It Is What It Is

It is what it is, and this past week was its own breed of something.

Hey, if nothing else, we gain our most strength by overcoming obstacles and unforeseen struggles along the way. Life would be quite boring without a few challenges, am I right?

Such was the case in my little world. Nothing I couldn't face, and nothing to keep me down. But there definitely were some moments...

Before I get to the nitty gritty deets, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

 I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 8:00AM (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down this week, in my little corner of the universe:

A slow-start Sunday.

Although the previous week hadn't been crazy hardcore, my Friday and Saturday had been rather action-packed. I opted for some (somewhat) easy miles on the bike. The temps were pleasant (though a tad chilly on the wheels, just saying) and the 21 miles felt incredible in the early hours. BTW, this pic demonstrates how to indicate I'm from Iowa without saying it in so many words (#corn). It's also a dead giveaway of my love for all things colorful and funky. Later, there was a spontaneous trip to the Iowa State Fair (see below) and the final Arms with Tunde workout of the 4-week program (via Peloton).

Never Miss a Monday

I noticed my throat felt a little scratchy, while at the fair, but I didn't think anything of it (we'd spent some time in the dusty and dirty hay-filled horse barn, after all). Also, it's not uncommon for my throat to be a little dry, first thing in the morning, so that didn't seem unusual as I laced up and headed out for my run Monday morning. 

Anyways, I didn't have any specific workout on the schedule, so I ran one of my 3-mile routes and incorporated tempo "surges" in the final 1/4-mile of each mile. Everything seemed fine, running-wise (negative splits)!...but my throat felt worse by the time I'd finished. Also, my sinuses were a mess and I noticed my early-morning-body-stiffness hadn't loosened up much. Back home, I felt like I had the chills as I waited for my chai latte to heat up. Hmmm. On a whim, I dug out a Covid test, and BOOM. Positive. I took a second one, and same result. Needless to say, I texted my supervisor, he showed up an hour later with my work computer, and I set up camp on my dining room table (for the  week). As the day wore on, the body aches increased, the congestion magnified, and the throat turned raw. I got out for a 2-mile walk over lunch (while chatting with Deborah) and didn't do much else for the remainder of the day.

 

can you say FOG???

 

Not a typical Tuesday.

The nurse I'd talked with told me this particular strain of Covid had symptoms of a bad cold (for most people), and that was exactly my case. My throat felt almost normal, by Tuesday, and I'd slept well (clear nose!), but there still were some lingering body aches and mild chills. I got out for 2-mile walk in the early hours, because movement is medicinal. Later, I walked a mile with Max (over lunch) and took another 1-mile walk after work. No strength training, no cycling, no Barre. And I was alright with that.

movement is medicinal

How about a Triple-Ride-Wednesday?

Despite the nasal gunk, I was able to get another good night of sleep. The body aches were minimal, so I went for an 8-mile sunrise ride in the chilly 57F morning air. Later, Max and I walked a mile over lunch, and I went for another ride...this time for 6ish miles in the much warmer sunshine. After logging off from work, I decided to enjoy the summer weather a little more, and rode another five miles, ending the day with about 19.5 miles of biking. It felt great to have my energy back, and the evening was still young, so I had a 2-mile "walk and talk" session (on my cell) with a college friend after dinner. Yes, I felt that good!

a triple ride day

Thankful Thursday!

After keeping things low-key for three days, my mind, body, and soul were craving just an itsy-bit of action...so I tested the waters with a run. I kept the route flat, the distance short (two miles) and the pace easy. I'm not sure how the negative split happened, but I can assure it was unintentional. Although this run felt pretty easy (which was my intention), I could tell my muscles and joints were still a bit compromised. I did a stretching class (via Peloton) and walked a mile with Max (over lunch). The only major symptom remaining was nasal gunky-ness (again) with massive sinus pressure, which gave me a terrible headache if/when I had to bend over for anything. Another evening walk (1.5-mile) and I was good for the day.

slow and steady in the running shoes

A not-so-fine Friday.

Just as I was getting to bed, Thursday evening, a text came in from one of my friends from work, telling me the news of much-loved coworker's unexpected passing. WHAT THE WHAT??? That kept me awake for awhile, exchanging information with a few others, eventually falling asleep in a fog of confusion and numbness. 

Friday morning, I got out for a 3-mile walk in the early hours. While the initial shock of my friends' passing was over, now came the harsh reality of what had really happened. I found myself in and out of emotional moments, with sporadic tears, and so much disbelief. Truly, it was a blessing to be working from home. It was probably somber, eerie, and most surreal in the office, given the circumstances. Later, over lunch, I indulged in a 5-mile bike ride...most of us utilize exercise as a coping vice, and I'm no exception. (A huge, heartfelt ThAnKs to all who took the time to check in on me, and for sharing your condolences. It was so much appreciated!)

a cloudy start to my day

Long Run Saturday.

Day six of the virus. By now, my symptoms were those of the final stages of a cold, so quite bearable. I met up with Barb (who, BTW, tested positive on Wednesday) around 7:00 and we ran our #5at5 route, three days past due and a couple hours later than usual. Nothing glamorous, but we kept a decent pace despite our nasalized conversation and labored breathing (due to all the sinus gunk). My splits were 10:05, 9:56, 10:01, 10:08, 9:59...which was probably a bit fast, given our "Covid reality," but everything felt like it was in working order. It had rained Friday evening, and overnight, but had tapered off by morning, giving us some heavy humid air (again). All in all, these five miles reassured me my rally-back was on task, so all was well.

feeling "cleansed" after all the rain (figurative and literal) from Friday

Later, eager to hit the hilly bike trail (since it obviously didn't happen earlier in the week), I spent the majority of the day second-guessing my two disagreeing weather apps. One kept showing 30%-40% rain throughout the day, the other showed intermittent showers mixed with partly cloudy skies. Finally, I made a command decision, and headed out around 3:30 (since both were in agreement with a 5:00 "wet" situation). I got not even a half-mile, and it started sprinkling on me...so I turned around and headed back home. 

An hour later, the sky was looking clear and sunny, so I decided to take another gamble. This time, I got as far as 5.5 miles when the sprinkles showed up. My turn-around was only a mile further, so I kept going...and most of the clouds had cleared by the time I got to the lake. You can probably guess where this is going, right? On the way back, it felt like the wind had shifted (big surprise!), and I noticed more dark clouds rolling in. I made it almost back to town, with about three miles to my driveway, when the sprinkles returned. Within a few minutes the sprinkles morphed into full-on rain. I usually tack on a couple extra miles, but not this time. I pulled into my driveway, 14 miles done, and looked liked I'd taken a swim with Krystal. But, I gotten hilly bike path ride #15 done!

feeling "cleansed" from all the sprinkles

...and, what's on tap for Sunday?

The forecast is looking nice. I'll definitely be out and about in the early hours in the running (or walking) shoes or on the bike. There's a good possibility of a long bike ride taking place in the late morning or afternoon, as well.

So, it WAS a week. Nothing can prepare you for the unexpected, so I find it's best to go with the flow,  keep a positive mindset and focus on the big picture. Running was very minimal this week, due to my playing host to Covid...10 miles in the running shoes, but they were more than sufficient. Walking was alright, with a grand total of 18. Biking was the big player, with 59 miles logged. With the intermittent body aches (especially in my hands and fingers), I opted to stay away from strength training. Bending over, with the (current) extreme sinus pressure, was a no-can-do anyways...no need to risk adding  weights to the mix (with my achy hands) amidst all the brain fog!

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:

and we're Back in Action

Running & Racing Through the Alphabet

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair!  What can I say? Working from home does have its perks, like dressing in fitness gear and taking 5-mile bike rides over your lunch break. It's true, I sported a much more casual wardrobe this week, and Friday had me back in black (and pink). It was my temporary reality, so I chose to embrace it.

As mentioned, I had a spontaneous invite to the Iowa State Fair on Sunday. Barb and I spent a few hours taking in the sights, walking through some of the exhibits, eating foot-long corndogs and people watching. Had I known I'd not be returning (thank you, Covid), I would have also grabbed a funnel cake while there.

Finally, this orchid of mine. I'm a huge believer in fate, the forces of the universe, divine intervention, and whatnot. This orchid started coming back to life recently, and has numerous buds that will be blossoming soon. The fact that the first one opened, Friday morning, amidst all the emotional turmoil of my friend's passing was pretty ironic. Call me crazy, but I don't think it was a coincidence. 

Whew! So that's a brief look into my crazy week. It was a wild ride, but not impossible. I know I'm stronger for the experience and am ever grateful for the strength of my faith and the support of family and friends. Onward!

How did your week play out? Any rain, unexpected or otherwise?  Ever taken a spontaneous scaled-back week, due to an uninvited virus?

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