Well- not entirely. We still had our Florida sunshine, but it rained a lot, and I had some dark runs. My mind was dark and stormy for the first part of the week, but things are better now. I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown! Let’s get into it…
Sunday
10 mile run! I started in the dark and then got on the trail when the sun came up. I tried out a Ucan gel on this run, and… meh. For whatever reason, I didn’t feel great from the very beginning. I think it was just one of those days, and although I didn’t feel good, I did have the energy to complete the run- so maybe that was the gel kicking in. I’ll definitely try Ucan again on another run.
Monday
Leg day! I did all my hip stability exercises, and then hit the gym for squats and core.
Tuesday
4 mile run… and I started to notice my left hamstring nagging at me. Nooooo! This is the exact same issue I had all of last winter and spring. Sigh.
Later in the day I did Adriene’s Yoga For Lower Back Pain. Of all her videos that I’ve tried, this one is helping me the most.
Wednesday
UGH! I felt so awful this day- I slept horribly, was worried about our cat (still) and also worried about that hamstring. In the morning I did Caroline Girvan’s deadbug workout and hip stability exercises.
Thursday
Extra dark and early run this morning, because I thought I was going to have to drop our cat off at the vet before work. BUT! She must have gotten wind of that plan, because she started eating again, PHEW. Still not sure what was wrong with her, but as long as she’s eating I’m not going to worry (as much).
Friday
Earlier in the week, my daughter sent me a video of herself doing squats, and she PUTS ME TO SHAME. Fine- challenge accepted, Missy! Back to the gym for leg day #2.
From now on, I’m hitting the gym twice a week to work on my squats. I also did core, and hip stability exercises.
Saturday
I shouldn’t have run, but I did- 3 miles and my hamstring is definitely angry. Darn.
Later I did Adriene’s low back pain video (why am I not doing this every day???) and watched football. We no longer get the fancy (expensive) channels, so we watch whatever is on FOX or ABC. Baylor was on Fox this week!
Sunday
Sigh. On tap for the day… working for a few hours in the morning. Then, a trip to the gym to get on the Stairmaster. This coming week will include lots of strength, Stairmaster, and a few days off of running so the hamstring can calm down.
How was your week? Was it dark and stormy?
Have you ever tried Ucan? What did you think?
34 Responses
Sorry about that hamstring, Jenny!
I’m dealing with the same thing right now. I read that a few days off running (3–7) might actually help, so I might try that. I’m also swapping some squats/lunges for bridges and single-leg deadlifts. Hopefully both our hamstrings settle down soon!
Yeah, unfortunately I think a few days off will help. Or, maybe I should consider that “fortunate.” A few days off isn’t a tragedy! And definitely no lunges for me- I know from experience that irritates it.
The only nice thing that I can say about hamstring pain is that it’s preferable over a sick cat. Otherwise 0/10, do not recommend.
I liked the unflavored UCAN powder for a prerun boost, but I didn’t like the gels. The consistency was too thin, so it was unpleasant to take them, I hated the flavor (orange), and I didn’t feel like they did anything for me.
Okay that’s good to know. I’ll also try the powder- they only had the gels at the store I was at. The flavor was definitely odd (mine was supposedly ‘pineapple.”) And yes- I’ll take hamstring pain over a sick cat any day.
Ugh on the hamstring! I hope it calms down soon. I guess the stairmaster doesn’t bother it?
LOL on the squat “competition” with your daughter.
I hope your cat is still improving!
In the past, Stairmaster has not bothered my hamstring. I ended up deciding to take a complete rest day today, so I’ll find out how it feels tomorrow.
So glad Muffin is eating! I’m still betting virus, but who can determine the motivations of a cat?
We had rain for the first time in forever this weekend , so nice to hear the drops on the roof and cooling gray skies. Don’t know if the farmers are happy about it- harvest time is nigh – but we needed the break.
I’ve dealing with the fallout of tripping down the stairs and hitting various body parts hard. But slowly things come back online ( I can blow my nose with my right hand finally- I never knew I typically did it with my right) and I managed to teach. However, it did not stop my exercise routine as I dont have on. Can I still read your blog even though I don’t know what a deadbug workout is? Sounds pai ful!
Yes I saw in another comment you left that you fell down the stairs!!! I’m very glad you weren’t seriously injured, but still- it sounds very unpleasant. Ha, feel free to read my blog in complete deadbug ignorance (in fact, please do!) I always include the link in case someone wants to try it, but it’s definitely not mandatory!
We had some really hot weather earlier in the week – like above 90! Which is too hot for Sept in Mn! But it cooled off and we had some rain on Wednesday. I did an OTF workout on Wednesday and a Caroline Girvan HIIT workout on Friday. I should be starting an OTF workout right now but I got a cold overnight that is nasty so I decided not to push it. Sigh.
I hope your hamstring calms the hell down! And I hope Muffin keeps eating!
I have never tried that gel. When I was training for marathons, my favorite gel was the huma chia seed gels. I felt like they had the best consistency and did not bug my stomach like some of the thicker, super sweet gels did!
Yes, I’ve had gret results with the Huma gels. If Ucan doesn’t work out I’ll probably go back to those- I agree they’re not as “frosting-like” as a lot of other gels.
You got a cold, nooooo! I’m glad you’re resting- I hope you feel better soon.
Muffin and the hamstring are both improving… slowly but surely.
Oh no! Not the hamstring again. I know what it’s like to be nursing and injury. Hopefully it feels better soon, and I hope that your cat is better!
Thanks Melissa! Yes, you have your hip issue… it seems like it’s getting a little better though (?) Injuries are the worst, sigh.
I’m sorry about your hamstring! That must be so frustrating. I totally related to what you were saying about doing the lower back video more regularly! I have these hip and back exercises that have been helping so much as I get my gait back, but I only do them when I’m in bad shape (instead of preventatively). I need to get into a routine haha!
Yes, Lindsay, you described it exactly- I’ll do the workouts until I feel better and then neglect them, until the back hurts again, etc. etc. When will I learn?
Gah, that hamstring! SETTLE DOWN MS HAMMIE!!!!
Lol, I love that your daughter is like “game on!”
I have never even heard of Ucan, so no.
The weather here has been gorgeous, but last night we did have a storm! Still looks like it is going to be a beautiful day though.
My daughter is definitely “game on!” She’s inspiring me, but a competitive spirit has been unleashed, ha.
Enjoy your gorgeous weather!
Oh no, that %$&# hammy needs an attitude adjustment. Hammy discomfort is especially frustrating for me, and stretching doesn’t seem to help as much as I wish it would. I hope things feel better for you. That’s great news on your cat!
Thanks Kim! And- I’ve learned the hard way that stretching makes my hamstring pain worse. It’s definitely frustrating!
Good news o. muffin.
Bad news on the hamstring. Fingers crossed that it calms down.
No rain. Very dry.
Cool mornings and they warm up nicely.
Perfect for running.
Yes, your weather sounds perfect! If only it could stay like this, right?
I decided to give the hamstring a complete rest today, then tomorrow I’ll go to the gym. If I give it a few days off running I think it’ll be fine.
Nooooo to the cranky hamstring! Hopefully you can get it behaving again.
After a mostly dry summer, we got a lot of rain (for us) this week. I have never experienced a hurricane but driving home from work on Wednesday I felt like I was caught in one — I couldn’t see the road at all at one point, the palm trees were blowing around and the streets were starting to flood! I had to pull off in a neighborhood for about 10 minutes to wait out the worst of it. I wanted rain but not that much and not while I was driving!
Well, that was an ill-timed storm! I like weather like that, but only when I’m safely in my house. We got a lot of rain today, and I was especially annoyed because it was pouring right when I had to go to work, grr. It wasn’t windy or dangerous though- just annoying.
Oh man, so sorry about the angry hammy! It’s like playing wac-a-mole with running injuries these days. Wouldn’t it be nice to just lace up and go?
Glad to hear that muffin is eating again. We sure do worry about our pets!
Yes, it sure would be nice to just lace up and go! It’s especially frustrating because I feel like I’m doing all sorts of things to prevent injuries… sigh.
But at least Muffin is doing better! That’s the most important thing.
I’m so happy to hear that Muffin is improving. All is still going well? I just got some meds to calm my cats down as they will be going on a long car ride with us during a camping trip next week. We’ll see how that goes!! Boo on that angry hamstring. They’re the worst! Were the cyclists going through the grass or is there another path there?
Yes, that trail is a double track, so they were on the path as well.
Muffin continues to improve but now we think she might have had an upper respiratory infection??? She wants to eat, but only creamy things, and we’ve noticed that she lost her voice! She’ll look like she’s meowing but nothing comes out. So, her throat must be irritated. But other than that she’s acting like her old self, phew.
I had a dream we were taking our cats on a road trip! Yes, meds will be necessary.
Oh I hope you hamstring is not going to give you trouble again! Also glad your muffin is doing better. Hope you both have a good week ahead!
My left hamstring is complaining today. I think I strained it. Maybe I have sympathy hamstring syndrome over here. We had some serious storms blow through here Friday night. Kept me awake for a while because our windows were open and the door to our room kept rattling. It was supposed to rain today but it didn’t, which meant Curly’s varsity volleyball team could hit the ball around in our yard when we hosted the pasta party.
Ugh. I am sorry your hamstring is bothering you again. No bueno. I hope it goes away. I am also in awe that you’re running the dark. I am dreading switching to the gym and tread because the mornings are still nice here, but it’s stays dark so long… I don’t like to run in the dark.
I think I have tried UCan at a race, but it wasn’t my favorite. I like HUMA. What’s your favorite gel?
Hope the time off running helps the hamstring feel better. In the meantime, I think it’s both hilarious and heart-warming that you and Angie have a squat competition!
I’ve never run far enough to need or use a gel so I am absolutely useless in that regard!
Oh boo — I’m sorry to hear your hamstring is acting up again. I hope it chills out so you can stop thinking about it!
I’m trying to think back on last week but I can’t remember any serious rain or anything. It did get cool for a few days, and I was all about that life. We are back to the heat, which just seems unfair on the first day of fall.
I hope your sweet kitty is doing better!
Jenn, that’s not just any cyclist photobombing you, it’s my friend Chuck!!! We were visiting him last January when you though my texts were spam and didn’t respond. LOL
Sorry about the hamstring! I am working up to a 5k a day in anticipation of two races on the horizon (turkey trot and a NY day beach race in SC)– so far I can only do 2.3 miles, but I am making progress and surprisingly loving it!