Thursday, April 2, 2020

Coffee? Make Mine a Lemonade


When life (or COVID-19) gives you lemons...you know what to do, right?

If there ever was a time for a big batch of lemonade, it would be now.

Currently, this virus is front and center. It's on the news everyday and plastered all over social media. The world is in a state of panic. Many stores' inventories are running on empty. Schools are closed. Pretty much anything that had been scheduled for Spring 2020 (and some of Summer 2020 as well) has either been outright cancelled or postponed. And social distancing has become the latest buzzword.

No doubt, it's a crazy and scary time. None of us are exempt from it, but we ultimately have 100% control of how we react to the situation.

Shall we gather, and chat for a bit? You can have your coffee...but I'm going with lemonade. After all, there's been a surplus of lemons dumped on us lately. I've simply chosen to rally with #TeamLemonade and make the best of it..


So, what's been happening in my little corner of the universe?

If we were having coffee (or lemonade)...
I'd tell you about a rather spontaneous virtual race, the Crushing COVID-19 5K...because virtual races have been the latest thing. I'd gotten word of this locally-sponsored event on Sunday evening, via my friend, Barb. Our parks and rec department had sent out information (but I had not seen anything about it), and we had until March 31st to complete the "race." YIKES. Let me remind you, Sunday was March 29th! With my legs still cranky from Sunday's Fight for Air Climb (also a virtual event), I met up with Barb after work, late Monday afternoon. We had a perfect 1-mile loop (with no cross traffic to worry about) on which to run this. We set our Garmins, and off we ran! We were able to stay socially-distanced apart from one another. We ran our three loops and called it good. We didn't run it with an "all-out" effort, but we definitely ran it hard. And, you know what? Even with my sore legs (which were even more sore when we finished), this felt great! It felt like we were showing COVID-19 who's boss. Boom!

If we were having coffee (or lemonade)...
I'd tell you briefly about my Fight for Air Climb experience. Originally scheduled for March 29th, this event had been entertaining "postponed status" until a few days prior to the 29th, when the organizers decided the best option would be to turn it into a virtual climb. Without knowing how long this virus will be rampant, as well as the (unknown) after-effects, determining a date on which to host  thousands of stair climbers (into hot, crowded stairwells) was nearly impossible. Disappointed doesn't come close to describing how this made me feel. I got up early on Sunday, though, and climbed (and descended LOL) my stairway 76 times, which would have been the number of flights I would have climbed in downtown Des Moines. Instead of stopping at 76 flights of stairs, though, I made the command decision to "up" the game a bit and climb 100 total flights instead. And, that's all she wrote (and climbed)...there has not been any intentional stair-climbing since, and I'm alright with that. Onward!

If we were having coffee (or lemonade)...
I'd also confess (yet) another event has been turned virtual. I'd been holding out hope that the Market to Market Relay (scheduled for May 9th) would still be on. As of Wednesday of this week, that has gone virtual as well. The organizers are suggesting all team members each run a 3-mile "leg" and a 5-mile "leg." Of course, this is all on the honor system. After our team completes the "relay," and submits our finish times, we'll be sent our group's race packet (with our shirts, bibs, and additional swag). Certainly not an ideal scenario, but it is what it is. Already, our team has been  brainstorming options on how to best execute this virtual relay. Stay tuned!
from 2018
If we were having coffee (or lemonade)...
I'd mention my March miles. To say I've been training hard for the Climb would be an understatement. When I tallied up just how many flights of stairs I'd climbed, just in March, even I was surprised. These 815 flights are up through the 29th, don't forget...I didn't do any more "intentional" climbing after that. As for the miles run, that also was a bit higher than expected. I guess that 19-mile virtual run (yes, another virtual LOL) had a significant impact. No regrets!

Finally, If we were having coffee (or lemonade)...
I'd show you the teddy bear in our window. I think this is such a neat idea (wherever it started), and is a great incentive for families to get outside and walk. After all, with kids at home, what better way to have quality family time with some fitness thrown in? Have you placed a teddy bear in your window?

 So, not exactly the most cheerful month on record, but definitely not the worst. Despite all the cancellations, frustrations, and fear...this has been a nice time, too. I have seen a lot more people out walking. I think more families are gathering for family meals. Although we can't get together face-to-face with our friends or extended family members, we do have a lot of technology at our finger tips, enabling virtual (there's that word, again) get-togethers. Lemonade, indeed!

So, what are some things you'd share if we were having coffee (or lemonade) together? Has this been a time for appreciating the simpler things...like family meals or game nights? Have you had a lot of races cancelled? Any virtual races happening, recently or in the near future? 



Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.
The Ultimate Coffee Date

I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday with Fairytales and Fitness link-up. 

 

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31 comments:

  1. 815 stairs! Well done! That must be your record!
    I have not heard about the teddy bear in the window thing. What a sweet idea!
    I am definitely enjoying the simpler things - spring is at its best right now and the cherry tree outside is just at the verge of blooming.

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    1. I think all those stairs was a record LOL I was really hoping to PR my time this year (at the actual event), so I committed to training for it. Oh well, all those stairs are like doing hills, so I still benefited from the training.

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  2. Wow, leave it to you to continue to get all this running and climbing in at a time like this! You are truly amazing Kim! Keep it going!

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    1. Thanks ;-) I'm just used to consistently doing "something" everyday. I had most of the training done before all the COVID-19 stuff exploded, so I've just been kind of maintaining.

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  3. I haven't heard about the teddy bear. What is its significance? Some kind of scavenger thing for kids? I was actually bothered by a kid on a motorized scooter during my run yesterday. What parent thinks that is actually good for their sedentary kids?

    Anyway, great month for you, Kim! Congrats on all your virtual races!

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    1. Yes, I believe the teddy bears are meant to be something for the kids to look for while they're out walking. April is gonna be really out-of-my-realm...I don't think I've ever had an entire month with no races (other than the dead of winter or when I was sidelined).

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  4. I do love fresh lemonade! I don’t know if our neighborhood is doing the teddy bear thing — not too many people make it up our hill —but I love the idea You are doing great at keeping up with your exercise. I’m not sure I would have done that stair climb on my own!

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    1. Our house is set pretty far back from the road, so I don't know how easy it is to see the bear. I might have to but a colorful hat or bandana on him.

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  5. I runfess the Chicago Tribune put a cute teddy bear in the newspaper meant to be cut out and placed in the window and I failed. My bad.

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    1. I've seen the teddy bears for awhile, but kept forgetting to do it myself. I finally got him in place just this week...so I was late to the party, too ;-)

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  6. Cheers my friend, and the lemonade is sure refreshing. I'd really encourage anyone with a cancelled race to try virtual. I was pleasantly surprised by my 5k last weekend and have a 10k and half to look forward to this month. I love the idea of doing a virtual relay. Is anyone putting Christmas lights up in your area? That's starting to be a thing here.

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    1. The hubby just suggested we put Christmas light back up. I think I'll opt for the two pre-lit 4-ft. trees we usually have alongside our front door. The only thing about virtuals is that it's tough to "race" them unless you can find a route with limited traffic. But that's a first world prob ;-)

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  7. Wow that is a ton of stairs! Good for you! I have seen that teddy bear thing too but not sure where it started. I have also seen christmas lights up. Makes me smile though. Thanks for joining for coffee and lemonade

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    1. The hubby just mentioned putting Christmas lights up this afternoon.....stay tuned. ;-)

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  8. Sounds like you've been making the best of the virtual options! I look forward to hearing how you all do the virtual relay. And I love that teddy bear idea!

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    1. I'm really curious if we'll all agree on how to implement the virtual relay....lots of ideas LOL

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  9. I haven't had lemonade in so long and now I really want a glass!

    On my run last weekend I did see a house that had Christmas lights. It actually made me stop and smile because it was so unexpected.

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    1. Maybe I'll be drinking lemonade for the "call" tomorrow......

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  10. So many stairs! You are awesome!

    We didn't participate in the teddy bear thing (but plenty of neighbors did), but we are doing an Easter Egg coloring page in our window for a virtual egg hunt. Everyone is being really good about doing little things like this to keep spirits up.

    I will be having lemonade later. Mixed with sweet tea vodka. And it's going to be magical.

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    1. Every day I see more decorations in people's windows. It really is a great way to brighten up someone else's day!

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  11. For all the non-activity I've been doing lately, I feel like I should climb my flights of stairs 76 times, haha. It'd definitely be a great workout (maybe I could push for 100 too :P )! I'm sad that so many things have been canceled, but definitely for the greater good right now--I'm glad there are so many virtual events to help pass the time!

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    1. I agree...the cancellations are disappointing, but they are necessary.

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  12. Wow! Your stair total for the month is so impressive! And way to run the virtual 5K after on tired legs after the stair climb.

    I am doing a free virtual race series (I opted for the 5K version) and the first race was this week. I wanted to run it hard but not all out, like you said. Bill agreed, then took off like a rabbit! I did manage to keep up with him but at the end, I said I thought we weren't going all out...??? He said "I thought we DIDN'T go all out!" Sheesh!

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    1. That's funny! I just signed up for the Run The Edge Un-canceled Project. I'm not a huge fan of virtuals, but I think it's a great way to support all the others who are doing them. Besides...what else do I have to do? ;-)

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  13. Well done on all those stairs!

    I saw the teddy bear idea on the news but haven't seen any in my neighborhood. I have seen some Christmas lights which put a smile on my face.

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    1. I think we're gonna dig out some Christmas lights tomorrow...

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  14. I haven't seen the teddy bears in the windows but lot of neighbors are putting up rainbows for the kids, it's sweet.

    It's a crazy time for sure! You have always been one to make lemonade, so I'm not surprised by your outlook. Great job with your virtual climb, wow! I wasn't going to do the Stair Climb in Philly this year, but I donated to my coworkers right before they have postponed the event until further notice. The Run for Clean Air that I do every year was turned into a virtual event, but since I hadn't signed up yet, I'm just going to pass.

    It's going to be so weird looking back at this time in a few years, or even a few months!

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    1. Thank you, Janelle ;-) I'm a strong believer is being positive, especially in the most negative & unknown times ;-)

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  15. We're not doing teddy bears in the window here but our governor has started an initiative and we have signs displayed in our windows. He and the mayor of Chicago have been a breath of fresh air in this thing--they're taking charge and it feels good to have someone do that.

    Nice to see you on the zoom chat today!

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  16. Nice job on making lemonade. For the most part, we are doing well here. Just trying to live in the moment because so much is uncertain at this point.

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  17. I love the idea of your local parks and rec doing the virtual Crushing COVID-19 5K.

    Our neighborhood is doing "teddy bears in the window" as well. I need to take a picture of mine.

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