“Be strong now because things will get better. It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever”- NA
I can honestly say I never imagined living at the time of a pandemic.
It’s scary and uncertain, probably two of my least favorite feelings ever-fear and uncertainty.
A few months ago fear and uncertainty meant not knowing what I was going to do for the rest of my life, and boy did that seem terrible! Now, at the end of March, those same two words have been elevated in a completely different way. The fear of loved ones becoming ill or dying, not being able to comfort those who may need it most, thinking about the many front line employees who sacrifice their health and safety for that of others, unfortunately the list goes on and on.
With the stay at home order beginning on Friday of this week because of the Corona virus, I feel like we’ve been introduced to a whole new level of uncertainty and fear. Not knowing how these next two weeks will pan out for anyone, or what will come after, is a bit unnerving.
As much as this week was filled with fear and uncertainty, I tried to stay on my training regime at least somewhat. Monday after work I tested out one of the county roads near my house. I’m not sure how I feel about county roads yet, its great because around here in Sleepy Eye they are completely flat for miles and miles, but they also go straight for miles and miles…kind of good thing, kind of a bad thing lol. Anyways, I ran about 1.5 miles without stopping and then finished to my 3.5 total miles in intervals of running and walking, normally around a tenth of a mile at a time.
My non-running days have quickly become extremely challenging. I am now realizing how much I was loving my 5:30am workout class-and how much it made me work my tail off!! I tried to do some 20 minute at-home tabata workout, but it was pretty pointless, I really suck at pushing myself while I’m alone in my basement next to the fireplace and couch lol. Send help please!!
Wednesday was 4 miles according to my beginner’s training plan. I begged my mom and sister to come with me so that it would go by a bit faster, but apparently we all have the same “I hate running” gene hahaha-maybe some of you have it too? Eventually I convinced my mom to ride her bike very slowly next to me while I ran and see if it was fast enough for her to stay on her bike without doing that awkward twisty-turby thing so you don’t fall off your bike lol. It worked better than I thought! This time I went about 1.7 miles without stopping and then took shorter breaks with longer running intervals after that until I hit my 4 miles. My little sister was also my uber this week after runs since she didn’t have school or softball practice, (it makes her good for something, right?) Thanks Em!!
Thursday I was a worthless pile of lazy…decided not to workout because I’m so bad at it while at home anyways (not an excuse, I know, I need to do better next week or I’m going to be right on track to be post-Aussie bod again). I also learned that being quarantined at home is terrible for my snacking addiction-YIKES!
Friday, which is normally my off day, I did some biking with my sister and a walk with mom, so we’ll call it an “active” off day just to make me feel better…whoops.
Saturday was another 4 miler. I convinced mom to come bike next to me again so I had a little more motivation to keep running, and someone to talk at me for the sake of passing time without knowing the minute by minute of my favorite songs. We did the same route as Wednesday, but cut and turned around a little sooner because of the big rain storm that was moving in. I ran straight out of our garage and didn’t stop running until we got back to the driveway!! It wasn’t a full 4 miles, but it was 3.32 without stopping so I felt pretty damn good! I also think my mom was surprised that I didn’t stop for once lol, she kept saying “wohoo Josie” after we hit mile 2 lol. Thanks mom 🙂
OOO, in shoe news: I have decided that my Hoka’s have brought back pain in my knee that’s torn up from high school basketball, so I did my Saturday run in my old brooks and they were A Okay. Soooo, I ordered a new pair of brooks (not the newest version, but the ones a version newer than my own), hoping they can get me through without any tweaks in my knee!
Sunday’s have brought a new normal to my household, this morning we shared our cups of coffee while watching and listening to our pastor give the weekly sermon through the screen of my laptop. It felt so comforting to hear the word of the Lord, but yet somewhat saddening that the uncertainty of our future also affects our house of worship and being able to attend the church services that we are used to.
Trying to find the positives each day, although there may be few, they are certainly there.
Have a great week, stay healthy ❤
Josie's Journey 