Sunday, August 16, 2020

Keeping On...

Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for roadID and receive complimentary products in exchange for sharing my love for them. I am an ambassador for RA Healthline and receive compensation for my participation. This post contains an affiliate link.

Stormy weather, a virus rages on, looting and riots in downtown Chicago, political turmoil...every day it's something new. I've been really busy at work doing school physicals, which this year more than ever have revealed deep emotional issues in so many of the children I care for. Life's really been tough for everyone. I'm grateful for the warm weather and the sunshine; for friendships and love, and these days, I'm especially grateful for running. My escape into the woods in particular gives me peace and clarity. That feeling mostly stays with me upon my 're-entry' into the real world once again. I try to bring my best to each day. 

How are you holding up?

Wednesday's trail run

Weekly Rundown

Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Run 5.24 miles
Wednesday: Trail run 6.5 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: Run 5.2 miles
Saturday: rest
Sunday: Trail run 10.11 miles

Running

Monday afternoon brought terrible storms and the end of our sticky, hot weather. When I woke up for my run early Tuesday morning, it was 62 degrees. Ahhhh. I enjoyed a nice easy paced run around the neighborhood, stopping to watch the sunrise and capture a selfie. Because if I don't post the run, it didn't happen, right?

I was so looking forward to my Wednesday trail run--it was another cool morning. As usual, I took a detour off the main trail into the woods on the single track, where I focused on not tripping on tree roots. I took a few new-to-me sections and crossed the creek on a fallen tree trunk again--hooray for that balance work, Sammy Jo! As always, I left the forest preserve grateful for these beautiful trails and the solitude and nature!

I woke up Friday to another gorgeous sunrise. There was no wind and the temperature was a heavenly 64 degrees. I cannot complain. I ran the first section of the bike path--there was a fair number of runners and walkers doing the same. I enjoyed a nicely paced run using 9:1 intervals before I went to work. 

For Sunday, I planned a long trail run. I need to get some mileage for those half marathons I have planned this fall. The weather was completely cooperative with this plan--it was 65 degrees and sunny when I headed to the trails. I ran a nicely paced trail run save for one glitch: I took a detour onto a single track and it ended up being a weed infested mess. I walked most of that section and spent the rest of my run plucking burrs off my shirt and shorts. Lesson to self: I should have turned back after I realized I made a bad decision. Once I was back on the main trail, it was smooth sailing. 

It looked good from the start...

CrossFit/Strength

Monday's WOD brought a new strength move for me--we worked on a complex of hang snatch + 2 snatch balances. I had to laugh because every time I think I've mastered a lift--the hang snatch--something new comes along. I worked hard on these snatch balances and under Sammy Jo's watchful eye, I got it. Sort of. The MetCon was an EMOM of devil's pressess alternating with double unders (I did singles) and pullups (I used the band). 

 
For strength on Thursday, Sammy Jo had me do a ladder workout of deadlifts. I started with 1 set of 21, followed by 2 sets of 15 heavier deadlifts, and 3 sets of 9 heavier deadlifts (165#). That was a total of 78 deadlifts, y'all! SJ told me she had programmed lighter weights for all the lifts but my warmup went so well that she pushed me to higher weights. 165 is 80% of my one rep PR! After that I worked on handstand pushups and swung the sledgehammer at the tire. At the end of our time together, SJ commented that I did "f--king awesome"! I love this woman. And yes, I felt all the DOMS on Friday. And Saturday. And on Sunday's long run too.

News you can use....

Earlier this year, I read a really good book, Such a Fun Age by Kylie Reid. An easy read that hits hard on some racially charged issues, it is a story about a young black nanny, caring for a white child. After I finished it, I reflected back on what I had read--there was a lot to digest! This week, my sister sent me a link to an online book club featuring the author along with Tina Fey and members of the Broadway cast of Mean Girls. Apparently they have a book club! Who knew? Anyhoo, it was such a good discussion and the participants had some of the same thoughts I did, plus several offered their perspectives on race and how the book made them feel. I highly recommend the book club discussion if you liked the book! I also learned that it is being made into a movie.  So, of course you need to read it because the book is ALWAYS better than the movie...

I'm excited to share that RoadID is launching a new style of wrist ID featuring a gunmetal plate. You can choose between bright colors or neutral for the band. This is the 19mm size. Use my code WENDY_2020 to save 20% now through October 1 on this band or any other purchase!

RA Healthline has started a separate Live Discussion group so that it is easier to find the chats. I'm going to be hosting 2 chats coming up! The first one is this Tuesday at 7:30 CST on The Best Foods to Eat with RA. Regular readers of the blog know that I've been really focusing on an anti-inflammatory diet. It's been a work in progress and I'll be sharing some of my experiences. I hope all the RA warriors out there and anyone else who is interested will join me! You can download the app here

Finally, I wanted to share that earlier this summer I was interviewed by a writer for Good Housekeeping online for an article about dispelling the myths about RA. The article was published this week and if you want, you can read it here! I was pretty excited to see it. 

An anti-inflammatory diet keeps this RA warrior active! Join me on Tuesday for a live chat on RA healthline!  https://go.onelink.me/RczE/a1f6bed6 via @oldrunningmom @healthline #runchat #running #curearthritis

How was your week? Were you able to catch the sunrise--or sunset? What made you laught this week? Did you read Such a Fun Age? Do you agree that the book is always better than the movie?What news do you have to share?

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


44 comments :

  1. Good workouts this week!I did catch a few sunrises this week and they were gorgeous! Hope you're doing well with the RA.

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  2. That’s cool that you are doing an online chat about RA. Glad to hear it’s starting to cool off. I welcome those temps but we won’t get them for a while. I’m a little concerned about the Chicago situation my daughter actually lives just a few blocks where some of it is. Insert worried mom face

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    1. I was supposed to meet Erica for a run this week-but I postponed it for a couple of weeks. I hope things settle down!

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  3. I loved Such a Fun Age! Glad you liked it too. It was one of those books that sucks you in and you can't put it down, but like you said, brought up a lot of good topics for discussion.

    Those coolers mornings this week were so nice here in Minneapolis too.

    Trail running is all about good balance! I'm sure all your strength training helps a ton!

    Great week!

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    1. My sore hammies didn't let me be as agile and I needed today-I didn't fall but I sure had some close calls!

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  4. I really enjoyed Such a Fun Age and found it very eye-opening but also a pretty easy and absorbing read - perfect for getting those issues across. And well done on another active and strong week. I'm still full of anxiety and upset about divisions in the running community and people not behaving safely, but I did manage to eat and drink IN at our favourite local cafe this afternoon with my regular coffee friend - for the first time in SIX MONTHS!

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    1. I still haven't eaten in a restaurant since the pandemic started--but I have eaten outside in their patios! Scary times.

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  5. I started SUFA months ago but put it down. I picked it up during our travels to Atlanta though and am loving it! Great week of workouts for you. The cooler mornings are everything!

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  6. Awesome workouts this week Wendy! Please send some of that cooler weather our way this week :)

    I haven't read Such a Fun Age but it looks like I need to add it to my list!

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  7. As usual we’re slated for cooler weather in the next few days. Today was cooler, but I just wasn’t able to manage a run unfortunately.

    Kudos on your interview & 10 miles on the trails!

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  8. Congrats on the Good Housekeeping interview/article — that’s a huge audience to reach! I’ve heard two podcasts discussing Such a Fun Age — I’m glad I read the book before I heard all the analysis.

    We’re supposed to have morning temps in the 60s this week — I can’t wait!

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    1. Wasn't it such a great book? I'm enjoying the variety of books right now.

      Fingers crossed the cool weather comes your way!

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  9. I've never heard of that book but have requested it from the library. I've read a few books you've mentioned here and have enjoyed them.

    Seems like we can say goodbye to the hot weather. Our AC stopped working on Friday during the day and it was tough to sleep that night. It is temporarily fixed for now but who knows if we will even need it anymore.

    Sometimes I like the book better than the movie and sometimes I don't. It depends on the book.

    I just got a new RoadID bracelet! It is yellow and blue, so colorful and I love it.


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    1. I don't think there's been a movie I liked better than the book! I like reading and letting my imagination flow. I hope you like Such A Fun Age!

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  10. There's keeping on and then there is keeping on! I tell you what, the running helps me hold it together like never before. Congrats on the Good Housekeeping article!

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  11. Thanks for sending us the weather. Glorious 68 this morning and I was all over the mud and puddles. YOu have such a gorgeous area to run, thanks for sharing it with us. Way to go on the lifts! I've done some of the Bway Book Clubs, but not that one (yet). I think the only movie I liked better than the book was Lord of the Rings, just could not get into it.

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    1. I've never seen Lord of the Rings nor read the book. That genre does not interest me.

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    2. I read the first one in Japan because someone wanted me to see the movie. It took me so long, the movie was out of the theatres. Saw 2nd when back in the US and read the 3rd book to find out how it ended. I like some fantasy, but not so much the epics. Although that said, I loved A Discovery of Witches

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  12. I had a look at that GH article about RA. It is very interesting and it's so cool that they featured you!
    A great workout and running week, Wendy. I think you are more than ready for these fall half marathons! I love the photo with you hanging from the fallen tree.

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    1. I'm sure I can do the distance--I'm more than a little sad to see my speed has gone away. I'm not sure if it's me or if it's all the trail running I've been doing. No matter at this point...

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  13. I feel like its already that time of year that I miss the sunrise when I run early! I'm pretty sure it was still dark out when I finished my runs this week but it was also really cloudy most days. You are doing amazing with that strength training!

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    1. Strength training has been eye opening--I guess all that work I did during the lockdown really paid off! Who knew?

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  14. Although I'm sorry about your trail episode, I also feel comforted that we were in the same boat this weekend with our trail mishaps and poor decisions! I'm so excited to read the article in Good Housekeeping! Well done! Hopping onto it right now :-)

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  15. I am so jealous about your mid-60s weather! That's about 30 degrees cooler than here. And I can't even say "it's a dry heat" because our humidity has popped up this week to make everything feel pretty awful.

    I see a lot of sunrises this time of year. Even though I'm not working I still have to get it done early or it doesn't get done at all!

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    1. This is the best time of year to live in the Midwest. Soon enough, you'll be the envy of all of us!

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  16. I think the Godfather movie is better than the book! Just me?

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  17. Such beautiful sunrise photos! You had a great week of workouts!

    That's great that you'll be hosting the chats for RA Heathline! And, congrats on the Good Housekeeping article - looking forward to checking it out.

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  18. Congrats on the article.

    I love your sunrise pics...it makes me want to get up early but not much of a view wiht the trees in my 'hood (that's my excuse and I'm holding to it lol)

    Thanks for the book tip. I love to read. Yes the movie is never as good as the book...never

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    1. The sun is coming up later and I'm debating whether or not to continue those Tuesday pre-work runs. I'm not a fan of running in the dark!

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  19. Sounds like a lot of good workouts this week! I hadn't heard of that book before but it sounds really interesting. I'll need to look for it.

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  20. I totally have to agree with the meme - "reading? What's that?" LOL! But I did read the entire Harry Potter collection with my family and we really liked both. That's a great interview. I'm glad you do let us know how you are feeling. RA was something I just learned about through you. I was not familiar with it before that.

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    1. I'm surprised--so many people have RA! Actually there's an increase in autoimmune diseases overall. Makes me wonder why?

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  21. I loved that book and I need in on that book club!

    I love watching your Crossfit gains! You are so strong and so inspiring <3 You never let anything get in your way!

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    1. Thank you! I just love that I can make gains even as I get older. It's really empowering.

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  22. cool GH article! thanks for sharing what you're going through !

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  23. Sorry for the extended delay in reading/commenting. Still no internet at home, but we do at least have power. Ugh to the weeds on that trail run! I totally hate getting burrs caught on anything. One time, somehow, Max had a couple of itty-bitty ones caught under his nose...those were fun ones to deal with.

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