Monday, December 16, 2013

Catching up on Recovery

Happy Monday! (Wait, isn't that an oxymoron?) Anyways, I hope everyone had a good weekend.

I'd love to tell you I was SOOOOO incredibly productive last week, but that just isn't the case. I'd call it 'marathon recovery' but in reality I think its a recovery period from this year. It's been a crazy busy (and amazing) year, thinking about it all just makes me tired! Mentally and physically the next few weeks of 'down time' are incredibly important for me.

So this past week, there aren't many workouts (*cough*ONE*) so I'll try and drag it out a bit. Okay fine I won't drag it out, I worked out ONCE this week by riding my bike on the trainer for an hour while watching the pilot of Breaking Bad. Well, maybe you could say I worked out 1.5 times because I would like to think the shoveling a foot of snow out of driveway counts for something.

I have a few 'personal rules' for  recovery and I am trying to be good about sticking to them right now. I don't live and die by these, but I have found them to be helpful in previous 'recovery periods'

1: Don't run unless I want to. ( I almost broke this yesterday by forcing myself to get on treadmill for a bit, but in the end I didn't. I AM running a 5k this coming weekend, and at the rate I am going it could possibly be my first run after CIM). Surefire way to burn yourself out after a big race is to force yourself immediately back into things. If you want to run, then great go for it- but if you don't, it isn't the end of the world.

2: Sleep, a LOT. Sleep is incredibly important (I have talked about this before), especially after a big race. I struggled a little this week with sleep (jet lag) but caught up a decent amount this weekend. An added rule for this one: Don't feel guilty for sleeping more, your body needs it!

3: Don't log food during this time. I don't log 100% of the time anyways, but especially not in recovery mode. It's not that I all the sudden start eating cake 3 times a day, but if I did..I wouldn't have to log it anywhere (Eating cake 3x a day is just silly, now cookies or ice cream....I'd consider it). In reality I don't think I eat much different nutrient wise- I just tend to ride the roller coaster of hunger for a week or two. Some days I want everything in sight, and others I don't eat more than a few snacks.

So basically I worked, ate and slept this week. Okay, did some other things too. Sat in bed doing Christmas shopping(something rewarding about being overly productive...in your sweatpants). We went to a family holiday party in Buffalo Saturday, and Sunday went to see The Grinch musical. Nothing super exciting, and obviously nothing overly Fit-productive.

But I will be a good girl and still set goals for myself this week- 
1. 3 workouts this week (any kind!)- I'd like to do more than this, but start small! Don't want to dive back into things too quickly. Next week I will get back into more specific types of workout goals.
2. Finish Christmas Shopping (So I don't have to do ANY next week!)- This will seriously help my stress level stay in check.
3. 10 Sun Salutations each night before bed. I know I am a broken record on this one- but it really helps. I wasn't as good about it last week as I should have been, so time to get back on track!
Reward: Holiday MASSAGE (hell to the yes.)

Anyone have any 'personal rules' (running or non-running related)?

Did you do your Christmas Shopping online (if so, how much?)


17 comments:

  1. Congrats you earned a lazy week...enjoy!

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  2. I went to a yoga class this morning and we did sun salutations for 30 minutes. My triceps are on fire. I don't really have any rules for the off season except not running until I want to. I try to still work out by doing yoga, hiking, spin, etc. My marathon was a month and a half ago and I'm still not running much. You deserve this rest and that massage!

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    1. Cross training/doing other forms of fun exercise is the best after a big race. Makes you still feel productive regardless of not running! :)):):)

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  3. I completely agree about not running until you want too. I'm proud of you for not running on the treadmill and pushing it. I'm going to have to look up what sun salutations are and attempt them. Just because you told me.

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  4. With the weather the North East has been having, you couldn't have picked a better time for your recovery. Enjoy it!

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    1. Haha I was thinking the same thing! These cold snowy temps make it easier to be inside with my feet up and warm!

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  5. I always have a hard time with recovery weeks because as soon as I am not sore I want to run again!

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  6. You deserve that rest. If I were you I think I'd still be curled in bed from that killer marathon performance =)

    I'm becoming an avid foam roller. These muscles are just destroyed from crossfit but I need to focus my energy (errrr, anger) somewhere and it helps. So while I may be overdoing it, I'm making sure to take care of myself too.

    I'm thinking of a holiday massage as well. Great minds think alike!

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  7. All of this talk about Christmas shopping in blogland is stressing me out! I haven't done ANY Christmas shopping, and Christmas is less than a week away. I think my answer to "do you shop online" needs to be "yes" and "today."

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    1. Hope you get it all done in time!!! You can do it!!!

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  8. Holiday massage? Yes, please! Enjoy it. You deserve it. I do about 50/50 Christmas shopping online and on foot. I actually love going to real stores and seeing the decorations and picking something out in person. But when I can't find it in a store, online for sure.

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    1. I like going to real stores too but when it gets down to the wire its nice to pull up prime and know everything will be done in one place and on my doorstep in 2 days!

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  9. I try to do most of my Christmas shopping online. It's just so much easier. I love Amazon prime :)

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    1. Prime is 100% worth it. I would lose my mind without it!

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  10. Taking it easy...on all fronts.

    Sounds like you have found a recovery plan that works perfect for you! :)

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