There is just no avoiding covid it seems. My grandkids plus Matt and Scott all have had Covid this summer, but I did the whole distancing thing and was lucky enough not to get it. Everyone got better prior to our trip to the cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. Day 2 of the trip – guess who is covid +? So annoying. The worst parts were the lack of energy and the nagging cough. This illness took me out of running for about 4 days. I was able to go on some walks, though.
For me, being somewhere warm and sunny just makes me feel better in general, and I would go as far as to say that also aids in the healing process. I felt so much better being outside even though I wasn’t able to run. But, I was getting a little concerned about the runs I was missing. No speed work that week and I missed a long run of 13.1 miles. That was significant. But, I also felt that it was early enough in my training that, hopefully, it wouldn’t have too much of a negative impact. My last long run on 7/31 was 12.5 miles prior to leaving for vacation.
This setback would be the second one since I started marathon training. The first was in week 2 when I pulled a calf muscle. So, it was important to get back to running as soon as possible. The funny thing is I ran 4 miles on 8/2 and felt great! That night I tested positive for covid. I thought the coughing that had started after the run was from the dust that was stirred up on the road from the occasional vehicle that passed by. But while traveling to Spokane to pick up Matt, Sonja, and the kids that same night, I started feeling worse and worse. Body aches, joint aches, and just general malaise.
So, no running for 4 days, and then I did an easy, very slow 2.5 miles on 8/6 and then, I took another rest day. I started back on the training schedule on 8/8 but most of the runs were also just slow and easy. The easy, slow running gave me more time to just enjoy the views, and afterward, it was nice sitting in the lake to cool off. Not something I can do in Alaska.
The week I started back on the training schedule was a down week (a rest week of sorts with decreased mileage) so the long run was only 11.5 miles. We were headed back to Alaska that week-end so we drove to Seattle (that is a whole other story that involves Demi – basically we wanted to take her with us but didn’t want her having to change flights so we drove from Seattle to the lake) and stayed at Krista and Rob’s house (sister-in-law and brother-in-law). We got there late Saturday night and we were up early Sunday for a short drive to Alki beach where I ended up doing this long run. It definitely got a little warm but it was a good run. Krista and Rob were still at the cabin so we were so grateful that they let us stay at their home!
Being on vacation, enjoying the warm sunny days, and hanging out with family was so nice. Just being able to run in warmer weather was definitely a bonus. And then the shock of being back in Alaska happened. Fall had set in, the leaves were already changing colors, and it was cold, rainy, and cloudy with no sun in the forecast. That was depressing. We were only gone for two weeks! But, I will say that it is easier to run in the cooler weather. Training continues…
This week’s long run of 15.5 miles started out great! I was very energetic, felt rested, and expected a great run. I went through the first 5 miles without any issues. Well, except for the fact that I may have started out too fast but I felt good so I went with it – every runner knows that is not okay!!! And I paid for it later in the run – that is why it is not okay. By 10 miles I was starting to feel the struggle a little bit but hanging in there and by 15, I was completely drained. In addition to not going out too fast, I think I need to work on a better fueling strategy. I wonder too, if having a setback week may have had a little bit of an impact on my training. Next week is another down week and then I jump up to an 18-mile run. I am a little concerned about that.
I probably shouldn’t post such horrible pictures haha. I was definitely drained by the end and it shows!! The fact that it was raining and cold certainly didn’t help. I was on the couch for the rest of the day.
So, I think that brings me up to date on the running. There are 7 weeks to go.
Family Fun
Having the grandkids along with Sonja and Matt at the lake was so much fun. I was bummed that during the first week I was dealing with covid and didn’t have the energy to hang out with them as much as I would have liked, but I am grateful for what time we did get to spend together. I would like to have more of the same.
We had great weather except maybe for a couple of cloudy days. Tylor was not with us on this trip. He was spending the summer with his grandfather in Kentucky.
Maddy simply loves being in the water. And when she wasn’t swimming in the lake, she was probably fishing. She was getting pretty good at catch and release.
She also had fun on a canoe ride with her dad and sister.
And Miss Charlie was just non-stop. I would like to have whatever she is having to get all of that energy but she doesn’t even eat that much. Maybe that’s the key. She didn’t care about swimming that much but she liked being out on the floaties or on the paddle board with her mom.
And she also wanted to do “real” fishing. So, Matt had to put a real hook on her fishing pole.
Sonja and Matt liked being on the lake as well but not so much in the water. Although Matt did take the occasional dive.
Or he just finds a nice big cliff to jump off of.
And why not says Scott…
Who does love being in the water, on the water, whatever…
And one of my favorite things to do is lunch with Sonja at our favorite little place in Sandpoint – Pend d’Oreille Winery
Sonja, Matt, and the kids left a few days before we did. Then Krista and Rob came out to the cabin and we all, along with Mark and Sara, went out to dinner. For some reason, none of us took any pictures but I can say that we had a great time. Pictured below is the next day when Scott and I were leaving for Seattle.
I love how Louie is admiring me in this photo. I think he wants to come home with me.
Once we got back home, we celebrated Maddy’s 10th birthday. 10! Just hard to believe.
And I finally got to see Tylor.
And that was pretty much summer. We came home to our flowers on their last days, leaves changing colors and it has been a little on the chilly side. Guess I should start my Christmas shopping…ha!
And if you haven’t heard…
MM4MM (Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma)
My courageous sister, Teena, and brother-in-law Jose are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of our Mother, Joyce Moser, who battled Multiple Myeloma for 10 years! We lost her in June of 2021. My life has not and will never be the same without her. I miss her so much. She meant the world to me. In addition to Mom’s memory, Teena and Jose are climbing this 19,341-foot mountain to raise money in hopes to bring awareness, education, research, and improved treatment for this horrible cancer. Their fundraising page has additional information if you want to know more about multiple myeloma. They also share our Mother’s story on their page. She was just an amazing person. Please donate if you can. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Click here to donate.
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