long-winded training update
This week I humbly come before you to admit that I got the case of the lazies. Not only did I make my "rest or cross train" day this week a rest day, but I also skipped one of my runs to "rest." That makes three rest days this week. Bad. I didn't really need to, and Thursday was actually pretty nice, so a run might have been beautiful. But there was just this part of me that didn't feel like going out. I think the thought of running the same route three days in a row made me feel a bit like a hamster, like I was doing it because I had to and not because it was fun. I think it might be time to change routes or otherwise find some way to mix things up.
I've also been slacking a bit on my strength training (I'm full of confessions this week). My theory (and it's a good one) is because the weather has been nicer and I'm now doing 100% of my runs outside, so I hardly ever go to the gym anymore. No gym visits=no weight machines. There are ways to get around this of course--I could actually GO to the gym, I could run to the gym, do my weights, then run home (I did this once last week), or I could use my 5lb. weights at home and do squats and lunges and things. But I guess I had gotten used to the convenience of doing it all at once at the gym that none of these things have worked and I've ended up doing nothing. I need to fix this, though, because core training (and hip training, as I've heard) should help with my shin splints.
Speaking of shin splints, they're not completely gone. But they are now on a pattern--they always hurt on Wednesdays. It could be that this is due to a 4-day delay from my long run or something--I don't know what else it could be since Wednesday is a short, easy run and shouldn't be particularly bothersome. I'm not sure, but I like that there is a pattern so I can try to work around it. But I also blame this for me skipping my Thursday run. I was hesitant to work the legs, should have done cross-training instead but didn't make it to the gym in time, and a friend invited me to dinner instead so I guess I just..... eh? Blew it off. *tail between legs* Maybe skipping one run isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but the lax attitude does concern me a bit. So I'll have to think of ways to spice things up a bit so I can get my enthusiasm back.
On thing I'm FOR SURE enthusiastic about is my long run on Saturday. I continue to be thrilled about these because just about every other week we add a mile, which means a new record for me, and another burst of pride and excitement. I wish the excitement could get me through the short runs during the week, but I still really look forward to Saturdays. This week (tomorrow) I'll be going for 7 miles. Seven! Miles!
In other news, I sent in my signed paperwork this week, so I'm now officially committed to finishing my fundraising and running my race. Alaska, here I come!
I've also been slacking a bit on my strength training (I'm full of confessions this week). My theory (and it's a good one) is because the weather has been nicer and I'm now doing 100% of my runs outside, so I hardly ever go to the gym anymore. No gym visits=no weight machines. There are ways to get around this of course--I could actually GO to the gym, I could run to the gym, do my weights, then run home (I did this once last week), or I could use my 5lb. weights at home and do squats and lunges and things. But I guess I had gotten used to the convenience of doing it all at once at the gym that none of these things have worked and I've ended up doing nothing. I need to fix this, though, because core training (and hip training, as I've heard) should help with my shin splints.
Speaking of shin splints, they're not completely gone. But they are now on a pattern--they always hurt on Wednesdays. It could be that this is due to a 4-day delay from my long run or something--I don't know what else it could be since Wednesday is a short, easy run and shouldn't be particularly bothersome. I'm not sure, but I like that there is a pattern so I can try to work around it. But I also blame this for me skipping my Thursday run. I was hesitant to work the legs, should have done cross-training instead but didn't make it to the gym in time, and a friend invited me to dinner instead so I guess I just..... eh? Blew it off. *tail between legs* Maybe skipping one run isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but the lax attitude does concern me a bit. So I'll have to think of ways to spice things up a bit so I can get my enthusiasm back.
On thing I'm FOR SURE enthusiastic about is my long run on Saturday. I continue to be thrilled about these because just about every other week we add a mile, which means a new record for me, and another burst of pride and excitement. I wish the excitement could get me through the short runs during the week, but I still really look forward to Saturdays. This week (tomorrow) I'll be going for 7 miles. Seven! Miles!
In other news, I sent in my signed paperwork this week, so I'm now officially committed to finishing my fundraising and running my race. Alaska, here I come!