Friday Thoughts
Hey there! Happy Friday. I just finished two days of back-to-back long runs (more on that coming up on Sunday) so I’m feeling pretty good. Overall I’m in a “good phase” right now, but I know that’s not true for everyone. Recently, several bloggers have shared that they’re going through hard times (SHU, Sarah, Noemi, just to name a few). And to them, and all the other bloggers who have shared, I say- thank you. In Oliver Burkeman’s Meditations for Mortals, there’s a chapter called “Scruffy hospitality- On finding connection in the flaws.” He includes a quote by Anne Lamott: “Everyone is screwed up, broken, clingy, and scared, even the people who seem to have it more or less together. They are much more like you than you would believe. So try not to compare your insides to their outsides.” I might be in a good phase right now, but there will be rocky times ahead- that’s true for all of us. No one is immune to troubles, and it’s nice to know we’re never alone. In other news, in the recent Happier podcast episode, Gretchen and Liz talk about cutting back on swearing. Remember how, after the election, I decided to start swearing more? Well, it didn’t really work. It does feel good every once in a while, but I guess it’s just not… me. Gretchen did cite several studies that show how swearing can be beneficial- it can increase tolerance for physical and emotional pain, and temporarily increase strength. I stored that information away, in case I need it during my race- but honestly, for me it’s more beneficial to remain positive. When my hamstring hurts, I think “Yes, but my feet feel great!” or “Look how beautiful the clouds are- I’m lucky to be out here.” Of course, my race will be much longer than any distance I’ve run before, so anything could happen. Maybe I’ll end up swearing my way through the last ten miles, ha ha. One more thing I’ll mention is, I’ve stopped putting two spaces after every period (has anyone noticed?) When I learned typing in middle school, that’s the way they taught us and I could never break the habit, Then I read Yellowface. At one point she’s corresponding with an older woman, and says something like “She does that thing old people do, putting an extra space after every period.” WHAT. So, I stopped! I might relapse every once in a while, but it really hasn’t been that hard to form a new habit. Did anyone else learn how to type that way? – Yet another silly thing I learned in middle school. Top photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Running and Reading
Ah, it was such a nice day! In the morning I ran 24 miles (!!!) Yes, my hamstring held up. It was achy in the beginning, and never stopped aching- but it also didn’t get any worse. The weather was just about the best we could hope for in April-not TOO hot. Then in the afternoon I curled up on the couch for my mini-reading retreat! My laptop was there because I like to livestream WFMT, the Chicago classical music station. I had it playing quietly in the background, and yes, that IS a blanket with our cats on it! But don’t worry- the real Muffin joined me as well. As a matter of fact, we had a lovely couch nap together, which cut into my reading time. But I still read 100 pages of Pillars of the Earth; I finally finished the introduction to Resonance (ha! Am I really going to finish this 450 page book? The introduction was 43 pages long); and I read the poems in section one of Whale Day. I got up periodically to empty the dishwasher, fold laundry, tidy up, etc. (that’s the problem with doing a reading retreat at home- there are still chores) but it was good for me- I didn’t want my legs to get too stiff. I also went for a walk after dinner and caught part of the sunset. I was a lovely day, and I don’t want it to end! What would you do if you had a whole day to yourself?
What’s Up Wednesday
I know what you’re thinking- wow, you’re really losing it, Jenny. Today is TUESDAY. I know that- but I have a couple things I’m excited about coming up on Wednesday, so I thought I’d share. First of all- I’m doing a long run. I said I was modifying my training, but this IS the modification. This run was originally scheduled for last Sunday, with another one scheduled next week. Instead I’m doing it tomorrow and that will be the last long run before my race. It’s been two weeks since my last long run, and I’m excited to get out there again! I did a shorter run yesterday, and the hamstring felt… okay. I could feel it, but it wasn’t anything more than a vague ache. I’m hoping to get in 20+ miles tomorrow, and if the hamstring tells me to stop, I’ll go to the gym and finish up on the Stairmaster. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but if it does, I’m game. Either way I’m looking forward to a good, hard effort. So what’s up for the rest of Wednesday? Well, I’ve been envying Stephany and her upcoming “reading retreat.” I want one of those! Then I realized… I can have a mini reading retreat of my own on Wednesday afternoon/evening! My daughter will be gone (muahahahaha! She’ll be on a band trip to Universal). And, my husband will be working. After my long run, I can just curl up on the couch and read, read, read. I’m currently making my way through these tomes: Resonance is a book mentioned in Oliver Burkeman’s Meditation for Mortals. When Burkeman talked about “resonance” it caught my attention, and I decided to read this book. Oof. So far I’ve read 26 pages, and I’m still in the introduction! But I’m fighting my way through. The basic idea seems to be that life is a matter of one’s relationship to the world- these relationships can be “successful” or “unsuccessful.” Once I get through the introduction, I’m excited to explore that concept. Last year when I read Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, many, many people recommended The Pillars of the Earth. One of my reading goals for this year is to read one long book a month, so this is my April book! I’m only on the second chapter, but I’m excited to read it. Have you ever done a “reading retreat?” What are you reading now? Top photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Weekly Rundown- Not Bad, Just Different
Well, things were a bit different this week. I voluntarily took several steps back to try and heal up that sore hamstring, which meant lots of days in the gym (and lots of boring photos- sorry.) But it’s all good! Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s just see how this gym-tastic week played out. Sunday Leg day! Deadlifts, leg curl, leg extension, glute push machine (I love that one) and piriformis exercises. Monday Spoiler alert- this was my only outdoor run this week. 4 miles, and my hamstring was achy. I realized why I look so pained in these photos- I start these runs in the dark, so I don’t think to bring my sunglasses. Then by the end I’m squinting into the sun. Tuesday Back to the gym for leg day #2! This time it was squats, Bulgarian split squats, leg curls (for that achy hamstring) and piriformis exercises. In the morning I also did my hip stability exercises. Wednesday First things first- I did a Caroline Girvan abs workout, and then instead of running, I decided to give my hamstring one more day of rest. I went to the gym for 45 minutes on the Stairmaster. Thursday In the morning I did Caroline Girvan’s deadbug workout. After work I headed to the gym- let’s try this running thing! I ran 4 miles on the treadmill. I wasn’t limping or anything, but my hamstring was aching and I was happy when it was time to stop. At this point I had to take a good, hard look at the situation. I’m running a 50 mile race at the end of the month. I asked myself what it would be like to run 50 miles with an aching hamstring, and the answer was: not fun. I decided it would be worth it to pull back on the training- better to show up to the race slightly undertrained with all my muscles intact. Friday This was a day off, except for hip stability exercises. Oh, and guess what- I had been noticing the area on both sides of my sacrum felt weirdly tender, almost like they were bruised- and I think it’s from all the piriformis exercises I’ve been doing. These were recommended by a PT I saw last summer, but apparently they’re not working well for me. I’m stopping them! After work I went to the chiropractor where he worked on my hamstring, hip flexors, and adjusted my low back. I’m going at least once a week from now on. Saturday Sigh. Instead of my usual Saturday run, I went to the gym and did an hour on the Stairmaster. Something weird must have happened to my brain, because this actually wasn’t that bad! That’s a good thing, because there may be a lot of Stairmaster for me over the next few weeks. Sunday Originally this was scheduled as a long run day, but I’ve moved that to Wednesday. Instead I’ll be going to the gym for a leg workout. So… it’s fine. Everything’s fine! Right now I’m 100% planning to be at that race. Hopefully with two happy and healthy legs- I’m doing everything I can to make it happen. How was your week? Was it smooth sailing or did you have to alter your course? Top photo by Rupert Britton on Unsplash