Sunday, January 26, 2014

Back to Training

I never intended to take a break from training. Normally, I schedule plateaus in my yearly schedule, but the complete drop-off this past Nov/Dec was depressing for this runner chic. Between plantar fasciitis (PF) and pneumonia, someone up above was telling me to take a break. I grudgingly obliged...

Have you ever LAID DOWN on a treadmill
after running?? Yeah, it's HOT like a heating pad!
I have slowly been building back my running mileage base. The PF has occasionally reminded me of its presence, but pretty good for the most part. I continue with strengthening exercises for the lower leg, and the foot roller has a permanent spot by the couch. I've completed three long runs since the new year. Each time, I'm nervous of the results, but as with anything, each run feels better and better. Consistency is key. With each passing week, my endurance builds.

I've been avoiding the Garmin or anything that times my runs. I know I've been slow on the comeback. I can feel my body moving slower and don't need to see the numbers to reinforce that. It's depressing and I'm trying not to let it mess with my head. With Old Man Winter being nasty this year, I've been forced onto the treadmill more than I'd like.  I cover up the time/speed displays, but as a veteran runner, I know by the setting what speed I'm doing (6.0mph is 10 min/miles). Through the weeks, I've noticed a slight increase of pace which is encouraging to keep on keeping on.

Back in the pool!
In addition to running, I've added swimming back into the mix. (I signed up for an Olympic triathlon in July.)  Oh-brother, swim is a sport that gives me mixed emotions. I'm not good at it, but it is good for me. The cardio exercise without impact is simply invaluable in my training. With every swim, I feel the whittling around my core and the strength in my arms/shoulders/back. It makes me feel strong, yet fluid. By no means am I a "swimmer", but I try my best. Right now, I'm doing intervals of 4 laps of freestyle swim (which exhausts me), followed by a lap of water jogging. I repeat the sequence for 40 minutes. I'm usually in the pool with older pool walkers during the day. They are much nicer to me than the "swimmers". The other day, one guy told me I looked graceful. I almost spit pool water in his face at how much I laughed.

When it comes to biking, I really miss my rides outside. I don't have an indoor trainer (yet) so Spinning classes fill the void. I am a Spin instructor at my gym, and it has been my happy place this winter. I love the ability to ride with friends of all fitness levels. We have a lot of fun in the Spin room, plus it's a fantastic cross-train for running. I'm hoping come spring, I'll be able to smoothly transfer over to rides on the road bike.

If you've read my blog for any extent of time, you know my focus  to #RaceAll50. I've got 19 states done already, but it's getting expensive to say the least. So when the opportunity arose to win a trip to a state I haven't raced yet, I jumped at it!  I've received some nasty messages about it, so let me say this... By no means do I think I'm better than any other blogger or deserve it more than anyone else, I would just love the chance to run Napa Valley in CA!  In fact, I've been voting daily for my other friends in the contest. The 'Run to Napa' voting runs until Feb. 24 and I would greatly appreciate your daily votes.  If I win, another trip to ZOOMA Napa Valley will be given away here on the blog, so there's a bit of incentive for you too.  Click here to vote.  Please know that I appreciate it more than you know!


13 comments:

  1. <3 Everything about this post! I can't wait to see your progress and a comeback! :)

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  2. Hi Jess! As you know I just finished training for and completing the Disney marathon. I feel like I mentally need a break from training (especially with this weather). However, physically I feel like I can pick it up again without a problem and I'm getting excited about some events coming up this summer (ie. our relay and Illinois Half). Any advise on how much time to allot myself for mental recovery? I have a feeling that when the weather gets nice again that I'll be psyched about getting outside, but the thought of trudging on my treadmill makes me less than happy (especially since I had to do the last bit of my marathon training on the treadmill..ugh!!!) I also don't want to lose a lot of conditioning that I already have. Thoughts?!

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    1. Hey Missy! After my marathon last April, I was mentally tapped. So I totally get you. My advice is to ease back into running whenever you want to... no training plan, no watch... just run for the enjoyment and the good feeling of moving. If the treadmill is a bore, try other activities to keep you active (like my Spin class!) ;) In my reading, it says you don't lose 'endurance' until about 3 wks of decreased activity?? So take your time to recover. :)

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  3. How great another swimmer gave you a compliment at the pool! Hardly anyone ever talks to me. I know the lifeguards are swimmers, and they are critiquing my every (sad) stroke. Sometimes I wish they would throw out some tips to this amateur!

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  4. I did the same thing. A nagging injury made me stop my running in Nov/Dec...and well I seemed to decide that should mean I should just stop everything. Finally January I'm back on track and I've now logged 4 consecutive weeks of good training. It has been hard to rebuild, oh so hard. Swimming is a bear. I hadn't swam since Sept and really not much last year in general, so that has been the hardest one to get back in.

    Keep up all the hard work!! You are doing a fabulous job.

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  6. My wife is dealing with IT Band issues on the tail end of her half marathon spin-up with her race this coming Saturday. It sounds like sounds like you are doing something similar to what she is about to do: focus on swimming and cycling to get ready for the upcoming triathlon season. Good luck with the PF recover.

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  7. Welcome back to training!! I can't wait til I can say that!! :)
    I've always wanted to add swimming to my workouts but I don't want to pay for a membership somewhere so I'll just add it in the summer ;)

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  8. You will get back there!! Keep working hard! You're doing great!!

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  9. Hi Jess! Very exciting about your tri this summer!! Have fun with the training! Just curious, where can I swim w/out a membership? You can message me on FB if you don't want to answer here...I know that the plexplace you can pay per swim, but anywhere else? Doc said I could float my legs on a buoy and just use my arms...going a little nuts'o with not running...even more annoying is having to use crutches so really excited about the thought of pool work.

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    1. Without committing to a membership, you can probably do a punch card. One punch gets you into the gym for a day. Landmark has 'em and I'm sure others offer the same thing. If not a punch card, then a daily pass.

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    2. Thanks Jess! I didn't realize Landmark had a pool. I'll give them a call.

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  10. I got lazy and took off a year from running. I'm coming back with a bang by registering to run my first marathon this November.

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