Re-starting half marathon training tomorrow. (yay! - slow and steady this time.)
Getting my haircut tomorrow.
Doing work training for a few hours tomorrow. ($$$)
Going out with friends/the guy I’m dating tomorrow night. :)
Tomorrow will be a good freakin’ day.
After putting some distance between myself and my overzealous half marathon training program, I’m realizing my stupidity at attempting to up myself from running 30 minutes (maximum) 3-4 times per week to 5 times per week. Really, over Christmas break I hadn’t run much at all, so my shins/calves really took a beating.
I’ve been working out on the recumbent bike for the past week to relax my shins. Because it’s so low impact (like, no impact), I went 5 times last week and my calves still had time to relax. There is still a sore point in my right calf (which is funny because my left had been more sore at first, but that subsided). If it continues through this week, I’ll definitely make an appointment with a sports medicine doc, (like I said I was going to last week…).
I’m going to give myself a little more time before I start running again. I want to do this right. I still want to run my half marathon this year! (As it is my New Year’s resolution.) First, I need to make sure my shins/calves have fully healed and I also want to lose a little weight before I start running again. But this time, I’ll ease myself into it, with cross training (bike or elliptical) on my off days. My goal date to start training again is March 1st, but we’ll see where I’m at when the day comes.
So I think I went a little overboard too quickly with my running. Today, I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and it was good, but I wanted to run to keep up with my training plan, so I was a little sad.
My calves weren’t sore, but I iced them today as I can tell they are a little off.
Tomorrow, I’m going to try running (if I think it’s a good idea come gym-time) and if they are still sore, I’m making an appointment with a sports medicine doctor to look at them and get some tips and what not. Because, after all, my New Year’s resolution is to run a half marathon this year and I sure as heck don’t want to give that up.
It’s just bumming me out. I so badly want to be a runner, and it seems like I’m just not destined for that. But, I’m going to keep working out and eating right (of course) and maybe when I’ve lost a bit it’ll work out better.
After doing some research though the injury prevention section of coolrunning.com, I have self-diagnosed myself with medial shin splints. I am hoping that it’s not actually full-blown shin splints, as I really can’t stand the thought of taking actual time off my training schedule, but I do have pain on my lower, inner shins, so I am going to treat myself as though that is what this is.
Recommendations include:
Resting, icing and stretching are easy - I’ve decided to take today off running. The main cause of shin splints is “too much, too soon,” so skipping my first long run sounds like a good idea. Instead, I will be hitting the gym for some crosstraining (elliptical or stationary bike).
Icing - I’ve already had some ice on today and will throughout the day, with my feet elevated.
Stretching - I have been focusing on stretching all week (before and after runs) and will add in some particular stretches for calves.
I’ve used inserts for overpronation before, with positive results. Today, pre-gym, I’m going to go pick out some inserts and see how they work out.
I decided I’ll take tomorrow as my rest day, as usual, and then if I’m still aching after my run on Tuesday, I’m going to make an appointment with a sport medicine doctor to see what she would recommend.
Let’s hope I don’t actually have shin splints, people! I would be really sad.
So Day 5 was a rest day. I can already tell you I am going to love and cherish these biweekly rest days.
However, the pitfall of my rest day yesterday was that I ended up have an entire CHEAT DAY. While I am semi-disappointed, I had been eating well the whole week up until then, and needed to relax a little so I consider it OK.
Because of this, I’ve decided to allow myself one free day per week, if needed. For example, on February 4th, I’m having my birthday party, so I will allow myself to cheat. The next week, the 8th, is my birthday, so that will be a free day as well. But, I don’t want to make it a habit (as in, I will have one free/cheat day per week); if there is a special occasion in a certain week, I will allow myself to have that day free.
Anyway, I promised myself I would eat extra well today and tomorrow because Monday is my weigh-in. And I’m happy to say today, I have done. I also had a great run today, it felt easier, but I am having a little pain in my inner calves. I’m going to have to do some research on this pain.
Tomorrow is my long run, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. :)
Training Week 1 (January 23 - 29)
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Totaloff 2.5M 2.5M 2.5M off 2.5M 2.75M 12.75M
Ran outside today because it was warm-ish and I just couldn’t be bothered to go all the way to the gym (since I wasn’t on campus…I use my university’s gym.)
Anyway, I did the 2.5 miles, but the route was so hilly I did it in a slower time. Also, my calves were aching a little, so I’m super glad tomorrow is my rest day. :) I got some ice on them today, and will again tomorrow.
Training Week of January 23 - 29
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Totaloff 2.5M 2.5M 2.5M off 2.5M 2.75M 12.75M
Today was a less meal-like day, and more snacky day. But still delicious :)
Breakfast
protein shake - 1 scoop whey chocolate protein, 1 banana, 1 tbsp peanut butter [270]
Pre-Workout Snack
1/2 cup oatmeal [150]
topped with 1 over-easy egg [80]
which was cooked in 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil [40]
all topped with 2 tsp parmesan cheese [20]
Post-Workout Snack
protein shake - 2 scoops whey chocolate protein [120]
1/2 cup 0% Greek yogurt [65]
with 1/2 cup pumpkin [40]
1 light string cheese [60]
During Class Snack
1 mandarin [60]
1 Cherry Pie Larabar - my new fave! [200]
Post Class Snack
1 light string cheese [60]
20 almonds [140]
Other
4 liters of water
Total: 1305
Output
2.5 mile run
I took my A&P exam this morning, so the morning was pretty stressful. After a nap and some food, I went to the gym and did my 2.5 miles. I did it in slightly less than 30 minutes, and each day it is getting easier.
Right at the end of my workout, a cute guy, who had lapped me like 10 times already, turned (while running) and says, “Just wanted to say good job!” I laughed and said thanks, and it made me feel good. I always wonder if the super fit people see not-as-fit people (like me) working our buns off and then think, “Woo! Go you!” … I guess some do. :)
Iced my calves after my run. They are just a little tight and kinda sore, so I’m keeping an eye on them. I really want to get a foam roller to help with tight muscles and such… Also, I really need a reliable set of measuring cups and spoons…
Now I’m really knackered, so time for bed! And I get to sleep in a little tomorrow. :)
Training day 3 - check!
Training Week of January 23 - 29
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Totaloff 2.5M 2.5M 2.5M off 2.5M 2.75M 12.75M
Breakfast
protein smoothie - 2 scoops protein powder, 1 cup frozen smoothie fruit, with water/ice [200]
1 light string cheese [60]
Lunch
1/4 cup oatmeal [75]
1/4 cup 0% greek yogurt [35]
1/2 cup pumpkin [40]
1 tsp brown sugar [15]
1 mandarin [60]
1 slice 2% Swiss cheese [70]
Pre-Workout Snack
1 banana [110]
1 tbsp peanut butter [100]
1 graham cracker halves [60]
Dinner
1/2 cup extra lean ground turkey [130]
1/2 cup broccoli [30]
1/2 cup onion [35]
5 mushrooms [25]
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil [40]
2 tsp sriracha [10]
Other
4 liters of water
Total: 1095… oops, I did not mean to go this low. Maybe I’ll go have some kind of dessert.
Output
2.5 mile run
Greek yogurt and pumpkin is SO GOOD. And 1/2 a cup of pumpkin only has 40 calories. I definitely recommend as brekkie or lunch. nom!
Yesterday was great. I had to spend the whole day studying for my Anatomy and Physiology exam (which was today), so going to the gym for my run was a great break from that. I’m pleased to say my rest day treated me well. On Sunday, I had been really tired during my run and had a bad time, but last night I did 2.5 miles in 30 minutes! Yes, yes, that’s slightly sad, but it’s an improvement and that’s all that matters.
I’m still getting lapped constantly (I run on the indoor track) and can barely lap speedwalkers, but whatever, I’m gettin’ my gettin’. :)
I’ll be off to the gym later for Day 3, but right now- a nap!
Training Week of January 23 - 29
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Totaloff 2.5M 2.5M 2.5M off 2.5M 2.75M 12.75M
Breakfast
smoothie - 1 cup LF kefir, 1 banana, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tbsp flax seed, 1 cup frozen smoothie fruit (mango, strawberry, peach, pineapple) [440]
Lunch
1 mandarin [60]
1 peanut butter cookie Larabar [220]
Pre-Workout Snack
1 light string cheese [60]
4 graham cracker halves [120]
w/ 1 tbsp almond butter [100]
and 1 tbsp apricot spread [40]
Dinner
toasted “grilled” cheese - 1 slice rye bread + 1 slice 2% swiss [135]
2.5 cups (1 bag) of cooked edamame [250]
Other
3 liters of water
Total: 1425
Output
2.5 mile run on gym track
Training day 1 went swimmingly! I am quite pleased that the first day was a rest day, as I have run for the past three days straight. Needed a little breather before really digging in to my training! But, I am greatly looking forward to running tomorrow, I kind of missed it today.
As promised, I had my official weigh-in this morning. The damage: 177 lbs.
The good news is that I’m slightly lower than when I weighed myself last week when I wasn’t really keeping track. The bad news is, I have so far to go; this is the highest recorded weight I have ever been. But, I am motivated and excited to see where I am at the end of this half marathon. Should be an interesting journey.
Also, I’m quite excited because I realized the half marathon I am doing has a training program that starts 16 weeks before the event. It’s one group long run per week, with two “homework” days for the rest of the week. I am for sure joining a group (it’s based on your training level). Not only will this be extra motivation, but also a great chance to meet some people in my town!
Other than that, not much to report.
Training day 1 - check!
