I got tested for COVID-19 antibodies

Ooooh! Finally I have something fun to write about!

Well, I guess it’s not so much fun as just reality lately. And reality lately has not been fun for a lot of people.

But I like to have something to talk about, at least, because that’s pretty sparse lately.

So let’s start with the news: The gym is reopening next week, so I’ll resume teaching my classes. And I got tested for coronavirus antibodies on Thursday, so I’ll know if I have any immunity or not.

So why did I decide to get tested? I have been sick twice since early February, so I decided to see if any of those illnesses were COVID-19. I figured it would be better than guessing or assuming either way. To be honest, I hope that I got it so I don’t have to worry so much. I know that they don’t know if you develop immunity or how long that lasts, but still, that’s the way viruses typically work.

I got a blood draw and the nose swab. My arm is a little sore from the needle poke, and the swab up my nose was miserable, especially with all the irritation from allergies already. But all in all it wasn’t too bad, so now I wait 7 days for my results.

And I guess while I’m waiting, our gym is reopening! This is happening on Monday, so I’ll be resuming my normal class schedule for Wednesday night Water in Motion (water aerobics) and Saturday morning SPRINT (HIIT cycling).

Am I a little nervous about returning to the gym? Oh yes. For sure. But I also don’t think everyone is going to come rushing back. … but maybe it’s the people that will come rushing back that I should be worried about!

I missed the gym a lot. It was a big part of my identity, and even though I had only been teaching for a short while, I really looked forward to my classes. I still got some butterflies getting up there in front of everyone. It’s not easy! But I still really enjoyed pushing people out of their comfort zone. There is nothing like seeing the faces of someone pushing new limits and establishing new boundaries on a spin bike!

I know everyone coming back is going to be feeling like they’re starting fresh. I will be struggling with that too. I haven’t done SPRINT in two months. I have been training, though, and building strength, and doing VO2 workouts, so I think it will be an easy transition back for me. Maybe I will be a role model for someone looking to get back into the routine, into the swing of intense training again. That is all I can really hope for.

And just remember, dear reader, you are not the only one who has eaten extra cookies and worked all week in sweatpants! I am right there with you. It’s OK to be a little out of shape, a little unmotivated, a little worried that that climb back up is just going to feel so hard that it’s daunting.

We are going to take it one day at a time, one ride at a time, and we are going to get there again. It’s going to be hard, no doubt, but the good gains are the ones that are challenging! Let’s get some of that grit back. Let’s do one more round even though we don’t think we can. Let’s set the bar high!

And if you don’t want to go to the gym, that’s OK too. I understand. I told my boyfriend that if at any time he feels uncomfortable with me going to the gym (because I’m the one bringing home the germs), then I will stop immediately. We are a team, and we should both feel safe. I am going to take extra sanitation measures, be sure to leave my gym bag in my car for 2-3 days to reduce germ transmission, shower immediately when I get home, disinfect my phone. All the things that I can do to reduce the spread of germs.

Whether I see you next week or next year, know that I’m looking forward to it!