Hellooooo! It was another big week over here with back-to-back long runs. I remember last year when I was getting ready to do my first ever back-to-backs, Kyria said “back-to-back long runs are fun!” You know what- she’s right! This was the last hard effort before my race (on April 26th) and I’m happy with how it went. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s see how it all went down.
Sunday
Leg day at the gym, focused on squats. Squats are still scary for me, so I’m proud of myself for continuing to add weight and get down low. I also saw a guy fail a squat in a spectacular manner- he let the bar drop off behind him, and he was just fine. I was inspired by his bravery!
Monday
4 mile run! This was uneventful. All I can remember is that it was dark.
Tuesday
Strength work at home- the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout, hip stability exercises, and work with the pull up bar. In the afternoon I got a massage! Lots of focus on those hips and hamstrings.
Wednesday
Long run #1! You may remember that I skipped a long run last week because of a nagging pain in my left hamstrings. Well- the pain is still there, but I needed one last long effort before my race. I loaded up my car with everything I needed- including a change of clothes in case I needed to finish this “run” at the gym on the Starimaster- and headed to the park.
It was a beautiful day! I couldn’t have hoped for better weather in April. It was in the low 60s when I started and the temps never climbed above 75. My hamstring ached the whole time, but it never turned into anything worse. Overall I felt really good and ended up with…
My hand is dirty because I fell on the trail- but luckily no harm done, other than two scraped up elbows. I was really happy with how this went!
Thursday
Long run #2! Because I had to work, I did this later in the day at the gym. And because of my cranky hamstring, I planned to divide it up- I did one hour on the Stairmaster and then one hour of running on the treadmill.
You know what was the hardest part? When I got off the Stairmaster and started running on the treadmill. My legs were like “No. You are insane. We’re not doing this. Stop right now!!!” They really, really didn’t want to move. But after about five minutes I felt pretty good. At the end of an hour I felt like I could have kept going… but I was also VERY happy to stop.
Friday
In the morning I walked 2 miles. Everything felt pretty good! After work I went to my sports chiropractor and demanded that he repair any and all damage, ha ha. He worked hard on my hamstring and hip, and adjusted my low back. As usual I left there feeling great.
Saturday
I opted to sleep in till 7:00 am, and went to the gym after work. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill…
I could feel a little residual fatigue, and was disappointed that my hamstring still ached. Somehow I was hoping the chiropractor had fixed it (you can tell I’m a wildly optimistic person). But it was fine, and I did some core work as well.
Sunday
On tap for today- the gym again! Back to leg day and squats (which I’m still scared of, ha ha).
Overall- a great week. The hay is officially in the barn. For the next two weeks I’ll be doing shorter runs and sessions on the Stairmaster- just keeping myself in shape but also hopefully letting that hamstring rest as well.
How was your week? Did the weather cooperate for you like it did for me?
36 Responses
Yay Farmer Jenny! You not only did back to back runs but you made a sandwich with an hour of stairs in the center! That hay is piled up high. Enjoy the taper!
Ha ha, thanks Birchie!
I am glad you had a good week of runs and you didn’t feel too achy! The weather was pretty chilly here but it’s in the 60s this weekend which feels so good! I got a short run/walk in yesterday and will do another this am when Phil is up. And most importantly, Will STTN both nights!!! So I am feeling much better!
Oh wow, you must be feeling SO much better! Two nights of sleep is amazing. Glad you were able to get out for your run/walk. Things are looking up!
Congrats on getting those long runs completed! I’m so happy that you felt so good after doing them and can’t wait to hear all about the race.
Thanks Debbie! Oh, don’t worry- you’ll definitely be hearing ALL about the race! More than you even want to know, ha ha…
Yay! The hay ^is^ in the barn — and you have a good plan for getting to the harvest celebration — a/k/a your race. 😉
I wish I had a good massage therapist and chiropractor. That upkeep is really missing from my life.
Ha ha… the harvest celebration. And yes- my sports chiropractor is really saving me. I’m VERY lucky to have him!
Good for you. You are ready!!!!!!
I hope the weather cooperates on race day.
Oh yes… the weather. We’ll see about that! It’s probably going to be hot, but I think there’s some shade up in Ocala- that might save me.
The taper is on for me too! You are getting some very solid workouts in along with the running. You are making me look like a slacker haha! So glad your back to back runs went well and you weren’t stopped by that annoying hamstring.
Lisa, I had the same thought when I read your blog post- she’s running more than me and she’s “just” doing a marathon! You had almost back to back with that 12 miler two days after the 20 mile run. Anyway… now we just have to stay healthy and sane during our tapers.
Nice job on your long runs! Take care of yourself and be rested and ready for race day!
Thank you Deborah! It’s all about taking care of myself for the next two weeks.
You “demanded” that all damage be fixed! lol
I wish there were a place where we could go to get our parts fixed or exchanged over the counter!
Great work as always, Jenny! Sending best wishes and vibes for the race coming up.
(I’m not a sporty person, so I had to look up the meaning of your post title–& I like it!)
Thank you Maya! And now I’m having visions of getting new hamstring on my left side- yes, I want that!
Way to go on that 24-mile (as well as the Part-2 the next day). I like the dirt on your hand in the pic, it makes it look very authentic 😉 I had to laugh at your legs refusing to run after the hour-long stair climb excursion. Several years ago, I did a duathlon. The final run came after a hilly (and windy) 20-mile bike ride. It was a 5K to the finish line. My friend and I compared it to a death march because EVERYONE (myself included) looked like zombies trudging along, moar begrudgingly.
Yes, that is very comparable! Running after the bike is infamously terrible. That how I felt- but once you get going, it feels a little better.
Your long run weather sounds so nice! Unfortunately I was not so lucky as summer decided to make an early appearance here this week with our first 100 degree days. For my long run yesterday, it started out at 80 degrees and was 96 by the time I finished! I was basically useless for the rest of the day and just drank a bunch of water and stayed in the A/C. The one positive of the heat is that the building where I work is really old and the A/C craps out every summer so I got to work from home on Friday! It won’t be quite as hot this coming week but I’m hoping the A/C isn’t fixed yet so I can wfh again.
You are so ready for your race and I hope you enjoy the taper!
EGADS, 96??? Ouch. Blech, summer. Well, I hope you get to work from home a lot- I’ll hope for lots of AC issues at your job!
Good for you, Jenny!!! Sounds like a very good week – I’m excited to hear about your race. I have houseguests here the weekend of your race (actually I have houseguests the next two weekends, things are HECTIC) so I might be slow to catch up – but I WILL catch up!
Thank you Nicole! Maybe you should think about canceling that second set of guests, so you can focus more on my race that weekend : )
It sounds like you had a great week and that you’re in good form!! I know, I know, the hamstrings.. but it still sounds like you’re in control of it and the next two weeks of softer runs and extra TLC should make you race ready. Your legs’ reaction to the Thursday treadmill run sounds exactly like my legs doing squats after the RDLs on Wednesday.. screaming to stop. I think it’s a great feeling to be able to push through that!
THank you Susanne! Yes, it’s a good lesson to learn- our legs might tell us to stop, but we don’t really have to stop. And, I like the way you describe it- yes, my hamstings hurt, but I feel like the situation is under control.
So much running. Hope all ges well leading up to the big race.
THank you so much Tobia!!!
Eeeks. So exciting. You’ve done all the hard work and now get to just sit back and “trust the process” as San would say.
I am incredibly impressed with all your activity. I seem to have taken CBWC as an excuse to stop any and all things that aren’t walking related. I have lifted weights once – ONCE! – in April. Sigh. I keep saying I’m going to change that and don’t. Ugh. Maybe this week?
The month is still young, Elisabeth! Plenty of time to lift weights. Although- walking is also a beneficial activity. It’s not like you’re skipping lifting weights in order to sit on the couch and eat bon bons. You will be fine!
Nice work on the long runs, Jenny! You are so close!
Thank you Suzanne! Now I ust have to manage not to hurt myself between now and April 26th.
Yes, girl, the hay is definitely in the barn! Great job on that 24 miler. Now, just take it easy and do that taper. Let everything calm down. You got this!
Thank you Wendy!!!!! I appreciate the pep talk.
Sounds like a good week, Jenny. I do hope the hamstrings keeps behaving, and in the best case scenario, stop bothering you soon (preferably before the race!).
Wow, it still blows my mind how you just go out on run 24 miles on a Wednesday! And then to follow it up with another one the next day! GOOD JOB! Exciting that your race is really soon. I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
That glute press machine looks cool. I don’t think we have one of those! The closest I do to those would be a cable glute kickback. Or maybe we do and I just haven’t seen it. Our gym is kinda funny in that it’s got different strength machines sort of scattered in a few different rooms. I tend to stick to certain areas so maybe I’m missing something! Re: the squats, great job on pushing yourself! I am kind of going the opposite direction there, unfortunately. Currently thinking about moving away from my lifting program (Momentum with Sohee) because she focuses a lot on the big moves like squat, deadlift, hip thrust etc. Those are known as the “gold standard”, so that attracted me to her program, but with my back problems, I just keep feeling like those big compound moves do not sit well. I may try doing more accessory moves and DB and cable varieties, things like lunges, split squats, goblet squats, etc instead of the big heavy barbell moves. I guess it should still be good enough- anyway, not like I’m training to be a body builder! lol!
Bummer that the hamstring is still aching, but look at you – you’re powering thru. Looks like a great week. Glad you didn’t get more hurt in your fall. I think I’d be a mess if I took a fall.
I cannot with spring weather, Jenny. We fluctuate from snow to rain to 60 degrees and windy and I AM OVER IT. I told myself I was going to start running this year, but so far I have just not figured out how to make it fit into my life. LOL. I’m happy to hear Florida spring is better than Midwest spring.