One of the most interesting things about running is how when one race ends, training for the next race begins.
I had a really good training experience with the ZOOMA Run Love Challenge, but now that the race is behind me, it’s time to focus on my next big goal: The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, DC!
I’m linking up at Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie at The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie at Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, Michelle at Fruition Fitness, and Nicole at Fitful Focus! Check out their blogs for some great workouts to try!
[bctt tweet=”Another week of training for @CUCB Cherry Blossom is down! #cucb #sweatpink “]
Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run Training
It almost feels a little bit like deja-vu. A year ago, I trained for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile run with Coach Kristy guiding me every step of the way. This year, while my training plan is different, I’m starting to get back in the “Cherry Blossom mindset”….aka things are about to get real!
I am really thankful for the success that I had at Cherry Blossom in 2015. I finished stronger and faster than I started, which is always a good thing! I really felt prepared for the race.
Now that I’m a year older and wiser, I want to make sure I’m continuing to do all the right things to see if I can do an even better job. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m ready! Hopefully, you enjoy reading about my training adventures each week!
Spring Race Calendar Is Filling Up…
From Philly.com – Broad Street Run
Meanwhile, I just found out this week that I made the lottery for the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street 10 Mile Run in Philly on May 1! It is THE ultimate Philadelphian race that runs down Broad Street with 40,000 runners. It was my very first long distance race 5 years ago, and it’s almost serendipitous that I will be returning to this run for the first time since 2012. Bret also made the lottery, so he’ll be running this race for the first time. I’m excited for him!
At the rate I’m going, I’ll be running more races in the spring than I did all of last year! I’m just so grateful to have race ambassadorships this year that will allow me to go to so many new races and places! I feel extremely lucky and blessed!
Workouts for the Week:
Wednesday 2/10: I went for a quick run after work – 3 miles total with 1 mile of intervals (15 seconds fast, 45 seconds recovery). Around the last 1/4 mile, my shins were really starting to bother me. Not good.
Thursday 2/11: A quick workout in Core and More class was really tough! My lower abs just weren’t having it. In the evening, I had weight training class and our group continues to be full of laughs. We worked our quads on the weight machines, did planks, and worked on holding ourselves on the pull-up bar. Surprisingly, I did better than I thought I could. We also walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes on full 15% incline.
Friday 2/12: Rest day before the 10K.
Saturday 2/13: The ZOOMA Run Love Challenge 10K! When we got home, I took the longest nap ever!
Sunday 2/14: Another rest day to recover from the race.
Monday 2/15: I had the day off, so I went shopping! I’m going to count all that walking as my exercise for the day!
Tuesday 2/16: Finally back to working out. I went to weight training class at lunch and did some challenging plyometric moves with 10-pound weights. I need to step up my lunge game! I also did some work on my biceps and triceps, trying to focus on proper form. After work, I ran 5 miles – 1-mile warmup, 3 miles with intervals of 15 seconds hard, 45 seconds easy, and 1-mile cooldown. I made sure not to go too fast, and thankfully had no shin issues.
Week 3 Report Card:
Since I started having shin pain last week, that was a HUGE red flag that I need to slow things down. It’s a little frustrating not having a training plan that tells me what pace to run, but it’s no excuse – I need to do a better job of staying in control.
Taking a few days off last week was necessary for me to regain that control. When your body speaks to you, listen to it! I am so glad that I made the adjustments I needed to in order to prevent any potential injury – with all that lies ahead, I need to keep this body strong!
I had some really good workouts over the past few days and I’m still working on strengthening my hips whenever I have a chance. I’m also doing a better job of keeping up my steps throughout the week, beyond my running days.
With all that said, I’m going to give week 3 of Cherry Blossom training a B.
How were your workouts this week? Have you had any issues where you thought an injury was on its way? How did you adjust?
I could not agree with your more that when your body speaks to you, you need to listen to it. Pushing through pain really will lead to injury! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing! 🙂
I’m glad you listened to your body and backed off a bit. It always knows best!
I do love me that 10 mile distance!
I had some shin pain over the weekend, but I think it was because I was compensating for my PF pain. I should have bagged the whole run, right? But noooooooo…..
No shin pain since. Whew!
I’m glad your shin is feeling better. I didn’t have any issues on my last 2 runs, thank goodness! We can be a little stubborn about getting our runs in, lol!
I think you were super smart about slowing down and backing off a bit. Whenever there’s pain, that’s a sign something isn’t quite right (no matter what the training plan says). I think runners in particular have a hard time taking a step back but it’s so important. 🙂
Thanks. It’s tough sometimes but the body cannot be ignored when it’s telling you to back off!
Congrats on the Broad Street 10 mile! SO exciting!
Thanks, Nicole! 🙂
My problem is that I am so good at listening to my body, but I have major injuries that literally come out of nowhere! As in, one moment, you are fine, the next, nope! So I say listen to your body every chance that you get 😀
That has to be so frustrating when you’re doing everything right and you still get injured. I hope you’ll be back and healthy soon!
What else are you doing to deal with your shins? I would definitely address it since it seems like it keeps popping up and you don’t want it to turn into a THING. 🙂 Foam rolling, stretching, etc? All those things we all love so much (except not :)). Can’t wait to see ya in April!
Oh, I am definitely stretching and foam rolling, as well, plus using the Stick! I do need to keep it up with the recovery even when I’m not feeling pain!
Good for you for taking a step back with the shin pain! I had an odd pain in my butt and went directly to my chiropractor. If only I would make it a point to see him regularly instead of when I need “fixing”!
I love that 10 mile distance! A 10K can feel too short and sometimes the half marathon is too long.
Good move seeing your chiropractor. I used to go to one but he was a little too sketchy, lol. I’m looking forward to the 10-mile distance. I may be doing 4(!) of them this year, so I’m excited. Sometimes 13.1 can seem a little too long, haha!
Congrats on getting into the Broad Street Run. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this race. I contemplated putting my name in for the lottery, but after taking a closer look at our Spring calendar changed my mind. Maybe next year?
Thanks! It is a really special race, I think it’s worth going at least once. And yes, there’s always next year 🙂
Congrats on being picked in the lottery! How exciting, when it rains it pours. Glad you’re listening to your body and backing off when necessary. Live to run another day!
Thanks Marcia, and yes you are absolutely right about all of that!
See you soon! I was tempted to sign up for the Broad Street 10 Miler, but pulled back 🙂 Tried to exercise some more restraint this year 🙂
Yes, I so look forward to finally meeting! 🙂 This year is looking to be jampacked with races…I’m excited!
My body is speaking to me a little more than I would like this week so I hope taking a few days off helps. The broad street run is on my list one of these years too
I hope getting some rest will help you out as well!
Always listen to your body. Always. The voices in your head, you can ignore. Glad to hear that you slowed up a bit, an injury is no bueno. 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I’ve learned too many times how not listening can cause issues!
I’ve been having a calf issue this week. I last ran on Saturday and made sure that I haven’t done any running yet this week to give it time to calm down. Not really sure what I did to it though. Hoping to try a run tomorrow. I had never heard of that Broad street run, sounds a lot like the size of Cherry Blossom!
I hope your run goes well today! Yes, Broad Street does have a similar spirit to Cherry Blossom, except it’s even more crowded if you can imagine! 🙂
It’s cool that you have lots of races lined up. The more I race, the faster and more efficient I become. But I totally agree – listen to your body! Don’t push yourself into an injury.
Exactly! It’s not worth it to push yourself too hard.
Nice job with training!
Thanks a lot, Rachel!
Congrats on getting into Philly! I would love to do that race one of these years.
Thanks, Coco! It’s the ultimate Philly race so I definitely recommend!