New better days ahead @Midwest67 !!!
I am a 3-4 mile runner. I do not stretch before or after. I cool down by walking a bit at the end of a run but I don’t stretch. I haven’t had issues - or any injuries - to indicate a need for otherwise. But would certainly consider it if I did.
3 mile non-stretched run this morning!!
I have found that I am fine not stretching right after a run unless it is a longer run (for me that is 8 miles plus) and/or I’m not moving around right afterward. Sometimes when I go for a longer run with the group and then get back in my car to drive home my muscles are stiff when I get home (20 minute or so drive). So I do a few squats, lunges, touch toes, the yoga squat (malasana) in those situations.
I planned to run outside this morning, but was surprised to see an unpredicted thunderstorm when I got up, so made it into a 5 mile treadmill run.
Here’s a few that I do, in no particular order:
Our gym has moved some of their equipment outside and then, if you want to use the inside equipment, members must go in one at a time and rotate. For example, yesterday, I had to enter a short rotation (2-3) of members to use the rope climb and the “donkey” (GHD/GHR/hip extensions, etc.).
My gym has reached full capacity of members now, since a lot of new members have joined recently. The gym has done extremely well during the pandemic and is looking for a larger space. I even overheard one of the owners turning down someone, on the phone, who offered to pay 25% more than the standard membership rate.
My workouts have to be modified nowadays a bit for the outside equipment and has required a bit more planning and modification. Yesterday’s workout consisted of rowing and handstand pushups, rope climbs and glute ham raises. And the HIIT was of the “strongman” variety, which was hauling the yoke down to the end of the parking lot and back (about 60+ meters total) and then picking up a 100 lb sandbag and throwing it over the yoke multiple times.
Keeping things in perspective, the younger bigger guys were throwing the 150 lb and 200 lb bags over and back. 
I walk at least 2 min before my 5k runs (mapmyrun has a countdown timer), and sometimes I do some high-knees or stretches. I also walk afterward because the trail around the local lake is 3.5 miles, so I have a ways to walk to the car (longer today than usual,… oops - passed it at the curb.) Probably I should go back to post-run stretches. Ha, today it was called “gardening stretch”.
Generic morning. Sweaty, stinky, nasty run through the muck followed by Barre Blend Total Body. If I don’t look in the mirror, it’s not as bad. Ignorance is bliss. Finished with core. The next few days look stormy. Crossing fingers it’s not storming when I’m supposed to run. At least the gym is an option now.
I did an hour and a half on my indoor bike this morning. I also did a bunch of stretching, after reading you guys talk about it, plus a little bit with weights.
I had a shingles vaccine the other morning, and it really hurt, and made me feel a little flu-like, so I didn’t do much.
Now I should be finishing up my work, but I’m sitting here typing and enjoying my cat sitting happily on my lap. (Said cat doesn’t spend much time on my lap these days because our kitten normally tortures her while there. But kitten is fast asleep and we’re enjoying our “old lady” time together).
Redemption today.
The bar moved nicely for squats. 2 triples at 177.5# then -5% for back off sets.
Volume DLs at 199# for three sets of five.
Whew!!!
All this talk about my big stretching routine and I did the big fat ZERO this morning. I forgot to reset my alarm and I woke up when I was supposed to be heading out the door. ugh. I was out the door in 10 minutes. I spent more time walking and the run was slow and easy. I still got all kinds of dehydrated and felt like blech at the end. Video was shoulders intervals (3 groups of 3 sets of 2 shoulder exercises, one 30 sec HIIT move) followed by some core. Then I did a shoulder repair and recover video. I am a bit drained, but tomorrow is Friday!
It hasn’t been my best week. Got new shoes (same brand/style, just a new pair) and am hoping that the extra cushioning will help my achilles. I’d love to say so far, so good, but the reality is that I haven’t been running as far this week. Was supposed to meet up with a friend so curtailed today’s run, and then she had to cancel. I should have gone back out and started running again, but then lost motivation. I did a HIIT routine earlier this week and realized that anything plyometric is hard for me. Lots to work on. (Always, right?) Bit by bit.
I sometimes tell myself when I’m down because I got less miles of whatever in a day or week…that while there is nothing wrong with having standards, it can actually be detrimental to my mental health to feel like I “must” meet these benchmarks. I’m not training for any big life event except good health. I can achieve good health by more means than just exercise.
Plus the fact that for a good % of people our age (or younger!) daily or nearly daily exerting exercise is something that doesn’t happen often - sometimes what we do or what we can’t do can be “enough”.
We had a fun swim day. After weeks of jumping in and grinding out yard after yard, alone, little talking or joking, staying in our own lanes, we had a virtual meet today. We swam as usual for about ten minutes to warm up, then half the group swam a fast 200m (choice of stroke) while the other half timed. Then we switched roles. We did this for 200, 100, and 50, with a ten minute break in between to just swim (or pant and gasp). The coach just yelled “take your mark, set, GO” so pretty low tech, but we did dive.
I don’t like to compete. I am a fitness swimmer. But this was a nice change of pace (so to speak). We tried hard, but also laughed at our mistakes. One swimmer false started. I miscounted the distance to the wall and did a long sideways-looking swim on my back to see where the heck it was.
@Lizardly do you swim with a masters program? Our pool has one but they meet much earlier than I like to be awake. I do think it might be nice to have a coach’s input sometimes, but I would never consider myself a competitive swimmer.
Injuries & setbacks can be difficult to take.
It always seems to take more time to heal than we want!
I know zilch about swimming laps, but I enjoyed reading your update!
I’ve been following, loosely, some of the barbell gyms in Southern California.
Valens Strength closed both locations permanently.
Strength Co. shifted gears to producing racks & sourcing iron plates!
Horn Strength & Conditioning is closed, but the owner is setting up a home gym to train clients there.
Mess!
I’m glad the owners of your current gym are hanging in there!
I am inspired by those of you who do more, especially if you’re working, but feel OK about being a lightweight, as long as I keep moving somehow.
I just got done with an hour or so on my indoor bike. Debated taking a walk, but the threat of thunderstorms helped with the decision.
I do swim with a masters group.
I was a runner when we first moved here so would run on the treadmill at the gym and look out the window at those crazy swimmers. But they seemed to be having so much fun. Lots of laughter and then time in the hot tub after the workout. After watching them for a year, I screwed up my courage and asked to join. I knew nothing! I could make it across the pool, but couldn’t swim any stroke but freestyle (sort of). It was a patient, welcoming group with swimmers of all ages and abilities, though, so I stayed with it and found my way.
No way! That makes the stories even better!
I’m glad you found that group and had the courage to join!
Longer, low intensity morning. I over-stretched/tweaked my hamstring Wednesday. Yesterday, it wasn’t doing so well. the hamstring wasn’t the big PITA. When it gets super tight it throws everything else out of alignment and my knee hurts (inner edge by the cap). So, no running for me this morning. But today I woke up well before my alarm and headed to the gym. Did the stairmonster for 50 min (but slower than usual) and then 45 min on the bike. Then instead of the HIIT leg video, I did a booty video from 80 day obsession at home. It wound up being a good plan. My legs feels just about better already. And I get off at 1 
@Midwest67 Weird how my gym has gone the opposite way. Business has boomed and they’re looking for a larger space. It wasn’t that long ago when my gym had 30 members and now they’ve capped it off at 80 members. They limit each 90-minute gym reservation block to 15 members (you can book 2 blocks, which I do) and they want every member to be able to use the gym without being denied a reservation, which is very upstanding of them.
Of course, the equipment that is moving outside is limited to your basic benches, squat racks and deadlift platforms plus airbikes and rowers. Now, of course, some members may not appreciate working out in our current heat wave. Today’s high temp will be 96. Personally, I don’t mind the heat, plus the gym empties out when the heat index increases.
Yesterday, I took the day off. We switched Internet and cell phone services and that was an ordeal.
Since this is also a health and wellness thread, I just got up from my nap. I got off at 1 and had lunch. I didn’t have anything to do so I thought I’d take a quick nap. 3 hours later I woke up. I didn’t think I was that tired, but I feel amazing!
Younger S was supposed to go back to his apartment tomorrow, but he found out the gym won’t open until the 26th. So he is staying until Wednesday to get in more workouts in the C-gym. He’s gotten bitten by the bug this summer. I’m so glad. We introduced both kids to the gym when they were 9-10/12-13 making sure they knew how to do everything correctly. Neither loved it and we let it drop as time went on. Older S got bitten by the bug a couple of years ago, but younger S is a more social exerciser. He prefers playing soccer/basketball with friends. I don’t care what my kids do as long as they do something to keep active. But it is so nice to see them not only enjoying the gym, but also bonding with H, asking for his advice and help.
And now I am REALLY the smallest and weakest member of the family. No question now. This is a good thing. I shouldn’t have to move anything heavy ever again!