better soon. We need it to get better in order to move forward.
We really need it to be better. Obviously, pandemics do what they want, but we need to get a handle on this.
That’s some serious bling! No wonder you love it! 🙂
I love that you’re running again and feeling so good. Doesn’t it feel great to be back out with the occasional friend even if we have to stay 6-10 feet apart?
Have a great weekend!