COVID-19 Quarantine

So I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to work from home which I have been doing now for two weeks. But it is amazing how little I move around while working at home. My step count is 1/10 what it was, I never use the stairs etc.

With the Y closed, no more swimming, and all my running has to be outside. That has gone ok so far since it has warmed up some and the roads are at least clear of ice. Spring really hasn't arrived quite yet, and temps are still hovering around 40 degrees for a high.

It seemed warm enough the other day to actually bike outside. I didn't feel like getting my tri bike off the trainer though so I just pumped up the tires and checked the brakes on my road bike and set off for an hour+ ride. Now I haven't ridden my road bike outside in at least a year. I haven't ridden it all since October. It is just different. Different position, no electronic shifting etc. Plus my butt was not used to that saddle or position either. My road bike doesn't have a power meter on it, or even a cadence sensor so it was a "naked" ride with just HR.

But it was good to get outside even if the temp when I started was 40 degrees. My fingers got a little cold after a while, and about an hour in my feet also started to get cold. But it was fun to feel a breeze on my face that didn't come from a fan.

I am going to need to change up my routine some more. Add a walk or extra easy bike ride to my schedule just to get some extra exercise. The home "cafeteria" is too convenient to my office and everything is free there! Too many temptations.

Like everyone else, races are cancelled, my move to Phoenix which was supposed to happen next week is now on hold permanently. I give a less that 50% chance that the Amsterdam race will happen in September too.

But we are all in this together. Trying to stay healthy, flatten the curve, and survive this until we find a cure or vaccine and a sense of normalcy can return.

Longer Outdoor Run

I got out of the house and did this run. It was like 10 degrees colder than last week when I ran outside so I threw on one extra layer and added a hat and I was perfect. I am still battling this cold though, that coupled with the cold air meant my nose was running like crazy! Ugh.

I choose a different route to run today. Actually it is the start of my normal bike route. It was a good choice because the road had been swept and was free of gravel! So an out and back and it went well.

I kept the same HR goals as I have been all winter and that ended up with a slower pace than I do on the treadmill, but it is what it is.

So good run today.

First Outdoor Run at Home

It was beautiful outside today so I decided to do my first outdoor run here in Duluth this year. I took a guess as to layers required, and I hit it perfect. Lots of sand/gravel on the roads and sidewalks but otherwise it was good running conditions.

I had started a second loop around the school when I realized that my timing was off and I was going to go way past 40 minutes which was the amount I was supposed to run today. Oops. But in the end it went fine.

It was nice to be outside and get some Vitamin D!