I'm All Right

 Disclaimer: I received a HALOLIFE sport mask in exchange for my honest review.

This week, I finally got on top of my anxiety and started to feel a lot more like myself. With the tumultuous events of the previous week behind us, that awesome virtual trail race I ran last weekend, and a few good nights' sleep, I have been much calmer. I'm feeling really good following the second dose of the COVID vaccine. Even though there is still so much unrest and uncertainty, I am hoping that remembering the word I chose for this year, STRONG, will help guide me through the upcoming bumpy days. 

As always, this week there was running and there was lifting. I can't be mentally strong if I'm not physically strong, right? 

Weekly Rundown

Monday: run 2 miles, strength work

Tuesday: rest

Wednesday: trail run 4.1 miles

Thursday: strength work

Friday: run 6 miles

Saturday: rest

Sunday: trail run 8 miles

Running

I was really tired this week. I chalk that up to my trail race on Saturday, where I pushed myself harder than I have in a long time, the stress of the previous week, and to receiving dose #2 of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine. I felt fine after I got the vaccine, really. This week, I cut back on my miles, my pace, and took an extra rest day. A runner's gotta do...

 

On Wednesday, I strapped on my YakTrax and whomp whomp, the forest preserve workers were trashing the trail cutting down trees along the main trail and in the woods. I stuck to the single track trails in the woods. With the icy conditions, it was slow going. No complaints. This was an enjoyable but challenging trek. After navigating the icy trails, I was happy to call it quits after 4 miles. 

Friday morning, I woke up to a dusting of snow, 36 degrees, and very little wind. Perfect winter running conditions, right? Even though I planned on running the bike path, I laced up my trail shoes for traction. My trail shoes are stiffer than my road shoes and I adjusted my pace accordingly. Feeling the soreness from my heavy lifting session the day before also made me slow down. Overall, it was an enjoyable run, and the perfect start to a quiet day at work. 

Yes, it really was that dark at 7:30 am

I woke up Sunday morning in a funk again. It was snowing and I scrapped my planned road run for a trail run. I figured that a snowy run in the woods would help lift my mood. I was right. The new snow on the trail was soft under my feet. There was no wind and I was able to run a nicely paced 8. I had the trails mostly to myself, with the exception of a few of my deer friends. I never mind seeing them!

Strength Work

In lieu of the WOD on Monday, I decided to follow the gym's strength cycle. SJ writes the workouts for these cycles; this one is higher reps and lots of accessory work, what she calls a 'hypertrophy cycle'. Since I am nearing the end of my heavy strength cycle, I thought it was a good time to do this. I have to admit that doing the WODs at home is not nearly as fun as being in the class. To make it more like a WOD, I ran a mile before and after. 

Workout #1 consisted of:

-back squats 5x10 at 60% (65# because I don't have a rack and have to clean it up and over my head)

-RDLs 3 x10 (25# DB)

-front rack barbell lunges 3x10 (35# but definitely could have gone heavier)

-weighted box step-ups 3 x10 each leg (15# DB each hand)

On Thursday, SJ and I met for my strength session. I was still feeling a little uncomfortable after last week, but we talked and both of us chalked it all up to current events. I know it's affecting all of us. I'm glad we were able to work it out. She really is such a good coach. This week only 2 things were on the plan: deadlifts and front squats. And they were heavy. I built to 4 sets of 5 deadlifts at 160# and 4 sets of 3 front squats at 85# with what felt like the longest ever 2 second hold at the bottom of each rep. 

I Tried It!  HALOLIFE sport mask

Last week, I received a HALOLIFE sports mask to test. I know, we are all so over wearing masks, but it's going to be a while before we get to go out in public maskless. Since my CrossFit box is requiring all participants wear masks while in the gym, I thought it was worth my while to give the HALOmask a try. I've worn a few other masks--Inknburn and UnderArmor--while working out and have found it hard to breathe once my heart rate increases. I had no such issues with the HALOmask on Thursday while heavy lifting. The mask is lightweight and very comfortable to wear. The HALOmask comes in 4 sizes; after referring to the size chart, I ordered a medium. It stays up over my nose. There are adjustable ear loops, making it easy to fit the mask perfectly. My HALOmask came with a nanofilter, for additional protection. I didn't test the mask with the filter, and I have yet to wear the mask to a WOD. Compared to any other mask I've tried, I am very pleased with the HALOLIFE mask. 

HALOLIFE sport mask

How was your week? Have you been fighting the blues? What helps you? Any snowy runs? Have you been incorporating strength work into your crosstraining? Do you wear a mask when you workout? Have you tried the HALOLIFE sport mask? If you want to try it, there is a sale on all masks on the website. 

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