As I wrap up my fourth month of working from home, I am grappling with my new routine–and how routine it is. While my life in the before times wasn’t terribly exciting, it did have some variety.
I enjoyed going to different studio classes several times a week–and seeing the different instructors and fellow participants. I enjoyed going out to eat for our Saturday “date nights.” I even enjoyed my business trips–especially when my itinerary had room for a scenic run or dinner with a friend. My new routine has none of that variety, and I think that’s why it’s so tiring.
My New Routine
Monday through Friday my day goes like this:
5ish: get up
5:30: take Scooby out
6ish-7ish: workout
7ish-8:00: shower/breakfast/Facebook 🙂
8:00-6ish: work (with a quick lunch break between conference calls)
6ish-7:30: cook dinner, eat, clean up
7:30-1o:00: relax (tv, puzzle, reading)
Wash.Rinse.Repeat.
#seenonmyrun excitement I can do without–
one of the hornets stung me on my head. 🙁
My weekend schedule is more variable, but usually involves the same activities week in and week out: a bike ride, a longer run, grocery shopping, laundry, household chores, take-out Saturday night, church on Sunday.
Wash.Rinse.Repeat.
Excitement I’m still figuring out–Pelothon 2020—
a combination food bank fundraiser and workout challenge
With daily new coronavirus cases rising in Virginia again and infection rates climbing across the country, I don’t see my new routine changing anytime soon. I’m trying to add variety where I can–trying new places for take-out, exploring new bike routes–but there’s only so much I can do differently while trying to stay healthy at home.
Weekly Run Down
After reading about my boring life, it will come as no surprise that the highlight of my week was meeting Deborah for a bike ride. It was so great to see her in person, and since we rode on a weekday we could enjoy the bike path without encountering too many others. I also kept up my “streak” of shorter runs with Scooby and seem to be getting used to our warm, humid mornings–at least for three miles at a time.
Monday: 3 Scooby miles + 40 min Peloton Strength Workouts
Tuesday: 5.7 Scooby miles + 30 min Peloton Strength Workouts
Powerful storms Monday night cleared out some of the humidity, so I took Scooby on our longer neighborhood loop. Since I had gotten up early I still had time for some strength workouts.
Wednesday: 3 Scooby miles + 30 min Peloton Strength Workouts
The humidity was back and I was tired. I chose an easier Peloton combo–a 15 minute body weight workout and a 15 minute core workout.
Thursday: 3 Scooby miles + 60 min Peloton Bootcamp Workout
After Wednesday’s easier day, I was ready for a Peloton bootcamp workout with Jess Sims. OMG it was tough, but I love her energy and positivity,
Friday: 3 Scooby miles + 20 mile bike ride + Peloton Core + Stretching Workouts
Thursday night it looked like the weather might rain out our plans, but luckily the storm missed us so Deborah and I got to enjoy our bike ride.
It was so much fun I hope to do it again soon!
After I got home I took time to do a Peloton core workout and then about 30 minutes of different stretching and yoga programs. My hips and calves are always tight and need all the help they can get.
Saturday: 3 Scooby Miles + 30 Miles Cycling
I started the day with my three mile loop with Scooby.
After a quick breakfast, my husband and I headed out for a bike ride along the shaded roads around my mom’s neighborhood.
Sunday: 6 Scooby miles
It was really pleasant out, so I took Scooby for a 6 mile run. I debated going for 8 miles, but reminded myself that I’ve already jumped up my weekly mileage with my daily 5Ks, and the last thing I want to do in these challenging times is get an over-training injury.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. Even if my weeks are pretty much the same, I enjoy seeing what others are doing.
Have you settled into a new routine or are you back to your old routine?
If you’re a Peloton user, did you choose a Pelothon Team?
I’m on #BreakThroughCrew.
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
So great to ride with you looking forward to doing it again soon. I am on the #unstoppables team it should be fun. I am also kind of bored of the same thing everyday. I say the same thing to my husband every night and now it’s kind of like ground hog day!
I forgot about the team thing . . . and I’ll probably forget about it after writing this . . .
I’ll bet that ride with Deborah was fun! My life has not been earth shattering, either. It wasn’t really before, but still . . .
Scooby holds up really well to your runs! The early morning slow walks have the pups snoozing pretty much all day here, but of course Bandit is the youngster at about 12 years.
LOL, I know Peloton’s not your jam. I’m taking motivation wherever I can find it these days.
Scooby’s sensitive to the heat and humidity, but does OK on short runs. I know it’s too hot for him if he keeps taking breaks for *no* reason.
No, I like the app! Not everything, but in general, I do like it. I’m just not one for challenges that much. All the badges are kinda cool to look at, but they don’t motivate me.
Because of Lola’s age, she is super sensitive to the heat. Which is why I have to get out early to walk them. Bandit’s not as bad, but I’ve no doubt as he gets older it’ll happen to him, too.
How wonderful that you could bike with Deborah!
I hear you on the boring-ness of life…but you’re doing a great job staying safe.
So glad you have Scooby for a running buddy! He seems like such a good boy 🙂
I would be in a much worse mood without Scooby to lure me out the door in the morning. He really gets my days off to a good start.
Although I’m not into the Peloton workouts (my bad!), it will be fun following all of you who are doing this new challenge. Your workouts are so consistent; I had forgotten how much you utilized the various classes before having to do most of your workouts at home. Glad to see you and Deborah got to go riding together…so jealous 😉
It was really great to see her in person! I riding kept us safely apart while we chatted. 😉
I think a lot of feel like we’re stuck living the boring life! I completely feel you on it. My trips to the lake are life changing right now. So is seeing my boys. And believe it or not, going to work. LOL Hang in there!
Sounds like you’ve actually got a lot of variety in your life right now. Those lake pictures might make me jealous. 😉
I understand exactly what you mean. I have a routine, but it’s getting pretty boring. I am able to go to OTF, but the class sizes are restricted and the class time dropped to 45 minutes, plus there is no mingling in the lobby or after class, so there isn’t much of a social aspect to that anymore either. Also for me my WFH set up is in my bedroom so I feel like I’m in the same room for SO many hours a day between work and sleeping.
I’m excited for Pelothon, and I love that they are donating so much money to different food banks. I picked team #LegendsOfFun – I couldn’t pass up the combo of Cody and Jess 🙂
It was hard not to pick Jess’s team, but #BreakThroughCrew has more non-cycling instructors I was familiar with. I didn’t realize your WFH set-up was in your bedroom. That would be hard. I hear you on OTF. All those are reasons I’m not anxious to get back. I would spend as much time getting there, parking, going home as I would in class.
I’m with on feeling bored with my new routine – hard to find ways to change things up and do all of the necessary COVID prevention.
You and Scooby have been logging some nice miles – it’s great that he can run with you so much!
Which Peloton team did you join? I’m on the #BreakthroughCrew – should keep the next few weeks interesting!
Oh, me too! It will be interesting to see how it goes!
Scooby is a great running buddy, and always eager to go out the door!
My schedule isn’t that much exciting. Now that summer school is over, I can spend more time reading blogs, watching TV, and decluttering. I am also trying to read more since during the school year I rarely do that.
I also signed up for Pelothon and am on team #LegendsofFun. I joined because of Cody. 🙂
I guess I am missing out on Cody since I don’t do the bike, although it looks like I will have to try with my bike on a trainer to complete this week’s challenge …. I haven’t done any decluttering, but really should.
Yes, do it! Cody is the best! I love him and take all of his classes. Though with this challenge I will be exposed to other trainers which is fine.
So glad you two were able to get together.
Absoposutely on the routine. Trying to count weeks has turned into like one of those parents who is telling you how many months their kid is when they’re 4. I ran out of fingers and don’t want to do division.
My routine:
6ish wakeup
6:45-8ish run/walk.
8-830ish – shower
9-6/7 ish work
7-read by river.
8-bedtime screen break.
So much ish. I need to be better about getting out early on the weekend as 7a ish runs much more pleasant. I love the shade and really need to get out earlier, but I haven’t made that happen as much as I’d like.
WFM lends to an -ish schedule! Might as well enjoy it while we can.
My life right now is an interesting hybrid. Work is so serious about WFH that they deactivated everyone’s badges. And TBH work is so much better at home, it’s less stressful and way more productive. Everything else is pretty much open, so in theory life *could* be back to normal except you take one look at our numbers and it’s like, hmm, don’t really feel like rolling the dice to see if COVID would be just a little cold or a trip to the ICU. I’m with you on not over training. I have started adding an extra quarter to half mile onto most of my runs but right now my body isn’t interested in any more than that.
Wow on the badges. We’re still allowed to go in if we *need* to, but have to get permission. At this point, staying home is a choice, but it’s a choice to stay healthy!
Haha, Coco, you hit the nail on the head! Every week is the same.
However, I think you are right: we have to create highlights by meeting up with friends. I would have loved to have joined you and Deborah!
Well done with your awesome daily 5Ks!
Thanks! They’ve been easier than I expected to keep going.
I’ve gotten into a routine too which can be boring but its also kind of comforting. In terms of work I’m forced to be more flexible because its not like Im sitting in front of my computer for 8 hours straight (instead Im chasing my son around). There’s lot of work that happens at night and on my days off. I dont think my routine will be changing any time soon either.
It must be so hard to work while taking care of him! I know some of our folks who have small kids are working split shifts — early and late.
That’s so fun you could ride with Deborah! What a nice change of pace. I feel you on the routine. It’s pretty routine here too, although now my younger daughter has Driver’s Ed and supposedly Volleyball camp starting up. I’ll believe that when it happens.
Hopefully driver’s ed isn’t too exciting. 😉 I hope volleyball camp happens for her sake, although it is one of those close contact sports they might have to adjust play for.
Scoooooobbbbbyyyyy!
Our routine keeps changing. We get in a groove and then something shifts and we have to adjust. I hate it. Hate. It.
I am so much better when I know what to expect.
Hah, well, there’s that too. I do like to be able to plan. I hope your changes are fun.
We have definitely settled into a routine here! I keep thinking about switching it up, but work has been so busy that there really isn’t an opportunity to. But every day starts with a workout so I can’t complain. Glad you’re able to get in some miles – with and without Scooby. I wish I had a Peloton!
i feel the same way — too busy to much different! I’m doing the Peloton strength and treadmill workouts, so no Peloton bike required. 😉
I have a hard time relating to the stay at home workers because nothing has changed for me. Especially now that the kids are out for the summer. It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 months! I think I would be challenged to focus if I had to work at home all of the time though. It would be a bit odd not to interact with my coworkers.
It’s hard for me to imagine working in an office right now. 😉 With WFH, the interaction with coworkers has to be more deliberate with phone calls and video meetings.
I am so with you on this!!!!
I used to travel a lot. I got to see new places and vary my running routes – Buffalo, Rochester, NYC., all around NYS
Now, it’s routine
get up
breakfast/email./FB/IG
walk or run
work
lunch/walk or run
work
run/walk/hike
dinner
TV/read
go to bed
Routine
It’s great that you’ve worked 3 walk/run breaks into your schedule. I have too many conference calls at lunch time, and my evening work usually runs up to dinner time.