Hanging On By a Thread: 11/29 – 12/5 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

I knew going in this would be a tough week; luckily I didn’t know just how tough it would really be!

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing moving through some major stress.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (45 min), Dogwalk
  • Tuesday: Yoga (60  min),  5 mile run
  • Wednesday: Yoga (60 min),1 mile recovery run, Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga, (40 minutes), 2ish mile hike at Olana
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min),  2ish mile walk at mom’s
  • Saturday: A walk at mom’s
  • Sunday:  Yoga (40 min), 2ish mile hike at Harrier Hill Park

Running Mileage: 9  (-3) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

Am I the only one that sees a face in this tree trunk?

Tuesday Intention: go long-er
I started the week knowing that a long run probably wouldn’t happen this week. So I decided to see if I could get the miles in with two long-er runs this week — first up was 5 miles. My pace went back and forth the entire run — I’ve no idea why! It was also quite cold, but not nearly as brutal as last week’s long run.

Snow continues to taunt me. We’ve had snow showers for several mornings in a row, and it can be lovely to run in a light snow shower. Only the snow stops every time by the time I’m starting my run.

Christmas, meet Thanksgiving

Wednesday Intention: recover
I started Tuesday with a tweaked shoulder, no idea why as the day before was a rest day, but by the end of the run yesterday it was gone. Tested out new Saucony trail shoes. Oddly enough the first time I wore Saucony was for trail shoes, and I had to go up a half size (different model). I decided to try my regular running shoe size and I think it’s okay, although they do seem a bit short. A dull, gray run — Winter may not technically be here, but the weather has mostly felt more like January than late Nov/early December lately.

Scenes from Olana, my mom’s menorah, & a very muddy hike today

Favorites of the week
I was able to get in a little hiking this weekend, with varying results. i stopped at a new park which had lovely views on one side, and lots of mud on the other — and not many views, either, although there were supposed to be. Apparently I didn’t take the right trail. Thank goodness for wool socks.

I wasn’t able to get in much running, though. I went on Thursday to take my mom to her cardiologist. On Friday there was an assessment for Palliative care, which apparently is a branch of Hospice, but she passed right over that and qualified for Hospice. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (remember two years ago my father was on Hospice, but very different reasons).

After the assessment a nurse basically does another assessment, and hopefully gets the go ahead to admit her onto Hospice. That appointment hadn’t been scheduled yet, as the initial assessment was relatively late on Friday.

Unfortunately much later that night my mom had a panic attack. Because she hadn’t yet been admitted onto Hospice, we couldn’t get help from them. The aide and I spent several hours trying to calm her, which worked at first but she got worse and worse and I finally had to call 911. My sister met her at the hospital while I worked the phones at home, and I’m so grateful that we were able to get an appointment for later on Saturday to get her admitted to Hospice — rather than to the hospital.

If this sort of thing happens again, at least we now have some meds at home that might help her calm down, and also can have a Hospice nurse come out and access her needs.

Needless to say, it was a very grueling four days, with not a whole lot of sleep either. Fingers crossed that things will begin to stabilize for her now and she will not be so anxious.

ICYMI: I know 18 minutes isn’t really a “short” warmup, but for Yin Yoga it is! I really like doing Yin Yoga before a run when I have the time.

18 Minute Yin Yoga Runner Warmup click here

Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday it’s what to look for if you’re shopping for a new treadmill. Friday I’m sharing my top five Yogi Tea flavors.

35 thoughts on “Hanging On By a Thread: 11/29 – 12/5 WRD”

  1. Sorry about your mom. Maybe it’s the best thing for her.

    Been to Harrier and a few others In that area a while back. I had a nice hike today in Greenwich. Muddy though.

    I wear a size up for trails because I wear heavier socks. Altras.

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    1. I was basically walking through a stream at one point — even though it was a trail. Water completely over my boots & inside, too. As I said, thankfully I wear Smartwool socks & they were dry by the time I got back to the car — although I did have more socks since iKd been there 4 days.

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      1. I don’t remember much about the trail across from Harrier so I must not have liked it. Even harrier was too short to be worth the hike.

        Now most trails are muddy and then they get icy or snowy. Already put my spikes in the trunk.

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    1. Prayers for your MIL, Michelle. Yes, it’s very hard. She is still freakin’ strong actually, but she just seems to be going downhill rapidly. The anxiety is the worst. I really hope Hospice can give her more peace of mind going forward.

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  3. I’m so sorry about your mom. But I’m glad that she has the support of hospice. As you know, they are amazing. Make sure you take time for yourself. You’re going to need that.

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  7. Ugh, sounds like a really rough week. I’m glad your mom will be in hospice care from now on- they’ll take really good care of her! My biggest regret about my parents is that we didn’t get them into hospice care sooner. And it will take some of the pressure off you as well. I hope it all goes well!

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    1. My Dad was on hospice too. Very different circumstances but they were wonderful with him. I don’t even know how people can do that! It’s a calling, I guess. Things still aren’t great but it’s just all getting set up.

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  8. Oh my! I’m so sorry, Judy. I can’t even imagine the mental and physical stress of dealing with your mum’s panic attack.
    The hospice is a great solution, although of course, it is bitter-sweet. Thinking of you! Wishing you a lot of strength to deal with this.

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  10. Sending you tons of hugs Judy. Definitely sounds like a very hard past few days. It sounds like hospice care is the right step for your mom at this time and that she will be able to get the best level of care.

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  11. Sorry about your mum, that’s really tough for all of you. Hospice staff here are the best, so I hope there, too, and will be so good at calming her. Lots of care to you. We’re going through all sorts with husband’s parents at the moment, it’s a constant worry, isn’t it.

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    1. I’m so sorry you’re going through tough times with parents,too. My Dad was also on Hospice two years ago & it was a very good experience although the circumstances were very different.

      The Hospice nurse came today. I was back home so unfortunately my sister had to go although I dropped in using the Amazon Echo. Unfortunately my mom had another very rough night but the nurse seemed really capable so I’m hopeful we’ll get her some better quality of life.

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    1. I have run by the tree literally hundreds of time, and it’s the first time I noticed that!

      Yes, it’s tough, and she’s still struggling, but the nurse seems very capable and I like the plan she has in place. And while it’s definitely very tough on me, even tougher for my sister.

      Life can be messy. 😦

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  17. I am so sorry to hear that your mom had such a rough week, and as a result, your family as well. I hope that you can everything with Hospice ironed out quickly so she can get the care she needs. Sending hugs your way, Judy!

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