Welcome back to our altered universe. It’s only been one week since our shelter-in-place order but it sure feels like a year. Truly my workouts are about the only “normal” thing about my life right now and I sure am grateful for them.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Trail run 4 miles
Wednesday: Strength/Runners World Workout
Thursday: Run 5 miles
Friday: Yoga
Saturday: Run 6 miles
Sunday: Heavy Strength
Love seen on my trail.
Last week I told you my dad was released from the extended care home he’d been at for the past month. I’d hoped when I took him home that he’d be strong enough to stay safe there with nursing care through this pandemic crisis, since he is part of the most vulnerable group. That was not to be. He was readmitted to the hospital with fluid on his lungs a few days later and since then it’s been a roller coaster. The other day they said they’re releasing him. By the time I arranged medical transport for him, they decided they needed to keep him in the hospital. On top of everything else, his belongings (clothing) have mysteriously disappeared (what??). I’ve been advocating for hospice care for weeks now but his drs. aren’t yet on board. It’s a mess.
Running continues to go well. Very well. Chalk it up to stress, adrenaline, I’m not sure but physically I am strong. Garmin raised my VO2MAX 3 points this week and I caught a glimpse of the race time predictor, which has always been spot on. I’m not going to tell you what it predicted because this is not a pissing contest, and I’m not going to end my hiatus from racing anytime soon, but let’s just say it felt as if Garmin, which until recently had been a total biotch, was giving me a big nod and a wink. With all the stress of my dad’s situation I think good running is the universe’s way of throwing me a bone and I’m happy to take it.
Are you seriously going to drink “my” coffee??
We are loving being home together as a family. Except for one incident on his first day home when the Caveman unexpectedly helped himself…I mean shared…some of “my” coffee without me planning for it, things have been great with everyone home. I wasn’t sure how the Caveman would adapt to working at home but he loves it. He takes a daily “volleyball breaks” outside with Thing 2, which is priceless. She’s a total mama’s girl and it warms my heart to see them bond. Both kids are able to do remote learning, which of course is not optimal, but many of my friends are needing to home school. I am grateful home schooling is not necessary in our district.
I am grateful for all the brands and people stepping up, offering free workouts online. The Runners World Workout I did on Wednesday was a butt kicker.
Make sure to check out the workouts Balega is offering via Facebook and IG as well.
ZOOMA’s Fitter Stronger Faster Challenge is free and we’re excited to have over 2200 people participating.
My very own Chiropractor is sharing great stretches/exercises via Instagram video. I super love these for neck tension.
Instarunners Feature. More time at home means I have more time to work on getting my race medals up in the pain cave. They’re not all up yet, but I shared my progress on IG and Instarunners featured my pic, resulting in a crazy number of visitors to my IG and blog.
I’ll leave you with this pic. We may not have anything blooming here yet, and the weather is still wildly unpredictable, but things are finally greening up, and for that I am grateful.
How was your week? What’s the biggest change the pandemic has brought to your world? How are you coping? What are you grateful for?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
Crazy crazy times. I feel like the weather we are having just kind of fits with the state of things right now. It truly feels apocalyptic, doesn’t it?
Sending positive thoughts your way–I hope that whatever happens with your dad is not difficult for him or you. Hang in there, my friend! And yay for the good runs. We need them.
I have to say that shelter in place has been wonderful for us. My husband and I are less stressed b/c we don’t have to commute and the kids are don’t have the time pressure of all of their extra activities. I always thought that I wouldn’t be as efficient at home as I am at work, but if anything I’m getting more work stuff done, so that’s going to be an interesting conversation when life goes back to normal. Fingers crossed that your dad is OK, that is the one downside that we can’t be with my FIL right now. We can stand outside his window at assisted living and talk to him on the phone, but that’s it.
I know I am an introvert but I am now getting antsy about being home. Working from home is not ideal for me. Well, is it really for anyone? I am not sure how teaching remotely benefits the students. Most of them are not even doing the work. Thank goodness for Spring Break! 🙂 I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Hoping things get better for him. Are those all of your medals? How do you have them organized? I love that room. I have all of mine but they’re all in a box.
Again, more virtual hugs to you and your family.Thinking of all of you during this tough & crazy time <3 A big change for us (and it's nothing ground-breaking) is having the hubs home now instead of being out of town (2-3 days/week). I'm used to coming home for lunch and not talking to anyone…so it's weird to have to have a conversation LOL …first world probs at its greatest. Hang in there!!!
I can only imagine how stressful the situation with your dad is on top of all the other crazy. Hope that all gets straightened out for him soon. Like you, running and exercising is my sanity. I am more grateful for it now than ever. I am also grateful for the health and well being of my family. Crazy times indeed! I actually need more medal hangers-which do you suggest?
So sorry to read about your dad, Marcia. It’s tough being a caregiver at any time, but in these days of coronavirus, it must be much more stressful! I hope he gets the care he needs. You are a good advocate for him.
I love your idea for your race medals. Mine are just piled up on the corners of my dresser mirror. I also have been thinking about getting on IG. Good to know there are Instarunners to connect with. 🙂
Very cool that your picture got featured! I love the display.
Glad your running is going well!
These are such crazy times, but I’m glad that your workouts are helping you burn off all the stress.
I’m continuing to pray for you and your family every day. Sending nothing but positive vibes to your dad.
I’m so sorry for all you are going through with your dad – stressful enough under normal circumstances.
I hope the good runs are helpful to burn off some of the stress. So glad you’re enjoying having everyone at home – I’ve loved having my boys home 🙂
“Altered universe” – that is the best way to describe our situation right now! Things are so strange. I’m working from home and home schooling kids and so far it’s going quite well. I’m enjoying the extra time I get with them since I usually have such long days at work. My daughter made cards they use at school – GREEN for normal talking, AMBER for whispering and RED for silence. So when I need total silence to get work done, the red goes up and when I’m okay with some talking I put up the other cards – very effective!
PS: Hope you’re able to sort out situation with dad xxx
I’m sorry you are going through all of that with your day. Its never easy but especially right now things are extra stressful!
I’ve enjoyed being home more but its really tough to balance parenting and working all the time. My husband works in healthcare so he still needs to go in.
So glad we have running and workouts to help us get through all of this!
Tough times indeed. Hope things work out for your dad.
Running is my normal and that hasn’t changed.
I hate being cooped up all day in the house for work.
The good:
Healthy and so are my family and friends.
You do have an awesome pain cave. That is great your husb and daughter are being active together. My husb and son were going to play frisbee golf at a safe distance, but all parks are closed. :-(. My husband’s paper towel use is pushing me over the edge – he uses them instead of plates! I am secretly saving the “used” ones (which he leaves on the counter) for wiping up spills on the floor in between mopping.
So great that you were featured on Instarunners! I hope that some of the visitors to your blog will become regular readers.
Having to deal with your Dad being in and out of hospital during this lockdown must be a nightmare. I hope you can convince the doctors about the hospice.
I’m so happy that running has this calming effect for you – it works great for me too.
I am still so sorry about your dad. That just has to be so scary, especially with all the COVID-19 stress going on.
Things are just wild. I love having everyone home with me and safe, but I am so anxious and having a hard time staying calm and cool through this. It will be ok, but the uncertainty is difficult for me.
I absolutely cannot even imagine what you’re going through with your Dad right now. I went through something so similar (except the drs were on board with hospice, but then again my dad was almost 94). That in and of itself was truly a nightmare.
But not being able to be there. . . . praying for you & your family. That the hospital can keep your dad safe & he gets out of there.
Glad the fam is playing and working nice. 🙂 It’s hard when you’re suddenly thrown together like that, but OTOH, it’s also nice to have all that time together.
Crazy times for sure. I’m glad you are able to hunker down and enjoy the time with your family. I am so sorry, though, about your dad. I hope that he does better and will be able to get out of the hospital. It’s so tough to deal with an ill and aging parent. Sending lots of love!