Sunday, July 16, 2017

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

Disclaimer: As a RockNBlogger, I received a complimentary race entry and VIP experience to the Rock and Roll Chicago Half Marathon. All opinions are my own.

I don't know if you were hoping for my race recap, but as I lay on the couch recovering from today's Rock 'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon, I'm still absorbing what was an epic experience. No, I didn't PR or AG, but RnR treated me like a celebrity. I'm not referring to the VIP experience, which was wonderful and would be worth the extra $$. No, in addition to all that, RnR and sponsor Humana wanted to interview me about running with RA. This also included meeting Kathrine Switzer, which was more than I could have hoped for.

Pinch me, because I can't believe all this has happened!

So while I process my race weekend, for today's post I'm going to recap my week of workouts. I'm not being a tease--I just need to get my thoughts together. In addition, I'm waiting for race photos to include in my recap. I have so much to share! For now, here's how my week leading up to the race went down.



For a couple of reasons, my workouts were hit or miss this week. No worries, because I should have been laying low the week before a big race, right?

Cocoa, my crazy cocker, hurt her back. On Monday, she was miserable, so instead of going to yoga, I took her to the vet. A mom's gotta do...Turns out she herniated a disc. I'm not surprised because she's such a jumper. We have a birdhouse hanging on the fence in our backyard and she can't pass it by without jumping up to see what's inside. The vet prescribed a medication, Rimadyl, which is doggie-Advil. The medication has really helped. She still won't go up stairs (we have to carry her) and cries if you pet her back.

Such a sad face!
On Wednesday, I awoke with 2 boxing gloves for hands. Hello, RA flare. I was miserable. Not only did I skip yoga that day, I also skipped work. Cocoa and I hung out together waiting for our anti-inflammatories to work. Fortunately, the flare was short-lived and I felt much better the next day.

Channeling the mantras, hoping for a little mind over matter!
I talked with my rheumatologist, and she thought maybe my increase in RA symptoms could be due to the weather. We had wild thunderstorms and when all was said and done, about 5 inches of rain. Some places got more than that and there has been major flooding in those areas. Our street was flooded but our basement stayed dry.


Swinging from the rings
I had to stop after 2 sets because my hands were hurting. Grrrrr.
While there was no yoga this week, Steph and I didn't skip a beat with CrossFit. Coach Kate, who is going to be in charge of our training, can only meet with us on Tuesdays. Tuesdays will be more interval-type training, while on Thursdays, we'll be doing more strength-type training. On Thursday, we worked with a new coach, Sammie Jo, who was really great as well. I feel like we are in really good hands! Both coaches told us that Becky did a good job with us. Of course!

Supermans
I got in all 4 of my runs this week, including that RnR Chicago half marathon. I had to work on Saturday morning, so I wasn't able to do the remix challenge and run the 5k. I did do a virtual 5k, which I named the I Can't Do the RnR 5k because I Have to Work 5k, at home, and I crushed it! I surprised myself with a finish time of 26:19! Would I have done that well on the course? Wouldn't that have been awesome?


And that's all for now, folks! I'll share more about my RnR Chicago experience later in the week!

How was your week? Did you have crazy weather? Is your running affected by the weather?

I'm linking up with Janelle from Run with No Regrets (guest host), Holly, and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap!


81 comments :

  1. So glad R&R was so good to you! Looking forward to reading your recap! (And glad that RA flare was short-lived!)

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    1. You and me both! I had a big weekend planned and I didn't have time for RA to wreck it.

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  2. Our week's weather was manageable (and somewhat cool for July), but the heat and humidity returned with a vengeance this weekend. Oh well, I'll gladly take that over snow and wind any day. Congrats on a great weekend ;-)

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  3. Congratulations on your virtual 5k and RNR Chicago Half Marathon!! That is so awesome you got to meet Kathrine Switzer!! I hope you have a great week and your puppy feels better!

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    1. I'm still in shock over the whole thing! What an amazing experience!

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  4. So awesome you got to meet Katherine Switzer and had a fun race day!

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    1. I struggled a lot during the race but I almost felt like all the cool experiences were my reward for slogging it out on the course!

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  5. Living in the PNW, a lot of people who have arthritis also have homes down in warmer climates (Arizona, Palm Springs) so that they can go down there during our really cold and rainy months. Obviously this won't work for people who have jobs up here, but I'm saying that the weather is definitely something that can and does affect arthritis. It sucks. Despite that flare you had, you really had a great week and I'm excited about your race!

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    1. Pretty sure that my dream of living in Florida isn't going to work out so well! Arizona? Maybe so.

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  6. It takes me a while to wrap my head around a race; I don't think you're a tease at all.

    Poor Cocoa. I hope she feels better soon. Bandit is back to not wanting to eat in the mornings. Since we were taking the dogs with us today, I got him to eat some this morning before I left (lately I just don't feed him til midday) -- and wouldn't you know it he threw up in the car something he's never done before. He's fine, btw, and was just given a clean bill of health at the vet. It's just a weird summer thing. :(

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    1. One of our cockers used to vomit all the time. It was so strange. Dogs are kind of weird. But we love them, don't we?

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  7. Awwe poor Cocoa! That photo made me so sad. Hope she is on the mend!

    I'm so happy that you had a phenomenal RnR Chicago experience! You know how much I live that race, and the city, so I love when others have a kick-ass experience! I can't wait to read your recap!

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    1. I'm looking forward to putting together my recap. The whole weekend was epic. I'm sad that I missed out on meeting up with a few other bloggers, but RnR made sure I had a great time!

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  8. Glad to hear that your week ended on a much higher note! You looked so happy in your photos. Yes we have had crazy weather too and it's just really not fun at all with this constant humidity. Can't wait to read your recap

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    1. I'm still in shock over the whole experience. It was one the most epic race experiences I've ever had.

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  9. Didn't I tell you RnR races are magical? I met Kswitz at NYCM. She is awesome. Can't wait to hear more.

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  10. So glad your race went well!! I also ran it--fun times!

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  11. Sorry to hear about Cocoa! She looks so sad in the pic. So awesome you were interviewed by Humana and got to meet Kathrine Switzer! Glad you had a good time and congrats on the half!

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  12. Great recap and congratulations for your results! It's great to read these good news, you are not tease! Congratulations for your work!

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  13. Glad you had a good race! And its good to hear you are enjoying working with your new coaches so far. Im sure you will continue to see great progress with them!

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  14. I was lucky enough to meet Katherine Switzer a couple of years ago. Isn't she the sweetest? I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the race. And felt like a VIP! :)

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    1. The whole experience was just surreal. I'm still soaking it all in.

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  15. Aw poor Cocoa!!! Hope she is recovering as nicely as you are :-) LOVED all the pictures of your race and cannot wait to read the recap! Happy weekend...

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    1. She's pretty tired today too. She must have been feeling well yesterday and overdid it. Like mother, like dog...

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  16. Poor Cocoa!

    I am excited to read your recap. I am jealous you saw Katherine TWICE at the race. I met her in New Hampshire a few years ago and she was talking to me like we were old buddies. She is so down to earth and friendly.

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  17. Oh no, poor Cocoa!
    That is some crazy rain ya'll got!! Glad it wasn't worse and got into your house!
    Your RNR experience sounds amazing. Thanks for the teaser and I look forward to hearing more!

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  18. I'm so excited to hear more about RNR! How awesome that they took an interest in your story. Poor Cocoa, I hope she's feeling better soon but I doubt she'll learn not to check out that birdfeeder!

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    1. Nope, she's still checking it out. My husband needs to take it down.

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  19. I look forward to hearing about your RNR experience! Congrats on that awesome 5K, you still got it! And I could only dream to do what you can on those rings!

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  20. I am anxious to read your race recap and how exciting to meet Kathryn and be interviewed about RA. I et Kathryn at the Boston Marathon expo in 2015 and she was so down to earth and nice. Enjoyed chatting with her since we were the first to visit her booth!

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    1. She's so nice! And very encouraging. I feel like it was all just a dream.

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  21. I can't wait to read your recap. I've been following along with some of your adventures on IG, so I already know it was a pretty awesome experience. I feel so bad for Cocoa! She is so young to be having back problems! I hope she feels better soon.

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  22. You are such an inspiring person!! I can't wait to read about your RnR race - you rocked it! How exciting to meet Kathryn....so jealous!!
    Have a great Monday!

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  23. Well, you ARE a celebrity! And poor pooch, I hope that she gets better soon!

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    1. She's improving slowly--but like her mama, she has trouble with activity restrictions.

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  24. How amazing that you got to meet Kathrine Switzer!!

    I hope Cocoa is feeling better soon! poor doggy!

    RnR races are so awesome! they put on such a great race!

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    1. This was my first but it certainly won't be my last! What an amazing experience.

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  25. The weather has been extremely hot here but I managed to get out early for an awesome morning run on the weekend! Can't wait to hear your recap!

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  26. Having had a dachshund with occasional back problems, I feel for both Cocoa and you. Hope she is back to her old self soon!

    Can't believe you got to meet Kathrine Switzer - lucky you!!!

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    1. She's feeling much better and becoming her annoying self again...:p

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  27. Sounds like you had a kickass week. Poor Cocoa :( It sucks when humans hurt but it's worse when our pets hurt since they don't know how or why or what to do.

    Looking forward to your recap!!!

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  28. Let's hope it was the weather, and that it won't come back. I can't wait to read your recap. I hope Cocoa feels better too. You can commiserate with her.

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    1. I'm pretty sure the weather is affecting me--it seems that when the humidity goes up, so does my discomfort. This is a learning process for me.

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  29. We head home to California this week after a month in Hawaii. Yesterday morning I ran my favorite 10 mile loop one last time. It rained the entire time. Irony: when the last song I heard was "Walking on Sunshine." I laughed and sang along!

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  30. awe poor pupppy!! I hate when our cats need to go to the vet.

    I totally think weather plays with anyone who has an injury or joint issues! I know my dad's back always feels it and David's neck.

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  31. This is such an uplifting post Wendy! Your excitement exudes from every word :) Congratulations on having such a wonderful experience there and I just can't wait to read all the details! :)

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  32. ....oh yeah, here's hoping sweet little Cocoa is feeling better and jumping for birds again soon!

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    1. She's starting to jump again--she's like her mama, can't stop, won't stop!

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  33. Poor Cocoa... hope she starts to feel better. Great week even with all your deviations away from the plan. Can't wait to read about your RNR Chi experience... it sounds fabulous!

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  34. Wow! So awesome you got to meet Katherine Switzer! Looking forward to reading more about RnR Chicago!

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  35. Injured pups, swollen joints, flooded streets, oh my! Glad you ended this crazy week with a great race finish! Can't wait to read the recap!

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    1. It was quite a week! Always better to end on a high note, tho.

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  36. You spanked that 5K finish time! Good for you! I can't wait to hear more about the race and your new celebrity status! :-) I hope Cocoa and you both are feeling well !

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  37. I'm so sorry to read that your beloved Cocoa is not well. I hope she recovers completely.
    As everyone, I cannot wait until you distill your thoughts on this weekends R&R half and share them with us. Epic, indeed. I am so thrilled for you for every wonderful, exciting moment. Kathrine Switzer!

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  38. yay!! what a great experience at RnRCHI!!!!!


    I feel so bad for your doggy. what a sad face!

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    1. It was hard to see her like that. Now she's crying because she pushed all her toys under the couch and I won't get them. Guess she's better...

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  39. You are such an amazing inspiration & true warrior! Great job on your 5k too :-)

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  40. What an incredible experience to not only meet Kathrine Switzer but to also receive your RnR medal from her. I can't wait to read your recap!

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  41. This summer is no different for me--but now I have an excuse for running slow! :P

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