Runners Fly

walkers walk… but runners fly

Weekly Rundown- There Was Water Involved…

What an eventful week!  My sister and brother in law were visiting, I had three days off of work, and we had so much fun.  On the fitness front, when we left off last week my plan was to limit my runs to 3 miles, because of an annoying calf issue.  We’ll just see how THAT worked out… thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown.  Let’s get right into it!

Sunday

Well.  This was a 3 mile run- I chose that distance because the painful pulling in my calf seemed to start around 3 and 1/2 miles… but today, it started at about 2 and 1/2 miles.  I finished the run but somehow neglected to take a photo.  Just picture me running with an angry scowl on my face.

Monday

Visitors arrived!  But first- in the morning, a lower body strength workout from the Sally McRae app.   Again no photo (blogging fail.)

Tuesday

In the morning I did an upper body workout from Sally’s app, and then did my old deadbug workout from Caroline Girvan.

In the afternoon, my sister, BIL and I went for a walk.  Finally, a photo!

Don’t they look sporty and athletic? They should be runners!

Wednesday

Okay, well I guess I’ll try running?  I foam rolled that calf really well, stretched, and headed out.  I walked for a mile first- everything felt fine- but as soon as I started to run, my calf hurt.  I stopped immediately and continued to walk, for 3 miles total.  Not happy.

Pissed off walking photo.

Thursday

This is the part of the post where I sound like a total jerk, because guess what- I have a pool!  In my backyard!  And I have a pool running flotation device, so I can run “laps” in the deep end.  Yes, I have my own pool and I’m still going to complain about not being able to run (on land.)

45 exciting minutes of running around and around in circles.

Friday

We had to say goodbye to our guests (boo hoo!) and get back to real life.  Nothing says “real like” like leg day at the gym!  I did some of my favorite exercises from Sally McRae’s “Bulletproof Runner” workout, plus squats, Bulgarian split squats, reverse planks and side planks.

Another amazing gym selfie! Side plank with the top of my head cut off.

Saturday

Another pool run.  45 long minutes.  Pool running is like running on the treadmill- you HAVE to throw in intervals or you’ll lose your mind.  So this was actually a pretty hard workout, which I appreciated.

Sunday

On tap for today- um.  I’m incredibly frustrated with my calf.  It doesn’t hurt while I’m walking around, there’s no specific spot I can touch where it hurts- as a matter of fact massaging it feels good- and I’ve tried stretching and foam rolling.  It pretty much only hurts when I run, although every once in a while I’ll step down in a funny way and feel that painful pulling.

Since we had visitors this week, I put this issue on the back burner, but now I’m going to focus on fixing it.  In the meantime, I’ll probably head out for a brisk walk today- I just can’t pool run every day!

On another note, I’m watching the track and field Olympic trials, men’s 100 meter heats. HOW CAN THEY RUN SO FAST???  Just watching them makes my calf hurt, but I love it.  I’m getting excited for the Olympics!

Have you ever tried pool running?

Are you watching any of the Olympic trials?  

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Runfessions and Fallfessions!

Well, it’s the last Friday of the month and you know what that means- I’m linking up with Marcia for Runfessions!  But first- let’s talk, once again, about pumpkins. I said I wasn’t going to talk about pumpkins in every post, but yesterday Nicole sent me this: I love it!  And I love how when people see tons of pumpkins, they immediately think of me.  I am officially the Crazy Pumpkin Lady!  But did you know it wasn’t always this way? When I lived up north, I actually- gasp- HATED fall!  I know- the irony!  I grew up in Illinois (the pumpkin capital) where I could do all the fall things- go apple picking, see fall colors, wear sweaters… and I hated it.  What I really hated, of course, was winter, but fall meant winter was coming. In my 20s I was still living up north (why? WHY?) and one day I went for a walk with a friend.  He pointed out the beautiful colors of the leaves, and I told him I couldn’t see the beauty- all I could see was that winter was coming.  He said “Can’t you just appreciate this now and enjoy yourself, without worrying about what’s coming next?”  My response was, “If you knew you were going to prison next month, would you be able to put that out of your mind and enjoy yourself today?” Yes, that sounds dramatic, but it’s truly how I felt.  Every winter the entire world turned gray.  It felt like someone threw a thick blanket over me, and I had to struggle through every day with that encumbrance.  This was right around the beginning of SAD lamps, but they weren’t widespread.  It wasn’t like you could just order one on Amazon.  I’m not sure there was a SAD lamp big enough and strong enough to fix my SAD, anyway. Now you know why I live in Florida!  But- the irony continues- after living here for about ten years, I started to notice how frickin hot it is in September… and October… and November.  I started to “miss” fall- or rather, the romanticized notion I had of it.  A crisp fall day would feel amazing right about now.  So… Pumpkin Palooza was born. I mention all this because for those of you who are dreading the winter (Hi Engie!  Hi Kim!) I want you to know I truly empathize.  It IS awful, and if you’re not enjoying fall, I don’t blame you one bit.  (Side note- Florida is a lovely place to visit in January- just saying.) Now wait just a minute! (you might be thinking.) How is this “runfessions?” Well, it’s hard to have a lot of runfessions when you’re not running very much.  I’m plugging along, a little frustrated that this is where I’m at (when I thought I was going to run a 12 hour race in November) but at the same time grateful that I can run at all. Recently I heard someone on a podcast describe training like this: every time you run, or do your strength work, or mobility, or whatever you’re doing to train, you’re placing one brick on top of another.  It doesn’t look like anything at first, but if you’re consistent, eventually you’ll have built an entire wall.  Every once in a while someone comes along with a sledgehammer and smashes your wall to pieces; and then you begin all over again. I’ll just be over here laying down my bricks.  And- stay away from me with that sledgehammer!  I’ve had enough for the time being. How’s your fall going- are you enjoying it? Is your “running wall” big and strong, or are you building it back up from the rubble like I am?  

Reading and Eating (and a Pumpkin House!)

Okay seriously, I’m not going to talk about pumpkins in every single post.  But after my post yesterday about the imaginary 100 pumpkins in my front yard, Kae sent me this: This is a house IN HER TOWN.  She said they decorate it this way every year.  Life goals right here! Let’s talk about reading.  I almost had a reading emergency this week.  I had TWO BOOKS from my hold list come available on the same day: I’ve been on the list for the Liz Moore for weeks and weeks, and I didn’t expect it right now.  I also didn’t expect the Liane Moriarty, because I just put the hold on it last week.  When these holds came in, I was 300 pages into a 1000 page book (Ken Follett’s Edge of Eternity) and I didn’t see how I was going to finish that and read both of these in two weeks. Then I remembered our library recently extended the loan period of new books to three weeks- PHEW!  I can get them all read by October 9th.  I was so excited to read The God of the Woods until I read Birchie’s post from Monday- she didn’t like it, WHAT???  I thought everyone has been liking that one!  Well, I’ll have to read it and see what the controversy is all about. Eating-wise, I continue to limp along.  My plan of doing meal prep on Sunday has not been working out (what a surprise!) Instead I’ve been making something on Sunday that can be eaten for two meals- Sunday and Monday- and then cobble things together for the rest of the week.  We always have takeout on Friday, so it’s only three dinners to get through. On Sunday I wanted to make pumpkin pasta but my daughter had a sore throat (everyone has been getting sick around here!) so I decided to make soup instead.  I made the Coconut Curry Lentil Soup from Nora Cooks.  I chose it because I was pretty sure my daughter would like it, and I was right! It was a good soup- nothing amazing about it, but it was tasty, and like most soups it was better the second day. Next up- I need to make some kind of pumpkin dessert!  In the same post where Birchie stomped all over my reading dreams, she linked to a very delicious-looking pumpkin cookie. That may have to happen this weekend. Have you read The God of the Woods?  Did you like it? Has anyone read the Liane Moriarty? Do you have a favorite fall soup? Top photo by Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash  

100 Pumpkins

Hello there!  Let’s kick off the final 100 days of the year with some fall fun.  First up…. The Cool Bloggers Postcard Club is officially underway.  This arrived from Birchie and Kyria. from their meetup in Buffalo! Soooo fun.  I need to start sending out some postcards of my own. As we all know, Sunday was the first official day of fall.  I wanted to kick my fall celebrating up a notch, but couldn’t think what to do.  I already have all my fall decor out, including orange lights strung across my bookshelves; I light a fall candle every day, drink my tea from a fall mug each morning, and have made pumpkin pasta, oatmeal, waffles and pancakes.  Hmm. My sister agreed that it was hard to top all that, and suggested that I get 100 pumpkins and put them in my front yard.  Ha ha, that’s a GREAT idea!  My husband would just love that, especially when they all start to rot in the hot sun.  Obviously she was joking, but I can’t get the idea out of my mind.  I texted my sister yesterday: Every time I drive up to my house, I imagine 100 pumpkins in my front yard.  I can just picture how it would look, and what the neighbors would be saying.  I wonder if our HSA has regulations against such a thing?  Well, it’s s nice fantasy. As much as I love pumpkin season, I’m starting to get excited about Halloween!  I follow a strict decorating schedule: September 1st- fall decor comes out.  October 1st- most of the fall decor is replaced by Halloween decs.  November 1st- Halloween things are sadly put away, and fall decor comes back with the addition of some specific Thanksgiving items. I LOVE looking at the Halloween decorations in the stores, but I also have a rule for that: I’m only allowed to CONSIDER buying something if it has a black cat on it.  I definitely don’t need any more Halloween stuff, but I do have a black cat theme going on, so if I see something with a black cat, I’m allowed to- possibly- buy it. However, Suzanne recently had a super fun post all about ghost decorations she’s considering.  They’re so cute!  Maybe I need some ghosts for my front yard?  I think I do!  (Maybe I need 100 of them- just kidding.) Wednesday is my day off, and I’m planning a trip to Hobby Lobby and Michael’s.  Hobby Lobby isn’t a store I shop at often, but I usually go at this time of year, because they REALLY know how to do fall and Christmas.  Unfortunately they don’t carry any Halloween items, so I’ll head to Michaels for that.  I’m looking forward to a fun “browsing spree”- I’ll probably buy a couple things, but will mostly just enjoy looking at everything. Do you enjoy browsing in stores?  – I love it!  That was probably the thing I missed most during Covid. Do you put up Halloween decorations? Any specific plans for the last 100 days of the year?

Weekly Rundown- Back At It

Happy official first day of fall!  Of course, the weather is not fall-ish here, but we will not speak of such things.  We WILL speak about my calf though- it’s still feeling good, and I went from running every third day to every other day.  Progress!  I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown.  Here’s how it all played out… Monday The last time I ran was Saturday, so this was my first every-other-day run since coming back from the calf injury.  Everything is feeling good, but I’m still nervous about it, so I was very conservative- I walked one mile and ran two. I followed the run with a Caroline Girvan standing core workout.  I’ve decided that I like standing core workouts, if they use dumbbells.  You don’t get the same burn as with deadbugs or crunches, but I like the way I have to stabilize my core against the weighted arm moves. Tuesday Strength day at home- hip stability (including Runner’s Touch and the one leg sit-to-stand.)  I also got out my pull-up bar and did dead hangs and scapular retractions (you hang from the bar and lift yourself up a few inches without bending your arms, only by retracting your shoulder blades.) Boy, are my lats weak.  I rounded it all off with the tried-and-true Caroline Girvan deadbug workout.. Wednesday This was a big day- I got back to the cross country trail!  I haven’t been here since the end of May. I walked a mile and then ran 4.  I loved being back and I LOVED running in the daylight! Thursday Upper body strength workout from Sally McRae’s app, and then this MadFit standing abs workout.  This is officially my favorite standing core workout (thank you, Engie!) I feel it in my core, there’s some balance involved, and it’s a good upper body workout as well. Friday Third run of the week! Once again I was super conservative- walked one mile and then ran one. Followed this up with hip stability exercises and squats. At night I went to our high school football game! Our team is undefeated this year, and we won 48-0.  I actually felt a little sorry for the other team.  The band had to play their halftime show on the track because the field was so wet, but it was still a fun night! Saturday Off!  Friday was a late night, so it felt good to sleep in a little before going to work. Sunday Ooh, I’m excited.  On tap for today- a trail run!  I’m going to my second favorite trail- my first favorite has a lot of sand and I don’t think my calf is quite ready for that yet- and I’ll do 6 miles (the first mile will be walking though.) As you can see, it was a great week!  The only thing that marred it a little was my low back, which has been very achy.  It doesn’t hurt when I run (so it’s not a “real” problem, ha) but I babied it a little and didn’t go to the gym for any heavy squats or deadlifts.  Hopefully I’ll get that back on track this week. How was your week?  Are you celebrating the first day of fall?

38 Responses

  1. There’s nothing jerky about having a pool! You can do pool running and swimming! I’m so sorry about your calf. What do you think it is? Some strength exercises also put a lot of load on the calf – do they work for you?

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    1. Susanne, I really don’t know what’s causing this. I did do some heel raises at the gym yesterday and it felt fine. It’s only when I run (the one thing I really, really want to do) that it bothers me. SIGH.

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  2. I would have ran in a pool when I was recovering from a stress fracture but I did not have easy access to a pool. I am glad you have that option but it’s still not the same as running!

    I haven’t had a chance to watch any of the Olympic trials but I want to next weekend when gymnastics is on. I didn’t realize track and field was going on now! The gymnastics trials are in Minneapolis next weekend but ticket prices were bananas so I didn’t get tickets which is a good thing because I travel again this week and I don’t think it would play well if I was gone tues-Thursday and then at the trials all weekend… :/ Hopefully I will catch some on tv.

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    1. Yes, I’m always excited to see the gymnastics!!! I’m sure ticket prices are insane- but so cool it’s happening in your city.

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  3. You are allowed to complain about having a pool – otherwise the tedium of pool running would be unbearable. Listen, I’m glad that you have it as an option but I’m right there with you in that dammit you should be able to run without the Body Part du Jour hurting.

    I actually would like to try pool running some time. Last year on family vacay my SIL was talking up her pool fitness class. We tried to do it using pool noodles which didn’t work too well, but still it was intense for the few minutes that we did it.

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    1. Yes, you do need a flotation device specifically designed for pool running. i don’t remember what brand mine is, but I got it from Amazon and it was not expensive.

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  4. Ergh! The calf issue sounds so frustrating! I am glad you have other options so you can exercise in ways that don’t aggravate your calf, but I get how annoying it can be to be unable to do what you want!

    That reminds me that I keep meaning to ask you about your pool running equipment! I would love to try it but the options are overwhelming.

    Reply

    1. Okay, I’ll have to look at the belt and see what the brand is. But I don’t think I did any extensive research- I picked one from Amazon. I know there’s a brand- Fluid Running- that sells all the equipment plus you get some workouts. People really like that, but I never want to think I’ll be pool running for that long, so I don’t want to invest in it.

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  5. Ahhh I’m sorry you’re dealing with that! It’s been one thing or another for you this spring and I am sure you are ready to scream. I’m glad you have your own pool though! (that looks dreeeeeeeamy). I love the last pic of you with those big palm leaf things behind you and the shades on- classic Florida pic! 🙂 I’d probably just be floating around on an inflatable raft. LOL. I have never tried pool running but it sounds intriguing! If I had my own pool I’d definitely try it. Once at our old gym I decided to try a water aerobics class when I was pregnant. It was fun, once I got over the fact that it was just me and a bunch of senior citizens. Haha!

    I hope your calf issue gets better soon. You’re doing the right thing by trying to avoid aggravating it further which would probably just slow down the recovery.

    Reply

    1. Kae, when my sister was here she strapped on the pool running floater and just floated around in the pool. I kept trying to get her to “run” but she wasn’t interested (for some strange reason, ha ha.)

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  6. I’m sorry your calf is still tormenting you. It sounds like you are doing all the right things.

    Doesn’t everyone in FL have a pool? 🙂 I guess everyone I know does! They are less ubiquitous around here. Neighborhood pools are a thing, but our current neighborhood doesn’t have one.

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    1. It is definitely a Florida thing! About half the houses in our neighborhood have a pool, and it’s not like we live in a fancy place. I kind of wish we had a neighborhood pool instead (so we wouldn’t have to do the upkeep) but then I would look like an idiot running around in little circles- it’s nice to have the privacy.

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  7. Pool running is hard! I had forgotten how much of a workout it was. I am also taking advantage of my pool this week. Ugh on the calf. Have you tried running with a compression sleeve on your calf? That might help but sure won’t hurt! Hope this week is better for you

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  8. I’m sorry your calf is giving you so much grief! Argh, how frustrating. I see Deborah commented about a compression sleeve – that is a great idea! I used to wear them mostly for my varicose veins, and I loved them. In any case, it can’t hurt to try. Anyway, I’m sorry about it – you must be so frustrated. Well, I can see you are in the photos, particularly the pissed-off walking picture.
    I have done pool running but I think it was in the Nineties, so it’s a fuzzy memory.
    I’m so glad you had a good time with your sister and BIL. They do look sporty and athletic – and not all sporty and athletic people need to be runners, Jenny!!! Signed, a former runner 🙂

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    1. Ha ha, I know. They would actually be horrified at the thought of running (not that they’re not active- they just don’t want to run.)
      I’ll try the compression sleeve- it’s a good idea.

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  9. Ugh on the calf situation. Ok, I need the lowdown on pool running. I too have a pool, and it’s an untapped resource for me. Maybe it’s time to give pool running a try! I need a belt, so that’s step one. I see you have headphones on… are they waterproof or just your water resistent daily use kind? Now that my pool has reached 90 degrees I think it’s a good temp for me. LOL! I think it wouldn’t be so bad as long as I could listen to some music.
    Sounds like a good visit from your family!

    Reply

    1. Those are just my regular headphones. They would probably be ruined if I dropped them in the water, but they’re not that expensive to start with. You could check out Fluid Running- they sell all the equipment, and workouts as well. That’s what Deborah and Wendy do.

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  10. I’m so sorry your calf is still bugging you, but glad that you have your pool! Though I understand how boring it is to pool run, I did it for a few days in 2021 when I had really painful shin splints and I could barely get through 30 minutes! But I guess it’s better than nothing.

    I did catch some of the Olympic Trials this weekend and I’m fascinated by the longer distance events like the 10K, not only because they’re so fast but also running around a track for 6.2 miles! I guess that’s why I’m a trail runner and not a track runner — I can’t imagine running around the same oval over and over and over again!

    Reply

    1. I know! But I do like the longer events like that and the 5k- I love to watch the runner’s forms. For the really short events, I can’t even relate at all. It’s like my running and their running are two different sports.
      And… 45 minutes is my limit on pool running!

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  11. I’m so sorry the calf is causing issues, but I’m glad it didn’t get in the way of a great time with your sister and BIL.

    Pool running does sound…boring…but a nice-to-have option and will likely speed your recovery. Sending healing thoughts your way 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you Elisabeth! In a way it was good this all happened last week- spending time with my sister took my mind off the calf issue.

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  12. I have lots and lots of experience with pool running! I spent 6 weeks of a Boston Marathon training cycle in the pool (try a 20-miler “aqua style”) and I live to tell the tail. I exceeded my expectations on race day. I’ll leave it at that. Pool running in a public pool is an amazing way to people watch. Hope your calf is better soon! Now I’m wondering where my flotation belt is…

    Reply

    1. WAIT JUST A MINUTE. You trained for a marathon in the pool??? A 20 miler “aqua style?” I want to hear more about this!!!

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  13. Oh Jenny, I’m so sorry to hear about your calf pain. Yes, it’s great that you have a pool for running, but that’s got to get old very quickly. I hope you can get some answers this week.

    I’m looking forward to watching both the Olympics and the Tour de France. I haven’t watched any of the Olympic trials, though. 🙁

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    1. I’m watching the Trials right now! I can tell the Olympics are going to seriously but into my reading time.

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  14. No in the pool running. But I don’t have a pool.

    Calf sleeves is a suggestion or try a chiro that does ART.

    Good luck. I hope it heals soon.

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  15. So sorry that your calf is still bothering you! I’m still hitting the pool once weekly doing my Fluid running workouts. It helps break up the monotony, having someone telling me what to do, lol. I hope this injury sorts itself out!

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  16. Hmmm, as much as I detest treadmill running, I’m wondering how I’d do in a pool? I guess if it’s an outdoor pool, I might be alright with it. Inside, though? No can do (that much I know, LOL). Ugh, what a bummer on your calf’s status. I hope things start to feel better.

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  17. Ugh, I am sorry you’re dealing with an angry calf now… I can only imagine how frustrating that is but it’s really cool that you can use your pool for some low impact exercise while you’re trying to figure it out.

    Reply

    1. Thanks San. Yes, it really is lucky that I have my pool- I’m not sure that the stairclimber would be a good option for this issue. Pool running it is!

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  18. I have to admit that I’m over here giggling at your mad face in the pool. I would love to be able to just goof off in a pool right now! I do get that it’s frustrating that it’s preventing you from running and I hope you figure out what’s going on ASAP.

    Reply

    1. We did plenty of goofing off in the pool while my sister was here. It’s not as much fun when you’re “pool running” as opposed to running on land though, grr.

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  19. You know me: I’m awful with TV so I haven’t seen any of the trials. Sigh.

    I’m so sorry about that calf. What could it be? It’s so weird that it only hurts while running and not with anything else. I hate that for you.

    So confession: I thought as I scrolled down your pool photo I was going to see a gator or a snake in the water! So glad that wasn’t the case!

    Glad you had fun with your guests!

    Reply

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