Taking a Rest Day

I decided not to head to the gym before work this morning, since my legs are feeling especially tired. I'm missing the feeling of accomplishment after a morning workout, but I'm listening to the legs in hopes of staying injury-free this training season.

Meanwhile, the weight seems to be dropping again. After a quick 6 pound drop a few weeks ago, I've been playing with those last three pounds recently. *rolling eyes*  Two things I've realized this morning: 1) limiting cheese (and the foods I want to put cheese on) helps, and 2) I can't keep peanut butter (regular, reduced fat, reduced sugar, doesn't matter) in the house.

I'm Tired!

I finally made it to the gym last night for the first time in this week's exercise cycle. I've been pretty tired from last weekend's workouts (bike & running clinic on Sat, elliptical workout on Sun.), so I took Monday off from working out. I didn't want to take two days in a row off, so last night I hit the gym a bit later than I like, but I did an easy session on the recumbent bike, and am glad I did. Good to move the legs just a bit, a slow, cruising 5.26 miles in 37:00. I'm still pretty tired this morning, but I do plan to go to water aerobics with George tonight. Another running friend might join us, hope she does!

Meanwhile, early to bed tonight!

Saturday Speedwork

Saturday's workout was a little different! I signed up to join some other Raleigh Galloway runners for a running clinic held by another Raleigh Galloway runner, Luis, where we learned some speed work exercises plus a hill repeat drill. Since that didn't start until 10:00, I walked 2.29 miles beforehand. I'd meant to walk indoors on the gym treadmill, but by the time I got to the gym, there was only one treadmill left--and it was broken! Not a bad thing, though, walking outdoors, as it was a beautiful morning (though a little windy). I covered the distance in 45:08, a 19:42 average pace. I was happy to get under 20 min. for the average mile pace, as I'm trying to work my way down to sub-18 for some half-marathons with 4-hour cut-offs that I'm interested in doing.

The running (speed) clinic was great! Got lots of ideas for strengthening exercises. Unfortunately, the tendonitis in my right ankle really got aggravated, so yesterday turned into an unexpected rest day from exercise. My ankle was still quite tender this morning, until I took a warm shower and the ankle warmed up a little took, so I decided not to exercise this morning too. I think I'll use the dumbbells at home after work this evening, convenient to do and restful for the ankle.

I'm a little discouraged about missing some more endurance training with the half marathon coming up in a month, but I still have time. Perhaps I need to remember that rest is part of training too!

Meanwhile, I am working on other healthy habits, and my weight was down a little this morning.

Rest Day

I skipped the roads AND the gym this morning, taking a rest day before tomorrow's long run. Feels a bit odd, but it's also been a relief. My legs are still a bit tired from yesterday's hill work, so it was nice to sleep in this morning. I also got into work earlier than usual, an added bonus! :)

Here's to rest!

Feeling Better

Got to bed early again last night, and it's amazing how much better I feel this morning. Big surprise that it showed in my workout this morning!

I started with 20 minutes on the recumbent bike, for 3.63 miles. Then I ran 3.06 miles in 38 minutes on the treadmill, with a 1% incline. I did have some minor pain under the toe bridge of my right foot, but it was easy enough to run through.

George and I didn't revisit the whole walk/run/workout thing last night, and it was a relief to let it go for another night. I've had a chance to think through things some more, and I'm sure we'll come up with a plan that will be good for both of us.

Slug

This morning I felt a bit like a slug, eventhough I got plenty of sleep last night. George and I had a tough conversation last night, and got going on a different conversation this morning, so I was late getting to the gym. I've been mulling over that conversation ever since....

George asked me this morning if I'd go on a brisk walk with him one weekend morning soon to see if he could finish a 5K walk in less than 50 minutes or so, so that he wouldn't come in last in a 5K run/walk. He wanted me to do this walk with him on his schedule and at a location picked by him, in place of my workout for that day. (He said he didn't want me to be sore when I went with him.) When I hesitated, that didn't go over well with him, as it came across as unsupportive. :(

I've been thinking about it today, his proposal and my reaction. It has gradually dawned on me (and not for the first time) that my workout time is MY time, time to think, to hash through things, to listen to music or podcasts, al without interruption. For that stretch of time each day, I'm taking care of myself, and I'm in control of that time. No one else directs my workouts. It's all about me. The rest of the day, I'm responsible and interactive. But, for that 30-75 minute window every morning, my introverted self gets to recharge.

I need to figure out a way to convey that to George in a non-threatening way, and to work out a time and place to support his efforts and walk with him.

Meanwhile, back to my slug-like workout this morning: I rode the recumbent bike for 15 minutes (2.53 miles), did the elliptical machine for another 15 minutes (1.19 miles), then ran on the treadmill for 15 minutes (1.18 miles). All less than yesterday, eventhough I had more rest. Some days are like this, no?

Back to Running

I started out on the recumbent bike this morning because all the decent treadmills were taken when I got to the gym. I did 2.54 miles in 15 minutes, then hopped on the treadmill. I thought I might just do 15 minutes on the treadmill, but I ended up going for 40 minutes, logging 3.16 miles. Even at an incline set at 1% and sometimes 1.5%, the pace (12:39 minutes per mile) felt decent. I've been pushing to get my average pace under 13:00, so I'm happy about that. It's nice to be feeling a little stronger as well as more rested.

Sometimes I worry that if I take the time to rest my weary self, that I might get out of sync and have a hard time running again. That may happen someday, but I need to try not to worry about it! Rest is okay!

I Didn't Mean to Run Today...

I woke up weary this morning, partly because I went to bed too late, and partly because I ran 26.24 miles last week, a big increase from running 20.89 miles the week before. I was just going to crosstrain today, so I rode the recumbent bike for 25 minutes (3.72 miles). Then I decided to get on the treadmill-for just a few minutes. The exercise on the bike had gotten the blood flowing, and I was eager to burn some more calories. I got on the treadmill and started slow. I ran and ran, and before I knew it I'd logged 2.3 miles in 30:15 minutes. Okay, so now I'm still tired, and a little sore too. I need to rest, but I need to exercise too. Where's the balance?

Shorter Workout

This morning I did 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, and that was it. It felt like plenty!

I got to bed a little earlier last night, after a busy evening of shopping, but I'm still feeling a little sluggish. It feels like it's taking me a little longer to recover from hard workouts. Maybe I'm just stubborn about getting to bed a little earlier on a regular basis. I am doing more long/hard workouts with the marathon training, so in theory I should expect to need more rest. I'm also trying to drink more water, and am contemplating how to change my diet to boost energy without taking a lot of supplements and stuff (beyond a comprehensive multivitamin).

Any ideas, anyone?

More Rest

I got to bed a little earlier last night, and felt more rested when I woke up this morning. I need to continue the earlier bedtime!

I did 50 minutes (3.46 miles) on the elliptical machine this morning. My pace was a little slower than usual for me, but felt fast enough. Perhaps there's still some residual tiredness from the trip. I'm also hyper-aware of this coming weekend's scheduled 16-mile run.

Another Outdoor Run

This morning I slept in a little after a busy day yesterday, and decided to go for a run outside. I went to a nearby neighborhood and ran 2.75 miles in 37:31, a 13:35/mi pace. It was a beautiful morning for running, but I still felt a little sluggish and heavy-legged. It's probably because the past couple of workouts have been pretty hard. (Saturday was my long run with the Galloway group in Raleigh, and yesterday I did a fairly hard 46 minutes on the elliptical.) It's nice to know I have the day off from work and can get some rest today; tomorrow should be a lighter workout day, too.

Getting Back on Track

This morning I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill for the second time this week, for 2.71 miles! It was easier today than earlier this week, partly because I got more sleep last night. I also think my body's getting used to the idea of running 30 minutes on a regular basis. I hadn't planned on running 30 minutes this morning, maybe 15-20, so I picked up the speed on the treadmill. It felt okay, so I just kept going. It seems easier sometimes when I exercise in 5 minute chunks.

I've hit my 5-mile running goal for the week, with 5.35 miles, which feels good. I'll stick to this goal for the rest of December, with extra being icing on the cake. I've been thinking about my next goal, and I'l probably shoot for 10 km (6.2 miles) a week next month.

I also did 21 minutes on the elliptical. Nothing like a good night's sleep to help me get more exercise!

Later this morning, I'm co-leading a class at the Rice House. Should be fun! I'm looking forward to hearing Andrea's story as well. I get the impression she's done quite well at home.

A Little Shorter Today

This morning I did 45 minutes on the elliptical, a little shorter today. I felt the need for a bit of rest, both for my foot and in general. I miss hitting 60 minutes, though, so maybe I'll get some more exercise in on my day off here.

I'm currently reading a book called The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michaal Pollen. I'm learning a lot about what goes into the food we eat. Right now I'm reading about farms and corn. I'm less than 1oo pages into it, but so far I'd recommend it.

A Little Longer

This morning I did 40 minutes on the elliptical machine. I got a little more sleep last night, but am still feeling some residual tiredness. I'm out running errands this morning (I'm typing at the computer at te public library, where I stopped to pick up a couple of books), but hope to get a nap in after lunch. Perhaps I'll get some more exercise in later today. If I don't, though, I need to remember that it's okay to get some rest!

Tired today

This morning I did 35 minutes on the elliptical, decided that was enough. I ended up doing a second workout yesterday, a hard 40 minutes on the elliptical at the Duke Fitness Center, on top of yesterday morning's 40-minute run. My body feels like it needs a rest today.

Back on track

This weekend I had shorter workouts, partly due to time and weariness. I knew I'd get back on track today, so I didn't get stressed about it, and got some much needed rest. This morning I was back to my full hour workout. Yay! I still need to work on getting to bed earlier, would like to be in bed around 10:00. It's hard to do, but I can tell my body needs the rest.

I've earned 10,331 points toward the President's Challenge bronze medal, 51% of the way there! I've been working on this since October 3.