Monday, March 10, 2014

Boston Training: Backing Off

Last week I said I made some changes and did a lot of rehabbing & prehabbing. This week was kind of a continuance of last week, but this week I had another 'turning point' in my training. Unfortunately the turning point where I decided I finally needed to stop running for a few days.

Monday
PM: 8.07 mile run (7:47 pace)
Tuesday
AM: 20 Minutes Bike (5.4 Miles), 20 Minutes Core Training
PM: 40 Minutes Elliptical(5.1 Miles), 25 Minute Strength/Core Training
Wednesday
AM: 60 Minutes Strength & Stability Training (with PT)
PM: 11 mile Run (7:34 Pace)
Thursday
PM: 40 Minutes Strength Training
Friday
--REST--
Saturday
AM: 80 Minutes Elliptical (10.1 Miles)
Sunday
AM: 65 Minute Bike (18.2 Miles)
PM: 43 Minutes Elliptical(5.25 Miles), 25 Minutes Strength Training

Total Running Miles: 19.1 Miles
Total Biking Miles: 23.6 Miles
Total Elliptical Miles: 20.5 Miles
Total Strength Training Time: 170 Minutes

Wednesday was the real roller coaster day. All day it was feeling pretty good, until I went to run. It was sore but not horrible during the 11 miles. I came home and mentally had a clear head and was feeling good. Then the downward spiral started. I started feeling pain, I started feeling nauseous and I was pretty much on the verge of chopping my leg off. Some reassuring conversations with friends, a few decisions (i.e. no running for a few days), and a long ice bath later I was finally calming down and sleeping.

No running Thursday & Friday, turned into Saturday & Sunday as well. I did lots of cross training over the weekend. Biking, Elliptical and strength training.  I guess a silver lining of this is that I can start focus on tri-training more now and not feel guilty about it taking time away from running.

My plan for this week is to use the elliptical for all of the miles I would have run (if I can't run) and if I can run, I will still use elliptical for half of the miles. As for my first goal race of the year on Saturday, I won't decide until Friday. I haven't done any speed work since Lake Effect but still might be able to pull off a decent time(assuming I haven't cut my leg off in the mean time).

Maybe this really is just a speed bump like part of the 6 week curse, or maybe it's something more. Right now all I know is I am sure as hell not going down without a fight.

I apologize now for anything I said or did in the last few weeks, or will do in the coming weeks. The frustration of all of this is sometimes a little much, but I'm lucky I have awesome people around me keeping me sane :)

Enough of being Debbie-Downer...

Tell me something awesome about your training right now




29 comments:

  1. Solid week! Well done. I did my first quality long run this weekend; 30km (18.6 miles). It was a tough one; very hilly out and back route, with big wind on the way back. I also ran out of gas around the 20km mark, and my calves seized up and cramped from that point on. Need to figure that one out; either bring salt, or eat more the days before long runs like this one. But, glad it's done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely look at your water and salt intake. If I am slightly off on those my calves scream.

      Delete
  2. it is so frustrating when running just can't happen or isn't happening. however, you are amazing for keeping up the cross training. the hardest thing for me when it comes to being injured. Props to you lady.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not getting in much mileage now either and it sucks. I'm on the bike and in the pool, but miss my runs. Been battling a cold all weekend so not doing much of anything...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bike and pool are still awesome workouts especially since you have some big tri's this year!! Hope the cold goes away soon!

      Delete
  4. I hope it's nothing too serious. We can be debbie downers together. I'll bring the wine. I had a great week strength training wise. I also took a note from your rehabbin/prehabbin and cross trained instead of running. Hopefully it'll pay off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wine and girl time, why the heck can't you live closer! Hope the hip is behaving!

      Delete
  5. Oh no! That is not the kind of turning point we want! You've gotten in so many solid workouts, a little rest and cross training won't hurt you... hope you come back soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Boo! I'm so sorry your shin is giving you so much trouble! But you are doing the right thing resting! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really hope this is just a speed bump as well. You don't need any issues. I honestly think the warmer weather will cause the pain to disappear. Though getting to this stupid warmer weather is easier said then done.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm sorry that you're leg is bothering you. It sounds like taking some days off from running is a smart decision. I'm sure it will pay off later. Do you have an elliptical at home or do you use one at the gym?

    I've been pretty happy with the results that I've been seeing from my weight training workout. I'm finding that I don't really like running as many miles as is required for a half marathon. I might wind up walking most of it and then just let that go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use the elliptical at the gym, its one of the few things we don't have at home.

      Your weight training has been great.... are you trying the run/walk method while training for the half? might be better way to go and help set smaller goals, i.e. run for 5 minutes walk for 2?

      Delete
  9. Hey, I am all for elliptical. It got me through the winter... It will get you through this! You've put in so much training, this won't set you back at all. The only set back would be if you don't let that leg get better! If you need a gym friend, let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh man, Laura, I feel your pain. Although you've kept up on cross training a little better than I, I feel like I'm in the same boat. (hamstring) I like that you're looking on the bright side- tri training. What's nice about tri training, is it is so much gentler on your body. Swimming is so kind compared to running right?! I do understand that nothing compares to a good long run though. Anyway- keep your head up sister. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope the hamstring starts cooperating! Tri training really is much better on the body so hopefully that will help, I need to get my butt into the pool this week!

      Lets just try and do what we can to get to Start line together!

      Delete
  11. I avoided reading this post in the hopes that it wasn't what I thought it would be. I'm hoping for the best for you and for Boston. I'm not quite a debby downer yet but just being realistic that I might not be able to run the marathon but I can run a killer 1/2. I'll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. Right now I'm perfectly fine taking another week off. I wish I could get in the pool more often but the pool hours aren't ideal here :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bummer about the PF giving you so much issues, hopefully the time off helps. I feel like everywhere the pool hours are just never ideal. Frustrating!

      Delete
  12. Sorry to read the shin is still being a jerk. I personally think the ellipti is the way to go when you can't run. It simulates the cardio pretty well without beating you up. You could always go the dreaded water jogging route. Blech! lol I'm sure you just need a week off to really see what you are dealing with. Keep R.I.C.E.ing that bad boy. Sending healing thoughts your way! (P.S. If anyone can run a marathon with a little injury setback, it's YOU! I have no doubts.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought about water jogging, but I figure if I am going to be in the pool I might as well work on my swim for half iron and full iron this year. Hopefully get into the pool this week!

      PS thanks for the confidence, might need to borrow the sassy pants for Boston!

      Delete
  13. I'm so sorry. I can certainly relate. I'm really pulling for this to be not much of anything as opposed to something real. Hopefully the downtime will be all it takes and if so, yes, you can still run a very strong Boston!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Hope your return to running and MAF training is going well!!

      Delete
  14. Sorry about your shin. Reading that you were nauseous after a run, makes me nervous as this happens to me, keeping my fingers crossed for you.
    I second the water running with a weight belt. It's the best exercise you can do to mimic running for real, without the impact. (I think it's actually harder cardiovascularly).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think starting next week going to throw in some water running. As for the nausea.. I think and hope it was just an off day

      Delete
  15. I am sorry to hear about your shin, but the time off it seems like its the best thing for it. I am currently struggling with a very tight calf muscles, I don't know whats going on but I am stretching, foam rolling and using a lacrosse ball on them.
    However I am still trying to get my miles in and hope this injury or whatever it is doesn't keep me out to long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you tried taking a bath or using a heating pad on your calves before stretching and rolling? It makes a difference with how much you can really work out of them I think.

      Delete
  16. Ahhh I hope you heal soon beautiful. I think your body is angry you stopped drinking coffee ;)

    But really, take care of yourself! We're all rooting for you.

    My training is mediocre too. Something is going on with my body and I'm beyond exhausted all. the. time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry you and the doc are still trying to figure out whats up with your body, might be worth a few days off and just unwind! Sometimes thats just what we need!

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...