And now it’s April. Also known as “another eternal month.” We have settled into this (I hate to use the term) “new normal”, but it’s certainly not as great as The Before. My heart breaks for the areas that are hard hit, and I hope that we can pull together when these quarantines and shelter at home orders end.
I’ve tried to keep things as regular as possible in our world, just for some stability. We are doing our crisis learning. Mr PugRunner works from home. We miss my parents and our friends terribly. But we are getting through.
Let’s join up with Marcia’s Healthy Slice and talk it out in our April Runfessions.
I runfess that…
I have started Couch To 5K! After much internal back and forth, I decided to get just rip off the bandaid and try. I will write a post dedicated to the whole experience of my first week shortly, but for now, i can tell you that it went as well as could be expected. The first run interval brought me to tears: I was relieved and scared and sad and excited. However, when that passed, everything was fine and I was able to complete (to date) two sessions.
I runfess that…
I kind of don’t remember why I love running. It’s all going to be part of the process, I’m sure, but it’s so hard, and I feel so awkward. One of the things I need to remember is how great it feels to be with my friends, training and running races, and all the adrenaline and good feelings that come along with it. The road back will be long and hard, and I’m still at the very beginning.
I runfess that…
I miss my calluses. Is that weird? It feels like a weird thing to miss. As a person who walks barefoot all the time, and who is constantly running or doing something active, my feet were pretty impenetrable. After my surgery, the skin of my right foot just started to shed, and in the weeks and months of recovery, the sole of that foot was left with zero protection. I can feel EVERYTHING now, and while it’s not painful, the bottom of my foot can get very tender and sore, especially when I’m on it a lot. That’s something I need to build up again, and soon!
I runfess that…
The weather is making me insane. I know I can’t complain because it’s not snowing here, but the storms have been out of control. Usually, when it rains in Florida, it lasts only an hour or two, but we have been getting hit with the day-long, steady rain. In addition, there is way too much lightning and far too many tornado watches for comfort. Of course, hurricane season opens in June, and so there’s that to look forwards too, as well. Swell.
I runfess that…
I finally got on board and ordered masks for our family. The boys have a few buffs and Autobahn racing hoods, so I picked up a few for me, a couple for them, and then some for my parents. We’re not sure what the future holds, but it can’t hurt to be prepared. I got these from SnuggleBabe Shop on Etsy, and was very happy with the quality, communication, and fast (two week) turnaround. True, I hate that this is what things have come to, but here we are. As a side note, in our city and state, masks are not required for outside activity, but I’m glad I have some options if that should change.
What do you have to runfess?
Are masks required for outdoor activity where you are?
Yay! Glad to hear you’ve been able to start the Couch to 5K! Those masks are really cute. One of our office staff is making them right now so I’m getting one for non-work use on Monday!
I don’t have a mask. Yup and I live in NY. I don’t feel the need. I have my buff. My hubby has some if I really wanted to wear one.
Yes being sidelined now rather than during peak racing season is the best. When you are ready, there will be people and races!!!
You will do fine. You will appreciate running so much more than before. Embrace it. It will fade unfortunately.
Darlene S Cardillo recently posted…Pandemic Runfessions for April
Congrats on starting the 5K program and I’m glad the first couple of sessions have gone well. After a long lay off, I think it’s easy to questions why you love running – those early days are hard. But I have no doubt you’ll be back in the swing of it sooner than you think!
Congrats on Couch to 5K! It’s always tough to have that first run after injury. You’ll be back at it and back in love before you know it!
We have to wear masks pretty much anywhere we go in Philly, though I’m pretty sure we don’t have to wear them while running. I kind of wish I had some cuter patterns now that I’m seeing other people’s masks, lol!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Runfessions – April 2020
I also ordered a few masks from Etsy (different vendor) and they should arrive today. I hope that I like them as much as you liked yours!
I’ve heard that the weather has been a little crazy in Florida, and already a lot of humidity? It’s been raining here a lot which is a little depressing but we do have moments of sunshine which is nice.
I didn’t deal with the trauma of a broken leg and returning to running after that but, after my knee surgery, I wasn’t sure what the heck was going to happen. I was scared enough when the doc took the crutches away! lol But, I promise it gets better! You’re doing great by just getting out there!
I remember those lightning storms when we lived in Florida. So scary. I was always afraid to be out on a long run and have one randomly blow in. Nowhere to hide! And yeah, you guys have been getting hit really hard these past few weeks.
It’s recommended that we wear masks when we are outside, especially if we are going to be around other people but thankfully, they aren’t required for exercise. I don’t know what I will do if it comes to that. Learn to run in a mask, I suppose. Maybe it will mute my cussing. lol
Masks are not required, but highly encouraged here in Virginia. I made some with some white fabric I had on hand and I also ordered some prettier ones from an Etsy shop. They haven’t shipped yet, but I hope they do soon.
Yay for your running comeback! I’m not using Couch to 5K, but I am doing walk/run intervals. I’m working very hard to listen to my body and even though I’m taking it slowly, it feels so good to finish up feeling really tired.
Yay for running again!!! And it is hard. Like super hard. I get that.
Masks are required in public here where you can’t social distance. Like the grocery store or a dr’s office, or picking up takeout. But you don’t have to wear one or if you’re just outside in an open unpopulated area. So if you’re running in your neighborhood that wouldn’t be required. But maybe if you’re running downtown or at a park since there might be more people around.
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads
I am not wearing a mask for runs or walks. I don’t encounter too many people as I am sticking to the small streets. We are encouraged to wear them to store etc and we are doing that. Yay for returning to running. Very excited for you!
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As of May 1, masks are required outside here, except for running/biking, thank heavens. I too ordered some on Etsy since we’re in for at least another 5 weeks of this.
Yes running is hard but you are ON the road BACK! That is awesome!
Congrats on turning the corner and running again! I bet it comes back quicker than you’re anticipating. Just take your time, you have nothing to prove to anyone…and this is YOUR journey 😉 No mask mandates here, either, but most are wearing them in the stores.
Cute masks! Masks are required to go in any public place here in PA. Congrats on your couch to 5k training plan! Hope it goes well for you:)
Lacey – I’m in PA too – I thought masks were just required when going into stores, etc. but not while running. If that’s the case then I’ve been breaking the law! 😉
Jenn, congrats on your return to running! Yes you’re starting back at the beginning BUT you have all of the work you did in your recovery to back you up and that’s going to count for a lot in the weeks ahead. And you will be in prime racing shape when races come back!
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie recently posted…Weekly Eats: Ugly Cookies
Gosh I hope so. I have to tell myself that it was hard seven years ago. It was hard when I had my tonsils out. And it is always hard. It may never be the same, but that’s ok.
Well done on starting to run! Your joy for running will come back automatically, I’m sure. It’ll get easier.
That’s awesome that you walk around barefoot! I walk around barefoot at home and it’s a nice feeling.
I despise shoes. I would never wear them if I didn’t have to.
It’s awesome that you’re up & running! It WILL get easier. But yes, it’ll take time.
That is weird about the callouses, I never thought about that (and hope I never have to).
I get it, those storms are fierce. I remember getting caught in a run by the water by a thunderstorm once in Miami. I can’t even tell you how scary that was.
And add to that if something happens to your home — that’s super scary. Today is finally lovely. Won’t last long but I took advantage of it! Yes, there was more snow this week, though.
Oho that must have been scary. When you get caught in those storms while driving, sometimes you can’t even see the road. I used to hate that.
There were so many things about this accident that I would never have thought I would experience. This is just one of those weird side effects. Hopefully, everything will get back to normal-ish soon.
Yay for starting C25K, even if it was hard. Coming back from such a big “injufy” (seems like too small a word for what you went through) you have to deal with the fear of pain as well as actual pain, and it can be hard to tell one from the other. We’ve had a lot of rainy days too, including early morning thunder which is more freaky than afternoon thunder. I have one mask a friend made me, and one rigged with a buff and hair bands. My husband hasn’t gone out, but I think he has some from yard work. I’m not sure he’s ready for a fashionable one.
In my head, I think I downplay it a lot: Oh, I broke my leg. But yeah, it was a trauma. I think I like to forget that part LOL.
Cool that you are doing a couch to 5K! I need to get some masks. We have been using buffs but masks would be better!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…At Home Workout Guide for Coronavirus Survival
Masks are required “When you can’t social distance” which, in a city of 8 million is pretty much regularly. I ran for the first time with one Saturday and it was an experience.
Too funny re: calluses. I recognize their role but am kind of obsessed with baby foot peel and am really, really missing my pedis for keeping the reptile feet at bay.
From dance, I always appreciated having tough feet. I never realized how tough they were, until I got to compare with my completely unprotected foot. It is sensitive to EVERYTHING and it’s super annoying.
Jenn – congrats on starting C25k again, especially after an injury. It’s always the first time out that seems like the biggest step. And to do it during a pandemic and all this weird weather. It must be nice to get back to doing something “normal”. Good luck!