Hi, friend!

Today, I’m heading off on a girls’ weekend in Charleston with my long-time Florida friends, and I can’t wait! These are the same ladies that I went to Nashville with this time last year, and I’m so happy we’ve planned another trip together — because I haven’t seen any of them since our last adventure. I’ll share some highlights on Instagram over the weekend and give you a full report on the blog next week.

How are you? How was your week? Mine was good! I worked, I taught four classes, I played tennis a few times (my USTA team had our third match, and we lost, so we’re 1-2), I took Brady to his various activities (including two events at his elementary school, where he will start next week), and I got a pedicure in preparation for my trip.

Now, let’s get to the current faves of the day …

Current faves

Fun

Monster Truck Bash at Charlotte Motor Speedway

A few weeks ago, I was feeling like I wanted to plan one or two more fun things for Brady before he goes back to school. I ended up on the Charlotte Motor Speedway website and stumbled upon tickets for an upcoming monster truck show. I quickly grabbed three tickets and invited a friend who I knew would like to bring her husband and son too. We decided we’d make a night of it and we’d meet for dinner at a brewery nearby the speedway. We looked forward to this event for a couple weeks, and Brady kept asking “how many sleeps until we see the monster trucks?”

(All elements of my outfit are old, but here are my sunglasses and here is my belt bag.)

On the big day, we all met at Percent Tap House in Harrisburg, where we had a yummy Mexican food-truck dinner and a brewery drink, before making the short drive over to the speedway area. By the way, I hardly spend any time in the Northeast Charlotte area, and it was nice to get out and see some of it on this trip. Each neck of the woods of Charlotte is so different.

Back to the Monster Truck Bash …

While Dave and I were a little nervous that the stifling heat we’ve been having in Charlotte would color our monster truck experience, I’m pleased to say it didn’t at all. The grandstand seats where you sit at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway (a smaller venue, directly next to where the Nascar races are held) are entirely in the shade after 6pm, so we weren’t in the sun and didn’t get hot at all. In fact, at that time, the weather was totally pleasant, and that was a treat.

Well, it’s safe to say that Brady absolutely loved his first monster truck experience. He was mesmerized. In fact, he barely said anything at all, which is incredibly out of character for him. And boy, was it loud. We had brought headphones for Brady (which he never took off), and we almost wished we had some for ourselves too.

At times, I had to cover my ears. And as a group fitness instructor who spends hours a day with music blaring, I don’t consider myself very sensitive to loud noises. Nonetheless, it was worth it. This event was truly a good time for Brady, for Dave, for me, and our friends too. We all remarked on it during the day of and after the fact.

I’d seen a Monster Jam show many, many years ago back in Orlando, but I didn’t remember just how loud and how cool it is to watch real-life monster trucks. Monster trucks are huge and noisy, and they do such cool tricks too.

This particular event we attended last weekend was the Monster Bash, so none of the better-known Monster Jam trucks were there, but we still got into it. Up next, I’m definitely taking Brady to see the actual Monster Jam when it comes to town. And if you’re into loud outdoor entertainment, I highly recommend it. But maybe, bring some earplugs.

(I made a video about our experience here.)

Fashion

A matching red adidas set

It’s just me over here in another matching leisure set. This one is red, comfy and made from a slightly elevated fabric — a great mixture of elastane and polyester. And I got this one with my adidas gift card. adidas clothes are quickly taking over my closet, and I’m good with that.

(Here’s my top, and here are my shorts.)

I originally ordered a small in the top and it was a little more cropped than I wanted, so I exchanged it for a medium, and now it’s a perfect fit. And I’m in a small in the shorts, and I have plenty of room in them (they are not short and have a flattering length that is a bit longer in the back than in the front). I think you know that matching sets are my favorite, and I especially love the high neck of the red top with this one, because it makes this outfit seem a little dressier. Well done, adidas.

That’s it for the faves. Let’s get to the movement …

Workouts

My workouts from last week

Now it’s time to take a look at my workouts from last week.

I share this recap to show you how I try to get diversity of movement in my week (with a focus on lifting weights), and how I always take a rest day (almost always). But remember, I do a little bit more than the average person, because I’m a group fitness instructor, so you don’t need to compare your movement to mine.

Workouts from the week of 8/14

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class, 9:45 a.m., played 90 minutes of doubles tennis, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights, 9:30 a.m., played 90 minutes of doubles tennis, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday: Did 45-minute full-body weights workout, 10:30 a.m., taught 45-minute barre class with light weights, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class, 9:45 a.m., played 90 minutes of doubles tennis, 11 a.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute dumbbell class, 8:30 a.m., taught 45-minute barbell class, 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: Played 90 minutes of tennis in a clinic, 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday: Played 120 minutes of doubles tennis, 9 a.m.

This past week of workouts was pretty full! I taught six classes, played tennis five times (two matches, a clinic and two practices), and I lifted weights one time on the fitness floor (this workout featured heavy barbell hip thrusts, assisted chin-ups, Bulgarian split squats and push-ups). I’ll have a couple extra rest days this upcoming weekend, which will be good for me to recover before I jump back in next week.

Best watch of the week

Here’s a video worth sharing with you …

Greenway safety. Do you have beautiful greenways and trails where you live that you like to enjoy for exercise? We have a lot here in Charlotte. Check out my latest video for Neighborhood TV all about being safe while out on the greenway.

Quote of the week

Here’s a thought worth sharing with you from Headspace. We can never get enough reminders to focus on the here and now …

Blog archives of the week

Let’s look back at two posts worth revisiting …

Fit girl problems. Do you share in any of these fit girl problems with me? …. “Fit girl problems.”

Simplify. I’m all about taking the easy route sometimes. How about you? … “Four random things that can make your life easier.”

That’s the post for today, friend. Have a wonderful day. Thanks for reading A Lady Goes West!

Questions of the day for you

What’s an activity you did recently that was much better than expected?

What was your favorite part about summer of 2023?