Sunday, March 7, 2021

A Slow Return to Normal and Mini Book Review of I Hate Running and You Can Too

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link.

Is it just me or does it feel like things are starting to get better? At least with regards to opening back up, that is. I'm not talking about dropping the mask mandate--it's a little too soon for that. With the approval of the J&J vaccine this week, I'm starting to feel much more optimistic. Even better---this week, I found out that my favorite race, the Lakefront 10 Miler, is going to take place on April 17. Live. On the actual course!! In Chicago!!!

Can you even believe it?

Of course, I signed up. With a guaranteed refund if the race is canceled, I saw no downside to jumping right in. Fingers crossed that I get to cross that start line! 

The sun is shining, the snow is melting...I can just smell the optimism! 

Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 7 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: trail run/hike 6.25 miles
Sunday: run 4 miles

Running

The sun was shining on Wednesday and I figured that after a week of warm temperatures, the snow had to be close to gone on the trails. I wasn't wrong. The trails were snow covered, even icy in spots, but the snow was crunchy and packed down. The creek was thawing too. It was in the 40s when I headed out and even though I didn't layer, I still felt warm! With the slick conditions, I couldn't go too fast and that suited me just fine. 


Friday morning was crisp and cold, but the sun was already coming up when I headed out for my 6 miler on the bike path. The path was clear of snow and ice and my legs just wanted to fly. So I let them, finishing this run in just under 54 minutes. Every once in a while, they surprise me!


We took a ride up to the lake on Saturday to do some more demo and pick out new carpeting (yes!). My husband wanted to do some painting in the afternoon, so I laced up my shoes and went to the Ice Age Trail. I started out hiking to Gibraltar Rock and was rewarded with spectacular views! I made my way back down the trail to my car and decided to continue my hike on the rest of the trail. I had never done this part of the segment before. Oh my goodness, it was amazing! Since the trail was mostly ice and snow covered, I couldn't get a lot of running in, but I didn't mind--it was so beautiful--and technical. While the climbs had me heavy breathing, I saw all kinds of interesting things: from the ski resort across the lake to a tree with eyes painted on it to a rock with sticks coming out of it. I shared a bunch of photos on my IG, if you're interested in seeing more. The Gibraltar segment ends at the ferry that crosses the Wisconsin river; in the summer you can take it across and connect to another segment of the IAT that eventually takes you to Devil's Lake State Park. This trail is a gift, it truly is. My heart was full. My body? Exhausted!


I woke up early Sunday morning. With more work to do on the house, I promised my hubs I'd get out and back with plenty of time to help him. My legs were tired from yesterday, so I did an easy paced 4 miles, catching the sunrise. Sometimes that's all you need, right?

Strength/CrossFit

Monday's WOD started with deadlifts! Have I ever told you how much I love deadlifts? The rx was 6 rounds of 2 deadlifts at 80-85%; I did 155#. We alternated that with a 30 second handstand hold. The MetCon was an E2MOM of 16 minutes: 12 power cleans (35#), 20 lunges, and AMRAP situps. I learned that 35# was too light--remember last week, when 55# was too heavy? This was a fun MetCon and I ended up with 108 situps at the end!



I met with SJ for strength training after a couple of weeks off. We moved to the new training plan, which will focus more on stability work. She had me do chest pulls alternating with dumbbell chest presses (20#). After that she loaded up a PVC pipe with 2 kettlebells swinging from a resistance band. I had to walk with it overhead for 3 laps. And if you think it's easy, try it! I alternated that with hollow holds. Yeah. We finished up with sled sprints outside. 


I Read it! I Hate Running and You Can Too by Brendan Leonard



FYI, the author of I Hate Running and You Can Too doesn't really hate running. In this comical, entirely fun book, Brendan Leonard shares his feelings about running. There are graphics and comics that will make you laugh out loud. Leonard is a humorist, a graphic artist, and a runner and he uses his skills to remind us that really, running is ridiculous and yeah, we can hate it. And we can love it. Sometimes we just take ourselves too seriously. Leonard reminds us not to. This was such a fun read. To be released on March 16.



How was your week? Did you get out and enjoy the sunshine? Is spring blooming where you are? Have you read any good running books lately? 



I Hate Running and You Can Too is a new book that will make you love running! My review /via @oldrunningmom @workmanpub #running #runchat #WeeklyRundown

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






42 comments :

  1. I'm amazed how different it is now compared to when we headed to Florida in early Feb. Spring is most definitely around the corner. I saw some Sandhill cranes this morning. Apparently they followed us here from FL! Haha! The Ice Age Trail sounds fantastic! Glad you got a chance to explore.

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    1. Thank you for bringing them back with you, lol! Yes, I am beyond excited to do more exploring of the IAT this spring and summer!

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  2. It was super windy here this week but very sunny so I'll take that positive, lol.

    That's awesome that the Lakefront 10K will take place in person! Many of the teachers at my mom's school are getting the J&J vaccine today. I do think that vaccine will help to expedite things since it's only one shot.

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  3. How exciting that you'll be (fingers crossed) able to race at that 10K! We've got several races going on here. That book looks good. I'll have to check it out! I just finished Greenlights, which is a memoir by Matthew McConaughey. Not running related, but it was entertaining!

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    1. It was a super quick read, would be a good gift for a runner or wannabe runner!

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  4. It does feel like we are very slowly getting back to a little more normal! That's exciting that the Lakefront 10 miler will take place. That book sounds like a fun read!

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    1. It's my favorite race and I'm really excited it's going to happen! Now to train...

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  5. you got some great runs in this week for sure! I wish things were coming back to normal here but we aren't even close. I'm sad but what can I do? I'm just going to have to have FOMO that people are going back to racing again.

    My instagram friend Hedwig wrote a book called "Ik haat hardlopen... (dacht ik)". (I hate running... or so I thought). It's also a funny memoir of how she got started and the pure coincidence that she was actually really good at it (like really, really good). We haven't met in person yet but at some point we will as her parents still live here in the same town I live in. I love when people can also write about the funnier side or running and the range of feelings we runners always go through.

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    1. Sounds like a funny memoir. I'm sure we all have some good running stories to share--it would be such a gift to be able to write them so people would find them humorous, right?

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  6. That is so exciting that you have a real race to look forward to! My beloved cherry blossom is now in September. I have plans to visit my daughter in Chicago Memorial Day if you hear of any races that weekend let me know! The photo you took today is just gorgeous! I guess I miss a lot sleeping until 7:30 :)

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  7. Sounds like things are feeling a lot better Wendy -- that's great!

    No, Spring hasn't sprung here yet -- but supposedly next week will be MUCH warmer. This weekend was rather brutal.

    A good trail is a balm for the soul. :)

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    1. Just seeing the snow melting away has done wonders for my psyche!

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  8. Things are looking up, for sure! Sounds like you had a great week of running on some gorgeous trails. And a live race next month! Could we possibly be heading into a "normal" summer???
    Love the sunrise running pic!

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    1. We actually had a wonderful summer, weather-wise, last year. It was almost a consolation prize for everything we had to deal with. I want it all this year, lol

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  9. The Ice Age trail is full of surprises! Nice week Wendy. I'm feeling optimistic as well, even though I won't be getting vaccinated until the end...if only I was a smoker or obese! Jk.

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    1. Well, with the J&J vaccine being released, I'm hoping that will be sooner rather than later for you.

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  10. Hooray for feeling better and doing a race! That's something to look forward to. I can't wait until I run in a real (not virtual) Race again!

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    1. I'm really excited. Fingers crossed it actually takes place!

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  11. Something tells me that I would enjoy I Hate Running very much, so I'll have to check it out. I think that races are going to go back to normal and I can't wait. I said I was going to take it easy on the races this year but I'm getting a lot of emails for live races so I wouldn't be surprised if I go on a registration spree. Fingers crossed that the Shamrock Shuffle will be my only virtual race this year!

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    1. I'm hoping there won't be any virtual races for me this year!

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  12. Still winter here but spring is coming....

    That books sounds like one I have to put on my list.

    The sunshine was amazing today. I didn't mind the cold and wind. And any day on the trails is a good day for me. So today was good!

    Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

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    1. The improvement in our weather and with my back have really made things better, that's for sure!

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  13. Even with a couple somewhat cold days, we still had sunshine this week. A huge improvement from a few weeks ago. I’m ready for even warmer days ahead, and this weeks forecast looks promising:-)

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  14. That book sounds like a fun read! Your Ice Age trail run looks amazing. What a cool photo - is that a halo? ;-)

    I am freaked out over everyone getting optimistic about covid. My mom can’t even snag a vaccine appointment and she’s in the 1A group. Virginia is still reporting ~1500 new cases a day and nearly 100 deaths a day. I need to check my local statistics ....

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    1. I was just on the Wisconsin Covid site and good luck to my son getting a vaccine. I couldn't even find how to make an appointment. And I thought Illinois was bad, lol!

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  15. Yay for the Lakefront 10M! And with the guaranteed refund, why not, right?

    It looks like you had some great weather - it was ridiculously windy here but I think Spring will be making an appearance this week.

    The book sounds like a fun read :)

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    1. The wind hasn't been an issue at all. I'm sure our turn will come! But i hope not.

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  16. That is exciting about the race! Hopefully you'll get nice weather for it. I am so glad it is warmer and the snow is melting. All of the sunshine definitely helped my mood.

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  17. Those walking overhead PVC pipe kettlebell carries look intense, wow! Great job on your workouts and how exciting to have a 10-miler on the Lakefront coming up!

    I Hate Running and You Can Too sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  18. Whoo hoo for optimism! I love to hear it! It's like a weight is being lifted, isn't it?

    Love that you got a refocus on your strength training! I'm sure that helped quite a bit!

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  19. I definitely know more people who have been vaccinated than have had covid, and that does feel positive. Though we have a long way to go yet.

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    1. We really do. It's nice to see things starting to loosen up, tho.

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  20. Brendan Leonard has another good book out about how he got into climbing. I can't remember the title, but it was funny.

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  21. Fabulous Photos - Good On Hubby For Painting And Accomplishing Chores - As For Returning To Normal, Hard For Me To See/Agree With That - Humans Are Still Making Poor Selfish Choices - But I Am Pleased You Have Events To Look Forward To - Stay Strong Enjoy Your Weekend

    Cheers

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  22. I am starting to feel more optimistic about the pandemic too, even though it will be a while until I can get the vaccine. I am glad you got the J&J one. That's the one I would pick if I had a choice. Be careful running on those snow covered trails! Great running week, Wendy!

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    1. I got the Pfizer vaccine, back in December! My son just got the J&J last week.

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