Do you live your life reactively or proactively?
For the last eighteen years I feel like I’ve been living my life reactively. I get the most important things done and can function surrounded by a low level of chaos. But imagine how much better and more productive my life would be if I were more in control, more organized, more proactive.
Now that we’re four weeks into the school year, I’m learning how to cope with my son being gone (sob!) and my daughter’s schedule. At the beginning of this week I made a chart of each day- what time my daughter wakes up, what time she goes to school, what time I go to work, and when I’m going to work out. No two days are the same, which made it super confusing at first. But now I’m getting the hang of it.
So how am I getting in that pesky strength training?
Glad you asked! I have a new idea that I’m trying out this month. Before each run, I’m doing a short Strength for Runners class on the Peloton app. Did you know you can search for exactly what kind of class you want by using the filter? Ha ha… of course you did. I’m probably the only one who wasn’t using that. But now I’ve realized I can search for a Strength for Runners class by instructor and/or duration, and then I pick one that is ten to twenty minutes long and doesn’t use weights.
Here’s the way I’m looking at it. I just don’t believe my glutes are that weak. At least, that’s not really the problem. I’ve been doing strength training for years, so I don’t think my glutes are too weak for me to run properly. I think they’re not firing correctly. By doing a SFR workout as a warmup, I’m getting those muscles activated properly.
I’ll still do one dedicated day of strength training a week, with weights, because of course I can always be stronger. I’ll also do a power yoga class once a week, which counts as strength (in my world) and I’ll do two yoga flow classes, and two restorative yoga classes.
That’s the plan!
On a side note. I’m still dealing with the plantar fasciitis. Instead of spending money on shockwave treatments (again) or expensive doctor visits (again), or looking into some sort of injection, I decided to do things the old fashioned way. I went to Target, looked in the foot care section, and came home with these:
These aren’t a permanent solution, but I’m planning to wear them in my work shoes. My favorite part is the little extra pad of cushioning in the heel. I’m already suffocating at work because of wearing a mask all day, and stepping down on my heel spur 100,000 times a day was about to drive me insane. We’ll see how these work out while I’m deciding what to do next.
Happy September!
Do you have any new plans or goals for this month?
16 Responses
This is a brilliant idea, Jenny!
Doing strength training immediately before your run will fire up the glutes and it will set up a good routine as well. All the best!
For the next quarter, I want to get back into regular push up training again. 😊
Push up training is a good goal! I feel like I should borrow that goal… maybe next month.
I’m with you…I think my glutes are strong, they’re just not firing like they should (some of the time). I do think all of my stair warm-ups have helped with that, but I’m also doing several squats and lunges, etc., as well, before heading out. I had a heel spur both times I had PF probs (on the right foot in 2015, and on the left foot in 2016)…those are PAINFUL! I had a similar set of orthotics that I wore (Dr. Scholl’s). A new thing I’ve been doing (that started last week) is doing daily ab roll-outs with the hubby’s ab wheel. Holy! I can feel a difference, and am able to roll-out “farther” each time. Still no 6-pack yet, though….
Oh yes, I know those ab rollers! They are evil!!! But… maybe you will end up with a six pack if you keep up with it!
I also like to do a short glutes activation before running. Like you, I do not think my glutes are weak but I don’t always use them effectively. Glad you are finding new classes you like! Hey, inserts can’t hurt
Yes, I’m definitely finding some good classes! All thanks to you by the way- you’re the one who convinced me to get the app!
Great plans.
No plans yet.
I have a half on Saturday. We’ll see how it goes.
Unfortunately work sucks up most of my time.
Yes, you do seem busy! Good luck on your half- i can’t wait to hear about it.
This sounds like a great plan! My glutes don’t always fire properly either, probably thanks to sitting so much during the day. I hope the inserts help your foot!
The funny thing is, I have an active job. I really don’t sit that much- so who knows what my glutes are thinking. They definitely need to be pepped up though!
I love that you were able to figure out what’s going on with your glutes. Hopefully, activating them helps you going forward.
I’m taking things one day at a time. It’s too hard to focus on future plans right now.
Jenn, I know exactly how you feel. I went for months and months seeing people set goals and I just couldn’t do it. I’m just now feeling like I’m ready. But going one day at a time will get you there too!
I was pretty surprised to hear from my PT that my glute med wasn’t firing–come on, man! But those targeted PT exercises helped a lot. I guess I better get back on it as I’m healing and increasing my activity. I’m going back to my strength training today!! WOO HOO!
Boo to PF. My foot xray from my fracture shows a heel spur. Grateful that it isn’t bothering me right now…
Apparently a lot of heel spurs don’t cause any pain. Hopefully yours will fall into that category.
I’m glad you’re getting back to strength training- that should make you happy!
Strength training and the plantar fascia can be the right solution! All the best.
Thank you Mr. Knight! Strength training is always good.