It's been a crazy week--COVID is back with a vengeance, don't even get me started about the election, and the weather, well, it's a changing. By the minute, it would seem. Wouldn't it be nice to just go back to the calm and easy days of summer? Hang on, because I think we've got a bumpy ride ahead.
Thank goodness for running and fitness. Nothing helps me to roll with the times more than my runs. Even--or maybe especially the bad ones!
Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit with 1250m running
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 6.2 miles
Thursday: strength and yoga
Friday: run 5.5 miles
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run 10.5 miles
Running
My Wednesday trail run was on heavy legs. Ugh. I'm not sure why I was so tired--it couldn't have been that ridiculous WOD from Monday, could it? The nice thing about the trails is that there's so much to see, I can take my time, guilt free. The deer were out enjoying the colors, just like me, and I was happy to see them!
When I woke up at Friday morning, the threat of rain and storms was imminent. I studied the weather radar and decided to take my chances. It was 65 degrees and sprinkling. I don't mind a warm rain and this was a really pleasant run. Around mile 4, I heard the crack of thunder and the rain started to pick up. So did my pace. By the time I got home, it was pouring and the wind was whipping. Talk about timing!
As I said on Instagram today, sometimes the best part of a run is when it's done. I feel terribly guilty even complaining when I'm physically able to run, and 10 miles at that. But this run did not feel good and that's my story. Next time will be better. That is the best thing about running and what keeps me coming back for more. I did break through the barriers on the bike path again and got to check out the new bridges, so there's that....
CrossFit/Strength
Ok, can I just say that as ridiculous as Monday's WOD was, I loved it! We started off with deadlifts and perfect pushups for the strength component. The deadlifts were 4 sets of 5 at 60-70% (I did 135#) with a 20 second hold on the last one. THAT WAS SO HARD. Just saying. The MetCon was a 12 minute AMRAP of a 250m run, 12 Push press (I did 55#), and 10 V-ups. I made it through almost 4 rounds. I felt this workout for several days. But...deadlifts and running?
On Thursday, SJ had strict presses on the plan. I did 3 sets of 10, 45#. After that there were front squats. My least favorite lift. I strapped on my wrist wraps and did 3 sets of 6 at 90#. It was hard. There were some sit ups in there too. I finished up with hip bridges, 3 sets of 10 at 95#. And that's all she wrote.
In other news....
I saw my rheumatologist this week for a 6 month follow up. No labs, no testing, she was happy with just my exam and my progress. The plan is to begin to wean my Humira, gradually, from weekly to every other week, which is the normal dosing. I'm thrilled! As all of you know, I have been feeling well this year, running well and lifting all the weight. I changed my diet and have, for the most part, been avoiding foods that seem to trigger symptoms. I have a regimen of supplements that are supporting my immune system. I haven't taken any steroids this year. It's really exciting to have found my strong again! I will follow up with her in another 6 months for blood work and an ultrasound. While I don't anticipate a completely medication-free future, this is great news.
Big 10 football is back!!! We live streamed the Wisconsin Badgers vs Illini game on Friday night. It was really weird to see Camp Randall empty. Really weird. My son lives near the stadium and he said they could hear the announcer. The Badgers debuted their new quarterback, a freshman named Graham Mertz and can I just say ON WISCONSIN? He was amazing. It was a lot of fun to watch. They won 45-7. My adrenaline was still flowing from having to call 911 for a patient at the end of my work day, so yeah, I was pretty pumped up!
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| The best college mascot |
How was your week? Crazy weather making your head spin? Do you have any good news to share?
Yep, some runs are so bad that all you can do is laugh. And trash talk it afterwards. But bad run or no, you got some serious miles this week! Hooray for good news!
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for that good news! A little nervous about the medication wean, but we're doing it slowly so hopefully RA won't try to sneak back in!
DeleteWhat fantastic news from your Dr! I am so happy to read that you are doing so well and will reduce your meds.That is a huge win! I also saw my IU hoosiers beat Penn State yesterday in a thrilling game. I am so happy to be running regularly again and pain free.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that you're running well again. It seems like everything else falls into place if we can run, right?
DeleteI kinda feel like every week is Groundhog day if that makes sense? My week always consists of anxiety, anger, stress, work and laughter - and it's pretty much been on repeat for months now. It's a cycle that I hope breaks soon!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about your check up appointment! Great to know that things are moving in the right direction. I'm so happy for you!
I feel like you do--such a roller coaster of emotions!
DeleteGreat news on your check-up! I never thought to ask — is the Humira an injection or infusion? Regardless, I’m sure you are glad to be cutting down on the dose. Your fall trail runs are so lovely! It seems the leaves in my neighborhood turned all of a sudden this week.
ReplyDeleteMy Humira is an injection I give myself every week. I won't miss doing it that often!
DeleteGreat news on your 6 month dr visit! That is awesome to be able to reduce the meds. Front squats are my least favorite as well. My elbows just aren't on the program. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteThe heavy weight just pulls me forward. It's a lot of core to hold myself upright. They are just really hard.
DeleteSuch great news on your 6 month visit! That is wonderful to hear. You are most definitely running and lifting strong!
ReplyDeleteAnd you still managed to get in a run photo in the middle of a big storm :) Dedication, ha!
I took it right before the skies opened up, lol. What a crazy run!
DeleteGlad to get the voting ovr with. Now let's have the election over!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat news for you medically.
I hate to complain about how slow my runs are with the numbers of persons coming down with Covid-19. I am fortunate to be able to run.
I feel so much guilt complaining about anything right now!
DeleteI'm so glad you have found a rhythm to working out again! I remember when you were struggling and I'm glad that passed and you are doing well now. I knew we would have another uptick in cases; it's really sad that we can't seem to get a handle on it but every other country somehow can. I also think it's funny you refer to 65 and rainy as "warm rain." That's chilly as heck in Florida!
ReplyDeleteLast year was a bad year for me--it's been so nice to feel like myself again!!!
DeleteLol to your perspective. I'd take 65 degrees every day!
Yes, we GET to run, and even the tough runs are a blessing. Having endured two lengthy running sabbaticals, I am grateful for every time I can hit the road (and treadmill, on occasion). The weather, though, I have ZERO issues complaining about that. Glad you got some good news on the RA!
ReplyDeleteWell, Kim, we can't do much about the weather so why complain about it? I think running in inclement weather actually makes it feel less awful.
DeleteSuch awesome news on your check-up! It's been great to see you both running and lifting so strong this year.
ReplyDeleteThe numbers here are climbing quickly - it's so disheartening :(
Thank you! I've been enjoying my fitness this year. You never know when the rug gets pulled out from under you.
DeleteSo glad you've been doing better with managing your RA! Our weather was crazy too. We had everything from fall to summer to winter happen this week.
ReplyDeleteIt got cold so fast! I'm not ready for it.
DeleteI hope to get cleared to run after I see the podiatrist this week and the orthopedist next week! Then I will get back to those lovely 10 mile runs (although I'm with you, I'd rather not run in a storm).
ReplyDeleteI did advanced voting and my ballot has been accepted so check that box off!
As some friends and I were saying the other day, we may need either celebration treats or consolation treats depending on how the election turns out. I'm not counting on anything, I remember four years ago all too well.
I hope you get cleared to run! We're going to need running more than ever, no matter what the outcome next week.
DeleteI *just* booked a wine tasting at a very nice local restaurant for November 4. As I told my husband, we'll either be lifting those tastes in celebration or crying in the wine glasses.
DeleteSo glad to hear you've found your strong. Still trying to vote here, but hopefully on Tuesday the lines will cooperate.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can cast your ballot soon!
DeleteMe too. At absolute worst I'll vote day off as we're closed so I can camp out
DeleteThat is great news from your rheumatologist! I know things have been going well for you and I love following along your runs and workouts.
ReplyDeleteFriday morning I went out and it started pouring. I waited and waited but it did not clear up. Then I went back inside but noticed that by then it had stopped raining. I had 30 minutes to run 20 minutes. Plenty of time, right? But I still had to shower and get ready. I decided to go for it (why procrastinate?) and was late to my class by 3 minutes.
See, sometimes it all works out! Glad you got that run in.
DeleteMy friend here with RA has just gone on Humira and feels she is getting a slight improvement, which is brilliant, and she's also been able to get away for half term to see the sea, which I'm so pleased about. Great strength and pics as always!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your friend is doing better. Tell her to be patient. It certainly took me a few years to really turn the corner.
DeleteWell, enjoyed many great walks last week. That's my good news. Haven't killed my husband yet. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent news on your checkup! I hope your regimen keeps you continuing to enjoy life.
The dreaded wintry mix is in the forecast for the end of the week. :(
Every week is a good week when we don't kill our spouses!
DeleteGreat news!
ReplyDeleteThat is great news about the checkup! Hmmmm, my good news is that I don't have any bad news! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's good!
DeleteThat is wonderful news about your appointment! I love to see and hear that kind of progress! Fingers crossed that everything continues to go well.
ReplyDeleteWe had a hard run today. Legs were angry. Humidity was awful. I was so glad when it was over. Ugh. It's hard to complain, but it is what it is.
Things here are ok. Our area is hanging in there, but it's all still very strange. I hate it.