I'm still around! Between work, training, and the foot injury, I've been struggling a little recently and have been seriously low on time and energy. I think I'm about to be able to change it, though.
Last week, I took a whole week off from running and I'm sticking with the doctor-recommended 5-7 miles for runs this week. I think I'm doing well enough that I can conservatively run a half marathon this weekend and then get back into training, as long as I'm smart about it. I see the doc for a follow-up tomorrow. Sunday it was beautiful and I may have overcompensated for my lack of running by biking 40 (non-flat) miles. That turned out to be a few days worth of energy suck and soreness.
Plus, work has been insanely stressful lately. I may have gotten into a situation at work about a month ago that left superiors questioning my dedication and work ethic. I made a mistake, but I think it was a silly situation blown way out of proportion. Anyway, I've been on a mission to redeem myself by going above and beyond at work. I think I have definitely been successful at that, but I've been spreading myself awfully thin and knocking my life out of balance. So, I've reset some boundaries at work, and my immediate supervisor was able to support and vouch for me, so that will be a little better. (As much better as it gets when one works in mental health!)
I'm trying to put things back into balance and I cut a few workouts this week. I've been tired. Daylight savings time hasn't helped. My husband pointed out last night that I wear myself out during the day and as soon as I hit the couch to watch tv at night, I crash. He's right. I need to rebalance some things.
Although I do have one more commitment now, but it's worth throwing another ball in to juggle. The local running store is starting a program called From Sit to Fit. It's pretty similar to couch to 5k, but in a way fun group environment. They want to start them in various neighborhoods/suburbs all over Cincinnati, and they're starting in my area! So I put in my application to be a coach, and I was accepted!! I am WAY excited about this. The head coach of my group is one of the Pig group coaches, whom I've ran with several times, and she's great. Plus, I've had this thought lately about trying to make a career out of mental health AND exercise, and this will be a good step in that journey. So, despite my already busy life, could I say no??? Nope.
So I'm gearing up for the next month and a half to be crazy, but hopefully amazing.
Right now, I'm taking advantage of a LITTLE bit of down time before I go to an easy-paced yoga class, to stretch out the remaining effects of too much, too soon on the bike. Tomorrow, a quick swim (maybe) to get the blood flowing to the injured foot. Saturday, rest. Sunday, half marathon. Next week, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
If I had a million dollars....
...I could probably spend it all on gear faster than most people could remember the lyrics to the song. (You're totally singing it now, aren't ya?)
Holy moly. I have an ongoing list of "Things to Buy" which hangs out on my computer desktop, thanks to hott notes. (If you're a post-it addict like I am, you would LOVE that app!) It's been dominated by running/biking/swimming related stuff. I do have ONE non-tri thing on there: nice jeans. I have never ever owned a pair of jeans that cost more than $20ish, and I'm tired of my jeans all stretching out and loosening up (although it makes me feel really skinny - look how loose these size 4's are on me! haha.) (ps - that's the Old Navy vanity size 4; my butt does not fit into a normal people size 4 under any circumstances. I, like my running buddy, am part of the "little in the middle but ya got much back" brigade!)
Oh, anyway....
I did some damage this past week. I have been poring over trisuits online. I've decided I want to take the plunge and get a nice one-piece suit. I found out that zoot suits are highly rated (and how cool to be able to say I own a zoot suit) and I found a killer deal on one. Plus it was at performance bike, where I had $20ish of points to cash in. So, I got it, and I do find it comfy and even flattering. Yay!! Plus, I won't lie, I feel a bit like wonder woman in a one-piece spandex suit. Can't wait to road test it, but that will be a while.
I also did spend a little money on real-life clothes. It's really sad, but every time I go shopping, I'm drawn to the running clothes first. Even though I have plenty of running clothes, I'd rather buy them than real-people clothes. Even more sad, I spend waaaay too much time trying to figure out what to wear for running, and when I go to work, I pretty much throw on anything. (To be fair, I have a job where I can wear jeans and hoodies most days!)
OK, back to the running stuff. I've been fighting with my calves AGAIN, which I'm taking as a sign that I may need new shoes, even though my ride 4's only have 330 miles on them. That seems low. But the calves have been tight for a while, and when that PTT started acting up again, that was the last straw. So I cashed in a groupon and got some triumph 9's. They have a lower heel drop (which I love, feels more natural) and they're cushy, which will hopefully be good for the leg complaints. I think I'm becoming a saucony devotee. Next on my list, if the triumphs work out, is to maybe get a pair of mirages so I can rotate them in. Mirages have an even lower heel drop (4mm) and they're more minimalist, but they have some stability to them. They're basically a stability version of the kinvaras, which I hear nothing but awesome things about. I'd like to try the mirages without orthotics. If you can't tell, I'd love to transition to the minimalist side of running!
I had another groupon for clothing at the same store. Unfortunately, running clothes are PRICEY, and I kind of regretted getting the groupon since there are so many frugal options out there for gear. However, I had the groupon, and I do like supporting the local running store (always so torn between that and being cheap!) so I spent more than I would usually spend on a waterproof jacket. I really don't have a good rain/windbreaker jacket for running. Actually, I only own one. I've had it since I was 15. No lie. It's a size L because I was in a baggy clothes stage. I wore it with jnco jeans that covered my feet. OK, so spending $80 on an ultra-practical rain jacket won't kill me. It's an asics jacket with really cool features - an interior media pocket, a hood that either rolls up into the collar if one doesn't want a hood, and an LED blinky light strip on one shoulder! It'll be great for running, cycling, and normal wear.
So the mirages are on my list, pending success with the triumphs. Also on the list are a bike rack for my car, a pair of cw-x stabilyx 3/4 length tights, possible new bike shoes/pedals (gonna see how they do for a 70.3 first, I think), muncie half ironman registration ($250 before 5/22)....oh, and an iphone. :) I'm sure I'll need new goggles soon. And I'll probably come up with way more things along the way.
I'm very thankful that huz and I both have decent jobs and are good enough with spending in most areas that I can enjoy this habit. However, valentine's day is coming soon and I will accept early birthday presents at any time of year!! :)
This may be dangerous (I may get ideas!) but what's on everyone else's wish list??
Holy moly. I have an ongoing list of "Things to Buy" which hangs out on my computer desktop, thanks to hott notes. (If you're a post-it addict like I am, you would LOVE that app!) It's been dominated by running/biking/swimming related stuff. I do have ONE non-tri thing on there: nice jeans. I have never ever owned a pair of jeans that cost more than $20ish, and I'm tired of my jeans all stretching out and loosening up (although it makes me feel really skinny - look how loose these size 4's are on me! haha.) (ps - that's the Old Navy vanity size 4; my butt does not fit into a normal people size 4 under any circumstances. I, like my running buddy, am part of the "little in the middle but ya got much back" brigade!)
Oh, anyway....
I did some damage this past week. I have been poring over trisuits online. I've decided I want to take the plunge and get a nice one-piece suit. I found out that zoot suits are highly rated (and how cool to be able to say I own a zoot suit) and I found a killer deal on one. Plus it was at performance bike, where I had $20ish of points to cash in. So, I got it, and I do find it comfy and even flattering. Yay!! Plus, I won't lie, I feel a bit like wonder woman in a one-piece spandex suit. Can't wait to road test it, but that will be a while.
I also did spend a little money on real-life clothes. It's really sad, but every time I go shopping, I'm drawn to the running clothes first. Even though I have plenty of running clothes, I'd rather buy them than real-people clothes. Even more sad, I spend waaaay too much time trying to figure out what to wear for running, and when I go to work, I pretty much throw on anything. (To be fair, I have a job where I can wear jeans and hoodies most days!)
OK, back to the running stuff. I've been fighting with my calves AGAIN, which I'm taking as a sign that I may need new shoes, even though my ride 4's only have 330 miles on them. That seems low. But the calves have been tight for a while, and when that PTT started acting up again, that was the last straw. So I cashed in a groupon and got some triumph 9's. They have a lower heel drop (which I love, feels more natural) and they're cushy, which will hopefully be good for the leg complaints. I think I'm becoming a saucony devotee. Next on my list, if the triumphs work out, is to maybe get a pair of mirages so I can rotate them in. Mirages have an even lower heel drop (4mm) and they're more minimalist, but they have some stability to them. They're basically a stability version of the kinvaras, which I hear nothing but awesome things about. I'd like to try the mirages without orthotics. If you can't tell, I'd love to transition to the minimalist side of running!
I had another groupon for clothing at the same store. Unfortunately, running clothes are PRICEY, and I kind of regretted getting the groupon since there are so many frugal options out there for gear. However, I had the groupon, and I do like supporting the local running store (always so torn between that and being cheap!) so I spent more than I would usually spend on a waterproof jacket. I really don't have a good rain/windbreaker jacket for running. Actually, I only own one. I've had it since I was 15. No lie. It's a size L because I was in a baggy clothes stage. I wore it with jnco jeans that covered my feet. OK, so spending $80 on an ultra-practical rain jacket won't kill me. It's an asics jacket with really cool features - an interior media pocket, a hood that either rolls up into the collar if one doesn't want a hood, and an LED blinky light strip on one shoulder! It'll be great for running, cycling, and normal wear.
 | |
| That's me running my first 10k in the giant jacket, plus a cotton tshirt and cotton biker shorts that I've had since junior high. Oh, how things have changed! |
So the mirages are on my list, pending success with the triumphs. Also on the list are a bike rack for my car, a pair of cw-x stabilyx 3/4 length tights, possible new bike shoes/pedals (gonna see how they do for a 70.3 first, I think), muncie half ironman registration ($250 before 5/22)....oh, and an iphone. :) I'm sure I'll need new goggles soon. And I'll probably come up with way more things along the way.
I'm very thankful that huz and I both have decent jobs and are good enough with spending in most areas that I can enjoy this habit. However, valentine's day is coming soon and I will accept early birthday presents at any time of year!! :)
This may be dangerous (I may get ideas!) but what's on everyone else's wish list??
Saturday, January 28, 2012
week in review, 1/23 - 1/29
Yep, a day early - 'cuz I finished all my swim/run/bike workouts for the week. I decided to get the trainer ride out of the way after the group run this morning, so tomorrow I can take a bit of a break from the cardio. I don't feel like I really got a rest day this past week - Thursday was, kinda, but I still did pilates class. I was supposed to do my weekly brick on Thursday night but got home from work two hours late. Blech. Thursday night would be the best possible time to do a brick, with Friday as a rest day, but so far since I made that decision I've had to work late every Thursday. Next week I *should* get home early enough to actually try it out!
So that brick workout actually happened Friday evening. Not the best idea. I felt its effects this morning during the group run, but I was still able to bust out 9 miles at my usual long run pace. It just felt a wee bit less easy than usual. At least today's route was relatively flat or it might've been more painful.
I really need that day off tomorrow. My BFF and I are getting together for brunch, which will definitely include some form of alcohol. She wants the place with the bloody mary bar; I want the place with bottomless mimosas. We'll see what happens. :) I will most likely do yin yoga tomorrow, too, but since I practically fall asleep in that class, I believe I can still count it as a rest day and not really a workout!
My calves still like to tie themselves in knots. Hence the yin. I also have two groupons for massages. I need to get on scheduling one, stat. Zensah sleeves have saved me this week, though.
I'm proud of myself because this is the first week that I've completely followed the IM training plan. I haven't even started it yet - I will in two weeks - but the past month has been me trying to figure out how to fit in the multiple workouts (4 runs, 3 bikes, 2 swims to start), and what days are best for what exercise without burning myself out. And I think I've got it. I even worked overtime this week (don't even get me started on how crazy work is right now), had a doctor's appointment (routine), fit in all the workouts, and I don't feel tired or overtrained or burned out. On the contrary, I'm surprised at how much energy I have. I feel like I could do more. I'm NOT, because I WILL end up tired/overtrained/burned out, but that gives me real confidence in my training plan. Heck, I'm even taking the run part of the IM plan up a notch with the Pig training. It's still alllll good.
And everyone at my OB/GYN's office wished me luck on the Ironman. :)
So here are the numbers:
Monday: ran 6.5 miles in 1:04:02, swam some randomish intervals (50's and 400's) for a total of 2000 yd in 51:36
Tuesday: 45 minute spin class, swam 2450 straight in 1:00:38 (wanted to see how far I could swim in an hour)
Wednesday: group run - fartleks - 1.5 mile w/u and c/d with 10x.25 intervals. Total of 6.64 miles in 1:02:47.
Thursday: 1 hour pilates class
Friday: brick: 30 minutes on the trainer, 3.84 mile run in 39:46
Saturday: 9.17 mile group run in 1:30:09, 1:00 on the trainer (easy effort with a few hard intervals and some high rpm/low resistance efforts thrown in)
Tomorrow: yin yoga class, 1:30
Totals:
Swim: 4450 yd in 1:52:14
Bike: 2:15
Run: 26.15 miles in 4:16:44 (Hey, I'd be thrilled with that as a marathon time!!)
Yoga/Pilates: 2:30
Total time: 10:53:58 woohoo!
So that brick workout actually happened Friday evening. Not the best idea. I felt its effects this morning during the group run, but I was still able to bust out 9 miles at my usual long run pace. It just felt a wee bit less easy than usual. At least today's route was relatively flat or it might've been more painful.
I really need that day off tomorrow. My BFF and I are getting together for brunch, which will definitely include some form of alcohol. She wants the place with the bloody mary bar; I want the place with bottomless mimosas. We'll see what happens. :) I will most likely do yin yoga tomorrow, too, but since I practically fall asleep in that class, I believe I can still count it as a rest day and not really a workout!
My calves still like to tie themselves in knots. Hence the yin. I also have two groupons for massages. I need to get on scheduling one, stat. Zensah sleeves have saved me this week, though.
I'm proud of myself because this is the first week that I've completely followed the IM training plan. I haven't even started it yet - I will in two weeks - but the past month has been me trying to figure out how to fit in the multiple workouts (4 runs, 3 bikes, 2 swims to start), and what days are best for what exercise without burning myself out. And I think I've got it. I even worked overtime this week (don't even get me started on how crazy work is right now), had a doctor's appointment (routine), fit in all the workouts, and I don't feel tired or overtrained or burned out. On the contrary, I'm surprised at how much energy I have. I feel like I could do more. I'm NOT, because I WILL end up tired/overtrained/burned out, but that gives me real confidence in my training plan. Heck, I'm even taking the run part of the IM plan up a notch with the Pig training. It's still alllll good.
And everyone at my OB/GYN's office wished me luck on the Ironman. :)
So here are the numbers:
Monday: ran 6.5 miles in 1:04:02, swam some randomish intervals (50's and 400's) for a total of 2000 yd in 51:36
Tuesday: 45 minute spin class, swam 2450 straight in 1:00:38 (wanted to see how far I could swim in an hour)
Wednesday: group run - fartleks - 1.5 mile w/u and c/d with 10x.25 intervals. Total of 6.64 miles in 1:02:47.
Thursday: 1 hour pilates class
Friday: brick: 30 minutes on the trainer, 3.84 mile run in 39:46
Saturday: 9.17 mile group run in 1:30:09, 1:00 on the trainer (easy effort with a few hard intervals and some high rpm/low resistance efforts thrown in)
Tomorrow: yin yoga class, 1:30
Totals:
Swim: 4450 yd in 1:52:14
Bike: 2:15
Run: 26.15 miles in 4:16:44 (Hey, I'd be thrilled with that as a marathon time!!)
Yoga/Pilates: 2:30
Total time: 10:53:58 woohoo!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
I almost would've been doing a triathlon right now
...and it is 39 degrees. Holy crap. I can run in this, no prob - matter of fact, I'd love to be running in this. Swimming in it would be COLD, even with a wetsuit. Biking in this would be cold, and biking and running in this with wet hair?? Brrr. I'm sure it can be done - I used to have the same fear of running in snow, and now I love it - but I'm ok with not trying today. I'm not a fan of cold weather anyway, and I feel like I haven't had time yet to get used to the cold now upon us. Not that I have to - yet - I hear it's supposed to make its way back up into the 70's this week.
I'm being a wee bit lazy this weekend. Well, not lazy, just re-prioritizing. We have/had so much to get done around the house and I'm making that, and QT with the husband, top priority. Plus, this injury is really bugging me mentally and it helps to have my mind elsewhere. I did go to the gym yesterday, out of obligation, but it kind of sucked. I hate the eliptical. It doesn't feel as effective as running, it's repetitive, and the bouncing gives me a headache. My calf started to tighten up on it and I thought, hell no, I am NOT re-aggravating this injury for an elliptical workout. Made it through 10 minutes on the stationary bike before that drove me crazy. Ran one lap on the track (little over .1 mile) and it still hurt. Did some strength training and that was a bit more fun.
I may go for a bike ride today, but I'm doing it as I feel like it and if I get other stuff done. I'm just not really motivated to work out, and I know that will pass because I'm not like most people. That's not my natural state, or if it used to be, it hasn't been for the past few years. I have too much nervous energy that builds up.
I know I'm allowed to run, and I think that's the worst of it. *I* have to be the one to sideline myself, and I am, because I know that the more I run, the longer it will take before I'm running without pain. Obviously I can, and have, run through a lot, but this time it's enough of the ouch that it completely distracts me from the enjoyment I get out of running.
I guess it's a good thing, though. I'm making plans for what workouts I will do in order to NOT run this week, and then I'm going to attempt the 5k next Saturday. The good thing is that I'm still allowed to do such a thing. I'm not going to attempt to blow my PR out of the water, as was the original plan; I'm going to attempt to run a 5k for a good cause, enjoy it, and do the best I can under the circumstances.
Trying to focus on the positives here...and the other is that I am getting better. I've learned that intense calf stretching is NOT the way to handle this injury, and moving around, massaging it, keeping it loose is better. A lot of the gastroc tightness is gone. When I ran, it was different than before - before, I was dragging a stiff leg, now, I'm running on an ouchie one. The PTT stuff is intermittent, but much better. The soleus muscle pain is what wants to stick around, but I'm having some pretty good, pain-free moments with that. I'm hoping that I can manage to get this thing gone with minimal trouble if I just keep being nice to it. Hopefully, now that I have shoes that don't overstress it, it will stay gone.
I keep reminding myself that the happy thing is that I ran a marathon. That was my ultimate, forsaking-all-others goal for the year. If I had to sacrifice some running/PRing in the aftermath, so be it. Doesn't make it fun, but so be it.
I'm still madly jealous of all my peers who are back to running and planning their next races while I take it one day at a time over here. So this is the point where, again, I have to get very focused on myself and do what's right for me. I generally tend to know that when I don't get distracted.
And I will stay cautiously optimistic about the Cincinnati half marathon, even though that will have to be a last-minute signup and another just for fun race.
Next year will be the year of the PR!!
I'm being a wee bit lazy this weekend. Well, not lazy, just re-prioritizing. We have/had so much to get done around the house and I'm making that, and QT with the husband, top priority. Plus, this injury is really bugging me mentally and it helps to have my mind elsewhere. I did go to the gym yesterday, out of obligation, but it kind of sucked. I hate the eliptical. It doesn't feel as effective as running, it's repetitive, and the bouncing gives me a headache. My calf started to tighten up on it and I thought, hell no, I am NOT re-aggravating this injury for an elliptical workout. Made it through 10 minutes on the stationary bike before that drove me crazy. Ran one lap on the track (little over .1 mile) and it still hurt. Did some strength training and that was a bit more fun.
I may go for a bike ride today, but I'm doing it as I feel like it and if I get other stuff done. I'm just not really motivated to work out, and I know that will pass because I'm not like most people. That's not my natural state, or if it used to be, it hasn't been for the past few years. I have too much nervous energy that builds up.
I know I'm allowed to run, and I think that's the worst of it. *I* have to be the one to sideline myself, and I am, because I know that the more I run, the longer it will take before I'm running without pain. Obviously I can, and have, run through a lot, but this time it's enough of the ouch that it completely distracts me from the enjoyment I get out of running.
I guess it's a good thing, though. I'm making plans for what workouts I will do in order to NOT run this week, and then I'm going to attempt the 5k next Saturday. The good thing is that I'm still allowed to do such a thing. I'm not going to attempt to blow my PR out of the water, as was the original plan; I'm going to attempt to run a 5k for a good cause, enjoy it, and do the best I can under the circumstances.
Trying to focus on the positives here...and the other is that I am getting better. I've learned that intense calf stretching is NOT the way to handle this injury, and moving around, massaging it, keeping it loose is better. A lot of the gastroc tightness is gone. When I ran, it was different than before - before, I was dragging a stiff leg, now, I'm running on an ouchie one. The PTT stuff is intermittent, but much better. The soleus muscle pain is what wants to stick around, but I'm having some pretty good, pain-free moments with that. I'm hoping that I can manage to get this thing gone with minimal trouble if I just keep being nice to it. Hopefully, now that I have shoes that don't overstress it, it will stay gone.
I keep reminding myself that the happy thing is that I ran a marathon. That was my ultimate, forsaking-all-others goal for the year. If I had to sacrifice some running/PRing in the aftermath, so be it. Doesn't make it fun, but so be it.
I'm still madly jealous of all my peers who are back to running and planning their next races while I take it one day at a time over here. So this is the point where, again, I have to get very focused on myself and do what's right for me. I generally tend to know that when I don't get distracted.
And I will stay cautiously optimistic about the Cincinnati half marathon, even though that will have to be a last-minute signup and another just for fun race.
Next year will be the year of the PR!!
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