It was a somber sort of week. The violence in Chicago and other parts of the country continues and that makes me sad. My dad was rushed to the hospital in severe pain with internal bleeding. Add remote learning for the rest of the year to the mix, and I slipped over the edge to overwhelmed-ville. Before I go any further here’s how my workouts went. Thank heavens I can at least try to burn off some of the stress.
Monday: Rest, walk 4 miles
Tuesday: Trail Run 3 miles, Walk 4 miles
Wednesday: Walk 4 miles, Upper Body Strength + Ab Workout
Thursday: Trail Run 6 miles, Walk 4 miles
Friday: Yoga, Walk 4 miles, Upper Body Blast
Saturday: Walk 4 miles Trail Run 4 miles, Ab Workout
Sunday: Walk 4 miles, heavy strength
The trails were an especially great escape this week
We had a couple of days with a glorious break in the humidity this week. Sleeping with the windows open is totally my jam and I was able to enjoy two nights of that. My trail runs are the perfect antidote to everything else going on in the world right now.
Finished Hadrian’s Wall Challenge. This was a fun virtual trek across the North of England. The Caveman and I have been very consistent with our dawn and dusk 2-mile walks so no doubt most of the 90 miles covered to complete this challenge were from walking and that’s ok. The app made it super easy to log mileage and I love the medal. I am toying with doing another one for the helluvit.
Aren’t these medals something else?
ZOOMA’s gone virtual with their Florida races this fall. A decision on Cape Cod will be made soon. It’s not how anyone wanted this year to play out but all we can do is make the best of it.
ZOOMA Summer Challenge wraps up this week. As always, this is a fun one to coach and I look forward to coaching the Back to School Challenge, which starts on September 1.
Non-Running News
Our high school announced they’ll be doing remote learning until January. While of course I saw it coming, and I absolutely believe it’s the best choice right now, I’m still sad it has to be this way. Thing 2 has so looked forward to a new start, new friends, etc. She’s floundered with her music after so many months of isolation. There will be no youth symphony season, no marching band and who knows how much fun high school band via ZOOM will be? Guess she won’t be needing a new backpack, lunchbox, school clothes and the like. Sigh.
Remember last week I told you my MIL fell off her treadmill? Apparently she did not come away unscathed. She continued to feel shoulder pain so went to a different doctor, who discovered that it is indeed broken.
New on YouTube
My pandemic project, the YouTube channel, has kept me busy. Here are the latest workouts.
Upper Body Dumbbell Blast. You may know I love me some upper body workouts. This is a quick yet effective one perfect for runners.
8-Minute Ab Blast. I was surprised how sore my abs were after this one. I blame the 10-lb weight. Try it and let me know what you think!
Week Ahead
Thing 2 turns 15 this week. We’ll be at the DMV bright and early getting her learner’s permit. She’s already 3 weeks in to the classroom portion of Driver’s Ed and ready to get out on the road. Here goes nothing!
She also starts Volleyball camp, which honestly I can’t believe it’s not cancelled, but we’re going with it. Mom’s taxi will be operating for the first time in long time!
Join me this Friday for the Runfession Friday Linkup!
How was your week? Are schools going back in person or remote where you are? Have you seen Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. And your MIL. And the fall semester of high school. It really is ^challenging^ times. And disappointing times. I think our DMV is open by appointment only. Luckily we haven’t had to do anything there, but I do need to see if the car safety inspection requirement is still on hold — mine expired in April. I hope your daughter enjoys volleyball — it probably will be great just to be doing something with others her age!
Happy birthday to Thing2 and *HUGS*
Totally with you on windows open sleeping, the breeze is just so much more natural. It’s back to the futon and AC for me too for the forseeable future.
Thanks for heads up on the back to school challenge, might need to do that.
Oh no your dad and your MIL?! Wow you do have lots of stress right now. Starting to feel it myself as well. Looking forward to sharing in the Runfessions this week. Love that you and your hubs have kept up your twice daily walks. I promise I will do your ab workout this week! Thanks for linking up
So sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he’s ok. And your MIL–does she have osteoporosis? I think she needs your core strengthening workout to stay on the TM. Yeah, it’s been a tough week here too. The remote learning thing is weighing heavily on a lot of us. Matthew is going to talk to UW about a gap year. Should be interesting.
Oh, Marcia…so sorry for all the turmoil. Hope you dad is doing alright, and your MIL. I need to get over to your videos…I’ve never been much of a YouTube gal, so it’s not on my radar. But, I know your workouts are legit…I just need to remember to access them. Hugs to you…hope things stabilize.
So sorry to hear all your sad and bad news this week and hope the running and exercise helped.
Well done on Hadrian’s Wall – I’ve loved seeing so many people doing it. I’m doing a Lands End to John O’Groats thing and hope for a nice medal at the end of about 10 months of it! Love all those other medals you share, too.
Take care, and hope this coming week is calmer.
Oh Marcia, I’m so sorry that you’ve had a rough week 🙁 I hope that your father and MIL feel better soon.
The schools here are still trying to decide the best course of action. The last I heard, they are planning to have the kids come back to school but I’m really not sure how that would work. I’m thinking a mix of e-learning and in-person learning.
Marcia I’m really sorry about your dad and MIL – tough week for sure.
We’re still waiting to hear what the plan is for my youngest, soon to be high schooler. I have a sinking feeling it will be a virtual semester…as you said not an ideal way to begin the high school years.
Congrats on completing Hadrian’s! I do love that medal.
Hope your week is more peaceful.
I’m sending virtual hugs for your father and MIL. Our city schools haven’t said what they’re doing yet but the school systems in the two nearest big towns have said virtual so it’s a pretty safe bet that the boys will be home this fall. The sand dollar medal is tempting! I’ve never done an out of state race (sob, I was supposed to do the Shamrock Shuffle this year) but maybe out of state virtual racing will be my next thing.
I’m so sorry about your Dad, Marcia. I know your feelings about your MIL — but still, that’s gotta be painful. A hard week, indeed. My heart goes out to all the kids. NY is waiting until the 31st to make a decision.
Videos just had me tearing my hair out again this week. So much work goes into that — who knew? And then when technology just fights you . . . at least after 6 months I’m a little more comfortable on camera. A little.I did have to laugh at my own slip of the tongue — biceps above ears was supposed to be biceps level with your ears, LOL!
Glad you are able to work out some of the stress on the trails!
What a week for you! I am so sorry to hear about your dad and your MIL. Hugs to you.
Still waiting to hear from my District. But I will be very surprised if we do end up going back to the classroom. There is just no way.
Um, Jupiter and Saturn? I missed the news as I had no idea you can see them at night.
Oof, what a week Marcia. That’s a lot to handle at once. Glad you had the trails to help you get through it.
Congrats on your virtuals races! Nice medals.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad and your MIL! I’m thinking of you all.
So Florida’s schools are planning to open, but they pushed the start of school back from 8/10 to 8/31. We will not be back in the classroom. We have several virtual options, and we chose the one that would be least effected by all the debates, lawsuits and other setbacks. We start 8/19 and it’s going to be something.
Sounds like a rough week. I’m sorry about your dad and MIL! Our schools announced virtual learning through January last week as well. It was crazy to hear them commit to such a long period of time, but its better than the spring when closures were announced in 2 week intervals. I do think its the right choice but its hard on so many people.
We are in the same boat, in one way- my son is also a very serious high school musician. We found out school will be virtual (not sure for how long- but for quite a while) and he feels that his senior year is ruined. I’m so sad for him! One thing though- lots of teachers now are offering virtual lessons, so over the summer he was able to take some facetime lessons with teachers at some of the colleges he’s interested in. I know your daughter is younger but maybe she could look into something like that. Now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to take lessons without having to travel to where the teachers are. It has helped his playing a lot and also given him a connection with some important people. Good luck!!!
Hugs!!!
So sorry to hear about your Dad and MIL. At least you have running and some beautiful trails to get rid of the stress.
I feel so bad about the kids and school. When will it end????