We’ve been seriously social distancing for two weeks now (although it feels like forever), and it’s clear we’re not going to be getting together in real life anytime soon. While I am adjusting to a new normal, I’m saddened by additional restrictions that have closed parks and parking lots at trail heads. I’m grateful to have such a strong virtual social network and opportunities like this for distance socializing.
Image Credit: NAIAD-RML
Speaking of distance socializing, Deborah and I hope you will join us for the April Ultimate Coffee Date next weekend. We will open the (link-up) doors on Friday and keep the coffee brewing all weekend. It’s one social event we can still participate in!
Adjusting To A New Normal
Other than not commuting, my weekday routine hasn’t changed very much. As I runfessed, I’ve been setting my alarm for 5:00 am instead of 4:40, but I still start my day by walking Scooby and exercising–just not at Corepower Yoga, Cyclebar, or Orangetheory Fitness. After that, I am showering (most days), enjoying my home-brewed Starbucks coffee, and having breakfast before heading to my basement, where I set up a home office.
I’m struggling with the ergonomics,
but at least I have a window.
I’m working from about 8:00 am until about 6:00 pm, with a midday break for lunch and a short mid-afternoon break to take Scooby out for his potty break. Then I fix dinner, do the day’s dishes, and collapse on the sofa to watch TV and catch up on social media.
my first coronavirus-modified recipe
Last week I wasn’t concerned when the grocery store was out of chickpeas, because I thought I still had a few cans at home. When I discovered otherwise I still made Rachel’s chana masala recipe, I just used the white beans I had on hand. It turned out well, but I was glad to see chickpeas back on the grocery store shelf this week.
Weekly Run Down
This week adjusting to a new normal meant more at home workouts in my basement gym. I tried more Peleton App workouts and finally did a full 60 minute Corepower yoga video. If you’re looking for other at-home options, I still think the free Johnson & Johnson 7-Minute Workout App is the best for at-home body weight workouts.
Monday: My regular strength workout
Tuesday: 30 minute Peleton App strength workout
I don’t usually do a strength workout two days in a row, but it was too wet to go running with Scooby, so I tried a 30 minute full body workout on the Peleton App. It was a circuit that was fast-paced enough to get my heart rate up, but slow enough that I could still do the moves with good form.
Wednesday: 45 minute Peleton treadmill workout
Rain drove me to the treadmill, and I opted for a 45 minute interval workout. It had a 7-(3)-5-(3)-7-(3)-5 format, with 7 or 5 minutes of progressive pacing (2-3-2 or 1-3-1) and 3 minutes of recovery in between. Yowzie!
Thursday: 30 minute Corepower yoga video
The weather was nicer than I expected, so I took Scooby on a longer walk than usual, and then opted for a 30 minute Corepower yoga video. I was surprised by the cardio segment in the middle and hadn’t realized I selected a “YSB “(yoga sculpt bodyweight) program.
lovely view of my unfinished basement ceiling
Friday: 5.6 Scooby Miles
Finally a dry morning! I don’t know if felt like spring or just smelled like spring with all the fresh mulch in people’s yards, but it was a great run.
Saturday: 60 minute Corepower yoga video
It was pouring, so after taking Scooby on a very wet walk, I finally did a 60 minute Corepower yoga video. Imagine my shock when halfway through the class the instructor said, “Nice, Courtney!”
I think Courtney is the woman in the yellow top.
It really helped with all the stiffness that’s been building up in my neck and lower back. I need to remember that next time I hesitate to hit play!
Sunday: 9 solo miles
I had some groceries to deliver to my Mom and the parking lots for the Mt. Vernon Trail near her house were still open, so I decided to run over there. It was a drizzly, grey, morning, but still a nice change of scenery–and there weren’t too many others out at 7 am.
This is not a black and white photo!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. It’s always great for motivation and encouragement, but now it’s especially important for distance socializing. We may be physically apart, but we are in this together!
Are you adjusting to a new normal or anxious to get back to your regularly scheduled program?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Well done on the home brewed Starbucks. I need to cut out my coffee habit, but for now it’s only $6.54 a week instead of $20.64. It’s the little things in life. I’m also drinking through my home stash and making more room in my pantry.
Ergonomics are hard, but a chair just helped me. Also enjoying my windowed office
I’ve always made Starbucks at home on the weekend. I think that’s why I expect to have more time in the mornings — I expect every morning to be a leisurely weekend morning. Glad you are staying healthy. The NYC numbers are scary!
The field hospital in Central Park hit a little too close to home for me
I can’t say I’ve adjusted yet–the virtual medical visits take a bit of adjustment! I need to start doing video visits, so this week, I’ll focus on learning that. All this technology is definitely a steep learning curve for me! But I’m getting it.
Think of all the money you’re saving right now! Home brewed coffee…I’m not seeing Sammy Jo, no CF classes, no hair appointments, no cleaning lady…the list goes on!
Thank goodness I haven’t had to do any video conferences for work! I definitely will desperately need hair and nail appointments when they are allowed again!
Mmmm…that chana masala looks so yummy! It’s weird, the random items stores seem to run out of. Who would have thought there would be a chickpea shortage?
I bet Scooby is happy to have you working from home.
I think I am going to do a yoga video this afternoon.
I think Scooby is confused — I’ve never hung out in this corner of the basement! But it’s got a nice rug for him to nap on.
I do love a good chana masala. Something I always order at Indian restaurant. Glad to see you are enjoying the peloton classes. I am liking exploring new ones to do. You might even become a convert and buy the bike!
Hah! I don’t think so. My husb did offer to put my bike on a trainer, but so far I have enough to do with Scooby miles, treadmill workouts, strength and yoga. I do need to get on my bike, though. Its been ages.
It sounds like you’ve set up a good routine now! I too don’t have to set my alarm quite as early, but I still try to ‘get ready’ for work and stay focused as much as possible. But it’s most certainly an adjustment!
I’m definitely focused on work during work hours, but am distracted from whatever I’m working on by checking work emails more often. I need to stop that before it becomes a habit!
I’ve been getting up at my “normal” time as if I was going to work, but I do my workout in the morning during the time I would normally use to get dressed and drive to work. I’m trying to keep a pretty solid routine during the week which has been helpful, but I don’t think I’ve totally adjusted to this new normal yet.
Hopefully by the time we are adjusted it will be over. 🙂
I’m really loving this time at home. Work is going well, and I have to say that I do not miss the commute or the rush in the evenings to get the kids to all of their activities. I love your “not black and white” photo from this morning.
Thanks. There were green trees nearby and I didn’t try to keep them out of frame, but that’s what happened! I do have more energy in the evening without dealing with traffic
I’m totally missing my in studio OTF workouts and group runs. I’ve done a few of the at home workouts but haven’t really been into it much at all. I’m worried that they will start policing the popular running routes in town too- no one is really adhering to the social distance thing along those routes. Everyone is gonna ruin this for us which makes me sad. So far I’ve been lucky though.
The OTF at home workouts just are not the same! The crowded trails are frustrating. It’s one thing if it’s just a lot of individuals/families out, but hard not to get upset if its groups of friends. Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them ….
As you know, my routine has not really been affected much…yet. I’m extremely grateful for that, and am not taking anything for granted. Since I’m such an “at-home” workout gal, I feel like I kind of had a head start on all the fitness social distancing LOL Like you, I’m also thankful for our tribe of bloggers…we all are sticking together, and we all got each others’ backs.
There’s too many cases in the area to take the warnings lightly. We haven’t even gotten take-out, although I think it will be time to support our local pizza place soon!
Hahaha, I would have loved to have seen your face when the instructor called out your name!
Nice that you can work more regular hours now. Are you feeling more rested than usual?
It’s such a crazy time right now! At least it sounds like you have a pretty good routine in place. I feel like I am all over the place just trying to get work done whenever I can. Glad I have my workouts to get me through this!
I’m trying to settle in to this new “normal” since it looks like we’re gonna be isolating for awhile. Cook county (Chicago) closed their forest preserves, which means all their trails are closed. I’m hoping our county does not follow suit, although the trails I run most often are not part of the forest preserve, thankfully. It’s all so unnerving.
I’m slowly adjusting but every day there are more and more restrictions and now there’s a threat of an actual lockdown, as in, not even running in the neighbourhood will be allowed. With no confirmed cases in the country, I still find it overly extreme but I guess the Gov is trying to be as proactive as it can as our health system wouldn’t cope. Let’s hope these strict measures work.
That’s great that you were able to run on the Mt. Vernon Trail in the morning without too many people! There were too many people for comfort the last time I tried Rock Creek Trail but it was the afternoon. Maybe I’ll try it again in the morning.
Ugh. I’m trying to make iced coffee at home but it’s just not the same. Wahhhh! Just kidding. It’s fine (I mean, the coffee is gross, but it’s fine).
Scooby must be loving all the extra love and walks. The pugs seem a lttle confused as to why we are here all the time, but they are getting over it.
Today, we started distance learning, and it’s going ok thus far. This will be the new normal, so it’s taking some getting used to.
My office is my kitchen table. Sometimes I take my lap to my room and work from there while I watch TV. Not ideal but at least I get the job done. 🙂 I am anxious to get back to my routine. I miss seeing my kids and my coworkers.
About the only thing that has changed for me is that I have fewer coworkers at my office (half of them now work remote!) and I get to sleep in a bit more due to marathon training being canceled. I got the Peloton trial membership and have been browsing the classes. I hope I get to try out a lot more of them, but so far I’ve only done one strength class. It was fun!
LOL about the call out to you during your Corepower video. I’ll bet it made you laugh!
You’re doing a good job keeping up with your workouts. Glad that you are able to work from home. I’ll bet that Scooby loves having you home! Bandit & Lola always love having their pack together. Even though they miss their kongs from when I go out (since Mr. Judy is home, no reason to give them their kongs, especially after Lola’s bout with GI issues when he was away in Feb), they are happy to hang at home.
I won’t say my life hasn’t changed at all, but in general, it’s not that much different.
One of my neighbors was mowing his lawn on Saturday when I took my walk and the smell of freshly cut grass was wonderful. Good for you for keeping your early workout schedule. Since not all of my clients are opting to go virtual, I have more time now and have gotten a little lazy about getting up so early…
You did a good job with your workouts and it sounds like you’re doing a good job settling into new routine!
Since I already work at home the biggest change for me is getting use to having my husband here working and both boys “distance learning” – that and I really miss my OTF classes.