Weekly Rundown- Mixing it Up
Newsflash! If you get up earlier, you have more time in the morning (did you know that?) Ha ha… this week I tried getting up earlier and as a result was able to fit in an extra workout. Overall my week went much better because of it. I’m joining Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. Here’s how it all went down! Monday Did not get up earlier. Day off as usual! Tuesday Ran 3 miles, then since I had extra time, did my Runner’s Touch exercises and pullups. Wednesday Again, ran 3 miles. With my new earlier wake-ups it’s dark when I start my run but light when I finish. Again, since I had more time I did lower body weights- squats and deadlifts. Thursday Lately, Thursday has been a day where I do lower body weights. BUT, since I got them all done on Tuesday and Wednesday I was able to add a day of cardio- which was my old friend, the bike. I use the word “friend” but really… I hate it. I put my road bike on the trainer and ride indoors, and it’s so. boring. I know- wouldn’t it be more fun to ride outside? Yes, if it weren’t dark and there were no cars. I just don’t feel safe out there, so I ride inside. I listen to podcasts while I run, but I’ve discovered the bike is only bearable with music. I made a new playlist just for the occasion, and it really wasn’t too bad UNTIL… a few minutes before I was going to be done, I felt the bike lurch slightly to one side. What in the world?… this was alarming, because I’m clipped into the pedals so I’m not sure if I could get my foot out quickly if the bike suddenly tipped over. But I was very close to the end, so I kept going. Luckily nothing else happened, but when I was taking my bike off the trainer afterwards I heard a little *ping*, looked down and saw a small piece of the trainer lying on the floor. WHAT. I knew it! This thing is dangerous, even inside!!! 40 harrowing minutes on the bike, followed by Gauntlet Plank Workout. Friday Another 3 mile run. Getting out earlier meant I was treated to views of the “wolf” moon during my run. Afterwards decided to match my age in pushups, so I did 34 of them. Just kidding- it was 54. Not in a row of course- I divided it into sets. Saturday Buckled down for lower body weights, plus pullups. The usual Saturday routine. Sunday! Yay! I love Sundays! Today I did a 5 mile run! Not a long run, but longer than I’ve done in quite a while. Going farther meant I could do one of my favorite routes around a lake. During this run I listened to The Strength Running Podcast with Jay Dicharry. The topic was Four Skills Needed for Pain-Free Running, and the four skills are postural control, rotational stability, hip dominance, and individual skeletal alignment. It was SO GOOD. I have to go back and listen to it again so I can do some of the tests and exercises he talks about. He did give a couple cues you can think about while you run, such as making sure your elbows are swinging back behind your body (not moving in front of your torso) and also, imagine that on your left knee there’s a blue flashlight, and on your right knee there’s a yellow flashlight. You want both knees facing forward while you run- you don’t want the lights to cross and make a green light. Lots of stuff to work on! Overall it was such a good week, and my foot didn’t hurt once while running. Getting out of bed in the morning is still… challenging… but overall things are improving. HAPPY RUNNING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!