Sunday, June 19, 2016

Life Goes On....My Week on the Run

This was a tough week for everyone. It seemed that every time I turned on the news, there was a tragic story coming out of Florida. First, it was the story about the young singer, Christina Grimmie, who was shot and killed after a performance by a stalker. Then, the unfathomable killing of 50 people in a nightclub in Florida by a self-proclaimed follower of Isis. And while that story was still unfolding, there was the news of a 2-year old who was dragged by an alligator into a lagoon at Disney World while his parents watched, horrified. Meanwhile, the internet was all judgy-judgy towards these poor parents.

It was all just too much.

Some bloggers chose to write about the Orlando nightclub massacre on their blogs. I decided to stay true to my blog and continue to write about running. In fact, I published some humorous posts, which I had prepared in advance of all the bad news. When these stories broke, I seriously reconsidered publishing those posts. Was it inappropriate to write about pooping when everyone was dealing with such horrible news?

Humor has always been a coping mechanism for me. It isn't that I try to make light of horrible circumstances. But sometimes tragedy and bad news are just so overwhelming it can threaten to crush our spirit.

Instead, I choose to laugh about the oddities of everyday life. For me, humor is a distraction.

Thankfully, you all thought so too. No one called me out on my posts--the one about my random thoughts while running or my tongue-in-cheek post about pooping on the run (crude title and all). In fact, one of my regular readers, Paria, who writes beautiful, thoughtful posts on her blog Momontherunsanity and for Women's Running, and who penned a beautiful piece for that publication on the Orlando tragedy commented "LOL! I needed a good laugh! I haven't had one in days." 

I'm glad that I have humor as a coping mechanism. Life is hard. While I wrote about funny things, this week my thoughts have been with those folks affected by all the bad news coming out of Florida.

"Life isn't about waiting for a storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." -unknown

I am also glad to have running as a coping mechanism! After Sunday's tough run, where I had to call my husband to pick me up, I thought I was going to have to take some time off the road. My foot hurt badly on Monday morning--will this PF ever go away?--and I made plans to head back to the pool the next day for some aqua jogging. But Tuesday morning I woke up with no foot pain! It was a gorgeous morning, and the thought of heading to the indoor pool was not at all appealing. My run felt amazing and I'm so glad I chose to run.

Here's how the rest of my week shook out:

Monday: yoga on the deck. I thought I would try to stretch out my lower legs and give my foot some relief. I had Cocoa on the mat as well. Turns out, she likes yoga too!

Cocoa and me in side stretch. She did this multiple times!
Tuesday: 5.18 miles/44:40 Push-ups.


Wednesday: Yoga with Kathy at the studio. This was an amazing restorative/therapeutic class. We held each pose for 3-5 minutes. It was almost yin-like. I felt fabulous, physically, after this class. I left class feeling more at peace than I had in awhile. During our poses, she provided her usual insight and wisdom. One thing she said stuck with me all week: "find your innate goodness". What a great thought to have as I headed to my wild, crazy job in the clinic!

Thursday: 5.5 miles/ 46:43 It was a cloudy, humid, windy morning and I fought through this run. I was shocked and pleased at the pace I eaked out. After running, I went to see Becky where she tested me on my strength. Grateful that I had been doing my homework, she was pleased. She had me work on a new high bar move, kipping bar swings. Apparently I have tight shoulders and can't fully get into this one. More homework. I finished up with 50 kettlebell swings and 50 atomic situps. The situps took me forever. I'm uncoordinated and my core is wimpy. More homework.

Do you sense a theme here?


Friday: rest

Saturday: 5.18 miles/43:29. I stopped 3 times at the playgrounds on my neighborhood route to do my homework: high bar hangs, scapular pullups, and those kipping bar swings. I also did 80 pushups (sets of 25, 30, and 25). Gittin' 'er done.


Sunday: The pup woke me up at 4:30 am to go outside. After I took her out, she wanted to bite me for a while. Finally, she settled down and we fell back asleep until 7:15. By then, the temperature was already heating up. I also had a few things to do, so I decided to ride my bike today. The only bad thing about going later in the morning is that there are more people on the paths and on the road. I don't know if it was the heat or what but people were driving like maniacs today. Mrs. Kravitz called 911 after 2 drag racing cars almost took her out of commission. Seriously, I hope they got caught. That was frightening. I was getting ready to cross the street when I heard them coming. They were flying. That got my adrenaline pumping! The rest of my ride was uneventful, except for a snake crossing the path! Yikes. It was 90F when I got home.
25.27 miles/103 mins.

Hydrating and fueling with Tailwind
News you can use:

My giveaway ended on Friday! Congrats to Amy from The Tiny Terror for winning her choice of an item from SKINS! Thanks to everyone who participated.

If you didn't win, don't fret! I've got a discount code for you so you can purchase the item you wanted from SKINS! SWEATPINK-SKINS20 will get you 20% off any item except sale items! The code is good until July 31.

The book club linkup opened on Friday and will remain open for 2 weeks! It's not too read this month's book and post your review. Or if you want to read another fitness related book, feel free to link that one up.

Have a great week!

I'm linking this post up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap!












I'm also linking up with Angela and Ilka! Check it out!

97 comments :

  1. I've been consumed at work too! Trying to stay on top of everything has been challenging.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice week! I don't think there is anything wrong with a little humor when there is so much pain in the world right now. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great week. The push-ups are truly inspiring. And as for writing about the Orlando stuff, this is your blog and you shouldn't feel like you "have to" write about anything. Humor is a good coping mechanism, I agree, and I think your readers appreciate it! I know I did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But for sure I wanted everyone to know that it was on my mind. Too much, actually!

      Delete
  4. I rarely write about world events on my blog - there's enough being said in other places that I don't feel like I have anything enlightening to contribute, and like your commenter related to you, it's nice to come somewhere and NOT have to see more of the awfulness that happened.

    Love your puppy picture - and your "bite me for a while" comment...ahhh, puppies. They are a handful in the beginning.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It seems like the earlier the better on the bike. Tourists are in full swing here in Oahu, so I try to ride before they're awake. My husband had to dodge someone carrying a surfboard on his commute home last week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh geez! No surfboards here but I guess that's not a good thing.. lol

      Delete
  6. Love your yoga-loving pup! I was too upset about all of the events to write about them anywhere on social media. I can't believe people were blaming the parents in Florida although I wouldn't be surprised if they sue Disney .... Yikes on the drag racing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a little unnerving to see those cars going so fast when I was about to cross the street!

      Delete
  7. I've been wanting to write about Orlando, but could never seem to get my thoughts together. When I do, I think I'll be jotting it in my actual, personal journal. The heartbreak was real this week and it's just so much to process.

    Your piush ups are so inspiring! I need to get so much better about my strength training and wish I could just convince myself to get on it! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit that I am LOVING this upper body work. I've never focused on this very much and it's been fun to see what I can do. If I can do a handstand unassisted...a pull up...I'll be thrilled! The rope climb? Icing on the cake.

      Delete
  8. Great workouts this week! I only ran 12 miles. :( I got a RIP ROARING case of PF while we were on vaycay. That's how hard we vacation. I get PF. Just kidding it is from running, duh. I took a week off and went to the chiro twice. I got two runs in this weekend. Right foot feels totally normal, left foot I felt a little strain in the arch this am but it felt better by the end of the day. There is still an "awareness" in my left foot, do you know what I mean? I see the chiro again tomorrow. It was BAD when we were on vacation. When I say rip roaring, I mean rip roaring.

    I didn't write about the Orlando shootings either. I don't know how to say what I want to say eloquently. Instead, I wrote to my senators and representatives about my support of common sense gun control. But I have seriously lost faith in the government to at least TRY to keep guns out of the hands of crazy people. Our country is OBSESSED with guns. It's sick. I teach at an elementary school and we legit have yearly active shooter drills. Seriously. This is what society has come to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The whole gun thing is making me feel so helpless! Logical people get it. But there aren't a lot of logical people out there...

      Delete
  9. This week was definitely a bad one for Orlando. Its hard to believe that this is what our world has come to. It seems like we are always hearing about another shooting. I use humor to cope too, you are definitely not alone in that. There is so much darkness in the world. We need to look for bright spots wherever they may be.

    Great week of workouts! I'm seriously impressed with the push ups! Sorry about the crazy drivers! That sounds crazy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The push ups have surprised me too! But it's been really fun.

      Delete
  10. Wendy - just when I was about to leave you a comment I saw our link - thanks so much for linking up! You had a great week as usual. You always get so much cross training in, that's why you're so super fit! Foot Pain is such a weird thing, some days you think you might never run again and the next day it's gone all of a sudden. I'm sort of going through the same thing. Cocoa is so funny - I can't believe this little puppy! The pics are hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to be training for something big right now --(ahem, Chicago) but I really want this foot to calm down. It's crazy how it comes and goes.

      Delete
  11. I stayed away from the Orlando news as well. I have been in a state a of shock, though, like most everyone else. And the political race...UGH. I have nothing nice to say about ANY of the candidates. It's about time for all the garbage (political ads) to resurface on tv, which is another reason I'll not be "tuning in" much for the next 5 months. That said, I love seeing all the planks/push-ups!! All of your humor (and humor in general) is definitely my preferred coping device as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't even go there with the political nonsense that ensued this week. How sad that politicians use tragedy as an opportunity to bash the other guy?

      Delete
  12. Wendy, thank you so much for joining our Link-Up! This is such a great post and it is always a hard decision ( as a blogger) whether to write about something that might spark controversy and/or not coincide with actual blog content. I struggle with this! I love how you address this at the beginning of your post...It has been a sad, sad week...and I have avoided a lot of the media due to the "judgey" tones as well. It sounds like you had a great "running" week and I LOVE the picture of you doing yoga with your dog :-) Now, I am off to read the post you mention here about "pooping on the run"...all to familiar territory, haha!!! Have a Great Week :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think everyone can relate to that pooping on the run post. And if you can't--well, I just don't know you...

      Delete
  13. I completely relate to debating whether or not to write about all the tragedy that occurred last week, but electing to stay focused on our core blog focus. I did the same thing, but had a lot of thoughts about whether my humor was inappropriate at a time like this. There's no right or wrong answer - it's just what we are most comfortable with, right?

    Love the picture of Cocoa doing yoga with you. =) Glad your PF behaved itself on Tuesday! WOW on doing yoga where you held each pose for 3-5 minutes. That takes a lot of strength, both physical and mental! Yikes on those drag races, though. How terrifying!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really loved that therapeutic yoga class--it's something that I plan on seeking out in the future!

      Delete
  14. Awe....thanks for the mention of my blog and the post I wrote for WR on Orlando..... Love all the variety in your training(and I love every time your puppy makes an appearance in your IG posts)... I've been trying to add a little variety by also starting to go to Orange Theory Fitness once a week, and I have to say I really like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard great things about OTF and if I weren't seeing Becky I'd tried it!

      Delete
  15. I don't think I could really write very eloquently about all the sadness in our world & I don't want to dwell on it either, and so I don't.

    That's so funny that Cocoa will literally do yoga with you -- Chester & Lola (and Gizmo, AND Simba) just always wanted to lay on me & be petted. Sure makes for adorable photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't quite believe it myself! Usually she wants to chew my hair and jump on me!

      Delete
  16. I REALLY hear you on the using humor as a coping mechanism. I felt like I didn't have words for those events, at least for a public forum. I spoke with my husband about it; that's about it.

    Awesome training week, lady! You're killin' the game!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think if I reflected on the past week on the blog, it would really have affected me. It's just so overwhelming.

      Delete
  17. Nice week woman!!! And, I have a kid who wakes me up at 4:30 so I can relate :-) He doesn't bite though! And, I agree that we needed the humor though last week. I don't come here to hear your recap on a tragedy (although I'm sure we would talk about it in person) but to laugh or hear about your training - it's an escape! Also, I had a race this weekend and, after reading your poop post, I thought about you while in line at the potty!!! LOL!!!! I'm sure that is how you want to be remembered :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's just great....lol! Love that you thought of me, no matter what the context...

      Delete
  18. I didn't write about orlando either.
    It was on my mind and still is 24/7 but I just didn't know if I had any words to share which would add to the silence.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I often use humor to cope, but this time, I had something else that I needed to get off my chest. So I waited a little while and then put up my post. We all have our methods, but yes, I often return to humor, and this time, I needed to something else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all have to deal with tragedy in different ways. No judgement.

      Delete
  20. Great job on all of your workouts and I'm glad that your foot pain subsided! PF can be so tricky, grrr. Yes, it's been such a somber time in Florida with all of the awful news. I chose not to address it on my blog because it just didn't seem appropriate. Love you and Cocoa doing yoga together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, she enjoys doing yoga with me too! Usually she's chewing on my hair, tho...

      Delete
  21. Your dog is killing me copying you at yoga. That is so cute. Lulu usually walks all over me when I am trying to do floor exercise and stretches. I guess all dogs love to be in the middle of the action. You go in some great workouts this week. Your bike mileage is impressive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually she chews my hair. I couldn't believe she was all in for side stretch.

      Delete
  22. Cocoa is making yoga an interactive activity. My cat usually watches me, or if I'm using a DVD, she'll watch the instructor.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The past week has been quite something, and I cannot believe some of the comments that I've been reading online regarding the alligator incident. The Internet has many positives and negatives, but one of the negatives - people hiding behind a screen and slamming people left and right - really shined through last week. It makes my heart ache to know how much the parents must be hurting, and then to be bashed, its really quite unnecessary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Toddlers move fast, and things happen in the blink of an eye. It was hard to see what the parents went through and even tougher to see the judgement unfold.

      Delete
  24. I also didn't blog about the news. Sometimes I do when I feel I have to write to process or that I have something unique to say. I honestly didn't have any words for this past week. So awful. You had some great runs and rides!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nice job on the pushups! I am up to 28 knee pushups. However, I was reading an article that was saying NOT to do those because they won't make you stronger. Bummer right?

    Oh, and I LOVE that you did not mention any of the tragic events in Florida.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read that a while ago--so I put myself to work on the full pushups! Tough but worth it!

      Delete
  26. great week of workouts! I love all your photos. I think it's always best to stay true to who you are and what you write about. It doesn't mean you don't care about life events, we can are about a lot of things but doesn't mean we necessary have to write about them. Anyways, enjoyed the humor in a week of sadness. Hope you had a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Humor can be a great distraction and I did enjoy your post the other day too. I agree with what Mar said above, not writing about it does not mean that you don't care. NIce job on the push ups! I need to get back to doing more planks all of the plank challenges reminded me that I used to do them more.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mrs. Kravitz...lol. You're doing great on your pushup challenge. 100 will be a piece of cake by the end!

    I also did not write about any of the tragedies in Florida. While of course I am saddened, devastated even, I did not feel right using them as blog topics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could do 100 now but it's been fun to build up to the final challenge!

      Delete
  29. I also kept things light hearted and blog-relevant last week. I just can't fuel the fire of horrible news... 80 push ups! Get it! I had to do a descending ladder of 30 pushups then 20 then 10 as part of today's WOD, and I had to drop down to my knees - bah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nooooo! The pushups aren't tough for me. But these pullups? ugh....

      Delete
  30. AHHHHHHH YOUR PUP IS DOING YOGA WITH YOU. my heart just like exploded with cuteness overload haha

    ReplyDelete
  31. You had a great week! Nice work on your push ups :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I had to take a break last week. All of the tragedies were practically in my backyard and I just couldn't find the words. My heart is with all those who are hurting.

    Cocoa cracks me up. My yoga teacher brought her new puppy to our beach yoga class today and that cutie pie was so distracting. I just wanted to cuddle her while she dug in the sand. I am a sucker for puppies.

    Great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't imagine what it was like being so close to all that bad news.

      Delete
  33. High five! Congrats on a great week of workouts.

    One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2015 was to watch a whole lot less TV news, and especially not to start my day with it anymore. That was a challenge for me, because I work in communications so I've always been a news hound. But what happened after that was amazing -- doing this made a huge difference in my outlook. And I've kept up with that. I still watch less news, and I'm happier for it. Just thought I'd pass that idea along in case someone else out there might find it helpful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very smart resolution. The news is just too much lately. Especially here in Chicago...it seems like all they do is report on killings.

      Delete
  34. I don't always feel like I have adquate words to discuss those tragedies, so I'll read, comment, and share on those who do have the eloquence, and I'll do me. It doesn't mean I don't care, it just means I don't want to add to the noise.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I was so distracted this week with all the negative news too... but I agree that humor (and running) can help a lot. Great cross training in your week! Holding each yoga pose for a few minutes sounds intense!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That yoga class was intense but it was perfect. I'd like to do more of that!

      Delete
  36. Running did help me with coping this past week! I know it all looked like a barrel of fun all week but with being forced to be around some people I choose to avoid did have it's challenges. One day it sucked the life from me and I realized it was getting to me way more than it should. Running and some time in prayer was all it took! As much as we want, we can't control other people, however we can control how we react to it.
    I'm glad to see your supporting Ilka's and Angela's linkup too. Ilka especially really has been very kind and supportive to me. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have those joy-suckers in my life too, and this week one of them really got to me as well. I'm so done with it!

      Delete
  37. I hate this new "parent shaming" trend! Let's all get off our high horse, and try not to trip over our own egos! what happened to that family was horrific! instead of the judgy comments, this people need to take a step back and look at themselves. Losing a child is a horrible tragedy, losing a child the way this family did, is inconceivably tragic and horrific.

    I was in tears the entire week hearing stories about the Orlando shootings, I wrote about it, but it wasn't anything groundbreaking, I couldn't just not acknowledge it. It hurt too bad. But in the same tone, I don't hate on the people who didn't, it's your blog, where you can write about whatever you want. And reading something funny like your post, did help some with the crying... especially at work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do so much reflecting on my blog that if I had written about what happened last week, it probably would have done me in. It was either funny posts or nothing..

      Delete
  38. I use humor and running as a coping mechanism too- I can't handle being sad, haha.

    Great job with all the push-ups, you're rocking it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I thought your pooping post was great and I loved the timing! I am glad to be out of central Florida for a few days! Why Orlando I wonder? Uggie! Great job on those pushups! I am up to 30- but that is 5 sets of 6! Your Becky would have a field day with me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I don't think so. She's hard on me because she knows how hard to push me!

      Delete
  40. I cope like you do. I don't want to talk about current events on my blog - I want to talk about running and beer and fluffy things. I get enough current events on my facebook feed. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was plenty of alcohol in my week, in the form of wine! Hey, a gal's gotta do...

      Delete
  41. The recent tragedies in FL definitely affected many of us but as the title of your post says, Life does go on. I was terrified at the news of the toddler and the alligator, I can't even imagine as a parent losing a child in that manner and all the lives lost at the Orlando shooting. A little humor is sometimes what is needed to escape from these horrific events.
    Wow, you're almost at your goal for 100 pushups! When you set a goal, you definitely work hard to achieve it. Cocoa is so adorable and soon enough her puppy ways will be a thing of the past!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Man, I hope so. She's just barking at me as we speak. It's getting tough! We need to break some bad habits here.

      Delete
  42. The events of last week were tragic, but I purposely stayed away from the negative comments and opinions floating around. Humor is definitely the best medicine and distraction, as you say. I won a large bag of Tailwind powder mix. But, it's berry flavored. Ugh. Please tell me the other flavors are better. What's your favorite? 80 push-ups? "Can't touch that!" Thanks for linking with us Wendy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually like the plain "naked" Tailwind. I'm not a big flavor gal. But I like them all. Trust me when I tell you that at mile 20, it doesn't matter what it tastes like...

      Delete
  43. I love that you mix up your workouts so much- i am the same way! I would get burnt out with too much running. I also use lots of humor to cope- but usually with smaller things. If you don't laugh , you'll cry- right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not only burnt out with too much running, but I'd get injured without all the cross training!

      Delete
  44. All of the Florida news was too much. I tend to not address those issues on the blog. You had a great week. Way to go on those pushups! Love the pic of you and Cocoa stretching! :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. I totally understand what you are saying. I couldn't even figure out what to say, so I didn't... and then I felt bad. I wrote a little yesterday too.
    Glad you got in some good workouts. That pup is so freakin' adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great week for you! I enjoyed your posts through the tragedies, they definitely made me laugh. I did write about the tragedy but I needed too. Running is a great coping mechanism and with all the tragedy surrounding us this week I was glad to be back at it.

    ReplyDelete
  47. wow drag racing? that is terrifying. I've never had a close encounter while running (KNOCK ON WOOD) and hope I don't. ps - your dog is so cute!! cant wait to have a dog :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Puppies are so hard to train. I think that's why they are so cute...

      Delete
  48. Totally agree, it was a tough, draining week. Boo to the drag racers. And those guys who drive their motorcycles like bats out of hell, weaving through traffic. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great job with your workouts and pushups! Nice to hear the foot pain went away on Tuesday! Great pics as usual! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so weird how the pain just comes and goes. I try to figure out what I'm doing to make my foot happy but it's really random.

      Delete
  50. I like that you stay true to your blog and you write about what you want to. I don't think it was disrespectful at all. We rarely talk about current events or news on or blog. I figure there are so many thoughts on that stuff on social media already that people certainly don't need to hear it from us. We are not the authorities on that!

    Okay, anyway, great job this week and glad you no longer have any pain in your foot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it's back! I keep jinxing myself by writing about it being gone...

      Delete