I finally came clean about what’s been keeping me so busy this summer in my runfession, which you can read here if you missed it. Thankfully this week I was able to get out of my neighborhood some and run with friends! But the bugs. Forget Oh My God, Oh My Gnats this week!
Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner and just sharing Summer activities.
And linking up with Jenn @ Runswithpugs, Brandi @ Funnerrunner, Anna Louise @ Graciouswarriorprincess, Briana @ Matsmilesmedals, Meghan @ Meghanonthemove, and Elizabeth @ Trainwithbainfor RIOTS(running is our therapy)
Workouts update
- Monday: 3 miles easy, PB Abs & Balance (10 min), Yoga (25 min)
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, TM Speedwork, PB Toning (25 min), Yoga (25 min)
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, Yoga (20 minutes), PB Abs (15 min)
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 3.5 mile trail run
- Friday: Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min), PB Abs (10 min)
- Saturday: 7 mile LSD, PB ST (20 min), Yoga (20 min)
- Sunday: Dogwalk, Rest day!
Mileage: 16.5 (+.5)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
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
Monday
Car at least temporarily fixed, I got out relatively early to beat the heat and went to the other park. The trail was much shadier than at the park with the lake I run at a lot — but I was reminded why I don’t run here in summer. The gnats and flies (thankfully not biting flies) were insane. The run was just nice and easy, but I really didn’t want to stop for my normal walk breaks the bugs were so bad.
Tuesday
Early morning dog walk on a hot day meant speed work on the treadmill later in the morning due to excessive heat. I changed things up with a sort of ladder workout, recovery always 200m, then fast for 200m, 400m, 800m, and back down. Because I haven’t gone beyond 400m fast recently. It went well, and I think I could actually go a little faster for most of those intervals.
Thursday
I wasn’t able to join the group at the trail run last time it was at this park, but this time I could and persuaded Mr. Judy to come along — just so he could enjoy the park and walk the dogs. They love going different places!
Apparently my gaiters are magic, because again the trails were surprisingly not too muddy — there were a few parts that had some mud, but it wasn’t across the whole path. About halfway through we came out to a great overlook. The majority of the trail was through the woods, though, and the bugs were relentless.
I did fall towards the end, but somehow managed to actually roll onto my shoulder like you’re supposed to. That’s never happened before. No lasting damage at all. My friends went out for dinner afterwards, but an 8:30 dinner is just far too late for me.
Saturday
Just me and two running friends for this very humid, very warm run. They stayed with me until one friend turned around (she was running less miles), and then I was on my own. Which meant I could pick up the pace a little.
One odd thing: I’m still slightly paying attention to heart rate on easy runs. I have my Garmin set to show me distance, average pace, and heart rate. For some reason the average pace when I was on my own was a minute slower than what the actual pace for the mile was. I don’t remember that happening before. Very odd (and would be very annoying in a race).
OTOH, I didn’t think I was running as slowly as the watch said I was, and apparently I wasn’t — but it was accurate for the first three miles.
Favorites of the week
Have you ever had Poke? It’s raw tuna and some veggies in a marinade — sort of like ceviche, except a different type of marinade. It’s one of my go-tos for really hot days. Doesn’t require an oven. We both like it. You just need a reliable source for raw tuna.
Although I’ve walked around that park we ran at this week and done one trail race there in the past, I’d never been to the overlook pictured above. It was almost worth the bugs.
We were out and about with the dogs today, and we stopped at the park, and I had Mr. Judy take this photo of me and Lola at what I think of as Chester’s Rock. It’s where he took a photo of me and Chester just a few months before he died. Everyone loves that photo, and it is a good one, but for me it still brings up painful memories three years later.
Bandit tends to be camera shy. He really doesn’t like looking at a camera. But sure does like his treats.
Have you noticed the bugs multiplying recently?
Would you run a really buggy path if it was shady on a hot day, or suffer with the heat?
What’s your go-to meal for hot days?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Haha! Bandit looks super focused on that treat!! Too cute. Thankfully, its too dry here for bugs. We do get flies but not really enough to be a nuisance on a run! Well done on an active week, especially those intervals!
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Oh yes, the dogs have some laser focus when treats are involved. 🙂
We are lucky the local flies don’t bite, but man, they can still drive you insane! Even this morning I noticed a lot more gnats. We had thunderstorms yesterday, so this morning was lovely, but the darn gnats are driving me batty!
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I am glad that your fall wasn’t bad – that’s a relief!
I’ve heard something similar about all the crazy bugs and gnats from other runners as well. I don’t run trails so maybe that’s why I haven’t noticed it as much, but yuck!
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The gnats were not just on trails. They’re in my neighborhood, too.
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My kids love Poke bowls and they request them often. You got in some nice mileage this week! It’s always fun to run somewhere new to mix it up
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Definitely fun to run somewhere new (if only it weren’t so darn far away, it’s about 40 minutes from home).
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Knock wood, the bugs have not been a big deal ((yet)). There have been herds (flocks? swarms?) of butterflies, though. They look like miniature monarchs (but I”m pretty sure they’re their own specie). Not sure if they’re migrating or if it’s just an odd year for them…but they are everywhere and they are thick.
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At our home we don’t suffer to much with the bugs, but man, the woods are a different story.
That’s so weird about the butterflies. Must be pretty though!
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Glad you rolled properly and didn’t hurt yourself with that fall! The gnats around here have been relentless lately – so not loving it! Poke bowls are perfect for this summer heat.
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Luckily my husband actually likes the Poke bowls — and he cuts up the tuna. I do the rest, but it’s really a simple meal.
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Dogs are just the best. Beautiful photos!
That poke bowl also looks pretty darn delicious.
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The poke is good. And so easy!
Well, I am quite partial to cats, too. I miss Giz!
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I like to find a shady spot to run in the heat too, Judy. too bad about the darn bugs! That’s one wat to incentivize not walking. I have had poke and I like it if I am in the right mood. Glad your trail fall was not serious. I have had several spills on the trails too.
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I think mostly I fell because the trail runs don’t start until 6:30, and being an early bird, that’s just late for me!
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I love your magic gaiters – I have magic waterproof over-trousers that guarantee it won’t rain! Also love the views and need to tell you that on Saturday I ran with TWO women in skirts – unheard-of round here!
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You should ask them where they got them — seriously, love my skirts!
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I didn’t find Thacher buggy. But I did put bug spray on my clothes like three times.
Today was perfect. Even chilly. But I got out really early.
I wish I could fall like that. Actually glad I didn’t. I spend most of the time trying to remember to pick my feet up and not fall.
Raw fish. No thanks.
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Or maybe it was because you run so much faster. I definitely wasn’t the only one to find it buggy. Oddly enough, I didn’t think 5 Rivers was that bad, but I came away with some mosquito bites from there — none at all from Thatcher.
I went out later this morning. It was still really nice.
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I did get mosquito bites as always – on my back and neck. I didn’t see any gnats. But maybe they were blocked by Gail running in front of me.
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Great job handling the fall so you weren’t injured. We’ve been pretty lucky here with minimal bugs this summer.
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We don’t really have a lot of bugs — except in heavily wooded areas, apparently.
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Love the dogs.
Glad that the fall was not bad. I had a different terrible experience.
Not many bugs here at the moment…..
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You’re definitely lucky to not have bugs! I’ve fallen a few times while running, and thankfully, never seriously injured. This was actually my best fall, if there can be such a thing.
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I stopped to tie my shoe on Saturday’s run and a mosquito flew into my mouth. Blech, bugs. At least they are motivation to keep moving, I guess? I would still take a shady, buggy path over the heat.
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OMG, with Marcia being stung by a bee in her mouth, it’s enough to turn you off of mouth breathing!
I really don’t think I’ll be running at that path again til fall. It was just too aggravating. Thankfully we’ve had a break in our weather again.
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Ugh, I hate runs like that where the bugs are out in force 😦 Glad to hear you were unscathed after your fall on the trail! Love the dog photos 🙂
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We don’t take the dogs out as often as we should anymore; they did reasonably well.
A bruise on my shoulder, and that was it. For which I’m grateful!
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What a shame that that beautiful shaded trail had so many bugs and flies. It looks like the perfect place to run! As they say, “Looks can be deceiving” – even for running trails.
Have a great week!
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It really is too bad that that one is so buggy. 😦
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so a month or so ago we had an explosion of what is called “processie rups” (processionary caterpillar??) and while these little bugs themselves weren’t so bad, their “hair” made contact with the skin super itchy. I thought I just had gotten a ton of mosquito bites on a particular day out cycling but it turned out I’d just had the hair of the caterpillar (from the air) all over my bare arms. People were actually getting the hair (which you can’t see by the way) in their eyes causing serious damage! So I think in this case I’d rather deal with gnats!! There is a path I take sometimes that I always forget always has gnats! Lovely free protein when you get them in your mouth… bleurgh!!
sorry to hear you fell! but kind of amazing you did it textbook style. I never seem to be that lucky!
we have poke bowls here in all sorts of varieties. it’s like a “thing” at the moment. but I never really make them myself, not sure why (laziness?).
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I am not fond of caterpillars to begin with but I’ve never heard of that & I definitely hope it’s not something I ever encounter.
The other few times I feel believe it, it wasn’t as graceful. I think it was just circumstances.
Poke bowls aren’t actually hard to do — that’s part of why I love them! But you have to have a really good source for raw fish.
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I’ve heard of Poke but never had it. I am not a big fan of fish, raw or cooked. No thanks. The average pace sometimes will be different than the actual pace. That happens to me when at some point I slow down or walk and then I run at a faster pace. I maybe running faster at the moment but the average pace is still showing a slower pace Not sure if I am making sense but again, that does happen to me too.
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I hadn’t had that happen with the pace before — or since, either. So weird.
Out of curiosity, do you like ceviche? It’s actually very similar, just with Japanese flavoring instead of Mexican.
But I understand that it’s not everyone’s thing.
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I do like it but only with shrimp.
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Poke all the time. It’s my go-to for lunch before Wednesday group runs and when I do MealPal, the one I default to since it’s such a good value (6.85 v. $13 sticker). I prefer salmon to tuna, but tuna can be good when I’m in the mood.
Love that sign with the NYC mileage. Where is that?
Eww. Gnats.
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Mr. Judy is not fond of salmon (although I am).
The sign is relatively close to the finish line of Mowhawk Hudson race. And exactly why I never plan to run it, as I run the course frequently. But never say never.
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