I Really Needed That Run...

It's a week like this that reminds me of how much running does for me. Sure, there are physical fitness benefits from running--we all know about that. But the main reason I started running and why I still do is for my mental health. This week my husband had his back surgery after that incident he had in August showed he had multiple herniated discs and spinal cord compression. He ended up having laminectomies at L3, L4, and L5, all done as a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. As a seasoned, jaded medical professional, I fully admit to being awed and amazed by his surgeon.

While he's been doing well, he's not able to do a whole lot without pain. He's not a complainer, but if I'm being honest, he's been a little grumpy. 

I took most of the week off to take care of him but was thankful to be able to continue my workouts as usual. While I missed Wednesday's trail run when I took him downtown for his surgery, I made up for it on Friday. That run was everything I needed. I had some good workouts at CrossFit that filled me up as well.

Weekly Rundown:

Sunday: Ice Age Trail Run 7 miles

Monday: CrossFit

Tuesday: Fluid Running

Wednesday: off for hub's surgery

Thursday: CrossFit

Friday: trail run 7.5 miles

Saturday: rest, work

At the end of last week's post, I shared that we were up at the lake and it was REALLY cold. When I headed out for my trail run on Sunday, it was 5F with a 10 mph breeze. I dressed like I do in the dead of winter--I can't believe it's this cold already! I brought the North Face thermoball to the lake and put it to use, along with my fleece Athleta Rainier tights. I wore my face mask too. I never was cold or hot--to quote Goldilocks, it was 'just right'. So many IAT segments were closed for deer hunting, but thankfully the Gibraltar Segment was open!

I parked at the Slack Road trailhead and ran the connecting road to Gibraltar Rock. It was very still in the woods and I was the only person there. The sun started to peek through the trees and as I climbed to the top, that golden glow lit up everything! It was breathtaking. I made my way across the bluff and around the back of the rock, where I spotted some guys climbing to the top. 

I retraced my steps on the connecting road to run the Slack Road portion. It was peaceful and very meditative. When I finished this run, I felt very content. I am so glad I pushed myself to run in the cold because it was such a beautiful morning!

On Monday's agenda: CrossFit and 2RM deadlifts! I focused on form this time and finished my lifts injury-free. After struggling with 195#, SJ, who was coaching the class, challenged me to reset and get out of my head. I did and got that barbell off the ground. I could only do 1 rep, but that made me happy! The MetCon was a short little 3 rounds for time (13 minute cap) of 15 burpee box jumps, 12 ball over shoulders, and 20 lunges holding the ball. SJ told us to go light on the ball, so I used the 15# and finished this in 9:47. 

CrossFit had 2 RM bench presses on Thursday! As I did with the deadlifts on Monday, I really concentrated on my form and had a new PR: 90# for 2 bench presses! The MetCon was Fran, a 21-15-9 burner of thrusters and pull-ups. Coach Kate encouraged us to do the rep scheme that would allow us to go unbroken for the entire workout and finish within 10 minutes, so I did a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and finished in 6:48, using a 35# empty barbell for the thrusters and jumping pull-ups from a box. Whew!

On Friday morning, after making sure my hubs was ok, I laced up and took my feet to my trails. It was cold--16F--but sunny. There was a little breeze, but once I was moving, I warmed up and it didn't feel bad. I was excited to see a lot of deer all over the preserve! Most of them wouldn't hang out for me to get a good photo, but I did manage to get one of this group of 4. 

I also saw a red-breasted woodpecker (confirmed by my son and the Merlin app) on the trail. I couldn't get too close, but close enough to get a photo. What a beautiful bird! And what a beautiful morning on the trails. The sun made this run feel good and I sure needed it!

Off the Road

Cocoa is keeping watch on her dad....

How was your week? Have you ever felt like you really needed a run? I am so grateful this body lets me still move like I do.  Did you have any interesting wildlife sightings?

It's starting to warm up and as you read this, I'm back in the city, meeting up with Coco for a run on the Riverwalk and along the lakefront. I've been looking forward to this all week! I can't believe we've never met IRL--we've certainly been blogger friends for more years than I can count.

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