Recovery rewind

...and, just like that, I'm back in recovery mode!

The fact that this time it's due to a freak accident, rather than a legit sports-related injury, is a bit of a buzzkill. Honestly, I don't know which situation is worse, LOL. 

Alas, a bit of a running sabbatical was forced upon me. No sense in crying into my Gatorade; I sought refuge elsewhere. We all know I'm not good at sitting still anyways

Before I reveal all the recovery fun, 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, as I embraced my situation:

A so-so Sunday

As most know, I hit gravel and took a nasty spill on Saturday's 56-mile bike ride. By the time Sunday morning rolled around, I was feeling pretty beat-up and drained. Although my shoulder was feeling better, more bruises were appearing on my left arm and leg, and my ribs were feeling super grumpy. I got out for a 2-mile walk in the (somewhat) early morning and walked another 2-miler after dinner. And that was it.

A modified never miss a Monday

The Never Miss a Monday running streak came to an end. This wasn't the first time (knee surgery in 2017 and stress fracture in 2020). Lucky for me, I have an arsenal of other options. Thus, I got back on the bike and greeted the new morning with a 13-mile sunrise ride. What's more, I not only walked a mile during my morning break at work, but I also saddled-up and rode another 12 miles after getting home for the day.

  

A not-so-typical Tuesday

Admittedly, I have been slacking on focused lower-body strength work recently. Well, with my aching rib cage, this was the perfect opportunity to remedy that situation...so, a 20-minute glutes/legs workout seemed like a great option. I also added an arm workout (light weights/high reps). And, I upped the walking, with 5.5 cumulative miles for the day (some before, some during, and some after work).

A "not-too-wild" Wednesday

No #5at5 happening in my current condition. Instead, Barb was willing to meet for a #17at530 (that would be 17 miles at 5:30a.m.), via the bikes. Aren't fitness friends the best! It was cool in the early morning, but turned out to be a warm day. We only did one 1-miler at work, but I did a 2-mile walk in the evening.

A very, very Thankful Thursday

This wound up being a very action-packed day! First-off, there was a thumbs-up sunrise 4-mile walk for me (in Iowa) with Deb's thumbs-down rainy 4-mile run in Virginia.

Next, there was another short lower-body strength sesh and another light weights/high reps arm workout (via Peloton). Let's not forget a morning 1-mile walk at work (it was too hot to walk in the afternoon).

Then, after five days of recovery, I was ready to test the waters on the hilly bike path after work. I met Amy for our weekly ride, and all went well. I was worried it would be difficult to breathe on the intense hills, but I had ZERO issues and ZERO rib pain for the entire 16 miles. Afterwards, I knocked-out another walk, this one being two miles...ending the day with seven total miles walked! 

A fitness "rest fest" for Friday

I kept things easy-peasy for Friday...a 2-mile sunrise walk and a 1-mile walk at work.

A spontaneous Saturday 

After a very late night, I allowed myself a slight sleep-in for Saturday morning. The forecast was showing a myriad of intermittent rain and high heat and humidity. I got out for a "balmy" 2-mile walk, and then Barb and I decided to head east, to do some riding on the Iowa City trails (the weather that way was looking a bit "drier," LOL). We did get a few sprinkles, at the 16-mile mark, and decided to wait it out for a few minutes. The rain was very light, and it passed within 15-20 minutes, so we were able to ride another nine miles before calling it a day.

 

and what about Sunday? 

Sunday's weather forecast is looking much like Saturday's, so I'm hoping to maybe (?) snag some biking miles in the morning before the rain arrives. Worst case scenario, I can walk (with an umbrella). I don't plan to spend the entire day inside, that's a given.

So, yeah. No running this week. My ribs are feeling better, overall, but I think running would be too strenuous and jarring. Kind of a bummer, but not a big one. As I said, I have plenty of other fitness options to keep me active and happy while the ribs rally-back to a more comfortable state. Biking was dominant this week, with 83 miles. Walking had a respectable 29 miles. I kept the strength training pretty conservative, but worthwhile nonetheless. Although I was able to continue with my daily forearm planks, my 2+ year push-up streak came to an end...no way was my wonky shoulder allowing those to take place, LOL.  

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

Ready for Action!

Summer '23 - What's On Tap

in other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I'm a huge fan of easy-breezy dressing in the heat of summer. I found this little number at a local boutique. I love the ruffle detail around the collar and sleeve seams, and the bright color scheme totally spoke to me.

...and an update on the crash fall-out...

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. My shoulder is probably 90% recovered. I have a plethora of bruises on my left arm and leg, and they have been entertaining (to say the least). The pic doesn't do justice to the ones up and down my leg. The bruises on my arm and shoulder keep changing colors, LOL, but most of the road rash is healed. My rib cage is giving me the most discomfort, which is no big surprise. Fortunately, I have not had to cough or sneeze much this week, LOL. Core work is temporarily on sabbatical, as is running, for a little while longer. Honestly, I am A-OK with that. I could have sustained much worse injuries than these (somewhat) minimal ones. I have a blog post in the works, with some post-crash reflections. Stay tuned.

So, there you have it! The latest and greatest as I soldier through an unanticipated recovery. 

How did your week play out? Any workouts that need mention? Any racing? New training cycles? Ever been side-lined due to a freak accident, as opposed to muscle injury?

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