Fitness in the Time of Coronavirus (Part 2)

Hiking in Blowing Rock in July, 2020.

As 2020 progressed and the reality of no team sports until late 2021 finally hit, I started re-evaluating my workouts. For one thing, my right shoulder was hurting again so backing off that made sense. For another, I know my flexibility has always been an issue so maybe it was time to address that.

So I jumped into yoga. I started learning the basics from an app, and then started doing workouts from a local studio called Radiance Yoga who had been releasing YouTube videos during the pandemic. I was hooked and was soon doing classes nearly every day.

After about a month I could touch my toes - something I hadn’t done since before my surgery in 2005! I felt great, too. To make sure I was also getting my heart rate going, I would run or do HIIT a couple days a week, too.

Lorraine would join me for yoga several times a week, too, and that added to the fun of it. It’s good to be able to do different kinds of activities together as a couple. 

At this point I had changed the intensity of my workouts, but was working out more. I was feeling good, except my shoulder was still not getting better. Finally, just after the holidays I decided to lay off the shoulder completely for 6-8 weeks and see if that helps.

Lorraine and I now walk at least 2 miles every day. I’ve cut back on the yoga since it stresses the shoulder. I still run a couple times a week, and do the Monday workouts. I have to modify the Monday workouts quite a bit to keep off the shoulder, but it all seems to be helping.

My current goal is to keep moving as much as I can without using the shoulder until mid-February and then see how things are. 

I think one of the hardest of the pandemic for people is the drop in community. Working out as a group is easier and leads to more motivation to continue. So now some people are finding that with technology like Peleton, others are braving the gym despite the risks. Some of us are fortunate to live with someone who will join in on activities. Ultimately, it comes down to mentally wanting to stay in shape and doing what I can as my body allows. 

Looking ahead, I’ll probably ramp the yoga back up first, and maintain the walking and running. As it gets warmer and we hopefully have some clear plans for ultimate re-starting, I’ll begin to amp up the workouts to get me back in ultimate shape (more on what that is in a future blog).

I’m looking forward to getting back into game shape but also enjoying the evolution my fitness journey as I get older. 

The pandemic has also made most of us slow down and have time to reflect on various aspects of our lives. I’m trying to discover as much as I can about fitness and aging, and working on changing my expectations for my personal fitness and how it will impact my relationships and quality of life now that I’m almost 50.