Weekly Rundown- More Ups and Downs
Oh hi! Thanks for stopping by for the Weekly Rundown. This week had some ups and downs- but I’m grateful for all the ups! I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah- thanks for hosting, ladies! Here’s how the week played out. Sunday 10 mile long run on the trail! This run actually went really, really well. My foot ached a little; I ignored it. I never got too tired or overheated, and I used my new hydration vest. This was the vest I was questioning, but Catrina has the same one and she said she loves it. It did not make me too hot (as I had feared.) I finished this run feeling super encouraged. Monday I woke up feeling good, other than a little soreness in my quads. I fired up the Glutes and Core Power Workout from Sally McRae’s app, and then did Caroline Givan’s deadbug workout.. Tuesday In the morning I did The Ankle Mobility and Foot Strength workout from Sally’s app, followed by the Girvan deadbugs again. Later in the day, after work, I ran 4 miles. I’m trying to build up my heat tolerance before my race by running in the afternoon at least once a week. Wednesday Gym day. 20 minutes on the stairmaster, then squats. I was pleased to find that I can squat the same weight as before my ankle injury, AND I’m getting down lower! After the squats I did 30 minutes on the treadmill, 13% incline, 3 mph. I wore my new trail shoes just to get a feel for them. Thursday An upper body day was in order. First I did the CG deadbug workout at home, then got myself to the gym for bench press, reverse fly, overhead press, and lat pulldowns. So far, this week is going GREAT! No issues, a nice mix of strength, running, and cross training. I’m in the zone! (Cue the ominous music…) Friday Early morning 4 mile run! My foot felt good, but about a mile into it, my low back started to ache. SIGH. This low back issue is something that comes and goes, usually flaring up if I’m not super careful about my body mechanics at work. Sometimes I’ll feel it during a long run, but today it was suddenly very prominent. I ran 3 miles, then changed shoes and wore the Altra Timps for the last mile. The zero drop definitely felt different- but I mostly just noticed the back pain (which had nothing to do with the shoes, as it started earlier in the run.) Is there a rule that something always has to hurt??? It’s like one thing feels better and then something else falls apart. SHEESH. I had planed a Sally McRae lower body workout for after work, but the back was really achy and I didn’t want to do anything to aggravate it. Instead I did the Ankle Mobility and Foot Strength workout, and when that went well I added a couple sets of walking lunges with overhead dumbbells- I’m still marveling at how hard that is. Saturday Off! I had one of the best sleep-ins in recent memory- woke up just before 5:30, mentally groaned about having to get up, and then remembered- NO, I CAN SLEEP TILL SEVEN. and promptly fell back asleep. And, my husband got up to feed the cats! Woohoo. Then I went to work, where I was very, very careful of my low back, which still aches. I used my Bob and Brad massage gun on it, which feels AMAZING while I’m doing it. As soon as I stop it aches again. Sunday On tap- 13 mile run! And yes, I will be completing this run regardless of how my back feels. The concern is not that I’ll injure myself or not be able to finish the run- it’s just that I might not enjoy it as much as I would otherwise. Well, tough luck. This run is happening! I have a good podcast lined up to keep me on track: How was your week? Do you have a favorite podcast to listen to while running or working out?