Lately, part of the reason I need to run is to process the insanity of the upcoming primary elections. I am choosing to process via fitness, and by performing a civic duty and training as a poll worker. Yup. That’s right. This little runner will be working early voting and quite possibly Election Day.
Sunday
- Cardio: 3.28 miles, walking
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
Happy Sunday and the start of a new week. Due to A’s hectic schedule, we are striving to keep Sundays as easy as possible. He needs the down time.
That being said, I did want to try the high tea brunch at a little pub downtown. The boys humored me for tea and mimosas (for the grownups).
Monday
- Cardio: 4.64 miles, running + walking (beach)
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
A went to band camp. I went to the beach. It was hot. Surprise.
We also celebrated National Wine and Cheese Day, because of course we did.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 6.68 miles, running + walking
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
Another run day. These have been so hard. No one feels good after running in this weather, and we are just going slower and slower to accommodate.
I went for my nail appointment and then spent the rest of the day working.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 3.78 miles, walking
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
Even the pugs can’t walk as far in the morning, poor things. It’s rough out here.
And then I took myself to the Elections Office for my four hour, in-person training to learn how to be a poll worker. It was a fascinating class, and I am pretty excited for early voting. I don’t yet know if they will need me for Election Day, but that’s ok.
Thursday
- Cardio: 6.24 miles, running+ walking
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
Typically, Thursdays feel better than Tuesdays. I’ll take it.
I scrambled home to change and then met some of the St. A Mom Contributors for coffee and chitchat. I loved these monthly get togethers.
In the evening, we brought tacos to the beach, and enjoyed the sunset. The temperature difference is perfection.
Friday
- Cardio: 4.37 miles, walking
- Strength: 12 surrenders + 100 standing, alternating elbows-to-knees
I was in such a rush I didn’t have time to take a walking selfie. Whoops. Instead, here’s me heading into school to volunteer.
I was really exhausted all day, so I procrastinated and lounged around until evening. A’s band director invited parents to come out for a community performance. It was truly the hottest day yet, but we were treated to quite the show from these incredible musicians and dancers. We are so proud of them.
Saturday
- Cardio: 8.38 miles, running + walking
Ugh. Again. But it had to be done. I dragged until the last two miles: an hour in the sun will do that to you.
While I ran, the boys went fishing. A has worked so hard and really deserved some time with his favorite hobby.
After lunch, his buddy came over, and we did another evening beach session, after pizza. It was perfect.
Goal-getting + Thoughts
This week, band camp continues, but we are also having all the Freshman activities. The new 9th graders will get their tours of the school, pick lockers, get their schedules, and next week, will meet their teachers. I can’t believe it.
I still have nothing on the calendar until October. It’s too hot and race mornings conflict with other things I want to do. Am I over racing? It feels like it, but maybe I just need to get back in there with some regularity. I think that will be my next focus.
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? Have you ever worked as a poll worker?
It is challenging to stay motivated to train when it is so hot and humid! We will all feel better in a few months. You all do have a fun social life!
We do try to stay busy and take advantage of all the fun things in our area.
I always feel bad for those kids in the marching band when they have to wear their uniforms. We don’t have Florida heat and humidity, but it can get quite warm in the summer and they march in our parades. They finally let them wear shorts and polos or a t-shirt now, which helps!
My mom always worked the elections! Of course, back then things weren’t so volatile. I think your training will be really interesting to see how they handle disruptions!
Their uniforms are practically all black. I don’t know how they’re going to do it, but it’s going to be something!
Our elections supervisor is absolutely awesome. She is 100% about transparency, prides herself on the most secure elections in the state, and if you have a problem with that, she would love to have a chat. Absolute queen. I’m kind of curious to see what happens, but I also know that I don’t want anyone being treated badly for doing their job.
Without a race on my schedule, I would not be motivated to run… at all.
I bet it changes once it cools down and you are back to racing.
I have friends who work the polls and they find it very rewarding. Good luck.
I hope it goes well.
I don’t have any races on the calendar (yet, LOL) until mid-October, so I have scaled-back my running a bit. I’ve been on the bike, which feels much “cooler” than running, and I have been walking a lot. Both are helping maintain my endurance without needing to pound the (hot) pavement in the running shoes. Hopefully, you’ll be able to fine-tune your running to accommodate the tough weather, especially if you’re not doing any races for awhile.
Sounds like you’re getting in some good running and workouts (I didn’t know what surrenders are so I finally looked it up!) I didn’t race for a long time during Covid and my foot situation and I started to think maybe I just liked running on my own better. But then I started racing again and remembered how fun it is. It’s hard to get excited about racing when it’s so hot- but when the weather cools down you’ll probably want to race again. Or maybe not! You’ve got a lot going on right now- maybe you’re just in a different phase. As long as you’re feeling good and enjoying what you’re doing, it doesn’t really matter.
I just have a lot on the calendar, and the races aren’t coordinating with that. It happens, I guess.
How cool that you may be working at the polls! I’ve always wanted to do that (but probably won’t be for awhile obviously, voting absentee this year!)
Your nails are so gorgeous!
Thank you! Yes, you might have trouble working elections where you are!
I don’t have a race on the calendar until November – still debating some October options – so the motivation to run long in this heat is just non-existent.
I love that you will be working the polls!
I hope it goes well. I’m excited but nervous.
The elections in November are definitely going to be WILD. Here we’re already getting so many ads in the mail and the campaign ads on TV have started running as well. Thank you fo volunteering to be a poll worker on Election Day!
I don’t have any races scheduled for this year, but if my city brings back to annual Turkey Trot 5K I might do that race.
Who doesn’t love a turkey trot! I hope we have one where we are spending Thanksgiving.
My guess is when it’s cooler you’ll be back racing. And if not? You’re still a runner.
I only ran 5 miles today. It wasn’t too hot or too humid & yet I was tired the rest of the day (poor sleep last night probably contributed). It will end! A little earlier for us. But then we’ll have the cold, ice & snow!
Kudos for working the polls. I miss early voting!
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Do you not have it anymore? They have significantly cut down on our early voting locations and drop boxes. It’s pretty upsetting. But I am going to do my duty and that’s all I can do.
The heat certainly makes it tougher to train. When your weather breaks down there and races start again you’ll be happy you did, though!
Oh I know it. But it is hard in the moment.
Good for you for working the polls. It’s a crazy time in our country’s history. I don’t know how you run in that heat. I’d melt for sure. I am right there with you on band camp this week. And it’s 93 degrees heading up to 100. It’s going to be grueling for sure….and then Field Hockey starts. Here we go!
Oh, I’m melting. Every day.
We had similar temps. The kids were breaking every 15 minutes for water. It was rough.
So exciting with all of the back to school stuff! (I mean band, yay!!!) Our marching band’s first set of halftime songs are Gonna Fly Now (Rocky), The Final Countdown and Tusk (Fleetwood Mac). I can’t wait to see them perform Tusk! Any good songs at your school?
That’s great that you worked at the elections. I have thought about doing that. It seemed interesting!
We have The Crown, Queen’s Gambit and Game of Thrones. This is their first year of competition (the school is literally two years old, though their director is very experienced), but they already sound so good.
I am looking forward to early voting. I can see it going one of two ways: I love it, or I end up in tears because of how people are behaving here. Hopefully, it’s the first one.