Happy Sunday! Did everyone have a good weekend? As usual, I feel like I blinked and the weekend was over. But that’s okay because I have a short work week coming up since I’m leaving for Chicago on Friday! I really can’t wait to get there, meet up with a ton of bloggers, run the races and eat all the food!!
As the title of this post suggests, I’m back to running! Well, more of a run/walk, but you know what I mean š It was a pretty busy week at work but getting to run was definitely the highlight of my week. Here’s how my week went:
Monday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 10
No workouts but I focused on doing a lot of walking, stretching and some strength training with light hand weights.
Wednesday, July 11
1 mile run/walk.
This was the day I’ve been looking forward to every since I had the surgery. After 2.5 weeks I felt ready to attempt to run. I’ll admit that I was scared to start running again, but knew I just had to suck it up and try. The run was pretty bad/painful, probably because I was still stiff and haven’t run in a few weeks. I’ll admit that I threw myself a short lived pity party after the run.
Tuesday’s mantra was perfect for this run!
Thursday, July 12
2 mile run/walk.
Thank goodness this run was SO much better! My back didn’t feel as sore/tight and I was able to still keep the 2 mins walking/3 mins running intervals.
Friday, July 13
3 mile run/walk.
Felt pretty good on this one. I kept the intervals to 2 mins walking/4-5 mins running.
Saturday, July 14
4 mile run/walk.
The beginning of this run was great but I started experiencing some pain during the last half mile. I think that I may have tried to do too much too soon, especially considering I just started back to running on Wednesday. I finally (I’ve had this watch for years) used the interval feature on my watch for this run. I set it to 2 mins walking/5 mins running. It was nice to be alerted to when I should be walking/running but the only issue was that I couldn’t see my total distance. Anyone know how to fix that (I have a Garmin)?
Awesome to run with this view!
Sunday, July 15
Spinning (60 minutes).
I haven’t been to the gym for a spin class since June 24th – yikes! Don’t get me wrong, I love the Peloton spin classes, but there’s just something about taking a live classes with others, listening to the loud music, etc. Although I was still mainly in the saddle for the most part, it was an awesome workout!
Total Weekly Mileage: 10
Weekly Weight Loss: -2.2 lb
Grade This Week ā A
Hooray for getting back to running! It’s still probably going to be another few weeks until I’m back to 100% but I really like the run/walk intervals. I’ll probably stick with interval running for a while. The walk breaks really help take some of the pressure off of my back. After this week, I have confidence that I’ll be able to get through the RnRChicago 5k/10k next weekend. Sure, it will probably be my slowest race times ever for those distances, but it’s all about fun and enjoying the experience. I also purchased a magnesium oil spray that I’ve been using about twice a day. I think it’s helping with the soreness so I’ll continue using it next week as well.
I have a quick update on my hand. They think that I might have some internal bruising and that is causing the dull ache that I’ve been feeling. By placing the IV drip in my hand, this could have bruised my vein since any small movement can cause a vein to bruise. Also this was the IV they put in my hand during the surgery, so if it felt uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them since I was under anesthesia. I’m still not sure why they needed to put in an additional IV since I had one put in my left hand before the surgery. I’ve been using a warm compress on my right hand this week but it hasn’t made too much of a difference so I might try to go get an X-ray if things don’t improve at all.
Let’s end this post on a positive note! One fun thing I participated in this week was Instagram’s “Ask me a question” feature via Instastories. I think it’s a pretty cool feature and I’ve had fun asking other people questions. Here are some of the questions that I received yesterday from a few of my followers:
That’s it for this week – thanks for reading my weekly wrap recap!
Did you have a good week? Do you run with intervals? If so, what do you think are the benefits?
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Iām linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
Wow! It seems like all the running bloggers I read are going to the Chicago Half. Now I wish I was going too! Good luck!!!
It’s so weird because it just seem like a bunch of us picked that race this year!
I hope you have fun in Chicago and that your pain stays at bay. I have a Garmin too and although you can set it for run/walk intervals, that should not be constantly on the screen. Go to “Run Options” and see if you can fix it through there.
Thanks for the tip about the Garmin watch. I’ll see if I can fix it by going to Run Options.
Brilliant – well done! I’ve been doing walk-run in this hot weather and I’ve been running a fair bit with my friend Ruth, who does the Jeff Galloway method which is a structured walk-run. You have been pushing it a bit but you sound like you’re being really sensible. Hope that hand gets better soon and take care of yourself!
I’ve heard a lot about the Jeff Galloway method. I’m going to do some research on it this week.
Thanks for the well wishes Liz!
I’m glad you’re feeling better and running again. How weird about your hand. I wonder if they hit a nerve when they put the IV in?
I’m working on a post for Tuesday and I put that exact goals quote in it. LOL. Great minds think alike.
See you soon!!!!!!!!
I think that is very possible! Nurses often have a hard time with my veins because they are so small so it’s totally possible that they may have hit a nerve. I’m just going to keep my eye on it for now.
See you in a few days!! š
You’ve made excellent progress this week! It’s weird about your hand though. It makes you sort of wonder what goes on while your under anesthesia. I’m heading to Chicago Friday afternoon too! EEK. Can’t wait to meet you. Thanks for linking!
Thanks Holly! I was in a panic earlier this week that I wouldn’t be able to run any of the Chicago races so I’m glad the running went well this week overall. Hope you can join us for dinner on Friday night!
It’s so good to hear that you’re back out and running again post surgery! When I rode with Deborah today she told me about your epic upcoming weekend in Chicago. That sounds like so much fun! I need to join in on the fun at one of these races!
Thanks Debbie! I’m so looking forward to Chicago and meeting up with so many awesome bloggers. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a super fun weekend š
Yay for running again! I’m so happy for you. I’ve got huge FOMO over Chicago but I just can’t do it. I am so not with it on Instagram. I haven’t even figured out stories.
Thanks so much Coco! We will miss you in Chicago but I hope that I get to meet you at another race in the future!
I’m glad your transition back to running is going pretty smooth. I cannot tell you how excited I am for Chicago…SO EXCITED!!!!!
Same here! I can barely contain my excitement about seeing everyone and eating all the yummy food in Chicago.
What an exciting week for you!! I’m virtually giving you a š
Love the great questions you got! I haven’t tried that feature yet.
Thanks for the virtual high five!
It’s a really great feature on IG. I think I’ll try to do it again in another week and see what questions I get!
Yay, glad you are back running! I was supposed to do the RnR next weekend but an injury sidelined me. I WILL be cheering out there however!
Thanks so much Becca! I am sorry that you are unable to run RnR Chicago š But happy that you will be cheering. I’m running the 5k and 10k.
I’m so glad your return to running is going well! We’re going to have so much fun in Chicago at any and all paces!
I’m just so excited about Chicago – I can barely contain my excitement!
I’m so so glad you’re on the mend and back to running! Speaking from experience, coming back from time off is tough, but you seem to be doing the right things to do it safely.
Have a wonderful time in Chicago this weekend, eat lots of PIZZA for me š
Yes the “comeback” is rough even though I wasn’t off from running for too long. The soreness is subsiding so that’s a good thing.
Thanks Jessie! I will definitely enjoy all of the yummy food in Chicago. It’s such a great city for food š
Run/walk intervals have been so helpful for me this summer! I never used to like them because I felt like it was harder to start running again after I stopped to walk, but now if I want to get through a long run in the heat the walking really helps. I’m so glad you are back to running and hope you continue to make good progress!
Yes, I had the same feeling! I felt like it would always take twice the amount of energy to start running again after the walk break but now it doesn’t seem to bother me as much.
Hooray for running again !! You are on your way!!!
Thanks Sandra!
The first run back after a break is always tough. I keep it short to get it out of my system. Good luck this week, and I have fun in Chicago!
So true to keep it short. I was actually dying after that 1 mile and trying to figure out how I was going to ever run long distances again, lol.
I’ve been run/walking almost 3 years now & it’s worked really well for me. I look forward to my walk breaks!
Sounds like your return to running has gone really, really well. Just listen to your body & don’t overdo it.
Those questions & answers are fun! I’ve had very little time on IG lately though. š
That’s great to know Judy! And you seem to have a ton of success with that method so I hope it will work for me too!
I’m trying to be good and listen to my body. I’m not the most patient person so it’s hard, but I know that I need to increase my mileage slowly.
Sounds like the return to running is going pretty well minus that first run. And that makes since it was your first time running in a while. The instagram ask me anything sound fun. I had no idea that was even a thing.
Yes, the first one was pretty awful but thankfully the second one was SO much better! I was very thankful for that.
I usually have full workouts dedicated for intervals. I’m not great at them, but I’m seeing progress now and loving the progress part. I think intervals are probably my least favorite run haha.
That’s awesome that you have interval only workouts. I feel like I may do that once I’m healthier and back to normal.
I’m so glad you were able to get back to running! Give your body some time, it’ll come back fully when its ready!
I hope you have tons of fun in Chicago! Sometimes its good to take time off the table and just have fun with races. You still get a medal and t shirt for it so why not? š
I typically do intervals on my longest runs and that’s how I currently run half and full marathons. I find the breaks help my body not feel so beat up or tired afterwards. I’m now able to run 10 miles without taking a break, but I still plan to use intervals in my marathon this fall, and find that I’m typically faster with my times when using them. Hope they continue to work for you!
Thanks Montana! Patience is not something that I’m good at, but I know that I do not have a choice when it comes to getting back to running. If I push myself too hard I know it’s only going to hurt me in the long run.
That’s great that you use the interval for your long runs. I feel that I may need to do that moving forward when I train for my half marathons in September/October.
Run/Walk intervals are the best when you’re coming back from any time out. Hopefully you’ll be able to keep it up this week and enjoy your time in Chicago! Not sure what type of Garmin you have but maybe it’s something you can change in the screen/workout settings?
I’m looking forward to Chicago and know that the run/walk intervals will get me through both races. I’m going to take a look at my Garmin watch to see if I can change up the display.
I’m glad you’re back to walking and running again, and I’m so looking forward to meeting you next weekend! I thought the same thing Wendy did about your IV–they likely nicked a nerve. It’s not uncommon for anesthesia to place another IV for surgery. That way they have a backup in an emergency or if there is a problem with the original one. They also tend to use larger-bore catheters in the OR, so that may have contributed to your issues.
Thanks so much Linda! I am very excited to meet you as well and hope you can join us for brunch on Saturday after the 5k!
Thanks so much for that extra information about the IV. I’m currently wearing a compression gloves which helps, but I know it’s just a temporary solution.
Great job easing back into running. I would love to go to one of those spinning classes but I feel like my running takes up all my time.
Have a great time in Chicago! Wish I was going. š I’ve always wanted to go there and it would be great to meet all of you!
Thanks Denise! I agree – I can be hard to find time for other workouts, especially when you are training for a race.
Hopefully we’ll do another blogger meet up at a race next year and you can join! It would be great to meet you.
Congrats on your return to running! Continue the slow and steady approach to your return and I have no doubt that you’ll be back at it full force sooner than later.
Thanks so much Kathryn! I’m definitely going to take my time when it comes to adding in mileage. Nice and slow is the way to go!
Happy to see you back to running! Run/walk is the only thing keeping me moving at this point – I’m glad it’s working for you. Just keep listening to your body!
See you soon š
Thanks Michelle! Good to know that the run/walk is working well for you.
See you in a few days!
So thrilled that you are back to running.
Have fun in Chicago. FOMO about meeting all those bloggers in person.
Pizza and NYC Bagels are a definitely my top two followed by ice cream”
Thanks Darlene!
I’m super excited about Chicago and think it will be a great weekend.
Good job getting back to running – sounds like the slow & steady interval approach is working well for you! My Garmin is several years old (Forerunner 220), but on it you change what displays on the screen by going to settings>activity settings>data screens.
Thanks so much Hannah! Thanks for the recommendation on the Garmin watch. I’m going to try to change it today.
Well, New York bagels and New York pizza are both pretty fantastic. .Of course, I’m a parital audience in that regard š
I’m so glad you are back to running! I’m sure your legs and your soul have been itching for it!
Yes – I’m a total carb lover so pizza and bagels will always be my besties LOL
Well your in New York so I can imagine it hard to think of any other favorite food because there is so much good food. 10 miles isnt bad for coming back and I love the new question feature too.
Yes, and i was born and raised in Queens, NY so there was no shortage of good pizza!
Well done on getting back to running! I love your answers to those questions. The Half so far is also my fave distance and I love that even if you are not racing you will be volunteering or spectating at the NYC Marathon!
Thanks so much! I am happy to be back out there!
Glad to see you are running again! I’m sure it’ll take a little bit more time to feel 100% but I’m glad the intervals are working out well for you!
Thanks Janelle! I hope that I can be back to 100% by mid August but I will try not to rush the process!
I’m sad to say that I haven’t been to the gym in a while, but I hope to be back to it soon!
I’ve been curious about the instastories thing, but haven’t tried it out yet!
I think you would really like the new features on IG for instastories!