Updates

Hello 2024!

January 7, 2024 by Michelle 19 Comments

Hello 2024! Can you still say “Happy New Year” when we’re already a week in? I think so..Happy New Year!

It’s been more than a minute since my last check-in for the Weekly Run Down – September 17 as a matter of fact – say what??! Yep, at the time I had just been told by my primary care doc to stop running until I got an MRI to figure out what was going on with my ongoing quad/hip issues.

Since then, I’ve found a sports ortho I like, I put in 8 weeks of PT with a therapist I also liked (helped that he was a runner!) and leaned into a lot of walking, time on my Peloton bike, and strength work. Running has been largely paused except for a couple of run/walks to test the waters. Once I get the green light to start running (waiting for a follow-up with my sports ortho) I’m thinking of following a couch-to-5K plan so I force myself to ease back in slowly.

And with the new year, I’m going to make an effort to get back to joining Deborah, Kim, and all of you for the Weekly Run Down.

In case you missed it:

First Coffee of the New Year

My Word for 2024

Cheers to a great 2024!

Filed Under: Updates, Weekly Run Down

Mid-month check-in

June 14, 2020 by Michelle 24 Comments

Happy Sunday!

While things have been fairly quiet here on the blog lately, if you follow me on Instagram you know that I’m still plugging along with my workouts. Working out continues to provide a much-needed escape from all that continues to challenge our country at the moment. It provides a quiet space to process thoughts and feelings and is also a very important piece of self-care.

Today is Day 14 of the Summer Streaker Challenge – the goal is 1 mile or 20 minutes of working out each day. I’m happy to say that I’m still on track. Over the past couple of weeks, running has been a fairly low-key affair with most runs hovering around 3 miles. My right hip’s been fairly cooperative until yesterday’s run – a reminder to not neglect my PT exercises or foam rolling! After some extra care yesterday, I had a solid 5 miler today to complete another Un-canceled 8K.

My husband, brother, oldest son and I just signed on for The Great Run Across Massachusetts. We’ll be running out and back across the state for 235 miles, which nets out to 58.75 miles each, but I know we’ll each be vying for bragging rights to see who’s going to carry the team. I’m still looking for my running mojo to kick in so I’m hoping this challenge will be the added boost I need, plus it supports some worthy causes.

Aside from the running, I’ve made good use of the Peloton app for strength training, found my way on to my yoga mat a couple of times, and got out for a few walks with friends. All-in-all it’s been a decent couple of weeks of workouts. The plan for the next couple of weeks is more of the same, except that I’d like to start to stretch my weekend runs a bit longer.

How is June treating you so far? Do you use challenges or virtual races to stay motivated?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

Filed Under: #UnCanceledProject, Updates, Weekly Run Down

Trying new things and big changes

June 24, 2018 by Michelle 39 Comments

There are some big changes going on in the RWA household! But, before I dive into that, here’s a brief recap of this past week’s workouts.

Monday – Rest day
Tuesday – Strength day including W4D1 and D2 of the Abs & Arms Challenge along with a PT series for hips and glutes.

Kai decided he needed to supervise!

Wednesday – 3 miles in a rare break in the temps.
Thursday – D3 and 4 of the Abs & Arms Challenge then a trip to see my massage therapist for some work on my hammy.
Friday – 1^st kickboxing class!
Saturday – D5 and 6 of the Challenge and some yoga
Sunday – BAA 10K (re-cap to come)

Trying new things!

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been feeling the need to shake-up my cross training and wanted to try some new things. Trying kickboxing has been on my list for a while and I’m so glad I finally signed up for a class. This class kicked my butt and I had a blast! I’ll be heading back to the studio again this week!

Also in the new things category – my husband J and I just signed on to macro diet program. Friends of ours have had some great results with the program and we’ve decided to give it a try to help re-set our eating. I’ll be sharing more about this as time goes on.

Ch ch ch changes!

My apologies to the late, great David Bowie…

I mentioned before that my oldest had a really tough school year. I’ve intentionally not gotten into details but suffice it to say it was a long, stressful year for everyone. But the good news is there’s light at the end of this tunnel – he’s off to a great new school in fall that he’s really excited about! And, while I’m struggling to get used to the idea that he’ll be a boarding student I’m really excited for him and know this will be a good fit.

All good stuff – there’s just one small glitch. The school calendar just came out and the big fall parents weekend is the same weekend as MCM. Nooooo! Ah but yes…

There’s just no way I cannot be there for the first big weekend at his new school. How could I possibly enjoy MCM knowing I wasn’t there? I can’t – As much as I was looking forward to MCM the choice is easy. Family first! I’m not giving up on my dream to run MCM either, I’ll just be deferring until 2019. (And, given my ongoing hammy issues, this may be a blessing in disguise).

So now without MCM on the horizon, I find myself with a wide open fall as I had no other races on the calendar. Time to get planning!

Tell me something about your week? Have you tried any new workouts?

I’m joining Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

Filed Under: keeping it interesting, Updates, Weekly Wrap

My Simple Fix is Now Not So Simple

October 1, 2015 by Michelle 20 Comments

Well I’ve been sitting with this news for a few days …now it’s time to share. My fall racing season is not going to happen as I’m headed for surgery next Tuesday.

Remember how I thought it would be a simple fix to treat my iron deficiency brought on by crazy irregular and heavy periods with some supplements and rest and be on my way? Well after still feeling crappy, still no running and more tests, it seems the source of my problem are fibroids. I’ve had them since my early thirties (or at least that was the first time they were detected) and, like many women who have them, I wouldn’t have known they were there if someone didn’t tell me. But now those little buggers have turned into trouble-makers and really must vacate the premises.

So I sat in my doctor’s office the other day and tried to hold it together as I listened to my doctor walk me through everything…and I’ve got to be honest one of my first thoughts was “But what about my race in Philly? I was suppose to go to Vegas! What do you mean surgery…recovery…which means no running?!” Perhaps not rational, but it is where I went first.

So the simple fix just got a little more complicated. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel – the tunnel’s just a little longer than I had hoped. How quickly I recover is really up to me – the key is to get moving quickly, build on it every day, and be smart enough to know when to rest. I had lunch with a good friend who’s already been through this and she was really encouraging about how much better I’ll feel once I’m on the other side of this. Light at the end of the tunnel, right?

Filed Under: anemia, Updates

At the moment….

June 30, 2014 by Michelle 18 Comments

At the moment….

…. I haven’t been running much….in fact just 6 very slow miles last week. The good news – they were pain-free!

…. I’m going for session #2 with the chiro this morning. He believes he’ll have me fully-operational shortly as long as I do my exercises and roll daily. He’s also urging me to get off the pavement for a bit – on trails, grass or at the very least the track – a more forgiving surface would help my cause.

…. while I wish I were running more, I’m embracing what I can do now – enjoying other workouts like TRX, basketball in the driveway with my kids, walks with my injured BRF and weekly barre classes. I had stopped T25 last week, but I’m going to add it back into the mix with my chiro’s OK.

Filed Under: chiropractor, injuries, Updates