Sunday, February 26, 2017

Spring and Ping (WW # 82)

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The last two weeks were extremely high cardio weeks for me logging 90 and 111 miles respectively on my bike.  This week, I felt it wise to cut back a little.  I rode 10 miles on the bike trainer Tuesday morning and 15 miles on Wednesday evening.  I was anticipating a long awaited podiatrist appointment on Thursday.

Cycling on the trainer in a favorite SARAH MARIE DESIGN STUDIO tank.
 
After taking X-rays of one foot and performing an ultrasound on the other, the doctor proclaimed both of my feet to be strong and healthy.  Naturally, I tried running a few miles Friday morning.  Although I started with a headache, developed a side stitch, and had a cranky left knee -- that run felt really GOOD.   My feet were fine.


Friday Mailbox Greetings!


I tried the same short run Saturday morning.  Again, I had a headache and cranky left knee.  I appreciated not getting a side stitch though.  I realized it would take time to get those little haven't-run-in-a-while kinks worked out.  But as stubborn as I am, I tried another run Sunday morning.  The temps were in the 40s and the sky was too blue to pass up.  I promised myself I would go slow and stop as soon as a felt any twinge in my knee.  No headache.  No side stitch.  No knee twinge.  {Perhaps I should thank the Running Genie?}  I stopped at 6 miles...because I should...because I was tired...and because I had put no Tailwind in my mailbox thinking I'd run only 3 miles at best.  I feel very encouraged by this run!



We had a gorgeous spring weekend.  In the deep south, we typically jump from Winter to Summer so getting an in-betweener is always a treat.  I worked myself ragged in our back yard.  {Don't let anyone tell you raking is not cross training!}  We added a new plaything outside -- a Ping Pong table -- and spent both afternoons grilling and playing.  The older our children (and grand kids) get, the more we are spread out and have conflicting schedules.  To have the whole family together Sunday afternoon was pure joy...and pure chaos.  I was fortunate to spend time in my favorite place -- chilling in my back porch swing and simply taking it all in.

Weekly Recap:

3 Runs = 12 miles
2 Bike Trainers  = 25 miles
Hip/Glute Strength Sessions = 3
Leaves Raked = Ga-Zillions

And that's a wrap!


Were you able to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend?

When is the last time you played Ping Pong?



83 comments:

  1. The boys and I always play ping pong with my mom in Door County! It gets quite competitive...

    I'm so glad you're back on the road!

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    1. I'm not very good at Ping Pong but it is still fun. Thanks, it feels good to be back on the road!

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  2. oh yes, raking is cross-training! It's cardio and core combined ;-) Glad to hear you got a few runs done ;-) Welcome back ;-)

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    1. And how about pulling up weeds too? All those squats! Great exercise. It's good to be back.

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  3. It always takes a while to work those "I haven't run in a while kinks" out. Sounds like you're working on it. Glad to hear the feet are in good shape. Thanks for the link up. It's always nice when people play by the rules. -M

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    1. I've still got a long road ahead of me. But it's nice to be back out there.

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  4. We used to play ping pong with my FIL (he had dementia but he enjoyed that for a while); he's been gone about 4 years now.

    Sadly, I was totally unable to enjoy our beautiful weather saturday due to family obligations & I'm not quite sure "enjoy" is the right word for the blustery mess today was. But it was a really strong run -- that always makes you feel better in the end!

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    1. A strong run makes you feel great, regardless of the weather. I'm watching it rain all day today!

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  5. Great to see you back running!

    Sunday looked like great running conditions. It was probably a good thing you didn't have any Tailwind as it sounds like you might have gone for another round!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, not being prepared to run long was a very good thing. I've got to it slow! I'm not sure why that is so hard to do?

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  6. So glad you are back to running and feeling good! It always feels a little weird to start running again after a break.

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    1. It felt less weird this time! Maybe because I'm used to starting again (sadly). I'm slow, but expect to be that way for a while.

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  7. That's so great that your foot is feeling better! We are back to the frozen tundra around here. Barely out of the teens in the morning. I really got spoiled last week when we were in the sixties! Have a great week!

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    1. At least you've had some winter. We had so little I'm afraid we will be carried away by the mosquito and other bug population this summer. Ugh.

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  8. I'm glad your feet came back healthy! Hopefully the side stitch will work itself out. A ping pong table outside sounds really neat, a perfect family activity. THe weather this weekend was so nice in NC :)

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    1. Ping Pong is definitely something people of all ages can play. I've never been good at it, but it is fun. It will work up a sweat too.

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  9. Fabulous news on your feet!I am still managing my PF a little bit and keeping my runs short. I am actually enjoying spending more time on the bike too.

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    1. I'll still be spending time on my bike. I can't just jump back into the running miles like I'd like to. I hope your PF goes away soon!

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  10. Yay for being back to running! It was gorgeous here this weekend too!

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you were able to enjoy the beautiful weather too.

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  11. That's such great news to have a pain free run- you've been patient with the process. Hope you continue to heal quickly!

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    1. Patience is not one of my virtues, but I did try. VERY HARD. I've still got to be patient as I add miles too.

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  12. Such great news from the doctor! And glad you're back to running - despite the kinks. :-)

    P.S. LOVE that tank!!

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    1. Hopefully all those kinks will be over with soon. I love Sarah Marie's tanks. They have such cute sayings.

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  13. Yipppeeee for feel-good runs! Ok your mailbox cam is a riot. Yay for enjoying family time outdoors. It's cold/windy/raw again here (but still could be SO much worse). We typically only play ping pong on vacation, but it gets quite serious then. Think tournaments. Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. My neighbors think I'm whacked waving and jumping in front of my mailbox. Just saying. And not that I'm concerned...

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  14. It was so cold and windy here this weekend, but I did manage to get out for a run this afternoon and am happier for it! Raking is great cross training, any kind of yard work is! Great job with your awesome 6 mile run!

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    1. Yard work is killer! My inner thighs are always sore after pulling weeds up. Squat. Squat. Squat. You get my drift.

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  15. Yeah for a great run! Family time outside is the best!

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    1. As you know, once they start leaving the nest...anytime together is so appreciated and usually lots of fun at our house.

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  16. How exciting that you had such a good run this morning! As an older runner, I understand your excitement for getting a good report on your feet!

    The weather here was gorgeous all week, but once thunderstorms came through yesterday afternoon, the temps dropped about 20 degrees. Today was more typical for late February weather.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. I was very happy with the doctor's report, but I've still need to take it easy. I'm not sure running 6 miles was the best idea. When will I learn to say "Whoa"?

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  17. Are you doing your strength training at the gym? I'm still trying to really figure out how to incorporate some strength training into my routine!

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    1. No. I do them at home. I went to Physical Therapy last year for a cranky hip/glute/knee. After three months, I came away with an extensive list of exercises I could do at home.

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  18. Sounds like a good week! Great you're back running! Pretty cool you got a ping pong table, must be fun!

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    1. I think we'll be playing Ping Pong many hours outside this spring and summer!

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  19. I've been doing my fair share of leaf raking as well ...should've included it in my workouts for the week!

    I am sooooo glad your foot has healed and you are back to your first love ...running! By the way ...you look fiercly beautiful in that 6 miler picture!

    Glad you had a great weekend with your kids ...there's nothing better! Thanks for the link up Holly!

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    1. That yard work is something else! We have too many trees. I've got to still take it slow, so you know I'll still be riding my Sanity. Especially if I had a pretty place to go and ride.

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  20. So glad you are back to running! That has to make you feel fantastic. And I love that shirt from Sarah Marie Design Studio. Makes me giggle every time I see it!

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad to be back on my feet. SMDS has so many cute tanks to choose from.

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  21. So happy to hear that you are back to running. You were so smart to back off for several weeks and let your foot heal.

    We have a ping pong table at the marina and there's quite a bit of playing. I am not good but my hubby is and is very competitive.

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    1. I'm not good at Ping Pong either. I suspect there will be a lot of competitions going on in the backyard this spring and summer.

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  22. So glad to hear that your foot is feeling better and that you were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather! I don't think I've played ping pong since college.

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    1. I tried to remember the last time I played Ping Pong and couldn't come up with anything. But, I know I have played!

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  23. Raking and shoveling snow. I haven't shoveled snow in a while, but I'll be getting back to that. If not the end of this winter, then next winter.

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    1. Shoveling snow is one thing I've never done and probably will never do. Sand? Yes! I recently got stuck in the sand. LOL.

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  24. Yay for running! How exciting! And great job listening to your body - I'm somewhat guilty of not always listening to my body and that can bite me afterwards. I had 3 amazing runs outside this weekend, with temps ranging from the mid 30's to upper 70's! It was a crazy weather week!

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    1. It's still very hard to always listen to my body. I always want to push that little extra bit.

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  25. Raking absolutely counts for a work out!! it is so much work!! I'm glad that your foot is all healthy!!

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    1. All yard work it a workout, I think. My foot is healthy. Now if I can just convince it to run long distances...

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  26. Congrats on the all clear on your foot! I know you were thrilled to get back out there! WOO HOO! The ping pong table sounds like tons of fun! I know it is so hard to get everyone together- it is that way at my house too. Like you said, when you do just sit back and soak it all in :)

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    1. I am happy to be running again, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me. When everyone is hear, it's just crazy! But I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  27. Yay for healthy feet! That's great news :)

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    1. Thanks! I hope it won't take too long to get my distance and at least a little speed back.

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  28. Great news that you are back at running and sounds like a great week of biking and good weather! A ping pong table does sound fun. Great way for the family to play and hang out.

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    1. I predict the Ping Pong table will get a lot of use over the summer!

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  29. How wonderful that the kinks worked themselves out in just a couple of runs upon your comeback!

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    1. Yes, I'm glad none of those first issues lingered. I do have to still take it easy with my feet for a while. I'm just not good at that.

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  30. Good to hear you're on your feet again and hope it stays that way! Does playing ping pong on our XBOX Kinect count? Its not easy playing against a computer :).

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    1. I hope I can stay on my feet too! I'm guessing playing virtual ping pong is probably more challenging that the real kind.

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  31. Raking IS cross training in deed! It's actually quite funny... running lots of miles doesn't bother me but I get super stiff in weird places from shoveling snow or gardening or raking, etc. Those weird things I don't do daily!

    I am SO glad to hear you are up and running again, Holly!!! Yay! And I'm glad you got the whole family together. Grand kids do make things quite rowdy, don't they :) That's what happens when I bring my kiddos to family gatherings, too! Lots of fun. Lots of chaos.

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    1. I agree! My left knee is always stiff and sore after raking! I'm not even sure why. My grand kids surely do keep things lively. Yes, lots of chaos and fun is the perfect description. I wouldn't want it any other way.

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  32. I'm so glad your runs went well and you got a great report from the podiatrist! You cross trained really hard through your injury and at least the hiccups you had on the runs weren't related to your feet. It is always hard to get back into running after an injury, though, because every little niggle or "off feeling" can make you doubt your recovery sometimes. Best wishes with your return to training!

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    1. It takes a while to come to terms with what is normal. After injury, I'm always scared I'm re-injuring myself or terrified the area really wasn't healed. It's a long process to realize and accept which "feels" are OK.

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    1. Thanks. I was delighted to hear I could start running again.

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  34. Pain free sounds amazing! I am pretty useless when I have a headache, so kudos to you for getting out there! Well done!

    I haven't played ping pong in forever! I don't remember being great at it, though.

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    1. If I have a dull headache, it normally dissipates during a run. I think these may be sinus related and hanging on for dear life.

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  35. I've only been running once a weekly lately but I just had a fantastic run Sunday night. It was just what I needed!
    Great to hear you are running again!

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    1. My running will need to be scaled back for a while. But, it does feel good to get some (any) miles in!

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  36. So glad that your weekend run went better! Thanks to the genie. :) It sounds like you had a great early spring weekend too. Jealous of your porch!

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    1. Porch swing that is - although the porch too :)

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    2. I love spending time in my swing. The porch is covered, has a ceiling fan, there's music, and a water view. It's heaven to me.

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  37. Unfortunately our weather went from 70's on Friday - I literally ate dinner outside, dropped through the night, low 50's and rainy Saturday morning, and were in the 30's by dinnertime Saturday night. So, I had to front load my outdoor time. ;)

    A outdoor ping pong table sounds like a blast. I would guess it has been 5+ years since I have played. I just don't know anyone with a table!

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    1. Our weekend cooled a bit too, Saturday was more pleasant, but nothing like yours! We actually built a fire in our pit Sunday afternoon so we could stay outside.

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  38. I loved the weather last week. It was amazing we didn't go right into super humidity (my enemy). I also did a bunch of raking and it is a workout! Haven't played ping pong in ages, but that's probably a good thing because I'm terrible at it. I never concentrate on the ball... easily distracted, I guess?

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    1. I'm not very good at ping pong either. I do like to watch everyone play though. Let's don't even think about the humidity yet...

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  39. We just run in hot summer weather all year it feels like. So glad you are back running but it sounds like you are quite the cyclist.

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    1. We are far enough north to get a short winter, but that just didn't seem to happen this year.

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  40. So happy to see you back running! Love the idea of an outdoor ping pong table. We have one in our playroom and my boys sometimes turn it into a full contact sport! ;)

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    1. I'm sure our boys would have done the same. I can see where the game could get very rowdy.

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  41. Oh how fun! I see lots of ping ping play in your future! So glad all went well at the Dr. You really did great staying off it and on Sanity!
    See you in a few weeks! I'm already getting anxious to spend time with you!

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    1. I can't to be chillin' with you in the back yard. I hope the weather is pleasant!

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