Sunday, May 26, 2019

And Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program Already in Progress...

Oh.My.Gosh.

Can I just say how good it feels to feel good again? I knew I had been feeling bad, but looking back over the past month, that was probably the toughest I've had to endure since my initial diagnosis with RA 2 1/2 years ago. I did my best to stay positive, especially here on the blog. I just want to thank everyone for sticking by me while I worked through the flare. The pain is so much better and the fatigue is resolving.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Well, I brought some strength to my workouts this week! It's back to work.



The Week in Review:
Sunday: Hiked 3.5 miles with Holly
Monday: Yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Run 5 miles
Thursday: Strength training and boot camp
Friday: rest
Saturday: 1/2 Murph (CrossFit)

What? I only ran once this week? I'm not quite sure how that happened but I have to be honest and say that I didn't miss running at all. After my very full and active weekend with Holly, I needed to dial it down a little bit. The good vibes from that trip carried me through the week.

Holly and I wrapped up my visit with a hike on Swayback Bridge Trail. It was hot and hilly. The shade was definitely helpful. What a pretty trail! And what a wonderful way to close out a fun weekend with my southern soul sister.


Back in Chicago, Wednesday was cloudy and cool in the morning, and I was able to run 5 slow miles. While I didn't use scheduled run/walk intervals, I did stop to walk a few times. Overall, this run felt pretty good. Plus I got to wear my new InknBurn capris. Aren't they fun?


My strength session with Sammy Jo was hard! I worked on chest presses alternating with trap deadlifts. She piled on the weight. I know that's a good thing but come on, man! After I caught my breath, I did hamstring curls on the strength ball alternating with Toes to Ring swings. I love that she always finishes my strength session with something fun. Boot camp was intense. We did a lot of lifting with heavy weights and I paid for it! I already felt sore when I left the box.


For the first time since I've been going to CrossFit, I signed up for Murph. CrossFit names all the WODs, and Murph is named for Lt Michael Murphy, a Navy Seal who was killed in action. He received the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart posthumously in honor of his actions in the war in Afghanistan. Every Memorial Day weekend, Murph is done at CrossFit boxes all over the country in honor of all the fallen soldiers. Since I had to work on the day of our local Memorial Day 5k, I was happy to have this most excellent backup plan.


I was still sore from Thursday. I did the half workout, breaking it up into 10 segments, which took me almost 40 minutes. It was hard and during the final run, I thought I might vomit. I can't imagine doing the full workout! Some of the participants, including my coach Sammy Jo, wore a weighted vest. There were multiple sessions throughout the morning--I did the 7 am workout so I could get it in before I went to work. They had bacon at the finish, y'all!

While I had FOMO looking at the photos from my running club at the 5k that took place later that morning, I'm glad I did Murph. Everyone was super supportive of each other during the workout. What a great community!

Memorial Day workouts are made of 5ks and Murph! What did you do?/via @oldrunningmom #runchat #crossfit #murph #running #curearthritis

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

How was your week? Did you participate in any Memorial Day races--or do you have one scheduled for Monday? Anyone else out there do Murph? Ever have bacon at the finish line of an endurance event?

I'm linking this post with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.

32 comments :

  1. There is definitely more to life than running, and running will always be there as well. Sounds like you had a great recovery week (well, doesn't really sound like a whole lotta recovery to me!). Good to hear you're feeling better. I hope it can stay that way for you for a good long while!

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    1. It's still kind of up and down, but I am happy I was able to get my workouts in. Running is still tough for me, though.

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  2. Glad to hear things have turned (back) around for you! A friend (CrossFit instructor/coach) posted an invite for a Murph session tomorrow, and I'm tempted. Their's mentions a 20-lb weighted vest for the final mile...and that's after my morning Memorial Day run. We shall see.....Thanks for linking!

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    1. Some of the participants at my CrossFit wore a 25# weighted vest doing the full workout. Personally, I think you're nuts if you attempt this after a Memorial Day run. But hey, you go!

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  3. I am so glad that you are feeling better now!

    I love that you were able to do a hike with Hollie before leaving last weekend. You both definitely packed in a lot of activity into a weekend! I have a few friends that do Crossfit and every year they mention how hard MURPH is!!

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    1. While running is still challenging me, I'm glad that other activities are filling the gap. And yes MURPH (I did the half) was hard! So glad I got to do it, though.

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  4. I am thrilled to hear you are feeling better! Friends of mine have told me about the Murph, nice job on completing it! Community and friends are the magical fairy dust we all need sometimes to get through. :)

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    1. Hoping that I can do the full Murph next year. But even if I have to do half again, it was an amazing experience with a supportive community.

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  5. I definitely understand the feeling when you finally feel good again after months of not feeling great. Glad to read that you are there too. I think the time with Holly did you a world of good!

    You have convinced me. I am going to splurge on some Ink Burn stuff. Just wish I could try some of it on before I buy.

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    1. I agree with you about my weekend away. I didn't realize how much my life is stressing me out! Now to figure out a way to go back!

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  6. I'm so glad you are feeling better! That workout is a great way to pay tribute and get a tiny glimpse of what our troops go through. I made myself go on a second run this week but it wasn't pretty!

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    1. I can't even imagine doing a workout like that doubled! It was hard. I loved how everyone took it so seriously. The people wearing the weighted vests--wow.

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  7. A weighted vest - wow! I'm glad you are feeling better. I did enjoy some bacon at one of the aid stations on a trail marathon I ran. It was delish!

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    1. I love bacon! I don't eat it often, so there is no guilt when I take a slice or 2!

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  8. I have heard about those Murph workouts and they sound very intense! Sounds like you kept really busy and active this week. So glad that you are feeling so much better.

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    1. I just wish the running magic would come back. But I am loving all the other things I'm doing!

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  9. If there was bacon at the end, all is forgotten right? Lol! Glad to hear you are feeling good again.

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  10. I am happy to hear you are feeling better. Murph alone sounds tough and I cannot imagine wearing a weighted vest! I've never had bacon at the end of an event but yummy would love it!

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  11. Glad you are feeling better! I don't know if I could handle bacon after a race...I like salty/greasy foods like chips or fries, but bacon might be just a bit too much.

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  12. SO happy to read this post and hear that you're feeling better! Bacon post race..yum!

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  13. I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better! And huge props to you for taking on a Murph workout - that is one tough workout!!

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  14. So glad to see you're feeling better, yay! We don't have Memorial Day here but I did have the small matter of a little race ... I am going to get back into the strength training once I've got my marathon recovery done, but a little less intense!

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    1. "Little race"! You did great and congrats! Enjoy your recovery.

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  15. SO happy you are feeling so much better! I hope that trend continues :-) And I remember the Murph from my very brief stint with CrossFit and it was incredibly challenging. Nicely done!!

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  16. There was a Memorial Day 5K and 10K near us that lots of my friends ran. I started seeing clients at 6 AM so I couldn't join my friends. I did drive past the slower runners on my way from one gym to another so that was kind of nice.

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