Just checking in. I haven’t played soccer in almost 3 weeks. Two weeks ago, the weather report was for high winds (40+ MPH) and torrential rains so the county closed the fields. Last week, we had a snowstorm and again the fields were closed. Hopefully they will be open this week.
Last week (1/10-14), I was at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim (and yes I did get to Disneyland-- it was awesome). For the days at the convention, I ended up walking 15K+ steps every day.
My back is feeling much better today, with some residual soreness or stiffness. Once I’m moving around, and the blood is flowing, my back feels as if nothing happened.
Of course I’ve been taking Advil every 4-6 hours.
Ran 6-ish miles around the local towns today. And my plan is to squat tomorrow, but stay light(er). Hopefully, the HIIT doesn’t have any burpees or devils presses. 
I continue to do my thing. I live fairly close to @jmnva06, and the ground here is still covered in snow. I’ve had to move to indoor pickleball, but it’s nice to have that option (although it costs 11 bucks a session compared to free outside).
I’m continuing to bike (indoors) more to prep for our New Zealand trip, which is now less than 2 weeks away. We will be doing a 14 day small group tour, with mostly biking, but some hiking. Before and after that we have 14 days on our own, including a 12 mile hike, kayaking, and other activities. I’m starting to stress more about what to pack, but that’s for another thread. I was surprised to find out I can’t bring pseudoephedrine (Mucinex DM) into the country. It’s my “wonder drug” when I start having sinus issues.
@sushiritto Hopefully your back is on the mend already (wanted to reply yesterday, but alas…no posting allowed), but I did want to say if you have any concerns about round the clock advil, those salonpas patches work surprisingly well.
As for me, continuing with the bit of weight training I’ve started. I have progressed from using just my own body weight for some of the lower body exercises to including 8lb weights for some added “oomph.”
Also, focusing on mobility - lots of stretching and “mobility challenges” each morning as soon as I wake up.
Cardio is at an all-year low (as it was this time, last year). I have been walking when I can, but it’s been too cold for me to get my 5 miles many days. Playing indoor pickleball once a week, and toying with the idea of adding one day of lap swimming to my winter routine (definitely still in the just thinking about it phase on that one).
That’s interesting about the Mucinex! Is there a certain ingredient in it that’s taboo??
It’s been a “no go” for any outdoor exercise except for short pup walks the last two weeks here. This morning we’ve had an ice event that has all the schools closed. I’ve been exercising inside (thank goodness for youtube videos), using our Airdyne bike some (though it’s boring for me) and HOPEFULLY our ice/snow is going to melt enough the next couple of days to get us clear pavement back again!
never heard of those patches… tell us more
Lidocaine patches. My H swears by them for his lower back pain. You can wear them up to 12 hours at a time.
Pseudoephedrine is not allowed, and that’s the main (important) ingredient in Mucinex-D. I don’t know what made me think to look it up, but I’m glad I did.
“Around the clock” was a bit of an exaggeration, but thank you. I’ve heard of salonpas, but I never really paid attention to what it actually is.
My back is much much better. I squatted and deadlifted yesterday without any issues. I didn’t try to hit any “home runs” in terms of weight of course, but I was happy.
Today is oly lifting. I’ll be trying to keep it light(er).
I still have to try on my singlet. 
I bought a new one, since I can’t find my old one. There should be some kind of exemption on wearing singlets for older humans. Talk about unflattering. Who wants to be seen in one of those at my age? 
ok, I think I have officially moved from the contemplation phase wrt to swimming into something closer to action 
I ordered a swim cap and goggles this morning. They should arrive by Saturday. My goal is to start next week. It’s been a loooong time since I’ve done anything other than paddle around in a pool or ocean. I’m definitely nervous.
Hey, you got this! You aren’t competing with anyone. Swim as long and hard as you want. Or don’t. Congrats for starting the process.
What @Youdon_tsay said! Swim your own race. Or practice your own practice. You’ve got this!
Agree, go at your own pace. Everyone is different in the pool. Whatever works for you!
When I am starting a new activity or returning to one I haven’t done in awhile, I give myself permission to “test it out”.
I set a low expectation. Run just a mile. Swim for 10 minutes. Something very, very doable. That won’t make me anxious (to fail). I may just do that the first few times gaining enough confidence to do more - or I may decide to do more the first time out. I tell myself there are no failures - it’s sort of like a trial period. 
Swimming is the one activity in a triathlon that scares me. I can swim OK, I rarely do it nowadays, but a long distance in our cold Bay water? 
Just do it.
That’s why triathletes use wet suits. For cold water and buoyancy
My bil did the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, twice. The first year the water was too rough and the swim was eliminated so he did it the next year. He’s a glutton for punishment!
Hey I swam tonight. Ha, about 5 minutes. (I’m at a hotel near my dad’s rehab center. Intended to go in the tiny whirlpool again tonight, but a couple was already in it.).
But I did get my heart pumping due to morning stress - driving a rental car is just not in my normal comfort zone. And dang you would not believe how long it took me to find the silly Off button hiding behind the steering wheel. (The Hertz clerk had to take it out for gas before handing me the key remote while car was running.)
I don’t like driving rental cars. I’m already stressing about having to drive long ways in New Zealand, on the wrong side of the road. When we go to Grand Cayman is the only place I’m allowed to “help” my husband drive. You drive on the left side, and go around circles to the left.
Add me to the list who doesn’t like driving rental cars. I like mine, where I know exactly where everything is. I could find everything with my eyes closed.
And I will never drive anywhere where we have to drive on the left. I know I don’t have the capability to switch like that. I’d kill someone. And I won’t let H do it either. He says he’ll be fine, but I’m the one who has to direct him here for every single turn. Every single lane change. It’s like he’s incapable of reading a sign or looking to see where a lane goes. So there’s no way I’d be able to direct him, and he wouldn’t be able to do it for himself. When we went to Scotland, we did as much as we could by train, bus, taxi, on foot, and hired excursions for the rest. It was limiting, but we managed OK.
I always joke about me getting hit by a bus, but I don’t know how many times in London I DID almost get hit by a bus, because I just couldn’t remember which way to look. I’m terrible. And I usually look both ways, so I dunno. I guess my brain just couldn’t focus that something might really be coming from that direction.
And in fitness news. Last weekend, I was running in 12 degrees. This morning? 64. But with that comes rain and wind. This has been a super rainy January.
My rental car is returned. Walked back a few blocks to my hotel and then will get plenty of walking in train stations and airports.
After 3 days of visiting Dad at rehab (on same floor with other rehab patients plus a memory care wing), I’m eager to stay mobile and sharp in later years. Obviously there is only so much control I have over that. But genes seem favorable (mom lived to 89; Dad is 96 and sharp as a tack… once you get past his hearing challenges). So I’ll try hard to continue to prioritize healthy lifestyle habits, even though I’m unlikely to ever get to hardcore levels. Just Keep Moving 
PS - I may also look into volunteering at local assisted living or nursing home. Sadly I have no music talents. But it was a joy to watch all the old folk bouncing to the entertainment, mouthing all the words to old 60s/70s (and earlier) tunes.