Tag: Cross-training

Rambling On -PTO

Happy Thursday!

I think it’s Thursday. I took another week of PTO and my days are a little blurry. Never thought I would be one for taking a week off 2 months in a row but hey 2020. The beginning of the year was so crazy and I just kept canceling all the time I had requested off. For a person who loves organized chaos and being busy at work, I hit burnout back in July. November’s PTO was all about escaping. This one is more of the sleep all you can, watch whatever crappy TV you want, and maybe don’t put on pants for a week-ish. Running crops aren’t real pants, right?

Speaking of TV, anyone watch The Wilds? I am torn on how I feel about it. And no, it was not like Lost.

I have watched a ridiculous amount of cheesy Christmas movies. Probably too many. But the one I watched the other night was the first time I ever wanted to reach through the TV and smack one of the characters. And I haven’t watched one since.

I decided I needed to work on my cross training so I made a trek to the back shed. Hey, look a fancy spin bike! Or what used to be. Then it had to be carried down the hill and into the garage. Yeah, that was fun- that sucker is heavy! I spent like an hour scrubbing it down- you know, spiders- and even went on a short ride. Now it hurts to sit down. Ouch! Luckily the thing is much smaller than I remember so now I just have to figure out how to get it into the house. Also, there is no onboard computer so not knowing how far I’ve ridden is annoying.

Any tips for sore backs? I have a half wheel but right now that is too much for me. I have been trying other things but nothing seems to be working.

Also, any suggestions for good trail shoes? Neither of mine are working for me right now. Nope. Oh, and speaking of trails- forgot to mention- had a little adventure in our own backyard a week ago-

So, tell me something- what’s new?

27-July

Dudes, it’s July.

How is that even possible?

I finished June with a measly 21 miles. Not surprising as I retreated into a dark corner after all the trauma in my town. I almost called it drama but that is not accurate, trauma is.

Last week was more trying to regain some calm. In some ways it worked, in others not so much. People’s obsession with fireworks was not helpful at all but also expected.

All that aside, last week was actually not bad when it comes to workouts- I worked out 5 times. I don’t even know who I am?!

After much consideration, I re-upped my Beachbody account. I wasn’t fond of the gym before Covid, I have no desire to go back anytime soon. That and my sedentary- ness has got to give. I do have to say that the Amazon Fire stick is a game changer. Having the workout videos on my tv as apposed to my laptop or cellphone is so much better. I completed Week 1 of Liift 4 on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday. Yeah, I got a little distracted in the middle of the week.

Thursday, I was feeling lazy. I hadn’t run after work since transferring to the new office…over a month ago. I headed home with the intention of being lazy but instead squeezed in a short 20 ish minutes- 1.5ish miles. Forward progress is the point right??

Work on Friday was insane, I just went home and hid in a dark corner. No long weekend for me.

The weekend was a warm and I slept late on Saturday. When it came time to run, it was 100*, so I napped instead. Oops.

Did I learn my lesson for Sunday? Nope. Did a Liift4 workout and then headed out. Depending on what thermometer you read, it was either 102 or 106. My run turned into a walk but forward motion, right? Plus, I have adjust to the heat at some point. A friend actually saw me out, and was confused by both my walking and the fact I was outside in that temp. I only saw one other person outside the entire time I was out there. Ha! 3 miles

So, still not a lot of miles but an overall improvement on the entire year, really. Now the question is can I repeat it?

How was your week?

13- Keeping On

And we gotta keep moving on, or trying to.

Last week was a full week of work and every time I think I have things handled, the rules changed again. Half of the building is closed and hours are shortened. I am rolling with it the best I can and trying to put the best foot forward for my coworkers. Speaking of foot- I found out we can wear sneakers! It’s the little things. Except I am still wearing my skirts and dresses so not sure how that would look. Ha! Also have to find the funny when I can or I may lose my mind.

The weather was cold and crappy last week so staying inside wasn’t that tough. We had hail and heavy rain which caused chaos on the roads, like always but at least there were fewer cars out, right?

I was pretty lazy Monday and Tuesday but forced myself on the bike on Wednesday after work. I had actually been super soar in my shins after Sunday’s ride on the bike. I jokingly posted on Twitter that I felt like I’d given myself shin splints. Apparently that is actually a thing, who knew?

What I didn’t mention on Twitter was that I had been riding the bike barefoot. Yeah…. So for this 30 minutes, I was in new running shoes and compression socks. I also adjusted the seat and pedals. So much better.

Then back to being lazy on Thursday and Friday. Can I blame the rain?

On Saturday I ventured out for supplies. You know I always wondered if I would save money by eating out less and eating at home more. Nope. Put that test to bed.

Then I ventured out for my first run in weeks. I felt torn about it but it was also kind of great. I did one loop of my block for 2.2ish miles. Yeah, it’s a big loop. And I gained over 200 ft. Yeah, there’s a reason I drive across town often to run. I kind of felt like me again.

I think Sunday’s are going to be nap days because what else is there? Haha.

So 2 workouts out of 7 days. Yeah, I should probably work on that.

How was your week?

Week 10- Rain, Tears & Consistency

2019 Race Schedule (so far):
3/24 Oakland Running Festival (Thanks BibRave)
4/28 SLO Half Marathon
8-11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)

This week was a little all over the place. I am so over the rain. Work was busy, like stupid busy. I took Monday off from running to rest my leg, turns out it was the driest day of the week.

A Target mirror gave me a rude awakening, I managed to stick to a workout plan- mostly. Now if I could just get my eating habits in order. It was a fairly consistent week that ended with a slight emotional breakdown when I thought I lost the necklace I’ve almost everyday since I was 17. I eventually found it but not before more tears than I ‘ve cried in recent history.

Other than that-

Monday- Liift4
Restarted the entire program- liked it the first time, decided to commit again.

Tuesday- Liift4
Following the plan.

Wednesday- PiYo
Rest day from Liift4, more rain, thought this would be a good stretch. Haha, this made me sweat.

Thursday-2 Miles
One last run in the twilight before the time change. The moisture in the air angered my lungs but other than that it was a decent short run.

Friday- 5 Miles
A day off from work meant I could run in the afternoon! I almost never run on Fridays so it was kind of cool. I played dodge the rain drops for a few miles and melted the other few. I also chose to run #allthehills. Why? I was feeling decent so I was looking forward to powering up the last hill and was doing so when my watch vibrated. I looked down to see “power save”. Oh for crying out loud! I stopped in the middle of the hill cursing out loud. Seriously, again?! I legit back tracked to the point I had paused my watch and ran the damn hill again. Which I did not make it all up without a walk break but then it was my second time up it. The only downside was the almost blisters my Altra’s gave me. I have to admit that they are dead.

Saturday-Liift 4, PiYo
My right leg and left ankle were feeling a little cranky so I opted for a non-running day.
I did make myself productive though and completed 2 more workouts.

Sunday-4 ish miles
I set out for my long in the early afternoon. Right as I parked my car there was a random lightning weather warning. I debated it because how likely would that be? Knowing my luck? I turned around and headed for the gym. Oh lord, I was melting. A blister was forming on my right foot and felt chafing on my left side- my butt. I was seriously overheating and thankful every time someone opened the door and the cold air puffed through. I couldn’t hack it anymore, I called it a little after 4 miles.

So 11 ish miles for the week and 4 cross training workouts. I worked out everyday this week. Who am I? Now, can I keep it up?

How was your week?

Week 9-Close

2019 Race Schedule (so far):
3/24 Oakland Running Festival (Thanks BibRave)
4/28 SLO Half Marathon
8-11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)

Last week was a mixed bag.

Some things went like I hoped and others not. My leg was angry for more days than I would have liked. I know it’s due to the stool I was using at work. Last week I switched back to the desk chair, which is only slightly ridiculous as I have a counter height desk with a Varidesk on top. It usually takes a couple weeks to unkink though. I attempted cross training but didn’t check that box as much as I hoped.

It also rained quite frequently which put a damper on some of my runs.

I did sign up for 2 more races though. I also finally got my tires rotated. Oh and I paid off my bed so there were plenty of positive things too.

Wednesday- Liift4
Haha, I was so sore after this. Starting it over may be harder than I thought.

Thursday- 2 miles
Wanted to run at the lake which meant a shorter run. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the time change. I ran a fairly easy 2 miles and called it a night.

Sunday- 8ish miles
I headed out for a long run but wasn’t really feeling it. I was aiming for between 6-10 miles and would see what happened. A car parked at the end of one my frequent roads had me rerouting so I turned down a street I’d never run on before. I did have a vague idea of where it would let me out though. However I soon realized that if I kept running the adjusted route, I would be short of 8 miles. I also failed to resume my watch after a picture break so the mileage is at least a half mile off. Grrrr. Also around mile 4, I noticed that my feet were going numb. What?? It hadn’t happened since Surf City where I blamed my old shoes. Well, I was running in newer shoes this time. So much for that theory. I walked until they felt normal and then would run on. This repeated for the next couple of miles until they felt completely normal. I finished my run and everything felt fine. What gives?

So, 10ish miles for the week. Not great but better then the beginning or middle of February.

How was your week?