Sunday, February 26, 2023

Running Happy

In spite of the wild weather we had once again this week, I managed to get all my runs outside.  It seems like all we do is talk about the weather, but I think most of you will agree with me that what we've been experiencing is anything but normal. Winter in the Midwest is always turbulent, but this season has been unprecedented, with more to come next week. At least it gives us something to talk about!

What I haven't been able to do is get some quality runs on the trails.  Between the ice and the mud, training for my hilly April race is not optimal. I continue to focus on quality time in the gym and on the road, hoping that will be enough.

No matter what, getting outside definitely helps me manage all the stress in my life. As always, I am so grateful my body lets me do this!

thanks to Deborah for this fabulous photo!

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 8 miles
Monday: CrossFit, yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: Fluid Running
Wednesday: run 6.3 miles
Thursday: CrossFit, yoga with Adriene
Friday: rest/Yoga with Adriene
Saturday: run 10 miles 

Running

On Sunday, I showed up for the weekly Trail Sisters Chicago Northwest run, prepared to lead the group. Our leader was out of town and she asked me to fill in. Only one other runner was there. We settled on 8 miles and headed off--into a very strong headwind. I almost gave up a few times, but my new running partner was easy going and we took a couple walk breaks to regroup. I had never met her before but she told me she was a nurse practitioner, so we had a lot to talk about. At the turnaround, we had that wind at our backs, which was much nicer. All in all, a very good morning!


With a monster winter storm approaching, I was stalking the weather like a true runner. Fortunately for us, we were only supposed to get rain and wind--maybe some ice if the temperature dropped. I laced up and headed out to the bike path early, hoping to avoid any rain. Unfortunately, when I turned around at 3 miles, it was into the wind and then the rain came down, along with some ice pellets. You would think that the return trip would have been slower than the first half, but you would be wrong. My mantra "the faster you run, the faster you're done" kept going through my head and I pushed hard to get home. It was cold and I was wet, but it was still better than the TM. Plus there's that satisfaction of completing a really hard run!


On Saturday, I drove into the city to meet up with Deborah and Cynthia for a run on the Lakefront Path. This is one of my favorite places to run and it has been quite a while since I've run there! We met up at Deborah's hotel near Wrigley Field and from there it was a mile to the lakefront. There was a little bit of snow that fell overnight, but it didn't cause any issues for us. The other win was NO WIND! We made our way towards downtown, talking the whole time, and stopping for plenty of photos. The best was running into Erica, who was doing her own long run as she trains for Boston. What a fun morning and such a great reminder of what wonderful people running has brought into my life! This run also reinforced that while running races is fun, so is just running for fun. I'm definitely going to do more of this kind of running!

CrossFit

With my shoulder issues, I had reservations about this WOD. First, we did the skill portion: a 14 minute AMRAP of 6 Fonzies (a shoulder opener with the thumbs up), 1 round of an empty barbell complex: 6 front squats, 6 strict presses, 6 back squats, 6 wide gripped push presses, and 6 overhead squats.; 1 length duck walks holding a goblet (I didn't carry a goblet for these), and 8 box jumps. I made it through 3 rounds of this. This was meant to be the warm-up for the MetCon which was  5 rounds, 3 minutes each with a 1 minute break of 6 hang power snatches, 9 overhead snatches, and 12 v-ups. I did 35# for both lifts. Overhead squats are the most challenging lift, at least for me, and I really had to focus on form with these. We had to do the sets of squats unbroken and that was definitely a challenge. I think I ended up doing 7-8 rounds of this, which means I did 63-72 overhead squats. My shoulder was actually ok but I did not feel well for quite a while after this workout--including into the next day.


Thursday's WOD was a 24 minute E2MOM MetCon involving rowing alternating with 3 different activities with the slam balls. This was meant to give some movement athletes who are participating in the open without taxing them too much. I used my normal effort and worked my my rowing stroke as well. At the end, we had time to work on skills or stretching. Of course, I used the time to do some deadlifts. We haven't been doing a lot of heavy lifting and my glutes were asking for a little love. I did 4 sets of 6 at 125#, which is about 60% of my max. It felt great!

Pool Running

I don't normally share much about my pool running workouts here, but I wanted to give a shout-out to Fluid Running this week for letting me get a good workout in while recovering from that really tough CF WOD on Monday. I have a variety of classes to choose from and this week, I chose Go Big or Go Home, which has big movements and longer sets, giving me lots of long, slow movements in the water. I always feel better after a water workout and this was much needed!

Injury update...

I continue to do my PT exercises, Yoga with Adriene's neck and shoulder classes, and when I'm at the gym, I hang from the bar and do scap pulls. The WOD from Monday made my shoulder angry, but I don't think it made it worse. For the first time ever, I've been using Voltaren gel, which is a topical NSAID, when it really bothers me, which is about once a day. It never did much for my RA, but it is really helping with the shoulder. By Friday morning, my shoulder felt almost normal and I haven't had to use any pain medication since. Fingers crossed that it is on its way to healing.

How was your week? What unusual weather did you experience this week? Did it interfere with any of your outdoor activities? Any fun meetups? Any injury updates? 

By the way, I'll be publishing my monthly mini-book reviews on Tuesday! And don't forget about our coffee date link up on Friday! Have a great week!

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







32 comments :

  1. Yeah the weather has been all over the place. I'm over it! Hopefully March will be better. Still so sad I missed the fun meetup!

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  2. The weather sure has been whacky! I'm just hopeful the worst is behind us. We were very lucky with Wednesday's rain...it didn't quite amount to the snow & ice they were predicting (at least in my area). We still had ALL the wind, though, and the temps were ridiculous...

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    1. I hear we are supposed to get a bunch more rain and storms tomorrow.

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  3. How fun to have a blogger meet-up run and to bump into Erica while out! I miss visiting Chicago and running along the lakefront.

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  4. Yep whacky weather here too and it looks like there's more to come. Great that you managed to stay outdoors - and what a fun runner meet-up :) I hope your shoulder continues to cooperate!

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    1. The shoulder is definitely improving. It gets mad at me but if I keep up the rehab, it definitely recovers quietly.

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  5. It's funny that we're both training for a trail race in April in vastly different conditions- you're battling the ice and mud and I'm battling the heat. My training isn't perfect either but I think we'll both be prepared!
    Your strength workouts make my head spin. Now that I'm going to the gym I can truly appreciate how hard your workouts are. Oh, and your Saturday run sounds so fun! Crazy that you and Deborah actually ran into Erica! It was a mini blogger reunion.

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    1. The lakefront was hopping yesterday! I am surprised we didn't see more people we know!

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  6. great news on the running front - outside runs and a blogger meet-up. Sounds perfect to me esp in the winter. Hope your shoulder doesn't hinder your training. I'm excited for your trail race... as I'm sure you are.

    well. you know my current situation... not much to say other than it could be worse but I am DEPRESSED nonetheless.

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    1. The best cure for that, my friend, is to focus on what you CAN DO until you are cleared to start running again. You got this!

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  7. Weather? You know it never rains in Southern California. But this week it poured, man, it poured! (Sorry if you get that song stuck in your head!) No complaints from me, even if it did mean a session on the bike trainer. Caught a few glimpses of snow in the hills near me this morning - definitely a rare one.

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    1. I'm heading back to the high desert this week and it looks like it will be cool, but nice!

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  8. Strong work again! And I'm looking forward to your book reviews. How lovely to meet up with running pals in Chicago. While I'm injured and poorly, I'm missing my running friends - in fact I've arranged to go up and do my rostered role at running club on Tuesday night (welcome, briefing, lead warmup and send them out) and then walk home again, just so I see everyone (and I get a dog walk with Claire tomorrow).

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    1. I hope you heal quickly! It is so hard to be sidelined. But I'm glad you're staying active. That is the key!

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  9. Sounds like such a fun running week with all the running with friends! Alas here the weather was (and will be) a major PITA. Glad you were able to finally get outside for your runs!

    After recovering from a small neck Yoga mishap -- just in time to shovel all the ice -- my shoulders are fine but they are also a wee bit sore!

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    1. Dealing with the shoulder makes me realize how much we use our shoulders! It is not a fun injury to have. I hope your neck is getting better.

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  10. Your strength workout looks absolutely savage! I haven't done any overhead barbell lifting yet, tried once but just couldn't do it, it seemed I didn't have the strength (honestly not sure why). We'll see if my coach makes me try again later.
    Well done with the bad weather run, and I totally agree that running in bad conditions feels great afterwards. And how lovely to meet up with your running friends! I'm glad you're finding relief for that shoulder, I've never experienced any effect of Voltaire gel actually. My shoulders have been upset again lately, I might try hanging from the pull-up bar now that we have one.

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    1. These wide grip overhead lifts are so hard and it has taken me so long to get to the point that I can do them! And yes, just hanging from the bar opens up the joint and has given me so much relief!

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  11. Your Chicago meet up and run looks fun! I am looking forward to running the marathon there in October!

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  12. I am so glad for all your fun this week! I think we could all use that in our lives right now. I finally put myself out there in my local-ish running community. I've been a little quiet with races and group runs, but I need more running buddies, so here we are.

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  13. What an eventful week!! That tough trail run with ice pellets, that hardcore Crossfit session and then the meetup with Deborah!!!
    Well done on those overhead squats. They are by far the most challenging for me, too. I find that I feel it most in my wrists, of all places. Nice that your shoulder is getting better.
    Talking about shoulders, this morning we had a gazillion wallballs and pushups... I'm going to feel it tomorrow!

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    1. Yes you will! My wrists were a little sore after those OHS too. Today's WOD looks a little kinder, gentler. LOL

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  14. Your photos from the lakefront run looked like a blast! Sometime road running is still fun :) And I think all your strength and road miles will still serve you well in your April race. You are so strong!

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    1. I need that vote of confidence because trail running has been non-existent lately. This weather has got to go!

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  15. I am still smiling from my great weekend in Chicago! Thanks so much for coming in and running with me. I truly am blessed to have so many amazing running friends in my life all over the country!

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  16. Our website has been so out of whack lately too! We've had snow one day, 50s the next! I prefer the 50 degree weather obviously, but we've had so little snow this year (so far) I really can't complain.

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