Last week was tough. After the freakshow that was the Wisconsin Half Marathon, thanks to my salsa funk shoulder, I knew running and I would need a hiatus. So I swapped my running shoes for my neglected bike.
I focused on what I could do, rather than whine about what I couldn’t.
For the week, running was out. Upper body strength work was hit and miss. While I can still do push-ups and planks, curls and any kind of overhead lifting are a no-go. Lower body strength however is in. Squat on!
Sometimes the universe has a way of protecting us from ourselves. To make sure I did not entertain the possibility of a run, the kids were sick. I wasn’t feeling so great myself. My immune system took a hit from racing and my body was fighting the bug. Plus it seemed like the school events I volunteered for came to roost. All. At. Once. To top it off, the week ended with the mother of all skating competitions.
- Sunday: Bike 20 miles easy
- Monday: rest
- Tuesday: 20 miles on the bike, lower body strength work
- Wednesday: Spin class with Dara Torres
- Thursday: 30 minute total body workout w/SworkIt app
- Friday: Consumed with volunteer work at school
- Saturday: Last and biggest ice skating competition of the season. Oh the tension headache. Plus I can feel the sludge building on my chest.
Some of you have asked about my rotator cuff tear. This is actually a re-injury. I originally tore it with an epic fall while ice skating. Although it never affected my running until now, it took literally years to heal to the point of being completely pain-free. Once a rotator cuff is injured, it is very tempermental. One wrong move can wreak havoc. The salsa funk class was that one wrong move.
How am I healing it?
- Rest. If it makes my shoulder hurt, I don’t do it. For now running falls in that category. Sigh.
- K tape. I feel so Kerri Walsh…minus the volleyball…bikini…and 6-pack.
- Alternating heat and ice.
- Light massage.
- Electrical stim. The Caveman, bless his heart, gave me an electrical stim unit of my very own. I’ve been stimming like a freaking mad woman.
All of this does not bode well for the Soldier Field 10-miler in less than 2 weeks. It will most likely be a fun run/walk at best rather than the redemption race I’d originally planned. But it is what it is. This too shall pass.
How was your weekend? Fun Mother’s Day moments?
Did you miss my Jawbone UP giveaway?
Did you sign up for the Run for Boston Virtual 5k? A little birdie told me a big, multi-prize winner will be drawn this week so early bird gets the worm!
We had a nice Mother’s Day – Laima slept in, we ran, then headed to a park picnic with the kids. Relaxing afternoon, good wine and dinner, a nice day all in all. Too bad it was a bit cold.
I so hear you on being consumed with volunteer work – I’ve have got to learn to say no! LOL!
Nice job getting some workouts in despite the cranky shoulder and schedule!
You have a good attitude, more patient than I would be. Hopefully you can start back up sooner rather than later.
Yep, the school volunteering and activities always hit a ridiculous high come May. Counting the days until summer….
Love that quote about focusing on the possibilities! And it’s a good thing you had to workout in other ways. Your body can heal now and you’ll just come back stronger than ever!
Oh man, I hope you feel better soon. My shoulder is still bugging me and I think I may have to skip Bodypump this morning. I can’t clean and press, shoulder press, and it hurts to get the bar on and off my shoulders for squats. Luckily my running isn’t affected. Do you do any special exercises for rehab?
We could team up – your legs and my upper body and we would be good to go!!!
I hope that this week you see huge improvements in your shoulder so that you can get back out on the streets – especially now that the weather is finally cooperating!!
Injuries are the worst!!! Hang in there!!
Oh, and I hope that you and the kids are all feeling great again and no more sickie germs floating around!
Check you out joining the bike ranks!! Maybe you’ll end up liking it more than running??? 🙂
In my dreams I’m looking like Kerri Walsh. I wonder how many deals she’s received to be in magazines and she’s turned them down??
Smart call on the swap! Hope it heals up quickly!
I perked up at the mention of rotator cuff injury bc I’m dealing with some kind of injury from my fall in Cleveland back in January. One possibility suggested was rotator cuff. Haven’t actually gone to the dr bc we’re still paying off two surgeries (sigh) and I can deal. It’s actually worse at night; it doesn’t hurt much in the day unless I move it wrong. Luckily it doesn’t interfere with biking or running. Un-luckily, it’s going to make our summer volleyball interesting at best. Tried one spike yesterday and did all my hitting left-handed after that. :-/
MD…spent it with my MIL. I know it sounds selfish (is selfish), but I’d love for my Mother’s Day to be about me once.
Kate one of the first signs of rotator cuff injury is it hurts at night. Mine KILLS to the point of waking me up at night and hurts most in the morning. It WILL heal on its own but it takes a long time. Mother’s Day SHOULD be about you! I blew off the shindig that included my MIL and spent a nice fruitful day at Lululemon with the Caveman and kids. HOw’s that for selfish? 😉
Bummer you can’t run, but it sounds like you’re being really smart about it 🙂
I ran my first ladies only race this weekend and kinda enjoyed it.
You’re so right, that “this too shall pass”- stay positive! You still got some great workouts in!
Rest, rest, we all know that is what helps 🙂 For someone healing you sure are working out great!!
Heal fast but hope you enjoy the bike while you are riding more. Isn’t it flat where you are?
I hope you’re feeling better soon! That’s so sweet he got you a stem machine. Rich just fought with my insurance to get me my own personal traction unit. woo hoo!
Do you think K-Tape actually works? I’ve tried it a few times and every time, it ends up flapping in the breeze after a mile or 2! Maybe if I could get it to stick it might make a difference!
Tink I’ve had is last thru multiple showers! Make sure you prep the area with alcohol first and apply according to directions. It has worked wonders for me.
So sorry about your shoulder. I have a friend who had to have his operated on last year for a rotator cuff injury. Recovery took a while, but he’s glad he did it. Hope yours heals on its own, but good to know that at least they’ve come a long way in making repairs when necessary.
Don’t push too hard. (And I know that’s a tough one. 😉 )
Gaye
HEAL & get better!!! It stinks but you will be back! 🙂
Ugh! I hope it heals faster this time than the years it took to heal before.
What is this nasty bug going around?! I hope you and everyone in your fam are healthy now!
You’re getting lots done despite that stupid shoulder. I suppose it’s good that it hasn’t put you totally out of action but I really hope it heals quickly and you can get back to doing what you love best.
Okay, now I understand more about how such an injury can occur in Salsa Funk! I like the diversity in your workout week though so I think that can be a good thing…despite what you have going on.
My son made homemade from scratch chili on Mother’s Day. It was the best!
Maybe you would like a one day bike tour, they are fun, most of them have multiple food stops. Sooooo low key, it is just riding with friends, it is not a race
I’m so late to the party, but I hope your shoulder is feeling better already (I’m in blog catch up mode – hope things are good)