Friday, March 27, 2020

Runfessions: Socially Distant..but not alone

What a month it has been and it's not over yet. March blew in like a lion and it's probably going to blow out like one too. Wish it would take this damn virus with it. 

As you might imagine, with such a challenging month, there's been a lot of miles run. I have a ton of runfessions to share. Marcia is opening up the runfessional today. It's always been virtual, so we don't even have to worry about social distancing. 


I runfess... working from home is taking some getting used to. Cocoa likes to bark at people walking on the sidewalk in front of my house, making it tough to sound professional on the phone. Earlier this week I had a little break on my schedule so I decided to go for a run. When I got home, I checked my messages and someone scheduled a telephone visit right after I left the house. Running behind, just like I do in the office!


I runfess.. missing out on my Everglades Trail race made me sad. I contacted the RD to inquire about a refund or a deferral to next year. He responded and told me he'd give me a discount of 50% off for next year's race. 


My insurance recently switched to a new specialty pharmacy for my RA medication. The transition was painful. I runfess...that I may have lost it with a few of the customer service representatives. Finally, after getting my insurance company and Humira involved, I received my medication. Today, while going through my credit card bill, I saw that the pharmacy overcharged me on my co-pay. It wasn't a small amount, either. I dreaded making the call to get it corrected. Surprisingly, it went well and the issue was resolved. 


I runfess... I'm not so good at math. This week, one of the virtual WODs had 200m intervals. Using my Garmin to guide me, I ran a length of the sidewalk and back that measured .10 on my Garmin. I forgot that my Garmin measures in miles, not kilometers...and I ran farther than I wanted to. Twenty times. Oh, and there were burpees in between.



I runfess... I was fangirling all over the place when I saw that Adriene of Yoga with Adriene liked my tweet. And if you don't know about her, you need to. She's the balm for our aching soles (and muscles).

A final runfession... I runfess to having moments of anxiety and moments of sadness. I feel overwhelmed by the barage of information (and misinformation). The uncertainty of the future scares me. I miss my gym. I miss my job. I miss being able to hug people. How long can this go on? So grateful for running. It's keeping me grounded. Grateful for my family and friends, several of whom texted me, checking in, as I was preparing this post. Proving once again that the universe is listening. We're not alone.

 And as always, a sense of humor helps.


What do you have to runfess? Any work from home fessions? Customer service fessions? Have you ever miscalculated a distance you were running? How are you holding up right now? What's keeping you sane?


 

37 comments :

  1. Oh, I am so bad at running math! That’s why I really need someone to tell me what to do. Even doing repeats I lose track of what count I’m on. Scooby barks if anyone walks by the house, and I think people are taking their dogs out more — which is a good thing. Luckily I’m working in the basement so it’s not too disruptive for me. Hang in there - we do all still have each other!

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    1. I just pull the shades on the front room window when I'm working. She gets so frustrated, but an NP's gotta do!

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  2. Haha! Trying to sound professional in the home office! There's a childcare place right next to us and they take out the kiddie-pool in the summer, along with dozens of excited kids having a great time and squealing at the top of their voices. I have lost count of how many times I had to explain the noise! ;-)

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    1. Most of the people I've talked to on the phone have been understanding, but interestingly, when you work in healthcare, there is a subset of people who believe that we have no life outside of our job. Those are the people who call at 330 am because their child is coughing and ask "oh, did I wake you?"

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  3. I have to say that for all of the distance this is the least alone I have ever been in my life. For a while I missed giving other runners high fives but then I figured out that I can do a virtual high five from six feet away so that's been a bit of cheesy runner fun.

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    1. I've noticed that most of the people I pass on my runs lately do not acknowledge me at all. It's a strange turn of events!

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  4. Mr. Judy has been struggling with some of his meds, too. Not being able to get enough, but weirdly being charged less.

    I starting working from home in the 90s. It suits me. It's definitely not for everyone. I remember I once had to work with a customer & I needed 2 phones (this is decades ago, I don't remember why), so he ended up with my personal cell number. Which he proceeded to use if I didn't pick up on my business number. Which definitely didn't make me happy, as he'd call on weekends -- and it's not like I was a critical person like you are!

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    1. I have to use my personal cell phone for work and there is a way to call through the company app. It's cumbersome and so I usually just do *67 to block my number. I hope I don't forget to do that--having my number would be like the golden ticket for some people!

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  5. I really lost it w the customer service rep from our trash collection company. Not coming for 12 days w all of this trash we have is unacceptable. I did have to speak to numerous people and explain the entire thing 3x but hope it got done. Finding ways to connect w friends through all of this is a huge help! Hang in there friend "see you" soon

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    1. Oh, now that's just gross! We're still having trash pickup here. But it's limited to what can fit in the cans. Nothing else.

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  6. Way to go...getting a "like" from Adrienne! I would be fangirling too. I have been dealing with far too many customer service reps with all the cancelations of races, hotels, flights, etc. Thankfully, everyone I have dealt with has been really helpful. It IS very time-consuming, though. I usually put the phone on speaker and multi-task while I am on hold.

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    1. I do the same. What frustrated me was the need for me to keep calling back because they couldn't get it together.

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  7. Did you see Adriene on the Today Show a few weeks back? She's become quite the sensation. I love her calming voice! I'm on conference calls all day long and Ozzy just knows when to go get his favorite squeaky toy. I'm so grateful Delta let me cancel my flight to Atlanta for a sorority mom-daughter thing!

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    1. I'm going to have to cancel a flight to Atlanta in May. So sad.

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  8. I will runfess that I've been trying to mimic OTF workouts at home and there have been a few times when I've messed up the timing for certain blocks. I really miss having a coach in those moments haha.

    OMG the photo of the giant chicken..LOL. I'm convinced we have to use humor to get through these crazy times.

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    1. I really miss my coach. Even when I watch the virtual workout, I still mess up!

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  9. Running is keeping me sane. Working from home tied to a computer is making me feel like a caged animal. We will get through this. I and my family and friends are healthy. That is what is important.

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    1. Today was tough. I was on the computer and phone all day. I took a few movement (aka burpee) breaks, which helped.

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  10. I Have A Wonderful Customer Service Rep Story - This Week, Thank You Mail Carriers, My Credit Card Statement Rolls In - My Eyes Damn Near Fell Out Of Their Sockets - Numerous Charges For Amazon Prime Singapore - The Rep Said That I Have Never Charged Movies To My Account In The Past Two Years So These Must Be Fraudulent - Even Went On To Thank Me For MY Service -They Cancelled My Card And Mailing Me A New Card - Crazy - Never Once Questioned Me With That Skeptical Tone - Stoked!! - Enjoy Your Weekend - I Love Hearing Dogs Barking - Birds Singing - And Toes Tapping - Big Hugs Little W

    Cheers

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    1. Sounds like you had a gem of a customer service rep! It's good to remember those moments. And I love hearing birds singing...Cocoa barking, not so much...lol

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  11. I wish I could work from home! So I have been running in this park alot more than lately and it seems much more busier than before all this was going on. Usually I pass a person here and there and now the whole trail seems packed with people.

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    1. That's why I'm hitting the trails so early. Seems like everyone has decided to become a runner!

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  12. Your customer service meme hit close to home - that is so freaking dead on and almost nothing makes me rage more than having to repeat the same info over and over. BTW that's also what you have to do with health insurance companies if you can't get the info you need. Now that I haven't had to do it in a couple of weeks, I don't miss working quite so much. Hmmmmm.

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    1. I miss seeing my patients. I'm glad I get to work from home but it is definitely more tiring being on the phone and computer all day.

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  13. A lot has changed in just a couple weeks, hasn't it? We're waiting on refunds for our flight that was canceled, I'm trying to be patient and not overload the airline phone system. I've got the documentation and we'll get it straightened out eventually.

    Les has worked from home at least part time since 2010 so nothing's really changed here. He's been doing more video calls with his team since everyone in Hawaii is working from home for the first time.

    I had to brave the post office today. A task I dread at anytime, but it should be interesting today.

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    1. I'm with you on the USPS, I avoid that place like the plague...and there you go, that saying just became more meaningful.

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  14. I am the worst at running math...seriously I don't know what misfires in my brain but I never get it right!

    I've been working from home for so long now that I think I have forgotten what an adjustment can be initially. I've been "coaching" some friends through the transition over the past couple of weeks.

    You made me chuckle with that giant chicken photo - we've gotta try to keep a sense of humor through all of this, right?

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    1. I thought it was pretty funny but I never know if people will agree!

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  15. That's so cool that Adriene liked your tweet! And I've been feeling the anxiety too. It's been helping to maintain social ties virtually, like you said.

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    1. I was really happy to connect with quite a few friends yesterday! I so needed it.

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  16. Gosh, I'm pretty good at math, and the km/mile conversions are a nightmare. I just do everything in mile increments and leave it at that. That was very generous of the RD to give you the half price registration for next year, most wouldn't do that (via the waiver). Total win for you and something to look forward to for next year!

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    1. I don't feel like that was a win but I too understand why he has to do it. Not sure if I'll go back.

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  17. Working from home can be really difficult. I'm sure Cocoa is thrilled to have you home.

    Things are hard. I'm not good with uncertainty and not knowing, and I have this awful unsettled feeling in my stomach all the time.

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    1. I like to think I'm good with rolling with it, but this is just such a frightening scenario! I hope they get it under control soon. I think I"ll be working from home for quite a while.

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  18. Oh god that giant chicken meme -- it's like Godzilla trending yesterday. There was another one floating around that March didn't come in like a lion, but rather a TRex
    *HUGS* This has been a rough month

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  19. I'm glad you are able to practice telemedicine during this time, though I can see so many down-sides. I wish I could do the same. I dread going to work now more than ever. I'm mostly concerned about bringing it home to my mom. Stay healthy!

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  20. My runfession...I'm not 100% sure what side of the road I should be running on - I've always stayed to the left, or the center if the road is truly deserted. What about when I'm on the sidewalk in an urban area - is there an etiquette now that there are more runners and walkers? Thanks for listening! Trying to stay safe & distant out there ;)

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