Back on track

How many times have I said that?

Let's see, in February I had my covid booster (knocked out for a couple of days), went away for a weekend (arms sore for days), and started a new medication (just feeling... wrong). 

But, today is sunny, and I set my alarm clock to "buzzer" instead of "radio" to make it harder to sleep through. Did my morning mini workout for 15 minutes instead of 10. And walked my son to the bus stop. Got my blood pumping and my vitamin D, so there's that. 

I also signed up for another fundraiser - this one's virtual, so pretty low-key. But the point is to get my bike out and moving. I also taught my son to fix a flat, and signed up for a cycling club, got a new helmet, and ordered some bike shorts and a horn. Giving myself no excuses!

Pooped!

I am worn out!

I had a good run of doing my morning workout every day. Then, covid booster fatigue. Then, I started a new medication I am still adjusting to, Then, away for the weekend, where I got more exercise than I normally do (snowshoeing, ropes courses) but also ate poorly. I find "institutional food" makes me gassy and leaves me unsatisfied.  

made it to the top of this one!

So this week, my arms are achy from climbing (I do not have the upper body strength required!) and my guts are out of sorts and I am having insomnia at night and fatigue in the morning. Not a good combination!

went off trail, wound up covered in burrs

But now that I'm home, I'm back to eating well with no additives and more fibre, at least. Even if I'm not exercising.

grilled jumbo shrimp and broccoli slaw with peanut dressing

omelet with ham, mushrooms, gruyere

Speaking of, I need to get back to exercising. I have no big weekend plans, so hoping at least one of those days will allow for a bike ride or a run (even if I have to go to the dreaded gym and hit the treadmill). It's two just over two months to the Sporting Life 10k, so I need to hop to it!

Recovery mode

Wow, my booster shot knocked me out! I expected as much, because the shot I had back in July knocked me out, too. This one wasn't quite as bad; the effects hit sooner after the jab, but I started with Advil and Tylenol right away, so I only had heavy fatigue and arm pain rather than fever like last time.

Knowing what was coming, I had planned to do nothing over the weekend, and boy did I do nothing! Still pretty sleepy today. Tempted to make another pot of coffee but I suspect that way lies madness.

Finally! Something to reach for!

Two years ago, I signed up for my first offical 10k, to take place in May 2020.

2020. Sigh.

Well, it's happening live and in-person this year, and I signed up! So excited to have a goal to motivate me!

And, so far I've stuck to my short-term goal of doing a 10-minute mini-workout every morning this week, and I've been remembering my vitamins.

Interesting how activity and appetite intersect... even though I've been getting more exercise this week, I'm not hungrier. In fact, I've been eating less. Is it because I've consistently remembered my vitamins? Probably?

This weekend may be rough due to my booster - I've ordered a decadent panettone to help me get through it - so I'm going to pick up a nice steak for dinner Friday night. Meat has helped bring my ferritin up from the basement, but I'm hoping to boost it well up into the optimal range. Setting my sights on 50! Should make sure I have some smoked oysters and/or mussels on hand, too...

Update time

Well, despite covid and not taking my supplements as a result (mainly I would just fall asleep without remembering), my ferritin is bouncing back - I guess making sure to eat iron-rich meat every day is the solution! And I'm fine with that!

I'm still having issues with energy, and getting moving in the Canadian winter, with extreme cold alerts and snowfall warnings every week. Excited to discover though that the Sporting Life 10k is happening live and in-person this year! I signed up for it in January 2020 as my first "official" 10k, and then... well 2020 happened. They still sent me a t-shirt and a medal, and I still ran the distance, but it just isn't the same, is it? I am hoping that signing up for that will be motivation for me to get running again. I need external motivators - intrinsic just doesn't cut it for me.

Meanwhile, I set a mini goal for myself this week: do a 10-minute workout every morning before work. No one can say they don't have 10 minutes to spare. Situps, squats, lunges, wall pushups, etc. Today is day three. Goal is to be consistent through Friday - then I have my covid booster shot, so all bets are off (last one left me feeling terrible).