It was a heavy and emotional week. Running seems trivial in contrast, but it is how I cope so I leaned in. Again the week started out hot and humid, and ended cool with low humidity. The wildlife around here was plentiful. Before I get to that, here’s how the workouts went.
Monday: Rest, walk 4 miles
Tuesday: Walk 2 miles, Run 3 miles, Express Full-Body Workout
Wednesday: Walk 3 miles, GRD Run 5 miles
Thursday: Walk 3 miles, Yoga
Friday: Strength, Walk 4 miles
Saturday: Walk 4 miles, Virtual ZOOMA 10k
Sunday: Walk 4 miles, Strength, Balance, Mobility
There were many opinions flying around about Global Running Day. Should we run? Not run? I didn’t see how not running would benefit anyone so I headed out, between thunderstorms, and ran over to the middle school track. I figured I’d honor where running began for me…actually it began in 5th grade when I helped my older brother with his morning paper route. He wasn’t exactly a morning person so often he stayed in bed while I “helped”. I’d get up at 4:15, roll up the papers and run them all around the neighborhood as fast a I could so I could jump back in bed before I had to get up for school. This must be where I got my appreciation for the beauty and solitude of daybreak. Who on earth could fathom a 5th grader being out running alone at daybreak these days?? I digress.
Much to my surprise and dismay, the track was closed. It’d been open and quite busy all during the pandemic so why close it now? Will it stay closed until school resumes? Only time will tell. So I opted for a road/trail hybrid run and, despite ominous skies, avoided the storms.
By Friday though the humidity blew out of here leaving us with cooler, beautiful running weather. My weekend run was a GRD Virtual Run done as part of the ZOOMA Summer Challenge I’m coaching.
I mentioned my coyote encounter on the trail in this Instagram post. Well this morning Ozzy and I were out for our walk and I noticed he was acting differently. Like he didn’t want to proceed. So we turned back and guess who was tailing us. Yep another coyote. He was coming toward us in the grass while we walked on the road. He froze and we locked eyes. He regarded Ozzy as if he couldn’t decide whether to pursue or run away. I made big movements and loud sounds and he finally ambled on. Typically I’m wary of coyotes but not afraid, but lately they’ve been SO rampant and the fact that they are not so quick to retreat gives me pause.
This is actually an old pic of Thing 1. I can’t take pics while I’m “instructing”.
Thing 2 is driving. Just tooling around in empty parking lots for now but still. I always assumed it’d be the Caveman who would take the kids out driving, but no. After getting a little “too excited” one too many times when Thing 1 was learning, he was banished to the back seat and the official designation of parental driving instructor has become mine. It is not easy staying calm, but somebody’s gotta do it.
It was driving home from one of our practice sessions that I had to swerve to avoid a turtle trying to cross the road. I wish it was a place I could’ve stopped and moved it out of harm’s way but there was too much traffic and nowhere to pull over. I’ll hope for the best for the little guy.
Speaking of hoping for the best, I was sitting at a very busy intersection when off on the parkway a mother duck walked in the grass followed by five tiny ducklings. The kids and I all marveled at how cute they were. Just as I expressed concern at how close they were to the road, mother duck led her young into the right turn lane. Nooooo! A Jeep approaching to make the turn slowed for her and the brood and they all went back up to the grass but YIKES! I don’t know the outcome but I’m going to hope for the best for the ducks too.
In Other News
Caveman heads back to the office this week. They’re doing a partial staff thing for social distancing purposes so he’ll be in the office only two days a week but it’s a start. I was a little surprised how much he enjoyed working from home and I hope this pandemic helped him realize that the work-from-home thing, at least some of the time, is a viable option. The bad news is he cannot drive with his robo-brace so yours truly will need to provide taxi service. Many of you have asked if he’s in pain. The answer is no. If he bumps his arm there’s a shot of pain but nothing constant.
Endocrinologist Follow-Up. Finally I had my appointment. As soon as I get results from my lab work, I’ll do a full update.
Pandemic Phase 3. Retail is supposed to be opening here but there seems to be no rhyme or reason to who is open and who it not. Many stores remain closed. While almost all restrictions seem to have been lifted at Costco, I waited in the longest line yet to enter Trader Joe’s. Target is still very low/wiped out on stock. I don’t get it. I’m weary of social distancing and mask wearing but I’m staying the course. I cringe when I think of what impact all the rioting will have on the COVID numbers.
New on YouTube. Express Full-Body Workout. This is another short workout, because the heat and humidity make me wanna run shorter, but I still want a good workout so I’ve been doing short run/gym combos. Try it and let me know what you think!
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
How was your week? Any virtual runs? Did you celebrate GRD? Any wildlife encounters? Is retail open?
I’ve certainly had my fair share of wildlife encounters as well. I”ve seen a few coyotes recently–one in my neighborhood on Tuesday’s run. A guy was walking a little dog and I tried to warn him, but headphones. I hope his pup wasn’t harmed. Then the birds attacking me this morning. I swear, they’re all as angry as the rest of us….
I was the driving instructor here too. Believe it or not, I’m the calm one. LOLOLOL
I had a good running week and got 26.5 miles in but I managed to run 5 days in the week and not one of them was GRD!
Haha! So nice of you to “help” your brother! Getting up at 4.15 am as a teenager, wow. I hope he let you have a share on pay-out day. 😉
Hope your lab results will be good. Looking forward to the report!
Driver’s Ed! Oh, does that bring back memories! I was the reluctant instructor, as well, because the kids all requested me LOL Glad the caveman is doing better. GRD was a hot one here, after the morning storms vanished.
Glad you and Ozzy were safe.
Not even who would be out at 5 — but how many would even understand concept of paper route
There was a whole ton of virtual signalling around Global Running Day. I ran too. Park didn’t seem super busy, but it was early
The retail opening here makes no sense either. It’s kind of funny – Thing 2 is on her way to driving but you’ve picked up a new taxi client. LOL.
I almost stepped on a turtle this morning just did not see it at all until it moved. Exercising is also my stress relief and I sure needed it this week.I am also enjoying lots of walks and listening to books while I do them
As I kept reading your post I automatically thought of “Animal Kingdom”. You sure did see a bunch of animals out and about last week! Your coyote encounter made me nervous and it didn’t even happen to me. I’m glad that you were able to scare him off.
That’s odd that the track was open this whole time but suddenly closed now. I’m happy you were still able to get in a run even though the track was closed.
My Dad had a quick temper. But he was surprisingly patient when it came to teaching me how to drive (although my mom & driver’s ed did most of it). I can’t imagine teaching someone to drive . . .
My brother couldn’t WAIT to get back to his office. Let’s just say he thought being empty nesters (next year) would be great, now he’s not so sure.
Sounds like you managed to work out most of the stress on the run or in the gym!
Ah the good old days when we kids would roam where ever we wanted to. It’s too bad that the track was closed:-(
I’m not in any rush to go back to the office! For us, the changes they think they’ll have to make (only 1 or 2 people on an elevator at a time) will make everything so inefficient, that I just don’t think it makes sense. And we won’t be able to have meetings in conference rooms. So why not just stay safe at home, you know? Anyways, we’re still on required masks within the city, but I went to a grocery store in the suburbs yesterday- about 75% of people were wearing them and those who didn’t looked disrespectful in my opinion. It’s a sensitive topic, I know, but I’m going to continue to stay the course, same as you.
Anyways, the coyote trailing you is scary! They sound like they are getting pretty brave!
Yikes on the coyote – good thing you had Ozzie to warn you. I was the main driver’s ed parent for my daughter, but my husband took on most of the duties with my son. Maybe that’s why he gets more speeding tickets? 😉 I thought you were going to say your husband can’t do it because he’s in no shape to grab the steering wheel if need be. :-D.
That short workout sounds perfect — I will check it out.
That coyote encounter! It would have freaked me out. I did not get out on Wednesday even though I told myself to just get out for one mile.
I am so glad it cooled down later in the week. But I heard it is supposed to get HOT again this week.
You know, I think a coyote is the only wildlife I have not seen on a run. Bear, turkeys, deer, geese, owls, turtles but no coyotes. I feel like I’m missing out! It’s an odd time for sure. More things are opening up here so it seems a lot of people have assumed that means it’s a free for all now. A lot less masks and a lot more people out and about. It’s kind of weird.
I can’t believe you used to get up that early to help your brother with his paper delivery! Agreed, there’s no way I could imagine a 5th grade doing that these days.
We started opening a few more places this weekend. I heard it was supposed to be up to each county with what can open so Im not even sure what is actually opened yet. I am really worried we will see a spike soon so we are just kind of continuing to stay home for the time being.
My daughter came in the door in tears after my husband took her out driving. He walked in a minute later saying how well it went. Wait, what?? I took over after that. Lol
Retail is open at 75-100%. I don’t remember which, and I’m really not heading out for unnecessary trips, regardless. Movies and bars opened at 50% on Friday. Again, I’m not interested.
Apparently, there is a bear wandering around in a neighborhood less than 10 miles from here. Because of course there is. Nothing surprises me anymore.
COYOTES argggg!!!! That would so freak me out Marcia!
I used to have a paper route in the 7th grade. Maybe that’s why I hate getting up early?? hahaha! I know what you mean though – back then it was just normal for us to be out at that hour??
Sounds like the caveman is doing a bit like what we are doing – 2 days in the office each person and rotated so there are never more than 4 in our room at one time. I’m still getting used to it.
And fun fact – here in NL parents don’t teach their kids to drive. Normally you have to be 18 to even start and then you have to take (and pay for) lessons. I think it saves a lot of parent-child relationships!
We are slowly opening here. We also have had protests and demonstrations. One more week to find out if our numbers shot up or not…
I gotta admit that coyote encounter would have freaked me out a bit! So glad Ozzy gave you a warning.
Oh my gosh, I’m so not ready for my youngest to start driving! Luckily my husband is the calm one so the boys would rather drive with him.
We’re entering phase 2 and retail stores opening today, but many are still closed. Everyone here is very concerned about the impact of the protests on our numbers.
How funny – my first job was a paper route too! And like you, it was really my brother’s route which I slowly inherited. I thought it was so cool to get the ads before anyone else saw them! 🙂 My husband was also not the best teacher for the kids with driving, so my daughter choose to drive with me. I did love the alone time with her. I’m guessing it will be the same for my son. That will be happening in December for us.
I miss you! I popped over to see what you’ve been up to – we need to catch up. Glad CM is heading back to work. John’s office closed its doors, and he’s 63, so don’t think we’ll rebound from this one. There’s random stores open here too. You must wear a mask inside stores and restaurants are 50% indoor seating. It’s so crazy. Glad CM’s shoulder is doing okay. And I just cannot believe Thing 2 is driving. Oh my…the years go by too fast. Again, miss you!!!