Sunday, November 28, 2021

Enough Already

For the past 4 1/2 months since my injury, I've been patiently returning to running. There has been a lot of splashing around in the pool. Modified strength training. Walking and hiking. And finally last week, full-on running, using 3:1 run/walk intervals. I've been pretty pleased with what has mostly been uneventful, steady progress. 

Until Thursday. After my pool running session, I decided to set up our outdoor Christmas tree. The whole neighborhood sets up little trees in their front yards. It's pretty awesome and since it wasn't terribly cold, it was a good day to do it. I gathered the ornaments and proceeded to carry them outside when I missed a step in the garage and painfully rolled my ankle. Not my right ankle, thankfully. It was my left and oh did it hurt. I felt sick to my stomach and had to sit down for a few minutes to evaluate the damage. Nothing broken, thank goodness. I stood up and hobbled out to the tree. As I moved around to decorate it, I started to feel better. I finished my job and headed back inside to rub some CBD salve on the ankle and put it up for the day. As I write this, it's still sore and stiff but I'm able to run and walk without a problem.

Grateful nothing bad happened, I couldn't help but think, enough already! It kind of felt like a theme for the week.

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: run 5.25 miles
Monday: pool running 10k
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: strength training, running 5 miles
Thursday: pool running
Friday: run 5.3 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

It was a cold and blustery week. On Sunday, I did my miles around my neighborhood. I haven't run there much since I started trail running. I continued my run/walk intervals at 3:1. This was an uneventful, boring run and it reminded me why I don't run the neighborhood very often anymore.


After strength training with SJ on Wednesday, I decided to do a couple of loops around the local retention pond. I took a little side detour to make each loop 2.5 miles. I didn't fight the wind as much as I anticipated and I was grateful for this opportunity to get out of my head. That is, until the very end of my run. I was looping around to the parking lot when I heard someone call my name. It was a nurse who used to work at my doctor's office. She was walking with her grown son. I stopped to chat for what I hoped was briefly, but the conversation took an unpleasant turn when the subject of vaccination came up. I should have handed them a copy of this article and moved on. When I was finally able to extricate myself, I finished my loop, angry at myself for engaging in the discussion and frustrated by the interruption. After that, it was off to work where I got to have more of these conversations, just like I do every day now. Can I just say: enough already?


I woke up to the coldest morning yet! But it was Friday and it was time for me to fly. I was excited to wear my new Inknburn pullover. I was also excited to see what the sunrise would bring. I was completely alone on the path and it felt like I was the only person awake in the world. This chilly run put me in the right frame of mind for another very busy day in the office. 

No filter needed

Pool Running

I got in 2 pool running sessions this week! On Monday, I did my Fluid Running Turkey Trot 10k! The guided workout certainly helped keep me moving. Within each mile, she read a motivational quote, threw in a hill, and made us sprint. I was pretty tired the rest of the day after this, but I sure felt accomplished!


With nothing on the calendar Thursday (I'm trying not to run 2 days in a row right now), I was pleased to see the pool was open until noon! I did an old favorite, the Riptide workout, which is a mix of endurance and HIIT. I had the pool to myself for most of the workout, and I felt great when I finished. 

Strength Training

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, SJ and I met on Wednesday morning, and yep, she had me do deadlifts. I did 4 sets of 8, building to 140# for the final set. I was pretty happy about that! I alternated my DLs with weighted box side steps. Those challenged my glutes! After that we worked on assisted pull-ups, alternating with some plank work. I was pleasantly sore on Thursday and worked it all out at the pool. 

Thanksgiving

My sister hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was a small gathering with just my parents, my family, and my sister's family, minus one nephew. It felt great to all be together! On Saturday, my youngest and I took an impromptu ride into the city to join my oldest at a Wisconsin Badger bar to watch the Badgers play Minnesota for Paul Bunyan's ax. It was a disappointing game but I'm always happy when I can be with my boys. My youngest returned to Madison last night. I miss both my boys already! Mamas, you feel me on this, right?


How was your week? Did you do any turkey trotting? How was your Thanksgiving? How do you escape unpleasant conversations?

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


43 comments :

  1. Yikes on the ankle roll! So glad nothing is broken this time. Be careful out there in the garage.
    Glad you got to spend time with family and especially your boys. We just dropped off Maddie at O'Hare this morning. Sigh.

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  2. Ouch on the (other) ankle. I was a paranoid freak raking our yard recently because all the uneven terrain is not foot (or ankle) friendly for me. Add in the awkward twisting motion of vigorous raking and it’s often an accident waiting to happen, LOL. I hope things continue to heal!

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    1. I was equally as paranoid on the trails today! They are covered with leaves and so I couldn't see any of the tree roots underneath. I was stepping cautiously.

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  3. Oh yes, I feel you. I've been fighting off sadness since yesterday morning.
    Your ankle story reminds me of the time where I had a long, protracted battle with peroneal tendinitis (in my right foot, not the foot I'm dealing with now) and right after I finally got it healed up, I was running, stepped down on a rock and sprained that ankle badly. It was a low point of my running career. It sounds like yours is okay though! Fingers crossed.
    I love the pool Turkey Trot. You're ALMOST making me miss pool running!

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    1. Almost? I'm grateful for the guided workouts. It makes it a lot easier to do pool running.

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  4. That sunrise is stunning! That family photo is a close second. <3 <3 <3

    Oh, wow, I can imagine the panic when you rolled your ankle. Glad it wasn’t broken, but even a “mild” sprain can limit your activity. I hope it heels quickly.

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    1. We have had amazing sunrises and sunsets this fall. I love it! And my men...

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  5. that is scary. I practically break out in a sweat when I see ice.

    Be careful.

    Glad there was no real damage.

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    1. I was close to vomiting from the pain and the fear of another injury!!!

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  6. That photo of you in the pool with the bib is hilarious! Well done on the 10k.

    A technical question on pool running: you must be doing the 10k by time, right? Let's say the workout assumes an average of 6 minutes per kilometre, so a workout in this case would be 60 minutes?

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    1. Yes, the pool 10k was by time. It was a 55 minute 10k, so 9 m/m or 5.5m/km. I couldn't wear the bib attached to my suit--it probably would have disintegrated! Plus I was tethered to the ladder, so I was technically running in place. :p

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    2. That makes sense to do it by time. Thanks for the info, Wendy!

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  7. What a sunrise! And I'm sorry about the encounter with the nurse, that's so difficult. I am thankfully in a pro-vaccine bubble (and we got our boosters yesterday, hooray!) but I had a weird one with a taxi driver a while ago. Thought of something brilliant to say AFTER I had got out, of course. Hope the ankle heals quickly, what a horrible shock.

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    1. I always think of the right thing to say after the fact! But lesson learned and I will not enter into these discussions any more.

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  8. Yikes on the ankle! You do not need that right now! Glad you had a great thanksgiving with your family. It is never easy to say goodbye to the kids when they leave. I miss mine already

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    1. We got to have that one last bit of fun yesterday--thanks to my youngest who suggested it!

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  9. Oh man I'm sorry about your ankle! So glad there wasn't any serious damage. Sounds like you had a nice Thanksgiving and time with your boys. My son left this morning and the house already feels too quiet.

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  10. Sometimes you can't escape. Let's just say I had a heated conversation with my sister the week before Thanksgiving (on her side), which had her yelling at me & hanging up on me & then completely ignoring me. Because I wouldn't agree with her that my mom should go to a nursing home. Yes, I feel badly that a lot falls to my sister, and I constantly tell her to do less so she doesn't burn out. But no, I'm not going to tell her it's ok to move her to a nursing home. Anywho . . .

    That sunrise is amazing, Wendy. I enjoy them from the comfort of my nice warm home -- often after practicing Yoga. :)

    Glad the ankle is ok & you're still running!

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    1. I feel like people are easily triggered these days and that everyone has strong opinions about everything. It's exhausting!

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  11. My heart was in my throat as I imagined you falling down the stairs and reinjuring yourself. A sigh of relief was released into the universe when it turned out to be sore but not broken or serious.

    Yes, this Mama feels it along with you, the heart tweak when the younguns' leave the nest again. After my son left for L.A. after his most recent ten day visit, the first in five long years, I was down in the dumps for a few days. Happily, as you know, we Mamas recover.

    Be well, stay safe.

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    1. I cannot imagine going 5 years without seeing my boys! Heck, I hate going 5 days without it, lol. I hear from them via text almost every day, even if it's just to drop a photo or a funny anecdote. Glad you were able to see your son after such a long absence. Hopefully it won't be so long before the next time you see him!

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  12. We had a great week in Yosemite! Perfect weather, cold, but clear blue skies the entire time. Saw family on Thanksgiving, some I hadn't seen in 3 years and didn't miss the ones who weren't there because they're the ones who like to stir the pot! Just pleasant conversations all around! Bonus was seeing my niece who is pregnant with her first - she's adorable.

    I rolled my ankle while we were hiking and my heart just kinda stopped there for a minute. Thankfully it's fine and I'm glad you're doing okay, too.

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    1. My heart just stopped when I read that too! Glad you are ok. We're so fragile! LOL

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  13. Great job on the pool running 10k!

    I'm sorry you're dealing with those vaccination conversations on the regular. That would be so frustrating. :(

    Gorgeous sunrise pic.

    Go Gophers! :) All 4 of my sisters and now my niece were/are Badgers, so I definitely am torn as I was influenced by them growing up, but I still have some loyalty to my alma mater!

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    1. We were disappointed in the outcome of the game, but next year we will get the axe back!

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  14. My heart sank while reading the first two paragraphs of this post. I literally said "oh no!" out loud. I'm glad that it wasn't too bad and that nothing was broken.

    So glad that you had a great Thanksgiving with family :)

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    1. That ankle injury just about put me over the top! Thankfully, it's just sore now and I'm able to keep moving.

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  15. Sorry about your ankle and glad there was not a real damage. The fear of another injury is always present, I know very well this sensation, it happened many times to me.
    Good job in the pool.
    Very beautiful family photo.
    To escape an unpleasant conversation I don't talk, I say "yes" or "not". My wife tells that I am asocial. It usually happens when I meet a friend and his wife who always talk about their job, their children, their studies ecc. and where they are the best ..... so I don't reply, I only say: "yes".

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    1. That is what I need to do! Everyone is so opinionated right now--there's no winning in these conversations. It is best not to engage. I like your style.

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  16. So glad you've been able to get back to running. Glad to ear the ankle roll didn't cause an injury.
    I bet those outdoor trees in your neighborhood look beautiful all lit up. Please share a picture this season!

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  17. Aww, great family picture! So wonderful to have the family home for sure. That really would have been interesting if you would have sent the link to that lady. 😆 Yikes on your ankle. Glad it wasn't anything worse!!

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    1. Probably not! She's actually very kind--maybe naive? Best to just walk away, lol

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  18. I had the cutest 8 year old patient today and she turned to me and said, "Did you know you can get the flu and the Covid shot at the same time? And it's no big deal?" I smiled really big and really wish others had the confidence and trust that she does....it made my day!

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    1. That's what I'm talking about!!! Every time I get kids who want the vaccine, it makes me smile.

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  19. Oh no on rolling your other ankle. Thank goodness it doesn't appear overly serious and you're feeling better.

    Your water turkey trot sounds like it was intense! I love that you did it! I ran my neighborhood turkey trot and it was wonderful having it completely back to normal. They even set up extra porta potties so we didn't have to worry about putting on masks to go inside the church to use the indoor facilities.

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  20. Enough already!!! But glad it doesn't appear to be too serious, but still, I get you! So happy you got to be with your boys and family this Thanksgiving and sorry about the unpleasant/ frustrating conversation in the parking lot. I'm disappointed that she is a nurse! I always expect more from the medical fraternity!

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    1. Oh me too! I don't understand medical people who don't understand this!

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  21. Oh, I do love that family photo!

    But yes. Enough already. I am almost scared to talk to people anymore, just because I am so anxious that our belief systems will be incompatible. Ugh.

    Hugs to you. It's terrifying when anything happens in the vicinity of the original injury :(

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