Saturday, November 12, 2022

Whatever It Takes


Whatever it takes, I'm on board.

Especially when it comes to an injury-related rally-back situation, keeping the focus on the rehab (over the FOMO) is paramount. This has been the case for me, with my most recent healing hammy scenario.

The past week had me digging deep to stay on task with the rally-back action, and it kept me busy... 

Before I dis on the 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:

Sunday: taking it (somewhat) easy outside...
After a slight sleep-in, I got out for an invigorating 4-mile walk amongst the numerous fallen leaves and cool, breezy air. I also had to stop at the random mirror in the alley for a "cheesy" selfie. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:30 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:30 total minutes}


Never Miss a Monday (and a #DoubleWorkout Monday at that)
With the cold and windy temps, Monday morning had me rising & riding (& "insiding"). Sebbe and I knocked out a couple of Peloton cycling workouts and finished with 12 morning miles. Knowing I'd be full-moon running in the evening (see below), I opted for a brisk 2-mile walk over my lunch hour. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:30 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:30 total minutes}


Tuesday: taking it back to the elliptical
After almost an entire year's sabbatical from the elliptical, Ellie and I were reunited for 21 minutes of cardio fun (approx. 3 "miles," per the stats panel). I also did a 20-minute Barre session (prior to the elliptical). Later, after work, I took a 2-mile walk under the full moon just before the cloud cover took over. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:30 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:30 total minutes}


Wednesday: Another low-impact/high-cardio takeover...
The morning started with a stack of three Peloton cycling classes, one of which was Tabata with Tunde (14 total miles on the indoor bike). After work, I had a 3-mile walk with Amy (it was way too cool and windy to be on the bikes, and with the time change, it was way too dark), followed by a 2-mile walk while having a cell phone chat with a friend. One wouldn't think walking could be so exhausting, but coupled with the early morning cycling, my body was "done" when I returned back home (and the daily planking was cut short as a result).   {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank -->2:30 total minutes}


Thursday: taking in the abrupt weather change
The morning temps were rather balmy (63F, thank you very much!). We had rain in the full day forecast, but it hadn't yet arrived. I took full advantage and wore shorts for my morning 2-mile walk under the waning full moon. Trust me, those November temps do not happen very often in Iowa!
 

Throughout the day, the rain fell intermittently, the temps plummeted nearly 30-degrees, and the south wind shifted to the N/NW and turned cold. None the less, I was eager to get out and test the healing hammy with a 2-mile run...and all felt great! And, would you just look at that sunset! {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:30 forearm side plank (each side), 40-second Chaturanga plank-->6:10 total minutes}


Finally Friday: a pre-weekend cardio frenzy...
Hoping for a low-key Saturday, I decided to hit the bike hard in the wee hours (BTW, it was bitterly cold and windy outdoors anyways). I cued-up three cycling workouts (Peloton app) and saddled-up with Sebbe at 5:20a.m. We finished 24 miles of riding before heading to PT ... all before my workday began. {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank -->2:30 total minutes}


Saturday: Easy-peasy (and quite chilly and breezy)
The temptation to run (somewhat) long was crazy, but I knew it was not in my best interest. Besides,  the sudden winter-like weather wasn't that enticing. I got out for a couple of late-morning miles, and was happy to call it good. A bonus? The healing hammy felt fine! {Planksgiving '22 - 2:30 forearm plank, 1:30 forearm side plank (each side)-->5:30 total minutes}


...and what's on tap for Sunday?
The weather forecast is calling for continued cold temps for awhile, so I'll probably start the morning inside (on the bike) and head out for a walk when daylight appears. 

All in all, this week left me feeling like I'm in a good place with the hammy rehab. I had PT both Monday and Friday mornings, and have been diligent with the daily exercises and stretches. While there is a little bit of FOMO for more miles and longer runs, I'm content with what's been happening. This week saw seven miles of running. Granted, those numbers are low, but those miles all felt good. I know I'm headed in the right direction with my upcoming Winter Run Streak, which starts on Thanksgiving Day. Walking logged 16 miles...and I blame the freezing cold weather (in the later part of the week). I also spent a lot of time in the saddle, and finished 50 miles (all on the indoor bike). The Planksgivng Challenge took a slight hit, mid-week, when I was feeling fatigued. I kept up the daily planking gig, but did scale-back some time on the mat...no regrets! Strength-training continues to be a constant, though I'm going easy on the lower-body work for now (due to all the PT). Onward!

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. Friday was a cold day in Iowa! We're talking 28F temps, with a feels-like of 18F and 14mph wind. I grabbed this warm and cozy sweater-jacket to hide beneath, and did not regret it one bit. 


Another full moon run! Technically, the full moon arrived Tuesday (and the lunar eclipse was sooo pretty early in the morning). The forecast was calling for a clear sky Monday evening, though, and clouds on Tuesday night...so I opted to run a day early (actually, an evening early, LOL). The healing hammy felt really good...so good, that I wound up running three miles (instead of the planned two). 


So, there you have it! Another week of healing, recovery and rehab. I'm good with that!

How did your week play out? Are you still entertaining fall weather, or did winter make a surprise appearance? Any racing this weekend?  Did you see the full moon, or the eclipse?


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32 comments:

  1. So happy to read that the hammy is feeling a lot better, just in time for your holiday run streak! From shorts to winter- what a week of weather you had in Iowa!

    Thanks for hosting the link-up Kim!

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    1. Yeah, and the fun continues...we have snow supposedly arriving tonight and sticking around most of the week. UGH.

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  2. We actually had snow yesterday at my youngest's rugby game in Indiana--lake effect. It was raw! But the boys were playing in shorts and shirt sleeves so I can't complain too much. I'm definitely not ready for this weather!

    Glad to hear you're feeling better.

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    1. I'm totally NOT ready for this weather. I've said it before, but I'd hate winter a little bit less if it just took its time in arriving and didn't overstay its welcome.

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  3. Great moon pics!! I tried taking some but they didn't come out. I got full and ellipse runs this week too.

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    1. The moon pics are always a paradox! The moon looks so tiny in the pic, but so BIG in the sky.

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  4. Oooh great news that the hammy seems to be on the upswing! Yeah Old Man Winter is here with a vengeance. Can't complain though, it is mid-November already and we've had an amazig autumn.

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    1. True, it is mid-November...but a local meteorologist was joking that this current weather is more like December stuff, LOL

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  5. Love that sweater jacket! So glad that your hamstring is feeling better! It was a crazy weather week. We woke up to winter today too after a 73 degree day

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    1. I'm really glad the hammy has turned the corner ;-) Looking forward to upping the mileage (a bit) in a few weeks!

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  6. Great job on your workouts last week, Kim! I saw how beautiful the moon was on Monday night and that our sky was clear and thought of you and your full moon runs. Sometime I'll join you virtually!

    Members of our gravel cycling group take roadside mirror pics and post them to our FB page. :-)

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    1. This roadside mirror is in a quirky place...an alley. And, it's not really in a place that warrants it being there (not near a driveway or garage that would have anyone backing out of), so it's kind of a fun oddity ;-)

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  7. You're doing a great job rehabbing your hammy and it sounds like it's paying off for you! Love to see that the full moon runs are continuing :)

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    1. I am so glad I started doing the full moon runs! They're a fun way to get in some fitness while enjoying the tranquility of the evening.

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  8. Ugh can we just skip winter this year? Actually I don't know what I'm complaining about since we've only had low 30s and nothing too vicious yet.

    I'm happy to hear that the hammy is happy!

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    1. I'd totally love to skip winter. Actually, I do like "winter weather" for a couple weeks around Christmas, but after the New Year, it can skedaddle outta here.

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  9. There was an eclipse? How come I never know what's going on? Anyway, the progress with your hamstring sounds promising. You had several pain-free runs- all the PT must be working.
    And thanks for not talking about football! I'm still depressed after yesterday's Baylor game.

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    1. Well, the ISU Cyclones lost a nail-biter on Saturday, so that was a buzzkill as well. Thankfully, my Hawkeyes have turned their season around (much to everyone's surprise).

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  10. We’ve got the wind you had yesterday here today. I had to grab a hat and gloves to walk Scooby! Glad you are well on your way to recovery, but not rushing it is so smart!

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    1. Thanks, Coco!! I'm really trying to be a good PT patient. I'd rather take the healing slowly than rush through it and have to start over again with everything. I'm just glad it's the start of the off-season, in terms of racing, so the FOMO is pretty minimal at the moment.

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  11. I didn't see the eclipse, but I did see the full moon. I actually am beginning to dislike full moons -- I never sleep well during them!

    You are being very diligent in your rehab and it sounds like it's paying off -- you'll be up to normal shenanigans in no time.

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  12. Healing is more important than running... you seem very active and you will be out there racking up the miles in no time.

    The moon was amazing this week!!

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    1. I swear, the full moon lasts for several days this time of year! It was looking beautiful from Sunday evening through Thursday!

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  13. You're doing so well with your careful rehab - well done! I'm glad my back allowed me three short sunrise runs while on holiday, although it flared up on our travelling home day. I need to stop being scared of my physio exercises as I can only get myself to do a couple of them at the moment ...

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    1. My lower back has been cranky through this process as well...I'm sure it's all part of the process since everything is connected in that region.

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  14. I always trust you to do whatever it takes to get your fitness time in, even if it looks a little different without the running! But your patience and keeping active will be rewarded, I just know it. Sending lots of healing vibes to your hammy.

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    1. I clicked send again when it was still anon! LOL. It's just me :-)

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    2. Thank you, Shathiso ;-) Patience is tough when it comes to healing a grumpy hammy that has been having attitude for a few months. I'm glad the racing season is over, otherwise I'd be tempted to rush things...

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  15. I'm glad that your hamstring is feeling better! I feel like we all experienced all 4 seasons of weather last week, lol.

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  16. You are doing so well with not pushing back too soon. It's tough to be patient, but you will benefit in the end. Great week! I'm sorry about the temperature dips, but I'm ready to enjoy some cooler weather over here.

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