I’m happy to report that I survived peak week- hip hip hooray! This was a hard week for me. The workouts felt fine but I am currently in the midst of allergy season and this week was particularly bad. I was pretty tired, congested and itchy so I didn’t have any desire to run or workout this week, but I just sucked it up and got my workouts done. Just two more weeks until the Cleveland Half Marathon and I cannot wait!
Monday 4/30
4 mile run + 30 push-ups, 30 jump squats and 30 tricep dips.
Kicked off peak week with an awesome run and ended April’s challenge with 30 reps of each move. I also ended the month of April with 81.5 miles!
Tuesday 5/1
Body Works + Abs Class (45 minutes) and 20 push ups.
A new month means it’s time for another challenge! No new challenge this month so we’re repeating the Burpees, Planks and Push-Ups challenge from January. I’m looking forward to this challenge since I didn’t get a chance to do this in January because I was marathon training.
Wednesday 5/2
4 mile run + 20 mins of strength training + 30 burpees.
I skipped my weekly boot camp class but still got in a great strength training session.
Thursday 5/3
4 mile run + 90 second plank.
I think the photo below explains how I felt about this run.
Friday 5/4
REST DAY!! But I still did 30 push-ups for the monthly challenge.
Saturday 5/5
12 mile run.
Final long run done for this training cycle! This was a hard one. My body felt fine but my allergies were going haywire since it seems like everything bloomed overnight. This was probably my slowest long run in a while due to constantly having to blow my nose and wipe my eyes, but I’m glad that I didn’t quit.
It was also great to run with others during the last few miles of my run.
Sunday 5/6
Spinning (65 minutes) + 40 burpees.
No double workout today š I’m still feeling crappy and I knew I didn’t want to spend 2 hours in the gym. Also my left ankle feels a little tender from yesterday’s run so I didn’t want to overdo it with my workouts today. I was still able to go to spinning which was great. It was a total sweatfest!
Total Weekly Mileage: 24
Total Training Cycle Miles ā 115.5
Grade ā A+
Despite not feeling 100%, I’m really happy with all of my workouts this week. My runs felt great and I’m loving the monthly challenge – well I don’t love the burpees, but you know what I mean!
Allergies are completely kicking my butt this week- I feel awful! This happens every year so I know that I just have to ride it out for the next 2-3 weeks and then hopefully things will settle down. I’ve dealt with allergies my whole life but this year seems like it might be a particularly bad one š I’m literally allergic to everything (pollen, dust, trees, ragweed, etc) so running outside is a challenge. When I saw an allergist a few years ago he suggested that I get allergy shots but I really want to avoid that if possible. Right now I take Zyrtec, use nasal spray, drink Nettle tea with local honey and drink tons of water to make sure my histamines aren’t out of wack. I know I’m “doing all the right things” so hopefully I’ll get some relief soon!
Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If so, what do you do to get relief?!?
Iām linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
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Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
The allergies were just brutal last week! Hoping the rain knocked some of the pollen away. I had a hard time running in it last week for sure.
kookyrunner says
Me too! It was supposed to rain today but of course it didn’t š Hoping it may rain a little tomorrow.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Im sorry your allergies are so bad! Im sure mine will kick in soon. You still had a great week! Enjoy the taper.
kookyrunner says
Thans Lisa! I am glad that your allergies haven’t been bothering you this year. Maybe you will get super lucky and not super at all this year.
Jennifer @ Fit Nana says
You absolutely CRUSHED your workouts this week! Especially considering the allergy issues! I get them but they’re not too bad, unless I’m mowing and edging and doing all sorts of yard work and then I’m a mess. I can pretty much survive a run without going to crazy. I take a Claritin every day because I also have a mild allergy to cats. And yes, I have cats. lol #stubborn
I always think I should do those challenges because they sound fun and then I never do. Or, I do a couple of days and then forget. I should really start marking them in my planner. Lord knows I need more work on my push-ups!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Jennifer! You should totally do the monthly challenges. It’s a lot of work but you do end the month feeling very strong!
Wendy says
I don’t have allergies but the spring bloom always gives me symptoms! I was plenty busy last week with patients suffering from allergies. Feel better! I’m impressed with what you got done in spite of feeling so crappy.
kookyrunner says
You’re so lucky that you don’t suffer from allergies! I’ve heard that you can “grow out of it” and I’m still waiting for that day to come, lol
Lesley says
I’ve had to pack tissues for every outside run this season, and I use them all. It’s hard to blow my nose when I’m short of breath, but I feel better afterwards.
kookyrunner says
Me too! I’ve been stuffing tissues in my SpiBelt and I just blow my nose during my walk breaks. It’s oh so sexy, lol
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Thankfully I don’t suffer with seasonal allergies, but my husband does. It’s a real misery. He has a tough time because he also is on BP meds, so he has to be careful what he takes. And I swear he gets them year round (seems that way, anyway).
You had a very solid week under trying conditions — Congrats!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Judy! I hope that your husband gets relief from his allergies soon. I’m hoping that because this week was bad, next week has to be better, right? LOL
Kimberly Hatting says
Talk to me about allergies (is this another “Kim thing?”). My allergies got worse in my adult years, and I finally did the allergy shots several years ago. I had tested positive to like 27 of the 33 allergens they tested me for. I think I did the shots over the course of two years (?), but ZERO allergy probs since….well, until this year LOL My sinuses are fine, but my eyes have been burning more than usual. Still, any discomfort I am feeling now is minimal in comparison to before the shots. Hopefully the spring budding/blooming will ease up and you’ll get some relief.
kookyrunner says
LOL, it must be another “Kim” thing! That is interesting about the allergy shots! I am so glad that they worked for you. I think I’m just scared that I’m going to ahve some sort of reaction to the shots since I’m allergic to everything! LOL
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Great week! I haven’t had my allergies acting up too bad. Maybe it means I haven’t been spending enough time outdoors(aka longer runs).
kookyrunner says
I will probably do more treadmill runs the next few weeks to avoid the pollen as much as possible, lol
coco says
The pollen is really bad right now. My nose hasn’t been bad, but my eyes are itchy and irritated. Yay for making it through peak week!!
kookyrunner says
i was hoping that it would rain last night to get rid of some of the pollen!
Sarah @ merrillthon says
Great work sticking to your workouts! I donāt have seasonal allergies where I currently live (*knock on wood*) but my bf has awful allergies. Like a typical man, he doesnāt medicate like I would, but he also doesnāt complain too much, he just wonāt go on runs with me (seems fair). When I used to live in Tennessee and get them, I took Zyrtec; I thought it helped more the another allergy medications. Hope that pollen passes soon!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Sarah! It was a hard week but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this week will be better. I agree that Zyrtec is the best allergy medicine. The other brands don’t seem as strong!
Shathiso says
My left ankle was also feeling a bit weird so I skipped my long run yesterday. Like you, I just felt a bit less work would do it some good. Allergies – I am so lucky that I have never had to deal with them – but my daughter Kaia really struggles when the season changes. It’s really been an eye opener for me as I never really knew what people with allergies go through. Now that winter has set in, she is a lot better but I used to give her some allergy stuff before bed every night. PS: What a phenomenal group shot!
kookyrunner says
I hope that your ankle feels better soon! If it’s still a little sore, maybe you can try some KT tape for race day!
Catherine says
allergies are the worst!! Itās finally nice outside and we canāt even enjoy it! My husndand uses over the counter allergy meds but Iāve heard you have to take them consistently to see results so I donāt know if just taking one makes a difference. Enjoy your taper and I hope you feel better!
kookyrunner says
That’s true – I’m hoping that I will get more relief since I’ve been taking the meds for about a month now.
Jenny says
I never had seasonal allergies until I had my first baby and ever since there has been about a two week-1month period of allergies. I take allertec for it because I canāt avoid it haha.
kookyrunner says
So glad that you found something that works for you in dealing with allergies!
Debbie says
So sorry you’re dealing with allergies this week. It kind of sucks, you finally get nice weather to run in and the allergies kick in. I’m super lucky because I don’t have any (knock on wood because I know they can start up at any time in your life).
kookyrunner says
Exactly! Everyone loves all the trees and flowers but I hate them because f my allergies lol
Marcia says
Oh man I can only imagine how tough training through allergies is! Mostly I’m allergic to cats but my eyes has been really itchy lately. I’m sure it’s due to the pollen. Hooray for having peak week done!
kookyrunner says
It was such a struggle and I totally felt like a zombie all week because of the meds. Luckily this week seems to be a little better.
Denise @ runheartfit says
I don’t have allergies but I do wake up with a drippy nose every day!
Great job powering through your week!
kookyrunner says
Ugh the drippy nose is the worst!
Chaitali says
Ugh, sorry about the allergies. They were bad this weekend here too. I know it’s time to take extra allergy meds when I see that my car is covered in yellow.
kookyrunner says
My car currently looks yellow but it’s really navy blue, lol. I have to hit up a car wash ASAP
HoHo Runs says
I’m sorry to hear about your allergies. Allegra keeps mine in check, but I also don’t think I have a severe case. Great job in getting your workouts done while feel crappy! š I hope that ankle improves with a little rest. Enjoy this week as you taper to your next race. Thanks for linking!
kookyrunner says
Thanks! It was a struggle but I was glad to get in all my runs.
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
Ugh, I can’t imagine how annoying it must be to have to deal with seasonal allergies while trying to run outside. I’m pretty lucky and only have a minor reaction when certain grasses bloom in early June. Hope you find some relief soon!
kookyrunner says
You’re so lucky that you don’t suffer from allergies! I hope that I get there some day lol
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
You had an awesome week! The pollen has been brutal lately – hope you get a break from it all soon!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Michelle – I hope for a break soon too!
Anna @ Pipers Run says
Hope you feel better soon and your ankle is quick to get better. Looks like you had a great week though!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Anna!
Angela says
Allergies suck!! I donāt have them as bad as yours but itās awful all the same! Great job this week despite the feeling awful!!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Angela!
AmyC says
Your weekly wraps are always freakishly amazing, haha! I just started the PPB challenge and am already worried about all those burpees. Yikes! I hope your allergies cooperate and you can fully enjoy your reaming two weeks of training.
kookyrunner says
LOL thanks so much Amy – you’re too kind! I am also very worried about all the burpees for the challenge. when the number gets really high I might just have to do them throughout the day instead of all at one time!
Jenn says
Seasonal allergies are hard. My sinuses go a little wonky, and I rely on my Sinugator, apple cider vinegar, and the occasional zyrtec to get me through. My husband and son suffer far more than I do. My husband actually had to cancel his flight to TN this weekend over his sinuses. it’s crazy.
Way to go on another great week of training!
kookyrunner says
Apple cider vinegar is something that I will try, thanks for the suggestion!
I hope that your husband feels better soon – allergies are really fierce this year!
Becca | Rabbit Food Runner says
I used to have terrible allergies but I actually found that once I went plant-based they disappeared. Great week of training! The May challenge sounds fun
kookyrunner says
Wow that’s interesting that they went away once you went plant based. I was plant based for a few months earlier this year – maybe I need to go back!
Jessie says
What a great week! I don’t have allergies, but everyone is going crazy complaining about them who does have them…hope it gets better soon!
That May Challenge sounds fun. So jealous of all your fun runs!
kookyrunner says
Allergies are so crazy so far this season, but I hope it gets better soon!
Sharon says
Sorry to hear about your allergies! Seems like it is a really bad year as my son has been having a hard time this year vs. other years. Yay for peak week being over!
kookyrunner says
Yes it’s so hard dealing with allergies this year, but I hope to get relief soon!
Renee @runlaugheatpie says
despite allergies it seems like it was a really good week for you. I’m mainly allergic to grass, especially fresh cut – it seems like there is a standard day when literally everyone cuts the grass around here and that is of course the day I do my long run… *rolls eyes* It sucks but what can you do, right?
kookyrunner says
LOl, exactly! On Saturday it seemed like everyone was out cutting grass and it was driving me nuts!
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says
Ugh allergies suck I’m sorry. Allergy season is pretty much over here in Florida because we’ve been in spring bloom for months now, but I suffer from pollen allergies, so fall and spring are crappy times for me when they first start. Hope that clears up for you and yay for surviving peak week training!
kookyrunner says
I can’t believe how many people are dealing with allergies over the past few weeks! It’s been a very bad season but hopefully it gets better soon.
Andrea says
Aw man. Allergies are no joke. I’m not sure if I have allergies or if I’m just sensitive to the weather changing super quick, but I always seem to get slammed this time of year with the nasal congestion and wheezing. But it clears up after a day or two and doesn’t bother me until the fall!
kookyrunner says
I heard on the news this morning that because we had a long winter, this allergy season may be particularly bad. That’s the last thing I wanted to hear LOL
Sara says
Yay for peak week! Great job with your workouts and all those burpees! Extra credit for that.
I hope that your allergies settle down soon. That doesn’t sound like fun.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Sara!
Clarinda says
I’m one of those lucky ones who has never had to deal with allergies. They sound so horrible! š
Great week of training and get out there despite Nature kinda hating you. LOL
I thought about doing the January challenge this month since I also missed it in January, but with work and the Bikini Series starting, I didn’t end up starting it this month. Hope it’s going well for you.
kookyrunner says
Oh you are so lucky! I think I could enjoy nature more if my allergies weren’t so damn bad!