Let it Be

It was another difficult week. Fortunately, my modified fitness plan, while not optimal, was enough to keep me from losing my mind. That, and the support of my youngest sister, friends, and relatives, helped me get through it. 

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: home strength training

Monday: running 4 miles

Tuesday: home strength training

Wednesday: run 4.5 miles

Thursday: home strength training

Friday: Yoga with Adriene

Saturday: treadmill 10/3.5/30

On Sunday, I needed to get my strength on before heading to the rehab facility to spend the day with my mom. I don't have the heavy weights we have at the gym, but I wanted to get in a quality workout, so I decided to hit the big muscles. Here's what I did:

Warmup: 10 minute TM walk 15m/m

3 rounds: 1 minute per round:

-dumbbell (25# per hand) deadlifts

-lunges (15# per hand)

-pushups

-abmat situps

I'll be working on variations of this theme over the next couple of weeks until I can return to the gym. 

I wanted to catch the sunrise, so I was out the door before 6:30 for my quick little run around the neighborhood. This little 4 miler showed me what my legs were made of as my first 2 miles averaged 9:10. I slowed down after that, but good enough to finish with 9:26m/m for all 4 miles. I even stopped to play in forearm stand and held it for a couple of seconds. I headed home, feeling pretty chuffed, but when I got home, I realized that the house key had fallen out of my pocket when I was doing the inversion. I had to go back to find it, lol. Still, this was a really fun run, something I needed before heading back to the rehab facility.

I sure do miss going to the gym! On Tuesday, I did another workout from Carla DiGirolamo. This one offered the option of dumbbells or barbells; in the article, she reviews the difference. For this workout, I used my barbell. 

Warmup:

-5 minutes walking on the treadmill 15m/m

-3 rounds: 5 ups/downs, 10 air squats, 10 mountain climbers per leg, 5 inchworms to pushups

Workout: meant to be for time--I pushed myself but didn't time it

-15-12-9-6-3 rep scheme: front squats (45# barbell), bar facing burpees 

Cool down: 

-5 minutes walking on the treadmill at 20m/m pace

Wednesday was blustery and cold. I debated running on the TM, but knew that getting outside would help me feel less anxious. I needed to leave my house by 9 to get to the rehab facility to participate in my mom's PT session. The wind was out of the east, which means cold! The headwind made me feel as if I was being pushed backwards. The tailwind was nice, but it was cold. Did I say cold too many times? It would have been easy to take a shortcut home, but I pushed myself a little farther, just because I could.

On Thursday, I did another home strength workout courtesy of Dr G's Athletic Aging substack. I don't have very heavy weights at home, but I figure I'm at least maintaining until I can get back to the gym. 

Warm up: 

-5 minute TM walk at 15m/m pace

-TABATA (2 rounds) Air Squats, pushups

Workout: AMRAP 15 minutes

-12 KB (25#) sumo deadlift high pulls

-10 DB (15#) push presses

-10 lateral jump over DB; modified to step overs

Completed 10 rounds

Cooldown:

-5 min TM walk at 20m/m pace

On Saturday, I woke up to rain, so I took my feet to the TM for that 10/3.5/30 workout. I listened to Fleetwood Mac Rumors again! Why mess with success?

Off the road...

I won't sugarcoat it...this was another incredibly difficult week. My mom continued to make good progress, and she worked on walking with the walker, stairs, and by the end of the week, getting in and out of my car. That last activity was because we were planning for her discharge on Saturday. My father continued with his very concerning behaviors. When we learned that the original discharge date was set for 4/14, my sister and I knew there was no way we could tolerate another week. My sister needed to return to her home out of state, and 4/14 was my return-to-work date. I also learned this week that because I work part-time, I don't qualify for FMLA, and taking additional time off would put me at risk of losing my job. 

With our geriatric care manager, we put together a plan to bring my mom home with 24 hour care starting on Saturday. The facility physician approved our plan, and we moved forward, getting everything in place. Even after we explained to my father about the amount of care and equipment needed for my mom to come home, he continued to vacillate between agreeing with our plan and pushing back on having caregivers in the house, as well as my mom sleeping in a hospital bed on the first floor. But finally, he conceded.

On Saturday, I drove to the rehab facility, my stomach in knots. The first song I heard on the radio was the Beatles' Let It Be. I thought there was no more perfect song for me to hear, and I found myself singing along, the words embedded in my brain from hearing this song so many times over my lifetime.  The staff and I got my mom ready to go, and she easily transferred into my car. She told me it felt as if she had been in the hospital forever. As we drove to their house, I joked with my mom that we should do a Thelma and Louise-style adventure. Despite her injury, I have really enjoyed all the time I have had with her.

When we pulled up to the house, I asked her if she wanted her wheelchair, but she wanted to try to walk to the front door with her walker. We had a few steps to navigate, and she did really well. My dad and the home health people were at the door to greet us. It was a few more steps to the kitchen, where she sat down in a chair, exhausted. My youngest sister was preparing the hospital bed for my mom. My dad was quiet, sitting with my mom at the kitchen table, but content to have my mom home. 

So far, so good. And by the way, the facility told my youngest sister and me multiple times that we were the Dream Team! They were impressed that we were there, helping with my mom so much. Whenever we were feeling overwhelmed or beat up, we said it to each other as a reminder that we can do hard things. 

How was your week? Have you ever heard a song on the radio just when you needed it? 

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