Day 13: 28 March 2020

The outlook for the next few weeks is still not positive. The news keeps comparing the outbreak  diagnosis to the trends in Italy, which means the US has not yet peaked for the number of cases.

Given that we cannot continue to wait around each day, we decided this weekend to try to get some projects completed. Starting with repainting the basement.  We haven’t attempted this for a few years. Not because of any particular reason, just because it was the last room on our list.  Since we are putting our house up on the market, it makes sense to keep things clean and freshly painted for perspective buyers.

It certainly makes the day and the weekend pass quicker, when you have a project to do. And this project is certainly going to take more than a few hours to complete.  If not for this sheer volume of wall space that needs to be painted, but also for amount of furniture we need to move to do it...  including a treadmill, small refrigerator, and a heavy, but not too large TV unit.  

Day 7: Sunday 22 March 2020

Today was not as productive as the earlier part of the week, nor was it as chaotic. We seem to be settling into a "new”norm”, being at home. Together. As a family. Thankful for when the kids find something else to do except being on their phones to “text” or “chat” or worse... the mindless scrolling. Even though they're both in high school, they found great fun in just painting on canvas and coming up with great stuff.

It's hard to believe it’s just the first week.

We're already learning from the media and local schools, that some are already starting to extend their original 2-3 weeks of school closings.

Day 6: Saturday 21 March 2020

 It hasn’t quite been a week, but it feels like an eternity.

 Despite warnings in the media, people still find themselves wandering outside at stores and gatherings. Today, I drove to do a few errands before we anticipate to be under a lockdown starting at 9 PM tonight, of nonessential stores.  The best way to stop the spread of this virus is to self isolate, so that healthcare professionals can treat those affected.

Aside from running errands, we need to have more structure in the day-to feel more productive.

Day 5: Almost first day of Spring

Today was a nice reprieve in the weather, from the cold and blustery temperatures we might typically experience in March. Plus, with the warm weather, it gave many people a reason to leave the quarantine of their homes and get outside for a walk, some exercise or to just feel the warm sun on their face. 

With temperatures today reaching close to 77° in the northeast, it was if it was the start of a new year. And instead of making good on their New Years resolution by heading to the gym and working out, people were outside walking in pairs or as families and pushing baby strollers enjoying the warm weather. 

Tomorrow will be about  20° cooler, but glad to have a chance to take advantage of the weather and getting out to run today. I’ve referred to these short windows of time and exercise as “walking the yard” since it still feels as as if we’re all still confined and restricted in our movements. While it’ll only get more rigorous in the next few weeks as the virus is peaking in the US, running in the warm sunshine is a great and welcome outlet. So, I look forward to more opportunities to “walk the yard”. 

Day 4 of Work from Home: Coronavirus

Day 4 is first day of rain we’ve had in the northeast since last week. Up until now, we could at least get outside. We could take a longer walk with the dogs to break up the monotony or kids could ride bikes or play basketball.

As much as the schedule is getting to be routine, it’s still chaotic and unsettling for my kids. Two very  capable and smart kids, who are now having to learn to manage different scheduling and deliverables of assignments. Since I’ve been worked remotely on occasion many times in my current role, this is not so much a stretch. But I am having to take more time during the day to check-in with my family.

New adjustments still to follow. We’re not even 1 week into this yet.

Day 3

Can’t believe it’s Day 3.
Feels like a week already and it’s only Day 3, with arguably many more weeks to come.

First day in stores trying to find basic essentials since the weekend. A little less chaotic and fewer people in the stores. While many main staples are sold out, like toilet paper, meats, water-some stores are doing better then others to restock.

Forced myself at the end of the day, to finally get outside for a run. It’s wasn’t much, but a run is a run. No matter how long the distance. Now I just have to plan my schedule better, to do my work, help the kids and to get it in earlier. In the meantime, I have to get into a routine for getting outside to run, so that it doesn’t become the same as “walking 20 minutes in the yard”.

Day 2: St Patrick’s Day

Here it is DAY 2 of quarantine and self-isolation and not much has changed in the world or at home.  We’re all still restricted here (New Jersey, US) and required to work from home and kids are getting started with remote learning for their schools. Curfews are starting to come into play, closing businesses still operating for takeout orders earlier and get people off the street by 8pm (vs closing at 9 or 10p).

However, today is also St Patrick’s Day! ☘️
And while my days of dancing a reel or closing the bar after a few pints 😎 are long gone, I feel for  the small business owners and family owned taverns who are losing a tremendous business opportunity today. Makes you wonder if they’ll plan to reschedule all of the parades and events. I guess only time will tell.

Restarting Running in a Panedemic

With the current pandemic of COVID-19 or Coronavirus, restarting anything in our lives or even continuing with some level of normalcy is difficult. The new norm forces us into more independent activity almost isolation. Far less gatherings and events or social occasions, making it even more challenging to self-motivate or inspire others. 

Based on all these changes that we are undergoing, it’s a reminder for all of us to focus on what is important  - so not only will we get through this together, but we become stronger and more unified as a result. 

DAY 1

First day for work at home and remote learning. 

A good trial run, but really no time to get out and run. Have to try to better juggle my scheduling to start to make this part of my day, since I no longer have a commute or need to drop kids at school or pick up. 

Too much to “set up” today and expecting this to be the new norm, at least for a while. The goal is to set up my new training plan this week, so I can start to take advantage of no commute and the (hopefully) warming temperatures. 

Another year

As another year draws to an end, we all can't help ourselves to look back on the past year to set our aspirations and goals for the next year. No matter what we accomplished in the previous year, we all strive to 'do more' with our families, in our professional careers and in our personal goals. We will turn to new diets, cleaning out unwanted clutter in our houses, getting rid of old clothes, starting that more regimented exercise routine or training schedule. Out with the old and in with the new...as the saying goes.

While I was preparing myself for this same routine, I started to clean through unwanted running gear. Old running shirts, that don't exactly get that clean smell any longer - extra wires for fitness trackers, watches and other techno gear. One watch. Two Watches. Fitbits. Then I started to line them up and realized how many I had amassed.

Watches and exercise trackers from Nike, TomTom, Garmin, Fitbit and my most current watch I use, my Apple iWatch.

Finding my Work-Life-Run balance

If the frequency of updates to this blog is any indication, I think it's fair to say that Work-Life-Run balance has not existed for me -- and perhaps the same for others reading this blog. As we all try to keep up with the daily grind of work and home, getting kids to sports/activities, school events, getting through holidays, etc - it is often that we all sacrifice things to help ourselves for the benefit of others.

I was fortunate enough to attend a great leadership session with the team @CCLdotOrg in Colorado Springs a few weeks back and it helped put a great new perspective on this balance. For starters, “self” has to be a priority. In order to achieve this I’ve tried to eliminate any other potential pitfalls to finding the time to run, including:

• bought a new pair of running shoes-so now I can’t wait to run!
• I also bought a new pair for my son as well, so we can run together 
• ‘dusted off’ the treadmill and removed any hanging laundry ;)
• allocated time on my schedule weekly, to carve out time to run

Now, all I need to do is to pick a race to target, so I have a running goal and to keep up writing and posting, to keep myself moving forward.

Happy running!

My 2016 Year In Review-Good & Bad

We have all run into challenges to maintain our running schedules and mileage. Whether it's commitments for family, shuttling the kids to sports & events or even work related distractions, we've all faced them. 

This year was no different. Add to that mix some injury & health issues and you end up finding yourself evaluating more than your weekly mileage!

On a positive note, this year I've had the opportunity again to travel and run experiencing different countries. This year, the list included England, Germany, Switzerland, Canada. I make the best of traveling away from the family to send them snaps via social media to check out where I am; all the while, letting them know I'm safe.

London, England

Niagara Falls, Canada

Basel, Switzerland

Koln, Germany

Other positives include working with a new, exciting start-up/spin-off in healthcare business (hence my travel) and on a family note, seeing both of my kids progress to the next level in their respective activities. My son, playing for an elite/club team in soccer and my daughter making a dance competition team and then being given the opportunity to do more dances in competition.

On a lesser 'positive' note - we've had to experience the injury & health-related issues of not 1, but 2 concussions from soccer. My 12-year old son, has unfortunately suffered 2 concussions in just 5 months. And while he's doing better today-it's been a long road for him. The next few months will bring a lot of caution and physical therapy. Rather than chronicling my own running - I'll be focused on his training and recovery over the next few months. And while soccer remains a question mark for him in the future, he's excited to start his progress running as part of his journey.

So, here's to a Happy, Healthy New Year!!
 

A music icon leaves us, David Bowie

We each have our own preferences on music, especially as it comes to what we like to listen to while working out. The music might change with the type of workout (long distance, 5K race or weight training) but what remains the same is the impression and effect music has on our lives and how it moves us.

 
Today, we woke up to find that music has lost a tremendous influence. 
An innovator. 

And icon.

David Bowie has left us at the age of 69 after a 18-month battle with cancer.

Traveling: Awesome time running in different places!!

Let's face it. Sometimes business travel can be a drag. Running through airports to catch connecting flights (like O.J. Simpson) and being in meetings ALL day where you never see the outside of the building during daylight hours can be a drain. 

Over the span of a few weeks, I had a bit of a crazy work travel schedule - plus - a long weekend away for Memorial Day.  Business trips are not always an ideal for running and activity, since they often consist of being sedentary for the duration of the meeting, but I found a way to not only go out and run outdoors but to also take in some sights! 

During this time, I was fortunate to have the chance to run in multiple states and countries - in the time frame of just a few weeks. Shouldn't all our runs allow us to explore this much?!

Week 1: NY state

Hard Cider Run, Warwick, NY

Week 2: Düsseldorf, Germany

Running along the Rhine River

Week 2 Toronto, Canada

Early morning run on banks of Lake Ontario and through the marina

Week 3: Vero Beach, FL
Florida coastline looking out across the Atlantic Ocean

Week 4: Back in NJ
Having to juggle workouts with work... while taking advantage of on-site facilities

Week 5: Puerto Rico

I can only hope that I have the chance to keep exploring and checking out new places to run!!

It's over...FitBit

Almost a year ago I finally succumbed to peer pressure at work and got a FitBit, which was part of a work wellness challenge. It was supposed to be for a few months and then I was going to let it go.

After getting started, it was a little addictive to check my steps and miles. I did find myself intentionally walking around the house on weekends, to ensure that I would build enough steps, or to volunteer getting up to get something, just to add steps..

Spring has sprung...almost

With the first day of spring upon us -- along with another forecast of a few inches of snow...its a good time to revisit my training progress. 

While one more day on the treadmill won't kill me...enough is enough, right?

To break up the monotony I've taken to the exercise bike for a few miles. This has not only given my legs a rest from running ...but also allowed me to not be as tired; especially since I've been doing so much shoveling. I can only hope that after today's winter storm forecast, that we can look forward to warm, spring weather. 

Now-I just need to pick a race this spring and sign-up! Perhaps a 10 miler or half-marathon should be in order?!

You know it's been a while since you've run when...

Despite the forecast for more winter weather and a little bit of a snow squall this morning, I decided to get myself outside for a change. With all the snow and cold weather in the Northeast, it's not been easy to get outdoors -- especially when the roads haven't been cleared to run on.

Continuing New Year's resolutions

Most people abandon their new year resolutions by February...and some never make it out of January.

So as we turn the corner from February into March, I thought I would get myself back on track with my 2015 training. While the flu and illness sidelined me for a few weeks over the last month, I'm still angling toward a half marathon in the first part of this year...And my stretch goal is to complete 2 or a half and a full marathon this year.

Reinventing my on-going FitBit challenge

A few months ago I posted the number of steps I had taken through our corporate FitBit challenge. My goal was to hit 1 million steps - in less than a month. That would prove to be an aggressive task, given it would be over the holidays and during the winter.



On December 31st, I checked my progress.

Happy New Year and keep running

There's nothing quite like getting up and starting the year off with a great run.

New Year's Eve brought me to my second run streak challenge of the year.
And even though I didn't sign up for a race this year on New Year's Day, I am itching to find a race to keep up my running streak.

Through these running streaks, I've found that even being able to run 1 or 2 miles daily is tremendous mental break. And equally important, is the physical benefits of running daily have helped me to improve endurance and race times by almost a minute in the 5K during the course of my run streak. 

It started in April. When a one month challenge to run everyday during the course of the month, led to a steak of over 100 days. Then we started another challenge (Thanksgiving to New Years) in order to stay fit & active during the changing seasons.

So start your year with a run streak of at least 1 mile per day and see how much better you feel!
Happy New Year!

Ready to run? Yes, on Christmas

Yes I know it's Christmas morning. Why should that stop you from running?

There are a few times during the year that I really enjoy going for a morning run. It might sound cliché, but a morning run on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years mornings are so peaceful and calm. 

I would really enjoy a light snow to run this am but I will take the mild weather instead! 

Enjoy your Christmas morning!