Training Week 3: Distancing, Blizzards, Hip..
Well, I wrote a whole entry and then my computer … died. Something is majorly wrong with the battery or charger, but the Mac store is now open only one day/week (Saturdays). Miraculously the thing came back on and I hope it stays that way. I WFH on this computer…
However, I’m quite sad my entry is gone since I put some time and effort into reflecting about the world. I’ll try to re-write, but be a little bit more succinct!
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This week was weird and everything changed so quickly. The restaurants and bars seemed to be budding with the warming weather last weekend, and then two days later…everything closed. Alf and I are now both working from home — me in our office, him in the basement — with moments of respite through dog walks, bike rides and runs, and meal making. In all honesty, it doesn’t feel that different from our normal lives, and yet…
The subtle shifts feel sharp. Maybe it’s the lack of control? I can’t go to the brewery (even though I don’t like their beer)? I can’t go skiing (even though the traffic and tight ski boots make the day way less fun)? I can’t go to the library to scan the shelves (I never did)?
It feels hard to look for the positive moments in all of this, considering how devastating it is for small business owners, hourly workers, people who’ve lost their jobs, lost their lives. Yes, pollution is going down, there’s a beautiful digital connection happening, we’re doing more self-inquiry work. But is it worth it? OR … do people who’ve been directly affected by COVID-19 need these positive sparks more than ever, and should I lean on them, expand with them?
I guess I don’t know what to feel. Can I be mad about canceled trips? Anxious about races dissipating? Sad about feeling lonely? Or grateful for my health? Thankful for my privilege? Relieved it’s just a bunch of inconveniences for me?
The answer is probably d) all of the above. Feel all the things.
Ok: back to running. Praise be I can social distance with my dogs around the trails as a way to let off steam and relax a little. The weather Mon-Weds of last week was pretty nice so I moved around my schedule to avoid a snowstorm that blew through on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, that left the trails a mess over the weekend so my longer mileage was done on pavement. My hip does pretty poorly on the roads and I’m nervous the injury is something I can’t heal with PT alone (which, haha! isn’t available to me right now anyway!).
One day at a time…as all things must go.
MONDAY
AM Yoga
PM 4.25 trails with Rosa
Notes: This is usually my day off from running, but I saw the forecast said snow, snow, and more snow on Thursday and Friday. Honestly, I just wanted to get outside in the sun; Day 1 of Social Distancing hit me hard. My legs were really tired and Rosa and I both bonked at mile 3 (LOL). I probably ate lunch at 10:30am like normal and needed more food before this late afternoon jaunt…
TUESDAY
7.2 miles, road
Notes: Not going to lie - I woke up this morning feeling crappy. It’s funny how much more in tune I am with my body. Every little thing feels like it could turn into a fever or a dry cough. I knew it was probably just a lack of good, deep rest, and oddly enough I know that getting into the zone of a good run makes me feel better. It was cloudy and cold and nothing special, but I did indeed feel better post-miles.
WEDNESDAY
3.5 miles, trail (hills)
Notes: Gess saved me from dreaded fire road repeats when she asked if I wanted to join her on a trek up Mt. Morrison. ! I have never actually been up here before — it’s about a 1.75-mile climb with nearly 2,000 ft of elevation. I brought Rosa not knowing there was some scrambling at the top, but my lil mountain dog proved her technical climbing skills and we summited —pic below. (Still had to take some alt routes and carry her a few spots!) This hike was good training and I’m hoping to tag this into a longer run later in training; the TH is about 8 miles from home via Bear Creek trails!
THURSDAY:
Strength, PT, Yoga
Notes: I got really down watching all the snow cover the once-was warm asphalt! RIP spring. (It was the first day of spring…) I legit did three different gentle yoga flows to make myself feel better and also got my PT work in.
FRIDAY:
OFF
Notes: I slept 10.5 hours the night before and took a 3-hour nap. Who am I?
SATURDAY:
15.25 miles, roads
Notes: Ugh this run. I was a little nervous doing so much pounding on pavement, but I wanted at least 15 miles in and didn’t want to slog around the melting snow. I did a big loop of Bear Creek from the house and by mile 8 my hip was on FIRE - just as I was on the other end of the park. I shuffled my way home and tended to the area with a lot of self-massage and stretching.
SUNDAY:
8 miles, roads/flat dirt
My plan called for 70 minutes and I told myself I would play it totally by ear depending on my hip. I was able to hop on some parallel dirt trails and the softer ground helped. It still hurt, though.
Total Mileage: 38.2 miles
Total Hours: 7 hours 15 mins
Total Gain: 3,855 ft
Overall Emotions: I am nervous about my hip. Luckily next week is a “Cutback” week so I’m only running 20-25 miles. Hopefully, the trails will dry so I can avoid roads. Also, it feels way too early to speculate, but could Pikes be canceled? The race is at the end of July.
