I'm linking up with the Weekly Run Down, please head over to Kim and Deborah to check it out.
Monday: an easy 3 miles. I also added in the lunge matrix beforehand on the suggestion of my coach.
My thoughts on the lunge matrix are that I like it a lot. I do it first and then do my standard pre-run warmup of leg swings/walking lunges/high knees/butt kicks/calf stretch.
Tuesday: an easy 5 miles, strength in the evening
Wednesday: off
Thursday: yay, it's workout day! 2 mile warmup, 3 miles at pace, and one mile cool down. I set up the 3 miles as 6 x half mile and felt like I constantly had to slow down to stay on pace (yay!). Strength in the evening (P.S. my coach has my strength workouts scheduled in Final Surge).
Friday: 3 miles EZ
Saturday: 8 mile long run. A few predictable things happened:
- The one that I don't regret==>I picked a difficult route. There's a park three miles from my front door with a two mile hiking trail. The final mile of the trail and the first mile back home are very uphill, and it's very normal for me to "die" in that segment of the run.
- We had an early taste of summer with temps >60 and very sunny. Some people start their runs earlier on days like this, but I am not some people.
- I had enough foresight to put on sun screen and take a salt stick beforehand...but only took my 10 oz water bottle and forgot my cooling neck gaiter.
Anyhoo the first four miles were delightful and then the wheels very predictably came off the bus. I did quite a bit of run walk to get through the bottom half of the run. While I was there I pondered my life decisions. The one thing in my control is the water situation. I came home and plopped myself in front of the computer and finally plowed through the analysis paralysis that's stopped me from getting a hydration backpack. This is less than $100 and once I get it and have a few runs with it I'll let you know what I think. I'm also going to start taking salt sticks during long summer runs in addition to the one I take beforehand.
What's Next
After two weeks of mostly easy running plus a solid strength plan, I'm feeling really good. Next week is a "wild card" week since I'm getting my 2nd "Fauci ouchie" tomorrow! The three weeks have flown by so fast. The morning of my first shot 124 million doses had been given in the U.S. and of this morning the numbers are showing 183 million.
One of the things that my coach and I talked about was whether it made sense to start working together when we did or wait until the week after my 2nd vaccine. I decided to go for it since that would give us two weeks, a potential bad week, and then full steam ahead from there. So the next week is completely up in the air...whatever happens happens.
I can't control side effects, but I am really fascinated to see if I can prevent arm soreness. My tentative plan is to do some isometric exercises during the 15 minute observation period after the shot, and then I'm going to stop by my office for about an hour during which time I'll squeeze in some wall/desk pushups. Once I'm back home I'm hoping to be able to sneak in my strength workout.
I lifted weights the day after I got my shot and I think that helped with some of the soreness. Hope its not too bad for you! It's crazy how different the reactions are for everyone.
ReplyDeleteHah, by the day after my first shot I couldn't lift anything. So that's my baseline to see if I can make a difference this time around.
DeleteOh, gosh, I am with you on analysis paralysis. If I were better at accounting for the value of my time, I wouldn’t agonize over so many relatively minor purchasing decisions!
ReplyDeleteI hope your second dose goes well!
The problem with hydration packs is that there are so many options, so many price points, and SO MANY REVIEWS...I'm so glad to finally be done with the decision making.
DeleteI ran a trail race the day after my second dose. You will be fine! Glad you're getting it. My son got the J&J a few weeks ago--right now his girlfriend and housemates all have COVID. He IS FINE! I'm so happy.
ReplyDeleteYep, no side effects whatsoever is also a possibility but I think a few days of being under the weather is more likely based on my reaction to the first shot.
DeleteI'm sorry that your son's GF & roommates have COVID but yay that your son is fine! Pretty soon COVID is going to be an annoyance rather than a killer.
Hope you 2nd shot goes well. I had no side effects but who knows?
ReplyDeleteWhen there are too many choices, I choose nothing sometimes - I have no hydration pack or workout equipment, etc lol
Absolutely when there are too many choices I just shut down. Side effects or no I'm looking forward to my poke-poke and doing my part to put COVID in the rearview mirror.
DeleteOkay, I can't wait to hear about your second shot! I like everyone's suggestions about the sore arm issue- I'll be interested to hear if it works.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was also pondering my life decisions on my long run two weeks ago, where I got lost and accidentally ran a half marathon on a hot day with hardly any water. I need a hydration vest! Let us know how you like yours.
Your accidental half was awesome! Don't worry, I'll Tell All on the hydration pack and every last detail on my side effects.
DeleteHopefully you will just get a "good shot" and won't have any arm pain! I was shocked that my arm didn't hurt one bit. My husband did have pain this time, but he had the shot in the other arm, not the same arm. I think you will like that hydration pack. It looks just like someone in my group uses. I hear you on the warm weather. I was spent by the end of my long run! I hope it doesn't get that warm for my marathon!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so excited to get the shot no matter what!!! Fingers crossed that the weather will be good for your race.
DeleteHope the second shot goes well! I was "sure" I'd at least have a sore arm after I got the J&J but nope! Maybe I am a robot.
ReplyDeleteLet's rewind to our conversation three weeks ago. You said that you were sure you were months away from getting the vax and now you're done ahead of me! https://birchwoodpie.blogspot.com/2021/03/weekly-sweats-not-lot.html
DeleteHave you read that isometric exercises will help? I didn't know that...
ReplyDeleteGlad your running is going well and that you are happy with your coach!
No, I'm just guessing on the isometrics. My goal is to do "something" right away and my body is all that I'll have so I'll do "air" curls and the chest press thing where you press your palms together. I kind of doubt that I'll be successful in preventing the soreness but it's worth a try.
DeleteI have a similar lunge matrix that I do I posted it a few weeks ago on IG I love it before a run. I had no side effects at all you will be fine! Hydration is key for me in warmer months glad you found one you like
ReplyDeleteIt's possible that I won't have side effects but more likely that I will since I had them the first time. I'm just so glad to be done!
DeleteGood luck on Vax #2. My shot #1 is happening on Friday morning at work (onsite for the win!), so I'm going to be doing some arm work intermittently afterwards as well. I held off, for a long time, on getting a hydration pack, then the opportunity came up to test one (I think for a cheap price, or maybe it was free? It was a few years ago), and that one has worked well for me. It has a pocket for a bladder, but I have never used that feature (kind of creeps me out to have all that water sloshing through a straw), but it has pockets for two 8-oz. bottles on the front (plus a few extra pockets for fuel, etc.). I only use it for really long runs or on really hot summer days, but it works well!
ReplyDeleteYay for the vax! It's really cool that they're doing it onsite. I haven't heard of any employers doing that here.
DeleteI need a lot of water on hot days, so I'm really excited to have a full 2 liters on board.
I think I have the same hydration pack as you. I do like mine but wish the front pockets were bigger for my phone. No big deal cause sometimes i put it in my shorts or in the pocket in the back. The day after my 2nd vaccine I ran and did a bike class early in the morning and then just felt tired afterwards. Yes, I felt horrible but it wasn't the end of the world. I did feel better the following day.
ReplyDeleteSo far I feel like the side effects are milder for shot #2. I'm just so glad to have it done!
DeleteI like the Lunge Matrix! I will be revisiting that video again this week to make sure I do them properly and also before a run.
ReplyDeleteI have a hydration vest and it is by far one of the best purchases I've ever made. not just for water/gels/food, but there have been times I've actually put light clothing in there to change if needed.
Interested to hear how it goes with the 2nd shot and whether the arm exercises will help!
I think the arm workout really helped! Obviously it's not a scientific study but I was able to lie on the side of the injection last night. That definitely didn't happen the first time around.
DeleteI hope your second vaccination goes well. The reactions people are having are all over the place from feeling nothing to major chills, fever, or achiness so I think you're smart to be aware that it might affect your workouts for a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI love the lunge matrix! I think you'll appreciate its effectiveness on your strength and form.
It did! I felt blah the day after but NBD.
DeleteI really feel like the lunge matrix is activating my glutes. Whatever it's doing, it feels good.
Sounds like training is going well.
ReplyDeleteWhile she's not a doctor, my mom recommends rubbing the injection site for about an hour after receiving to keep a knot from forming. I did this for the first dose, and she has done it for both, and the soreness was minimal. Clearly anecdotal, but... it can't hurt?
Exactly, it's all anecdotal, but I do feel that the exercise helped. If nothing else it gave me something to do in the 15 minute observation period.
DeleteYay for the 2nd shot! I hope all goes smoothly and there are minimal/no side effects.
ReplyDeleteI hope the hydration pack works out well. I can sometimes spin myself in circles over such purchases.
Thanks Michelle! There are just something where there's no good answer and I will spin my wheels forever. I think I had to go through the process of having a bad run b/c I ran out of water to finally buckle down and get it done.
DeleteGreat running this week. I have thought about getting a hydration backpack too. If you get one, I will be interested to read your thoughts. The lunge matrix looks awesome. I must give it a try.
ReplyDeleteSo, so glad you got your second vaccine shot last week. How were you feeling. I am due next week and can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI've never contemplated a hydration pack but it's probably not a bad idea considering that CA summers are really hot. I ran in 80+F weather last weekend and it was dumb!