Well… this week happened. For most of it I felt like I was just hanging in there. But that only goes so far. In the same article I quoted last week, Jon Morrow says that when life punches you in the face, you need to throw a counterpunch. I’m ready to stop hanging and figure out my counterpunch.
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for this weekly rundown! Here’s how the week played out.
Monday
Monday is usually my day off, but I’ve been doing PT exercises every night while watching the Olympics. Yes, I’m staying up too late but at least I’m getting those exercises done.
Tuesday
Ugh. Didn’t sleep well and woke up feeling awful. Because my husband had Covid (he’s better now) I was afraid I had it too. I didn’t actually have any Covid symptoms, but you never know.
I wanted to skip working out altogether and go immediately to get a Covid test, but I did one quick Peloton class first- Matt Wilpers 20 Minute Strength for Runners. Just that short 20 minutes made me feel better.
And my Covid test was negative, PHEW. According to the CDC, if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, you do not have to quarantine even if you’ve been in close contact with someone who has Covid. Just to be doubly sure, my son and I got tested. Both negative.
Wednesday
Slept better and felt better! Did a 45 minute pool run. Funny thing about this “run” though… right in the beginning, my headphones died.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pool running is so, so boring. Without my headphones, I was totally screwed.
At first I tried focusing on my surroundings. Ah, the sky is… blue! The water is so…. wet. No, this isn’t going to work.
I ended up singing “99 Bottles of Beer” in my mind to get me through. I know it sounds crazy, but getting down to one bottle of beer was a major triumph. I had a little party in the pool…
It was a strangely exhilarating experience.
Thursday
Arg. Again didn’t sleep well. I knew it should be a strength day, but I needed cardio so badly. I went out for a little “walk.” By that I mean I put on my running clothes and shoes and headed out walking, but knew in the back of my mind that unless one or both of my knees actually snapped in half, I was going to run.
And I did! I walked for about 15 minutes and then alternated running and walking for the next 15. My knees hurt, but not as bad as the last time I ran. I didn’t care… I was running.
Friday
Okay, okay… I’ll do strength. I did Matt Wilpers class again, and then some upper body. Remember that? I sure didn’t. Ever since I’ve been doing the PT for my hip I’ve totally neglected upper body strength. My son decided to add insult to injury by policing my pushup form and let’s just say… ouch. I felt this one for a couple days.
Saturday
Back in the pool. No 99 Bottles this time- as fun as that was, it’s a one-time thing. My headphones worked and I happily listened to music.
Sunday
TRAIL RUN! Hooray hooray. I started off walking for ten minutes and then ran 2.5 miles. And guess what- the pain was totally gone in my left knee, and only slightly there in the right one. The reason I stopped after 2.5 miles is that I have to consider the fact that I’m still getting back into running. First there was the hip injury (which I’ve basically forgotten all about) and then the knee pain… I have to sensibly ease back into running so nothing ELSE goes wrong.
Oh and by the way, I’ve lost my heat acclimation. At the end of this run I actually felt nauseous. And I call myself a Florida runner??? Oh well… I’ll get it back. We still have some hot months ahead of us here.
After this run I did some core exercises. I’m definitely not taking full advantage of my Peloton membership yet. This was a blah week, but after the run today I feel more hopeful about what’s ahead. I’m ready to start throwing my counterpunches!
How was your week? Did you feel like you were hanging in there or really going for it?
Are you watching the track and field? Can you believe how fast the sprinters can run???
34 Responses
Nice way to end the week on a high note, Jenny! Glad that you only had to sing 100 Bottles of Beer once. 🙂
Fingers crossed for more painish-free running next week.
I’ve been hanging in there a long, long time. Can’t really think of a counterpunch, frankly.
Ha ha! Yes, luckily it wasn’t a long pool run- I don’t think I could have sung it twice.
Sometimes hanging in is the best thing. There’s a time for everything.
99 bottles of beer ha ha whatever works for you! Glad to see you are all feeling good and no covid. Hey getting back to running 2.5 miles is progress for sure. I like the idea of the counter punch-you got this
Thanks Deborah! Yep, it’s progress.
oh no, your husband had Covid- how is he doing? And he was fully vaccinated? Ugh 🙁 Glad you and your son were negative. I had a rough cold this whole past week but it wasn’t Covid. It still wasn’t fun! Glad to finally be feeling good again, but a great reminder that even though I’m fully vaccinated and probably wouldn’t get a BAD case of Covid, I don’t want to be sick at all! It sucks, ha! Made running really not fun…
I’m so glad you have that pool- so convenient during this return to running time! Great week lady!
Yes, my husband was fully vaccinated. It was really a wake-up call. You can still get Covid! And while he wasn’t really, really sick, he was out of commission for three days and then of course had to quarantine. Not a fun experience!
Ooh the running is coming back and the pain is going down…that’s a nice counterpunch!
Ha, yes, I feel like it’s a good start!
Glad you and your son were negative- hope your husband is doing ok! It sounds like Florida has so many cases right now.
I can’t believe you survived that pool run without your headphones.
Yay for everything feeling good right now! Hope it continues! Its smart of you to ease back into running slowly.
Yep, Covid cases in Florida are really spiking. The place where my husband was exposed was practically a super-spreader event. SIGH!
OMG, I’m almost crying from laughing at your coping tactics for the pool running 😉 Your sense of humor is spot-on!! I’m so happy the knees are feeling better…hoping that continues to improve even more. I bet your heat acclimation will return quickly, since that’s basically what you live (mostly) year-round. Hang in there, Jenny!! You’re almost back!!
Thank you Kim! I feel like I’m almost back!
I’m glad things are looking up for you. Really glad your covid test was negative and at least one of your knees was quiet. LOL at 99 bottles of beer — whatever it takes! I like the Strength For Runners classes a lot. They are pretty varied — some are like PT classes, some focus on single leg moves, and some are full body.
Yes, my issue is that I don’t want a lot of squats or lunges (because of my knees- knee?). I try to watch the classes first to check that out, which is why I haven’t tried more of them. But I will.
Good news about your Covid test.
Glad to hear that your knee pain is gone.
Running in silence is so hard. Lol on your choice of song.
I just signed up for peleton. I need to try Strength training for runners.
Yes, you said you were going to sign up on the 31st! There are a lot of short (but effective) strength for runners classes. I’m liking them so far!
Oh, I’m not so sure I want my pool running to require 99 bottles of beer on the wall….lol. I will have to tell you about the time I drowned my iPhone in its supposedly waterproof case when I had to do pool running the last time! So many glitches with pool running!
Nice to see you running again! When I get to run again, it will be cooler….I guess that’s some sort of win.
Yes, pool running is not… ideal. But, it’s there for us when we need it!
OMG, I was actually singing that song as I was reading. I am sorry to hear about your husband. Glad you and your son are negative.
Thanks Zenaida! Hope you were able to get 99 Bottles out of your head. I’ll feel bad if you’re still singing it.
Glad that you run again. I know that the pool is (was) a good help: I used it to recover after my femur fracture in 2007.
And now I am waiting for a post about your next race!!!!!
Ha ha, well you may have to wait a little longer. It’s so tempting to get right back out there but I’m taking it slow for now (although seeing everyone sign up for races is making me envious!)
Way to dig deep and get that pool run done, beer bottles and all! When I used to pool run the life guards had a boom box on the pool deck and all they played was heavy metal. With me and a bunch of seniors in the pool is was laughable. I’m so glad you were able to run and it felt GOOD! I am loving the Olympics and staying up way too late as well!
Ha, I’m sure the seniors just loved the heavy metal blaring from the boom box!
oh no! your husband has/had covid???? UGH!!! it’s been a few weeks of kind of crappy stuff going on!! boo!!
seems like you are grabbing the bull by the horns now though – do whatever you can, when you can I always say!
love that you sang 99 bottles of bear on the wall to yourself 😀 I have *totally* done that while running a long boring race and the headphones died…
Yep, it’s been quite a month. My husband is much better now and was only moderately ill (mostly just really, really tired) so thank goodness for being vaccinated.
Ha, I’m keeping 99 Bottles of beer in reserve for another headphone emergency.
So sorry to hear that your husband had Covid 🙁 I’m hearing about more and more “breakthrough” cases. I am fully vaccinated but still wear my mask everywhere. This Delta variant is so contagious!
i can’t express how much I love that quote – “when life punches you in the face, you need to throw a counterpunch.” This definitely sums up my 2021, lol.
Yep, I’m much more aware now that Covid is still out there and super contagious! My husband is doing fine though.
Glad your husband is feeling better and that you tested negative.
Yay for getting back out on the trail for a run. You get two gold stars for your pool run – one for actually sticking with your pool runs and one for making it from 99 to 0 bottles of beer!
Thanks Debbie! Yes, it was quite a week. Things are definitely looking up though.
Oh wow, your vaccinated husband caught COVID? So glad he is feeling better. I have been living under a rock lately (hello vacation without reliable internet!) but I did see Florida has been hit hard again. Well boo.
That’s great you are getting back out there with happy knees!!
Thanks Lisa! Things are looking up in general- my husband is feeling much better and so are my knees. Hope you’re enjoying your vacation- I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.
99 bottles?! Whatever it takes right LOL.
Sorry to hear your husband has Covid. I hope he’s doing ok! Good news that you and your son tested negative. Nice to see your week end on an up note.
My husband is much better! Really almost normal now. Thanks Michelle.