On and off the road, this was a tough week.
The cold virus that took me down last weekend slowly improved. I was pretty fatigued early in the week and didn't get much movement in. That in itself was a stressor and reminder of how much running and sweating help my anxiety.
By Wednesday, I was feeling pretty good. I was literally walking out the door for a run when my youngest son called me. He was getting ready to leave for work and he realized he forgot his keys. He was locked out of their yard, so he tried to climb over the fence. His pant leg got caught on the top and he fell 6 feet to the concrete below, landing on his face and hurting his wrist. He did not sound good. So instead of driving to the forest preserve for a run, I drove to the city, taking him to the ER to be evaluated. Fortunately, he 'only' had a concussion and a wrist sprain. If you've been following me for a while, you know this kid has had his share of injuries over the years. I really think I should wrap him in bubble wrap! I'm so glad he is ok.
I also learned that I didn't get a bib for the 2024 Chicago Marathon. I read that over 120,000 runners applied to the lottery. Yes, you read that right. 😳 To put it in perspective, the first time I ran Chicago, in 2011, I just signed up. Not getting in this time hit harder than I expected. Even though I swore off marathons after my diagnosis with RA in 2016, after spectating this year, I wanted to run Chicago once more, to prove to myself that I could. And no, I don't want to pick a different marathon. I'm going to take this as a sign that I need to follow a different path.
No matter what, I will continue to run. Running is my therapy. I also love the feeling of running. Now that I know I don't have the marathon on my calendar, I can decide what, if anything will be next. You know there will be plenty of trails, though!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: rest
Monday: run 4.25 miles
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: run aborted
Thursday: strength
Friday: run 6.3 miles
Saturday: drive to the lake
Since I was still feeling sick on Sunday and skipped my run, I decided to run on Monday. I wasn't anywhere near 100%, but I needed some fresh air. I ran around my neighborhood, close to home. While I did have to take a few walk breaks, it felt good to move.
Sammy Jo arrived at the gym on Thursday with her knee wrapped. She tore her ACL and sprained her MCL while skiing over the weekend. She's going to have it repaired once she decides on a surgeon. Before this, I had asked her if we could do bench presses since I missed doing them last week. She had me build to 3 sets of 2 at 87-92%, which was 87#. She initially had me attempt 90#, but I was unable. I alternated those with banded pull-aparts, 3 sets of 10. After that, I did cyclist squats using a 35# KB, 3 sets of 12, alternating with banded pulldowns, 3 sets of 15.
Since I was sidelined earlier this week due to illness, etc, I stayed after to work on the deload lifts that I missed. I built to 55% on both my deadlifts (115#) and back squats (90#), doing 4 sets of 5 of each. It felt good to be able to focus on form instead of struggling with the heavy weights. I felt much better mentally after my strength session.
Friday morning was relatively warm with the promise of a beautiful sunrise. I was so happy to lace up and I worked on holding back on my pace, which made for a successful run with no walk breaks! I did have to make a pit stop at the local grocery store--dammit--but overall, it felt great to be back!
Christmas prep!
Let the holiday prep begin! While I'm slowly decorating my house, last week I took time to bake a fun batch of cookies. My inspiration came from none other than Brooks. The RHT was presented with a couple of challenges including a cookie baking contest, an ugly sweater contest, and a wallpaper/background contest. I didn't win, but there was a lot of competition! And in case you were wondering, these tasted as good as they look!
How was your week? Has anyone else been fighting illness? Did anyone else enter a cookie contest? Did you run a race this weekend?
I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.
How did you not win with those cookies?? They look amazing! I'm finally feeling mostly better and I hope you are too. Yikes on that fall from the fence! Scary!
ReplyDeleteRight? :p The competition was fierce! A running gingerbread man cookie was the winner.
DeleteMy husband had that cold which lingered for weeks! This the season for that too I guess. Your cookies look great! Glad your son is ok-that is scary falling that height. That is such a boy thing huh? it is nice to be close by to jump in when they need you. Sorry you did not get into Chicago. I know you will find something else to motivate you!
ReplyDeleteFor now, I'm just going to enjoy not training for anything. Imagine!
DeleteI'm glad you're feeling better & back to running -- but so sorry about your son. There seems to be something about medical problems this time of year for sure!
ReplyDeleteThose cookies are so cute!
They were fun to make!
DeleteOof, that's a tough week! I'm glad your son is okay, and I'm glad you live close enough to each other that you can help him out when things like this happen. My sister and her husband (who live in your area) both had a REALLY bad cold this past week- so it's going around.
ReplyDeleteThat is a bummer about Chicago. I'll be interested to see what you pivot to- what about a trail marathon?
I do "cyclist squats" when I work out at home (although I didn't know that's what they're called.) It's a "Knees Over Toes Guy" thing.
Anyway sounds like your week turned out well, and those cookies are awesome!!! I would love to see a photo of the winning cookies (I suspect I could find one if I just do a little googling.)
It was a running gingerbread man and now I have ideas...
DeleteSorry to hear about your son (glad he's alright, but how scary) and your Chicago disappointment. I had a strange cold, a few weeks ago, that lingered forever. It's been years since I've had even a sniffle (other than my two mild Covid gigs), and even had to resort to NyQuil for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI don't get sick very often either and this one was a doozy!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your son's fall - it's great that he lives close enough by that you could help out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer that you weren't able to get into Chicago. Maybe set your eyes on another really cool trail race?
Your Brooks running shoe cookies turned out great. The competition must have been tough for you not to win.
I'm definitely keeping my options open!
DeleteMore than one person has used the "wrap him in bubble wrap" suggestion about Les. Glad your son is okay, just reading what he did was scary! I love your cookies!
ReplyDeleteWe're dealing with Santa Ana winds here. Running in 20 mph winds with gusts over 40 is my least favorite weather. We're visiting family this week and I asked for requests, so my baking list is now 4 kinds of candy and 3 kinds of cookies.
I don't make candy, so I'd love to hear more about what you're concocting!
DeleteI'm so glad your son is ok!
ReplyDeleteI know very well how activity helps anxiety. My own mental health has been quite ***** from time to time after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have to focus a lot on keeping up positive thinking, but when I'm in the gym I feel NORMAL and that means so much. I'm happy for you that you can run and even if you don't get to do the Chicago marathon, you can still run! I've never heard of cyclist squats, what are they?
If you look at the photo above, I have my heels on a plate while I'm squatting with a kettlebell.
DeleteYup. I get it. Although I was so unwell that I wasn't even bitter about not being able to work out, so theres' that. But I am so glad to be back at it, and I will head back to the gym tomorrow. One day at a time.
ReplyDeleteI'm always bitter about being sick, lol!
DeleteHolidaze Cookies !!! Yahoooooo !! I Believe That Its A OK Passing On The Marathon This Year - So Many Avenues For Ya In 2024 That I Am Pretty Sure You Wont Feel Left Out - Stay Strong - Think Positive Thoughts - And Continue To Be The Better Person
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs ,
Cheers
I'm just not good at hearing 'no', lol!
DeleteI love your biscuits! And I'm glad you're feeling better now. I had a short cold a couple of weeks ago and it somehow knocked all my fitness out of me - as I discovered when I tried to run up to club run on Tuesday! I did get out there and do a whole 2.1 miles of run/walk this morning, though. My friend Alan and I have pledged to run the Birmingham Half in May AND ENJOY IT. Not just drag ourselves round. It's helping.
ReplyDeleteGoals are good! I need to figure out what i want to do in 2024.
DeleteThat was me, Liz / LyzzyBee by the way but you probably grasped that. Good sesh at physio today where she "freed up" my glute (owwwwwww).
DeleteSo sorry about your tough week! I hope your son is ok and I'm glad you're feeling better. Amazing that so many entered the Chicago lottery - there's no way there were that many when I got in back in 2019. I hope this week is a better one for you!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of runners are chasing the 6 Majors. But it really bummed me out that so many applied to Chicago!
DeleteOk, I know I shouldn't laugh at this, but your son cracks me up! I hope his fence-climbing stunt is caught on camera somewhere - it would be hilarious! Glad he's ok!
ReplyDeleteSomething is happening with those Abbott Majors - it's getting harder and harder to enter. London has 600'000 competing for the 50'000ish spots.
Can you enter Chicago with a charity? Or do they have a trading platform when runners have to drop out?
My oldest son, who owns the building, said his camera was turned off. I'm just glad nothing bad happened to my baby!
DeleteIt's ok about the marathon. If I had gotten a bib through the lottery, it would have been great. I'm not interested in a charity bib. I did that once. I don't like asking people for money.
Oh gosh Wendy, what a scare with your son! So glad you could help him out...and relieved he is okay. Yowsa...
ReplyDeleteThat's wild about Chicago! It wasn't a lottery when I ran it in 2007 either...I think it became one shortly thereafter.
Beautiful sunrise pic. Always good to have that emergency grocery store, it happens to all runners, ha!
It's that time of year when all the portapotties have hibernated, sigh...
DeleteSo sorry for your son, I hope he is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI agree, running is the best therapy! My family and running are the solution for every problem of mine.
The cookies look amazing and delicious.
I need to make more cookies!
Delete