The end of the month is here again…way too quick! How have things been going for you?
I’m joining Marcia for Runfessions and Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5 2.0! Life is pretty good right now but if you know me, I’m always ready for a rant, haha! I have a few runfessions reflecting on these past few months of racing and how I think I plan to move forward. I hope you check them out!
[bctt tweet=”What runfessions do you want to spill for this past month? Join the linkup with @teamarcia! #runchat ” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Runfessions – June 2017
I Have No Training Plan for the Next Month…and I Love It!
Looking forward to some easygoing, relaxing runs!Earlier this week I sent Coach Laura an email to let her know that I would be taking a short break from coaching until late July. Since finishing the Rock ‘n Roll Seattle Half Marathon on June 18, I feel completely liberated! I love structure more than most, but I definitely reached my limit after 6 nonstop months of race training!
Now I’m excited to run whenever I feel like it! No more feeling guilty about missing a run or scrambling to move runs around during the week. Running will feel less like work and more like a treat, which is a perfect way to start the summer. I’m looking forward to checking out group runs in my community, hitting the track for shits and giggles, and hopefully exploring some new-to-me running trails on the weekend! No pressure! And I’m not worried about losing fitness because I’ll now I’ll be able to go to both yoga and barre class much more consistently. Maybe I’ll finally get to focus on strengthening my core…
My Right Knee Isn’t Happy With Me
You may recall over the past several weeks that I’ve been talking about some very unpleasant pain in my right knee. Unfortunately, I’m starting to think that this may be a more serious issue. Thankfully, Coach Laura provided me with some Runner’s Knee prevention exercises and I will commit to strengthening my hips and quads as part of my regular workout routine. My knee usually feels the worst in the first couple of miles of running before the pain goes away. I think that having this short break from serious running is serendipitous – I need to sort out these knee issues ASAP because there’s no way I’m going to ignore the warning signs and end up sidelined with a preventable injury!
I Probably Should Have Skipped a Couple Races This Season
Since the end of my last race in Seattle, I’ve been truly enjoying my break from race training. However, while my hard work this season rewarded me with new PR’s in the 10K, 10 mile, and half marathon distances, I had to make several sacrifices along the way. Whether I was racing in town or in another state, I was usually missing a variety of networking and community events that are important to me: blogging conferences, festivals, garden tours, social mixers, weekend projects, “me time”. I love running, but it isn’t my entire life! Constantly packing and unpacking got old quickly and my schedule was so tightly controlled that I was always stressed.
So which races could/should I have skipped? The Rock ‘N Roll DC half marathon was one of the races that I wish I didn’t do, but I signed up for it several months in advance so the obligation was set. And the Parkway Classic was great, but it landed on a weekend where I missed out on 3 important events. Lesson learned: I will never create such a busy racing schedule again!
I Missed a Tunes Tuesday Post…And I’m Okay With That
I’m not sure if you noticed, but last week, I did NOT have a Tunes Tuesday post for the Pump-Up music theme. I intended to create and share a 70’s-themed playlist but honestly, I ran out of time and energy and it just didn’t get done. My weekly Tunes Tuesday posts are fun, but they are a LOT of work. I work hard to share interesting music that I think you’d want to add to your running/workout playlists, and with a different theme each week, it’s a challenge to consistently churn out something that’s interesting and creative. I felt pretty guilty for missing the Tunes Tuesday post, but I realized that I have to stop being so hard on myself. No one died because I missed a post. Recovering from the Seattle trip was my priority. No regrets.
I’m Conflicted About Adding More Fall Races
From Competitor Group websiteSo far I have the Rock ‘n Roll Montreal and Brooklyn half marathons on my fall calendar. That’s it. I would really like to do another half marathon in November or December, but I can’t seem to make a decision. Any recommendations?? I definitely want to stay within a couple hours’ drive from Philadelphia. And after seeing the obnoxious medals (above) for Rock ‘n Roll Philly, I’m really tempted to sign up for the new 10K in mid-September! It never ends…
I know all too well how I can overwhelm myself with too much on my calendar. The fall is one of my favorite times of the year which can also make it extremely busy! What should I do – add a couple more races to finish out the year, or quit while I’m ahead? What would you do?
What runfessions do you want to share from this past month?
Its always nice to take a break from training, especially when you’re not feeling 100%. Hopefully you can take care of that knee so you’ll be ready to start training again!
Thanks, Lisa! Fingers crossed that my knee will be ready to go in a few weeks!
I am so overwhelmed right now. I have Thursdays off work and for the rest of the summer, they are completely booked. I have doctor appointments, college visits, hair appointments, CrossFit–its just crazy. Yesterday, I saw the periodontist (I need some major work done on my gums) and I couldn’t book it until Aug 10. He looked at me like I was nuts!
Aw, I hate that feeling. I seem to be obsessed with filling up my calendar and constantly being busy. I’m trying to learn how to get better with it because even though some things need to be done, others can be moved around/”put off”.
I hope things somewhat calm down for you!!
Totally understand what you mean about needing a break from training. So far I’ve been training for races since February (first the Brooklyn Half and now Chicago/NYC). I won’t stop training until the first week in November. Now that I’ve typed it out, I realize how utterly insane that is..LOL
I hope that your knee gets better with rest. If I run with KT tape that gives me a little relief.
I’m excited to (finally) meet you at those two RnR races this Fall! I understand wanting, and not wanting to add additional races to your calendar. The only positive for adding RnR Philly is that you won’t have to travel for that race!
Yes, you do keep a busy calendar full of races! It’s not insane since you know exactly what you’re doing!
Thanks…I think rest is helping with my knee. I still have never tried taping, I wonder if it would help!
Montreal is gonna be so much fun, I can’t wait! I may have to bow out of the Philly race but I should at least be able to go cheer you and the other runners on!
How about the Rehoboth Half Marathon in December? That is one that I am thinking of doing.
I was thinking of that one too but now the price is so expensive! I don’t think I can justify paying well over $100 for a half!
I’ve enjoyed running (or not) with no real plan for a couple of weeks now. It feels like I’ve been in constant training mode for several years (that’s probably an exaggeration – ha ha). RnR Vegas is in November. I’ll be there!
It’s definitely nice to have that break! I hope you have fun in Vegas, I still haven’t made it to that race!
The race calendar is always hard to balance! I try not to have too many races but then they all sound so fun. Race 13.1 is doing their half in Baltimore again the first weekend of December and I really enjoyed that one last year.
Ooh I have to take a look at that half…I”ve never heard of it and by that time of the year, it would be nice to run another race!
I love having breaks in between training plans where I can just run whenever and for however long I want. Enjoy this!
I’m definitely trying to make the most of this time 🙂
I had a long training season too, and it does feel great that I don’t have a set schedule. I’m even doing strength training later in the day after I get home because I want to sit on the couch and relax a little bit.
I thought of you too when I saw those Ben Franklin medals. I thought you were already signed up for RnR Philly.
Relaxation is key! It’s so refreshing to be able to put that as a priority over running!
I think after a lackluster race in Philly last year, I’m a bit burned out from that course. It’s the weekend before Montreal so even though it’s tempting, I’ll probably just come out and cheer the runners on!
There are so many races to choose from in the fall in can be hard to narrow it down. I hope you get this knee thing taken care of.
Thanks for linking up!
The fall is always tempting when it comes to races, sigh…! Thanks!
I wouldn’t add anymore if I were you. If fall is your favorite time of the year enjoy it. Don’t add extra stress to yourself like you did this fall, especially if you haven’t gotten your knee situation in order to Train efficiently.
I think you’re right, Tia…adding more races may not be the best move. Hopefully after Brooklyn I can continue to run for fun and not have the pressure to race. I’m definitely hoping I won’t have any knee issues by that time!
I started training mid winter 2016 for a spring half and haven’t stopped since. It’s the most halfs I’ve ever run in 12 consecutive months!
Like you, most went very well, and while I’m already almost back in training mode, I’m not traveling again until October (unless maybe a long weekend somewhere, sometimes) — and yeah, I’m happy about That!
I also hear you on the call of a Nov/Dec half. I think that might just lead to a divorce, though! 😉
Yes, you have been on a roll! That’s awesome!
Having the break, especially from traveling for races, is really refreshing and can help you recharge. I’m very tempted to consider an end of the year half marathon…I’m hoping by then my bf wont’ be so annoyed by all my racing!
Maybe just add one fall race…so you at least have “race” to train for (?)As you know, my summer is totally jacked up now, so my fall calendar is TBD
I’m thinking one more race in December might be doable….hmm…
I hear ya. Taking a break is great but hard. I am tempted to sign up for another fall half – Surftown in RI…
I already have WineGlass on Oct 1 and RNR Las Vegas Nov 12.
Come!! All the kids are…
Ooh Rhode Island sounds awesome, I’d really like to do more races in that area. Vegas is super tempting but I’m sure my boyfriend would kill me, haha! I didn’t realize so many people were going!