I’m still enjoying lower mileage and mostly easy runs. I’ve been getting in some cross training, and keeping up with my strength training so far. The one thing I’m not enjoying — and I think most of us aren’t — is the ever-present humidity.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin and Darlene (guest host) to share how I’m moving this week. How was your week?
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, 4 mile trail run, Pahla B Booty, Yoga
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, 4 miles with 8 x 1 minute hill repeats, Blogilates Abs
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, 30 min swim, Pahla B Arms
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 3 miles easy
- Friday: Dogwalk, Pahla B Full Abs, Blogilates Arms
- Saturday: 8 mile LSD, Dogwalk
- Sunday: Dogwalk, JY Weekend Reset
Mileage: 19 (+2)
JY = Jasyoga
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running updates

I decided to test out my theory that the perimeter of the trails would be much less grassy/weedy and I was right. But the bugs. Oh my word, despite the insect repellent buff and bug spray, at times the gnats were driving me insane (but thankfully not the whole run).
In fact, some kid scared the bejezus out of me because he asked me if it was buggy back there (I had no idea anyone was behind me and I don’t even run with music!).
Despite the sand, and the many roots trying to take me down, the trails were mostly shady and if it hadn’t been for the bugs, I would have said it would have been an enjoyable run.
Knowing I wasn’t happy with how late I got out the previous day, I got everyone (except Bandit, who has decided he doesn’t want breakfast) fed and then got out there. Athough humid (still) the sun was nowhere in sight and quite frankly I was happy about that!
I keep forgetting to rearrange data screens for these runs and just have no clue how fast I was running on the hill repeats. It was the slowest mile, but that’s because there’s a 2 minute recovery walk (which I needed). It felt harder than the prescribed 5k pace . . . I guess we’ll never know.
Picked Bandit up for my cool down. It’s hard work juggling getting my runs in and getting the dogs walked. Lola doesn’t tolerate heat well anymore. But then again neither do I when I’m running!

Thursday
Back on the treadmill. While I’m all about getting it done outside because you never know what race day will throw at you, I’m also not going to torture myself with “feels like 90” when I can’t run in the morning. Bumped up the pace just a smidge.

Saturday
Another cloudy, humid run. Thank God for the clouds. Never thought I’d say that!
I got there early so I could add my extra mile (group run was 7 miles on the schedule). I ran with one of my friends for about 5 miles, which always makes it more enjoyable. Nothing terribly remarkable about this run other than the consistency of the pace — except that first solo mile (which was slow).
Before I left I doused my insect repellent buff in water. Then put it in my Packit bag (bag with ice packs for sides, basically). Boy, was that cold when I put it on! But I actually think it helped me stay a little cooler.
It’s time to start thinking about fueling on the run again — or having a post run snack that isn’t a smoothie. All I know is I wanted to eat all the things the rest of the day! Of course I was also very tired after basically waking up at 2 am and being able to get back to sleep . . .
Favorites of the week
I’ve been enjoying everyone’s posts about Blogfest. I don’t even have FOMO — I’d considered signing up, but then didn’t want to pay $50 if I couldn’t go. In the end, I just needed the downtime this month. So I’m not too envious. Maybe next year.

Of course one of the highlights of my week was the get together of many of the women who are going to my fall half with me (sadly, one has already had to drop out due to surgery, but we still enjoyed her company!).
I brought desserts. Of course. And only one had any chocolate in it! And I also bought a yogurt dip — not sure anyone but me had any, but that just means more for me.
What surprised me was the fact that the Fig Bars were the hit — don’t get me wrong; I think they’re really good. But I also think that the S’mores Cookies (that recipe is on my Pinterest cookies board here — the Fig Bars come from a cookbook) I made were really good, too! Unfortunately I had a lot of them left and had to take them home with me. That is the sort of thing that really tempts me. They’ll go into work with Mr. Judy tomorrow.
And that’s a wrap
This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.
Let’s get the conversation started:
Do you have a go-to party dish?
What’s your best battle humidity tip?
Do you mind if the trails have tall weeds?
S’mores win hands down.
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Maybe it was the fact they were all kind of smooshed together . . . I sent the rest in with Lloyd today, although I must say I did eventually forget they were in there. Thankfully.
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I love trails, though I don’t have much opportunity to run them (especially this summer LOL). I worry about the weeds, though. I have hyper-active sensitive skin and can react to almost everything within seconds (more of a rash, which is not really life-threatening, but extremely miserable).
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Thankfully my skin isn’t that sensitive. Believe me, you would NOT want to run where I’ve been running lately then!
I do wish we had some nicer, more groomed trails near more. I’d love that! There’s one by the river I like, but it’s very short. 😦
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Ugh. The gnats! When I run through our neighborhood park, I come home with them stuck all over me. It makes me wonder how many I inhaled. I love fruit dip. I definitely would haven’t eat that, and the fig bars, and the S’mores cookies. Our feels like was over 105 every day this week. Stick a fork in me…
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Austin probably is a tad cooler than you guys, and had the lovely mosquitoes & fire ants on top. So I have an inkling of what you’re going through & I can tell you right now I wouldn’t like it one little bit.
I don’t come home with gnats actually on me — usually — thank goodness.
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It has been so buggy this week! I am so over summer already. I did have a little FOMO about Blogfest but it is like 115 degrees there so maybe not
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Vegas is a dry heat. I’ve been there in the summer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super hot, but at least it’s not humid.
I am definitely not over summer yet — I hate the fact that the days are already getting shorter! But I could definitely live without the humidity (or all the rain).
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I didn’t even know there was a Blogfest this week so definitely no Fomo here!
I don’t like running in grass but there is a small grassy area that connects the two paths I run on so sometimes,es it is necessary.
I want to have a get together with you just so I can try your desserts!
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I knew several bloggers going to Blogfest, and really had considered it way back when. But it was the right decision not to go (even if made for different reasons).
LOL, I once did a giveaway of baked goods & almost no one signed up. 🙂 Then Darlene ended up winning them — no cheating, I swear!
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You really had a great week of workouts Judy! Are you eyeing another trail run?
Fig bars ….what a coincidence! I got fresh figs from my parents house this week! I need that recipe! 🙂
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Unfortunately the recipe for the fig bars (from Rocket Fuel) call for dried figs — or fortunately, because fresh fig season is short!
I love figs!
There’s a low key trail race at the end of August — it all depends on how I’m feeling and the weather. NOT a half (although they do have that distance).
But I think it’s good for my body to run on trails occasionally — if we had beautiful well groomed ones, I’d run on them more often probably!
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Ugh, the bugs and summer running – the most annoying combo ever! I also took it to the treadmill this week for a few runs as I just couldn’t deal with the heat and humidity everyday.
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I love making desserts for parties, but those are popular. The past few cookouts I’ve been to, I’ve made a light pasta salad, and it disappears.
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I shy away from trails this time of year because the bugs are so bad! I am scared of ticks too…I love trails in winter 🙂
I hate when someone startles me on the trails, it is a wiggy feeling.
I didn’t even know blogfest existed lol how did i miss that?!
You are looking mighty good in the sports bra squad pic!
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They said the ticks were going to be horrible this year — but so far, so good.
Thanks, Karen. It’s all about the angles & sucking in the stomach for all it’s worth, LOL!
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I didn’t know about BlogFest either so no FOMO but then I only blog because I run (I’m not a serious blogger.)
Must be where or when I run. No experience with gnats at all. Mosquitoes are a different story.
I do like the soft surface of dirt rather than pavement but I get that when I run on the rail trail, Washington park, Zim Smith, Crossings, etc. I don’t like the tall grass because of all the ticks.
I always bring salads to pot-lucks – 3 bean, carrot, broccoli slaw or ambrosia, etc.
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Zim Smith isn’t dirt! Unless it’s really disintegrated. 🙂
I am rarely bothered by mosquitoes up here — in TX I could barely go outside in the summer. But gnats are EVERYWHERE (including Crossings & my neighborhood).
Some places worse than others.
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Mosquitos love me. Haven’t run at the Crossings but no gnats at rail trail, Washington park or Ualbany. At least not that I noticed but I run around 5 pm.
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Gnats seem to gather around wooded areas. Even though my neighborhood isn’t super wooded, it’s enough — not the hordes I run through on a trail, thankfully!
Mosquitoes love me too. They’re just not terrible in this area (except the summer we had that hurricane). I expected them to be worse this summer but I haven’t seen evidence of it yet.
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And thanks for linking up. I almost forgot that I was the host this week.
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It has been horrendously hot and humid here as well, although today we got a break (on my rest day of course) I’d go run trails if they weren’t all flooded out.I’d also be happy to take it to the treadmill, alas the pain cave is inoperative. What I really detest is when they don’t cut down the roadside weeds and it causes me to run closer to the road than I like. Drivers are crazy.
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My mill was KIA for a while, but is fixed again . . . now. I’m sorry you don’t have better options right now.
We are having a couple of rainy, cool days. Normally I’d hate that in summer but it’s actually been a welcome break for me. Alas yesterday I was feeling very run down & knew I was better off not running. Today I should get to enjoy the cooler temps since I’m feeling better.
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Gotta say I’m reaching for the s’mores first and foremost.
You have great mileage there for taking it easy! Good for you!
I’m thankful we have trail maintenance to trim all the tall weeds. The bugs are atrocious. Nothing like running through a cloud of gnats!
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Most of what I assume are the nicer trails are at least 30 minutes away. Makes it hard to justify for a short run. So the place I do run trails isn’t well maintained, but the perimeter is not bad. It’s just really hilly & buggy (in pockets).
I’m with you on the s’mores. They were so yummy. A little too yummy. Not that the fig bars weren’t!
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I love fig bars! s’mores I can take or leave. they always sound good at the time but I think they are just too, too sweet for me. I don’t have a go-to party dish. It is a cultural thing – here we don’t really do “bring your own” or pot lucks. The dutch really find it an odd thing to do! If I had to though, I’d probably do a veggie pasta salad.
my tip to beat humidity? go as EARLY as possible. and if not, hey, then go really late or go on the treadmill!
I’m not much of a trail runner. we have bike paths everywhere here, so I like to follow those paths 🙂 even in the woods we have good paths. I am just afraid on trails I’m going to rip up my ankle or something. tall weeds and bugs are NOT appealing at all!
I think you had a great week Judy!
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Pot lucks are so much easier on the hostess! It’s interesting that it’s not popular there. I suspect that could be the case in a lot of European countries.
It’s nice to not always be pounding the pavement. But yes, a trip or fall is always a possibility (of course, it can happen on the road, too!).
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