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Figuring Things Out
A busy week kept me off of my bike so I wasn’t able to give my knee a try after Saturday’s little flare-up during the Tour de Madison. I ran Tuesday morning, but that didn’t go as well as hoped and after about a mile and a half I started feeling the familiar nagging pain in the lower right side of my back so I turned to walking at the two-mile point. In hindsight, I should have walked immediately, but I corrected my form and the pain mostly went away so I ran to two miles before walking.
With contractors back in the basement wrapping up the project started in February (supply chain issues and backorders), I didn’t feel like getting on my stationary bike. The rest was probably best and we’ll see how today’s (Sunday) ride goes.
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Rest day
Monday
Strength training : 1 hour of total body
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: 17:45
• Start time: 9:37 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 64° and sunny with low humidity
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
When I had a last-minute cancelation, I took advantage of my free time to head outside for a walk while enjoying the near perfect weather.
Tuesday
Running: 2 miles
• Average pace: 10:07
• Start time: 11:18 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 58° and cloudy
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: 17:45
• Start time: 11:44 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 58° and drizzly
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 10 minutes
I waited around for the threat of rain to move out before heading out for my run only to have a drizzle move in as I transitioned from running to walking. My knee felt absolutely fine, but I eventually had a little awareness in my lower back so I stopped running after 2 miles and walked the final mile.
That evening, I joined my running friends for dinner and sat in a booth for three hours gabbing. I felt the lack of lumbar support right away, but didn’t bother to go to my car to get my lumbar pillow (affiliate link) because normally I’m fine sitting without it when eating dinner out; however, I’m normally not sitting for that long on a soft surface. I tossed and turned all night in mild pain and eventually resorted to taking an Advil.
Wednesday
Strength training : 1 hour of total body
My back was happy that I had a very busy work schedule with minimal sitting, but regularly reminded me that it was the boss.
Thursday
Walking: 5K
• Average pace: 14:35
• Start time: 7:49 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 60° and sunny, becoming cloudy
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Friday
Strength training : 1 hour of full body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Interestingly, during the final 20 minutes of teaching my balance and stretching class everyone’s phones started blaring with a tornado warning. Since we were in a huge room with windows on three sides, we took our class out into the hallway so we could escape into the interior bathrooms if necessary (the building doesn’t have a basement). Unfortunately, we were then told we were creating a fire hazard with our chairs in the hallway. With only 10 minutes of class and the tornado warning remaining, I gave everyone the option to leave early or follow me back into the ballroom to finish class. They all opted to stay and we finished class unscathed.
Saturday
Bill and I had every intention of going out for a bike ride after finishing our chores, but power washing, a little gardening, grocery shopping, cooking for Sunday’s barbecue, etc. took longer than expected. Our once huge event will include only one other couple this year, friends who are riding with us prior to the cookout.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • What type of chair does your body prefer? Hard or soft seat, straight back, etc?
- • How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? ~ After a crappy week, we’re having a glorious weekend!
- • Did you run in a race this weekend?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
oh no on your back hurting again. I really hope it goes always with some rest. Maybe that extra rest day today is a gift. Have a great week ahead!
Thanks, Deborah! Today’s ride went well. I think I’ll keep my running limited this week; well, except for Wednesday night when I’ve got something fun planned for Global Running Day.
Oh, I hope your back is okay. I was listening to Rich Roll’s podcast on my run today, and he’s having a terrible problem with his back (like, he can’t do any physical activity without having it flare up painfully.) So, I can see why you’re not eager to aggravate it! Hope everything feels better soon- it’s good you were able to get your strength, balance and stretching in this week. And I’m always impressed (and envious) by your sleep- I wonder what I would feel like if I averaged 7 hours 25 minutes a night- probably a lot better.
Thanks, Jenny, I hope so, too! My secret for getting more sleep is getting to bed at a decent hour since I routinely get up by 5-5:30 AM. I rarely watch TV so it’s a lot easier to go to bed when I’m not glued to a show. As I’ve mentioned before, getting enough sleep is my weakest link and something I’m always working on.
Our weather is gorgeous this weekend!
Back issues are so annoying. I did PT for some tightness brought on after I fractured my rib, and try to do those exercises once in a while to keep things limber.
Yes, what amazing weather we’re having! It was perfect for today’s ride and barbecue!
Hopefully, doing your PT exercise regularly will keep your back loose and re-injury at bay.
I’m sorry the back is complaining again. But good for you for listening to it & resting.
Enjoy your ride & BBQ! We are relaxing before going down to my mom’s tomorrow.
Thanks, Judy! I’m trying to listen and rest, but Wednesday’s Global Running Day will be tough since I’ve got something really fun planned.
We took a spontaneous day trip to Omaha, yesterday, with some friends for the Iowa baseball game (Big 10 Tournament). UGH. My back and right piriformis/hip are really cranky from all that sitting (as well as the stadium seats for several hours). My back isn’t exactly my best friend this morning either….
Watching the baseball game sounds fun, but back/hip pain from the drive to and from doesn’t. I hope it feels better quickly!
Oh, no! I’m sorry you’re not feeling great.
I like big comfy chairs where I can sit all curled up. Super hard chairs are uncomfortable on my leg, but I deal with it.
I hope this week is better for you and that everything gets back on track.
It is hot as Hades here. And humid. l don’t love it.
Jenn recently posted…week 74: june is coming in hot
Thanks, Jenn! It’s getting hot and humid here, too, but nothing compared to what you’re dealing with.
It’s always. Sorry about the knee and back.
Hope everything is back to normal soon.
I did some gardening and the next day my knee felt wonky.
Our weekend weather was beautiful for boating yesterday but too hot for racing.
Still it was fun and the knee was ok but then the lower back hurt.
Yesterday the back felt good. But the knee!?
I’m resting today. Just the gym. Have to run tomorrow, right?
You sound like me with both the knee and back taking turns being wonky. Hopefully, we’ll both be back to normal quickly!