The week’s training for the New Jersey Marathon was a real challenge, even though I didn’t run nearly as many miles. Keep reading to check out my latest recap!
I hope you’re having a great day! It’s the start of a new week and I’m looking to start it out strong and with a positive attitude. I can’t deny that after seeing Black Panther this weekend, I’m all kinds of inspired!
I’m joining HoHo and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap – it’s always great to see what my fellow running/fitness friends are up to! I’m also joining Courtney for her Weekly Training Recap linkup and Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run!
[bctt tweet=”Check out my latest recap of training for the @njmarathon! #bibchat #sweatpink” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Lent, Valentine’s Day, and Black Panther
It’s been a pretty busy week around here. Lent and Valentine’s Day fell on the same day this year, which I don’t think happens very often! I’m not Catholic, but as you guys know, I usually give something up for Lent. A couple of years ago I gave up drinking alcohol. This year, I’m giving up candy. I don’t know what happened these past few years but my candy eating has gotten to the point of being ridiculous. I got really hooked on Twizzlers and we always had junk food in the house…not good And my dental appointments the past couple of years haven’t been as pristine despite maintaining the same good habits. So I blame the candy. It’s time to find healthier snacks and to avoid my emotional eating, so let’s see how it goes!
Valentine’s Day being in the middle of the week made things a bit awkward for celebrations, but Bret and I did have dinner on Saturday night at Townsend, one of the best restaurants in the city. They actually had a Valentine’s menu that looked good, but we both would have had to order it and we wanted a little bit more variety. I was really happy with everything we had, including a couple of gin cocktails! Bret and I have been together for 6 years now; our first date was on February 12. We’ve really come a long way after all these years! I’m happy he puts up with me, lol.
On Sunday, Bret, my sister Jennifer, and I went to see Black Panther! Of course, you know everyone has been talking about this movie for months. I can tell you that my entire Facebook feed went to see it, lol. Thankfully, no spoilers! It was cool to see so many people dressed up in African-inspired clothing to see the movie. I actually wore my I Love Being Black shirt for the occasion…I don’t get too many opportunities to wear it! We all really enjoyed Black Panther from beginning to end. Everyone did such an amazing job and honestly, I was still buzzing about the movie to the point that I was dreaming about it last night! If you haven’t seen the movie yet, go see it! As a Black woman, I was inspired seeing so many women who looked like me in leading and supporting roles. Brains, brawn, and beauty! I really hope that the huge blockbuster success of this movie will inspire other writers, directors, and producers to wake up and make more creative films with a diverse cast!
Workouts for the Week
Monday 2/12: Rest day!
Tuesday 2/13: I had an awesome 5 mile run after work that was so peaceful. I did feel a bit of tightness in my left side of my left foot and then some arch pain, but otherwise this was a great run. I did 5 30-second surges with 60 seconds easy in between after the first 4 miles. This was a great run! When I got home I did my Runner’s Knee prevention exercises. The wall sit did make my knees hurt…ugh.
Wednesday 2/14: Yoga/barre fusion class. It was the first time taking the class in a while, and it’s a good one! We really worked the upper body with side planks and other variations and the time at the barre was brief but very effective! My right hip was really feeling the burn. Because of my knees, I stayed with the easier variations of workouts – no jumping! We also did some single-legged balance that was challenging.
Thursday 2/15: I had a dinner planned with one of my work mentors so I took it was a rest day.
Friday 2/16: I moved my Thursday 5-mile run to Friday and went a similar route as earlier in the week but unfortunately, this wasn’t a great run; I felt pretty slow and tired. I focused on keeping a good posture to protect my shoulder and it seemed to help considerably. My left foot was feeling weird again on this run…sigh.
Saturday 2/17: The plan was to do a 12-mile progression run…easy the first 8 miles, then gradually get to my race pace. Well, that didn’t happen. The first 8 miles on their own were tough enough – this weekend I ran along Forbidden Drive with a couple of miles on sidewalks/asphalt…and once again, I just couldn’t get my energy together. My legs felt so tired and after mile 10, I had to take walk breaks to get through the run. My left knee started hurting around mile 7 I guess? And my left shoulder still ended up hurting. This run was a real struggle. As always, I foam rolled post-run but I also made sure to stretch my shoulders while laying on the foam roller. That felt good!
Sunday 2/18: I was feeling pretty down about Saturday’s run, but I did make it to barre class in the morning. It was a good workout, not too crazy but still lots of calf work that I’ll be feeling for a couple of days. We actually did planks to the Cupid Shuffle…it was fun but tough too! When they say “to the right”, you tap your foot to the right while holding a plank, and so on. Normally I have a recovery run on Sunday but I just didn’t get out there. I thought I needed the rest.
A really tough Saturday runWeek 7 Report Card:
Total Miles for the Week: 22.0
Total Training Miles for NJ Marathon: 167.89
I’m honestly pretty disappointed in this past week of training. I only ran 3 days and I only felt good on one of my runs. And the pains keep on coming. Now I’m worried about plantar fasciitis…seriously? I know I need to spend more time stretching my calves. Between that, my right shin, both knees, and my left shoulder, I feel like I’m falling apart! I’m very good at listening to my body, and it’s telling me I need to take care of myself, stat. So I need to really spend more time on my prehab. I thought barre class would help with my hips and my glutes, but is it doing more harm than good? I just don’t know! In any event, I’m going to keep working on this and figuring it out so that I make it to the New Jersey Marathon in one piece. Week 7 grade? B-.
How was your race training? Enjoy Valentine’s week? Did you see Black Panther?
Ugh to the foot pain. I”m experiencing a little of that myself and I fear it could be the Mizunos. I’m in a new pair right now, so we’ll see. Dammit.
So frustrating! I hope you’re feeling better!
I’ve struggled on and off with plantar fascitis for years, but stretching my calves really seems to have made all the difference. Usually I just stretch them while I’m stuck at a traffic light / road crossing during a run. I also have a foot massager which I try to use.
I definitely need to stretch my calves more -that always seems to be the culprit! Thanks for the tips!
You sound like me! My calves are tight, of course I have my ITBS, and I seem to have this knot in my right should that’s continuously coming back. My chiropractor has to work really hard to keep me together.
I saw a chiro briefly a few years ago but he was a real hack…I’d definitely consider using one again if they would help!
Don’t stress. It is still early in your training cycle so you still have time to get the aches and pains figured out. Religious PT hip and glute exercises keep my knee pain away. It could be that Barre is too intense to do while marathon training? Just a thought. Good luck as you continue to train. Thanks for linking.
Thanks, HoHo. You’ve got a good point – maybe I should cut back on barre for a bit! I’ll have to think about the best way to calm down these pains!
It is so super frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything you can and still things keep bothering you. I really hope that you can get it sorted out and/or it turns out to be a non-issue in the race.
We haven’t been to the movies in forever — we’ve both been sick for just too long, off & on — but I definitely want to see Black Panther & I’m hearing such good things about it.
You’re still quite a ways out from the marathon. So don’t be so hard on yourself. There are always going to be crummy weeks, and I know — it always makes me question what I’m doing, too, but they happen. They’re part of the process. So here’s to a great week!
Oh, and we did get the price fixe menu at the restaurant we went to. I chose it because I knew it would appeal to us both.
The good thing is that I have many more weeks of training to get this all sorted out, so I’m hopeful I can come to a solution soon. Thanks!
Yes Black Panther!! I just love how everyone is loving the movie!
Sometimes it’s nice to do the price fixe because it’s a good sample of the regular menu. If I could have just gotten it for myself I think I would have really enjoyed it!
Good luck giving up candy for lent. I am not giving up anything. That Black Panther has been getting great reviews!
It’s been great to hear everyone raving about the movie! I really loved it!
Sorry you’ve had some aches and pains this week and a tough long run. Thats awesome that you’re giving up candy for Lent. Im giving up Starbucks!
Thanks, Lisa. Ooh Starbucks is a good one – you’ll definitely save a lot of money over Lent!! 🙂
Happy anniversary and Valentine’s Day to you and Bret! Happy that you were able to enjoy a great dinner.
This year I gave up chips for Lent because I’ve just been eating them too often so I totally understand what you mean about candy – Good luck to both of us!
Try not to be too down about Saturday’s run. There’s usually always one bad long run per training cycle. I do hope that you knee and shoulder pains subside and hopefully you don’t have PF!
Thanks a lot, Kim! Dinner was really nice – we can’t resist a good restaurant!
So far I’ve been able to resist the candy…hopefully I can stick with it!
Looking back at that run, it could have been a lot worse! Oh the ups and downs of marathon training, lol!
So glad you enjoyed Black Panther! I am going to try and see it this weekend. So excited. Sorry about some of your runs. I am glad you took Sunday off though – I think that’s just what your body needed. Here is hoping this week is a lot better for you.
Thanks, Shathiso. I hope you got to see Black Panther…soo good!
Hooray for Black Panther! I can’t wait to see it. Sorry your training week didn’t go the way you’d have liked but trust me on this, your body will regroup and step up to the demands you’re putting on it. Don’t worry about that long progression run. Just covering the miles and time on your feet will pay off.
Did you see Black Panther yet?? So good! Thanks, you’re right…I just worry that I’ll fall apart before my body regroups, ha! And you’re right about the time on my feet – I have to remember that!
I have significantly cut down my candy and sugar but I cannot completely give up chocolate ever! I hear the movie is great and I’d love to see it as well. Have a great week!
Haha, you gotta have some chocolate everyone once in a while, lol! 😛
I can’t remember…have you had PF before? Something that I’ve done since my last outbreak (almost 16 months ago) is to massage my arches for a few minutes before I get out of bed each morning (well, MOST mornings LOL). Some times, I just randomly massage my feet if I’m watching tv, too. I think it helps keep things somewhat loosened up. I always give up something for Lent (even though I’m not Catholic either)…it’s a great time to reflect on bettering myself and focusing on my spirituality. Congrats on 6 years with your honey 😉
I had PF a few years ago after switching the type of running shoes I wore – ugh! I’ll have to do the foot massage as often as I can, I hate that my feet hurt first thing in the morning! And thanks! 🙂
I am sorry to hear you are having so many aches and pains. Make sure to have it checked out so it doesn’t get worse. I have not seen Black Panther but just like you my Facebook feed was full of comments and check in about it.
Thank, Zenaida!
Sorry it was a hard week! I’m experiencing a bit of that too. Once I started the PT exercises for my knee and now my foot is hurting!?! If it’s not one thing it’s another. But it sounds like you’re doing the right things and have a good plan with increasing the prehab.
Thanks, Chaitali. I hate when it seems like one pain goes away and another one takes its place – so frustrating!
I loved Black Panther! We’re seeing it a second time this weekend because my mom wants to go… and because it was so incredible! The female roles were awesome in the movie. Coogler was the perfect director for it – he worked so well in building Wakanda and delving into the whole mythos of it.
I hope you don’t get PF. When I dealt with it last spring, icing a couple times per day and rolling out my foot with one of those special balls made a world of difference. I also did some manual release on my foot that helped so much (https://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/plantar-fasciitis-release-technique). You were smart to rest extra!
The women in Black Panther were amazing!! It was such a great movie! Fingers crossed that it’s not PF – I’ll definitely check that manual release technique, thanks!