MONDAY: Run 3.1 miles on treadmill
TUESDAY: Stationary bike 10 minutes, lift 50 minutes
WEDNESDAY: Zumba class
THURSDAY: Run 3 miles on treadmill (1-minute incline ladder intervals up to level 7)
FRIDAY: Yoga class, stationary bike 10 minutes, lift 40 minutes
SATURDAY: Rest
SUNDAY: Run 10 miles, interspersing inclines and hill repeats
Yesterday was my first outdoor 10-miler with real incline repeats (not treadmill simulations) on bridges and overpasses throughout the entire run, instead of just during the end. While the Pittsburgh Half Marathon course does have a monster hill at the end, it also has hills throughout. So I figured this was a more realistic training simulation.
Based on the location of the inclines I was using, I anticipated completing the mileage away from home. Accordingly, I planned in advance to ride a Divvy bike back. The bike ride was only about a mile, but it was tough. My legs felt like jello. I was milking all the rolling momentum I could and cursing anytime I had to brake for a stop sign or red light.
Mental funk aside, I believe I may have physically overdone it yesterday. I haven't had much of an appetite or desire to stay hydrated, which is extremely atypical for me. I also had trouble sleeping last night, which was the worst feeling. There is no bigger bodily betrayal than when you are exhausted but can't sleep.
My training schedule calls for me to lift today, but I am going to take a rest day instead.
I'm now reflecting on where to draw the line between challenging yourself versus going overboard. It's such a tough line to draw, yes?
I am going to take things easier this week. Adam and I are departing soon for our extended-weekend cruise, during which I have a planned training stepback. The timing couldn't be better! Thank goodness.
P.S. Sorry that I continue to be relatively MIA on all of your blogs these days. My motivation is low but I am trying to get back into the spirit of things.
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Oh man! I am sorry to hear it left you so depleted! :( I bet running outside in warmer temps had something to do with it too - your body isn't used to that. I hope you rehydrate and eat today. A rest day is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd really - it IS smart that you are training on hills for a hilly course. It sounds like you're buidling up smartly, so I hope it was just an off day.
And you do this for the challenge, and to keep things interesting. And because it makes you feel good. Feel better and keep moving forward!
Appreciate the sympathy and the understanding, Kim! Yes, you are probably right about the warmer temps having a negative impact. Our bodies aren't machines and it does take us some time to adapt to changing conditions. In retrospect, I think maybe I got too aggressive with adding intermittant hills during a long run, since I've never done that before. I probably should have built that up more gradually, too. Not all hillwork is equal, right? Thank you for the well wishes!!!
DeleteI'm glad you're taking a rest day today! Sounds like you definitely need it!
ReplyDeleteI think our bodies tell us when we're overdoing it - it's just up to us to actually listen (and adjust training accordingly)! I remember my PT complaining about how runners are the first to totally overdo it, which is why so many of us end up in therapy in the first place. It's hard to deviate from your plans when you have a goal in sight, and it's easy to push yourself a little too far. But we do it because accomplishing a goal or conquering a challenge feels awesome and unlike anything else. Just take care of yourself in the process :)
Thank you, Anne! I completely agree - it can be really challenging to listen to our bodies and adjust accordingly. I think it's easy to get fixated on what's written in our training plans because we think if we stray even just a little bit, it'll spell DOOM for our end goals. I've definitely learned that lesson the hard way when I've gotten sidelined for several months! But kudos to us for having the drive to even push ourselves to get to those goals, right? Speaking of which - way to go to YOU for all of your hard work and results in the past few weeks, too!!! Let's both make sure to take care of ourselves in the process. =)
DeleteYep, I get that. For me, I feel like if I take an extra rest day or two, it'll turn into a week off, then a month, then I haven't run for a year+. Which is pretty much what happened last year! But it doesn't have to be that kind of slippery slope. Just need to find a balance of staying active and not totally overdoing it.
DeleteIt's totally a momentum thing for me, too! Once I am rolling, it's much easier to keep rolling... but once I take a break, it's hard to get going again. I think that's part of the reason I am sometimes so reluctant to take rest days, even though I always feel so much better afterwards. So counterintuitive, right? Balance is always such a challenge!
DeleteTake that extra rest because you've earned it. If I'm feeling run down, I'll take a rest day, or active rest day and do yoga. Have fun on your cruise!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lesley! I am all about the active rest days to just do yoga. Those are so rejuvenating while making you still feel like you accomplished something, yes?
DeleteSorry that run left you feeling so crappy. Hopefully it was a one off. Taking a rest day today is definitely a smart move to let yourself recover. Sounds like your electrolytes might have been off- I used to get a very similar feeling post run if I didn't hydrate properly and get enough salt during long runs.
ReplyDeleteYou challenge yourself to keep things interesting and because you enjoy running :)
Appreciate the sympathy and the understanding, Xaar. It's funny, I never think about electrolytes being an issue when it's cold out, but you're probably right! I am going to start bring salt pills along during ALL long runs, not just those in warm weather. Thanks for the idea!
DeleteGood call to listen to your body and rest some. Did you fuel yourself during the long run? I hope you feel better about running again soon. It's no fun when you don't feel good afterwards. Take care and have fun on your cruise!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! I took one GU at around the 5-mile mark, which is usually enough. But now that you mention it I didn't have the best dinner the night before, which probably didn't help. Much appreciate the sympathy and the understanding, and the well wishes on vacation!
DeleteDon't be so hard on yourself. You got out there and you got it done. It's all we can do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. You are right, we all do our best and it's all we can do. It's always a learning process for all of us!!!
DeleteResting is sometimes way more important than work! Chin up Emily, you've got this!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Katie! I wish I knew why is it so hard for us to allow ourselves to rest, yes? Thank you for your encouragement, I really appreciate it!
DeletePoor Bugs looks pooped (he's my hero). Hills are no joke. I think you'll feel better after you take a step back and have a relaxing weekend. I never sleep good after a long training run (with no hills). I don't understand why I'm not practically comatose. You'll remember this run during the half marathon. And it'll help you finish strong! Thanks for linking with us Emily.
ReplyDeletePoor Bugs indeed! I LOVE BUGS BUNNY ALSO! Much appreciate the sympathy and the understanding, HoHo. Isn't it the worst feeling to not be able to sleep well after a long training run? I wish I understood how the body functions (or doesn't functions) in those instances. Thank you again as always for hosting the link-up!!!
DeleteYou are so sweet, Karen!!! BIG HUGS, and more hugs to you too that dreadful bike ride, too. I hope and pray your next bike ride is that much better to make up for it. Thank you for your kind thoughts and understanding!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your rest day AND your trip! It will be a nice respite, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteAlso, were you running faster than "normal" on the flat parts of your run? That might have something to do with how you felt, too.
Thank you so much, Erin!
DeleteI don't *think* I was running faster than normal on the flat parts, but admittedly I paid very little attention to my Garmin that day. It's entirely possible, though. I'll pay closer attention on my next long run. Thanks for the tip!