Running and Laughing through the Garden State
Like many people, motivation has been difficult when there aren’t any significant races on the horizon. I’ve been looking for something new to train and do. As I mentioned last Thursday, I enjoyed my previous virtual challenge. Now that it’s over, I wanted something else.
It doesn’t take a genius to know that we are in the middle of a pandemic. Lives lost, businesses closed, and livelihoods broken—sports and racing fall in the least of priorities with that.
So? So, many fall races have already been canceled. While there are still many big fall races that haven’t been canceled…it’s more or less, “they haven’t been canceled yet.”
Continue reading “The Argument for Building a Base For Running (Now)”
I guess for the next few weeks, nothing should feel comfortable. I’m at the point in my running where nothing feels terrible but I don’t feel great running either.
This is the part of running that you want to push, and get fast and stronger. You can push the envelope a bit, but push too far and you are most susceptible to an injury. I’ve learned that lesson the hard time (more than once). This week instead of increasing distance, I included a race.
| Monday: | Easy 45 minutes+ core |
| Tuesday: | Easy 45 minutes |
| Wednesday: | Easy 45 minutes+ core |
| Thursday: | Rest |
| Friday: | Easy 45 minutes |
| Saturday: | 40 minutes with a personal friend (8:30 pace) |
| Sunday: | 5k (6:33 pace) |
Progression:
Week 3: 33-35 miles + a speed workout 5k
Monday-Friday were easy, breezy, beautiful, CoverGirl runs…or just boring runs. For a while, my runs will remain easy. I don’t time them but my realistic guess is between 9-10 minute miles.
On Saturday I ran with a personal friend who is currently much faster than I am. She had an easy run on Saturday, which was a little bit out of my comfort zone but we were able to meet about halfway and run about 8:30 pace. It’s definitely much faster than I’ve running but it felt good and it was great to catch up. I didn’t feel bad and the run flew by.
On Sunday, I ran a 5k at a local airport with my husband. I had found the race earlier in the week but my husband and I wanted to play it by ear and not commit (we are chronic race day signupers anyways).
I thought because the race finished on a runway, it must be flat. Spoiler: I thought wrong. While it started and ended on the runway, there was actually a large climb during the middle mile. My splits were 6:25, 6:36, and 6:33 which I’m happy with. It was a great rust buster.
Unfortunately, I am a little jaded because, after the race, I tripped and fell and bruised up my knee, elbow, and shoulder. Not the end of the world and I am more annoyed than anything. So now I’ve cut multiple cuts, and road rash down my right side.
This week was great and I have no complaints. I added 1 speed workout but kept mileage about the same. Next week, I’ll probably do something similar. I haven’t found any 5ks but if one peaks my interest I might run another. I’m just continuing to trek along. Although, now I have a nice knee scab to trek with.
Posts from the week:
Why Building a Base is So Important for Running
Brooks Glycerin 15 Shoe Review
Questions for you:
How was your week of running?
Have you ever fallen while running?
Ha…I’ve fallen so many times. From the time I was hit by a cyclist, to the time I tripped and fell in my neighborhood. My knees make me look more badass than I actually am.
Another week of training down. This week is different from usual because I picked up a virus on Thursday. This meant a lot of R&R and sleep. I miss two runs and a workout, but that’s how life goes.
| Monday: | Easy Run |
| Tuesday: | Easy Run |
| Wednesday: | 6X1 miles (average 6:19) |
| Thursday: | Rest |
| Friday: | Rest |
| Saturday: | Rest |
| Sunday: | Long Run with Julie |
Summary:
Easy runs were just that, easy. I ran early. It was great except I got caught in the pouring rain during the last mile on both Monday and Tuesday. I thought I had beaten the storm, but sadly, I did not.
Workout Wednesday: 6×1 mile hill repeats with 90 seconds rest (average 6:19)
This is my fastest mile average by 13 seconds. It felt like a hard workout, but I do feel as if I’m building a lot of fitness. It was rainy and windy, but I had a great workout. Sometimes I loathe hill repeats, and sometimes I’m excited to get back to them. It depends on my mood of the week. Last week I was excited to run fast, and I had my best mile repeat workout in a while.
On Thursday, I needed a rest day. Around 2 pm, I found myself exhausted and getting sick. It felt as if I woke up from a long run for three days straight. Honestly, it was awful and the worst sickness I’ve had in a long time. On Saturday, I felt better but not enough to run. It was an unexpected rest/cut back week.
I promised my friends and coworkers; I would run with them on Sunday, and luckily I felt good enough to do that. To be honest, I had been looking forward to the run all week, so I was glad I felt better. She had a workout for her marathon of 3-mile warmup and 11 miles at race pace. We crushed the goal even with wind and hills. We had a good run and after feeling exhausted and lethargic for a few days, it was nice to get out there. I felt a lot better after running.
Thoughts:
This week was not what we planned but looking at my training log; it’s okay. I haven’t had a cutback week since before Carlsbad half marathon (shame on me). I haven’t rested that long for a while, and my body needed it. It’s actually perfect timing for my Spring races because I still have three weeks until Shamrock half marathon. To be honest, once I get back into the routine, it probably won’t affect me. Will I remember this 3-day break in a month? The answer is no.
I can’t say I’m starting next week 100% fresh because I still feel under the weather but hopefully in a few more days I will feel better. My guess is I’ll feel back to my awkward self by Wednesday.
Questions for you:
Do you workout when you’re sick?
I usually don’t because I’m miserable, and I just want to nap.
What was your favorite workout of the week?
Blog Challenge 4: Reasons Why I Always Make Time for Deep Tissue Massages
It’s not a thought provoking or “change your life” post, but deep tissue massages are something I make time in my schedule as well as the budget for each month. Deep Tissue Massages keep my muscles healthier and my body recovering from workouts, races and training faster.
I’ve been injured several times in my running career. Most of my injuries are bone related but like any runner I’ve suffered from sore or tight muscles.
So why get deep tissue massages?
The scientific answer: A Massage works to lengthen muscles and restore the range of motion, relieve muscle tightness as well as improve circulation.
First, anyone can foam roll and improve circulation, but if you are like me, then you never get deep enough into your muscles. Deep tissue massages are done by a professional who knows how to find trigger points, adhesions or tight muscles that are specific to you.
Deep tissue massages will leave you sore at first. They break down scar tissue and muscle adhesions and then flush them out of your system. Personally, when I receive a deep tissue massage, I am sorer for 48 hours and then feel significantly better.
It’s important to tell the masseuse what is sore and what gets the most sore. Every person and runner is different and a massage is tailored to your needs. You will get the most benefit by being vocal of what you need.
When should you get a deep tissue massage?
The timing of a deep tissue massage is necessary. Similar to a workout, it’s important not to get a massage right before a goal race. My personal rule is 3-5 days before. It allows your muscles to recover.
Your message will also not be as beneficial if you get it the same day after a race. The masseuse will not be able to go as deep into your muscles because they are already swollen. My rule of thumb is waiting 1-2 days afterwards.
I am just speaking from personal experience with deep tissue massages. I’ve found they keep the majority of my muscles injury free and keep my running well too.
For anyone in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area, Dr. Kemenosh has just added deep tissue massages back into the list of methods they utilize over there. (Dr. Kemenosh and his team fixed my glute, hamstring and butt issue injury after my marathon). I can’t say enough positive things about their team!
Here are more articles I found interesting as well:
When Should Runners Get a Deep Tissue Massage?
The Pros and Cons of Massages for Runners
Questions for you:
Have you ever gotten a deep tissue or any massage?