Sunday, October 7, 2018

Run Is All You Need

What a tough week--at least off the road, it was. I'm just so disheartened by current events. Mocking and lying seem to pass for acceptable conduct these days. If it weren't for this blog, I'd be inactivating my Facebook account. Instead of seeing running posts and posts about family, my feed this week was filled with contentious political posts and memes--from both sides.

What's a runner to do?

Shut it down. Log off. Get outside. Go for a run. Repeat.

It's all you need.


Running
My goal for the week was to get in 3 runs of 6 miles each. The cooler temperatures have certainly helped with that! Both Monday and Wednesday's 6 milers were nicely paced runs with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees. I'm still doing run/walk intervals and like last week, the run intervals feel like I'm running instead of slogging. To think that just a few weeks ago, I was so frustrated with running I was considering calling it quits!


On Saturday, I didn't run as planned. Instead, we hit the road early to travel to Madison again to watch my Badger play rugby. It was a triple header and he played in the first 2 games. Unfortunately, both those teams lost. The A game, which is the one that counts in the Big 10 standings, was outstanding. The Badgers beat Indiana decisively! On Sunday, I watched the start of the Chicago Marathon and then headed out for my run. I planned on 6-7 miles to the retention pond and back but ended up pushing it to 8. I ran in the same conditions that the marathoners did, 57 drizzly degrees with that cold wind off Lake Michigan. The conditions were good for some nice splits and my legs felt fresh, having not run since Wednesday! When I made the decision to cut back to running 3 days per week, I wasn't sure how it would go, but my legs seem to like it.


CrossFit
Coach Sammy Jo and I discussed my goals for the fall. She wanted to know if I wanted to work on endurance or strength. The strength work I've been doing for the past 5 years has really kept me relatively injury free on the road and I'd like to continue with that. I'm also going to continue with bootcamp, which should help me with endurance. Plus bootcamp is so much fun--in a sick kind of way that only athletes understand.

Most of what I did with Sammy Jo was upper body focused this week. I did 3 sets of static presses, 8 reps at 60#! I fought for those final reps. Then I did a couple of circuits of standing chest flies, plank shoulder taps, hollow holds, and 250m on the SkiErg. I finished with GHD situps. Bootcamp had a lot of running, which was great for me! We started with a 15 minute EMOM of tire strikes using the sledgehammer (my favorite activity), sumo deadlift high pulls, and hercules holds. The hercules holds were supposed to be using a chain but it was too heavy for me so I used dumbbells. That was a shame because I wanted to chant "Hercules, hercules" while I held the chains.

After that, we did an 18 minute AMRAP 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 reps of dumbbell push presses, strict hanging knee raises, and dumbbell box step overs. In between each AMRAP was a 200m run alternating with a 200m row. This was exhausting but as always, I finished feeling accomplished.


Yoga
I did 2 yoga classes this week. On Monday, I did Lululemon's 45 minute Restorative Flow which wasn't exactly restorative but was a very good post run stretch. On Wednesday, I did Five Parks Yoga's Stress Release and Stress Relief Yoga. I hadn't done that class before and it was excellent. Also on Wednesday, I stopped at the newly redone playground at the school by my house to play in handstand. The woodchips have been replaced with a soft, squishy surface and I thought it would make for a soft landing if I fell. While I was practicing, I did fall and skinned my knee. The grass is still the best place to land. The best part of all of this is when I got up after my fall, I noticed a little girl just staring at me. Crazy old lady!


The Chicago Marathon
I had plans to spectate the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. The struggle was real as I debated between heading downtown or going for a run. The yucky weather kind of sealed the deal for me. I was tracking quite a few runners and it doesn't seem that the conditions affected anyone's finish times. I won't deny feeling the FOMO, watching the coverage on TV and seeing all the runners on the course. Congrats to all the runners!!! Chicago is just the best marathon there is. I'd love to run it again...but for now:


How was your week? Did you run the Chicago Marathon? Did you watch the coverage on TV?

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52 comments :

  1. Great week for you! You obviously like the colder weather much more than I do ;-)

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  2. You know how I feel about the current events. It's very, very upsetting but I'm just trying to stay positive as much as possible.

    It looks like you had a great week! I was sad to wake up this morning and learn it was raining in Chicago, but it looks like the weather didn't cause too many issues for the runner today - thankfully!

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    1. The worst part about the weather is that wind off the lake. It's just bone chilling. I can't imagine the BOTP being out there in that.

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  3. As we were back into the mid 80's this week, I really struggled on my runs. All the good feels from last week kind of evaporated. I was pretty discouraged and knew I needed to have a good run yesterday. Took advantage of the slightly cooler temps and went back to shorter intervals. That seemed to do the trick and I am much happier today

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    1. We are going back to the 80s tomorrow and Tuesday. This really is the craziest fall I can remember.

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  4. I am jealous of your cooler weather! Glad your runs have been going better though. I'd love to run the Chicago Marathon one day!

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    1. Today made me really want to do it again. If my health stays good....

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  5. Go Badgers! I went out to cheer on the course - it was such fun! I do miss running it though so I will most likely be running next year :)

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  6. The cooler weather definitely helps. I watched a little bit of the marathon on replay, after I got home from my race. I saw the results, and it was still fun to watch a bit.

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    1. Having run it multiple times, it's really fun to watch it on TV. It also makes me want to run it again.

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  7. I'm with you on the whole Facebook thing. Said the exact same thing to my husband just the other day. :/

    Your bootcamp class sounds right up my alley!! I wish we had tires and sledgehammers. I miss tire strikes! LOL at Hercules, Hercules!

    I don't know if the race was televised here. I didn't even think to check. Now I feel like I missed out!

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    1. I wish we were at the same CrossFit box! Wouldn't that be fun?

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  8. It was also our big local race this weekend, with many friends running and/or volunteering, but it was a family day for me with all 3 siblings, my parents, and a couple of nieces. We don't see my brother too often as he lives on the west coast.


    I know absolutely nothing of what happened . . .

    Sounds like you had a pretty good week. You are definitely not old, but I admire your confidence to do handstands anywhere!

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    1. I truly didn't think anyone was on the playground. School was in session. I don't know where the little girl came from!

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  9. I ran the Chicago Marathon once, and loved it. The year I ran it, it was rainy and 39 degrees at the start. The winner slipped on the decal painted on the street at the finish line, hit his head, and had to be taken away by ambulance. What a finish! Of course, I was 2 hours behind him...:)

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    1. Oh yikes! We mere mortals have no clue what's going on up there...

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  10. I'm chuckling about the little girl watching you - I love it!!

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  11. I sure hear you about current events. I'm off f/b for the time being. I can't de-activate, it's my main source of communications, but I'm taking a vacation.
    I am thrilled that you are able to back off from your [brief] consideration to stop running. While you are still juggling with the thought, it is not yet time. When that time arrives, whether it's a year, or two, or five, or ten, or even more, you will no for sure.
    I know. I'm there. MRI on Wednesday to evaluate the severity of the meniscus tear. Hopefully it will be easily fixed. But with a couple of mishaps, several falls, and osteoporosis, and about to hit sixty-six, I know it's time. And it's okay.
    I have a feeling you will surpass my age and still be running. You are a running beast!
    Sending love and hugs your way, not crazy old lady.

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  12. We are anticipating 60 degree mornings later this week and you know what? I'm going to run, no matter how my dumb calf is doing. It's too much to have run through the sweaty hot summer and then not run when it cools down, right? Your happiness at how good your cool-weather runs were just proves my point. :)

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    1. It's just amazing how good running in the cool weather feels. Enjoy!

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  13. I didn't watch it, but I was trying to follow online. I completely agree with you re: the downsides of Facebook lately. I've been on insta. Fewer words. And yes, running has been a wonderful escape

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    1. Thankfully, the political crap hasn't infiltrated my IG feed.

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  14. I actually downloaded the app so that I could track a few people. It was fun to "watch" from California! As for Facebook, I agree. It's been hard, but I have found that most of my Facebook feed agrees with me, which makes it a lot easier to swallow. :-) And if they don't, I just scroll by, no need to engage since I'm not going to change anybody's mind. We just have to hope that events will continue to do that, slow as it is.

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    1. I scroll by but repeat offenders get unfollowed. I don't understand people who think like that.

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  15. Sounds like some good runs this week! I love that story about the little girl watching you do handstands :) Hopefully she was inspired.

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    1. I don't know...I think I scared her! LOL

      PS I can't find anywhere to comment on your blog.

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  16. I have hidden a lot from my FB feed the past couple of years. I'm not surprised that some people will excuse any behavior as long as it's from their "team", but learning which people I personally know hold that attitude never ceases to disappoint.

    I've never watched a marathon on TV...or in person...someone is probably going to come revoke my runner's card now.

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    1. I don't get the whole "team" concept. It really negates personal choice, doesn't it?

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  17. I'm impressed with all your cross training! And I agree, I try to stay off Facebook except for specific groups that are non political. (running club, crafting, etc.) It's enough to drive one mad.

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    1. I've been unfollowing people so that I don't need to see that negativity in my feed. My heart has been hurting a lot lately!

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  18. I'm glad you had some great workouts this week! I always enjoy seeing what you do in boot camp. Yeah, Facebook...it's been awful. And the people who agree with me on the latest happenings are sometimes the most annoying, because it's just too much negativity. I've been retreating to IG a lot more too since it's more of an escape!

    I should probably stay away from the marathon distance at this point, but if I ever had the opportunity, I'd LOVE to run Chicago!

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    1. I'd love to do Chicago again. Seriously. But I don't think my body would let me.

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  19. Crazy Old Lady -- Isn't that a compliment? LOL. My runs are still hanging out at the frustrating level. I'm still holding out for some good ones, though. You give me hope. As you know, I refuse to watch or listen to the news. I have enough stress in my life. Yes, I feel quite stupid and uninformed sometimes -- but ignorance is bliss.

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    1. I'm with you...thinking that ignorance might be the way to go. Right now I just feel helpless. Glad I can run it off!

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  20. No matter which side of the political fence you're on, we all have to admit that this was way out of control! Like you, I just tuned it all out. I'm so disheartened at the direction our country has gone. Thank goodness for the simplicity of running!!

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  21. Cooler weather is the best for running! We had some come last week - but now its 80s again. Whoops! I would love to watch the Chicago marathon in person - I love marathon spectating.

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    1. We're back in the 80s again but will drop to more "normal" temps on Thursday. We often do have a roller coaster this time of year but it's a crazier ride than usual this year!

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  22. Congrats on your great runs (and other workouts) this week! I still debate my sanity in my decision to run Chicago. By mile 14 I felt absolutely horrible but I was determined to finish. I wondered if you would be out there. Congrats to your Badger (although we are an IU family, so there's that...)

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    1. I seriously had every good intention on going down to spectate. If I had someone to go with, I would have gone. But by myself? And I needed to get a run in? Sigh.

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  23. On Facebook, I finally had to go with a "one strike and you're out" policy. I unfollow (not unfriend) anyone who posts anything political. I don't care which side you're on, I don't want to see it. I want to see pictures from races, your kids in their fancy prom clothes, vacations, etc.

    I cut back to running three days a week several years ago and it has worked well for me. Like you, I lift and do yoga so I'm getting a well-balanced fitness routine. 57° and drizzly sounds like great marathon running weather, but I heard there was a little wind which would be a bummer.

    Thanks for the linkup and have a great week!

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    1. I think everyone knows where I stand politically. I don't see the point in posting things that are only going to flame people up. I'm pretty disappointed in some of my friends from my youth. I wish they'd kept their ideas to themselves!

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  24. I hear you on the current events - I can't even...

    So great to hear that you've had some good runs. Mother Nature is still playing yo-yo with the temps here, but when the temps are down it has been glorious!

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    1. We're on a huge yoyo this week! 85 today and 51 on Thursday. Yikes!

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  25. LOL @ the little girl watching you! #inspiration
    I'm so glad the running is feeling a lot better. You definitely have a lot more miles left in you lady! Shathiso @ www.thegaboronerunner.com

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  26. I love your story of the kid watching you do yoga in her playground! Hope the knee's OK. I think some people from club did Chicago, not sure. It's certainly one I would like to do.

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  27. I sure miss being able to head out for a run! It is such a mind-clearer and de-stressor. My little stationary bike is nice but just doesn't have the same effect. You have such a great variety in your weekly workouts. That's something I'm working towards as I'm on the mend and hoping to prevent re-injuring. Like ever again. No more injuries!!!

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  28. I'm so glad your running went better this week! Thank goodness for fall! I can't wait to get back into it.

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