Unintended Threefer
I had absolutely no plans to extend my Weekly RunDown into three weeks, but so it happened. I developed a post-op complication so there has been lots going on, but not much to report. There’s been lots of waiting for follow up doctors’ appointments and the most important one (with a urologist) will be tomorrow morning.
I’m actually feeling pretty good for the most part and have been able to remain very active. My workouts are going well and I’m still keeping them shorter and easier than before surgery. I’m looking forward to when I can look in my rearview mirror and say, “Remember when…”
Overview of the First Week: March 9 – 15
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from the first week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 16 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.5 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 9:59 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 66° in basement, 44° (feels like 39°) and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.3 miles
• Average pace: 15:46 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 116 feet
• Start time: 3:24 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 59°, sunny, and breezy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and light jacket
Nap time: 1 hour 48 minutes
With the switch over to daylight saving time I slept until I woke up on my own and then did a little blog work before hopping on my spin bike. After my spin I took a nap, shocked that I was tired after sleeping until I woke up on my own, and then went on a walk.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 3.16 miles
• Average pace: 17:20 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 160 feet
• Start time: 3:45 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 66° and sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, and visor
Nap time: 1 hour 9 minutes
I had a little trouble falling asleep and woke up a lot overnight so I was pooped when my alarm went off at 5:30 (DST I’m looking at you). Another nap was needed which I fit in between my last two clients.
Once I finished up with work I took a walk, enjoying the spring flowers starting to pop up.
Tuesday
Cycling: 10 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.4 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 9:27 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° in basement, 50° and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.11 miles
• Average pace: 16:29 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 113 feet
• Start time: 11:27 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 67° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Cycling: 10.06 miles
• Bike: Salsa Warbird
• Average speed: 12.6 MPH
• Surface: mostly paved
• Elevation gain: 351 feet
• Start time: 2:04 PM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn/Sterling loop
• Weather: 73° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
I kept my spin short with hopes of a ride outside later in the day. Once it warmed up, my husband and I headed out. He stayed with me until I turned at 5 miles because I didn’t want to overdo it. I felt great the entire ride and it felt amazing to be back outside on my bike!
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 2.1 miles
• Average pace: 15:43 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 95 feet
• Start time: 2:15 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 65° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Cycling: 10 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.5 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 3:13 PM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° in basement, 67° and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Nap time: 1 hour 30 minutes
After waking up at 1:45 AM and not being able to fall back to sleep until 3:30, I hit snooze several times before pulling myself out of bed to lift and start work. After wrapping up my clients I took a nap before heading out for a walk. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to exercise for a couple of days, I did a short spin before packing for our trip.
Thursday
Drive to the farm
Nap time: 15 minutes
Friday
Drive to Charlotte, NC for spring break with the fam
Strength training: 20 minutes of core
Registered for the virtual UVA Running Medicine Conference which ran from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, I started while at the farm and continued while on the ride to Charlotte. The trip flew by while I earned continuing education credits for my various certifications.
Saturday
Cycling: 5.52 miles
• Bike: Peloton 90’s Pop Ride with Tunde Oyeneyin
• Average speed: 14.9 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:32 AM
• Location: son and d-i-l’s garage
• Weather: 64° in garage, 57° and mostly cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Cycling: 1.22 miles
• Bike: Peloton 5-Minute Cool Down Ride with Emma Lovewell
• Average speed: 11.7 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:59 AM
• Location: son and d-i-l’s garage
• Weather: 64° in garage, 57° and mostly cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.02 miles
• Average pace: 15:52 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 170 feet
• Start time: 9:23 AM
• Location: son and d-i-l’s neighborhood
• Weather: 57° and mostly cloudy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and jacket
Nap time: 1 hour 24 minutes
Before a fun filled family day I got in a couple of short rides on our d-i-l’s Peloton bike followed by a walk. Later in the afternoon I stole away for a nap.
Overview of the Second Week: March 16 – 22
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from the second week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
After a rainy and stormy morning of lounging around enjoying family time, we took Pablo for a short late afternoon walk and that was pretty much the extent of my workout for the day.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Cycling: 5.52 miles
• Bike: Peloton 20-Minute Low Impact Ride with Robin Arzón
• Average speed: 13.3 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:14 AM
• Location: son and d-i-l’s garage
• Weather: 65° in garage, 54° and mostly sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Nap time: ~30 minutes
After feeling great during my Peloton class and strength training workout, and as I was getting ready to go outside for a walk, I developed acute upper abdominal pain and ended up in the emergency room for for over five hours. A CT scan showed a stricture in my right ureter a result from either swelling or scar tissue from my appendectomy. After preparing myself to have a stent put in that day, urology decided that I should wait until I got back home in Virginia. Needless to say, I have plenty of doctor’s appointments scheduled for the next few weeks. Ugh!
Tuesday
Walking: 2.02 miles
• Average pace: 20:16 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 171 feet
• Start time: 10:21 AM
• Location: son and d-i-l’s neighborhood
• Weather: 67° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Hiking: 1.01 miles
• Average pace: 24:13 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 53 feet
• Start time: 3:29 PM
• Location: Ann Springs Close Greenway
• Weather: 71° and sunny
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
Feeling pretty good, I was able to participate in the day’s events. Pablo had a great time getting spoiled at the park with a hike and even got a frozen pup treat!
Wednesday
Drive home
Nap time: ~ 45 minutes in car, 2 hours 7 minutes once home
Thursday
Walking: 3.15 miles
• Average pace: 15:16 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 151 feet
• Start time: 10:15 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 55° and mostly cloudy, climbing to 57°
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, gloves, and visor (took gloves off after 2 miles)
Nap time: 24 minutes
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Nap time: 43 minutes
Saturday
Cycling: 12 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.6 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 10:54 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 64° in basement, 46° and mostly cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.11 miles
• Average pace: 23:23 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 88 feet
• Start time: 3:17 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 66° and mostly sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, and jacket
It’s not like me, but I spent the day procrastinating, putting off my workouts. Of course, the fact that was just starting a good book made it easy to tell myself I’d hop on the bike after the next chapter.
My walk should have been around an 18 minute/mile pace, but I forgot to pause my watch while chatting with a neighbor. If you remember I switched my Garmin off of auto-pause when I first started going out for very slow walks after getting home from the hospital and it kept auto-pausing on its own. 😉 After this walk, I switched my watch back to auto-pause.
Overview of the First Week: March 23 – 29
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from the first week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 15 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 7:37 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63° in basement, 35° and mostly clear outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.03 miles
• Average pace: 16:38 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 90 feet
• Start time: 8:59 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 39° and mostly sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, knit hat, puffer jacket, mittens over gloves
Walking: 3.07 miles
• Average pace: 16:18 miles
• Elevation gain: 168 feet
• Start time: 10:08 AM
• Location: neighborhood streets
• Weather: 40° and mostly sunny, climbing to 46°
• What I wore: jeans, s/s shirt, knit hat, puffer jacket, mittens over gloves
Nap time: 1 hour 55 minutes
After an indoor chatty spin with Kim, I finished up our conversation while starting an outdoor walk. Later, I headed back out for a walk to and from church. Despite the chill in the air, it was a beautiful morning and I enjoyed seeing these colorful hyacinths along the way.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Tuesday
Cycling: 10.1 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 15.4 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:03 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 62° in basement, 50° and mostly cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.05 miles
• Average pace: 16:21 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 81 feet
• Start time: 6:58 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 50° and partly sunny
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, jacket, and mittens over gloves
I was up early for my workouts because I was scheduled to have another basal cell carcinoma removed from my right upper shoulder mid morning – it was originally scheduled for the week I got home from the hospital, but I’d rescheduled.
Wednesday
Strength training: 30 minutes of lower body and core
Not able to lift upper body due to my surgery the day before, I stuck with lower body and core.
Thursday
Cycling: 15.1 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Average speed: 16 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 7:54 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63° in basement, 37° and sunny outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.06 miles
• Average pace: 17:42 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 82 feet
• Start time: 9:16 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 38° and sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, puffer jacket, and mittens over gloves
Gardening: 3 hours
Finally, it was back to a Thursday virtual workout with Kim! Even though we’d met a few weekend mornings, this was our first Thursday meetup since January 16th (all thanks to me and my schedule – sorry Kim!). We both rode our spin bikes before heading outside for a walk together.
After lunch, I spent 3 hours gardening, mainly kneeling as I did a little weeding and cut back 23 clumps of liriope and a few other plants. It wasn’t difficult but took time and was all light stuff. I didn’t overdo it, but I knew my glutes would be in a world of hurt the next day from all that squatting. And yes, they were. But the sore glutes were worth it because gardening makes my heart so happy!
Friday
Strength training: 30 minutes of lower body and core
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Nap time: ~ 15 minutes
Saturday
Cycling: 9.6 miles
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin / Peloton Intervals Ride with Hannah Corbin
• Average speed: 16.8 MPH
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:47 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 65° in basement, 63° and partly cloudy outside
• What I wore: bike shorts and sports bra
Walking: 2.12 miles
• Average pace: 17:02 minute/mile
• Elevation gain: 69 feet
• Start time: 12:13 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 74° and mostly cloudy
• What I wore: shorts, s/s shirt, and visor
Gardening: 2.5 hours
Despite the beautiful weather, I followed my dermatologist’s orders and stayed inside on my spin bike rather than riding outside with my husband. He doesn’t want me doing anything where I might pull on my sutures.
It worked out well because I had more time to work outside and I pretty much finished up my spring gardening chores until it’s time to plant flowers in pots on the deck in early May. Hopefully, my lawn guys will be out to edge and spread mulch in the next week or so.
And despite a non-stop super busy day, I had time to shower and make it to 5:30 mass – in my car this week, there wasn’t enough time and I was too tired to walk.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog these past weeks, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly RunDown: March 2 – 8 / Rest, Recovery, and Rebuilding
- • Thursday – 2025 First Quarter Runfessions: Forgetfulness and Learning to Use My Garmin
Questions:
- • Has spring turned a corner in your neck of the woods? ~ it certainly has this weekend
- • What was your favorite recent workout? ~ definitely my 10-mile outdoor ride from a couple of weeks ago.
- • Did you run in a race this weekend? ~ no
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!
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Ugh sorry to read that you are still having issues from your appendectomy last month.Seems like nothing keeps you from moving and doing -so that’s a win. I cannot really complain about our weather as I’ve been able to get outside in much more pleasant temps lately. Hope you feel better!
This has been an eventful three weeks for you! I was scared when I saw the words “ER” but it sounds like all is well? And the skin surgery- if it’s not one thing, it’s another, right? But, sounds like you had a lot of great workouts. Love the photos of Pablo! And the flowers are gorgeous. I hope you have a nice, UNEVENTFUL week ahead!
I just left a comment which… disappeared? Not sure, and I also don’t want to leave two comments! Anyway… glad all is well, although I was alarmed when I saw “ER.” I love the photos of Pablo, and those flowers are gorgeous! I hope you have a nice, UNEVENTFUL week ahead!
Wow, you are seriously rocking the comeback, Debbie!
It’s impressive how you’re staying active despite everything going on. You’ve got that perfect balance of listening to your body while still getting your workouts in—plus squeezing in some well-deserved naps. Sending good vibes for your urologist appointment and hoping you can put all of this in the rearview mirror soon.
Also, kudos on keeping your spirits up with those outdoor rides—bet it felt amazing to hit the trail again! Hang in there, you’ve got this! ♀️
That emoji at the end was supposed to be a cyclist!
You were very active despite the medical issues. I hope it all gets taken care of soon (for good!). That ER visit sounds quite uncomfortable!
I cleaned up our yard and got rid of our dead hosta leaves. We have huge hostas and I need to split them this year.
As Spring is turning the corner (your words, LOL), I sincerely hope your healing/recovery is as well. It’s been a rocky roller coaster, and I’m so sorry for all the turmoil since the surgery. It was fun getting in TWO workouts together last week, though 😉
So sorry to hear about the stricture – but you’re still able to keep up so many activities! That’s really good. I hope you stay without problems until you can get the stent put in.
I did some gardening today as well, finally! Not much squatting but more like a lot of hip hinges and some deadlifts. 🙂
Oooh your stricture sounds painful, i’m impressed that you are still staying so active! Hopefully your heeling goes smoothly. Sorry that your surgery recovery hasn’t been smoother, what a pain (literally)!
Sorry to hear about those complications. Hope you’re 100% soon.
It’s still early hear for spring… nothing really blooming yet.
No race. No runs… just the sickest I’ve ever felt… a lousy stomach bug. UGH!
Oh, wow! I hope you are able to take some time and heal all the way up. What a medical mess! You are such a trooper and you are managing so well.
Of course, Pablo time had to help.
I did finally run a race this weekend and it went fairly well. Yay.
Oh gosh, sorry about the complications Debbie. How scary and frustrating too! I’m hoping this is a better week.