Happy Sunday and Happy Palm Sunday if you celebrate the Easter season. I don’t have too much to report this week as it was mainly a recovery week after the Shamrock Marathon. I decided to take the entire week off from running. I have to say, it felt good having 7 straight days off from running. When I ran the Chicago and NYC Marathons, I only took 5 days off from running so this has been my longest break. I’m hoping that my legs will feel fresh when I run tomorrow.
Technically this week started my training for the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon. I’ll be doing the 8K and the Half Marathon during race weekend. If you want to join me on May 19-20 in Cleveland, use code KGCLE10 to save 10% off your race registration. Although I didn’t run this week, I still got in a few days of cross training later on in the week.
Monday 3/19 – Wednesday 3/21
Our flight back home was super early on Monday..like 6:00am early. Luckily it was a very short flight and I was back home by 8:30am.
I logged into work about 30 minutes after I got home. I was super thankful that I could work from home. Throughout the day, going down the stairs was super slow and painful. I actually started to research the costs of these chairs online – it was that bad, LOL.
I was so sore and tired and ending up going to sleep super early that night.
Tuesday I went for my weekly ART appointment and told my doctor all about the race. He’s an avid distance runner/Ironman so we always talking about running/racing. He was also kind enough to let me use his Normatec recovery boots after my appointment. I used them for about 30 minutes and it was wonderful. These recovery boots are experience but I’m seriously considering saving up and buying myself a pair to have at home!
Wednesday we had another nor’easter but it actually wasn’t that bad. We maybe got 6 inches of snow at the most. I considered doing a light workout, but just decided to use it as my last consecutive rest day.
Thursday 3/22
My first post-marathon workout! I did a brisk 30 minute walk and then I caught up on FOUR days of the Total Body Challenge. Not gonna lie, that was hard! In total I did 70 supermans, 90 burpees, 70 push-ups and two 30-second planks. I was pretty sweaty after it was all over!
Friday 3/23
This is my normal rest day, but I still completed 50 supermans/50 push-ups and a 30-second plank for the Total Body Challenge. I also met up with two of my friends that were running a half marathon on Saturday. We went to Pieology to grab pizza so they could carbload before the race. I also carbloaded with them to show support, lol π
Saturday 3/24
Body Works + Abs Class (45 minutes)
This class proved to me that I’ve been slacking on strength training (taking one boot camp class a week is not enough). It was an intense 45 minutes of moves designed to work your arms, abs, legs, shoulders, butt, etc. It was truly a total body workout and I’m sore today. I also threw in 10 burpees during class for the Total Body Challenge.
Sunday 3/25
Spinning (65 minutes/26 miles)
I was glad that my legs were rested because today’s spinning class was hard! We had a lot of hills/inclines, including one song that was a 8-minute climb! I haven’t been to class in two weeks so I was happy to be back.
Total Weekly Mileage: 0
Total Training Cycle Miles β 0
Grade β A
This might be the first training week I’ve ever had with 0 miles, but there’s always a first time for everything! I really tried to listen to my body and take it easy this week. Obviously I have a really good base going into this training, so taking a week off from running really won’t make a difference. I definitely didn’t feel guilty about not running this week after checking my FitBit stats from Sunday – craziness!!
This training cycle I am looking forward to incorporating more strength training. Since I had a lot more free time this week I planned out my training cycle for the next few weeks and I’ll have at least 3 strength or cross training workouts a week. I want to get stronger and tone up my body so this is a great first step.
How do you recover after a race? Do you take time off from running?
Iβm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
In Case You Missed It
Yuengling Shamrock 8K and Marathon Race Recap
5 Reasons To Try Cryotherapy
Sara says
Right back into it after Shamrock! Great job lady! I keep on thinking about signing up for Cleveland…..gah. Do I?
kookyrunner says
I hope that you end up signing up for the race so that we can meet in person!
Wendy says
When we met Meb and Sarah Crouch a few years ago, both of them told us that they take a full 2 weeks off running after a big race. I don’t know if I could do that, but one week always feels so good. Glad you did it! Take care, Kim!
kookyrunner says
Oh wow – 2 weeks?! I don’t know if I could do that – I might go a little stir crazy, lol.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Great job recovering this week! I was laughing at that chair for the stairs…I can totally relate to that feeling! My old apartment had so many steps and I used to cry walking up and down them after a marathon!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Lisa. I was so serious about the chair, LOL. I really didn’t know how I was going to make it through Monday. At one point I thought “Maybe I’ll just go butt first and slide down the stairs”.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
I think you’re really wise to take so much recovery time! I like my rest days. π
Last year I didn’t do much rest because I was always training, obviously this year I’ve had a whole lot more rest (unplanned) but it’s time to get back at it.
You’re such a good friend to carbo load with your friends. π
kookyrunner says
I always take one rest day every week but it felt weird taking multiple rest days this week!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Congrats on your race! I tried those booties out in LA and I didn’t think they were all that for the price of them. I was having trouble doing stairs after my marathon as well. Luckily my condo has an elevator to it.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lacey! I hated every set of stairs that I cam across on Monday and Tuesday, lol
Deborah Brooks says
Glad to see that you took a full week off. Your body and mind will thank you. Those massage boots are great I’ve tried them before. Have a great week!
kookyrunner says
I really love the boots but I wish they weren’t so expensive!
Kimberly Hatting says
Iβm glad your recovery week went well! Youβre totally correct in that you have a strong base LOL (hello, you just did 26.2 miles).
kookyrunner says
It did feel weird to take off so many days from running but I know it will pay off!
Lesley says
When I did my first half marathon, my apartment had the stairs inside, and I was thankful for that. When I went down them to go run errands after traveling back, I used unite a few choice words. Thankfully no one heard.
kookyrunner says
Oh I totally had a few choice words for the stairs on Monday and Tuesday, lol
Jessie says
I actually really wished I had one of those chairs when I was on crutches…it was so hard getting up and down. At least now I’m walking a bit!
I’m really interested to try the Normatec legs…Great to hear you loved them!
Glad your recovery is going well π
kookyrunner says
I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to get around on crutches – you are such a trooper!
HoHo Runs says
Recovery is just as important as training. So, nice job on the zero miles! π You deserved a week off. I was doing the same thing with the stairs after my hiking plus half marathon. it was soooo painful to go down for a few days. Good luck as you start another training cycle. Thanks for linking!
kookyrunner says
I feel like we don’t realize how many stairs we go up and down each day until it’s super painful, lol.
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says
Girl you’re a rockstar! I took 10 days off after my first full last year. Normally I don’t take time off after a half anymore, but I don’t know that I’d be ready to get back to running a week after a full. I contemplated taking more time off, but I had a 5k two weeks after so I had to start running again haha!
kookyrunner says
I’m like you, I normally only take a day off running after a half, but the marathon is a totally different story!
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
Here’s a secret for you in case you haven’t tried it yet… walk down the stairs backwards for a few days after your marathon! It works wonders! I think you’re really smart for taking time off from running after your race. Too many people jump back into running too quickly without allowing their bodies to recover. Have a great week!
kookyrunner says
I did try walking backwards a few times, but it was hard to do if I had to carry something in my hand going up or down the stairs, lol
Catherine says
Do spinning miles not count as cycling miles? Sounds like a fantastic recovery week!
I love how 6 inches of snow is no big deal. In Seattle they’ll sometimes shut down the schools if it might snow that afternoon. haha!
kookyrunner says
Oh for training cycle miles I only include my running miles, but maybe I should also include my spinning miles. That’s not a bad idea!
Chaitali says
Those boots look really cool! I’m glad they seemed to help out π And that 8 minute climb in the spin class sounds really tough.
kookyrunner says
That 8 minute climb was brutal, but I know it will help make my legs stronger and help with endurance!
Teresa says
I’d say you nailed an active recovery week on the head …great job! I couldn’t help but let out a sinister little giggle at the 8 min climb in your spin class …I used to throw those in all the time when I taught Spin!!
kookyrunner says
LOL it’s funny because I used to do the same thing when I taught spinning too!
Anna @ Piper's Run says
What do these boots actually do? Are they like a compression aid?
kookyrunner says
The boots compressed air to massage your limbs – it’s amazing!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
Wise choice to give yourself a full week off from running. Like you said, with such a great base, one week off won’t affect your training.
Those recovery boots look pretty cool – very nice of your doc to let you try them. I wonder what they go for?
kookyrunner says
Prices start at $1,495 so they are definitely pricey – I wish they were a cheaper!
Rach @ Girl On The Run says
You don’t waste any time getting back into another training do you! But yes, taking time a week off after a marathon is def the way to go – your body needs time to recover
kookyrunner says
Oh for sure! I knew my body would thank me for taking the time off running and it did. My first run back yesterday resulted in negative splits!
Jenn says
I’m so glad you got to recover so well!
People LOVE those recovery boots! I think that’s probably a much wiser choice than the elevator seat LOL!
I absolutely feel off the Total Body Challenge this week and I am incredibly disappointed with myself. I just couldn’t do it. I hope to finish strong this week.
Great work!
kookyrunner says
The recovery boots were awesome – my legs felt better after I used them, that’s for sure!
It’s hard to keep up with the Total Body Challenge but I’m going to finish since we’re in the home stretch.
Coco says
You deserve at least a week off! I am doing the Denver Half May 20 — do this mean I should be training for it now? LOL at 6″ snow not being bad. We would have shut down for a week!
kookyrunner says
LOL I guess the snow totals are all relative to where you live!
Andrea says
A week off sounds like heaven! I know you might be climbing the walls, but trust that your body needs the rest and you’re going to feel amazing when you’re back to running. Get more pizza!
kookyrunner says
It was really nice to have a week off from running. Yesterday’s run was my first run since the race and it felt pretty good overall.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I am definitely envious of your no mileage week – you deserved it after all of your hard work these past several months! And still, you were active with some really great workouts. I used to take boot camp and I agree, 2 days a week is so much better than 1. I look forward to following your next round of training and seeing you get even stronger! π
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Janelle! Originally I was going to take the whole week off any activity but I started to get a little stir crazy so I needed to do something, lol
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Being able to work from home the day after Shamrock worked out really well for you. Some days I wish I worked a job that gave me that kind of flexibility. It would certainly make traveling for races, recovering, etc. so much easier!
kookyrunner says
Let me tell you, I was so thankful to have the work from home option or else I would have needed to use another vacation day, lol
Darlene says
I donβt take many rest days but I have never run a full.
It seems that you back into the swing of things.
Good luck with your next training cycle.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Darlene.