So Much Running
Well, I’m in heaven. I could sit for hours and watch people run, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing every night. I love every single Olympic track race- all the distances, hurdles, preliminary rounds through the finals. My husband gets bored watching unless the race is a final, but for me, watching all the rounds makes it clear how hard it is to advance. Just to be at the Olympics at all is a huge achievement, and then to advance through to a final is incredible. With only three runners winning medals, it’s nice to be able to appreciate what the others have accomplished. Plus, some of the shorter races are so quick- it’s fun to see the athletes more than once. And what about form? I love to see the sprinters powering through their races, but when the races get to 800 meters and longer their bodies change, and they’re doing the same kind of running as I am (only twice as fast, of course.) I love how high their knees come up behind them- I’m trying to imitate that in my own running. And how about this Rich Roll podcast with Courtney Dauwalter. Courtney is one of the best ultrarunners in the world. Probably her most impressive accomplishment is winning the Moab 240 (that’s a 240 mile race) outright- beating all the men and finishing TEN HOURS ahead of the second place finisher. So many words of wisdom about the mental aspect of running, but my favorite is “Stay right where your feet are.” If that works for Courtney during her 240 mile races, it should work for us! And then… I’m so grateful to be out there again!!! My knees are feeling better and better each time I run. It’s super hot and muggy, and by the end of a three mile run I’m tired. But I just keep thinking “this is what I wanted!” Nothing like being injured to make you appreciate every single step. Happy running to everyone! Are you watching the track races? Do you follow ultrarunning, or does it just sound nuts to you?
Weekly Rundown- The Counterpunch
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???
An Awe-some Friday
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein In his article, “The Lazy Way to an Awesome Life: 4 Secrets Backed by Research,” Eric Barker takes a deep dive into “awe.” He describes the very distinct emotion of awe as being characterized by spiritual growth, childlike wonder, and connection to others. It’s a fun read. He suggests doing this thing called “leaving your house,” because as he says, “It’s so much better if awe overwhelms you in person, that way you don’t accidentally close the tab on your awe.” His “four secrets” include an appreciation of nature (no surprise there), finding awe in other people, seeing things with new eyes, and finding awe in gratitude. On that second point… How about Suni Lee winning that gold medal? What I love about this story is that going into the Olympics, Suni said her dream was to win the silver. That was the most she could hope for because Simone Biles was “certain” to win the gold. Isn’t life more fun when you realize you don’t really know what’s going to happen? Suni never dreamed that Simone would pull out of the competition- no one did- but it happened against all odds, and Suni was ready to step up. Awesome. But wait! Whatever happened with… While we’re on the subject of “things we didn’t see coming,” a quick update on my husband. In my last post I shared that he has Covid. He’s feeling much better, and the kids and I have tested negative and are feeling fine. Crazy that I’ve been sleeping in the same bed as him all along and haven’t gotten sick- I would credit the vaccine, but then my husband is also fully vaccinated and he did get sick. Go figure! One last thing Track and Field has started! We have a whole lot of running coming up- woohoo! Have a great Friday- don’t forget to see things with new eyes, and feel some awe today. Did you watch the gymnastics? How do you feel about the way the competition went? Who’s excited for track and field? – Me! Me!
But At Least Nothing ELSE Could Go Wrong… OR COULD IT???
Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the latest installment of “Jenny’s Tragic Summer.” The latest news is…my husband has Covid. Luckily, luckily, LUCKILY, WE HAVE ALL BEEN FULLY VACCINATED. My husband attended a rehearsal last week and he and six other people (so far) from that rehearsal have all gotten sick with Covid. My husband is much better now, but for three days he was exhausted. He had a fever the first day and now has some lingering congestion, but the main thing was his extreme tiredness. If Covid weren’t such a serious issue, I would say it was comical. He kept getting up and trying to do things (one day he tried to mow the lawn) and then would end up back in bed, saying “I just can’t figure out why I’m so tired!” As soon as he found out he had been exposed to Covid he got his test, which was positive. As soon as he got his positive test, I got a rapid results test, which was negative. I’m also waiting on the results of the lab test, which takes longer but is more accurate. But so far, the kids and I are all well. So guess what- Covid is still out there! And you can still get it, even if you’ve been vaccinated. We don’t know the status of everyone involved, but at least four of the people who are sick were fully vaccinated. So, wear your mask when possible (no one was masked at the rehearsal- it’s hard to play trumpet with a mask on) and STAY AWAY FROM UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. Since vaccinated, asymptomatic people are very unlikely to transmit the virus, we suspect that an unvaccinated person at that rehearsal exposed everyone. On a completely different topic… craziness at the Olympics, right??? Poor Simone… she’s putting a positive spin on the situation, but you know that’s not how she wanted things to play out. And what happens if she can’t compete in the all-around? Can Jade Carey take her place? So much drama! At least I won’t look back and say this summer was dull. What do you think of the Olympics so far? What do you think of the NEW CDC mask guidelines? – masks again… ugh.