So I started "training" using an actual "training plan" back at the beginning of November. And to say that I've stopped following the training plan may be the biggest understatement of the year. Like, I haven't even looked at it in weeks except when I cleaned out my car and found it underneath my seat. But I have still been running! Just not with any real guidance except how many miles I can fit in and who I'm running with. That being said, I totally dropped the ball on BLOGGING about running. |
The week before Thanksgiving went fairly well. I managed to get in almost 19 miles total, but I definitely struggled with some tightness in my hips, which caused some pain and derailed Thursday's run.
Monday I went out for run club and it was FREEZING! I joined up with a new group of runners and because of the cold we all said we were just gonna put in our three and call it a day... Until we reached the turn around and one girl said "Let's do four!" While the others backed out and turned around to head back in to the warmth (and free chips and dip at the bar!), I hung in there and put in the full four with her. I'm glad I did as she helped me push my pace a bit.
Tuesday was a quick jog around my neighborhood before hitting the gym to lift with my #swolemate. Nothing fancy, but I started to feel a little soreness and stiffness in my hips. The increased mileage had been impacting my shins, but now my other joints were coming in to play.
Wednesday was NRC and I joined up with my ladies for some hillier miles. The tightness in my hips, the cool weather, the shin pain kept me from going as fast as they were and eventually I fell behind them. I even managed to get lost a little and tacked on an extra quarter mile to my run. I was still pretty pleased to realize I came in at a 9:01 average pace for four miles though!
By Thursday, I could barely move though. All the running of the previous weeks and not taking care of my body before or after runs was finally catching up. This was South Side's inaugural Glow Run and as excited as I was, I ended up sticking back and playing the role of the monkey rather than actually doing any running. I *attempted* to run and got a tenth of a mile in before I said "You know what? This is a BAD IDEA."
I took Friday off and then spent Saturday and Sunday on the softer, less punishing trails. They were enjoyable runs and I got in some decent mileage. Plus, Jen and I had fun monkeying around after our run.
Monday I went out for run club and it was FREEZING! I joined up with a new group of runners and because of the cold we all said we were just gonna put in our three and call it a day... Until we reached the turn around and one girl said "Let's do four!" While the others backed out and turned around to head back in to the warmth (and free chips and dip at the bar!), I hung in there and put in the full four with her. I'm glad I did as she helped me push my pace a bit.
Tuesday was a quick jog around my neighborhood before hitting the gym to lift with my #swolemate. Nothing fancy, but I started to feel a little soreness and stiffness in my hips. The increased mileage had been impacting my shins, but now my other joints were coming in to play.
Wednesday was NRC and I joined up with my ladies for some hillier miles. The tightness in my hips, the cool weather, the shin pain kept me from going as fast as they were and eventually I fell behind them. I even managed to get lost a little and tacked on an extra quarter mile to my run. I was still pretty pleased to realize I came in at a 9:01 average pace for four miles though!
By Thursday, I could barely move though. All the running of the previous weeks and not taking care of my body before or after runs was finally catching up. This was South Side's inaugural Glow Run and as excited as I was, I ended up sticking back and playing the role of the monkey rather than actually doing any running. I *attempted* to run and got a tenth of a mile in before I said "You know what? This is a BAD IDEA."
I took Friday off and then spent Saturday and Sunday on the softer, less punishing trails. They were enjoyable runs and I got in some decent mileage. Plus, Jen and I had fun monkeying around after our run.
For Thanksgiving week, I was just crunched for time early in the week and bailed on running.
Monday night was straight to a cocktail hour for people who are big in to social media in the Nashville area. It was my first time with the group and I had fun, especially since my running buddy Jen was also there. But I got home late, had consumed a few adult beverages, and still had to finish packing. Running got pushed aside.
Tuesday was work all day, then home to grab Rory, followed by a nine hour car ride back to Michigan. When I finally pulled in to my parents' driveway, it was 3:30 AM Michigan time. No run on Tuesday either.
Then, Wednesday was a whirl of appointments! I had a doctor's appointment for an annual physical at 9. Good news? I'm as fit as a fiddle. Bad news? Well, I let them convince me to give me a tetanus shot. With all the trail running and obstacle course racing (and its inherent barbed wire), it seemed like a good idea at the time. What I forgot was how much THEY HURT! I babied my arm the rest of the day as I went to order my bridesmaids dress for my friend Coley's wedding and then to the dentist. WHEW!
I finally got in runs on Thursday and Saturday, using the short little paved trail near my folks' house. Neither day was pleasant weather and while I had intended for more miles when I left Tennessee, the reality of running in the north hit me hard and I wussed out. Plus, my arm still hurt from that damned tetanus shot!
Sunday night, after driving ten and a half hours, I threw my stuff in to my apartment and Rory and I went out for a quick spin around the block to stretch our legs. After being crammed in to the car all day, it was desperately needed and considering the weather was a gorgeous 67 degrees at 7 PM, there was no way I could pass that up. :)
The holiday week definitely put a cramp in my running plans, managing only about 6.5 miles, but I didn't give up completely and I'm back on track this week, having already logged 12 miles! (Woot woot!)
Monday night was straight to a cocktail hour for people who are big in to social media in the Nashville area. It was my first time with the group and I had fun, especially since my running buddy Jen was also there. But I got home late, had consumed a few adult beverages, and still had to finish packing. Running got pushed aside.
Tuesday was work all day, then home to grab Rory, followed by a nine hour car ride back to Michigan. When I finally pulled in to my parents' driveway, it was 3:30 AM Michigan time. No run on Tuesday either.
Then, Wednesday was a whirl of appointments! I had a doctor's appointment for an annual physical at 9. Good news? I'm as fit as a fiddle. Bad news? Well, I let them convince me to give me a tetanus shot. With all the trail running and obstacle course racing (and its inherent barbed wire), it seemed like a good idea at the time. What I forgot was how much THEY HURT! I babied my arm the rest of the day as I went to order my bridesmaids dress for my friend Coley's wedding and then to the dentist. WHEW!
I finally got in runs on Thursday and Saturday, using the short little paved trail near my folks' house. Neither day was pleasant weather and while I had intended for more miles when I left Tennessee, the reality of running in the north hit me hard and I wussed out. Plus, my arm still hurt from that damned tetanus shot!
Sunday night, after driving ten and a half hours, I threw my stuff in to my apartment and Rory and I went out for a quick spin around the block to stretch our legs. After being crammed in to the car all day, it was desperately needed and considering the weather was a gorgeous 67 degrees at 7 PM, there was no way I could pass that up. :)
The holiday week definitely put a cramp in my running plans, managing only about 6.5 miles, but I didn't give up completely and I'm back on track this week, having already logged 12 miles! (Woot woot!)