This week went by in slow motion. Usually I say how they fly but this one felt like I was moving through quicksand. I got the call last Sunday morning that my dad was fading, He passed away later that evening. It’s been an incredibly long road of illness for him. He had open heart surgery 27 years ago and they told us “best case” he’d live 6 years. That said, the last 10 years have been difficult. 2020 has been brutal. It’s comforting to know he is no longer suffering, but still. The fact that he’s gone has hasn’t completely sunken in yet. It was nice to circle the wagons with my siblings (I have 5 of them). We’re not always great about staying in touch, and much of our contact had been about dad’s care. Leave it to a funeral to bring you closer.
My goal for the week was to just get through it, day by day. I kept running.
Monday: Walk 4 miles, Track repeats
Tuesday: Strength and Mobility
Wednesday: Walk 2 miles, Rest, dad’s funeral
Thursday: Treadmill 4 miles, Upper Body Strength, Abs
Friday: Heavy Strength Training
Saturday: Walk 2 miles, Rest
Sunday: Team Balega Back on My Feet 10k
Monday morning I took my grief to the track. I was surprised to see school buses heading into the lot and feared the track would be closed or they’d kick me out. Thankfully that was not the case. So it appears grades 1-5 have started back to school in hybrid capacity and the middle school will head back next week. Sadly there is no such plan for the high school.
I knocked out Team Balega’s Meaningful Miles virtual race trail style. It benefits Back on My Feet, an organization that combats homelessness through the power of running, community support, essential employment and housing resources. Balega outfits all 12 chapters of BoMF with socks. How great is that?
Our morning walks are dark enough now to require illumination.
Thursday and Friday were very stormy and raw so I ended up on the treadmill. It’s been several months since I’d last run on it. Typically I don’t pay any attention to the paces on my Garmin but can’t help but notice them when they’re glaring at me from the mill display. Let’s just say my Monday morning track streak since August is paying off big time. Faster definitely feels easier.
I kept cleaning…
Some are stress eaters, I am a stress cleaner/worker. I’ve probably got the cleanest home in the county right now and I’ve thrown myself into my work. It feels weird for this typically seat-of-the-pants girl to work on stuff planned for mid-February when Halloween hasn’t even happened yet, but that’s how I’m coping.
…and cooking
Gluten-free Fish Sticks. Ever since living in the UK, I am a big fan of fish and chips. The best ever I actually had in Wales. I rarely if ever eat fish and chips in the states. Cari and I enjoyed some on our last evening in Bermuda and I’ve been wondering how to make a healthier, gluten-free version ever since. I took a Cod Fillet from Sitka Salmon Shares and cut it into strips, then used a blend of Cassava and Coconut flours for the coating. I’ll share the complete recipe as soon as I take a decent pic of them, but holy mother they were delicious. There’s still time to save $25 off a Premium Share at Sitka Salmon Shares with code MHS (affiliate), and I’ll say this right now. It’s a thoughtful, healthy gift for yourself or a loved one.
…and voting
This week was the first for early voting here so we took full advantage. A 20-minute wait was not bad, and it was a beautiful day to wait outside.
…then I crashed
By Saturday the body said no mas. The adrenaline-induced energy had left the body so it was time to rest. I gave myself grace and slept late.
Further lockdown?
The positivity rate has been creeping up in some parts of the state and our high school pulled back on having anyone in the building. That included Thing 1’s Volleyball nights. I’m grateful they’ve been able to attend 6 weeks of it, but I suspect the final 2 weeks of the season will be canceled. Makes me wonder if I should race in and get a haircut while I can, before further shutdowns happen.
Registration is open for the ZOOMA Holiday and Winter Warrior Challenges and yes, I’m coaching them again this year. They are ZOOMA’s most popular challenges and I can promise they’re going to be fun.
Runfession Friday Linkup
The Runfessional will open this Friday so be sure to join me. I promise you’ll feel better. I know I will.
How was your week? How do you deal with stress? Did you vote yet? Can you believe October is almost gone?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
so sorry about your loss. It sounds like he lived along happy life.
Glad you have running and beautiful scenery to cope.
I voted in person today.
I’m so sorry about your father. I think grief calls for all the coping mechanisms — running, eating, sleeping, cleaning — whatever it takes. I’m glad your siblings are pulling together. When my Dad died, as an only child I was pretty much alone and he/his wife didn’t want a funeral, so I did a lot of running. (((Hugs)))
Thanks for the reminder about Runfessions. That gives me something to reflect on today.
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank goodness for running and all of the coping mechanisms in times like these. My ballot went in the mail this week!
I am again so sorry to hear of your loss. Even if it is expected it is never easy. Hope connecting w your siblings is positive for you all. Whatever makes you feel better, do it! Running and exercising is definitely a stress reliever. Your fish sticks sound good to me looking forward to the recipe.
I so sorry for your loss. Sounds like a very rough week. I’m glad you have found positive ways to cope. I have just one sibling, a brother, and even though we are about a half hour away from each other, we rarely ever keep in touch. I’m sure our situation will change under different circumstances too. Sending virtual hugs your way!! Bummer on the school situation and volleyball. Cross country season is almost over now and the one thing the kids miss the most is their pre-race pasta parties, which did not happen this year.
Marcia, I’m so, so sorry. In a way, it’s a comfort that your dad could go, but it still must hit the family very hard. Thinking of you. Running would help me too.
I am terrified of my parent’s death and I have no idea how I’ll be able to cope.
Fish and chips… Well now, that brings the back UK memories. The best on this planet!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine how hard this time has been for you, but I’m glad that you have support from your siblings to get through this hard time. I am happy that you’re able to use running, cleaning and cooking to help get through the grief.
I am so very sorry to hear about your dad’s passing, but hoping for comfort for you and your family. What a year..thinking of you.
I haven’t participated in the Runfessional before, but would like to! Is it pretty open ended in terms of topics? Works similar to the weekly wrap otherwise? Thanks!
Cases are rising in Minnesota as well, but I’m not surprised. People just don’t seem to care anymore. The holidays will be very low key for my husband and me as we won’t be seeing family at all. Such a bummer.
I wish I was a stress cleaner, lol! Clearly, I’m a stress runner and I’m glad my body is cooperating. I have to be nice to it, tho. Today’s run felt hard, so there will be some yoga on tap later.
I’m so disheartened by the increase in cases here. Grateful that my office is not going have us see sick patients. So grateful.
Sending love and hugs your way. <3
Again, deepest condolences to you & the family. Hoping you can find some peace in the days to come. Great job with all that track time!
Again, so sorry for your loss. You know I feel that deeply — we haven’t even buried my dad’s ashes yet due to COVID — long ride down to Long Island no bueno for my mom or the cross country trip for my brother.
I most definitely don’t stress clean. Every! My house is a wreck right now. Caring for Lola has been like having a toddler. And we had already been babying her for 3 weeks prior.
I’m actually not much of a stress eater, either. Not the major life stressors. I lose my appetite. Like now. 🙁
Nice job on the faster runs!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Losing a loved one is never easy and definitely take all the time you need to grieve. I find that if I stay busy it helps get my mind off the negative stuff as well.
Once again Marcia I am just so truly sorry about your dad. I know this was a long hard road. I deal with grief by keeping busy too. I’m glad you and your siblings were there for each other.
I was happy to be able to vote in person this week.
COVID numbers are climbing here and I’m getting nervous about what that means for the schools…sigh.
I’m so sorry for your loss, and it sounds like its been a tough road. Glad you could use running to help with your stress. Seems like the numbers are creeping up everywhere. I’m worried about what this winter will bring.
All the hugs. Didn’t realize he lived so much longer than “best case”
Not a planner either. You’re welcome to come stress clean here any time. My apartment isn’t dirty or mesy – although there’s laundry and a mailed box that need put away – but there’s definitely clutter and dust.
LOVE YOU.
Hugs to you Marcia. I know it isn’t easy.
I am a stress eater. I eat junk food when I am stressed out. Well, I am get stressed a lot but sometimes it gets to a point where McDonald’s food make me feel better. So weird.
I voted this morning and there were only two of us there. It felt so weird.
I am just so sorry for your loss. You have been on my mind.
I’ve been cleaning like crazy over here, too. We are still dealing with some clutter from all the painting, but that will be cleared up soon enough.
I had no wait for voting today and it was a fabulous experience.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Marcia. I’m glad you were able to run this week, and clean. Whatever you need to do, whether it’s doing everything, or doing nothing.
So sorry for your loss. It sounds like you got through the week with running to support you and taking rest when you needed it. We are just about to lock down big time again, I’m just hoping we can still run with one other person …