This was such a tragically sad week, not just in Minneapolis, but across the country. I am outraged, saddened, and scared.
To see a brutal murder occur at the hands of a police officer is unbelievable and heartbreaking. I pray for justice and peace. I’m in shock. I love my city so much and it is hurting right now.
I don’t have the right thing to say; no matter what I write here, it feels shallow. If you’re looking for a way to give, there are a lot of great ways to help; here is a helpful list.
I considered not writing a weekly recap this week. It feels so out of touch to write about running when my city is in turmoil. But I don’t want to skip journaling just because it’s not pretty. The hard weeks are reality too.
So here’s my recap, short and simple.
Monday: Memorial Day. Dustin and I ran 7.3 miles together, 8:40 min/mile average and then picked up both dogs for 1.2 miles more, 8.5 miles total for the day. It was very humid and sweaty.
Tuesday: 8.2 miles before work. I picked up Ruth for the last 1.5 for some birthday miles!
She’s now a year old. How time flies.
1:1 virtual strength training session after work with Discover Strength, followed by Punch Pizza! My favorite Neopolitan style pizza place has been closed for probably 12 weeks. They opened up again (take-out only, you have to place an order and pickup time online) and I was so excited to have their pizza again.
Wednesday: I have a 7 am zoom meeting, so I actually starting running at 5:15, just like pre-quarantine. It took some mental strength to actually get up that early, but I was glad I got it done.
The workout was 20 minutes easy warm-up, then a ladder of 2 min/90 seconds/1 min/30 seconds at progressively faster paces, 4 sets. 8 miles total.
Ruth continued her birthday celebrations with doggy daycare at Pampered Pooch Playground.
Thursday: 8.2 miles before work, 9:10 min/mile average.
Friday: 4 miles with Ruth before work, 8:55 min/mile average, virtual 1:1 strength training over lunch.
Saturday: I had plans to meet up with Christie and Julie for a long run, socially distanced, of course, which is easy enough with the lake paths still closed to car traffic.
But Friday was a stressful night and I did not sleep well. To be honest, I was nervous about running in the morning as I just wasn’t sure what we would encounter. I live in south Minneapolis, but probably 2-3 miles from the heart of the protests, but even on Bde Make Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun), you could see and smell the smoke, (pictured above.)
After lots of texting, Julie, Christie, and I decided to meet for the run and end early if necessary. We ended up covering 12.5 easy miles at a 9 min/mile pace. It felt REALLY good to run with two friends and talk through some of what is going on. Very therapeutic.
I fully recognize that we are three privileged women who are very fortunate to even have the means to go for a run during all of this. That doesn’t escape me.
Saturday night, Minneapolis had an 8 pm curfew. We did our part and stayed home.
Sunday: Dustin and I ran 4 miles with Ruth, dropped her off at home, and then ran another 1.2 with Matilda.
I don’t want Matilda to feel left out, but she’s not really up for longer runs anymore. 5.2 miles total. 8:30 min/mile average.
Summary: 54.5 miles of running, just two virtual strength training sessions this week.
I hope you are all staying safe. Running definitely helps me with the stress of it all and I’m grateful for this community. 2020 is just not our year, is it?
It’s great to have the ability to stay connected virtually and support each other; this link-up hosted by Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner ‘s is a great way to do so! Check it out below:
Running sure does help with all this stress but I would be a little nervous out there too right now. We have had riots in DC as well but we are in the suburbs so it’s ok for now. Tough week all around. Glad you did linkup and yes it is important to keep doing so for your own mental health
Thanks Deborah.
I also considered not posting, but normalcy is helpful. My son came to our lake house yesterday from Madison and they had rioting there too. This morning, he went to State Street to help clean up. He works at a salad restaurant there and they didn’t have any damage. Guess no one wanted lettuce. The whole thing is horrific and sad. I sure hope for healing!
I will be having to get up early on Tuesdays for a run before work as I start training for Ice Age! I hope it doesn’t get canceled.
Maybe there’s better luck for trail races since they are generally more spaced out.
It must be surreal to see that smoke so close. It was an easy decision not to run in D.C. this morning, but another reminder that I have the privilege to put it out of my mind. Thanks for sharing places for donations. And thanks for posting. You’re right that hard weeks are real too— and worth remembering.
Agreed. Thanks for reading and commenting Coco.
I thought about not posting too. It seems so frivolous when there’s so many other things going on right now. I hope that this week is better. Thanks for sharing the ways to help. That’s a good place to start.
Thanks Angela.
Awww, happy first birthday to Ruth!
I immediately thought of you when I heard about the horrible things happening in your city. It’s certainly been a difficult week.
Thank you Debbie, I appreciate your thoughts!
I didn’t realize you were that close to what was happening there. I am glad we are able to find some escape from all of the craziness these days in our running and other activities.
That picture from the doggy cam is so cute! You beat me – I had to get up at 5:15 to meet my friends, and you started running at 5:15! That was a tough wakeup time for me! Great workouts this week!
Yes, I live in the city. It’s been a stressful time, to fear that your house could burn down while still supporting the cause.
Des Moines has been hit hard with rioting as well. Curfews the last three nights (which many aren’t following). It’s so ugly, and so sad. I’m so sorry for all the heartache, especially in your city. That said, I also had mixed feelings about what to write about…I didn’t want to dwell on the events, but it didn’t feel right not give them a mention. Ugh. Happy Birthday to “baby” Ruth 😉
I think Minneapolis is in rougher shape than Des Moines. It looks like a war zone.
I’m sending you some virtual hugs in these tough times. Thank goodness that we have running. Happy Birthday Ruth!
Thank you Becket.
2020 has challenged us in more ways than imaginable! But we will come out stronger on the other side.
Sounds like despite the turmoil, you had a good week. And Happy Birthday to Ruth!
2020 is a year to remember.
I thought of you often this week as everything unfolded. I feel so sad and helpless. Glad you are safe and I pray you continue to be. Happy Birthday to Ruth!
Thank you for thinking of me Marcia.
The events of last week have weighed heavy on my heart for days. So sorry for what is happening in MSP. I do hope that the unrest in the city will stop – I can’t imagine how scary this must be for you and everyone else living in the MSP area.
I’m happy that you still posted your weekly wrap up. I think that trying to keep some kind of normalcy in this trying times is super important.
It is scary to fear that your house might burn down, while also completing supporting the cause.
Happy birthday, sweet Ruth! I had many of the same thoughts about not writing a recap this week. I do the same as you as far as journalling, so I decided to continue.
Thank you Jenn.
I thought of you this week. Everything that is going on also makes me sad, scared, and angry. Sending hugs to you. Another great week for you! 7am Zoom meeting? That makes no sense. 🙂
Right? No one wants to be on zoom at 7 am!
I love your phone background. I am so glad to hopefully be done with the curfews here too. Those pictures are so heartbreaking. Glad you and friends found ways to run safely