Saturday, October 2, 2021

I'm Walking, Yes Indeed

"I'm walkin', yes indeed,
and I'm talkin', 'bout you and me,
I'm hopin', that you'll come back to me...yeah..."
~Fats Domino

Another month without running, but September saw continued steady improvement on the healing and more crosstraining. I did have 66 miles of walking--not bad, all things considered. This month, I am participating in the Ice Age Trail Mammoth Challenge, which requires 41 miles, all on the IAT. As I mentioned in my Coffee Talk post, the biggest challenge for me will be finding time to get up to Wisconsin and on those trails! I'm happy to have this on the calendar since I won't see my ortho until the end of the month. Hopefully, then I will be cleared to run. 

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: walking 4 miles
Monday: pool running, strength training
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail walking 7 miles
Thursday: pool running, strength training
Friday: walking 5.33 miles
Saturday: rest

Walking

Yes, indeed, I got some good miles this week. The ankle and foot don't hurt but they do remind me that they are still trying to get their sh** back together. When I wake up in the morning, the ankle is stiff and I hobble down to the kitchen to make my morning coffee. As I move around, things loosen up. I wonder if this is how it's going to be for a while? Anyway, the weather this week was perfection. Sunday morning had me walking around my neighborhood. On Wednesday, I walked 7 beautiful miles on the trails. I didn't see any deer, but the transition to fall is taking place and the colors are starting to pop. I caught the sunrise on Friday morning on the bike path and it was the best part of my day. It was breathtaking. 

It never gets old!
And in October, we wear pink.

Pool running

I got in the pool twice this week for some Fluid Running. On Monday, I did the Riptide class, a combo endurance and sprint class. On Thursday, I fast forwarded to the 5k portion of the Take the Long Way Home workout. Mentally, this was a tough challenge for me as it was a non-stop 28 minute pool run, but I thought a steady-state run would be a great warmup for my strength sesh with SJ. The instructor provided a lot of support, which helped. I did my best to stay in one place in the pool, which meant my form was on point. As much as I love being in the water, it is getting more difficult to motivate myself to do them. Maybe I'll download a new class. 

Victory after a watery 5k!

Strength training

On Monday, I did this week's hypertrophy strength session at home. This week included the same lifts from the previous weeks at higher reps. The challenge was to increase the weight, which I did on all the lifts. For the back squats, to challenge myself, instead of the bar, I used 25# dumbbells. It.Was.Hard. I had no idea how hard it would be. I told SJ I did that and she said that squats using dumbbells is much more challenging. I was happy to hear that! On Thursday, I worked with SJ and she had me do power cleans/front squat complexes. She wanted to test the ankle. I was nervous about the wrist--remember that injury? But the wrist stayed quiet and I did 4 sets of 60#. After that, we worked on pullups and I did a core movement on a ball. 

Elbows up after the power clean, preparing for a front squat

Last gasp of summer?

On Saturday, we drove up to Madison to watch my son play rugby! There was no rugby last year due to the pandemic and earlier this fall, he sprained his MCL during practice. This week, he was cleared to play and we were so excited to see him back on the pitch. He played scrum half, which is comparable to the quarterback in football. He did a great job, scored a try, and was a tackling machine. Can a mama brag? Even though they lost by one try, I think they all felt good about how they played against a really tough team. After his game, we went to a brewpub for beer and dinner. When the hubs and I got back to the cabin, we went for a boat ride. I'm hoping for continued good weather on Sunday so I can get in some miles for that IAT Mammoth Challenge. Mind you, this is October! I'm enjoying this extended summer. I know what's coming.

That's my boy in red, getting ready to put in the ball to the scrum.
Big10 Rugby, Wisco vs Michigan

How was your week? Are you starting to see signs of fall? What do you do on your 'rest' days?

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


31 comments :

  1. I’m hanging on to every last remnant of summer because I also know what’s coming. Not much for color changing here, yet, but that’ll be coming even sooner. Great job with all that walking!

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  2. Pool running is not easy -- I can't even imagine. But it's doing your body good.

    No Summer here anymore. More rain on the way, of course.

    Fall has been showing up since August, LOL! No joke, there are always a couple of trees that begin turning then. We're still not quite at peak though. Really hoping I can go somewhere to see some pretty scenery other than out my window soon!

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    1. We're still having summer-like conditions. I could have waterskiied yesterday, but the water was too cold!

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  3. Another good and solid week with a lot of walking.
    A very beautiful sunrise, a great shot!
    Glad your son plays rugby. It's my favorite sport. I was a wing, too light for this sport but I had a lot of fun. Now the player is my grandson 5 y.o.

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    1. They don't start rugby until middle school around here. I love that your grandson is already playing!

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  4. So, a couple thoughts. It's perfect that you have the IAT challenge this month- I've found that the best thing to do while you're waiting to run again is get really engrossed in another project. That way you're not overly focused on the lack of running- and like you said, by the time you're done with this you'll probably be able to run again. Also, when you mentioned your wrist- when I have an injury I like to look back on previous injuries, that seemed so bad at the time, and are now healed. Your body can do it! If you get discouraged about your ankle, look at your wrist and appreciate how perfectly it healed.

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    1. I so appreciate this, Jenny! The wrist isn't 100%, but it is definitely almost completely healed. I had those same thoughts about the Mammoth Challenge--it's great for me to have a goal like this. I'm really excited about it.

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  5. How great for M to be back to rugby! Sounds like a good game! October sure has been mild. I will take it! No huge color changes yet but it's for sure starting.

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    1. I was just busting yesterday! He played so well and he loved being scrum half. I can't wait to see him play again.

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  6. Oh, I didn't realise a quarterback was a scrum half - that makes sense to this English lady! And well done on your hard work, you're amazing as always!

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    1. And vice versa on the QB vs scrum half here in the US. Try to explain rugby to US football fans...lol

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  7. Sounds like a jam packed weekend! The Mammoth challenge sounds perfect for you! My Achilles isn’t hurting but I can tell it’s still not 100% It’s hard to explain to the Doctor but I think you’d get it.

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    1. Completely get it--my wrist isn't 100% either but it's not hurting. It's just not right.

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  8. Love that you're doing a challenge this month. This is probably the best time of the year to hike/walk the trails and you can really take in all the beautiful scenery.

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    1. I love that I have to plan out my hikes on different segments--it definitely reminds me of preparing for a big race!

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  9. That sounds like a great challenge to do while you're waiting to run again! I am loving October weather so far. I hope it sticks around! Congrats to your son on his game!

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  10. I'm excited for you to have the Mammoth Challenge this month! And yay for a return to rugby - such a fun game! Sounds like your son is a natural at scrum half :)

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    1. He did just great! I held back and only shared that one photo, tho. We have many more. What a game!

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  11. That's a lot of walking miles Wendy! I swear my broken ankle is still achy/stiff 3 years later sometimes in the morning..it might just be the way it is, at least for awhile for you! Maybe signs of healing? I hope so!

    The IAT challenge sounds like a fun one!

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    1. I feel like it's healing. I was wondering if this stiffness is something I have to learn to live with?

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  12. Great job on your workouts and it's always good to get validation that something that felt harder IS harder. Yay for comfortable walking!

    Very few of our leaves have started to turn and I just heard that peak leaf color will be the first week of November this year.

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    1. We aren't going to peak for 2-3 weeks either. It's just really crazy!

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  13. I love seeing you doing so much to increase your strength and stay active. It is all going to pay off and help you get back to running faster. That is a lot of walking! Love that you are taking it on. The pool running is not easy either nice job this week

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    1. Thanks! i'm definitely feeling validated--I had a lot of climbing today and I felt really strong. Pool running for the win!

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  14. Walking is good esp this time of year. And pool running is keeping you in running shape.

    You'll be back out there in no time. I hope and this will be a distant memory (or nightmare.)

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  15. Yey for healing! Glad you're starting to feel better!

    I think you're doing great with the walking and hiking...so many miles! I loved the sunrise photo, so pretty.

    Aside from the 5k trail run I did a couple weekends ago, I also did some hiking and walking. Fall colors are very pretty now.

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  16. We've had a few trees showing off red leaves, so it's coming for sure now! We still haven't covered our pool and my husband went into it today. The water is 67 - far too cold for me!! Love the rugby picture. I know nothing about rugby but it looks like a great sport. Congrats to your son on the game!

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  17. I usually wake up stiff and hobbling. As long as I'm moving, it's ok, but once I stop, things stiffen up. It's much better than it was though.

    I'm so glad you got to watch your son play. Sounds like an exciting game!

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