Weekly Workout Recap: 04/13/2020 - 04/19/2020

I'm still going strong with my workouts, but I do feel like I need to start mixing it up a bit.  I've been doing the same arm and leg weight workouts recently, and need to take the time to find something different soon.  But in the mean time here is this week's Recap...

Workouts:

Monday
Arm Workout

Tuesday
3ish mile walk

Wednesday
Arm Workout

Thursday
10.72 bike ride

This was my longest bike ride yet, and it felt great!  I'm surprised by just how much I have been enjoying riding my bike.

Friday
Core/Back Workout

Saturday
Leg Workout

Sunday
4.25 mile walk

Just when I had finally decided that my calf was almost back to normal, it started flaring up halfway through this walk.  Grrrr!

A few photos from the walk...


Really pretty sunset!...

Weekly Workout Recap: 04/06/2020 - 04/12/2020

I'm still going strong with my workouts, but still no running was done. As soon as all of my spring races were switched to virtual races, I seem to have lost my running mojo. That combined with the fact that my calf still isn't feeling 100% yet has me turning my attention elsewhere for some exercise recently. But I will be back to running eventually - I do still have two virtual 5K's to run after all!

Here is this week's Recap...

Workouts:

Monday
Aaptive "Upper Body Flex" Arm Workout
1.5 miles walk with two of my dogs...



Tuesday
10 minute aerobic dance workout
10 mile bike ride (my farthest ride to date!)
75 Tricep Push-Ups

Here are some photos from the bike ride...







Wednesday
Jillian Michaels "Killer Arms & Back" Level 1 30 Minute Workout
25 Tricep Push-Ups

Thursday
1.5ish mile walk

Friday
3ish mile walk with one of my pups

Saturday
Yin Yoga

Sunday
3.5 mile hike

I met my parents for an Easter hike today.  Here are a handful of random photos from our adventure...

Weekly Workout Recap: 03/30/2020 - 04/05/2020

I'm still feeling like I have had pretty good momentum with my workouts. It's not exactly hard to fit them in while in quarantine. I was on call Monday through Friday this week; however, I ended up only have to go in three of the five days and only for a few hours each day.  So, I still had more than enough time to exercise to my heart's content.

I'm SO FREAKING HAPPY that I decided to splurge and buy a bike last week. There really aren't words for how much I am enjoying getting out and riding in the evenings. Unfortunately, riding does make my neck and shoulder issues flare up a bit so I can't ride every day but I'm thrilled to be riding as much as I can.

I'm glad that I decided to purchase the ankle weights while I was out, too. It's been nice to have the option of using those for some leg exercise here and there. It's just taking a little bit to think outside of the box for things to do now that I can't go to the gym after work every day. Although, in all honesty I am working out a lot harder now than I was when I was going to the gym. I'm not working out after a long exhausting day at work, so I have a lot more energy to give to the workouts. I'm also just feeling more motivation for working out overall. I guess my thinking is that if I'm in quarantine all this time, I'm going to do everything I can to use the time to my advantage.

Thus far the only thing lacking in my recent exercise routine is doing any actual running, but more on that later. For now here is this week's Recap...

Workouts:

Monday
Leg workout with my ankle weights

Tuesday
1.5ish mile walk

Since today was the last day of the month, it wrapped up month three in a row of closing all of my Apple Watch rings, and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day since January 1st. This is a huge deal to me and I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to it, so here's a photo from the app of my March accomplishment...



Wednesday
5.6 mile bike ride

Thursday
Yin Yoga

Friday
Arm workout with my dumbbells
5.9 mile bike ride

I made the decision to start wearing masks as much as possible when I go out. I was unable to find any actual masks, of course. However, I was able to find some cloth ones online that I have on order. But lucky for me, I have TONS of scarves at home because I've acquired a collection over the years for dog photos.

Here I am wearing one of my homemade masks using one of the scarves I had around home...



I saw a little 'wildlife' on my ride and I had to stop and take photos...





Saturday
6.7 mile bike ride

No photos from my ride today, but when I got home I decided to take my dogs to Dairy Queen for pup cups in celebration of one of my dog's birthday.

Here I am with 3 of the 4.  The other goober is camera shy and hard to get in photos!...



It's not very often that I take all 4 of them out together, but made an exception for this quick trip.  The darker brown one is my oldest dog at 12 ½.  She's actually a really smart, super good dog who does well in public from a behavior stand point.  However, she suffers from a lot of anxiety and usually doesn't enjoy outings - unless food is involved and then she's all about it!  She also has a lot of health issues, so she's unable to do much in the way of exercise.  So, she usually gets to live it up at home most of the time.

Sunday
Aaptive "Smoking Guns" Arm Workout

I had done this workout once before and wasn't sure how I felt about it.  After a second go round, I'm still not sure I love it and much prefer the one I did last week.  However, I guess it's good to mix things up from time to time.

Weekly Workout Recap: 3/23/2020 - 3/29/2020

I finally feel like I found my workout mojo again after being off kilter ever since the gym closed.  While the only running I did this week was when I ran my virtual race (mostly because of concern over my calf, which is still sore and bothering me quite a bit when I try to do certain things), I feel like I got decent exercise all week.

Overall, I just felt good about where I was this week, which was a welcome change from the previous two.

Here is this week's Recap...

Workouts:

Monday
3.3 mile walk, along the same route I did for the Women's Day Virtual 5K

Tuesday
I Run 4 Rescues Virtual 5K Race

Wednesday
1.5 mile easy walk

My calf was still bother me quite a bit post race and I wanted to take it easy, while still getting a little movement in and testing things out to see if walking would help stretch the calf out any.

Thursday
3.3 mile walk, along the same route I did for the Women's Day Virtual 5K

Again the calf was bothering me some, but definitely better.

Friday
Half an hour of the Just Dance 2020 Game for the Nintendo Switch

Saturday
Leg Workout

I braved Walmart for some supplies, and while I was there I bought myself some light ankle weights.  I came home and did a half an hour of leg exercises using the weights.

Sunday
9.25 mile bike ride, along the canal where I ran my race on Tuesday.



I stopped along the way to take a photo of one of the ducks that calls the canal it's home...



I had been considering buying myself an inexpensive bike but just hadn't done it yet.  With everything that is going on, I thought maybe it was time to do so.  I have to say I really enjoyed the ride a lot and am looking forward to the next one.  It did feel like a HUGE splurge spending the money when finances are so uncertain, but I guess if I'm going to be off work I'd rather be spending the time doing things that are healthy for me instead of sitting in front of the TV or the computer.

I Run 4 Rescues Virtual 5K Race Report

I signed up to run the I Run 4 Rescues Virtual 5K quite a while ago, maybe before I'd really even gotten too far back into running.  I can't remember exactly.

I totally admit it. I got sucked in by the adorable dogs and the fact that the shirt and metal would contain my favorite color combo...



I've actually had my race packet for quite a while, but I wanted to be at a point where I could actually RUN the race before I did it so I had been holding off.

I decided to do the run on Tuesday evening. It was my first official day in quarantine so I was off work and it seemed as good a time as any.  I wanted a change of scenery from the route I ran for my last virtual 5K, so I opted for an out and back course on the trails along side the water collection canals that run throughout the area.

On to the Race Report...

I drive to the point where my neighborhood connects to the canal trails and park the car. I get myself prepared and take a pre-race photo...



I set my running app on my phone and my Apple Watch, and then I take off.

And instantly realize that I forgot to delay my passcode requirement on my phone. (It drives me insane having to type it every time I want to check my distance, so I always change it during runs.) So, I spend the first several minutes of my run fiddling with that to get it turned off.

The trail runs East-West, so I either have to run into the sun on the way out or the way back. I decided to get it over with, thinking maybe it'll be a little higher in the sky at the start and not quite so blinding.

Almost instantly I fall into a nice easy rhythm and the run feels great. Not too far into the course, I pass by the small rec center near my neighborhood and the area is busier than I'd prefer for a run during quarantine. So, I spend a significant amount of time running off the trail and then back on to avoid people coming toward me.

Maybe .75 miles in, I reach a main road that I need to cross and have to wait for the light to change. I use the time for a water break and actually remember to pause the timer on my app. The light finally changes and I restart my app and take off running again.

I'm still in a nice steady grove, having zero issues. I'm in that perfect place where everything is in sync and I'm not struggling in the slightest. I'm enjoying my music but it's not having to pull me through. My mind is aimlessly wandering about, taking in my surroundings, thinking about how good the run feels, pondering what I am going to do with my upcoming days while in quarantine.

I check my app to see my distance (which is one of the worst things about a virtual race in my opinion!) and see that I'm about 1.4 miles in - almost at the halfway point. I can see that I am approaching another main road not too far up ahead, and decide to make that my turn around point. I know that it's going to be a little farther out than necessary, but I figure it will allow me a nice little cool down walk from the end of the 5K back to my car.

I get to the road and use the turn around for another water break, and then take off running again. I'm still going strong and having no issues. I'm thinking how pleasant the run is and how surprising it is after not having run for more than two week. I'm thinking it's nice to have the sun at my back instead of running into it, and I decided to snap a selfie...



I hit somewhere around 2.6 miles and I could feel myself starting to get tired. I was reaching the point where I needed a song to really pump me up and keep me moving. I started skipping through songs searching for the right one, when "Let's Go" by Trick Daddy popped up.

YES! Perfect!

I'm wondering if the song is long enough to take me the rest of the way through the race. When all of a sudden...

POP!

And OUCH!!!

WTF??!!

The middle of my right calf has this insane twitching popping sensation go through it and it INSTANTLY seizes up. I can't figure out if I tore something or pulled something or if it is just an insane cramp.

All I know is it freaking HURTS!

I instantly stop and try to stretch it out. I try massaging it. But nothing is really helping.

I try walking but I can't without a major limp.

I decide that I really think what I felt was an insane spasm and then the muscle seized. I really think it is just a horrible cramp, and I decide to just ride it out. I have to get back to the car regardless, and walking was so miserable I decide to try running. Oddly enough it is infinitely better. The running is stretching the calf muscle more than walking and it helps. So, I take off running again, albeit a lot slower.

Pretty quickly, I reach the main road that I need to cross, only this time I do forget to pause the app. While I'm standing waiting for the light to change, I can feel the calf tightening again but once I start running again it feels a little better.

I make it the rest of the way and call it a done deal as soon as I hit 3.1 miles. I stop my app and Apple Watch, and don my metal.

I did it!

I take a few post run photos with my metal...





Then hobble my way back to the car.

Here are the results from my app...



I am thrilled that the first two miles were faster than the last race. Even the third mile wasn't too awful considering part of it was when I forgot to pause the app while waiting for the light, and of course I was walking/hobbling along for a bit of that, too.

Weekly Workout Recap: 3/16/2020 - 3/22/2020

Here is this week's Recap...

Workouts:

Monday
Today was supposed to be my appointment with my Personal Trainer, but given the current state of things I opted to cancel and did some Yin Yoga at home instead.

Tuesday
Aaptiv "Bedtime Bliss" Stretching Workout and "Tranquil Rest" Medication

Wednesday
Yin Yoga

Thursday
3 - 3 ½ mile walk

Friday
Online Cardio Workout Video - which pretty much kicked my butt.

Saturday
2ish mile hike with two of the babies - click here to read more about it and see some photos.

Sunday
2ish mile walk with one of the fur babies and some friends, keeping proper social distance, of course.

I have to say that I really struggled with my workouts this week.  It took me until Thursday to get it together enough to get any real exercise, and no running was done.  I usually do most of my workouts at the gym immediately after work and most of my runs are on the treadmill.

With thy gym closed, I am having a hard time.  I really need the routine of going straight from work because once I walk in the door at home, either the to do list starts nagging or the couch starts calling and all good intentions go out the window.  I have to work tomorrow, but then I am off work for the foreseeable future.  So I figure I only need to ride it out one more day and then I'll have more than enough time to figure out a new workout routine and plan some outdoor runs.

Life in the Apocalypse

It's been a rough week.

Now there's an understatement if there ever was one.

On Monday my boss returned from vacation and instantly put new cleaning protocols in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was stressful to say the least!  We had a full schedule of patients, and it is hard to stay caught up on the best of days.

Nevermind with all the extra cleaning.

The standard schedule certainly doesn't allow time to sanitize every inch of the rooms between each person, and as crazy as it is we weren't having any cancellations, so of course we were behind schedule the entire time.  People weren't upset; they were happy we were taking the precautions, but it's still stressful to be behind all day.

By the time I got home at the end of the day on Wednesday, I was on complete and total overload.

To be honest, I felt like I had completely lost my grip on my my sanity.  

I felt like my entire body and brain were vibrating from having to be so zeroed in to my every action for three straight days. The second I walked in the door, I poured myself a kahlua and cream, and didn't stop refilling my glass until I had stopped vibrating.

To add to the fun, my boss spent the entire week insisting that we were NOT closing. (She finally changed her mind this morning!) So, I spent the week oscillating between fear for my health and concern over the irresponsibility of not social distancing as recommended.

By the time Friday rolled around reality had fully settled in, as many of my commune friends started sharing the news that they were suffering from pay cuts, schedule cuts, lay offs, and straight up job loss.

By mid-week, I could feel myself spiraling out of control and I could tell some of the old mental and emotional health demons I thought I'd laid to rest were rearing their ugly heads.  I fought a long hard battle out of the abyss and I AM NOT GOING BACK THERE!

So, I decided that I am going to concentrate on trying to do things to decompress and escape the craziness. 

So, here is my Week in Review thus far...

Thursday: I went for a 3 - 3 ½ mile walk near my house.  I was going to take a few photos but I completely forgot.

Saturday: I took two of my dogs on a nice easy 2ish mile hike at a nearby park, where I did remember to take some photos!

Photo of the rock formations at the park...



I walked around the formations, not up them.  I opted to take one of my 12 year old dogs and I knew that would be too much for her.

Me with two of my goobers.  The larger dog is the older one, and the smaller dog is much younger.  She is a rescue, so I'm not sure of her exact age but I think she's around two...



Always up for a fun adventure...



Here was where the largest number of people I saw were located, except for in the parking lot.  Normally, I would have taken at least one trek up and down the stairs, but I was taking the social distancing thing very seriously and didn't want to have to pass too closely to anyone.  So, I opted to take a photo from afar today...



Another photo of me with one of the dogs...

And one of a little friend I met along the way...



Also, I have to say that if ever my tattoo was a perfect fit, this is it.  I really am so thrilled that I was able to get it before all of this insanity settled in.  It's been serving as the best reminder to maintain control of what I have control over and to just surrender to the rest.  Worrying will do no good, so take it one day at a time and just deal with whatever presents itself that day...