I am coming back from some unspecified running woe. The only clue that I have to work with is that I did two very hard workouts back to back a few weeks ago and it was like my body shut down on me. After backing off, I feel like things are starting to come back. 24.25 miles this week, with absolutely no thanks to the weather.
I'm linking up with the Weekly Run Down, please head over to Kim and Deborah to check it out.
Monday: 3.25 miles that were all kinds of wrong. My body just wasn't interested in moving. The only way that this workout could have been worse is if I hadn't run at all.
Tuesday: This was an awful run, but the problems were more external than internal, which was a huge improvement over Monday. The workout that RunCoach gave me was 4 x 800 @ 5k pace, which was very close to the "I made it up myself" workout that crashed me a few weeks ago. I knew that I would probably not be able to get up to pace, but I also thought that it was worth giving it a shot.
The temperature was above freezing and it looked like the snow was coming to an end when I set off. Spoiler, it wasn't done at all. We'd had a few days of steady rain and the path was a slushy mess. By the 2nd lap I knew that I didn't have to worry about my feet getting any wetter than they already were. I shifted my goal from pace to effort and found that the workout passed very quickly. As predicted, I didn't get anywhere close to my pace but it felt relatively good to get 5.25 miles in the bank.
Wednesday: rest!
Thursday: my body was approaching normal but the weather was not. The workout was a repeat of last week: 10 minutes moderate pace - 5 minutes 5k pace - 10 minutes moderate pace - 5 minutes 5k pace. SO.MUCH.WIND. In those conditions the moderate pace was achievable, 5k was not. All that I could do was laugh at my Garmin when it beeped to warn me about my pace. Apart from the weather drama, this was a decent workout of 5.25 miles total.
Friday: another day where the spirit was willing but the weather was not. I did my part with an easy effort 4.25 miles, the wind did not cooperate with me.
Saturday: oh hey! All of a sudden the weather was fine and my body was raring to go. I dropped 6.25 miles like it was no big deal. For comparison, in a "normal" week 3 out of 5 runs would be 6 miles or more...this is only the 2nd time that I've hit the 10k distance this month. This run was a much needed win.
Sunday: planned rest day. I am sticking to the plan but between you and me I really feel like going out for a run. It's a good feeling.
What's Next
It's time to transition to the treadmill for weekdays. In the first place I don't need the weather drama and in the second place early morning work meetings are starting to become a thing. Time to go back to my pre-pandemnic lifestyle of finishing my workouts by the time the kids leave for school in the morning. This means scaling back my workouts until my body adjusts to the treadmill. C'est la vie.
As of right now the Turkey Trot is still scheduled to be an in person race and the weather is looking good. Based on the past few weeks there is no way, no how that I will hit sub 30, so this will be a "for fun" effort. I think it is very likely that the race will get cancelled, but that's no problem, if it does then I'll be running with me, myself, and I in the park.
Winter Leggings Update
A few weeks ago I shared an unfortunate incident that occurred due to some cheap winter leggings that I scored on Amazon. I'm pleased to report that these leggings from Old Navy turned out to be great! While I am not going to be running in temps lower than 30, they passed the test for low 30's/high winds.
Wow, look at that snow! So far the white stuff has held off in Virginia, but I'll be like an excited little kid when it does arrive.
ReplyDeleteSmart to take today off to rest even though your body and brain were raring to run!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Our dog was VERY happy with the snow, the humans not so much. Happy T-day!
DeleteRunning is always one of those ebb and flow things, isn't it? When my legs aren't cooperating (like today) I throw the run/walk intervals back in. I wanted some big miles today and I got them. Not how I wanted them, but I made the most of it. I can't complain about our weather. Earlier this week, they were predicting rain all day today but instead, it went south. I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteYes, when it's good it's good and when it's tough...it's still good but really tough. Congrats on dodging the rain!
DeleteI think we often don't realize the toll that longer runs/race efforts can take on our body. Rest really is important and you were smart to listen to your body. Good luck w the turkey trot this week. Mine will be a virtual 10K but I am excited for it. Have a good week
ReplyDeleteVery true. I know when not to run, but I'm still working on when to scale it back. Good luck on your 10k!
DeleteGlad you had the much-needed win with the 10k run. That's a lot of snow! Effort based workouts are just as good as hitting specified paces. The effort varies so much every day!
ReplyDeleteWe did have a nice little white out but it didn't stay around for long. Effort wise I am certainly on track with the workouts lately.
DeleteThursday was super windy here as well! I just saw leaves flying in the air all day.
ReplyDeleteThat's nice that the local Turkey Trot will still be an in-person race. The one in my town got moved to virtual but it's still raising money for charity which is great!
That's exactly how I feel about my TT, it's $25 to a good cause, and one way or another I will get my race.
DeleteSay no more, Old Navy has been very kind to me (which is why I don't spend the money on name brand, even if their products are all they claim to be). I'm glad to see the mojo is returning ;-) I totally hear ya on the wind (it's my nemesis)! Now, just imagine if you were on a bike LOL
ReplyDeleteYes! I dropped about $70 for 4 pairs of leggings and I'm done. It would have been easy to spend more than $70 for a single pair elsewhere, and for what?
DeleteI'm hoping my new Athleta tights will be a solid choice for cold weather - lower than 30. I haven't tried them in that temp yet so not sure. They are probably the first pair I have actually paid my own money for instead of using only rewards dollars. But really, great fitting cold weather tights are a solid investment and money well spent! I feel like you still have a good shot at that sub 30. Maybe you will surprise yourself!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa! I think I'm going to set my watch for half mile laps and alternate easy/hard effort. That way I won't know any of my splits until the end and it won't be 30 minutes of killing myself.
DeleteSo that's where the snow is going! Knock wood we haven't really had any that stuck so far. I'm glad you rested despite the urge to run.
ReplyDeleteThe picture makes it look worse than it was. It was less than an inch and cleared out pretty soon. But it's most definitely a sign of things to come.
DeleteWe won’t have snow here for a while, but the danger of inches-thick fallen leaves on the sidewalk is real! There are some spots I can’t even tell where the sidewalk is. I’m not a fan of leaf blower noise, but I wish my neighbors would do something with their leaves. :-P
ReplyDeleteGlad your running woes seem to be behind you. I can talk myself into 30 min on the treadmill at a time!
30-40 minutes is a sweet spot for me as well. I love fall running but the leaves and the acorns that come down are a hazard.
DeleteGlad you are starting to feel better! Can't believe that snow you have. I don't blame you for switching to the treadmill for those early weekday runs!
ReplyDeleteThe snow wasn't bad, it was the inch of slush underneath it that was the problem. Thank goodness the treadmill is an option!
DeleteSnow? No way! I am not ready for it at all. I hate snow.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the Old Navy tights work for you.
Excited for you for Thursday's race!
If I was in charge of the weather the only time we would have snow from mid December through the first week of January...that's more than enough.
Deleteno no snow! Not ready if ever.
ReplyDeleteWe've had some cold windy weather. Wind is worse that the temps.
Hope you running issues have ended. GL with your trot. There is plenty of time for goals. Just have fun. You'll get there. It's hard without the REAL race atmosphere.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks Darlene! My only goal with this race is to have fun and to increase my t shirt wardrobe.
DeleteI love your thought on Monday's run - the only way it could be worse is if you hadn't run at all! Even a bad run is better than no run. Good luck on the Turkey Trot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie!
DeleteLook at all that snow! It's so pretty but I'm sure it's not fun for running. I don't know that I could manage the treadmill all winter, but I know it's not a choice for so many people.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your turkey trot!
The layer of slush underneath the snow was the real buzzkill. When the treadmill is the only option it becomes a lot more appealing.
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