Wow, I can’t believe we are already runfessing for August. That means we have really hit late summer! Although we all know that the weather doesn’t always line up with the calendar. It was still so chilly in May this year, I can’t help but wonder if we are going to have heat and humidity well into October. Anyway, let’s just take a minute to runfess about what has been going on this month.
Late Summer Runfessions
A welcome break from the heat
After weeks and weeks (months?) of an intense heat we finally got a break last week. It was so refreshing! Even outside of running I didn’t realize how much I needed this. We could actually sit out on the deck without sweating (and we have an enclosure that is usually in the shade, which was still super hot most of the summer). It was so nice to be able to go for a walk in the afternoon and not be dripping with sweat. In general, it just helped my mood alot!
I didn’t realize how much the heat was affecting how I felt outside of running. I like summer but I think I am spending much more time outside than usual this year. It really felt like we went from cold to super hot quickly this year so I appreciated the nice weather, even though it didn’t last for long.
My break from running
I’ve been talking alot about my break from running this week. It made me realize that I was using alot of mental energy just to plan my runs, so it was nice to focus on other things. However, I also runfess that I missed it after about a day. I usually rest on Thursdays anyway (which was the day I started my week long break), and by Friday I was questioning my decision to take a break. Once I got into the groove and shifted my focus it wasn’t so bad!
Thoughts on a jogging stroller
As I was preparing to write this post I was pulling up some of my previous Runfessions posts to see if I had used this title before. I found my August runfessions post from 2018, when I was about 6 or 7 months pregnant. I wrote about how I didn’t know if I wanted a jogging stroller because I was so used to running early in the morning.
We didn’t decide to buy one until Grayson was about 5 months old (and started running with him when he was 6.5 months) and we sure have gotten a lot of use out of it! Before having him I didn’t know that I would drop down to working part time and obviously I didn’t know there would be a pandemic that would have me working from home for 10 months or more. Now I’m obviously glad we have it because it gives me so much more flexibility with my running!
Stretching, rolling and planking when not running
My goal for August was to spend 10 minutes a day stretching and/or foam rolling and to do a 2 minutes of planking every day. Well I was doing great with this until I stopped running. Funny how that works, right? It’s like I stop running and all my fitness goals are forgotten about. I should have more time to do those things when I’m not running, but I fill it with other things instead.
Oh well! This month has just been all about surviving, so I’m not worrying about skipping a few days of stretching and planking. I still did those things much more than usual this month, so I’m happy about that!
You may also like:
Runfessions of Summer Running Amnesia
Runfessions of Quarantine Month 3
What late summer runfessions do you have?
Are you ready for fall or do you want summer to stick around?
If you have kids, did your running habits change before and after becoming a parent?
I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions!
As much as I love summer, I do not love running in the summer heat and humidity! The cooler temps we had earlier this month proved that to me. I’m glad the break helped you find your center again! And yes, the running stroller is essential for the running mom!
I guess I just have mixed feelings about summer running. I miss it in the winter, but it definitely gets to be too much for me by August.
Yes, you most definitely NEED a running stroller. In fact it was a sad milestone the day I sold mine. End of an era. Our ridiculous heat is back with a vengeance and I’m over it! Thanks for linking!
I guess I would be spending alot of time on the treadmill if I didnt have a running stroller! But really, we use it as our regular stroller too, so now its a no-brainer than we should have one.
I’ll be glad for cooler temperatures but not darker mornings. I’m already adjusting my schedule to run later. I’ve been thinking of things I’m grateful I have during the pandemic – mostly things that keep me connected and productive, so my iPad and AirPods top my list. Plus all the puzzles I got for Christmas!
I am really looking forward to cooler temps for my comeback to running. October and November are usually my favorite running months around here. Looks like the stroller was a perfect choice for both of you
Those are really good months for running. Even December is usually pretty good!
You probably know I want summer to stick around LOL Winter is so l.o.n.g in Iowa, I”m never in a hurry for cooler weather because I know what’s following.
I know what you mean. I just always hope for a mild winter I guess! And I do love fall running, so at least there is that before winter hits.
You’re right, it really does take a lot more mental energy to run when it’s too hot or too cold and it’s not fun. I just want to live in an alternate universe where it’s 50 degrees and daylight every day between 6-8AM and the weather can do whatever it wants after that.
Haha that would be amazing! Let me know if you figure out how to get those running temps.
No I hate when summer leaves because it gets dark too early!!!
I do miss running when I don’t but this summer I’ve added hiking and walking on the trails and sometimes I do that when in the past, I would have run.
Its nice to have something to do instead of running! I still went on walks even when I wasn’t running over the last week.
When I do take a break from running — unless I’m sick — I’m usually ready for it & I’m ok with it.
That cool weather was glorious! Looking ahead, looks to me like we are shifting into fall weather up here, and that’s a-ok by me!
At this point I guess I am feeling ready for fall! (Just not winter!)
The only thing I enjoy about the summer are the extra hours of daylight, but besides that, I’m definitely a Fall/Winter weather person. It does seem like this summer was way more humid than usual!
I’ve never been a huge fan of summer running and this year felt especially hard. This break we had in the temps has done so much for my mood! Fall is my favorite time of the year so I am ready to embrace it!
I agree this summer has felt really hard for running! I also love fall so I hope that it sticks around for awhile before it gets cold.
Kudos to you moms who run pushing a jogging stroller. I pushed one once for a friend during a race and it is HARD! What a workout!!!
I actually love summer running. I know, I’m a weirdo. I love to sweat and this summer was a great one to get my glow on!
A part of me loves summer running too! I think i’ve just had enough of it for this year:)
I too slightly fear a lingering summer, but I’m optimistic. I’m with you. Being outdoors in the heat is a Lot
It was still so cold in May this year and I’m not ready for that again. But isn’t there a happy medium?
60s overnight, no humidity, would be magic
Yes! If only we could freeze those perfect temps.
I love summer! But there is something about cooler weather when you wake up for a run that is much more enjoyable than waking up in a swamp of humidity. My pace always seems to suffer a bit more in the warmer months.
Totally agree! I’ve enjoyed summer and will miss the longer days, but it will be nice to have some cooler weather this fall.
I have to say, our jogging stroller was probably one of the most used baby purchases we made. We used it as our main stroller almost all of the time.