It’s been a year. Quite a year. As we reach the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, how could you not think back to that day in March, 2020 when the world as we know it, pretty much stopped? A year ago, thing 1 was scheduled to fly home for spring break the day after the world shut down. We advised her to go buy the largest suitcase she could find, pack up her dorm room and move out, just in case, because who knew how long this thing would last? Thanks to the help of friends and her roommate’s local parents (who took lots of her stuff to their home), she did exactly that. At the time I thought her spring break might be extended a week or two, but we all know now how that turned out. Moving out was the right answer.
I thought I was so clever sharing my running buffs with the family in the early days of the pandemic. Who knew then we’d have whole wardrobes of masks for the year?
Fast Forward to Now
The first week of March was a good one, mostly because we got a preview of spring to the tune of 70 degrees. I’ll take it! The snow is gone, my trails are finally free of ice, and the trees have visible buds. We are springing forward!
Here’s how the week in workouts went.
Monday: Walk 4 miles, Run 4 miles 100 Rep Challenge
Tuesday: Walk 4 miles, Upper Body Strength +Balance/Mobility
Wednesday: Walk 4 miles, Run 3 miles +30 min. Bike Interval class
Thursday: Walk 4 miles, Trail Run 3 miles + Strength + Mobility
Friday: Walk 4 miles, otherwise rest
Saturday: Walk 4 miles Run 4 miles
Sunday: Walk 4 miles, Heavy Strength, 20 minutes Bike Intervals
Our twice daily, 2-mile walks started with the shutdown and have continued all year long. They’re definitely one of the silver linings. It’s been amazing to connect with each other but mostly with nature. It’s been reassuring to see the sun continue to rise, the seasons change and the wildlife continue to go about their day, even though so much had changed about our society and social connections in the pandemic.
I’m rebuilding the strength I lost during our February in Florida. While last week’s heavy lower body strength left me DOMSing for days, my upper body was only gently sore. I’ve been asked by a few people what “heavy strength” actually means. For me it means free weights, back squat, front squat, dead lift, bench press, incline press, etc. I use a 45# bar and most of my lifts/squats are in the 100#+ range. On the bench I do a 65# warmup set and work up from there. I’ll warmup my squat with a 95# set and work up from there. I don’t really talk about specific weight because it really only matters to me. I will say though that it feels good to be lifting heavy again.
Diet Refresh
I’m giving myself an A this week. There was zero eating out or takeout, no chips/candy/cookies and I had a sugar epiphany. I noticed my sugar cravings were still an issue so some investigation ensued. I’ve mentioned before how I love a splash of Chobani creamer in my morning coffee. While other creamers out there sound like something from a chemistry set, I was initially drawn to Chobani for it’s few, natural ingredients. I was aware that it did contain 5g of pure cane sugar. What I failed to pay attention to is that 5g of cane sugar is in ONE TABLESPOON. Clearly my “splash” of creamer was far more than one tablespoon so this week I cut my Chobani creamer consumption way back. It’s time to go back to simple half and half.
New on YouTube
100 Reps Challenge. This quick workout is perfect for those days you’re pressed for time. It’s low impact, requires no equipment, little space and hits all areas of the body. Repeat the sequence a few times if you’re feeling it!
(CBS Sports)
ACC Champions! I don’t often have reason to celebrate Georgia Tech sports, but this weekend they clinched the ACC championship, which gives them a spot in the NCAA tournament. It’s been a fun basketball season, for Thing 1 especially, and this is probably the first time ever I’ll be interested in watching March Madness.
Watching. We finished Behind Her Eyes, what a freakazoid show that was. We also watched I Care a Lot. Yikes!
How was your week? What are your memories from a year ago when the pandemic began? Are you a spring-forward fan? Or do you miss that hour? Do you watch March Madness?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
Yikes. What a year. I was unpacking my suitcase as the NYC half got cancelled and I had to run it virtually. Who knew a year later races would still be cancelled.
That so great that you walk 4 miles a day. I too walk and hike more than before.
Our weather has been crazy. Nice last week but a big freeze this weekend and next week.
I am happy to have that extra hour after work to run and hike.
I’m feeling very full circle this morning since I’m getting ready to run the race that was cancelled one year ago today. My #1 memory is how much simpler life got for a little while at the start of the pandemic. No more commuting, relaxed nights at home while the kids’ activities were cancelled, etc, etc.
As a morning exerciser, I am NOT a fan of daylight savings time. ~sigh~
I remember how surreal it all seemed — like we were living in a movie. I especially remember how deserted the roads were when I had to go out a few times in March.
Those walks — who are you bonding with? Ozzie? Caveman? LOL Since I just walk with Scooby I figured it was just you and your dog. 🙂
I’m working on a 5 things pandemic recap for Friday. There’s a lot to unpack, but I feel like things are definitely starting to look up. It’s been a tough tough year.
Heavy strength to me means low reps and building to a heavy weight. The last 2 reps should be really HARD. That’s how we do it.
I can’t believe its been a year either. It was nice to have some sun and warmer days this week! Great job getting back on track after your time away.
Don’t watch March Madness, and as I was discussing with Mr. Judy the clock may have said I got up an hour later — all that really means to me is I had a normal night’s sleep.
You’d think it would be stuck in my mom, being right around my mom’s birthday, but truly, I just didn’t think about the anniversary that much. It is what It is, I guess. Or maybe I’m just hopeful as things slowly, hopefully get better.
Still, we got to 60. How is it possible you guys were 70? Either way, much needed!
I well remember things a year ago LOL The hubby still prefers his few (or my several) race buffs to a mask because they can be rolled (hence, doubled & tripled) if need be. I hear ya on the sugar. I am trying to cut my sugar intake, little by little. I’ve gone two weeks without indulging in any of the chocolate at work (which sits within arms reach), and surprisingly I have not missed it. Now, if I could ditch my chai latte’ thing…
This date a year ago I ran the last parkrun that ran – in fact I ran to it, round it and home again for a total of 13 miles (I have done 13 miles just three times since then!!). Someone spat as we went round and Trudie and I panicked for two weeks! We locked down on 23 March and I went for a run with Claire that morning as the announcement came in the evening. A year on, they’re two of the women I’ve done most of any buddy running I’ve been able to do with and I’m so glad of them.
I’ve kind of been in “one year ago”. modus for a couple of weeks ago. To be honest, we have an office in Shanghai and we were already on edge with our team there back in January. And I thought, “surely it won’t come here”. Boy was I wrong. Then Italy happened. Then we had our first person in the Netherlands with covid. And I remember being really angry and stressed out. Literally everyone around me was saying “it’s just a flu”. The way my pilates studio reacted to me when I asked if anyone had been in Northern Italy for winter holiday… as if I were stupid and overreacting. And the very. next. week. EVERYTHING shut down. And I’m still mad. Everything has been handled so badly. We thought things were going very wrong in the US (and they were) but at least you guys are getting vaccinated. Our vaccination program is ********* (censored) ridiculous. Anyway. Better stop this rant right now.
I notice things also go much better with no cravings, etc. when I do not have extra sugar. Crazy when we think “oh that’s not much”. and then figure out it’s actually a lot!
I am going to try your 100 reps challenge this week!
It seems like forever ago and It is hard to believe a year has passed! Glad you are getting back into your fitness groove. It took me a few weeks to bounce back after Aruba. I was flabbergasted at some of the coffee cream labels. I use So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk no sugar added it’s pretty good. Enjoy your sunny warmer days!
Just watched I care a lot as well! It was a weird one. We started “I’ll be gone in the dark” now. Its good so far.
It’s crazy how our mentality around masks has changed so much! When we fly to Atlanta last year right before this, Covid was in the news, and I wore a mask on the flight because I was worried and my husband was all embarrassed to be seen with me. Now it’s just the norm! I think I’ll still wear one on flights or in other crowds that I can’t control. I appreciate that I haven’t had any cold or anything for the whole year!
I remember picking my son up for spring break, and like your daughter, he’d been told to clear out as much as he could since they weren’t sure when they’d be back. And so the roller coaster of COVID life began. I love that you and your hubs started walking 4 miles/day and are still at it!
It’s funny that mentioned the Chobani creamer – I recently had the same aha moment about the sugar and we’ve parted ways as I try to clean up my eating habits a bit.
Thanks for sharing a peek into your definition of “heavy strength” – I’ve been wanting to start lifting heavier and have been trying to figure out where to begin.
Yes, what a year! A year ago, my son flew to Indianapolis for an orchestra festival- the next day Covid was declared a pandemic, the festival was canceled and he flew back home. Crazy times!
Congratulations on your diet reset. Yes, that little bit of sugar will have you craving more!
Wow, what a year it’s been. It’s still funny to me that I grabbed items from work to last for “2 weeks of working from home” which has now turned into a permanent situation. I still can’t really wrap my head around that.
Congrats on your diet reset. I’m still a work in progress over here. I also use Chobani hazelnut coffee creamer but now I’m rethinking that choice!
I’ve heard so many opinions on Behind Her Eyes, but I’m not sure if I want to watch it yet, lol.
What a year! Things are slowly getting back to normal at work. Yay!
I usually have something sweet with coffee or tea in the afternoon but I’m trying to cut back on that and have fruit. It’s not quite the same. 😉
And what a year it has been.
I remember we had a week of awesome things: tickets to The Players Championship (our huge golf event), tickets to Hamilton, and a date night. A skipped school the last day before Spring Break, and then, that was it. Everything stopped.
What a crazy time to be alive.
I love Chobani coffee creamer! So many great flavors but I did not know about the sugar either. 🙁 I tried plain half and half but it isn’t the same.
What a year! I like looking at my pictures to remember what I did or was doing during these days. I remember being at school and knew something was up. I was definitely not ready nor prepared for virtual learning. I have learned a lot this past year.
Love the pink shoes!
I remember that buff pic under the scaffolding? as I had a similar one. It was weird twinning.
I still think back to Bermuda when Tokyo marathon was cancelled and we thought how weird that was – now I think we’d be surprised if something wasn’t cancelled
Walks are so wonderful, nice to have something we can control