Sunday, January 30, 2022

A Little Downtime

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

The week started off strong. I had a minor surgical procedure scheduled for Tuesday. I knew that I'd have to lay low the rest of the week, so I started the week in high gear, making sure I got some good sweat in before I was banished to the couch. 

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: snowshoe running 5.5 miles
Monday: pool running
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: rest
Friday: walk 6 miles
Saturday: walk 4-5 miles (Garmin was uncooperative)

Running

I was so excited to wake up Sunday morning to 4 inches of fresh, powdery snow and sunshine! I finally got to try out my new snowshoes. As much as I love XC skiing, it's not running and I wanted to run. I learned about running snowshoes earlier this winter and found a highly rated but affordable pair, Yukon Charlies. As I mentioned in my runfessions post on Friday, I didn't realize it at the time, but Amazon sent me the wrong pair! Naively, I took myself around the preserve, 5.5 miles on my new snowshoes. It was hard work, but I'm anxious to try it again with the actual running snowshoes I ordered. It was a beautiful morning and I had fun breaking trail. I saw a herd of deer in the woods and lots of deer tracks on the trail. Clearly, the deer enjoy the snow as much as I do!

Pool Running

On a quest to get in high-quality workouts before I was sidelined for the rest of the week, I dialed up the Max Out workout on the Fluid Running app. I had just tethered myself to the ladder in the corner of the pool when a woman, who was swimming against the tide, swam into me! She stopped and glared at me and asked me if I was going to swim laps. I explained what I was doing. She turned around and swam just past me on her way back to the other end of the pool into the group of pool noodlers. It was then I realized that it was the nasty old lady who threw her vaccine card at the pool attendants 2 weeks ago. I started my workout and she swam at me again. I stopped and as she swam past me, she told me she needed to use the ladder,. Now mind you, the dive well was empty save for me and the few other people. There are steps on the other side of the pool. Why did she choose to swim where we were swimming and use the ladder I was tethered to?

Anyway, I was glad she left the dive well for the lap pool. I resumed my workout. It was hard and I was tired, but satisfied. I was able to shake off that encounter, and I hope that it doesn't happen again. 

CrossFit/Bootcamp

I wanted to get in one more big workout before my surgery. Since I didn't have to go to work, I signed up for the 7:30 am BootCamp workout, which was a burner! It was a 3 part workout: part one was 3 sets of 16 box overs, 8 single arm DB push press (20#), and 50 flutter kicks, followed by 800m on the rower. Part two was 3 rounds of 15 pushups, 20 situps, and 20 air squats followed by 600m on the rower. Part three was 3 rounds of 15 Russian twists, 8 single DB devil's press (15#), and 16 lateral DB hops, followed by 400m on the rower. I finished in 30:26. I was thrilled with this!

Sitting on the sidelines is no fun...

On Tuesday, I had an outpatient surgical procedure on my eyes with strict instructions to take it easy. I'm only allowed to do power walking until I see the surgeon on Monday for follow-up. I thought I'd feel like walking right away, but I was surprisingly exhausted on Wednesday and Thursday. Cocoa was a great companion, staying by my side on the couch both days. Bonus points for being off work all week. 

By Friday, I was feeling much better and feeling restless, I layered up for my usual Friday trek on the bike path Thanks to the lake effect snow machine, we had gotten a dusting of snow overnight. Chicago got 8 inches! The snow was powdery and a little slick, but I stayed upright and enjoyed having the path to myself. It was really cold, though, and it took a long hot shower to warm me back up again.

On Saturday, I took my feet to the trails and it was glorious!! Yes, it was cold but there was no wind. My Garmin kept shutting off, so I finally gave up. I estimate that I walked approximately 4.5 miles. I found a new-to-me single track and had fun exploring that. There were signs warning about snowy owl nests in the woods but I didn't see any. Interestingly, while I was walking, one of my Yak Trax broke, but not too long after, I found a single one hanging from a tree branch. Who loses one Yak Trax? Who finds one when they need it? I couldn't believe it! Was that lucky or what? 



How was your week? Are you battling cold weather? Did you try anything new this week? What would you do about the woman at the pool? Have you ever seen a snowy owl in the wild?

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


38 comments :

  1. No on the owl. They are beautiful.

    Sorry for the rest time but in the winter, it is not so bad.

    Glad you were able to get back on the trails.

    It is soooo cold here. And I need a long run.... sigh! Give me strength!!!

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    1. Of all people, you can do it!!! I don't think I know anyone more determined. You got this!

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  2. I have seen a snowy owl. Right in my yard which apparently is a wildlife kingdom. Haha! When I swam for tri training I encountered SO many rude swimmers. When one is swimming laps, why would one not opt for the lap pool??
    Hope your recovery continues to go well!

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    1. I thought of you when I was writing this post--I remember all your pool stories. What is wrong with these people? And I always ponder those people who insist on swimming laps in the dive well.

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  3. I have seen and heard an owl in our backyard but no idea what kind. I love snowshoeing as well but we only get about one chance per year to get into them. It is a great cardio workout for sure. Not sure what is up with your pool friend! I would just ignore her and pretend like you cannot hear her w the headphones. Hope you are feeling better and back up and it this week

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  4. Most Excellent Post - Funny, I Was Rambling On With Body Parts And You Traded In Your Old Eyes For A Pair Of New Ones - So Dig That - As For The Pool Gal, She Is A Nut Job, So Act Like A Nut Job - When She Ask A Simple Question, Answer With A Statement From Left Field - When She Swims Into You, Tell Her About How Children Struggle To Drive Automobiles Because They Have Zero Spacial Awareness - When She NEEDS To Use That Ladder BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY ONE, Respond With How Your Painting The Garage Walls To Match The Bulbs You Planted In The Fall - Have Fun With It And Let Me know How It Plays Out - Sure Wish We Had A Lake Effect Snow Machine Out Here - Continue To Enjoy Your Weekend - Stay Strong My Friend

    Cheers
    P.S. Coco Would Just Love An Uncle T Just Because Biscuit

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    1. I like the idea of messing with her--she's messing with me, that's for sure!

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  5. Snowshoeing sounds fun, and I can imagine it's a good cardio burn. Ha, the grumpy old gal in the pool returns, LOL I agree with Deborah, it's best to just ignore those kind; not worth giving the satisfaction of a duel.

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  6. I’m glad your procedure went well and you are feeling better. Taking that time to recover is so important! I love seeing all the snow from here. We got an inch Friday night, while Boston got buried.

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    1. I saw that Boston got almost 2 feet of snow! That'a overwhelming to me, although it has happened here. We're on track for a big snowstorm this week--so stay tuned.

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  7. I hope all is well with your eyes! Sounds like things are healing up according to plan. Sometimes it's nice to have an enforced break like that (especially when you have a furry critter to keep you company!)
    That woman at the pool is something else. That's actually one reason I don't like lap swimming- you have to deal with other people in your space. Sounds like she's nasty to everyone. I would be super nice to her (if possible) and just be glad you're not her. She must be a miserable person.

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    1. I can't help but think maybe there's some dementia? Her behavior is definitely bizarre!

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  8. That is bizarre to find a Yaktrax (and the right size!) when you need it, but sometimes the universe listens to us.

    We had the annoying snow, you know, like 3 inches so the driveway & paths for Bandit in the back had to be redone. Still you have amazingly little snow for this time of year and I am grateful.

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    1. We have the perfect amount of snow right now and I'm definitely enjoying it.

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  9. I'd mention the woman to the attendants at the gym. How horrible for you! And wow on the yaktrax! Hope you're recovering well and are cleared to do running and strength training soon.

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    1. That is definitely my plan if she's out of line this week. Something is wrong with her.

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  10. I just do not understand the rude behavior some people feel so entitled to exhibit. I hope you don't encounter her again.

    Hope you get cleared to get back to your regular workout schedule soom!

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    1. This surgery hit me harder than I expected for an outpatient procedure! We'll see what he says tomorrow at my follow up.

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  11. I would love to spot an owl- my husband did last year on an after work run and even had his phone (he never runs with his phone) and took a pic! They are so neat.

    I'm glad your procedure went okay and that you're listening to the doctor's order. Sending healing vibes so you can get back to running!

    You definitely front-loaded the week though- I would have done the same, ha!

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  12. I have running snowshoes! It's a tough but good workout!

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  13. I hope you are feeling better. I think snowshoes would leave me flat on my face LOL.

    That woman is a peach. I, personally, would probably hit her with some "bless your heart, sugar!" and "have the day you deserve" lines - you know, good old passive aggressive Southern sweetness. But that's just me.

    I hope you're back out there soon!

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    1. I asked the pool attendants about her today and apparently she's been a troublemaker for a long time. They told me to let them know if she bugs me again.

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  14. Glad you are feeling better after the surgical procedure.
    The pools are full of rude persons. I met a lot of them when I went to the pool.
    I have never seen an owl in the woods around here but I had the pleasure to feed one of them in a park. He was free but he liked to stay with the humans.
    Beautiful snowy pictures.

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    1. A lot of people hate on winter. I figure since I have it, I may as well make the best of it!

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  15. That YakTrak story is truly amazing! Finding one is unusual enough, but finding one when you just broke one is one of those Twilight Zone moments (in a good way). Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket this week!

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  16. I'm glad that the surgery went well and that you were able to take it easy for a few days.
    Boo to that nasty woman in the pool. I swear some people just enjoy being miserable.

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    1. I keep thinking there's something wrong with her. Who acts like that?

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  17. I hope you keep recovering smoothly after the surgery! I need to Google running snowshoes lol, they sound fun!
    I also subscribe to the "philosophy" that if we have snow, we might as well enjoy it. For me, snow makes winter bearable. I went on multiple hikes in the snow, on sunny days these past couple of weeks and it was magical!
    So many rude people nowadays! Please don't let this pool incident get to you!
    Finding that yak track is such a cool coincidence. Is it in your size??

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    1. They are pretty much one size fits all and yes, it works fine!

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  18. How lucky that you found a single YakTrax when you needed it. Hope your eye recovery continues to go well and that you're able to run again soon!

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  19. That is just crazy you found a YakTrax just when you needed one! That's a sign for sure (of what, I don't know, but it's something!! 😉 ) I would have to find my YakTrax in my house. I haven't worn them for years. I just decided I would play it safe and avoid anything that looks slippery outside. haha!

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