Weekly Rundown- Back to the Trail!

Well, this was a pretty nice week!  I had a couple good runs, one great run (!) and I’m enjoying my new app for strength workouts.  Before I get into it, a big thank you to Kim and Deborah for hosting!  Okay, here’s how the week played out. Sunday 7 mile trail run!  This was the longest run I’ve done since spraining my ankle, and the first time I’ve been back on the trail.  It’s funny how even a “smooth” and “easy” trail is much less even than the pavement!  I had a little discomfort, but my ankle did pretty well and it was a good run overall. Monday I’m still exploring all the options on Sally McRae’s app.  This workout is called “Ankle Mobility and Foot Strength” (did she make this just for me?)  It’s a nice combination of work with a band, some planks, and some bigger movements that involve single leg balance. I followed this with the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout.. Tuesday Double workout day!  In the morning I did the Glutes and Core workout from Sally’s app, and after work I ran 3 miles. Every time I see a video of myself running, I wonder what I’m doing with my arms.  It feels like I’m just swinging them back and forth, but actually my left arm goes way out to the side.  I’m very intrigued by the FloatRun Harness that Janae shared in this post..  It’s supposed to put your arms in the correct position, which then helps to align everything else and improve your form.  It’s not expensive, and I’m going to order one! Wednesday I started the day with the Ankle Mobility and Foot Strength workout again, and then headed to the gym.  I did 30 minutes on the stairmaster, then did the Cool Bloggers Workout- Birchwood said she decided to make it harder by increasing the incline to 13%.  Challenge accepted!  30 minutes on the treadmill, 13% incline, 3 mph. Thursday I did another Sally McRae- “Dumbbell Workout- Strength and Control.”  Wow, this was hard.  I don’t think I’ve ever done as many workouts that include balancing on one leg as I have this past week.  This workout ends with walking lunges with overhead dumbbells. You’d be surprised how hard this is.  I can do walking lunges and I can hold dumbbells over my head- why is it 100 times harder to do both at the same time???  Great workout. Friday 4 mile run.  This run felt INCREDIBLE.  Or, I could say it’s the first time since my injury that I felt normal.  HOORAY!!! I followed it up with the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout.  This run got me excited for my long run on Sunday! Saturday Off.  Slept in till 7 before going to work. Sunday On tap- 10 mile trail run.  I really have to start ramping up my long runs, because I seem to be running a 50K in five weeks (ack.) C’mon foot- you can do it!!! Do you work on your running form? – Mine definitely needs some improvement. Do you have any big races coming up?