The family drama I wrote about last week spilled into this week. I keep wishing it would go away, but I don't think that is going to happen. Thank goodness for running and my workouts. I was able to sweat out a lot of my stress again. We had beautiful weather for most of the week, and I fully enjoyed my trail runs. There's just something about being in nature that makes me so happy!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: Ice Age Trail Run 10.5 miles/1400ft
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Fluid Running
Wednesday: trail run 7.5 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: run 6.5 miles
Saturday: rest
Last weekend, we were up at the lake and I was excited to lace up my shoes and run on the Lodi Marsh segment! I loved everything about this run: the cool temperatures, the lack of wind, the sunshine, the solitude, the blossoms, the birds...I didn't want it to end. The highlight of this run was my climb down the steep incline to the marsh, which was in full bloom. It was breathtaking and my photos just don't do it justice.
One of my other highlights was stumbling upon a little sandhill crane courtship. I heard them before I saw them. One was on the trail ahead of me and the other was flying overhead. They were calling to each other and it was just amazing. I just stopped and watched them for a while before finishing my run. This run was such a treat!
I woke up pretty sore on Monday! But off to CrossFit it was for some work on the bar. After a lengthy warmup, the strength portion was a 12 minute E2MOM of toes-to-bar, unbroken. I don't have toes-to-bar, so I worked on leg raises and did 5 in a row each time. The MetCon was 4 rounds for time of 12 calories on the Echo bike, 20 single arm dumbbell snatches, and 16 single arm dumbbell overhead lunges. I used a 15# DB because I didn't think I could hold a 20# DB overhead for all those lunges.
I was up and out the door early Wednesday morning for my trail run. It was a perfect morning--pleasantly cool with bright sunshine and no wind. I didn't anticipate the muddy trails, though! We had quite a bit of rain the day before and I did a lot of puddle jumping both on the single track and the main trail. I saw the deer triplets again, right at the start of my run, plus a few others of the herd. I happened upon something going on with a strange chattering coming from inside a downed tree trunk and a bunch of squirrels running out and around it. Squirrel wrestling match? Squirrel orgy? You be the judge. Trail running is never boring and this gave me a lot to think about as I continued my run!
Thursday was a cold, rainy day and I was glad to have CrossFit on the agenda. The strength/skill portion had 12 minutes on the clock with 12 rower hamstring curls--basically hip bridges with your feet on the rower seat, sliding it back and forth as you lift and squeeze the glutes, 1 lap banded sidesteps, and 6 per side single arm inverted KB (10#) press. I finished 3 rounds of this. I could definitely go up with the weight on the KB press. The MetCon was basically Murph prep. It was 5-4-3-2-1 of Row x 100m, and rounds of Cindy: 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats.
There was some confusion about how this was to go. So for the first round--we did 500m on the rower and 5 rounds of 5 pull-ups (I did ring rows), 10 pushups, and 15 squats. I only made it through 3 rounds of Cindy before time was called at 25 minutes. Doing the math, I did a total of 1200m on the rower, 60 ring rows, 120 pushups, and 180 squats.
I headed out on Friday morning for my bike path run and as you might expect, after Thursday's WOD, my legs were tired. This was a dig deep, suck-it-up kinda run. I remembered the advice my coach Becky gave during marathon training 10 years ago when she made me run after hard gym workouts: you need to run on tired legs. Her theory being that in the tough miles of a long-distance race, running on fatigued legs train you to dig deep and push through the pain. With a tough trail race coming up in a week, this run was a perfect reminder of what I need to do!
Off the Road
If you don't work in healthcare, you might not have been aware that it was Nurses' Week this week. Lucky me, I get to celebrate with all my fellow nurses. But I also get included in Doctor's Day, Nurse Practitioners' Day, and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner's Day. There is also a Certified Nurses Day, but we don't really celebrate that. Personally, I think every day should be Nurses' Day but that's a topic for another forum. Anyhoo, most of the celebrating was done at the hospital, but we did have some fun--every day was a themed outfit day, and on Tuesday, it was Hawaiian Day. The only Hawaiian shirt I own is an Inknburn tank, which I wore. So much fun and it was a reminder of how much love I have for my team!
On Saturday, we celebrated the impending arrival of my sister's first grandchild with a baby shower. My sister Lisa hosted and my youngest sister Danielle was in town as well. Unfortunately, my parents were both sick with a bad cold virus and my mom was unable to attend. It was a nice gathering and we are all excited about meeting the baby!
How was your week? Have you been enjoying some nice outdoor runs? Any thoughts on what was going on with the squirrels in the tree trunk? What are you doing for Mother's Day? After a run in the morning on the trails, I'll be spending the day with my sons and my hubs. Sounds pretty perfect to me!
We are also having issues with sick parents it’s really frustrating and scary. Glad you were able to be celebrated at work for all that you do. Off to run and then host dinner over here. Happy Mother’s Day
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
DeleteSorry about the ongoing stressors, but yay for the great runs to help cope.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely deserve all the recognition for nurse’s day, CNP day, and of course Mother’s Day!
Thank goodness for running!
DeleteGlad you got to celebrate Nurse's Week! I agree, every day should be nurses day (and teacher's day as well.)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the family stress- and I know that situation is VERY stressful- but I'm glad you were able to get outside for those amazing runs. Imagine the people who deal with these stressors without exercise- how do they get through life???
As always I love the photos of the IAT run!
I can only imagine the different kinds of coping skills non-running people have, lol
DeleteSounds like you had a great week, fitness-wise (even with the tired legs) and Nurse's week! Enjoy your Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWe did Cindy, too! But it was straightforward, we did it as a 20-minute AMRAP 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats. I was amazed how difficult a body-weight workout can be, uff. And our box is also preparing for Murphy.
ReplyDeleteThose rower hamstring curls are genius, we've never done those.
Sorry about the family drama, but all the happier to see that lovely photo with your sister and pregnant niece. Btw, my sister is called Lisa, too!
I didn't even know you had a sister! Is she a runner too?
DeleteNo, unfortunately not!
DeleteI agree. Out in nature is the best medicine. Glad you were able to enjoy it. Love all your pics!!!!
ReplyDeleteA quiet day here... I hope to get out later for a walk.
Congrats on becoming a great aunt.
I'm excited to have a new baby in the family!
DeleteYes, a run/hike/walk or just being in nature is the BEST - it is such a mood changer! Congrats to your niece- how exciting you will be a great aunt! Everyone looks great in the photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a really nice, low-key shower.
DeleteFull week, lots of great stuff- but sorry about the family drama :(
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your sister's daughter! Sounds like a lovely celebration.
Oh I love sandhill cranes! How cool to see them (and so much other wildlife!) Wisconsin is beautiful.
It really is! I can't get enough!
DeleteWhat beautiful trail runs. There’s nothing like getting out in nature to soothe your soul and relieve stress.
ReplyDeleteWhat goes on during nurses’ week? Is there anything to raise awareness about nurses’ working conditions and the like?
Enjoy Mother’s day with your family!
You know, that would be a great focus for nurses' day! We often joke about the free pizza, stuff we don't need (or want). Increased pay, better staffing, more support from administration--now that would be something, wouldn't it?
DeleteYes, I don't give a **** about free pizza if every work day is like a disaster zone! I'm sure I've told you that I'm an ex-nurse who gave up the profession because of the awful working conditions (and burnout). In the end it was like working on a sinking ship. :(
DeleteI didn't know you were a former nurse--so I know you get it!!!
DeleteFawn triplets? How cute! I wonder if that's very common.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated nurses week! And happy Mother's Day!
I'm sure it's not--but it's fun to see them! They are probably 2 years old now--they are big!
DeleteHappy Mother's Day and Happy Nurses Week. Nurses do deserve more than a week. They work so hard and in some cases are so undersupported.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about the family drama. I hope it's something that can be resolved. The shower looked lovely and I hope your mom feels better soon. Hope you had a wonderful day today.
Thanks Jenn!
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