23.8.20

Loony Challenge Training: Week 1

A couple notes here:
There's no "race weekend" this year, and so no "this many weeks until race day" posts.
I'm thinking to do the 10K the first or second week in October, and the 10 mile run the week after that.
The 5K will be done with Olive at her chosen route and pace.
This is a different kind of training plan than I've ever done before.  Much more focus on activities besides running, with the goal of staying balanced, active, and strong.


Sunday:
Planned: Run 1 mile; walk or bike
Actual:1.85 miles running.  1.81 miles walking. 7.13 miles on the bike along the parkway.  The walk and the bike ride were mostly a tour of all the trees that came down in the tornado last Friday.

Monday:
Planned: Run 1 mile; weights; Zumba or walk
Actual: Weights: 40 mins youtube video before work. Run 2.33 miles, mostly at MAF, nice low heart rate. Walk 1.77 miles after work. I thought about Zumba but then Captain Smiley cooked me a steak. So, priorities.

Tuesday:
Planned: Run 3-5 miles
Actual: 4.2 miles run, partially along the river.  This was a really solid run.  I was able to keep my heart rate nice and low, which hasn't happened in a while.

Wednesday:
Planned: Long run; Zumba
Actual: 6.01 miles running with Olive along the Rush Creek Trail. 0.6 miles walking cool down and checking out the Coon Rapids Dam.  Long runs with Olive continue to be a highlight of my week.
I did not do Zumba because 7pm is hard sometimes and I was already at 15,000 steps for the evening.

Thursday:
Planned: Run 1 mile; weights; bike ride
Actual:  I ran 1.7 miles and that is all.  I thought about weights or riding my bike, and then, did not.  I'm okay with it.  I'm tired from an earlier than normal meeting and yesterday's long run.

Friday:
Planned: Run 3 to 5 miles; walk to start the weekend?
Actual: Ran 2.71 miles; I was not feeling it so I walked 0.75 miles to get home and I was okay with that.  It was just so hot out.

Saturday:
Planned: Run 3 to 5 miles; Zumba
Actual: 5 miles run is completed.  I zumba'd for about 10 minutes.  It was hot on this run and I am pooped.

From the first week I learned I don't always love biking as much as I think I will.  Usually I'd rather just go on a walk.

COVID Diaries - August 22


18.8.20

COVID Diaries: The world is crazy Linkfest

Among the headlines I thought were from The Onion but aren't:

Former First Lady Obama's Speech Gets Rave Reviews on Fox News. I mean...

Susan B Anthony is now pardoned by the only moron on the planet who can't understand the importance of her crimes, and is currently pandering to suburban women. I hope they've all heard the term microaggression.

Lebron and The Lakers have taken over the MAGA Hat Look though they are putting that effort to good use. 

There's a problem with earth's magnetic field.  Because fire tornadoes, oil spills, and killer hornets just weren't enough.

Plague is now in California along with Colorado, interior China, and the DRC.  Wowsers.

And in Australia, the Magpies will put your eye out this year.  And apparently they'll do it to everyone.  They can't tell us apart when we wear masks.

COVID Diaries August 18


16.8.20

COVID Diaries - August 16


Loony Challenge: Training Plan

I finally got my act together and created a Loony Training plan.  I'm finally over the trauma that was the Great Run Across Minnesota.  I'm ready to think about running different distances on different days, lifting weights, zumba, and riding a bike.  I drew up a long run schedule.  It's more manageable than I realized.  I'll plan to do my long runs with Olive. 




15.8.20

COVID Diaries - Aug 15

I've been practicing a lot with different apps on my work 2 in 1/surface/drawing playground.

Also, I got a visit from some people I sorely missed.

So, best part of the day.  Pretty sure it's this.  more here.





14.8.20

COVID Diaires - Aug 11 to 14

Tuesday Aug 11
Running: I ran one mile-ish.  Because I have a race tomorrow.
Work: I had two in person visits today.  That doubles the number of in person visits I've done since March 17, which we're calling the "drop dead" date in Minnesota.  Though perhaps I should find another word for it?.  It was a busy day but nice.  It felt quite productive.
After work: Straight up do not remember.  It's Friday y'all. 

Wednesday Aug 12
Running: Olive was going to help me run the TC 1 Mile Race. We got cursed out by a runner on the trail.  Olive and I had significantly disparate reactions.  I looked at crazy runner like she was in fact, crazy. That seemed to upset her more.  I'd like to tell you that made me sad for her but it really made me feel powerful. Sigh. Now you know what kind of person I really am.
Despite that, it was actually a very sweet morning and I continue to be grateful for my weekly Olive bike/run sessions.
Work: Apparently this is when COVID Fatigue hit and I sent off a couple strongly worded emails that didn't really need to be sent, but not strongly worded enough to get me fired. I still love my job y'all.
After work: I did the Zumba.  It made my day. 

Thursday Aug 13
Running: I hit up a kind of longer run today, 5 miles on my loop route. I ran some, walked some, listened to my book.
Work: I worked less because I am "over productive" for this pay period.  Which really meant I didn't do anything that counts for "points" and learned about Microsoft teams which was also probably a good use of my time.
After work: I played on my computer, drawing and stuff.  Maybe I need a new device? 

Friday Aug 14
Running: I hit up 3 miles today.  It was one of those runs that started out as a 1 mile running goal, and got longer and longer.  Which, let's be real, is a good thing.
Work: Again, I was "over productive" which means I played around a crazy amount on Teams.  I taught another colleague how to send me GIFs. And I do continue to enjoy my job/work.
After work: We had a tornado warning.  Sirens.  Everything.  It actually went through very quickly.  I got to gauge several people's reactions.  My neighbor called to make sure I was okay.  (Seriously, I hit the neighbor Jackpot.)  After the storm, I checked the things.  I moved one gutter/drain that got blown by the wind.  Even the garbage cans were okay.

10.8.20

COVID Diaries Aug 9 and 10

Sunday:
I continue to be slow to wake up. Every day. I lounged in about most of the morning.  Mid afternoon I went for a run. I was picturing 1 mile but it turned into three. That's OK.
Next up I did some cooking including chicken chili Verde and chimichurri sauce. Parentheses I am super impressed that the dictation could get that right and parentheses. How the hell does my dictation know chimichurri sauce but not parentheses?    
 Once I got done cooking I headed out for a 3 mile walk and to listen to my audiobook. I finally got to the point where I could picture myself using the new technology that's disgusting as fuck. What the hell. . *ahem* discussed in this book.
I talked to mom and dad for a bit. They're doing OK. I think they have had a better stride than I have with all this quarantine nonsense.
10 sentences in and I'm already discovering why nobody likes dictation. 
Monday: 
I am finally done with my stupid run across Minnesota. So instead of going for a run and a walk I went for a bike ride and then ran my mile. On my bike I am practicing bunny hops or jumping on the curves. This is not a skill I've had before.  For supper I cooked the chicken from yesterday for captain :-) and myself. I fried up some potatoes and cook some black beans to go along with it. I'm glad Captain :-) likes black beans more than me.

COVID Update:
Dictation sucks.  This is a newer computer; how did they somehow make it worse?
I mean, here, look at these maps of the COVID 19 spread. US, Minnesota, and Ohio.






8.8.20

COVID Diarires - August 6,7, and 8

Thursday I worked during the day and ran in the evening.  It's kind of a blur.  Well, everything's a blur today.

Friday I thought I'd hit up a mile mile run before work, which turned into 3.5 miles.  Work was fine but busy.  No wildness like last weeks Full Moon Friday so that was a plus. The humidity was around 10,000% so I did not walk after work.

Saturday, I woke up around 10am.    It's fine; it's the weekend.  I went out and did make it five miles on my "run" (run/walk).  And then I came back and napped half the day.  I want to be clear: I haven't seen the sunshine in several days and it's confusing me at this point. (Thus, I am sleepy and all is a blur.)

COVID 19 updates:
I have two in person visits scheduled on Tuesday. The total number of in person visits I've done since lock down: also two.  So, maybe we'll double that next week?
The national coin shortage continues to be a thing.  I predict this is one of those things some people will forget pretty quickly and others will remember vividly.  I do not require quarters to do my laundry, but I remember the days of shared machines and I can only imagine.
Shopping: I am now bagging all of the things myself.  Hy Vee has made all aisles self check out.  (Or I don't know if it's really all of them, but the ones I saw were self check out.  I'm sure they've got a worker or two somewhere bagging groceries for people who need help.) I went to the liquor store next door; same deal.  It's fine, but certainly a new experience.
The park board is allowing homeless encampments in some places.  None of them are in North Minneapolis.  That is not a judgement statement one way or another; just an observation.
I personally continue to find surprising new hobbies.  Right now I've started to grow a lemon tree, two potato plants, and I'm working on a grapefruit tree and onions.  I installed additional lighting onto my plant shelves, so I can now have two layers of plants.  So much fun. To be clear, my potential lemon tree is like 1cm tall so let's not get too excited.

5.8.20

COVID Diaries - August 5

I'm trying to eat in a healthy manor, but not "take anything out" or cut out any foods if that makes sense.   So, yesterday, I was pretty good and then I wanted mac and cheese at night, and I was cool with that.  Y'all, I slept like the dead.  Except, the dreams I was having, I hate the dreams where all the toilets are dirty or... it doesn't matter. I hate those dreams.

Olive came over and we did a morning run/bike.  Meaning I ran/walked and Olive biked.  This continues to be my most favorite part of the week.  Next time my involve Olive leading me along a massive down hill for a fast mile.  I'm unclear.

I had coffee and worked for the morning. Mornings are always communicating with families and professional entities.  Because these people are like, awake, during quarantine.

For lunch, I hit up North Market for half off produce Wednesday. If you don't know North Market yet, totally your loss.  This is my most favorite store, even over my co-op and Hy Vee. I had a steak salad with spinach, arugula, and blue cheese.

Work kind of went wild in the afternoon, which seems to be the pattern around here. That's okay for me, given the mornings are lighter right now. I did my best and wrapped up before 6pm.

Captain Smiley invited me over for a steak.  I may have moaned when I met the steak in person.  I can't remember because there was wine involved as well.  It's hard to say. Right now, I'm sitting at home pretending I don't speak Spanish.  Cheers?

4.8.20

COVID Diaries - August 4

Today is Tuesday. This is my first work day after what I'm dubbing "full moon Friday", which was about as fun as it sounds.

I woke up and made a short run.  The weather was nice and cool, and lovely.  I had to head to the grocery store because I was out of cream for my coffee, and that's no way to start the day.  What is the deal with trains parking on the tracks at this time every weekday morning?

Then, I worked all day.  My colleagues agree we have little contact with patients in the morning, and then everything explodes in the afternoon.  I'm learning to adjust.

After work, I took a "cool down walk" which has become something I look forward to every day.  I'm finally through the Percy Jackson series so I'm reading a book by the current CEO of Microsoft right now.  So far, I'm enjoying it but I'm only an hour in.

I remain fascinated by all the feelings surrounding Cup Foods.  For most of my time in Minnesota, I've lived quite close to the store.  It's been my UPS package pick up location for years.  (Getting packages dropped at my old condo was next to impossible.).  The sentiment from the article that the store "doesn't hire black people" is consistent with my experiences.  Meanwhile, in my trips there, the overwhelming majority of customers I'd see were black.  This statement from the article rings true to me, based on my own interaction with the store as a customer and neighbor:
“I remember when Cup foods moved in here and wouldn’t hire Black people to work here,” she said as she spoke to a small crowd outside of the store. “For over 30 years, it’s not just Cup Foods that has ignored us and preyed upon us.”

3.8.20

COVID Diaries - COVID Dreams

Liz Dream:
I was hanging out with friends, and as part of that, we needed to walk into downtown so I could mail my absentee ballots.
Somehow on the walk, I got separated from the two of them.
Then there was a fire in the direction they went.
And, the direction I was going, to mail my ballot, a tornado popped up over the building.
So I'm standing outside of downtown with these strangers, watching, horrified as this giant smoke tornado does it's thing.
Then, somehow I get my car, and park it closer and drop off my ballot in the mailbox.
There was an issue of what day I was mailing the ballot, and had I missed the election?  And then, no, my ballot was a couple weeks early.
I reconnected with my friend, and things got more confusing from there.
So, after a year of living up this way, I have finally identified the post office closest to me, and I'm going to take care of voting today.

2.8.20

COVID Diaries - let's go into August

Apparently, I've been at this so long the daily blogs are getting old?  Who knew that'd become a thing?!?

Some changes for the better in my life this week:
Captain Smiley finally got me to make an actual office in my house.  This involved a trip to Ikea and that was a fascinating experience worth almost an entire blog post itself.  I now have fancy lights for my plants, succulents for my office, an outdoor rug, etc.

Captain Smiley also hosted me and Dungeon Master for a socially distant grill out last night and that was a pleasure.  Apparently though, I eat too much meat?  Didn't know what was a thing.

I haven't "changed" my diet, but I am in what you'd call the contemplation phase of doing so.  I've done keto a few times before. As I recall, the first week or two are hell.  So, making the initial change is always the hardest.

I am running more and walking less.

I am running with Olive who is biking next to me, and that's been something I look forward to each week. We've done a few different routes, and may start repeating them.  I'm starting to feel like I may actually 'run' my virtual 10 miler.  (I'd been looking at that thing with quite a bit of resentment until now.)

I am about 30 miles from finally finishing this stupid run across Minnesota that stressed me out all summer (and kept me running more than I would've otherwise in all that heat).  Count your blessings, right?

In about a month, one of my most favorite colleagues will retire.  And then my lovely team of six will be down to four.  We will not hire for some time due to working remotely.  We get so much more done with so much less money paid out for mileage this way.  Who knows what the new "post COVID" normal will be, but I doubt it'll be the "old normal".

To have August welcome me, we had super mild, cool Minnesota weather.  Finally.  After the baking heat of June and July. So I'm sitting outside, about to take down my shade sail.  No one's a/c is running, but a few people are mowing their grass.  It's so quiet and peaceful right now.