Sunday, June 12, 2022

Out of Sorts

I really felt out of sorts this week for all kinds of reasons. The weather was pretty blah--lots of rain and cool, cloudy conditions. I've had to switch up my workout schedule for the summer, which isn't a big deal but made me feel like a rigid old person who can't roll with the changes. And oh, my job...it was a tough week on top of a string of tough weeks. Let's just say that I'm underpaid and overworked and leave it at that. I'm so close to retirement but I'm not ready to leave just yet...we shall see how things go. At this point in my life, I'm not sure I want to start something new. Trying to focus on the good and leave the day behind me when I walk out the door.

Speaking of good, the hubs and I saw Top Gun Maverick on the IMAX this week and it left me breathless! When have you ever seen a sequel that is better than the original? And 36 years later? I know technology has improved but Tom Cruise was as good as he's ever been. He also looked like he was having a great time throughout the movie. Oh and he looked good, too! I want to see it again. And if you haven't, you need to!

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: run 6 miles with Trail Sisters Chicago Northwest
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: pool running
Wednesday: trail run 6 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6.2 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

On Sunday, I was able to join the Trail Sisters Chicago Northwest for their weekly run! We met at Busse Woods, a forest preserve where I've logged many miles. The paths are paved, though, which made me ponder whether or not this was a trail run? No matter. There were about 7 of us. We all started out together but split quickly into 2 groups based on pace. The miles passed quickly while we chatted away. 


I was so happy to get my run in before the rains came on Wednesday! I'd had a rough time at work the previous day and I wanted to shake it off before I headed back to the office. It was cloudy and 60F, but very humid. I covered myself in insect spray before heading into the woods. This was a nicely paced run with the birds singing as my soundtrack. As always, I was grateful for the solitude and the beauty of nature around me.


I woke up early Friday morning, so I got myself ready for my run on the bike path. I felt really good heading out, but I struggled on the return. I wasn't sure why. The weather was decent. Maybe it was the DOMS from my tough workouts at CF. Or maybe it was the stress of the week. It all made sense when woke up on Saturday with an RA flare. 

Strength Training/CrossFit

After Jennifer from Fluid Running sent me ALL THE WORKOUTS (yes, I'm very happy about that!), I couldn't wait to do pool running on Monday morning. Sadly, I arrived at the pool only to find out that it would be closed from 6:45-noon daily all summer for swim lessons. What to do? I decided to go to the WOD instead and went to the pool at 5:30 Tuesday morning. This looks to be my new summer routine. 

The WOD was a chipper workout from the open: 


I'm sharing a screenshot because it's just easier than spelling it out. I made some modifications, using an 18" box for the box jumps (90 total!). My starting weight for the clean and jerks was 35# and I increased by 10# every 2 rounds, finishing at 55# for the last 2 rounds. The single leg squats were pistol squats, which I did by squatting to the box at 16" height. And yes, I finished in 19:25! I felt this WOD in my glutes and shoulders all week.

I will comment that I didn't mind going to the Monday 9:30 am class instead of Tuesday's 5 am class. There's just something very difficult about waking up before 5 am.

For Thursday's strength sesh, SJ started me off with 3 sets of 10 (per leg) Bulgarian split squats holding 30# dumbells. It was as hard as you would expect, but I surprised myself by doing them without falling over.  I did have to pause between legs to catch my breath though! I alternated those with 3 sets of 10 bent over barbell rows (55#) which also left me breathy. Then we worked on a clean complex--first with the pull, then from the floor, followed by the hang into a squat. I actually like the complexes because it's like a dance sequence. Although, we all know I can't dance, lol. She continued to build the weights to 80#. I was able to do the power clean at that weight but I couldn't get under the bar from the hang position, even though I tried it twice. SJ said she thought that I got scared at the higher weight, which may be true. I will continue to work on it! I finished up with bench knee tucks, 3 sets of 25.

Steps to the hang clean: Hang, pull, turn over, finish


A picture tells a story...

Yesterday, I received a message that the IAT race photos were posted. Free race photos are always a win, even a month after the event. This was taken as I approached the finish line. I think this gem tells a story of a hot, hard run. Not one of my best, but I managed a smile. 


How was your week? Did you get to run outside or did you get a lot of rain like us? Do you have trouble getting up before 5 am? Have you seen Top Gun Maverick? How do you get back on track when you're feeling out of sorts? I'm planning on spending the weekend taking it easy, getting some much needed organizing done around the house, and just working on recentering myself. 

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

33 comments :

  1. Your workouts are so great!! I'm always impressed with people who do more than run. I was able to run outside this weel- one day I had to wait until the afternoon but every other day I lucked out!

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    1. It's so good to do other things--plus as an 'older' runner, it's survival, lol

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  2. I am also a creature of habit and like to stay on my schedule. Well, this girl would never willingly get up before 5 to do a workout. I am always impressed that you do! Top gun was amazing and yes, better than the first for sure. Sorry you are having a stressful time at work lately. Hope this week goes better for you!

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  3. That smile on the IAT finisher photo says it all, Wendy! Well done once again.
    Last week we had to get up at 4.30am to bring our neighbour to the airport. We combined it with a run after dropping her off. We started running at 5.15am. I nearly fell asleep at 3pm in the afternoon!
    I hope the Trail Sister with her leg in the boot didn't run with you. Or did she?

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    1. She did today! I think she had to see her doctor one more time but wanted to be there for the photo. lol

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  4. I'm probably the last human who hasn't seen Top Gun yet (and I'm not losing any sleep over it, LOL). Speaking of which, on my #5at5 mornings, I often awake before my 4:30 alarm. I'm thankful the early-early mornings work for me (even after some late-late nights). We had rain in the daily forecast all last week, but didn't wind up getting as much as was expected (or needed).

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    1. I'm a person who needs her 8-9 hours of sleep. I can get up before 5 if i need to but it's not easy!

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  5. That is a perfect picture.

    Can't wait to see Top Gun...

    I wake up very early but NOT to work out. Though now that the gym is over, I am getting lazy in the am.

    I do like routine and plan my week.

    When you work, it's so easy to get behind on all the hosehold stuff...

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    1. Even if you don't work...there are so many better things to do than to scrub toilets, am I right?

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  6. My stress is different, but it's been a month, lemme tell you. I try to tap into gratitude. I know it sounds so trite, but it really does work for me. I was definitely out of sorts on Friday until I met up with my friend!

    I am hoping maybe we can see Top Gun Maverick next week. Of course I do have to go back to my mom, too. I see what you did there with "left me breathless". :)

    I'm sorry about the flare, I hope it's short lived. Your race photo is great -- you would never have known you were struggling from that photo!

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    1. It's funny, I look at that photo and I think I look exhausted. Maybe because I know I was! I don't think I've ever been so glad to see a finish line.

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  7. I think that's an awesome picture!
    I think you showed great flexibility and resourcefulness upon finding the pool closed! A lot of people would have ended up at Starbucks, not CrossFit. Sounds like you've got a good schedule set up for the summer. And no, I don't believe the alarm clock should ever start with a "4." Luckily in this phase of my life I don't have to do that- when my daughter starts high school (year after next) I'll be back to an earlier schedule, so I'll be seeing some early mornings again.
    Hope you're feeling okay after the RA flare!

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    1. I took it easy yesterday and today I felt great! I'm glad it was a short lived flare.

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  8. That's a great finish line photo!

    I'm sorry to hear about the work stress - it really can take it out of you can't it?! Glad your flare was short-lived.

    I cannot wait to see Top Gun Maverick!

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    1. You are so right about that work stress! Hoping for a better week ahead!

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  9. I've heard great reviews for Top Gun Maverick. I don't see us going to a movie theater any time soon though. I know it doesn't make sense with all the other things we are doing, but ....

    Sorry work is such a source of stress. Hang in there -- or quit when you can. ;-)

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  10. I've heard nothing but good things about the new Top Gun movie! I'll admit that i JUST watched the original on Netflix a few weeks ago but plan on seeing the new one soon.

    Really sorry to hear about the work stress - Sadly I know exactly how you feel. All I can say is just hang in there and hopefully things will start to turn around soon (fingers crossed).

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    1. i feel like a lot of us are in the same boat right now. Grrrr

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  11. Sorry to hear work is tough right now. Hang in there. I've resisted seeing Maverick but every single person who's seen it loves it so I guess I'll have to get on the bandwagon. It seems like summer left us again last week. But now the steam is back.

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  12. I'm sorry you are out of sorts. I've been experiencing the same and it stinks. I'm so sorry. We did see Top Gun Maverick and it was amazing! Did your showing have the "special message from Tom Cruise" before it? He looks fabulous in the movie, but in an interview context, he was showing his age a little more. Amazing work in the gym and pool, as always and I love the finish line photo <3

    I'm also sorry about work. That's got to be so frustrating.

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    1. We did get Tom's special pre-movie message. You could tell how proud he was of it.

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  13. Great photo of your finish, it really does tell the story of your race. I also saw Top Gun Maverick at a drive-in theater in Indiana. Perfect venue for it!

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  14. Not to brag, but I got up at 4:15am this morning, was running at 5am and ran 18 miles. (oh actually I am bragging. Go me!!). ;) I'll probably be zonked out by 8pm tonight. I had to get my long run done before vacation. Wow on those box jumps! I can picture me doing only 4 of them and then tripping on the box and smashing my face. haha!!

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    1. I almost ate it once, lol, but I just focused better and landed all 90 of them!

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  15. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having an RA flare. Hopefully, it will be short lived. I love the finish line photo of you!

    Did you rewatch the old Top Gun for a refresher before watching the new one? I think that's what I want to do.

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    1. The RA flare was short lived! And yes, we watched the original Top Gun. The new version blows it out of the water.

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  16. Sounds like things improved for you. I've not seen the movie, not one to go to the theaters. I admit he is good looking but all his extreme stuff with Scientology has really turned me off against him.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. I try not to think about that. Instead, I enjoy his acting abilities.

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  17. Love your race photo! But even I would struggle to get to a class starting at 5am, goodness!

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