Sunday, November 1, 2020

Wanna Get Away?

Yeah, I did. 

The weather forecast was favorable and with a new roof being installed on our house, it seemed like a good weekend for a quick getaway out of town. The temperature wasn't warm enough to take the boat out, but we enjoyed the sunshine and nature. The country might be on edge with the upcoming election and rising COVID rates, but for my husband and me, we found some peace and solitude in the woods of Wisconsin.

I'm convinced that nature is the cure for everything.  

Ice Age Trail

Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: Trail run 6.5 miles
Thursday: Strength
Friday: run 5.5 miles
Saturday: Ice Age Trail 7 miles
Sunday: rest

Running

This week, I had some really nice weather for my runs! It was cool, but I had sunshine on every run which really makes a difference. So do new trail shoes!! Wednesday's trail run was beautiful. The deer were everywhere and I had a buck who really didn't want to move out of my way, allowing me to get up close and almost personal with him. 

None shall pass

Friday morning's pre-work run started in the dark and I was able to try out my new Noxgear vest. I was really impressed with how bright it is! I didn't even feel it while I was wearing it. I caught a sunrise on the way home, so I feel like I got the best of both worlds. It was cold but I found some speed on this run (5.5 miles 8:49m/m).

Trying out my Noxgear vest

As I mentioned at the top of the post, my husband and I took a quick ride up to the lake house. It was a beautiful fall day. For those of you who know how high the COVID rates are in Wisconsin and yes, they are the worst in the nation, we too are aware. As usual, we packed all our food, so to avoid going to the store or anywhere there are people. As soon as we arrived, I headed to the local segment of the Ice Age Trail, hoping to shed the PTSD of the biting fly experience from my summer run. The IAT did not disappoint. But holy hamstrings--that elevation got me this time. I passed 3 women runners wearing their IAT race shirts and yes, I had FOMO! This will be a great place for me to get ready for next May's race. Because there will be a race. Please?

Hi-viz because it's hunting season

Sunday was blustery and cold, so I took a rest day. I did catch the full moon briefly, before the clouds covered it back up again. Spooky!


CrossFit/Strength

Monday's WOD started with a 20 minute EMOM of 5 strict pull-ups or progression ( I used the black band), 12 banded RDLs, and 30 Goblet Wall sits (I used 30#). There was a 1 minute rest between rounds. The MeCon was a 9 minute AMRAP of 50 doouble unders or 30 seconds of practice ( I did singles), 25 kettlebbell swings (30#), and a 100m row. I got through almost 4 rounds of this. Whew! Felt this one on Tuesday!

Strict pull-up, I'm coming for you!

For strength on Thursday, SJ had bench presses programmed. I did 4 sets of 10 at 60#. In between sets, I did dumbbell rows (35#). I finished up with single leg RDLs using a 30# KB and one legged lateral hops. 



In Other News...

I wrapped up the month of October with 111 miles, which is the dollar amount I donated to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research foundation in my sister's name. I symbolically wore pink for every run and workout this month! I ran a virtual 10k, the Pink Pumpkin race, which donates a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G Komen Foundation. I wore my pink roadID, which donated money to the American Cancer Society. So much good for breast cancer. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do good at a time when I feel so helpless, watching my sister go through chemo to fight this disease. 

In October, we wear obnoxious pink leggings!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was using Chil Wellness CBD products. I may have also mentioned that I'm now an ambassador for them. If you want to try their products, you can take 15% off your order using my code: wendyrunner15. I really like their products and they are a sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation, which is why I am working with them. My favorites? I love Aspen's Maximum Relief Salve for my achy knees. I also like Aspen's Maximum Relief Roll-On, which works especially well on my low back. There's a Sport Muscle Recovery Balm that I've tried too. I haven't tried the oral drops though. I wonder if any of you have tried CBD drops? I'd love to hear about your experience. 

Just some of the awesome ChilWellness products available. 
That De-Stress Essential Oil Roller has been in my daily regimen of anxiety relief!

How was your week? Have you been getting outside for your runs? Any wildlife sightings? Have you ever tried CBD?

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






 

38 comments :

  1. Yay on your 111 miles and donation — I’m sure your sister appreciates that support, even if you are over the pink. ;-) I definitely think being outside lets us forget the stress and turmoil of everything that’s going on. We are lucky to be able to escape for a while.

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    1. Someone made a snide comment on my runfessions post when I mentioned we were going out of town. I get it and I know I'm lucky to have a safe place to escape to. We're all just surviving right now.

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  2. Nice month on the triple-1's! I'm really hopeful that (small) live races will continue no matter what COVID does.

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  3. Great month, Wendy!

    I really mixed it up this week: Sunday - hike, Tuesday - road run, Wednesday - trail run, Thursday - bike on the trainer, Friday - yoga, Saturday - outdoor bike ride. It was fun, but my legs were completely done in! I had nothing yesterday. Ended the month with 180 miles

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    1. It's fun to mix it up, isn't it? I hope I'll be able to keep up with my trail runs once the snow flies.

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  4. So glad that you got away for a few days! Way to finish the month strong nice mileage and nice way to donate to your charity. Loving the cooler weather too!

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    1. Today is a little too cool and with the 40 mph winds, I'm just going to skip running, thank you very much!

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  5. Great leggings and great work, love the trail pictures. I've let my friend with RA here know about your CBD question as she tried it.

    We have terrible rates worse than first wave here and a consequent hard lock down (sigh).

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    1. We are worse than last spring here in Illinois but I guarantee you we won't go into a hard lock down. God forbid we actually try to mitigate the thing. Election day is Tuesday and I am a wreck! He needs to go....

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  6. I have RA but have never been a runner. I have been taking CBD for about six months. Recently I opted for a slightly stronger product. It does do something but is so miracle. I find it a useful addition to basic pain meds of Naproxen and paracetamol, as I don't want to take opiod meds unless absolutely necessary. I was warned on a FB group not to take CBD whike on prednisolone.

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    1. I will have to try it. Right now I'm feeling quite well and the topical CBD works well for my localized joint pain.

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  7. Wisconsin...is a disaster. Glad you're taking all the precautions when you go. And yes, nature really does cure a lot of things! I hope races are back by MAY of next year! But I'm sure you saw that Boston was already pushed. I'm guessing a lot of that had to do with the lack of races for people to qualify with as well!

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    1. I've still got the IAT on the calendar for May. Do you think Wisconsin will have its act together by then? Maybe everyone in the state will have gotten COVID by that time. I shouldn't joke but what a mess!

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  8. A getaway sounds so nice and I think you're right: Getting out in nature is as close to a cure as we've got right now. The trails are my solitude and sanity.

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    1. The IAT was just gorgeous. The last half mile of the segment was really soggy, so I skipped it. Otherwise it was just what I needed.

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  9. Those are really great ways to support your sister! What an awesome donation! I've been doing most of my runs outside up until this week when we had lots of rain. Its a nice option to have when the weather is gross and I'd be running in the dark anyway.

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    1. I'm hoping that with the time change it won't be quite so dark for most of my run!

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  10. I'm glad that you were able to get away for a few days before all the craziness of Election Day. My anxiety is through the roof about Tuesday - ugh!

    Congrats on running 100+ miles last month! I'll continue to keep your sister in my prayers <3

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    1. My son is working the polls in Madison, so I'm a little on edge about that. Heck, the whole thing is making me nervous.

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  11. So many prayers & healing vibes to your sister, Wendy. I thought about the pink pumpkin race, but obviously, my week took a turn.

    Only one outside run this week, but still walking. Not quite as much as in the past, but now I am more free to walk more, too. So I did. Yes, I totally agree that getting out in nature is soothing.

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    1. Hopefully, you'll be able to enjoy some nature this week as your heart heals.

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  12. I totally love my Noxgear vest. It's seen many miles in the past two years, on foot and on wheels. I'm ever grateful to get outside everyday, even in the crazy pre-mature cold weather we've had in Iowa. You just can't beat that fresh air!

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  13. Kudos to you on all your monthly miles. I hope to have 1000 for the year and that only means 84 per month. I even find that hard but I am walking and hiking more. I enjoy being out in nature...as you can tell.

    Glad you could get away. Even day trips heal the soul.

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    1. Truly. We did go for a drive yesterday and it was really nice to check out the countryside.

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  14. That deer, so close!
    I love those pink leggings, but sad for why you are compelled to wear them this year. I love NoxGear. So light and a pleasant find this fall that I could pull it tighter than my last wearing, one of my last work days in March.
    Nature is os healing. We'll get there. Somehow

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  15. I'm so glad you were able to escape for a bit of peace and quiet.

    Congrats on your monthly mileage and your donation. I continue to send good vibes to your sister.

    Thanks for sharing your Chil Wellness code - I'm going to try them out.

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  16. Congrats on your ambassadorship!

    Great job on your mileage for October! I was not that far behind you. Thanks for the motivation and encouragement to donate. Felt so good doing it.

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    1. I loved that you pushed past 100 and you donated to Lynn Sage!

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  17. <3 <3 <3 I'm so proud of all the miles you put in for your sister. She is so lucky to have your support.

    I am so glad you were able to get away. I think removing yourself from reality is so necessary right now. I wish I could just pack up and take off, even though we practically just got back. Sigh.

    No trails yet for this girl. I'm worried about unstable ground. But yes, you will absolutely be back for IAT in May! <3

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    1. I'm loving trails this year! Nature is definitely keeping me sane.

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  18. The donation for the miles is wonderful. Love the obnoxious pink tights too. I will have to investigate if CBD is helpful for high hamstring tendinopathy. I could really use something!!

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    1. I've had better luck using it on my joints than on my muscles! But it might be worth a try.

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  19. I haven't tried CBD oils, although I have had a few companies pitch it to me. Perhaps I should try it for my cranky knee...

    Great job on your miles, donation, and getting away for the weekend.

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    1. I've only tried the topicals. I admit to being a little nervous about ingesting anything!

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