Can I call it training if there's not a goal race in mind?
I actually am running just one more race this month. Kristin has a love affair with hills and signed up for a very hilly half marathon in Marco Island on March 20. I personally kind of hate hills, and this race is literally a constant up-and-down. (They're manmade, I'm pretty sure.) She asked me to run it with her, and I couldn't let her down! It's going to be a new kind of challenge for me. We're planning to just take it slow and enjoy the run together; no PRs or goals of any kind on this one!
Anyway, this week I'm trying to get my butt moving again. I met Elizabeth at her house and we ran to the park while her stepdaughter scooted ahead of us; then we did a few sprint intervals, and ran back.
It felt good to be moving, but wow were my legs reluctant at first!
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| The first day of speed work in months was humbling, but we finished with a smile! |
I also did some upper body T25 this week, and some sporadic squats, planks, and core work. Honestly, it's nothing to write home - or a blog post - about, but at least I'm moving again.
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| It was pretty pathetic how wobbly 8 pound weights left my arms. |
I have no transition for this, but I have something cool to share. Last year, a friend of mine linked me up with the developers of this new gluten-tester called Nima. I just received my Nima to beta test and the first thing I tried it on was a bowl of Lucky Charms! They just recently got the gluten free label (I've been waiting since Cheerios went GF because they get their oats from the same place) so they felt like a great first test.
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| All good! The Nima shows a frown if there's gluten detected. |
Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting my groove back. It's been nice to take time off, but I miss being in a good workout routine. Once it becomes habit again, I know it will all be easier. Spring is never my strongest season, but I'm determined not to waste any time getting back in the saddle!
Are you a fan of hilly races?
How do you get back into your routine after time off?
ABK
Well you certainly earned the time off! :) It's great that you can run 2 marathons in 2 months and still feel motivated to get back in the swing of things with just a few weeks off. You love running! <3
ReplyDeleteYou know, I didn't really think about it that way, but you're right. Two weeks isn't really THAT much time off! I shouldn't be so hard on myself for getting back to it slowly :)
Delete"Can I call it training if there's not a goal race in mind?" This.
ReplyDeleteIn the post I wrote tonight I wanted to type out "I ran three miles at race pace" but ... there is no race! Oh well :)
Nima looks and sounds so cool. Is it small enough to bring around to restaurants?
It's palm-sized, so it fits easily in a purse. I brought it to a fancy dinner in an evening bag this weekend and it fit perfectly. Everyone had fun watching it work!
DeleteHills are sort of a part of my vocabulary...with all the off road racing I do I find it weird to do a run where there are none!
ReplyDeleteThat Nima thing looks cool! Love the smiley/frown face it gives.
I wonder how the OCR organizers find places in Florida that have hills to set up the courses...just because it's "off road" doesn't mean hills are automatically part of the terrain, so they must have to do some research!
DeleteI'm training for a marathon with significant hills (actually, many of them bridges - you'd be proud!), so it probably sounds weird that I really do not like hills. Flat is my jam. Hills are hard, they always suck the wind out of me and I hate how they slow me down. But I'm doing this anyway because I think it will be good for me. We can't grow as runners if we don't do things that scare us and actively try to improve our weak points. I may never be great at hills no matter how much I practice, but incorporating them into my training is undoubtedly making me stronger and improving my overall run fitness. We don't improve by constantly staying in our comfort zones.
ReplyDeleteI really prefer flat courses, for sure! I think people who LIKE hills, especially repetitive hills, are kind of crazy...but in a badass way. I'm with you - I'm doing this race because it will challenge me and be good for me, but I know it won't be easy.
DeleteA gradual return sounds smart! While I don't love running uphill, I do love the break that downhills give me, and I tend to do better on hills. My next race is a hilly one, so I'll see how I do.
ReplyDeleteRunning downhill makes me feel like I'm flying! Good luck on your next race!
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