After our “Florida cold” spell last week, our temperatures are back up. The iguanas are happy! I’m missing the cool running weather, but c’est la vie. This week I moved my long run from Wednesdays to Sunday and battled an achy back (again.) I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown- thanks, ladies!
Monday
A dark and “chilly” 4 mile run- early morning temps were still in the 50s.
Tuesday
I continued the Caroline Girvan Advent Series with an arm and shoulder workout, followed by the deadbug workout.. My back is really not happy.
After work I got a massage, focused on my back, glutes and hamstrings- it felt amazing!
Wednesday
My back was feeling so much better that I didn’t think twice about cueing up an Advent Series leg workout, which was described as “squats and RDL’s.” In the middle of the RDLs I thought, ‘Wait- is this a good idea?” but then continued on…. and by the end of the workout my back was all jacked up again. So much for the massage- sigh.
After I took my daughter to school, I took my achy back for a 4 mile run. LUCKILY my back doesn’t keep me from running. I even did a little speed work- good run!
Thursday
Hmm. My arms were still sore from the workout two days ago, my legs were sore from yesterday’s workout, and my back was sore from… life. There was only one thing to do- get out for a 2 mile walk. Then I did Caroline’s deadbug workout, because it always helps my back.
Friday
Another four mile run, followed by the deadbug workout! There are other core workouts in the Advent Series, but I didn’t want to take any chances on something new that could hurt my back- I knew the deadbug workout would help, and it did.
At night I did a lot of stretching, which felt really good. Stretching is good for you! (did you know that?) Ha- I’ve been neglecting it but there’s nothing like pain to remind you to get out the yoga mat.
Saturday
Day off! I slept in as late as possible before work. At night- lots of stretching.
Sunday
On tap- 17 mile run! The heat is officially back- it’s supposed to get up to 80 today. I’ll be up and out nice and early for this run.
How was your week- did your weather heat up?
Do you stretch a lot?
35 Responses
Haha–yes stretching is good for you! I do a lot of stretching, via yoga with Adriene. I love her videos–they are most under 20 minutes and very effective. Sorry to hear that your back is bothering you. It’s always something, isn’t it?
We are out of the deep freeze and it is everything. I woke up to a dusting of snow and am looking forward to running in that!
Yes, it’s always something! I feel like I wouldn’t be alive if something didn’t hurt.
A dusting of snow sounds pretty!
Well it’s 2 degrees right now.
I guess Florida knew I was coming.
Good luck today.
You’ll get plenty of warm weather here! Too warm, for me- but it will feel good to you.
That sucks about your back! Back pain is so debilitating. I hope your long run goes really well today! I’m not great about stretching. I feel like I need a yoga practice to really lean into stretching because otherwise I just won’t do it.
Our weather warmed up this week big time! We actually had a record high of 52° on Thursday! I walk to school to get Paul on Wednesday and Thursday and we walked home together, which was so nice. I need to do that more when it’s nice enough outside to do so!
Wow, that is crazy- 52 in January, after the deep freeze you had last week? Well, glad you’re enjoying it! It should be around 80 every day when you’re here : )
We aren’t as frozen as we were here – more like the “normal” 20-30 degrees haha sigh. I was inspired by Nicole to start doing a few stretches when I wake up and before I go to bed to help with my right lower back and hips and it’s been so good for me. I’m still creaky, but definitely less so, haha! I hope the back stays better this coming week!
Ahh 80 degrees?! I’m jealous, good luck with your 17 miler– I wouldn’t want to run on that. It was feels like 12 on my run this morning.
Eek, 12. Can’t we just have something in the middle and all be happy?
Yes, I was inspired by Nicole as well, and had been doing a little stretching here and there- apparently that wasn’t enough for me though! I agree, even a little stretching decreases the creakiness though.
Yes it finally heated up and I did my normal stretching, which is none;-)
I don’t hurt my back very often thank goodness but when I do running and walking are always good for what ails me.
I agree- running and walking definitely help my back when it’s sore. It’s the bending that does me in.
Last weekend I overdid it with an oblique-focused core workouts. I feel like I can do weighted sidebends all day, but then the next day (and the next ….) I can’t move! Glad the deadbug workout helps.
Ha, that sounds painful! Luckily it also sounds like it was temporary.
Hope you had a great Sunday run, Jenny! ANd I’m glad you got a massage and found it amazing.
Our weather has been up and down all week long, so now there’s fresh snow over the hard ice and it’s kinda dangerous out there. Not good for running at all.
Yes, I stretch a lot–I’m like an animal that way 🙂
Okay, i need to be more like an animal! And yikes- those conditions sound hazardous. When I was younger I would have run outside in all conditions, but now I picture several broken bones.
Oooh look at the cute little iguana! I saw a raccoon by the creek the other day, it was HUGE. I find them slightly terrifying but I may be scarred from Elf. Anyway, it was at a distance so Rex didn’t even try to chase it (luckily, he was on the waist leash).
We are actually getting a cold snap starting tonight! It’s cold for here but I think of it as “cold,” lows of -15, highs of -8 for like three days (Fahrenheit is a ridiculous system to me and I REFUSE to look up the conversion!) 47 years on the Canadian prairies have made me very hardy for cold! THIS IS NOTHING. That said, I am going to look out my snow pants because my walks with Rex are pretty long. There is no bad weather, only bad clothes! Friluftsliv! Hahaha I have had a lot of coffee this morning, Jenny, so you’ll have to excuse my weird weather stridency.
Oh I got so involved with the weather that I forgot to say – ugh about your back! I hope you can get some relief. There’s no pain like back pain (unless it’s dental pain, but back pain is so all-encompassing!)
Ha, I’m used to your coffee-fueled early morning comments- they’re fun! I can’t believe that after all these years I still can’t convert C to F (can it really be that hard???) but I know your weather is going to be cold. I hope Rex enjoys it!
So sorry to hear that your back is still bothering you. When I went for massage this week, my therapist noticed my hips were so much less jacked up. For me, it is running less and more strength seem to be making my body happy. Sigh. Glad your warm weather is back and enjoy your long run today
I definitely need more strength in my life- but I guess i need to avoid RDLs for now… sigh.
Sorry to hear that your back remains to be a problem. Sounds like you need another massage. Can you switch off massages with one of your coworkers?
Our weather has been heating up “because we’re in Florida.” 😉 Today we’re driving from West Palm Beach to Gainsville where there’s lots more good gravel riding. Yesterday we did a 40-mile ride in Riverbend Park with the WAG gravel cycling group of which our friend Terry is a member. We saw had a blast, and even saw four alligators! Sorry it didn’t work out for us to get together. Don’t know if you got my Tuesday evening text or not (Cari gave me your number), but I assumed you were busy when I didn’t hear back (or it was blocked as spam since I’m not in your contacts).
No I didn’t get your text????? It does sound like you were close to me. Hmm, I wonder if Cari gave you the right number? Well- glad you’re getting some nice weather, anyway! And, the Gainesville area is beautiful. Enjoy!
Specifically, we were staying in Jupiter. While riding on the Apoxee Trail to Riverbend Park I wondered if you ever run in that park.
My stretching game is all jacked, what little there actually is of it. I can blame my work schedule, but I can also admit I’m just not very disciplined with stretching anyways. I do a few dynamic stretches before most of my runs (yay, sort of, LOL), and I do a few minimal post-run stretches…but the deep stretches (that my muscles REALLY need) are few and far between. Sigh.
I know- I could blame it on time, but really I just need to be more disciplined. I do a short mobility routine before runs, and no stretching after. Sigh.
Deadbugs are wonderful! They have helped me with my glutes too. Have you tried back extensions or parachutes or the likes for your back? I feel that helps a lot when I get that upset muscle in my lower back. Generally, I haven’t had lower back pain (I had it frequently before I started training) since I started getting stronger.
I basically never stretch, or at least very rarely. If I do, it’s dynamic stretches to get some movement with increased blood flow. I simply haven’t found static stretches particularly helpful.
Ha. Is it warm where I live right now. NO! It’s freezing. So. cold. -23C with windchill yesterday. Brr.
But it was sunny today and I went to the ski hill with my daughter and one of her friends and it was actually pretty lovely. It was -9C, but no wind and with sunshine I didn’t ever feel too cold.
Sorry to hear about your back 😐 I’ve been doing some short C Girvan workouts at the gym, but I haven’t tried her deadbugs workout yet. I really want to try it!
I don’t do any static stretching but I have been doing yoga a few times a week! I really like the Nike Training Club app yoga videos, and the classes with hip opening poses are my favorite because my hips seem to get so tight from running and then sitting all day at work.
We are warming up here too — it’s supposed to be in the low 80s the next few days which means it’s basically spring. The problem with the warmer temps is that more people are out on the trails which annoying to deal with. In a few months I won’t have that problem anymore when it gets too hot for most people haha!
That deadbug workout hurts my back, and I really try to focus on keeping my lower back flat to the floor. Interesting that it helps your back. Instead I fill in a few deadbugs in any random workout when they do something that seems horrible to me.
I do yoga every day, which really helps with the stretching.
I had an amazing massage on Friday and I thought of you. My massage therapist is SO STRONG and I just felt how difficult your job must be. i was so relaxed that I started snoring a couple of times, even though I was awake. Crazy.
As you know, I’ve been using the Bend app and I’m now on day 25 of a streak! But, the stretches are short – starting at 4 mins total. There are longer programs to pick, but I struggle to focus on anything longer! So, a 5 to 7 min daily stretch is my starting goal. I’m so excited that I can finally touch my toes!!
I hope you can get another massage and get your kinks worked out. Back pain is no fun!
And from your previous post – that’s so exciting about your planned race!!
It sort of heated up, but it’s still cold. And the wind is bitter. But, hey, it’s winter in Wisconsin. It could be worse. In January, I did a forward fold, cat-cow, downward dog, child’s pose, pigeon on each side, and a twist (five breaths each) every night. It was amazing. I feel like it’s really helping me with some back issues I’m having!
17 miles! Amazing!
I have a friend in Delray/Boynton area and she is at war with the iguanas. She (and her beagle) hate them! I am glad they’re not freezing anymore, though.
I’m sorry about your back, but I’m also excited to see what comes next.
Ugh the back pain is the worst. My workout today had four rounds of RDLs and squats with gradually increasing weight and I think my back is going to be sore for a long while. I really try to have good form, too, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong?!?!
the deadbug workout cures all the things 🙂 I hadn’t done it in awhile and just did and was a little sore after!