Running and Laughing through the Golden State
Running and Laughing through the Golden State
As many people know, one of my 2021 fitness goals is to lift weights and strength train more, which is how I found Best Choice Products 3-Piece Kettlebell Set. I’ll be the first to say when I strength train; it’s usually a lazy go through the motions process. One of my goals for 2021 is actually put the time and effort into it as I do with running.
With the Coronavirus and social distancing, many people have requested that I write a post about At Home Workouts and workout apps.
There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of workout apps out there. Not just workout apps, but now there is a rise in live Instagram classes in real-time or even Youtube videos. If you are looking to sweat in your home, it’s probably the easiest time to find a workout app for you.
My goal for April was to integrate more strength and core into my routine. Also, like many, I want quick core ideas for runners. I don’t want to spend hours in the gym because I’ve said I’m going to “add more core” plenty of times and not followed through.
This became another week of quality training. I haven’t gone 2 for 2 since the summer.
| Monday: | 11 outdoor, easy recovery | |
| Tuesday: | 12.3 outdoor easy recovery | |
| Wednesday: | 11.55 Treadmill Progressive (8:14 pace overall) | Nike Training club Abs |
| Thursday: | OFF | NTC Abs+Arms |
| Friday: | 12.4 miles (8:34 pace) with Tim | NTC abs |
| Saturday: | 16.5 miles 7:50 pace with Greta and Meghan | |
| Sunday: | 12 miles recovery | P90x |
| Total: | 76 miles |
Training:
It started off with recovery runs after my race last week. I wasn’t unusually sore but I was sore and I definitely knew that it worked muscles my legs were not used too.
I was able to get outdoors Monday and Tuesday and for the most part both runs were uneventful. They were just east recovery runs.
On Wednesday, the weather prevented me from going outdoors. When I first got on the treadmill I decided I was going to do a hill workout. Around 8 minutes into the run I was not feeling it so I went to a normal (for me) 1.0% incline. Around 15 minutes the treadmill shut off randomly. Within the first 15 minutes I had lost all motivation to run. After restarting the treadmill, I realized I felt pretty good so ended up doing a progressive run.
Thursday I decided to rest. I wasn’t feeling as if I desperately needed a rest day but wanted a day for myself. In my training this Spring I want to take a rest day most weeks whether or not I have a race.
Friday I had the rare opportunity to run with Tim so we did a nice and easy shakeout run. Saturday I went up to Princeton to run with one of my Oiselle teammates Greta and Meghan. I was a little bit nervous because I knew the pace would be moving (for me) but it ended up going by really quickly. Princeton is a lot hillier then Browns Mills so I was happy to be able to get some hills in too. It was definitely a run that put me outside my comfort zone (speed wise and with the hills) but it was a run that made me stronger.
Sunday (today) I plan to do a nice shakeout and easy run.
Cross training/core:
I’ve been actually doing it and I’m proud of myself for that. My core has been feeling stronger. Nike training club is still my favorite (free) app for core workouts.
Next week:
I hope to get in about the same amount of mileage. I am running the Virginia is for Lovers 14k back in VA Beach on Sunday. Living about 5-6 hours from VA Beach now there are a few races I will drive back down for. The majority are run by J&A Racing (the directors of the very well known Shamrock). I always enjoy driving down to VA and seeing my friends as well as their well put together runs so I’m rather excited.
Finally, please vote to send me to Napa Valley. There are 2 weeks left in the contest and every vote counts.
Questions for you:
Would you rather run hills or a speed workout?
What was your favorite/best workout of the week?
I was asked early last week to do a post on core work and activities. I wish I could tell you I was more consistent or that I didn’t struggle occasionally to get it done but that would be a lie. During the marathon I noticed I was an awkward flailing runner (something I’ve never really been before) and I truly believe this is because I “forgot” to do core work. It could also be that I decided I was lazy to do core work…which is fine except I did that every day. Since November I have been trying to do something core related daily, whether it takes 5 minutes or 15.
I am not a core expert (by any means) but this is just what I have been doing and enjoy. If you have any ideas or core work you like to do please feel free to share because I’m always in need for new routines.
Shorter core days:
Interesting Apps or programs for longer days:
I have been in the routine of doing 5 out of 7 days of core work. It doesn’t seem like a lot but it is more then I have been doing. I would rather have a strong core then be ripped and since I am built with very narrow hip bones I’ll never have a six pack. Oh well.
Question for you: What are your favorite core workouts?