I was going through my emails the other day and I came across one that reminded me of everything going on with the COVID-19 pandemic. It stated: Dear Life: When I said “can my day get any worse”, it was a rhetorical question, not a challenge. We still have to follow the social distancing, and avoid large groups, and if going out, the CDC still recommends people wearing masks. Some days are tougher than others. Many facts, and myths, are going around. Listening to the news, and especially Facebook, you don’t always hear the truth. So, to start off with, some facts.
Symptoms of COVID-19 that truly have the most significance include cough, or Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. These are the two main symptoms when considering testing. Other symptoms to consider include: Fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste of smell. We have to consider all things when deciding on who to test. We also have to consider who has had exposure to someone that they know of who has tested positive. Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests, and antibody tests. A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. It is a nasal swab. An antibody test might tell you if you had a previous infection, but a “positive” test is difficult to interpret due to the variable performance of the antibody test currently available. This one is a blood test.
You also hear of the terms isolation and quarantine. Isolation is for people who are already sick. It means isolating, or separating yourself from others to reduce the potential of the spread of the disease. Quarantine is for people who are not sick, but may have been exposed. They must stay at home, or another location, so they don’t unknowingly spread the disease. There are recommendations in regards to the decision to discontinue isolation that should be made in the context of local circumstances. These are taken directly from the Department of Health:
Time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy: Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions: –At least 3 days (72 Hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications AND Improvement of symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, etc), AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have NOT had any symptoms may discontinue isolation when: at least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and have had no subsequent illness provided they remain asymptomatic. For 3 days following discontinuation of isolation, these persons should continue to limit contact (stay 6 feet apart) and wear a face mask to limit dispersal of respiratory secretions.
Individuals with suspected COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolation) can stop home isolation after 3 things have happened: You have no fever for at least 72 hours without the use of any medicines to reduce fevers, AND you have had improvement of symptoms, AND at least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
If you have fever with symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, etc) but have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and have not tested positive for COVID-19, you should stay home away from others until 72 hours after the fever and symptoms get better.
You have heard Governor Noem state many times that this COVID-19 pandemic is a marathon. I cannot think of a better description for this pandemic. For those of you who are not familiar with what a marathon truly is, let me explain. I have done multiple marathons in the past, and until you have done one, you truly do not know what this entails. This is also a perfect description of this pandemic. A marathon is not something you just jump into. It is 26.2 miles! Getting ready to run one can take 4 months, and even as long as a year. This is what we have been doing now in regards to this pandemic. Then the day finally comes and you think you are ready. The marathon starts, and it takes that first 5 or 6 miles to even get into a groove. Then you start feeling a little bit more comfortable and start finding your pace as you are building up with it. From mile 10-15 you are kind of in cruise control, and everything is going along fine. You get past mile 15, and then you start feeling it. Things start getting tougher. Your mind starts wandering a little bit more. You wonder if you have done enough to be prepared for everything of this. You keep pushing it, and then you get to mile 20. Things have been going along ok, and then just like that, it feels like you just got smacked with a 2 x 4. You only have 6.2 miles to go, but that 6.2 miles feels like another 20! This is where it gets tough. You are now monitoring things by the quarter mile, and half mile intervals, trying to get your way through it, and to convince yourself that you can do it. You get to the point where you do not think that you can finish. And then, finally, you get there. You feel relief…exhaustion…and the feeling of a huge sense of accomplishment that you did it. Just like we have all been doing during this pandemic. Where are we at in this marathon pandemic right now? I don’t know, but I think somewhere in that mile 10-15 where we are on cruise control. But, it is not over by any stretch of the imagination. It is still coming, and the numbers have been picking up. We need to focus, and hang on. The tough part is coming. Don’t let your guard down now. This is a marathon like no other…one that we have never experienced before. Finishing a marathon is a state of mind that says anything is possible. So, overall, while we are going through this, be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody!
There will be light at the end of the tunnel! Keep going forward. Stay focused. And…keep moving everybody!
With all of the issues surrounding this COVID-19 pandemic, it is now even more important to get out and exercise, whether biking, running, walking, or whatever. The stress from all of this gets to a point where you just need to blow off some steam, and frustrations, and at the same time, just plain get away from everything that is going on now. You can’t listen to the TV, or the radio, without getting an every 30 second update on everything related to COVID. There are other things going on too. First and foremost, you cannot neglect taking care of yourself either! The weeks are stressful enough, and now with Memorial Day weekend coming up next week, it will be a nice 3 day break from everything. After all…
Exactly! It is time for a break. Utilize this opportunity coming up, and do yourself a favor, and shut off the TV, and radio, and your phone, and get outside and enjoy some activity. Whatever it is, just get outside!
Time to put a smile back on your own face, and enjoy some time for you. My walks after a day at the clinic have been a great way to unwind from the day, and Dakota loves it too.
There have been more virtual running events going on lately, and we have done two of them already. One was a 5k, and another a 10k run. Here Sarah is after finishing her 10k last weekend.
The bottom line with all of this, get outside, and forget about what is all going on lately. Take care of you, and your mind, as well as your body. You can’t under estimate how exhausting all of this can be, and the stress caused by all of this. Depression is a big deal, especially now! If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t help anybody else.
This too will pass. Eventually…when though, is the question. Keep looking at the positives in your life. I had to go look through some other pictures here lately, and I found this next one of the Sunrise occurring over Lake Kampeska a few years ago. I could sit and look at the this picture for a long time, just like I spent a lot of time looking at the view that day I took the picture as well.
Someday, and hopefully very soon, we will be running with our run club twice a week again. We have been holding off, practicing the social distancing, but as the weeks have gone by, it has been tougher and tougher, and I miss running with my friends. We need to start getting back to some degree of reality. What that reality is though is unknown at this time. Keep trying. Keep being safe. Don’t let your guard down.
I definitely will be jumping for joy again when we can all get back together running, and actually post pictures about it as well! The Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings are now just leaving an empty space. I don’t know how much longer we can keep doing this. Continue on trying to get out at least on your own, and take in the scenery. Drive to the lake and take off walking or running from there. Especially early in the morning, or late in the evening. The view is breath taking.
Sarah and I just signed up for the Run From Covid Virtual 5k being held the weekend of June 19-22. How fitting to be having this now! Watertown DASH is sponsoring this, so start getting ready. Walk or run, it does not matter. Just get going! Keep moving everybody!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there! You know what you all do for your family! The sacrifices, the work, the love, and continuous caring you do for your kids and family. Where do you begin to say Thanks? You are always there when you are needed. To start with, a special note of appreciation to Sarah for everything you do for our kids, and me! Thank you just is never really enough. One thing I have noticed over time is that as the kids get older, the more they appreciate mom!
Sarah not only has time to take care of our kids, but also finds time to take care of everybody at the clinic…her patients. Then when time allows, she takes care of herself by trying to keep herself fit and healthy. No easy task.
Even with all this going on with the pandemic, she had to become a barber for me…her oldest, most challenging kid! Here I am praying before hand that I still had some hair left afterwards. But, as usual, she did a great job! She is always willing to help out wherever needed.
She is out every morning to walk Dakota, rain or shine. This is how she starts every day.
Then other days she is out with our daughter Megan as they take both Dakota and Dobby for a walk. Always full of energy, and always willing to step in.
And, of course, a special thanks to my mom. She lives in Sioux Falls, and they have been especially hit hard with this pandemic. She has been stuck in her house, and the boredom is getting to her. I have my sister, and several brothers living there too. They are helping her with everything they can. We have not even been able to go down and see her, much less help get things done. I call several times a week, but it is not the same. I am hoping this eases up soon so I can actually see her in person. I appreciate everything she has done for me and our family as well. So, to all you moms out there, this day is for you!
Thank you moms! You are appreciated, and loved, more than you know! Keep moving everybody!
Last week I ran a Half Marathon–a virtual Half Marathon because the Skedaddle race in SF was cancelled due to COVID-19. It was the furthest I have run in the last 15 months. I was not sure how I would do, both physically and mentally. My health issues took a lot out of me last year, and again, both physically, and for sure mentally. I did not know how I would do, or feel, or if I could make it. Sarah rode her bike along side me the whole way, to keep me company, as she tells me. I think it was more she was going to be sure I was going to do OK with this. She and some of the others in our run group ran it the day before, and of course, following social distancing as well. Our daughter was one of them, who also set a personal best for herself the day before mine. I held off because I had a sore calf, and did not know it I should, or could. Amazingly, everything went fine, and it was a perfect day for weather.
I am definitely feeling like I am alive again, and getting stronger. I am not ready to be done running. It is my escape, and time to think, and when we can all get back to running together again, it is a time to socialize with friends.
Just go! No music, no distractions. Just running with my own thoughts, and some discussion with Sarah on this run.
I finished in 2:04:32. I did not think I would be breaking 2 1/2 hours, and I almost broke 2! I started out easy, and then gradually kept picking it up. It usually takes me a while to get in a groove to begin with, and this day was no exception. Physically I was able to do it, but I think, and even more important, my mind could handle it. I proved to myself I still could do what I love to do. It has been a slow process, but I continue to keep improving. What more could I ask for?
Boy is this the truth! I will never take it for granted again. We are all human, and cannot control everything. Many of us do not get second chances to do what we love to do. Many of us don’t even get second chances with life. Keep going each day, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. Don’t leave behind any unfulfilled dreams or goals.
Go find yourself! Whether running, walking, or other activity. Just keep moving! Utilize your time. “Choose wisely!” Never lose sight of your dreams/goals. There will be setbacks along the way, but don’t let them control your future. It may take longer to get there, but in the end, you will be stronger, both physically and mentally, to take on anything in life that comes along. Personal goals are different at this point compared to what they were when I was younger. Times achieved with the runs still provide me some degree of improvement for me, but the ultimate achievement is that I can still participate, regardless of how fast I may be anymore. I had those days already.
Now, for me, it is more important to see those sunrises on those early morning runs, or the sunsets on those late evening walks. I have to admit, I am taking the time to appreciate them more often. I am seeing things in a different light. They have always been there, but I have just been too busy to pay attention. I think that could be said for all of us. Slow it down, take the time to look, and appreciate what you see. This health experience has helped me to do that, so not all things bad are completely bad. Look for the positives in life. They truly have more meaning. Keep focused on that while you keep going. Keep moving everybody!
Working out as a family not only pushes you to get moving, but you can all gain strength at the same time. We all have particular exercises we like doing, but strength training is important for all of us. It not only makes us stronger, but endurance, balance, and coordination can all improve as well. When you are done, you can see which one of you in the family can have bragging rights for that day on who “killed that workout”!
A portion of my garage is converted into what I call the Reiflex Center, our personal gym, where we can work on weights, and body strength exercises. Some other additional equipment helps too, such as kettle bells, hand weights, weighted balls, and jump ropes. You can also be creative with certain exercises with make shift equipment. The best equipment to have is you! Show up! There are all kinds of body weight activities to do as well that are also very good for gaining strength.
They are numerous different activities that you can do to gain strength. With everything going on with the pandemic right now, we are out there 3 days a week, for up to 30 minutes each time, doing a variety of exercises. Typically Sarah and I will do 5 different exercises, with different repetitions depending on what the activity is, completing 1 round of all 5 activities, and then repeating for 5 different sets. We are sweating when we are done!
We can keep each other motivated, as well as have some fun. When our daughter Megan joins us, we can have someone else to push, or laugh at as well!
Especially when she is struggling with the push ups! Unless you have done them, you don’t know how tough they can be!
The biggest thing is we can all get a workout in, but we can have fun doing it. It is times like this when you have to be creative. That is what I like about working out at home. I have my own access 24/7, and just have to walk to the garage. You don’t need to have a lot of fancy equipment, you just have to move. The music is going, and we are laughing, but we are getting activity as well. The strength training is important, and we all need to do this 2-3 times a week. It is amazing how far we have already come in regards to this, and how much this helps our running for Sarah and I, and swimming for Megan. Be creative. You need a little space. What I have spent on equipment already has long been paid for with what a membership would cost, and I truly can use it anytime. What are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody!
