Sunday, August 4, 2013

Double Fisting: Week 2 of Wineglass Training


I'm pretty sure a better title for this week would be "emotional trainwreck", but I think double fisting wineglass training works just as well...I know plenty of people who turn into emotional trainwrecks while double fisting booze. My emotional week really didn't have anything to do with training, but it certainly did affect it.



Quick Rundown
Monday: 60 minutes cross training (elliptical/bike), 25 minutes strength training
Tuesday: Run 6.21 miles (really bad day)
Wednesday: 45 minutes bike, 16 minutes strength training, 4 mile run
Thursday: 11.55 mile run, 10 minutes core training
Friday: Unplanned rest day
Saturday: Unplanned rest day
Sunday: Run 16 miles (8 @ Marathon Pace)

Total Running Miles: 38
Total Cross Training: 2:36 minutes



Thoughts:
It was a rough week(outside of training) and I am super glad for the support system I have. My training stayed pretty much on track until Friday rolled around. I finally ended my activity streak. What I had not advertised is that for 68 days I had worked out at least 15 minutes a day, most were way more. Over those 68 days I covered over 800 miles (between running, cycling, cross training, and swimming). That streak ended on Friday, and stayed dead until this morning when I finally ran. It may not sound like a lot (yes, some days were literally 15 minutes of body-weight/core work, but other days were 3-4 hour training days for Musselman).

I was tired, and emotionally drained--my body, and mind needed a break. The streak isn't what tired me out, nor was it the emotional problem- but ending it was important. Knowing when to step away and reassess things is smart, and it means I am growing. Streaks are awesome, I admire people who do them but sometimes it isn't smart to keep it going at all costs. I didn't start it for any particular reason (unlike Luau, or others doing it for charity...they have amazing reasons), therefore I didn't have any good reason to keep it going right now.

 Instead of running or working out Friday after work, I relaxed and unplugged. Technically I did get a workout in Saturday as we walked a lot all day(to and from Park Avenue Festival, to the park for nap, and to and from my SIL's for dinner). One of the best parts about Saturday? Napping in the sun at the park. I was a really happy camper.


I did my long run today, it was mentally and physically one of the hardest runs I have had in a long time. But I told myself to suck it up. I gave myself 2 days off, it was time to get back to business. It was time to chase that PR I want so badly at Wineglass. Goal was 16 miles with 10 at marathon pace, I hit 8 of them at marathon pace and I am ecstatic about that. I pushed through the mental and physical blocks and ended up with a really solid run. I even rewarded myself with an ice bath. Like a hot tub, only better? Okay, maybe not but I know my legs love me for it.
Smiling, standing in the ice bath....regardless of the below water temperature. 



What's Next?
-More miles and more training....

- This week will hopefully be a better week, I'll front load the week a bit, seeing as I have a 5k race AND a long run next weekend.

-Emotionally, this WILL be a better week. I hit my paces this week for my runs but I need to get back into that mental motivation mode.

-This week is going to be FUN :) I have a mud/trail run with friends tomorrow, some good workouts, a race next weekend and finish off the weekend running 18 with Heather. I'm pretty sure this is exactly what I need right now.


How was your week? Best run? Worst Run?

Tell me something FUN you are doing this coming week?



13 comments:

  1. I had a poopy week too, so glad it's over. Glad you took a couple of days to rest! Stress only hurts your training.

    Hopefully this week is better for the both of us! Enjoy your trail run!

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  2. I hope this week is full of awesome!!

    I had a hectic week but had 3 really solid good runs. I don't have anything fun planned this week. Maybe we will go swimming at my parent's house.

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  3. Glad you took some time to recover. Your body will also be thanking you when it comes time for the marathon. Wishing you a great week of workouts :)

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  4. You are such a beast to work out for that many days straight, but it showed in your tri because you had such a great performance. I liked reading your recap and you definitely needed the time off, but it will help because it's early in the marathon training and you still managed a ton of miles and training this week! It's so nice to unplug sometimes. Have fun with your trail run and your 18, long runs are so much easier when you have friends with you- it just flies by.

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  5. Things happen, and what matters most is the workouts you do get in. Compared to your workouts, I feel like Im a slacker! haha. I'm on week 9 now and my longest run was 14 miles.... o well.

    Your doing great. I'll have a terrible emotional week, but after that things get better. Keep it up and you'll totally get your PR :)

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  6. I don't have a streak going at all, but I can definitely relate to the feeling that you get when you don't work out for a while. I think I'm definitely on the easy going end of NEEDING to work out every day, but part of me actually starts to feel guilty and get a little bit of anxiety (and sometimes a lot of anxiety) when I don't run and I can't work out. Since I hurt my IT band, I haven't been able to work out. I've been pretty busy and distracted, but I can definitely tell the difference.

    I'm glad you took time for yourself when you knew that you needed it. I hope this coming week is much better!

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  7. I'm sorry you had a tough week but happy to see that you took some time for yourself. You know how my training (or lack thereof) went this week. Time to put in the miles...we can do this! :)

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  8. Everyone has tough weeks, months, and even years... The important thing is you gave yourself a break and came back mentally strong. It's great your first long run back you were able to mentally motivate yourself to keep going... You are your own worst enemy when it comes to running. LOL My best/worst run was today. I only ran/walked 15 minutes and my legs feel like toast... The best part is being excited about building up my endurance again! The worst part is also building up my endurance :P

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  9. Good for you for knowing you needed to step back and listening to your body! And it was still an awesome training week!
    My legs felt like lead on Saturday's long run so I just took it easy. Then they felt much better on Sunday's recovery run... I think all the time on my feet unpacking and going up and down several flights of stairs was catching up to me!

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  10. Good for you girl...knowing when you need to step back and listen to what your body is trying to tell you! I think it will make your training so much better in the long run (no pun intended lol)! I had an awful run this weekend...all last week in fact my runs were hard. I think it's the heat and humidity. Hopefully this week will be much better.

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  11. I am *SO* excited for our long run this weekend! I had kind of a crappy week too, and I'm ready to get back to training and just kind of mentally reset and start looking forward to the adventures ahead. Most of which include you, haha!

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  12. Nice job lady! I've gone through periods when I refuse to listen to my body because I have to get to xx goal. But when your body is trying to tell you something it's only in your best interest to listen. Sounds like a fun week of workouts coming up!

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  13. I know mentally this was not the funnest of weeks but I know you will have a better training week this week and better mentally as well. I think we all have those weeks though. I am really jealous of your run with Heather this weekend but only a few more weeks until both of you come down here! :-)

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