March is here and now I’m a little over a month away from the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run!
Training has been going really well, though my shins and calves have been fighting me along the way. Some days they feel fine, other days, not so much. But I’m putting in the work and doing as much stretching and rolling as humanly possible!
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=”My latest week of training for the Cherry Blossom Run! #CUCB #sweatpink”]
Workouts for the Week:
Wednesday 2/24: I moved my run set for Tuesday to Wednesday. It was very warm out and a bit rainy but perfect running weather! I did a 1-mile warmup followed by 8 sets of 2 minutes fast, 2 minutes at a jog, then cooled down for a mile. The most challenging part of the workout was that I was incredibly sore – calves, shins, feet…so it was really a struggle. My left knee started throbbing during the run as well, and I haven’t felt that kind of pain in a long time. All in all, I was able to get in a little over 5 miles. I made sure to roll EVERYTHING when I got home!
Thursday 2/25: Weight training class was all about working the upper body: shoulder, triceps, lats. I ended up doing a total of 50 pushups and the goal was for all of us to “max out”. It was really tough, but I was proud to challenge myself!
Friday 2/26: I took it as a complete rest day.
Saturday 2/27: I went on a 10-mile run with the Philly Distance Runners. It was a complete change of scenery for me, going through the streets of South Philly. The girls that I ran with were really great to talk to and made the perfect running partners. I’ll be doing another Running Club Roundup on Thursday – stay tuned!
Sunday 2/28: It was a beautiful day in the 60’s so I couldn’t resist another run! I went for 4 miles on the Schuylkill River Trail and the river and city scenery was beautiful. Of course, everyone and their mother were out there, but I felt great and dare I say speedy?
Monday 2/29: Lunchtime yoga had a lot of twists that kept me challenged. My hips, hamstrings, and calves appreciated the workout! I was still feeling pretty tired as I went to boot camp class. We did a lot of high knees, skaters, squats, jabs, and upper cuts with weights that really kicked my butt! Once again, I got home and crashed…
Tuesday 3/1: It was 60 degrees, and I was so tempted to get in a run, but my shins were telling me to TAKE A BREAK all day long. The pain is getting to be worrisome, hurting when I’m not even running…so I’m holding off on running until my long run on Saturday and stretching like crazy in the meantime.
Week 5 Report Card:
It’s a shame my week of working out ended on a low note, but I am totally fine with skipping runs when my body isn’t feeling well. I get more annoyed when I miss a run due to laziness/poor planning, which wasn’t the case this week. I feel like I say this all the time, but you gotta listen to your body! Fingers crossed that my shin issues will subside with some rest!
I’m extremely proud of how well my 10-mile run went over the weekend and that I seem to have some gas in the tank at the end of my long runs. At this rate, who knows how I will be a month from now for the Cherry Blossom Run?! I’m extremely grateful to have made so much progress, but I can’t burn out before race day. Baby steps.
With all that said, I’m going to give Week 5 an A-. On to the next week!
How were your workouts this week? Do you have any favorite stretches to prevent shin splints?
Oh no! Cranky shins are the worst! I hope they calm down soon.
Thanks, Julie…fingers crossed!
If I get shin splints, that’s my sign that I need to replace my shoes. It’s the only thing that’s worked, and trying to stretch that area is so tough. I can get the foam roller there, but not any kind of stretching outside of regular calf exercises.
I’ve been hating my Mizuno’s for awhile (I did NOT wear them on my 10 mile run) so I’m thinking I may need to stop wearing them. I have a stick that I’ve used to roll my shins and calves…it’s not fun at all!
I can’t believe cherry blossom is only a month away! I am up to 8 miles but I see you are already doing 10! Hope our warmer weather holds
Can you believe we’re getting some snow tomorrow? Crazy! Then it’ll be up to 70 degrees next week! Hope your training is going well!
I agree, it’s so hard to rest when your body says so but you don’t really want to. I had to do that last weekend. Hope your shins feel better soon!
Thanks, Michelle!
I’m glad you listened to your body! You still had a stellar week 🙂
I know what it is like to have your body fail you when you want to work out. Glad you were able to run when you can!
Yes, I’m thankful I didn’t experience the pain during my long run…hopefully I’ll be ready to go this weekend!
There is no shame in listening to your body. I did that on Monday- I was dead from traveling and my long run on Sunday! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Thanks, Annmarie!
Despite your body not feeling well, I think you had an amazing week! You have a very well-rounded schedule. And way to go for knockin’ out those push-ups! I have struggled with those since middle school. Working on that in 2016! haha!
Thanks, Artney! It’s funny with the pushups…I’m still not sure if my form is the best. They are never easy!
Always best to listen to your body! Can’t wait to read more about your philly running group, a Philly move is looking more and more in my future this fall.
Oh, I posted it today! http://www.runwithnoregrets.com/2016/03/philly-distance-runners/ I’m fortunate to have access to so many running groups. You’ll be welcomed with open arms!
Kudos to you for listening to your body. Its always hard to take extra rest days, especially on days when its gorgeous outside. But in the long run, you made the right choice.
Thanks…after dealing with injuries in the past, I have super sensitive ears when my body starts speaking to me!
Awesome work. I love taking advantage of unexpected nice days lately.
Thanks, Ivanna!
You had a great week! Nice job. And yeah, sometimes it stinks listening to your body especially when the weather is gorgeous, but good call on taking a rest.
Thanks, Rachel!
I had a similar 2-minutes-run-2-minutes-jog workout this week and my knee is feeling sore now too! It’s crazy how pushing the pace just a little can really increase the aches. Nice job this week!
Thanks, Ali! Grr, I hope your knee feels better! I’m fine with knee or foot pain, this shin thing is the worst!
I’m so sorry that your shins were bothering you. I hate when weeks end on a low note, too.
Your training is going great! The Cherry Blossom is going to be awesome for you!
Thanks, Jenn! I’m excited about the race.
You’ve got the cranky shins and I have the cranky PF. Some days it doesn’t hurt at all and some days it hurts like mother…today would be one of those days. I have 2 non-running days now and hopefully it will calm back down. I hope the same for your shins!
Thanks, Wendy…sorry to hear the PF is still a (literal) pain for you. Hope you feel better too!
Im so happy the weather is getting better too! Sorry to hear about your shins, thats very frustrating! Glad that your progress is still moving forward 🙂
Thanks, Autumn! And it’s supposed to snow tomorrow…go figure!
Love that you get to do all of your running around Philly. I grew up in the burbs of Philly and absolutely love the city! Nice work with your training!
Thanks a lot, Sandra!