Yup, I didn’t run AT ALL this week.
During my 13 mile run last week my body felt tired. My legs felt heavy and I seriously struggled with the miles. During that strugglefest of a run I decided why not give myself the whole week off of running. I would still workout, of course, and strategically plan out my workouts to compliment my training while still giving myself a week off of literally pounding the pavement.
It’s no surprised that I loved taking this past week off of running. In addition to my usual classes at Uplift, i.am.you and Exceed, I also treated myself to spin classes at Revolve and Soul Cycle plus a cardio dance class at 305. My friend made fun of my that I considered going to Soul Cycle a treat. Hey, I write a fitness blog, I kind of love working out 🙂 For the first time since I started training I woke up excited to work out. I’ve already talked about how running isn’t necessarily my first choice of exercise. It probably never will be, I love group fitness for a lot of reasons. Dancing my heart out at 305 this past week made me so happy and gave me such an energy rush before 8AM. There’s nothing like it and I don’t get that same kind of endorphin high from logging miles.
I’m still understandably sore from working out, but my legs at least feel more well rested than they usually do. I’m really really hoping that come Tuesday when I run again, my legs will be grateful for the week off.
This week marks two months ’til the NYC Marathon (and like 1.5 months until my half marathon in San Francisco!). Time to get back to it.
This Week’s Plan:
MONDAY: 1 hour workout at Exceed (HIIT)
TUESDAY: 7 mile run
WEDNESDAY: yoga + trapeze
THURSDAY: High 45 at Mile High Run Club (roughly 4 miles)
FRIDAY: Uplift- Strength
SATURDAY: 14 mile run
SUNDAY: Rest
Glad you had a nice cutback week! Sometimes those really do the trick both physically and mentally. As for the long run struggle, I’m definitely not an expert and have never trained for a marathon, but I have heard many times that the long run shouldn’t exceed 50% of your weekly mileage, and 25-30% is ideal (although mine is nowhere near that low!). I wonder if you’re struggling because your long run is such a high percentage of weekly mileage? Do you have access to coaches through Team in Training? Maybe they could offer suggestions of how to switch your plan up a bit. Or it could just be the fact that it’s summer…I struggle A LOT in heat and humidity! Either way, good luck with the rest of your training! I enjoy reading your updates. 🙂
Oh wow, that’s so interesting, I’ve never heard that before but it would make sense. I’m quickly learning that this is such a different ordeal than training for a half! Will have to look into this but blech that would mean more running during the week