A Grateful Runner

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With Thanksgiving coming up this week, it's the perfect time to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. It's easy to get caught up in all the negativity that has surrounded us for much of 2020. I'm not going to focus on that today. Instead, I want to focus on my year of fitness, which has been a bright spot for me. 

After 4 years of struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, my disease is currently under control and I'm feeling really good. I always want to pinch myself when I say that because when you live with a chronic illness, you know that the rug can be pulled out from under you at any time. I've been pushing my body pretty hard this year, which has always been something I do when I'm feeling anxious or stressed. Fortunately, my body hasn't pushed back, instead responding to the challenge and giving me some fast runs and heavy lifts. For that, I am grateful. 

I am grateful that I discovered trail running this year. Not only did I make some new furry friends out in the woods, the trails force me to slow down and enjoy the ride. The trails aren't smooth and there are plenty of obstacles--think tree roots, stumps, and holes--which have improved my agility. Trail running is humbling because for me, it's more difficult than road running. I can't just dial up my music and zone out like I can on the roads. Trail running been a great way to mix up my runs and as I age, I see myself spending more time on the trails.

I am grateful for the opportunites this year to test out my legs at some live races. While the races I ran this year were nothing like what I am used to, it was still a good to put all that training to the test. Running those races also made me realize how much I miss live races, nerves and all. 

Finally, I am grateful to my strength coach for continuing to push me and helping me build muscles. Strength training is truly the fountain of youth. It might not erase my wrinkles, but being strong keeps my joints happy and allows me to do the thing I love most, running. I also can keep up with my grown sons, which has always been a goal of mine. They inspired the tag line on my blog, "sitting on the sidelines is no fun!"

Weekly Rundown

Monday: CrossFit home WOD

Tuesday: run 5.25 miles

Wednesday: trail run 6 miles

Thursday: strength train

Friday: run 6.2 miles

Saturday: rest

Sunday: run 11.25 miles

Running

I woke up early on Tuesday to get my pre-work run in. It was cold and windy and even though I was dressed properly, I was having serious regrets about this run. Work was slow and I spent most of the day at my desk with my illegal spacer heater blowing on me. I didn't warm up for the rest of the day! Will I do this pre-dawn run next week? Ugh.

Blurry zero dark thirty

Wednesday morning was also cool, but I didn't have to go running so early, which made a huge difference. Gusty winds were predicted, so I got myself to the trails by 8-ish. This run was an absolute delight. The sun was shining and my deer friends were waiting for me at the trailhead. They weren't in any hurry to scurry away, so I snapped a few photos and took my time walking past them. I ran on a different single track in the woods and enjoyed exploring. Saw a few odd things too. It's amazing how the trails change from week to week!

I was excited to run on Friday! With another warm, sunny morning in the forecast, I pulled on a pair of shorts and headed out to the bike path. As with so many of my Friday runs this fall, my legs just wanted to go and I let them. A speedy 6.2 miles (55:53/8:56m/m) helped me run off some anxiety and head into work with a smile on my face.

The forecast called for rain on Sunday but I had to work on Saturday and couldn't run-- I had no choice but to hope and pray that the forecast would change. Well, guess what? The rain went south and I had perfect conditions for my long run. The temperature was in the 40s, there was no wind, and the sun even peeked out a few times! I had no goals for this run but to finish 10+ miles, so I brought back the 4:1 intervals.  I've got a virtual half next weekend and I plan to do the same thing--enjoy the ride. 

CrossFit/Strength

On Monday, I was still feeling a little hesitant to return to the gym after last week's shut down, so I did the WOD at home. My home equipment was completely adaptable. The strength portion was 5 sets of cleans x2 + 1 jerk, building strength each time. I ended up with 55# but probably could have pushed to a little heavier. Shhh. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP, counting up 2-4-6-8, etc. of single arm devil's presses (25#) and dumbbell box overs. At 7 minutes, there were 50 sit ups. I got to 12+9 total reps when the timer went off. 

For Thursday's strength sesh Sammy Jo had a heavy deadlift AMRAP plannned. To start though, I did some resistance band work, upside down kettlebell shoulder presses, and empty barbell good mornings. Then she loaded up the bar for my deadlifts. All told, I did 10 deadlifts at 155#. Could I have done more? Maybe. But it was heavy! She was pleased. 

Heavy AF

To mask or not to mask...

Starting on Friday, Illinois returned to more restrictions due to the out of control spread of COVID. No indoor dining, no group workouts...yeah, it's just great. What CrossFit is doing is offering open gym workouts. Members have to sign up for times, there is a max capacity of 11 people, and everyone has to wear a mask the entire time. Coaches will be available for assistance. I've been reassured that besides all the cleaning they do there, the UV lights they've installed are really effective, there's constant air filtering, and the fans are always going.

I'm still not sure how comfortable I feel about going back to the gym when there are other people working out. I do usually go to the least attended class time, so there's that. As you know, I wear a mask all day at work, so masking not normally an issue for me, but working out in my InknBurn masks is a challenge. I don't know if it is the masks or if it's me, but it is really hard to breathe in them once I get going. I just ordered an UnderArmour mask, which is supposed to be 'great' for workouts, so when I receive it, I'll try it out and let you know what I think. 

These are such tough times and exercise has really helped to give me a sense of normalcy. Yes, I can continue to workout at home if I need to. But there's just something different about doing a workout at the gym. It would be great to continue to work out at the gym if it can be done safely. 

What are you grateful for this year? Are you getting your workouts in? Do you workout in a mask? Group classes, yay or nay? Pre-dawn runs in the cold weather?

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