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Weekly Rundown- Moving Forward

All right, you guys- this was a hard week.  The previous week was so good!  Then my calf pain returned and all the good vibes evaporated.  I listened to the latest Sally McRae podcast episode where she talked about how sad she was to leave her daughter at college (YES, I KNOW THAT FEELING!) but she said it’s important to remember, when you’re in a hard phase, that there’s always another phase of life coming up.  The only way to find out what that is is to keep getting out of bed every morning and moving forward.

Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown.  Here’s the gory details…

Sunday

Leg day at the gym!  All the usual moves- squats, deadlifts, and some abs thrown in as well.  So far, so good.

Monday

When I ran on Saturday, I felt a tiny, teeny twinge of pain in my calf, so just to be on the safe side, I took an extra day off and did a pool run, followed by the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout..

Still dark at 6:30!

Tuesday

Here’s where it all fell apart!  I started a 3 mile run, but after a mile my calf started to hurt.  I made it two miles before I gave up and walked the rest of the way.

Soooo not happy.

Looking on the bright side, I did get to run/walk in the daylight- there was no school because of election day.  The other bright spot was, I was able to get an appointment for the next day with my sports chiropractor.  But I was pretty down overall.

Wednesday

I did the Sally McRae “Bulletproof Runner” workout before taking my daughter to school (where my sarcastic, angry inner voice was in full swing- “Yeah, I’m bulletproof, all right!”) and then went to my appointment.

This is not the same doctor who did the dry needling- but I’ve seen him many times in the past and he’s helped me through plenty of injuries.  He did a diagnostic ultrasound to see if there are any tears (there aren’t) and then did an ART treatment to release the tight muscles (ouch.)  He recommended ART twice a week for the next two weeks- okay fine, let’s do that!

Thursday

3 mile walk, followed by CG deadbugs again.

At night, we had another football game!

Go band!

I usually just go to see the band.  Our team used to be terrible, but now we have a new coach and we’re actually good!  This turned out to be the most thrilling game I’ve ever attended.  We were playing the #1 ranked team (we’re ranked #4) and at halftime we were losing 13-0.  Our team came back to win, 14-13 with a touchdown scored in the last two minutes of the game.  SOOOO fun!

Friday

Okay, back to the gym for leg day.  The usual!  Good workout.

Saturday

Sigh.  3 mile walk.  I set a new walking mile PR- 13:28- and a new average PR for the 3 miles.

All I have to do is walk twice as fast and I’ll be ready for the Olympics!  Hahahahaha.  I literally can’t imagine how to go any faster without breaking into a run.

Sunday

Instead of my favorite Sunday morning activity- a trail run- I’ll be doing my least favorite Sunday activity- going to work.  I added an extra day of work because I’m feeling guilty about draining the family’s HSA account to pay for my calf.  The ultrasound was expensive, all the treatments are expensive, and guess how much insurance pays for?  ZERO.  (DO NOT GET ME STARTED.) I’m just going in for a few hours- it will be fine.  At some point in the day I’ll probably do some sort of upper body strength, which was glaringly absent from my workouts this week.

Forward!!!

How was your week?  Can we turn the clocks back now???

Top photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash

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Friday Coffee Date!

Hey, it’s Friday!  Pour yourself a beverage in your favorite fall mug (wait- you do have one, right?) and join me. Let’s talk about the weekend!  Tonight is another high school football game, and I will be there.  The last two weeks have been away games, so I’ve missed going.  But you know what that means- it’s time for Homecoming!  My daughter decided to go to the dance with a group of friends, and we started thinking about what she would wear.  But let’s back up for a moment… The high school concert band uniform is tuxes for the boys and long black dresses for girls.  When my daughter was a freshman last year, she said she would prefer to wear a tux. Now, I wasn’t entirely opposed to this, but I just preferred that she wear a dress… like all the other girls?  I told her that whatever she decided to do was fine, but there’s a reason boys usually wear suits and girls usually wear dresses.  Girls are more curvy, so dresses flatter them more.  My daughter is very curvy, and I thought a tux would just make her look kind of big all over. She decided to wear the dress, and I thought she looked lovely!  Then I was telling my friend about how well I handled that situation, and she thought I was VERY WRONG.  Why, she asked, did it matter how she looked?  Why did I make that the most important thing? Er- good question.  When it was time for New Year’s, my daughter wanted to wear a suit to the party.  I agreed immediately, and she actually looked kind of cute (not that it mattered!) Later I asked how she liked wearing the suit, and she said “I loved it.  I felt really confident.”  Okay then. Back to Homecoming!  My daughter said she wanted to wear a suit, and we got to work on her outfit (I was tasked with finding her some new pants, which was surprisingly hard.) Then yesterday she went to the mall to help her friend find a dress, and came home with… a dress, which she is now wearing to Homecoming. You guys, I can’t keep up!  Girls are so hard!!!  Boys are so. much. easier. Anyway, while my daughter is at the dance on Saturday night, my husband and I will be watching the Baylor game!  I have a fun fall-themed dinner planned, with some new things to sample from Trader Joe’s. One last thing- I’ve submitted my request for postponement of jury duty.  Weirdly, the request had to be submitted in writing, and by that I mean I had to write a letter and mail it through the U.S. postal service.  When was the last time you did that? I was so confused.  I couldn’t even really remember how to do it.  When I printed out my letter, my husband looked at it and said “You didn’t leave room for your signature.”  Oh yeah- I totally forgot.  Then I had to find an envelope and a stamp, and take it to the mailbox… I mean, don’t we have more modern methods of communication nowadays?  Anyway, I hope it gets there, and I hope I get my postponement (actually, I’m hoping they forget all about me, but if worst comes to worst I’ll take a postponement.) That’s it for this week! When was the last time you mailed a letter?  I don’t mean a greeting card or postcard, but like an official letter?   Do you think I was wrong to encourage my daughter to wear a dress?  How much does appearance matter? What are your plans for the weekend? Top photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Reading and Eating

I finished Winter of the World, which will from now on be referred to simply as WOW.  It was so, so good, and I’m getting ready to start the third book in the trilogy!  It starts in 1961, where the second book left off. But let’s go back to last week- I had my trip to the used bookstore.  It was everything I hoped it would be (look away, Engie!  I’ve discovered that Engie does NOT like used bookstores!) As I hoped, I did leave with a stack of books. Some classic murder mysteries- I can never resist- and more Ken Follett.  I have no plans to read The Pillars of the Earth anytime soon, but I know I’ll read it eventually, and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get a used copy in good condition. Eating!  Once again, I did not do any meal prep on Sunday so we’re limping through the week.  The good news is, I think I’m training my husband and daughter to expect less and less in the dinner department.  I mean- we do eat.  It’s just not fancy. Sunday morning I made gluten-free pumpkin pancakes from Running on Real Food.  First, let’s look at a picture from the website: And here’s, ahem, mine. All that garnish aside, mine look really weird.  But they did taste good!  Chickpea flour is my new favorite flour.  By the way, if you’re making pumpkin baked good this fall, don’t forget the formula to make them really flavorful- double the amount of pumpkin spice, and add a pinch of cloves.  And whatever you do, do NOT forget the salt! What are you reading now? Top photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Getting Back on Track

I wrote in Sunday’s post that I’ve been feeling like my life is just a little off track.  Then I looked around my house and realized one of the reasons is that I’ve been half-assing my beloved Pumpkin Palooza.  I had some, but not all, of my fall decorations out, and then a summer-y wreath was lying on the table.  Furthermore, I hadn’t had one special meal or snack to celebrate the start of football season. This was all wrong!  I needed to rectify the situation right away.  I lit a fall candle… …and got out all the rest of my fall decorations while watching the first half of the Dolphins game.  At halftime I put together a little charcuterie board… …and then we watched the Dolphins come from behind to win the game.  Fall is back on track! Let’s move on to running.  SIGH.  So far, my calf seems to be better, but my race plans are in tatters.  Back in May, I signed up for a race on November 9th.  It’s a trail race, and you run as far as you can in a certain amount of time.  I chose the 12 hour option. Hahahahaha.  Even if everything goes perfectly from now on, I’ll have no business running a 12 hour race in two months.  I guess the good news is, it’s a 4.5 mile loop that you run over and over again.  I can go and just run a couple loops.  That would be kind of sad- but maybe less sad than not going at all?  I’ve already paid for the race so if I can run at all, I’ll probably go. Now let’s deal with this jury summons.  I know it’s our civic duty, but I think it’s unfair that it creates more of a financial hardship for some people than others.  Additionally, some people never get called for jury duty, and some people get called all the time!  Luckily I’ve come up with a great solution. My plan is, all registered voters would be required to submit a form every five years, indicating the time they would like to do their jury duty.  That way, people would be able to pick a time that works best with their work schedule, and have time in advance to arrange for childcare, etc. Of course, if everyone chose July of 2027 it would be a fiasco.  But I have solutions for that too!  People who are retired, independently wealthy, or who have a very flexible work schedule could volunteer to be “swing jurors,” willing to be called at any time.  There could be incentives for people who serve in months like December (which I’m guessing would be the least popular)- like if you sit on a jury in December, you’re exempt for the rest of your life. I’ll be submitting my request for a postponement- do you think I should include my detailed plan for an overhaul of the entire system?  Haha, that might get me excused permanently (“Don’t let this woman near the courthouse- she’s obviously a troublemaker!”) Anyway, I’m starting to feel a little better.  As long as I can continue to run and nothing else goes wrong, I think I’m back on track. How do you like my plan?  Would you volunteer to be a “swing juror?” Top photo by Redd F on Unsplash  

Weekly Rundown- Still Moving

Oh, hello!  It has been… a week.  Running is going well (still following the every third day schedule) and Pumpkin Palooza is in full swing- but somehow I feel like my life is slightly off track.  Well, I’ll just keep moving forward until things start to click again.  I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown.  Here we go… Sunday Running day!  I walked a mile and ran two.  Everything felt good! Monday No school because of Labor Day, but I had to work. I wanted to go to the gym, but the gym didn’t open till 8, WHAT?  If I have to work, so should everyone else!  Just kidding.  Instead I went for a walk, and I was very glad I did.  Sunday was rainy and gloomy, but today while I was walking the sun came out and I was happy to be out there.  3 fast miles! Tuesday This was a strength day at home including hip stability exercises, Bulgarian split squats, and the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout.. Wednesday Running day!!!  Wednesday is my day off, and I was so happy to run in the daylight!  Yes, it was hot- but so what?  I walked one mile and ran 3 with no pain, woohoo!!! Thursday More strength at home.  I did an upper body workout from Sally McRae’s app, and then the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout again.  Honestly, I’m getting tired of this one.  But every time I try a different ab workout, it turns out to be a million crunches that strain my neck, so I keep coming back to Caroline and her deadbugs. Friday Finally, leg day at the gym!  I did some single leg balance exercises, then squats, deadlifts, and abs. After work I had an appointment with my sports chiropractor for another ART treatment.  I’m… cautiously optimistic?  I’ve been through this so many times now.  My calf will feel great- until it doesn’t.  I’m hoping this time it’s finally healing. As I mentioned in Friday’s coffee date post, this was a tumultuous week.  But you know what?  It’s Friday night, so let’s just relax and enjoy- GAAAAAAH!  My husband brought in the mail and I had a frickin’ JURY SUMMONS.  For God’s sake, what is going to happen next???  I mean, I realize jury duty is not on the same level as someone dying, but I can’t afford to lose two weeks of work in November, our busiest time of year.  Well, hopefully I can manage to weasel my way out of this civic duty- sigh. Saturday Alright.  This should have been a running day, but my chiro always wants me to take a day off after a treatment, and the truth is, I was pretty sore.  I enjoyed sleeping in a little before going to work. In the afternoon I watched Baylor lose, and then my husband and I went out with some friends for a serious attitude adjustment. Sunday On tap- RUNNING!  Then, pumpkin pancakes and in the afternoon I”ll get some football-palooza going.  Trying to go into the new week with a good mindset! How was your week?  Do you like getting called for jury duty? (hahahahaha…)

35 Responses

  1. I hope the ART helps! That was so helpful for me when I was training for my last couple of marathons. I hope this does the trick and you are back to running pain free very soon!!

    We got back from the lake today and the kids stayed with my parents. It is soooo quiet and we are like ‘what should we do???’ It’s weird to be alone together without the kids, but also nice? And I know the kids are making great memories with my parents. My mom said they’ve been so well behaved since we left; go figure!!!

    Tomorrow I will run 8 miles and it will be HOT and HUMID so it will be a tough run but at least I am running!!

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    1. Lisa, I would take a super hot and humid run right now! I hope yours went well. AND, I hope you have a nice time without the kids. Is it for the whole week? I can see how that would be weird at first!

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      1. I agree – even a run in rough conditions is better than no run!

        I go back to my parents to get the boys on Friday. So we have 6 kid-free nights! The house is sooo quiet! But it has been a nice break and they have having a blast with my parents.

        You had asked on my recap post if Phil gets in the kayak when we get to the other side of the lake. He hops in and then we paddle back which takes about 30-40 min depending on the water conditions. My dad had suggested I consider using the jet ski this year since I have had so much trouble with my right hand but I was stubborn and wanted to kayak. I regretted that decision pretty quickly! Hopefully next year I’ll be back to full strength and won’t have issues paddling the canoe. I am sure it irritated my wrist so now I am going back to the doctor tomorrow to see if I can get a cortisone injection. :/

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  2. your calf issue is really puzzling. hope the ART helps this time. All paid by yourself and no insurance? that must be painful.
    how do you like Sally’s program? does it help?

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    1. Yes, it is puzzling! I was kind of bummed that the doctor couldn’t really figure it out, but he does seem confident that he can treat it.
      I’m going to talk about it on the blog more soon, but I’ll probably get rid of Sally’s app. I hate to say it, because I love her and she does have good workouts- I’m just not using them very much. Right now I need FEWER things to pay for, not more.

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  3. I hope the ART helps. Four more treatments? You can do this! In the meantime, you’ve got all the other stuff to do!
    Work started this week, but I’ll be back in the classroom next week, so that’s a whole other mountain… I’m getting ready for it.

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    1. Ah, good luck Maya! The beginning of the school year is challenging. I’m relieved that my daughter and husband have gotten through it- it’s easier once you get going.

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  4. Sunny yesterday and I ran. Hubby went to the lake. Today it’s raining. Boo.

    Fingers crossed on the calf. I went twice a week for 6 weeks. Ouch.

    You are a fast walker. My pace is around 19. lol.

    Reply

    1. Ha, yes but I’m guessing you’re not trying to walk as fast as you possibly can! You could get your pace up. But why would you want to… walking fast is so uncomfortable, compared to running.

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  5. Sorry your calf is complaining again. Hopefully the ART will work. It sounds like it’s targeting the right issue. I hate that so many non-invasive treatments are not covered by insurance but you are worth every cent!

    That football game sounds intense! Nice to have a win against the #1 team.

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    1. Yes, I just have to remind myself that being able to run again is worth the money. I’m definitely hopeful that the ART will help.

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  6. Here’s to the non-calf hurting phase of life that is on the way! May it hurry up and get here.

    I am fascinated by speed walking. How on earth is it possible to walk any faster than 13 minute miles??????? I think I told you about that one time in a race where I paced myself behind a power walker which worked until we got to a hill and then he left me in the dust.

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    1. Ha, yes and I might have mentioned that in one of my races (the one I DNF’d) I was running behind someone for a while who was walking at the same pace I was running, WHAT??? That’s when I realized I needed to work on my walking pace. Well, I could also work on my running pace as well. That would help.

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  7. Yeah when you realize that you are in fact not bulletproof…been there the last few years. Hoping the ART helps your calf and you are back up and running soon. Hang in there knowing the extra strength work is good for you -hugs

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  9. Ugh, so sorry about the pain and the expense and the shitty insurance! I sure hope your non-calf-pain new phase of life is coming quickly!
    OMG that is such a fast walking pace *side eyes Rex sniffing* But even without my fuzzy companion I think my fastest sustained pace is around 16 minutes. Wow, 13!! That’s something, Jenny. I know it’s not running, but it’s REALLY GREAT.

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    1. Ha ha, when I walked my son’s roommate’s dog in Texas I got a taste of what it’s like! You will not set any pace PRs with furry companions, and that’s okay. It’a a different kind of walk.

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  10. I’m sorry you’re still dealing with the calf issue, but hopefully the ART will help!

    We are cooling down a bit here — only in the upper 90s/low 100s which makes it feel like fall might be around the corner! I can’t believe it’s still dark where you are at 6:30, our sunrise is around 6 here but getting later every day and probably by November I’ll be starting my runs in the dark.

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    1. Yeah, being closer to the equator is not a good thing in this situation. I think you get “fall” weather before us- we won’t see it until the end of October. My son always says they cool down in Texas earlier than we do., and he loves it.

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  11. Ugh. Please do not feel guilty about that! Insurance and health care in this country is so screwed up and it’s not fair that we have to feel badly about getting the care we need to be strong and healthy. I am so sorry that your calf is still bothering you and I hope that you can get it taken care of soon. 🙁

    Your band looks awesome on the field! We won our last two games so that was great. We don’t play at away games so I’m not making a special trip for the games, but I do hope it’s a good season!

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  12. Thank you Jenn!
    I actually kind of wish I could go to some away games, but since the band doesn’t play it would be kind of weird. The band will play an away game if we get into the playoffs, so I will definitely go then! It’s so much more fun when your team is good.

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  13. Oh Jenny, I am so sorry to read this! I totally can understand your frustration. I hope the ART works some much-needed magic for you. Chin up! I’ll send some good vibes your way <3

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  14. Ugh. I am so, so, so, SOOOOO sorry this calf thing is still plaguing you. I would be losing my GD mind (as you can imagine). I’m very curious to hear if ART helps as a friend just recommended someone who does ART for my back. She is $$$ ($275 a visit) so I’m going to try the deep core / pelvic floor program for at least month or so before I make appointment, because even without paying for aftercare that is a lot of money for me. I really hope you get the results you’re looking for!! Crossing all the appendages!!!

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    1. Wow- my treatments are expensive but not THAT expensive! I’m really having trouble imagining how ART would work for a back issue. I’m going to ask my guy today (I have an appointment after work) and see what he thinks. Of course I don’t know that specifics of your situation, but he might say “Oh yes I’ve had great success treating back pain with this” and I”ll let you know.

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  15. Oh my stars, injuries and niggles are just rollercoasters, right? So sorry you’re still dealing with this and sending all the hopes for the ART!

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  16. It’s frustrating that the physio isn’t covered but it’s totally worth it and you shouldn’t feel guilty! You need to do these things to stay healthy and active for health- both mental and physical.

    I hope the ART works!

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  17. It’s frustrating that the physio isn’t covered but it’s totally worth it and you shouldn’t feel guilty! You need to do these things to stay healthy and active for health- both mental and physical.

    I hope the ART works!

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  18. It’s frustrating that the physio isn’t covered but it’s totally worth it and you shouldn’t feel guilty! You need to do these things to stay healthy and active for health- both mental and physical.

    I hope the ART works!

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  19. I’m in the same boat with the cost of care for physical therapy and such. It can add up so fast! I hope the ART works for you. I know it’s a bummer to stop doing what you love.
    That was an awesome comeback for the football game. Good thing you stayed to see it!

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  20. I am so sorry you’re dealing with the calf – again – but I am glad you’re getting help from the chiropractic. Fingers crossed it’ll be better soon.

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  21. I cannot wait until the day when this is all behind you. I hope – SO much – that day comes soon.
    Also? What’s with all the Thursday evening football games?? Nuts for the parents and the kids!

    Reply

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