Well, this week was… baffling. Lots of ups and downs (but nothing tragic). Some minor pains and a few good workouts… I guess it was just a week of living life! I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown. Here we go….
Sunday
4 mile run! Everything felt good, other than a little stiffness in my low back. Hmm, I wonder what that’s all about?
Monday
Arg! My back feels like crap. I did an upper body strength session at home, and that made it worse. It was a hard day at work. When this happens, it’s the muscles of my low back on the right side- they get very achy.
After work I went for a 40 minute walk, and at night I did Adriene’s yoga for lower back pain. Motion is lotion, right?
Tuesday
10 mile trail run! I was a little cranky on this run (not going to belabor the point, but I had just found out my March race was canceled, and my daughter was having a difficult day). It was hot. But I did it, and it always feels better to run.
At night- Adriene’s runner’s yoga.
Wednesday
5 mile run. It was cloudy almost the whole time, and it made this run about 100 times easier than yesterday’s.
At night- hip stability exercises.
Thursday
Ah. I had plans for this morning! I was determined to go to the gym before work. But then I found out my daughter was going to school late (don’t even ask why- there’s always a Valid Reason). It didn’t make sense to go to the gym, come back home, get my daughter, take her to school, and THEN go to work- so I just did another workout at home.
But! I did have a small triumph. I’ve been doing shoulder press with 15 lb dumbbells (alright- stop snickering, all you bodybuilders!) I recently realized I could increase the weight, so I was going to use the 17.5 lb dumbbells at the gym. Since I was at home, I only had 20s so I tried those… and I could do it! I GOT STRONGER!!! I know this, because I tried 20s at the gym a while ago and couldn’t do it. Boy… that felt good.
Unfortunately, my back still does NOT feel good. After work, I did a 45 minute walk in the hopes of loosening it up.
Friday
4.5 mile treadmill run, with some speedier intervals thrown in.
Saturday
Finally, a strength workout at the gym! Sadly, there was no way in the world I was going to risk back squats- good thing I’ve discovered the leg press machine! I also did some upper body.
Then I had a long day at work. Moving forward… I don’t think it’s working to go to the gym on Saturday mornings. When I ran on Saturday mornings, I went to work feeling invigorated. Lifting weights leaves me a little too tired for a long, physical day.
But! I got home in time to see the second half of the Baylor/Auburn game. It was a great game- unfortunately Baylor lost by one point in the last few seconds by going for a two-point conversion and missing it by inches. Coincidentally, this is exactly how our high school team lost the first game of the season. I hope this isn’t some kind of theme for the year! If the Dolphins lose their first game the same way, we’ll know something really weird is going on.
The cats joined me on the couch for the game, and it was raining outside. Could this be any more cozy???
Sunday
On tap for today… definitely sleeping in. Then, pumpkin oatmeal in my pumpkin bowl and tea in my pumpkin mug. THE SEASON HAS STARTED. Later in the day- running.
How was your week?
Are you excited for college football?
Can I get a low back transplant? Wait. No, not a serious question.
30 Responses
It always feels amazing to realize you can lift a heavier weight than you thought. Nice! After the season IU had last year, we are excited! Way more into NFL as well. Hope your back feels better. Do you ever trade massages w a colleague? I so look forward to mine
YES! I can get a free massage once a month- I’m definitely due for mine. I’ll see if I can do it this week.
Look at you, doing heavier shoulder presses than me! Big congrats! Isn’t it wonderful to see the strength gains? So empowering! 20 lb is about 10 kgs. I’ve only done them with max 8 kg dumbbells so far, or a 20 kg bar. I wonder if I could do 10 kg dumbbells? Perhaps I should try it some time to see how it feels. I hope your lower back decides to start behaving. That’s great that you have the leg press machine! And also that you got so much running done this week.
You’re waaay stronger than I am, so I’m pretty sure you could do 10 kg! But it also goes to show… I really focussed on those shoulder presses and look what happened. Obviously I need to focus on more things.
I’m so sorry about your race and that your daughter had a bumpy week – adding a cranky back on top of that seems like a lot! It’s wild football is back… such a true sign of fall, right? Up here, we start the season in 80*s and end in such freezing cold, sigh. As always, so impressed by how you keep moving even with these niggles!
Thank you Lindsay! The thing about the back is, I don’t feel it while I’m running and walking. Well… maybe i”ll feel a little stiffness but nothing bad. It’s bending and rotating and stuff like that that bothers it.
We’ll END fall in the 80s if we’re lucky. But i should stop complaining about the heat, because I don’t like the bitter cold either.
Pumpkin oatmeal sounds so delicious! I like mixing the canned pumpkin leftovers in my plain yogurt and adding a little cinnamon protein powder plus pumpkin spice seasoning. It is so yummy! Nice job with the heavy weights. I need to start trying the next size.
That sounds kind of like what I do with my oatmeal- put in some pumpkin puree and spices. You gave me a good idea though- I saw pumpkin spice protein powder at Sprouts- maybe I need some of that!!!
I thought of you when I was watching the end of that Baylor game — ugh!
Yay on seeing that you ARE stronger. That is one great thing about strength training — the work does pay off.
I hope this week is drama-free. (LOL at the Valid Reasons)
I KNOW – the end of that game, why, why why… oh well. I tell myself, someone had to lose! And there were going to be lots and lots of disappointed fans either way.
A cloudy run, a snuggle with the cats, a sleep in, and the start of pumpkin season? That’s a great week!!!
Yep- in spite of the little stumbling blocks along the way, I can’t complain!
Sorry about the back issues but you still got a lot of workouts and runs in! Hopefully your back gets better soon!
My week was…a lot. Mostly not great so I’ll leave it at that. It’s supposed to be my peak week but I wasn’t able to get my long run in yet so hopefully that will go well today and then I can enjoy a chill rest of the long weekend, and start the taper!
Ooh. I hope the long run went well. I hope this coming week is a better one- I guess any week that starts with Monday off is automatically better, right?
I think doing shoulder presses with 15 lbs is impressive (I could only do that for a very low rep count). 20# is out of the question for me!! So well done! It’s great to feel stronger!
We are FINALLY on the brink of returning to school. Paul starts Tuesday. I am up at my parents for the weekend and we will drive back tonight after dinner. It’s going to be a late night but I prefer that to sitting in traffic. Hopefully Will sleeps in the car. I know Paul won’t.
Oh, I wonder if you’re driving right now. Fingers crossed that Will is SLEEPING. I can’t even believe that you’re still waiting to start school- but, Monday is Labor Day (finally) so it makes sense.
How exciting to get stronger and be able to do 20# shoulder presses! I feel like I make the least amount of progress with those.
I’ve had SI joint pain on the right again–last week, I had the PT at the gym adjust it, and I’m all good again. Adriene has a pelvic health workout–you should try it, to see if it helps your low back pain. She’s amazing, isn’t she?
We’re actually watching the Cubs vs Marlins game right now. It amazes us to see such low attendance at the game down there. The Cubs always fill up Wrigley; it looks like most of the fans at the game in Miami are Cubs fans lol
I watched that game! At least the Marlins were able to salvage one game from the series (although, who am I even rooting for? I don’t know…) Florida sports are weird. There are always so many people at the games rooting for the other team! That would NEVER happen in Chicago.
i had tight lower back too Jenny, and my physio said it’s due to poor abduction and pelvic stability, so now i’m into those exercise. Also, she did manual manipulation and it felt much better the next day.
Huh! I do have some pelvic exercises I could do. I also could probably use a low back adjustment, but I don’t want to spend the money. If it gets much worse I’ll definitely go to the chiro though.
Well, you know I’m all about college football! All of my tams won yesterday, so it was great! My lower back threw me for a (painful) curve this weekend. I don’t know if it was all the walking on concrete (for Saturday’s game” or just a fluke. All I know it once I’m up and moving (or down, relaxing, LOL), I’m fine. Thankfully, it didn’t impact my race this morning.
Yes, my LB pain doesn’t affect my running. And yes, moving around is fine. Well, some movement- bending doesn’t feel great. But running and walking, yes. Looking forward to your race recap!
Dude, you are crushing it! Also, I am wondering how you get that treadmill photo? Do you set up your phone in public on a timer? And if so, do people look at you funny? Haha! I am always wondering if people are going to judge me when I do something like that!
My week was good; I just got to a place where I will be house and pet sitting for nearly a month, and I am familiar with the location, the runs, the pets, etc. and it is so nice to be “home” and in the same place for a little while!
Oh no, your March race was canceled? Do you have another one in mind? And, will you be going back to running prior to work on Saturday now? I can see how strength training would be a lot before your long day of work.
Sorry about the drama with your daughter. My son has had a bit of a challenging time to start out his new school year. It’s really been on my mind this past week. Wish I could have been there for him in person, but we did have some good phone calls. I’m so thankful he calls and confides in me. As for daughter drama though… with my daughter living back at home we never know when the drama is going to hit (typically on the daily LOL).
NO! Your back isn’t supposed to be hurting! What is going on!
I love your cozy blanket and kitties. That looks just amazing!
Football is meh. UCF and Miami both dominated. I’ll follow along, and I’ll be at a game for each, but not sure how invested I feel.
Congrats on increasing your weights on the should press – that’s impressive!
Okay, so what is going on with your back? Did you tweak it or something at work or in the gym? Does it feel muscular or like something more serious? Whatever the case, I hope it starts feeling better quickly!
Are you having any luck at all in finding a replacement race for the spring?
Oof, sorry about your low back pain. I had an MRI last year because my low back pain was so bad. Turns out, I’m old and I just have to live with it. I’ve noticed it’s worse lately – I think lifting babies is the culprit.
My week was fine – crazy hot. Kay finally started school and it feels good to be back in the swing of a schedule. Tank came home for the weekend and we went to the pool and grilled Sat night – met a bunch of families there, so the little girls were thrilled. It was relaxing. I also got to meet my bestie for a walk on Friday and then we hung in her pool for a few hours. Pretty nice weekend. Perfect weather in the upper 70s.
I’m tempted to try one of the protein bars IQ version in pumpkin. Hmm.
Yay for strength training! 😀 (I really need to start doing that more regularly again.) I hope your back does better for you soon!
Kitty cuddles are the best. <3 I'm hoping Soosh (Sushi) will be down to cuddle with me at times other than just when sleeping someday! (One can dream!)
There’s a lot of pumpkin in my diet lately.
My lower back is stiff every morning but goes away and when I sit ALL day. I need to remember to get up more. The life of a computer trainer.
I hope you find a new race and your daughter learns to drive.
Woohoo. Way to go on the weight training. My heavies are 15lbs right now, so I know where you’re coming from 🙂