Recovery Week

Monday
rest day
REST DAY IS THE BEST DAY. It felt amazing to go to bed on Sunday night and know that I didn't have to get up and do anything the next day. Instead, I slept in until 5:15 (yes, that's sleeping in when your normal alarms go off between 4:20 and 4:30), showered, and got to spend the morning with Jerry and baby boy (even dropped him off at daycare on my way to work!). 

While times like this show me how calm my mornings could be without running, the rest of the day reminded me of how much I need the stress relief and endorphin high of running. I went straight from daycare to traffic, to a busy day at work, to a stressful commute home, through a quick family dinner, and right off to quartet practice. At least tomorrow's 10KTuesday.


Tuesday
6.32 @ 9:21/mi
We had a "Galentines" run today since all the guys were elsewhere. First mile was slow, as usual, but then the pace dropped to about 9:00-9:10/mi for the back 5. Hamstring felt fine (still braced it as a security blanket, though), but may have had the brace too tight since I felt my outer IT and quad tighten a bit around mile 4. 


Wednesday

​bootcamp
The Groupon we'd been using for our bootcamp since December expired last week. While both Brandi and I loved the classes, we weren't sure we wanted to pay almost $100 a month (especially when we'd only be attending two classes a week) to continue. She heard about a bootcamp closer to my house offering a "30 days for 30 dollars" deal, so we figured it was worth a shot.

While I realize that all bootcamps are different and that expecting a workout like what we had at our first place is unrealistic, I can say without a doubt that this is NOT the strength training place for me. Today's workout was, essentially, 45 minutes of squats. I never felt respected or encouraged, only looked down on and found every single exercise presented in a very punitive way.

I'm beyond grateful that I'm not the girl I was ten years ago. I'm stronger now, and confident in myself. I was able to tell the instructor "no, I'm not doing that" when I felt like what I was being asked to do wasn't right for my body (and would compromise my ability to do speedwork the next day). I was also confident enough to know that I wasn't giving up because I was lazy or weak, but because doing 200 jump squats in two minutes is completely unrealistic, and doing them after 45 minutes of essentially nothing but actual squats, was a good recipe for injury.

We're going to try it again on Friday (arms/upper body day), but I'll be surprised if we actually attend more than four classes here...

Thursday
5.13 @ 9:33/mi avg
I wonder if I'm ever going to do a ladder workout... Today, B and I had plans to do one, but the track we normally use was totally locked up. Since it was clear we weren't welcome there, the four of us turned the day into an "easy" run... which really ended up being more of a progression (9:52/mi down to 9:17/mi) wandering around the surrounding sidewalks. Boo public schools not letting the public use their tracks...




Friday
bootcamp
We gave it another shot today, and faced more of the same. While we didn't have 45 minutes of "variations on a single exercise", we were, IMO, definitely set up for failure. Tricep kickbacks for women, especially when your target audience is women looking to GET in shape rather than stay in shape AND you have a ~two minute work period, should NOT have 10lb dumbbells as the lightest option. 

While this was better than Wednesday, I didn't leave feeling empowered, happy, or accomplished. 


Saturday
5.09 @ 9:00 with the stroller
Was hoping for 8+ today, but forecast of heavy showers kept me from committing to anything. Got up, wandered over to where BB&K were meeting up, and actually ended up connecting with B&B on the greenway :) We got in five easy miles (the last two of which were sub-9... WITH THE STROLLER) before the rain came. 

Run Run Run and Done

Sunday
10.00 @ 9:26/mi avg
Oh, hey there, double-digit mileage. Haven't seen you since THANKSGIVING. I realized on my run yesterday with B&B that, if I'm going to funrun the Publix half in a month, I need to at least have a single 10+ run in the month before it. So, I got over to the river early today, joined the SundayRunday crew for 6, and then finished up the last four with my running mamas crew. 

It was strange to be running a longer distance. I had to remind myself the night before to eat more than usual at dinner. This morning, I had to remember to bring a GU to have in-run and a bar to eat afterwards, since I'd be hanging out at the playground for about an hour before I could go home and refuel. All things you don't have to do when you're maxing out under 8mi a week. ;)

I was a little worried about how my body would handle ten miles, but it was totally fine. The group held me at a 9:00 pace for our first six, which actually felt good. Mentally, breaking the run into six + four was easier to handle than "TEN". The last four were a bit slower, but not because my body wasn't feel up for it, just a result of having kiddos along that required a few stops and starts to ensure no shoes were tossed over the boardwalk and into the river. 

I felt great after the run (refueled with French toast...mmm!), and remembered how wonderful I feel when half training. I do love these middle distance sort of miles, but it's also really nice to not HAVE to run them. 

Also, started with the brace on my ham, but took it off halfway through 'cause it was more of a bother than an assist. I think I'm healed :)