Sunday, April 12, 2020

My New Normal

After 3 weeks of working from home and socially distancing, I'm starting to get used to my new normal. I'm not saying I like it, but I'm settled into a daily routine, which gives structure to my days. I still wake up every morning feeling sad, but knowing that I have to log into my computer for work and/or I have my workouts to do is a big help. Talking to my patients and to family and friends is a lifeline for me.

One thing that is not helpful is scrolling through Facebook. I'm trying to avoid it as much as I can because the negativity is as contagious as the coronavirus. The posts on the virus don't bother me--trust me, I've got the daily briefings from work--it's the political posts that are sucking the life out of me. This past week, I was watching our governor's daily briefing on Facebook Live and the nasty comments that people were posting were so upsetting. They were just plain mean. It doesn't matter what side you're on--the nastiness goes both ways. This should be a time of unity, but it seems that we're just spreading farther apart.

I'm pretty sure if I were busier, I wouldn't notice as much. For now, I just have to look away. Thank goodness for running!

Saturday's tough long run

Weekly Rundown
Monday: run 4 miles (2 with Cocoa)
Tuesday: Strength train, CrossFit
Wednesday: Trail run for Uncanceled Project, 10k
Thursday: Strength train, CrossFit
Friday: Yoga with Adriene
Saturday: Run 10 miles
Sunday: Rest

Running
I was getting ready to head out for my run on Monday morning when Cocoa looked at her leash and looked at me. I swear, she was trying tell me something. I was tired from my long run the day before, so I took her with me. At first, she was dragging. I think she wanted to walk, so for that first mile, we did. The second mile, we ran home. Of course, she was all wound up and wanted more, but I headed back out on my own for another 2 miles.

Run/walking with Cocoa


Wednesday's run was my Uncanceled Project run of the week. I again took my run to the trails for amuddy 10k. I was so tempted to make it a 15k but I had to get home to log on for work. Everything was starting to green up and oh my goodness, the birds and frogs put on a show for me, singing! It was just amazing and really fit in nicely with the week's theme of Hope.

The trails were muddy but fun!
Saturday I got up and out the door early-ish, but apparently not early enough. It was a pretty nice morning and there were a fair number of runners and cyclists on the bike path. While only one other woman besides me was wearing a face mask, most people did do a pretty good job a social distancing. I saw one group of runners, who I know from local races, that were running in a pack. Guess they're immune. I kept my buff around my neck, pulling it up as I approached people. For some reason, this run felt hard. I just couldn't shake the heaviness in my legs and my tummy was not happy. I was determined to finish and I did, but looking back, it was an unusually difficult run and I don't know why.

CrossFit
They are adding a lot of running to the classes, which makes me happy! I did 2 WODs this week. On Tuesday, the first half of the workout was a Tabata of Hay Bailers, Curtsey Lunges, and Skull Crushers. For the second half, I took it outside because the 20 minute chipper she had us do had 250m running every 3 minutes. I ended up running a mile and I completed the whole workout before the 20 minute cutoff.

Thursday's WOD had a 15 minute strength EMOM with strict presses, strict high pulls, and single arm rows. In between were 6 V-ups. The MetCon was a 10 minute AMRAP of double unders, jumping lunges, hang power cleans, and 60m shuttle run. The weather was bad, so I did 60m sprints on the TM. I know it's not the same but it's the best I can do. I ended up doing close to 6 rounds of this workout.

Strength
Yep, we brought strength training back!!! The home WODs just weren't giving me what I needed. I reached out to Sammy Jo and she programmed some workouts for me. Using my crappy home equipment, I got it done. On Tuesday, I did upper body work with strict presses and barbell rows, and on Thursday, it was lower body with front and back squats. She also gave me some skill work to do on both days. They were awesomely hard and I had DOMS all week. Hurts so good.


How was your week? Are you settling in to a 'new normal'? Is that helping you feel more settled? What made you happy this week? By the way, late breaking news: the Uncanceled Project extended the races for 2 more weeks with 2 more new themes and added 2 more distances, the 15k, and the 8k. It's not too late to jump in!



Looking forward to an Easter Zoom chat with my family. Whatever you celebrate, stay safe!


It's my normal! 

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


52 comments :

  1. My new normal strategy is being 100% focused on the present and not thinking about when stay at home will be lifted. And not focusing on things that don't help, and you nailed it, Facebook is at the top of that list. Happy Easter, Wendy!

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  2. I did my Uncancelled Run on Thursday, and I heard frogs and birds, too! Just like you, I thought it fit perfectly to the Hope theme.
    I like the idea of using the buff as a flexi-face-mask!

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    1. The buff works great--you can just slide it up when you need it. It gets a little heavy though, once you start sweting.

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  3. I'm afraid I'm getting used to my new normal. Will I ever want to go out and shop for fun? Eat dinner out when we don't feel like cooking? I am getting used to a much smaller amount of money we've spent over the last month...hmmm.

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  4. A few weeks ago Tom Skilling of all people was on FB live, talking about his gastric bypass, and people were making the rudest, nastiest comments. TO TOM!!! How are some people so filled with hatred?? I'm glad we have running, and each other, to lean on!

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    1. Oh now that just hurts my heart. Tom Skilling? What is wrong with people?

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  5. I do feel like I've kind of adjusted to this new way of life, although it helps that it isn't permanent. I am excited to start doing more stuff again when we can, like going to my favorite coffee shop, running with friends, seeing family and going to races!

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    1. I've adjusted too--but I still can't shake the ever-present anxiety. I think that is going to be with me long beyond this thing.

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  6. Looks like you've really taken a shine to trail running. Well done!

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  7. I really really struggled this week BUT I did run 16.1 miles which was my first what I'd call good week running after the full lockdown started. So that was something. And I got more work done every day so a bit better able to concentrate. But emotionally and mentally I'm struggling with the reminder that I have no family and it feels like no right to take time away from my friends' family time and energy, so I've felt quite lonely. But I know I'm privileged so I am trying to swallow that and just push on.

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    1. Your friends are your family and you shouldn't feel that you're taking time from them! I'm keeping in touch with my friends and they are helping to keep me sane!

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  8. This week was a little harder for me because it rained non stop for 5 days. We Californians aren't use to that! I wanted to get outside but wimped out. By Friday I felt like I was climbing the walls. We checked the radar and saw there was going to be a break. As soon as it stopped raining, Les and I headed out for a walk. I felt 100% better. Yesterday was sunny and I enjoyed every minute of being outdoors.

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    1. Being outside helps so much! That's why I run outside, even in the winter.

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  9. I had a good week of workouts, too! I added PiYo back into my routine, and I was able to do one of the free workouts from my gym (Gold's). Since I haven't run steadily since January 2018, I started back Couch 2 5K when this quarantine began, so I did 3 runs this week, and they all felt good! I'm so glad you posted about the Un-Canceled Project! It's given me a goal to hit each week as I ease back into running, and a focus outside of Covid-19 for a segment of each day!

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  10. The daily struggle between coffee and wine is real! When is it too late for coffee or too early for wine? I never really wrestled w this before now! FB has always annoyed me and now I again, I just can't do it. I only look at our group FB stuff. The nastiness is out of control! All the cool kids are all about IG and Pinterest :) Thanks for linking and have a good week ahead

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    1. And TikTok! Although I can't get anyone here to do that with me, lol!

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  11. Hmm, what made me happy this week? The project I've been working on all year is getting pretty close to being released! So that's exciting.

    That's great that Sammy Jo was able to make up workouts you can do with your equipment!

    Funny, looking at Deborah's comment, I don't spend a huge amount of time on social media in general -- which should be pretty obvious -- but I actually prefer FB to IG.

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    1. I like FB for contact with my old friends. But when I go to common sites, local news, etc, I'm always shocked by the nastiness of people.

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  12. How great that your coach was able to create more challenging workouts for you!

    The political stuff can be exhausting, though there have been a lot of positive stories and images on social media too! But I totally get it!

    How cute that Cocoa wanted to run with you! Ruth is always ramped up after the runs too, they seem to energize her!

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    1. Cocoa is just loving having everyone around. I'm worried about what happens to her when we go back to 'normal'; if that is going to be a thing...

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  13. That photo of the coffee and wine is pure GOLD, lol!

    I have really limited my news intake over the past 2 weeks. I usually spend 10 minutes on the Reuters website and that's it. They don't provide any of the information with a political angle which is nice, it's just the facts.

    I love seeing all of your home WOD workouts - you have been killing it!

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    1. I think my workouts are killing me, lol! I'm not sure what happened but by Saturday, I was wiped. Hopefully tomorrow, I can get back at it.

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  14. I wish I had some strength training Equipment right now. I'm jealous of everyone getting in their home workouts! And yes, being busy is a good thing. I am so busy right now that some days I don't remember everything that is going on!

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    1. It's just such a weird time. I'm glad to be able to get my workouts in. That's the only normal right now!

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  15. Oh Facebook...the bright side is all the memes. I just go there for the laughs. It's funny that I was telling Ron that I feel like this week the new routine felt semi-normal. But it's going to change again this week because my work schedule is changing. We'll adapt because that's all we can do right now. P.S. I love that you are loving the trails!

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  16. As a type-A control freak, it is hard not to be able to PLAN but there also is some relief in knowing that there is nothing I can do — except do nothing (i.e., stay home). Maybe the other people on the trail impacted your run? I’ve been surprised at how quickly I’ve “learned” to be wary of/annoyed with other people. I’ve always been a rule follower, and now more than ever I get aggravated when others don’t follow the rules!

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    1. I was really annoyed with the people but I think I would have been more tolerant had I been feeling better! I'm like you--I get mad when people don't follow the rules!

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  17. It's funny I was feeling fairly settled in until this week. I guess it comes in waves.

    You had a good week! That's great that they added more weeks to the Un-Canceled Project. Maybe I should join in...might help my motivation.

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  18. Facebook has been a major annoyance of mine for awhile....too many people looking to pick a fight (and not politely). A big "no thanks." Yes, I was happy to see the two additional weeks (and distance options) for the Un-Canceled Project...I might as well make that #5at5 part of the 8K mix ;-) This next week looks to be busy with Monday's 5K and Saturday's 13.1 as well.

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    1. I'm trying not to overdo the virtual races! I'll keep doing my weekly trail 10k for the Uncanceled Project and my half is in 2 weeks. Good luck!

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  19. I know what you mean about Facebook. I am done with it. What I don't know is if I can still access my running page. This week will be the start of a new routine for me. Now that I know what my schedule will be till June (I don't think we'll go back to school this year), I hope things here will be and feel normal.

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    1. I'm home until April 30--although I can't imagine we'll be seeing patients in the office in May, either. We'll see.

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  20. Haha I love the coffee and wine picture...I should have used that in my post today! I definitely appreciate having a little bit of a routine. I try not to go on Facebook much. Between angry political stuff and then seeing pictures of people who aren't social distancing, it can be frustrating. (Or people who write "we got together but stayed 6 feet apart!" but were clearly like 2.5 feet apart...) I tend to see much more positive stuff on Instagram so I am on there much more.

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    1. I feel like I can control my feed on IG so much more than on FB because I only have my business IG account. My feed is really 95% fitness. It's a welcome reprieve!

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  21. First rule of Facebook scrolling (at least on anything approaching controversial): DON'T READ THE COMMENTS! Seriously, that gets me more upset than whatever the post is all about.

    Weirdly, my new normal feels very much like my summer normal. I'm usually out of work because all my clients have left, it's too hot to go out, so we run early then stay inside, and it's basically just my husband and myself most days. The only difference (and not making light of it at all), is the fear. It is a new world out there, we're battling an enemy that can kill us, and there are still so many people who insist that it's just not a real threat. And that doesn't even take into account the economic toll.

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    1. The fear is the one thing that does not feel normal to me. I'm finally sleeping better, but I still wake up once a night with my mind just racing. I don't understand these people who say this isn't real and/or are posting articles that are controversial! I have silenced a few people (that 30 day option FB has is handy for that) because I'm so tired of reading the bullshit.

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  22. Indeed, the new normal is a real thing! Now that I'm back to work it does feel better to have more structure to my days. You had some great workouts! I am slowly incorporating more strength work but nothing too heavy yet!

    And ugh FB, hearing about people dying every day can be a bit too much to handle...let alone the usual trolls.

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    1. Glad to hear that you're settling in too! What a crazy time we are living in.

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  23. The politics (on all sides) are just out of control. While I like to know what people are thinking and what motivates them, the divisiveness saddens me.

    I didn't have much to get used to, as this has been my life for a while. I am "resigned" to pretty much everything now. Getting up to face a new day is hard because it's just more of the same. Ugh.

    Today was the first day I saw people exercising outside with masks. It was two women in their 60s and they walk every day. It was a bit of a shock.

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    1. I feel like I'm learning a lot about people that I thought I knew. I have one friend who is anti-vaccine and now she's posting all these coronavirus conspiracy theories. I had to 'silence' her--FB has that feature for 30 days. It's hard to know these things about people, isn't it?

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  24. I agree - so much negativity on Facebook. I also have friends that will make a bunch of posts on one day, and then say they are "leaving" the next day. Which is followed by their return - after a long 24 hours! Yikes. I'm glad you have found a daily routine. I really thrive on one. I thought about it this morning... do I get up early and workout, or sleep in and do it after work? I opted to get up. It's my thing! I'm sure your weights are still more than I could handle, but now they actually look like my size :) (well, if you took a couple plates off! haha!)

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    1. I know, the smaller plates aren't as impressive as those big ones at CrossFit, right? But they are the same weight, lol. I'm sure you'd do just fine with them!

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  25. Yes, starting to settle into some sort of normal. For a couple weeks I tried to avoid driving anywhere to run due to the congestion that's been happening on our trails, but I feel better when I go somewhere once or twice a week - so trying to remember the places people usually don't think about!

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  26. The trail 10k sounds really nice! Sounds like a good week overall :)

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  27. Don't you just love running trails?!

    My new normal is giving me a taste of what retirement might be like (well without the travel and freedom to meet friends for lunch, etc) and I'm not sure I like it... The more time I have, the less I accomplish!

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  28. So glad they added the 8K. I can walk that even if I don't run more than 5K for a bit as I let the knee heal. Glad SammyJo was able to help you from a distance.

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