Happy Sunday! Just 5 more weeks until race day. I can’t believe that it’s just over a month away. Although there were a few ups and downs, overall this was a decent week of training. I had the week off from work so I was able to get in some of my runs in the morning. Let’s discuss this week, shall we?
Monday 8/28
6.5 mile run + PT exercises (15 mins). The cooler temps made this run very enjoyable!
Tuesday 8/29
Body Works + Abs class (50 mins) + PT exercises (15 mins). This class was crazy hard and even though I modified some of the movements, it would come back to bite on Thursday’s run…
Wednesday 8/30
3 mile run + Boot Camp class (55 mins). This run felt okay but I had a little bit of knee pain. We did a bunch of different circuits which resulted in a super sweaty class.
Have you heard this song from Imagine Dragons? I’m loving it!
Thursday 8/31
5 mile run + PT exercises (15 mins). This was supposed to be a 7.5 tempo run but my knees were killing me (super sore) so I had to cut it short. I think this is the first run I’ve had to cut short during training. I was angry with myself at first, but an extra 2.5 mile isn’t going to really make a difference at this point in my training.
Friday 9/1
A much needed REST DAY! I iced my knees on and off all day and did a bunch of foam rolling.
I also added up all my miles for August and I was pleasantly surprised with 126.2 running miles and 75.5 spinning miles!
Saturday 9/2
16 mile long run. I was thrilled that I was able to get through this long run due to the issues I had on Thursday.
Sunday 9/3
7 mile run + PT exercises (15 mins). My gym is operating on a holiday schedule which meant no classes today, so no spinning class. I was supposed to do this run tomorrow, but moved it to today since my legs felt pretty good.
This was also my virtual run for the incredible #RunForTexas! So far this virtual run has raised $42,000 for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. You still have until tomorrow to complete your virtual run if you would like to participate. The 5K is $5 and the 10K is $10, with 100% of the proceeds being split between the American Red Cross and the Texas Diaper Bank.
Total Weekly Miles – 37.5
Total Training Cycle Miles – 366
Grade – B+
I gave myself a B+ this week because I had to shorten a run and I didn’t get in a spinning class this week.
The knee pain I experienced was totally my fault! During Tuesday’s class the instructor did oh-SO-many lower leg moves (think squats, lunges, walking lunges, etc) – way more than usual. I DID modify the moves, but I really should have just skipped most of them. Then I did boot camp the next day. By Thursday, my knees were very angry with me and I cannot blame them. Luckily I stopped trying to be a hero and cut my run short on Thursday and immediately iced my knees that day and on Friday. I also used epsom salt lotion on them as well. It seemed to do the trick because I was able to complete my long run.
All in all, Saturday’s long run went pretty well. Icing my knees the previous day helped, as well at KT Tape, Biofreeze and Aleve. I felt a little bit of soreness but it was nothing compared to how I felt on Thursday. Also the weather was absolutely perfect so the miles seemed to fly by. The run went a lot better than I anticipated so for that, I was truly thankful! After the run, I re-hydrated with a protein smoothie and then took an ice bath.
I did Monday’s run today and will move my Tuesday workout to Monday. I’ll either have an extra rest day or Tuesday or go to a spinning class. Either way I did this for two reasons. 1 – Tuesday is my first day back to work after vacation and I know it’s going to be crazy. If I have to work late, at least I know I already completed that day’s workout. 2 – I want to give my knees two days off in a row from running. I’m hoping that will help with any leftover soreness.
I have two more weeks of ‘hard’ workouts and then it’s time for the taper. I’m going to do everything that I can to train smart and make sure I get through the next few weeks happy and healthy!
Do you ever feel bad when you have to shorten or skip a workout? How do you deal when old injuries try to come back?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Montana so show her some love!
I’m also linking up with the Jess’s (Jess Runs Atlanta and Jess @ The Right Fits) and Courtney for their Training Recap Link Ups!
This Week’s Posts
My Fall Racing Schedule
5 Things I’ve Learned This Training Cycle
Sara says
Great job this week! You are right. The 2 miles that you skipped won’t affect your training at all. Glad to see that you came back strong this weekend.
The weather this week was great! Can it just stay around forever??
kookyrunner says
Thanks Sara! I find that I learn something new through marathon training all the time.
I wish this weather would stick around forever! It was cool and crisp, low humidity and just flat out awesome!
AmyC says
Great job taking care of yourself! Sometimes we think we can do it all right?
kookyrunner says
I’m definitely guilty of that!
Kimberly Hatting says
I always feel bad (initially) for cutting a workout short (or skipping it altogether), but I always appreciate doing so in retrospect. Like you said, a shortened workout is not going to affect the entire training cycle…and pushing through could derail everything you’ve worked towards.
kookyrunner says
Definitely. I just think it’s so silly that I thought pushing through 2.5 miles in pain would be a good idea!! I’m always learning something new through marathon training!
Coco says
I’m glad your long run went well, and you were able to run again today — that proves you were right to cut your run short on Thursday. Sometimes I have to modify/skip some of the plyo moves at OTF. I love doing jumping jacks, but too many and my calves hate me and try to get PF to stab me where it hurts. 🙂
kookyrunner says
When I first had to modify moves during class I was annoyed but now I know it’s just the right thing to do. I think our bodies let us know when something isn’t feeling right but we just have to listen. I’m still working on the whole “listening” part!
Teresa says
Great week KIm and congratulations on that 16 miler! Gosh, I feel your pain regarding those squats and lunges aggravating an old injury. Every time we do a lot of those in our HIIT class, my ankle yells at me for a couple of days. I usually just ice it more than usual and give it a little rest.
Just 5 weeks???? You’ve so got this!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much! It’s amazing that moves I used to do with no problem now aggravate my knees. I feel like my body is always changing and I’m always learning!
You, just 5 weeks – can you believe it?! I know these next few weeks will go by quickly!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
Great job this week. So glad you were able to remedy that knee pain before things got worse. No harm in shortening that one run – you’ve been killing this training and you’re almost there!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Michelle! My knees are feeling back to normal today which is great. I’m going to keep icing them and doing a lot of foam rolling.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
I’m so glad that you were able to get in your long run without any problems! It was definitely smart of you to cut your Thursday run short and take a rest day. You’re in the home stretch now!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Lisa! I’m trying to make sure that I train smart from here on out.
Shathiso says
Glad you cut that run short and your “damage control” afterwards is brilliant – icing and taking an extra rest day for your knees! Well done on another great week of training! Good luck getting back to work. Today is my first day back after a week off and I feel like I have been hit by a truck! LOL!
kookyrunner says
Thanks! It definitely took me a good hour to stop feeling guilty about cutting the run short – I was so silly about it!
Ugh – I am SO not looking forward to tomorrow and the first day back to work!
Lesley says
I’m very competitive so my ego hates it if I need to shorten a run, or skip it. Then common sense kicks in and it’s good to know I won’t be doing damage by playing it smart. It’s hard to be smart with training, but those two miles are worth it if it keeps your knees healthy for the race.
kookyrunner says
Same here! It definitely takes a little while for the common sense to kick in, lol
courtney @ eat pray run dc says
Oh my gosh – 5 weeks! That’s so soon. Did you enjoy your staycation? I always want to take one of those 🙂
kookyrunner says
My staycation was great! 🙂 Back to work tomorrow 🙁 LoL
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Look at you racking up the miles again! Your training is going so well this time I am excited for you
kookyrunner says
Thanks! I ‘m hoping to have a really great 2 weeks of training and then it’s taper time!
Clarinda says
Oh, I don’t think there is a runner out there that hasn’t beat themselves up for cutting a run short or skipping a run altogether. 😀 I think the important thing is to not dwell on it! I hope the two days of non-running helps your knees, so you can finish these next few weeks strong AND have an awesome race.
kookyrunner says
Definitely! Lucky for me I didn’t dwell on it like I would have in the past so I think I am making some progress!
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style says
Awesome that you were able to rehab your knee quickly and finish a great 16-mile long run!
kookyrunner says
I definitely felt very lucky that I was able to do my long run on Saturday.
Rachel says
Bummer about your knees but I’m glad you got it under control so quickly! Two more long runs and then taper?? How?! #sosoon
kookyrunner says
I know right?! Mentally I’m just focusing on getting through these next two weeks and having strong runs and then enjoying the taper!
Jessie says
Way to go on the 16 miler! Only 5 weeks to go- how exciting.
Nope, a few missed miles won’t make any difference at all, especially when you’re crushing the long runs. And so much strength training, I’m jealous- way to go!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jessie! I really love strength training so I try to get it in 3x a week if I can!
Jenn says
Even though you gave yourself at B+, I think you had great week. I get so angry with myself when I have to bail on or shorten a workout. Sometimes it’s necessary, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel.
I try to baby my old injuries LOL. I haven’t quite been the same since my hip flexor last January, so I just try to do my best.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jenn. Sometimes I know I’m a little hard on myself, but I need to learn that things happen and cutting a run short is not the end of the world.
Sherry says
Sorry to hear about your knees. Way to listen to your body and cut that run short. Great that you were able to get your long run in fine!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Sherry!
The Accidental Marathoner says
How nice to have a week off of work. Wouldn’t it be nice to have 15 weeks of to train?
kookyrunner says
Oh that would be amazing!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Great job this past week! And running 7 miles after a 16 mile run? Amazing!
I constantly have to move my runs around to accomodate my schedule. It’s nice to be flexible when life gets in the way of training, lol!
I felt bad when I had a 9 miler that I could only handle 6…ugh. It happens, but like you said, with all the miles you’ve been putting in, there’s no harm done. You always have to listen to your body first!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Janelle! I’ve never done a mid distance run after a long run, but surprisingly my legs were OK!
The more I train the more I appreciate that I can be flexible with my schedule!
Anna @ Piper's Run says
Great week! And awesome August mileage !!!
Old injuries are hard to deal with – I’m going through a few right now. I go back to my PT exercises and focus on stretching properly post running/workout.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Anna! It’s so frustrating when old injuries come back 🙁
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I’m sorry to hear that your knees were bothering you last week, but at this point in your training a couple of extra miles isn’t going to hurt your preparation whatsoever. Having to cut your run short had more of a mental impact on your training last week than a long term physical impact. If you’re hurting, listen to your body like you did. Its more important to make sure that you can get to the start line injury free.
kookyrunner says
You’re so right – it’s way more of a mental impact vs a physical one when I cut the run short.
Toni says
Sorry about your knees, that sux, but it look like you are fixing the problem. Overall looks like good training.
kookyrunner says
Definitely! I’m just hoping that I have fixed the issue.