Sunday, November 13, 2022

I Should Have Expected it....

Did you see the lunar eclipse this week? I'm not going to blame any of the week's craziness on it but still...

I've been feeling so good, physically at least, that I've been pushing myself hard. Running far, lifting heavy weights--who's old? On the other hand, my stress level has been at 1000%. With the so-called 'tripledemic' of RSV, influenza and Covid hitting my patients hard, I've been not only doing illness management but also providing reassurance to very anxious parents. That is on top of all the mental health issues that are pervasive in pediatrics. Other issues at work, such as the threat of being forced to pick up extra shifts in the ER, are very worrisome. All this has led to sleepless nights and mental exhaustion. 

So it should have been no surprise when I found myself in a full-on RA flare on Wednesday morning. Everything hurt. When it was apparent that nothing was going to make me feel better but a day on the couch, I called off work. Cocoa happily kept me company and we napped together. 

With the downtime, I contemplated my situation. At 60, I'm not quite ready to retire but the idea of looking for and starting a new job just doesn't make sense. Believe me, I do look. But the situation in healthcare is not good right now and I don't think it's going to be better anywhere else. It's frustrating and I feel stuck. As always, I am grateful for running and fitness to give me an outlet to manage my stress.

I was able to catch the lunar eclipse on my way to the pool!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 9.1 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: pool running
Wednesday: unscheduled rest day
Thursday: strength with SJ
Friday: run/walk 6.5 miles
Saturday: travel to South Bend for Big 10 rugby tournament

Running

We were in town last weekend and normally I would have joined the Trail Sisters for their weekly run. But they were running at that preserve I ran at last week. If you recall, I runfessed how much I don't like running there. It was also windy and since the preserve is wide open...well, you know I took a pass. I felt a little guilty but since I took my feet to a new-to-me trail, I considered it a scouting run for the group. 

The local mountain biker group built new trails in a forest preserve not too far from my home. In October, the trails were officially opened to runners and hikers as well as mountain bikers. When I arrived, the mountain bike group was there to do some trail maintenance after we had high winds and rain the day before. I promised them I wouldn't trash the trails and would avoid the mud. I headed off to the woods and navigated myself around the segments. While there was plenty of signage, the trails themselves weren't well identified but there was no way to get lost. I enjoyed plenty of woody trails as well as open fields. Typical of bike trails, there was a lot of roller coaster type of trails, which I enjoyed. 


I saw a lot of deer--a couple of big bucks, including one that was meandering ahead of me on the trail. Once he realized I was behind him, he took off, leaving a bad smell behind. There were a lot of tiny stumps on the trails, so I kept my eyes on the ground as I ran. I managed to stay upright but slipped a few times on the wet leaves and mud. The leaves were about 50% off the trees, with plenty of colors still around. What a wonderful run and I cannot wait to do it again!

Can you spy the doe?

Feeling less achy on Friday, I decided to give it a go, taking it easy and throwing in walk intervals. With the threat of rain, I laced up my new Brooks Ghost GTXs. Don't new shoes always make you feel better? While my knees protested initially, they did loosen up as I moved forward. I was definitely feeling more fatigued than usual. Still, I played the mental game of finishing up the last 4 minute run interval, which took me a little farther than I normally run on Fridays. I enjoyed this run and it set the tone for a much less stressful day at work than I've had lately.

CrossFit/Strength

Ooooh, I was excited about Monday's WOD. Not only were there deadlifts, but rope climbs too! The strength portion was an alternating 4 sets of 3 deadlifts at 80-85% (165#) with 6-8 single arm dumbbell presses (20#). I probably could have done 25# but with the rope climbs, I didn't want to overly fatigue my arms. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP of 10 calories on the bike, 20 wallballs (10#), and 3 rope climbs (I did 2). I made it through 3 rounds of this workout and was really excited about it!


Because my knees were still unhappy on Thursday, SJ modified what she was going to have me do, subbing in resistance band work for the overhead squats that were on the plan. I'm not sure that my body would have been able to do those since I struggle with them even on a good day! I was happy to see her setting me up for bench presses. I did 4 sets of 8 at 60#! I alternated with the resistance band work and my shoulders definitely felt it. After that, I did 3 sets of 8 box step ups on each side alternating with 20 second hollow holds.

Off the road...

On Saturday, the hubs and I drove to South Bend, Indiana to watch our Badger play his final collegiate rugby game in the Big 10 tournament on Notre Dame's Stinson Rugby Field. They were playing for 5th place against the Michigan State Spartans, who beat them earlier in the season. It was a cold, snowy, rainy day but the Badgers prevailed, 24-7, in a very physical match. It was an exciting game and I can't believe that it's all over! They will play an abbreviated form of rugby in the spring, called 7s, but as far as regulation rugby, this is the end of the road for him. We could not be more proud!




How was your week? Have you experienced any of the illnesses of the so-called 'tripledemic'? Did you get your flu and covid shots? Has the weather gotten colder where you are? Have you seen snow?

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


34 comments :

  1. I'm sorry work has been so stressful for you lately. My FIL has COVID and is doing fine as it seems to be a rather light case, thankfully, but I'm appalled at how inconsiderate he and my MIL have been. They wanted G to go over there and fix their computer just 2 days after testing positive and my MIL went on her merry way to an eye appointment. If someone had done that to them, they'd have been livid. Rules don't apply I guess. Sorry for the vent. Congrats to M! This whole senior year thing is bittersweet!

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    1. I actually saw a sick child this week and it wasn't until about halfway into the visit that the mom asked me to test for Covid since she herself had Covid. Ok then!

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  2. I am sorry that you had such a rough week all around. Sounds like things are feeling better this weekend. I have a couple of friends that have had colds or some other thing the past few weeks not covid. Who knows lots of stuff is going around this time of the year. I have had both the new vaccine and flu shot 2 weeks ago so hoping to make it through my Vegas trip without catching something!

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    1. I'm planning on getting the bivalent booster this week or next.

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  3. You know you're finding your job stressful when you start thinking retirement. I was lucky to have a job that was "bearably" stressful and didn't even think about retirement until I was 70. I finally retired just days before my 75th birthday, but easily could have kept on working.
    What forest preserve were you running with the new trails? I really need to get more trail running in. My problem is I don't like to drive very far for a good run.
    I hope the work stress eases up for you. Take care.

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    1. Thanks Richard! The trails are at Paul Douglas. You can access them just west of the Central Road parking lot. I can't wait to go back.

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  4. Congratulations to your son! Great photos too. Rugby looks intense!

    I hope the work stress lightens up a bit...but it doesn't sound like it will this time of year :( Hang in there Wendy.

    I can't believe you're 60! You're so fit and healthy. Goals! :)

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    1. I have to get on top of my anxiety so I can get through this winter!

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  5. Ugh, well sorry about the RA flare- but you kicked ass this week in spite of it! Mountain bike trails are HARD.
    There's been something going around at work that apparently is "just" a cold, but I haven't gotten it. Also, my daughter reports that most of her friends are getting sick...I'm sure it's just a matter of time. These viruses are probably waiting to attack us next week, on Thanksgiving.
    It must have been bittersweet, seeing your son play his last game. I'm glad you were able to be there.

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    1. I keep thinking, what will we do with ourselves when he's done? LOL

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  6. I'm so sorry about all the work stress and the RA flare. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I cannot imagine how hard being in healthcare is right now. Sending you lots of hugs my friend.

    That photo of M in action is awesome! Congrats to him on another great rugby season!

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  7. Snow is in the forecast for next week - but just snow showers. I'm sorry RA had you down and out for a bit. You rallied back fairly quickly!

    If you can afford it, retiring can be a good thing -- just sayin'. Although I'm still working on getting Yoga off the ground -- the Pandemic sure threw a monkey wrench in that, but you know how determined I can be!

    So far so good on the seasonal illnesses, but I fully expect some day I will get COVID. It's somewhat inevitable. I was glad it didn't happen on my trip!

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    1. Part of me thinks about how much I'll miss my families at work. It's such a dilemma! The hubs would be happy with a couple more years of contributions to my 401k, so there's that.

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  8. Sorry for the RA flare, but it's great that you weren't down for too long. Congrats to your son and his team. That had to be an exciting match to watch in person (despite the weather). Glad I opted top watch the Hawks-Badgers football game indoors (on a comfy couch, under a blanket) and let our son have the honors of going to the game. It was a bitterly cold day!

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    1. We've been so disappointed in the Badgers (football) this year!

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  9. Sorry about the flare. Glad it didn't last long.

    I get the work dilemma, I don't like working but I don't like not working and I don't want to start a new job. I like getting a salary to have $$ to do the things I want.

    I've gotten all shots. It bothers that some people don't get a flu shot... why??

    My hubby was sick all week .. not COVID... some respiratory thing.

    It's gotten colder for sure ... not a fan and hate the figuring out what to wear to run.

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    1. I don't understand people who don't get vaccinated-I'm all 'bring it on' so that I don't get sick. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

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  10. Love The Family Badger Photo - Excellent Work There In The Gym My Friend - The Moon Was Tough To Navigate For Some Folks - I Sure Wish I Could Offer Up Words Of Wisdom On The Job Front - You Are So Talented And You Do So Much That I Wish You Didn't Feel Stuck - Sending Positive Vibes

    Cheers
    P.S. Rocco Happy?? Well Fed?? So Paw-Some

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    1. Cocoa? She's very happy except tonight she's missing her dad! He's up at the lake while I hold down the fort here.

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    2. Rocco??? Where Did That Auto Correct Come From - Yes, Cocoa - Keep Holding Down The Fort - Extra Treats While The Human Is Away - Yahooo000

      Cheers

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  11. At least it sounds like your week ended well. Especially the final rugby win!

    I've had all the covid shots and my flu shot. I need to do the shingles series ....

    I have an (older) friend who was diagnosed with RSV. Scary!

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    1. The good news is that there will be 2! RSV vaccines next year. Hard to believe that after all this time, they've figured it out. But such good news. Getting my COVID booster in the next couple of weeks. Just have to figure out the timing.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear that work has been so stressful for you. I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago and since I just had Covid, I won't need that shot for 3 months.

    Congrats to your son on a great collegiate rugby career and weekend win!

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  13. Constant stress at work and an RA flare-up... life isn't easy at times. But you're fighting back and exercise is a great outlet. So glad you found a new trail that you like!

    I have new respect for your CF workouts.... I had to do single arm dumbbell presses too this week and I didn't do it with a #10 dumbbell! You are an inspiration to me!

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    1. Upper body work is so humbling! Progress is slow but rewards will come.

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  14. Ah well I can comment as myself on here now on Firefox but not on Chrome, weird! Anyway, so sorry about the difficult work situation, my husband has major stresses in his job and we're only 50 and 51 so it's hard to know what to do (I missed my work while I was on holiday: I know how fortunate I am!). I'm glad you have running to let off steam with.

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    1. As always, I am so grateful for running! But I do need to learn how to manage my stress when I'm at work. I'm feeling a little more centered this morning.

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  15. I honestly cannot wrap my head around how difficult it must be to work in healthcare right now. You guys have so much stress thrown at you everyday and I imagine it can be a lot to handle. I can't say it enough but thank you for all that you do! My team at work was hit hard with illness this week. Thankfully not Covid or the flu, but 3 out of the 5 definitely had a really horrible cold. There's so many different illnesses running rampant right now.

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    1. If I was a betting woman, my money would be on RSV! Yes, it's been a challenge. Thanks for your support.

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  16. What an exciting match! I'm so glad you got to be there (laughing at him in shorts and tshirt and you guys bundled up).

    I'm sorry about your flare. It's been a wonky week, for sure. I know Cocoa helped.

    I can't even imagine what you are facing in healthcare. I am just so sorry that our system is so broken and we are failing so many good people.

    The flu, RSV, and a stomach bug have been going around. Fingers crossed and knock on wood that we stay well.

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    1. I'm seeing patients with everything. It's the craziest season ever!

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