Saturday, September 3, 2022

On The Comeback Trail

I didn't post a Weekly Rundown last weekend. If you follow me regularly, you know that I was diagnosed with Covid early last week. While I didn't feel terrible, I didn't feel particularly good either and there were no workouts to share. The one thing no one talks about is how Covid really saps your energy--probably one of the worst things that could happen to a runner. As the week went on, I started to feel a little more energetic. But mostly I slept. A lot.  

Needing a change of scenery, the hubs and I took a ride up to the lake on Saturday. The forecast called for a 4% chance of rain and I was looking forward to time on the water. I wasn't sure about waterskiing, though. A few hours after we arrived, it started to rain and it didn't stop all day. I guess it was Mother Nature's way of keeping me off my feet!

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: run/hike Parfrey's Glen 2 miles
Monday: run/walk 5.3 miles
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 5 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 4 miles
Saturday: rest

Running

When I say that I had a little more energy by Sunday, I meant a little. Still not feeling great, but wanting to stretch my legs, I took the ferry across the Wisconsin River to revisit Parfrey's Glen. I first went there a few years ago and have been wanting to go back. A short 1 mile run/hike into the gorge was just what I needed. With all the rain we had the day before, the creek was running and the sound of the flowing water was soothing. I had the gorge to myself, save for a couple of women at the waterfall. This was just what I needed!

The very unimpressive waterfall at the end of the gorge

Back home on Monday, I decided to give my legs a try on the bike path. It was a beautiful morning with low humidity, and I was pleased to run 2 miles using 4:1 run/walk intervals without any problem. After that, I mostly walked. And sang along to my playlist.


The beautiful weather continued into Wednesday, so I laced up my trail shoes with the hopes of 5-6 miles around the trails. This was a slow but uneventful slog. Still, I was able to pick up the pace intermittently and I ran up one of the steep hills in the preserve. My heart rate didn't go crazy either, so I found some things to feel good about when I finished this run.


For my Friday miles, I looped around my neighborhood with a goal of 4 run/walk miles. Well, they were slow, but they were steady and consistent! And my heart rate didn't go crazy. This run was so encouraging and I hope it was a sign that I am definitely on the comeback trail.

Strength Training

I met with SJ on Thursday and we started on a new training cycle for fall. A few weeks ago, we talked about goals. Fresh off of reading Next Level, I wanted to focus on getting stronger but not necessarily challenging my 1 rep max. Based on that, SJ came up with the plan to have me focus on 3 lifts: back squats, bench presses, and deadlifts, and work on a 5 rep max. I love that plan because it will allow me to lift heavy sh** without redlining. Mixed in with those lifts will be more skill/gymnastics type of work. This week, I did my benchmark 5 reps for the back squat, building to 115# for the set. I do think that if I wasn't recovering from Covid, I could have lifted more, but SJ was happy with that and we will work from there! I finished up with ring rows and leg swing-throughs. Good stuff!


Off the road...

As you might expect, this weekend we're back up at the lake hoping for one last summer hurrah. But much like last weekend, it's been raining and cool. We met my youngest for lunch and got to see where he's living for this school year. It's really an upgrade from his previous places and right on the capitol square., complete with a balcony overlooking the action. Madison is really such a fun town and I get so excited for him! He's planning to apply to grad school, so it looks like he will be living here for a few more years. It's not a bad plan at all.

We also met up with my oldest son and his girlfriend this week for a belated birthday (his) celebration. We ate at Mi Tocaya, a Mexican restaurant with a James Beard nominated chef, located near my son's apartment in the city. We have been wanting to go there since it opened in 2019, but... pandemic. We were all so glad we finally got to try it and we will definitely be back. 

I'm a bad mom with no pictures of either outing!

How was your week? Are you enjoying this last blast of summer? Or did you have early fall conditions like us? What did you do this weekend?

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

33 comments :

  1. Glad to read that you are feeling better.

    I hope to get the new booster next week!!

    I hate when the weather forecast is wrong. We are debating whether or not to drive to the lake. Forecast is for rainlater... but when?

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    1. Even though I had a rough couple of weeks, the silver lining of getting Covid is that is as good as a booster. So I'm set now for a couple of months.

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  2. Sorry to hear you've had Covid, I hadn't picked up on that, I don't think. Glad to see you're recovering well.

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    1. Thank you! It was a little slower than I expected, but I feel pretty good now.

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  3. While most are embracing the early-fall preview, I'm stubbornly holding on for dear life to Summer. I like Fall, but I love my dear Summer so much more. Glad to hear the Covid hangover is dwindling.

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    1. Then you really would have hated today at the lake! It was 54 and cloudy when I ran. Perfect for me!

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  4. Yay! Glad you're feeling better. Yes, the run-walk intervals are perfect for coming back from Covid. You're reminding me to read Next Level- I flipped through it and read parts when I first got it, but I need to read the whole thing. I love following along with your strength training. I was listening to a podcast with Camille Herron recently and she said her strength training focuses on three things- squats, deadlifts, and bench press. So you're in good company!

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    1. Yes, those are the benchmark lifts and the ones we focus on for powerlifting!

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  5. Glad you're feeling better post COVID. I'm completely jealous of you weather! We're baking here with our excessive heat extended through Wednesday now. Hawaii is going to feel cool when we get there.

    Not a bad mom at all for not taking pictures - that means you were enjoying yourself!

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    1. I wouldn't mind it a little warmer! I had hoped to get in a last ski this weekend. But it's way too cool for that.

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  6. No, I think you're a great mom with no photos -- it just shows you were really present with your family.

    COVID is SO individual. I know people who didn't have fatigue, and others who had a great deal of fatigue. It's so strange that you got it and Deborah didn't (again, it's so individual). Glad you're feeling better. Me too, although as far as I can tell, I didn't have COVID. Just really burning out from the momobile!

    I hope your rain stops. We're supposed to get a wet Labor Day & the next day. Luckily I wasn't planning to run then anyway. :)

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    1. I didn't have Covid when I was with Deborah, I tested positive after I got home. I was so grateful I didn't give it to her!

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  7. Happy to hear that you're on the road to recovery. I just spoke with a friend who's also coming back from COVID and she said she was most surprised by the fatigue.

    How fun that you got to spend time with both of your boys! I think no photos is just a great sign that you were soaking it all in :)

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  8. I am glad to read you are starting to feel back to normal again. Thanks again for not spreading it to me LOL. Enjoy your last weekend up at the lake!

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  9. My sister said the same thing about being incredibly tired from Covid. Glad your energy is coming back. It's so falligh here this weekend. Summer is most definitely fading away. Sigh. Sounds like Matt has a good plan in place!

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    1. Yesterday was the first time since Covid that I actually felt almost normal. Still coughing but other than that I'm pretty much back to normal. So grateful.

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  10. So glad you are feeling better! Happy birthday to your boys. I'm sure they didn't mind that you didn't get your phone out to take photos. ;-)

    I like your new strength plan. I've lost upper body strength since Covid with my fractured rib and then tennis elbow. I'd like to get back to where I was.

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    1. I've still got that goal of a 100# bench press, so lets see if I can get there!

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  11. I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope your energy level snaps right back. Sounds like two fun outings with your sons!

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  12. Yay for your running comeback, Wendy! Good to see your trail photos again.

    I have never heard about James Beard and had to google it. So glad you could finally visit that restaurant. How was the food?
    The best events are the ones where we forget to take photos!

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  13. Covid is a jerk. I said what I said. I'm glad you're feeling more like yourself, though. No last summer hurrah because it's summer forever here. I hope you enjoy yours.

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    1. Oh Covid is the biggest jerk of all the viruses--well ok, maybe in the top 5. I'm sad to say that I didn't even get to say goodbye to summer since it left without a farewell. It's cold and cloudy again!

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  14. So glad that you were feeling better this past week. I've heard from so many people how Covid completely zapped all of their energy. It's awesome that you feel well enough to get back to running!

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    1. Yep, every day gets better. I'm still sleeping a ton, but i definitely feel like myself again!

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  15. I'm sorry to hear you had Covid, but glad you're on the mend. You avoided it for so long!

    Sounds like some really special times with your boys!

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    1. I cherish every minute I get with them! I love who they've both become.

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  16. Glad you have bounced back from COVID. Not a great time to get it as you wanted to really get outside more, but hopefully you were able to get out even more this week. Your hike looks really pretty!

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