Sunday, December 13, 2020

The Countdown is On!

55 bottles of beer on the wall, 55 bottles of beer. Take one down, pass it around, then you get drunk and you fall on the ground... Who remembers singing this song on school field trips?  Was it just my school? Ahh, the carefree 1970s...

When 2020 began, none of us had any clue as to what the year held for us. Like most of you, I had some races on the calendar and was going to plan my runs, training for my events as they rolled out. There were whispers of a pandemic brewing, but none of us could fathom what was to come. Looking back on the year, from a running perspective, for me, there weren't many races, but it was a good year for me with a lot of miles run. In fact, I am closing in on 1200 miles for the year. I didn't set a mileage goal this year, but as the end of the year approached and the miles piles up, I figured it was worth chasing. After all, it has been a long time since these legs have run this many miles.

Since my diagnosis with RA 4 years ago, I stopped setting mileage goals. But when I hit 100 miles for the month as part of a virtual challenge back in April, I decided to make it a goal to run 100 miles each month this year. Then I entered the Ice Age Trail race and accumulated some decent mileage training for that. The race may have been postponed until 2021, but I kept on running. 

At this writing, I am at 1145 miles for the year. There are no awards, no medals, just my pride, and that feeling of accomplishment on the line. All things considered, RA and an aging body, I'm really happy that I can do this. Oh and yeah, running was not canceled this year! I may have mentioned that before, lol. 1200 miles? I'm coming for you.


Weekly Rundown
Monday: run 8 miles
Tuesday: home WOD
Wednesday: trail run 6 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: Yoga with Adriene, treadmill run 6.2 miles
Sunday: rest

Running:

Tired of running in the cold and dark and needing a mood booster, I switched my planned WOD for a run. I took my shoes to the retention pond. I intended to run 6 but felt so good that I pushed it to 8. Mentally, I felt like a new person. I'm going to continue running on Mondays, weather permitting, until spring. I really was starting to dread that 4:30 am alarm. Why is it so much easier to wake up early in the summer than in the winter?


Wednesday was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for a run on the trails. It warmed up quickly--it's so funny how 50 degrees feels warm now--and the ground thawed, turning muddy and soft. This was trail running at its finest and I joked that I got lost in the woods, simply because I didn't want the run to end.


With rain moving in, Friday's run was gray and raw. My legs felt light and as my Friday runs have been, this was a zippy run on the bike path. When I got home and stopped running, there was a sudden, sharp pain in my hip and low back, so much so that I had to limp to my front door. Huh. The run itself wasn't an issue. It didn't feel like ITBS. I thought that maybe it was something I did the day before while working with SJ. Later in the day, the pain moved to my lower back, and yep, it was my old nemesis, my SI joint. Been there, done that! At least it wasn't as bad as the last episode. I spoke with my PT friend, who concurred and I set up a time to work with her on Sunday. In the meantime, she said I could continue to run. 


Still sore but feeling much less pain, I ran on the treadmill Saturday. Yes, I loathe the TM, but it was rainy, windy, and cold, and really who wants to run in that? Plus, I figured running slow and steady on a soft, smooth surface while recovering from a back tweak was the best way to go. Even better, I did a Yoga with Adriene class for low back pain prior to my run, which really helped a lot. To pass the time on the mill, I watched a video of the Ice Age Trail race from 2019. Near the end when the slower 50k and 50 milers finished, tears were flowing and not just from the runners! So much inspiration and FOMO. While I'm signed up for the half marathon for 2021 (deferred from this year), I may just go for the 50k in 2022 if I stay healthy and strong!

CrossFit/Strength

Tuesday's WOD couldn't be modified to a home workout, so I did the WOD from the previous Friday. The strength portion had 5 sets of 5 deadlifts at 60-70%. My barbell set only goes up to 95#, so that's what I did. Close enough. Those alternated with 8 perfect push-ups. The MetCon was a 5 x 3 minutes on 1 minute off of 12 thrusters (35#), 12 bar hop burpees, 12 sumo deadlift high pulls (35#), and 12 v-ups. I didn't have enough time to do 5 rounds, but I was able to complete 4. It was good enough. 

Thank you Secret Santa for the fun shirt!

So let's talk about what I did with Sammy Jo on Thursday, which she designated a 'deload day'. She started me out with side steps with the resistance band while holding a 30# KB. Those alternated with windmills holding a dumbbell overhead. These are supposed to work my core, but I felt awkward during the windmills. I am convinced this is what threw my pelvis out of alignment. Dammit. I also did lateral lifts using dumbbells. I ended with my favorite thing, rope climbs. SJ had me work on technique--yep, there's more to climbing than scaling the rope, apparently! She wanted me to do handstands after that, but I begged off. 


But Wait...There's a GIVEAWAY! 'Tis the season to be SAFE!

How's everyone doing with their holiday shopping? I'm actually done. My family is not getting together this year, so we're having a Zoom Christmas, yay. This means I have to get all my gifts wrapped and delivered to all my recipients before the big day. I may have done a little shopping for myself, too, lol. It's not too late to take advantage of good deals and RoadID, has a few things coming up: 

12 Days of Deals: RoadID is launching a new deal every day between now and December 18. Everything from Sidekick IDs to apparel will get its day in the discounted spotlight. 

The Rock Solid Collar ID Launch:  RoadID is super excited to introduce this new collar to our lineup of pet products. Check it out at this link! I may have to get one for Cocoa.

The Procrastinator’s Sale, December 13-15: Just in time for shipping cutoffs, the Procrastinator’s sale is for… erm, well… all you Procrastinators out there! It’s the perfect time to get a new ID or a gift card for the folks you love.

E-Card Sale Tuesday, December 22: When you don’t know someone’s preferred emergency contacts, hook them up with an E-card to customize their own ID. They'll be discounted on December 22.

I'm also hosting a giveaway on my Instagram --a lucky winner will receive a $35 gift card to select the product of their choice! The giveaway is live now and ends at 6 am on Wednesday, December 16. You can't win it if you aren't in it!


'Tis the season to be safe! I'm hosting a @roadID giveaway. You can't win it if you aren't in it!  @oldrunningmom #running #runchat #runsafe #giveaway

How was your week? Are you closing in on any goals you set for yourself? Did your goal change as the year went on? Are you entering my giveaway?

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






42 comments :

  1. Wow how impressive that you are about to hit 1200 miles for the year. Something to celebrate and be very proud of for sure. Your workouts with Sammy Jo always look crazy hard to me! I really did not set any goals per se with running bc I started off the year injured. I really just wanted to be running pain free again and I am happy to have gotten back there.Thanks for linking up

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    1. I'm very excited to hit that milestone for the year! After last year, I thought my high mileage days were over. It's nice to know it's still in me, although I am looking forward to cutting back a bit in January.

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  2. Great job closing in on 1200 miles. 100 miles a month is hard. My monthly mileage is all over the place. I'm at 1206 for the year, with a peak in July of 240 miles. That GVRAT really gave me the incentive to get those miles in.
    Where is that retention pond? That thing is huge. Looks more like a small lake.

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    1. Oh, that's Lake Arlington in AH! It's a 2 mile loop. I did a lot of marathon training there over the years. Sweet place to run this time of year. In the spring and summer, it's like running on the Dan Ryan!

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  3. Congrats on your year of "century" mileage. While obviously more isn't always better, it sure is satisfying to see big numbers. Especially when RA is in the background trying to smack you down.

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    1. This has been the year to do it! Who knows what's around the bend, right?

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  4. 55 miles to go! Well done, Wendy! I like that the goal came "naturally" during the year.
    My goal was to reach 2'600km, and I'm 9km away from it. I think I will reach it tomorrow.

    I love that photo of you on the trail. Is that an inkburn sweater? I like it!

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    1. I always say you have to go with what the day gives you, so I'll just roll with that and say I went with what the year gave me! And yes, that's an old INB sweater.

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  5. Great job on approaching 1,200 miles for the year - you've got this! There's nothing like "getting lost" in the woods because you're feeling so good and running well. I'm happy you had one of those runs!

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    1. Thank you Debbie! It's been a good year from a running perspective!

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  6. woohoo, awesome work Wendy! It turned out to be a strong running year for you! 50 degrees and sunny...that can feel really warm :) Jealous of those temps!

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    1. We've had some amazing weather this fall! Sunny and nice today again.

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  7. You've been up that rope again! I've done 1093.9 miles this year so far which is already more than I've ever run before - I've been doing 100 miles months since May (apart from one slightly under) and feel comfortable with that so I suppose 1200 might happen next year. Love your strong photos and have loved your inspiring blog companionship through the year.

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    1. Great miles Liz! I do miss your running blog posts! But happy to have you still part of things.

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  8. I'm done with my shopping because I'm not buying much this year, LOL. 50s is my favorite running weather, but I'm remembering that the 30s is nice if I cover my ears and wear gloves.

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  9. I didn't set a mileage goal this year. Im at 1,324 so I probably won't go for anything specific at this point. (I could maybe get to 1400 but I don't want to push it and I'm taking some cutback weeks right now). Hope your back is feeling better!

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    1. You've had some really nice miles this year! You're so close to 1400 and it's a nice round number...just saying...:p

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  10. Well done on the miles! Sorry your SI joint got pissed off again. Getting lost in the woods is the best, Reminds me so much of that carefree feeling I had as a kid.

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    1. We used to play in my grandparents back woods and every time I run on the trails, that feeling comes back.

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  11. If I'm humming 99 bottles again...So well done you!
    Love your deadlift shirt. Glad the pain is just sore and hope your PT contact can help

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    1. I'm better already. It's a chronic, annoying thing and I try so hard to avoid angering it. I haven't been good about yoga and well, there you go.

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  12. Part of my run was cold & rainy today, but it didn't start or end that way so it was fine.

    You've had a great year running, Wendy! let's hope 2021 is just as great -- with more live races for you.

    No real goals as far as running for me this year. At least for the most part. Just to keep running. :) The trails I ran on today are soft & pretty flat -- what I've been looking for in the area like forever!

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    1. The only goal I'm setting for next year, at least right now, is to run more trail races!

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  13. Oh yeah! You're gonna smash that new goal of hitting 1,200 miles for the year :)

    I have an issue with the windmill move too - I often have to lower my weight for it to feel "normal". There are just some moves that always feel off!

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    1. I don't think I'm going to do that one again! I like my hip where it belongs. lol

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  14. That's great on the upcoming 1200 landmark. Well done! Boo on the SI joint. Thankfully I've never had that kind of pain, but I've heard it can be a nightmare.

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    1. Huh. Never heard that. It's not a big deal. It's just a good reminder to take care of the maintenance.

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  15. 35 more miles!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to hit 1000 - haven't done it in 3 years!

    You are amazing. I cannot believe what you are capable of!!

    Ugh on the SI joint. Been there. My chiro cured me. Hope your pain is short-lived.

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  16. 1200 miles for the year is an amazing milestone! It's great that running has been so good to you this year. Sorry about the SI issues - glad it was short-lived.

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    1. I'm going to share more about managing SI issues after the holidays. It's definitely manageable!

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  17. I am excited for your goal! I did not set a goal this year but still am pleased with how I am doing this year. My goal for December is to run more than I did in November. I have about 68 miles to go.

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    1. You really picked up the pace (pun intended) at the end of the year!

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  18. I remember singing that song in college and I went to college between 04-08 lol. Guess it's one for the ages!

    Congrats on your yearly mileage goal! I initially wanted to try for 100 plus miles a month but injury nipped that in the bud. At least I made it to 1,000 miles total for the year before I got injured so now whatever I do is just icing on the cake!

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    1. I would have been happy with 1000 miles for the year too! Last year I barely hit 700 due to that prolonged RA flare, so this is a pretty sweet achievement!

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  19. Love the graphic! Congrats on almost hitting your mileage goal. That's awesome! That reminded me I needed to update my log and add my miles up! I didn't have a goal, but I'm happy with the amount of miles I'll have. I should be able to get 1500 this year. Fingers crossed.

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  20. Such Delightful Photos And What An Amazing Progress You Have Achieved - Bet Your Husband Believes You Are The Cats Meow - What Ever The Numbers Are, Proud Of You - The World Needs More Little W's - Big Hugs And Happy Holidays

    Cheers

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    1. No meowing over here, lol. But it's been a good year and bottom line, I'm happy to be feeling good enough to crush it. I'm looking forward to 2021 and lots of fun to come.

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  21. I wish Luna could wear a collar, because I would totally get her this one (pugs do better in harnesses, with nothing near their tracheas.

    I am so dang proud of you for all the hard work you have done. You should feel so accomplished.

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    1. Well thank you Jenn!!! I do and I am so grateful to be feeling good this year!

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