Sunday, July 19, 2020

Ice Age Trail 21k Training Week 7

Maybe you noticed or maybe you didn't, but I didn't post at all this week since my last Weekly Rundown. It wasn't for lack of trying. I just couldn't come up with anything to write. To tell you the truth, I've been feeling pretty uninspired. I'm just so disheartened about current affairs and the overall bad behavior of people in general that motivation was hard to find. I'm tired of the pandemic. I'm tired of the politics. I'm tired of the lies. I'm just tired.

There, I've said it.

There have been some bright spots, though. My job, of all things, has been bringing me much joy. The kids are happy to see me and the parents express so much gratitude. There was, however, that dad on Friday who kept putting his mask below his nose, even after I told him to pull it up. It reminded me of that comic I shared a few months ago that compared putting your mask below your nose to letting your penis hang out above your underwear. Being the immature person that I am, I couldn't stop thinking about that during the entire visit. I'm glad I had my mask to hide my smile, but I had to hold back from rolling my eyes. 

My training also continues to bring me joy, which is no surprise. For many reasons, I'm really glad I dropped down to the half, but especially because we are having such a relentlessly hot summer. With no pressure to complete long runs in the heat, I'm enjoying my training so much more. And isn't having fun what it's all about? Yeah, I get it, running is hard, but in the end, it's all about that sense of accomplishment, of joy, of empowerment!

Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit-like workout, bike 2.25 miles
Tuesday: Run 5.33 miles
Wednesday: Trail run 5.33 miles
Thursday: Strength trail, bike 2.25 miles
Friday: off
Saturday: Bike 18 miles
Sunday: trail run 7.5 miles

Running
I woke up early Tuesday to run 5 miles before work. It was a coolish 66 degrees and there was a beautiful sunrise. My legs felt light and I fairly zipped around my neighborhood. This run reminded me that there are better days ahead.


Wednesday's trail run, on the other hand, was just steamy! I took some of those miles to the single track and enjoyed my meandering slog in the woods. I'm always amazed at how much slower those trail miles are than my road miles!

I woke up Sunday to a 'feels like' 88 degrees and a text from Marcia telling me that it would be ok to skip the run and go for a bike ride. With heavy cloud cover and a breeze, I decided to proceed with my trail run. I'm so glad I did! In spite of the oppressive conditions, I managed to eake out an average pace of 11:25 per mile, which is pretty decent for the trails. Don't get me wrong, when I finished, the tank was empty, but I felt really good about this run. Plus I got to see one of my deer friends.


Strength/CrossSomething
I just don't know what to call my workouts formerly known as CrossFit. For Monday's WOD, we worked on snatches (hey now!) and I was excited to build to 40# for my lift. Those overhead squats are tough! The MetCon was 3 rounds for time of 15 Squat Cleans (40#) alternating with 15 bar hop burpees. The goal was to be done in under 15 minutes and mission accomplished. 


For Thursday's strength workout, SJ had me warm up and stretch out my hip flexors. The straddle leg lift exercise was tough! After that we worked on power cleans, followed by split jerks. The cleans went so well that I got a PR of 85#! That wasn't the goal for the day, but we went with it. It took a couple of attempts--I struggled to get under the bar--but I did it!


Cycling
With the never ending heat that we're having, I'm so grateful to Marcia for putting cycling in my plan as an alternative to running. I've been riding my bike to the gym, which serves as a warm up for the workout. On Saturday, I got in an 18 mile bike ride. It didn't happen easily. I worked Saturday morning. I considered getting up early to ride, but my bed was oh so comfy. When I got home from work, I had lunch and decided that even though it was 'feels like' 98F, I'd go for a ride. When I let Cocoa back in the house from a trip outside, she was limping. She wouldn't step on her front right leg. We went to the vet--the orthopedic vet was there that day. They did xrays. There wasn't any fracture or other evident injury. The vet prescribed an NSAID and gabapentin and I brought her home. She was still acting like herself, which was a good sign, and my husband was home, so I felt comfortable going for my bike ride. 


It was steamy but there was a breeze, and I rode over to the forest preserve where I run. I rode on the paved paths. Probably because it was so steamy, there were very few people on the path. I completely enjoyed this ride. 

In Other News...
My poor little pup. The medications made her tired, which is probably a good thing, but it's hard to see her like this. I'm hoping that the downtime she's having by sleeping more will allow her to heal. She's still sassy...and that makes me happy. She's still hopping around on 3 legs, but we're really trying to keep her from moving around too much. 


Without breaking HIPAA, I'm going to share that I saw a child this week that I believe had a COVID rash. I tried to get this child tested but believe it or not, due to federal testing allocations and our relatively low disease burden, rapid testing is not available in Illinois except in an emergency situation. We provided the family with testing information, but they were unable to get the child tested based on the 'lack of symptoms'. To say that I was disappointed would be a huge understatement. Angry? Yes. I don't know for sure if this child had COVID, but if he did, I was exposed as well as everyone in my clinic. This is the reality we have to live with right now. It's just so disheartening. 


How was your week? What's bringing you joy? Are you still training in the heat? Have you been tested for COVID?

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






50 comments :

  1. OK, first let me leave a positive comment about your workouts, runs, and bike ride, and wish Cocoa a speedy recovery. Now, WTF on the testing??? I won’t even mention all the athletes and their entourages being tested every.damn.day but people here are getting tested with no symptoms before/after vacations or family visits — to hear that a child isn’t getting a test is mind-blowing. Or would be if we had a functioning federal government and national policy/protocol. I saw my pulmonologist this week and he was angry and depressed over the whole mask “debate”. And Georgia suing to stop masking requirements? Again, mind-blowing.

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    1. Exactly--and this is why I'm feeling so uninspired. Science is losing out to fantasy and whims. It's just so disheartening!

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  2. I'm so sorry about the down-feeling (and poor Coco) - I have been feeling so dispirited recently, and also fearful of going anywhere or doing anything. And one of my more anxious friends has been going in the shops a bit and bars so now I'm feeling pathetic. So hard to shift these feelings.

    Ha on the penis nose - because I saw one in the coffee shop when I was getting my weekly takeout (they are super careful and hygienic at least). And I immediately thought PENIS NOSE and was glad I was wearing a mask (properly)!

    I'm so sorry about the kid, too. Ugh. It's really quite hard to get tested here. There are drive through centres but what if you don't drive??? (us). I am still sure my husband has had it but it's even harder to get tested for antibodies.

    Great strong week exercise wise anyway and love your powerful inspiring pics as always.

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    1. Ok, so let's keep the PENIS NOSE thing going! I seriously want to print out that meme and hand it to all these men--because it is mostly men--who are letting their penis nose hang out of the mask! LOL! Love you!

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    2. Some guy selling energy providers or something came to the door and my husband ended with "and pull your mask up over your NOSE" which I think showed remarkable restraint considering he also knows about PENIS NOSE!

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  3. Glad to read that you are finding joy in your job and your workouts. We are all tired and exhausted from this whole thing. Biking is so much better than running in this heat isn't it? Hope you have another strong week ahead! PS it is hard to come up with things to write about I am reaching this week

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    1. I have a new smoothie recipe I am publishing this week! Woo hoo!

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  4. I know someone here who was ill; she didn't think she had it, but she was going to visit her parents, so she got tested. She had to wait a week (but self quarantined) & delay here trip. Testing is a mess. And no, haven't been tested.

    Yes, it absolutely should be fun & I'm sorry that I made you feel badly about your change of plans. Truly not my intention. This would be such a tough summer to train through, although I was thankful we had a little break this week. That actually helped me to push a bit harder this week!

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    1. No break in the heat yet for us although we hear it's coming, only to usher in a new firing up of the blast furnace!

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  5. I have been tested for covid and so has my husband prior to outpatient procedures we each had. Funny (not) how you can get tested prior to going into a facility for a procedure but not due to having actual symptoms!

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    1. The whole thing is such a convoluted mess. Everyone can get a test, my ass!

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  6. Totally understand! I have found myself struggling to come up with things to write about so I pretty much just stick to my Sunday and Tuesday posts. Since I'm not training for anything, I don't have anything to say about that, and also the world is just so depressing which doesn't put me in the writing mood at all.

    Awwe, poor Cocoa :( That photo makes me so sad but hopefully she will be back to her energetic self soon. That's very frustrating to hear about the COVID testing issue. I know that we're able to get tests here in CT but I don't think you get the result quickly - maybe 7-10 days? That seems ridiculous especially if you do have COVID but don't find out until almost 2 weeks later.

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    1. I think the sad part about it all was the testing sites not wanting to test because of supposed lack of symptoms. Umm rash is a symptom...

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  7. I hear you, the infection rate of "COVID fatigue" is 100%, and just like the real disease, denial is not a treatment. Our state has very limited testing and the results are always shown as "known cases and probable cases". Thank goodness for running (and for running blogs!)

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  8. Sorry your pup is not feeling well. Hopefully the meds clears it up fast! Trail miles are slow, aren't they? Or maybe it's just my Garmin that goes a bit whacky out in the park. I swear we had just open testing for COVID19 back in June at a Rite Aid store. I haven't been looking into a test, so I'm not sure how available it is now. We did have someone in our office test positive, but I did not come in contact with them. The whole situation for testing is frustrating for sure!

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  9. I hope Cocoa is feeling better today. Look at that sweet face. Why wouldn't the rash count as a symptom?? I hate how broken our state and federal governments are right now. Very disheartening to say the least.

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  10. Yes to everything you said in your opening paragraph - I'm right there with you!

    Poor Cocoa - I hope she's feeling better soon.

    I don't even know what to say about that testing situation - frustrating and very disheartening :(

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  11. My inspiration for writing kinda waned this week as well. Then Max...I wish he (or ANY dog, for that matter) could tell us exactly how they're feeling. He's acting completely normal, but tired (from the meds) and is still gimping, too. Hopefully, both of our dogs are on the mend. Biking has been a nice option in this heat, even with the wicked wind I had to fight this morning.

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  12. What is with people wearing their masks below their noses? I've seen that a lot and just shake my head.

    Our wonderful weather has been bringing me joy - upper 50s in the mornings with relatively low humidity, high 80s to low 90s during the day. You can hate me now, but our worst season comes next with Santa Ana winds and fires in the Fall.

    Hope Cocoa is better soon.

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  13. I'm so sorry about the down feeling, but you're dealing with a lot- your poor pup, work stress (WOW- seriouslY? WTF!) and everything else. I hope next week is better.

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    1. I hope so too! It's a shorter week for me--we're hoping to spend some time on the water!

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  14. Hey Wendy! I, too, have been down this week....not sure why, but I am starting a new exercise program tomorrow, so I'm hoping that helps to turn things around! The heat down here in GA is just too much, so I have been walking with Hubby in the mornings and riding my bike or doing a streamed workout for my actual exercise each day. I have not been tested for COVID, but I have been really quarantining and have not had any symptoms, so far. Hoping things turn around for all of us soon! <3

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    1. I wonder if it's just the cumulative fatigue from the ongoing pandemic and all the unrest? I know it's wearing me down. The heat has been a challenge too. It's just too much! I hope you feel better this week!

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  15. Of course I missed your posts last week! Where's Wendy?
    Glad to hear you're enjoying work and the workouts!
    I love being on my bike right now. It's great to have this option to running.

    Haha, the Penis Nose!!! I have to think of that meme EVERY SINGLE TIME!! LOL!

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    1. Haha! See, now you'll have that reference every time you see someone with their mask below their nose!

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  16. It's pretty easy to get tested here with or without symptoms. My husband works at a medical facility and always has ridiculous stories though. So many patients there get tested with no symptoms because of upcoming procedures, many of which are elective.
    The heat has been so relentless this week! I bet its nice to have the bike as an option on those really hot days.

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    1. Supposedly it is easy to get tested here too--it depends where you go. Some places aren't testing children. The whole thing has left me feeling disheartened.

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  17. Wendy, I think you made a good decision to move to the 21k. With all the sstuff going on right now in our country, it is easy to get disheartened. A 50k is a stressor. You are right, it's supposed to be fun. There will be better times to train for a 50k. Keep romping in the woods.

    Hope your poor little Cocoa is better soon. When Benji was sick, the hospital vet prescribed gabapentin. He couldn't walk or even raise his head when he was on it. We had to ask our vet if we could stop giving it to him and our vet agreed. That gave him a few good days where he was walking around and eating normally.

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    1. We've only been giving the gabapentin twice a day with the hope that it will keep her calm. She's still trying to chase that ball!

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  18. I feel you on being tired. I'm tired too. It feels like those of us taking is seriously are carrying a huge burden because others are not.
    Oddly, Indiana did something right and made Covid testing available and free to any Hoosier who wanted to get tested, even without insurance. You just make an appointment and go to the spot in town. I have not been tested yet, but it's comforting knowing that is an option since my husband goes into the office. (Thankfully, his office mandates masks.)
    I hope Cocoa is better soon! Our dogs take gabapentin when their anxiety is bad (like for the Fourth of July). It wipes them out!
    Great job on your workouts this week! This has been a crazy hot summer already.

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    1. Interesting about the testing. Illinois supposedly has the same policy, so I'm not sure why this mom was told she could get her child tested. Maybe he was too young? I just want this to get under control, but since our leader won't make masking mandatory, it's going to rage on.

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  19. I hear you on the disheartening state of the world (or rather country) right now. In addition to all of the big problems going on, people are just so rude! It's been coming on for several years (yes, I'll say it, since November 2016) but the mask thing has seemed to send people over the top.

    Random thought: Maybe the sport/workout formerly known as crossfit should just have a symbol, like Prince did for a while. :-)

    I haven't been tested for Covid. I haven't had symptoms or been exposed, and with the length of time it's taking to get results it's pretty pointless anyway.

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    1. Ha! You get me. I had that thought about the symbol when I wrote this post!

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  20. Your comment about the dad with the mask not covering his nose made me giggle too! What a solid week for you in terms of workouts and I'm so glad you are happy about doing the 21 instead of the 50. You definitely made the best decision. Really hope Cocoa is feeling better soon. My Coco is struggling a bit with his arthritis (he always gets so much worse during winter, plus he is 16 so getting on now).

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    1. That's old for a dog! My Cocoa is only 4. She's still hopping on 3 legs, but seems better today.

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  21. Oh Wendy, I am right there with you. I am tired of all of this as well. Every single day I wake up and say "Now what? What is going to happen today that will piss me off?" Right now what is on my mind are the schools. I get it that people want schools to be open but it bothers me that they say that just so they can leave their children there while they go to work. I mean, I get that too, but schools are for kids to learn and not babysitters. What is the best decision? Who knows?

    Covid rash? Umm, that I was not aware. No, I have not been tested. Yes, I've seen that meme about the nose and the other body part and it make me laugh too.

    I am glad your workouts are making you happy. Mine too. Right now that is one thing I do look forward to each day.

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    1. The school debate is the latest thing to distress me! If I had school aged kids right now, Im not sure what I'd do. I'd certainly consider homeschooling until the vaccine gets approved.

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  22. keep it up, I love reading your posts! I'm thinking "same" on many of your thoughts & observations about what's going on in the world. Running/biking/walking bonus is getting away from all media, even it means melting in the heat!
    Happily, I've gotten some joy lately from children too - I'm reminded that sometimes toddlers think I'm HILARIOUS (pretty low bar, I realize) and I got to help with some 7 week old twins!

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  23. This is a very tough summer to train for a long race. I am pretty sure it was not like this last summer.

    Sending healing vibes to poor Coco.

    What is bringing me joy?

    not the annoying pain in my feet but that I can ignore it enough to walk on all the beautiful trails nearby (that I had no idea existed)

    and having a boat where I can relax on a beautiful lake (trying to talk my hubby into buying me a SUP).

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  24. Poor, sweet Cocoa. I hope she's feeling better.

    I had a terrible weekend, being tired of all the same stuff you mentioned. Some days I can be positive and get past it and some days... It's just so hard to keep the chin up and the eyes ahead.

    I can't believe your one patient's parent. Just keep your mask up! Why is that so hard?

    I don't know if we can get rapid tests here. I think some cities have them. I hope your patient (and your office) is ok :(

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  25. The testing thing is baffling. I live in a very rural and remote county but it is quite easy to get a test and results are quick. It seems the discrepancy is huge.

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    1. It just doesn't make sense, but then again, nothing does right now!

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