Well hello! I can tell you that I certainly didn’t think that so many weeks would pass since my last blog post, but I’m back! I finally had some time to dedicate to writing, which s perfect because Marcia’s Runfessions is one of my favorite types of posts!
May has really flown by. I finished the New Jersey Marathon at the end of April and I’ve been “recovering” ever since…so you know I’ve definitely got a whole lot of running confessions to share! I’m also linking up with the new Friday 5 2.0 with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy!
[bctt tweet=”Hey, I’m still alive! And I’m sharing some #runfessions for the month of May – join in the fun! #runchat #sweatpink” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Runfessions – May 2018
I Haven’t Been Running Much…
For the first time in a long time, I took almost 2 weeks off from running after the marathon. Coach Laura advised that I take a full week off, which my body desperately needed after working so hard for so long! But since then, I’ve run less than 10 miles the entire month! Now, I definitely had intentions to run more, but we had so much rain in May that it kept me indoors more often than I planned. I only wanted to do 2-4 miles at a time anyway, but it just didn’t happen. It feels weird to not be running 4 days a week, but I will enjoy it while it lasts! At least I don’t have as much dirty running clothes to deal with in the laundry!
I Really Need to See a Doctor for Plantar Fasciitis…
As I mentioned in my last training recap, my foot pain got really bad during the days leading up to the marathon. I put my body through a LOT during marathon training, so I’m just grateful that I was able to hold on a bit longer and have an excellent race! Unfortunately, even while I have barely run over the past month, the pain is still there, if not worse, and just walking can be really painful, especially in my left heel. I’ve been doing stretches, rolling, and icing, but I’m not getting better…I know it’s time to finally make a doctor’s appointment. I have done physical therapy in the past for plantar fasciitis so you’d think I would have learned something, but I really need some medical attention ASAP. If you’ve been treated for PF, who did you work with – a physical therapist, sports chiropractor, podiatrist? I even heard that acupuncture could help. I’d love to hear what worked for you! And I PROMISE to get this taken care of right away!
I’m Not Sure What to Train for Next
Running on some trails would be fun this summer!The next several months for me is a big question mark when it comes to training for races. Getting a PR for the marathon was my big goal for the year, and now that I’ve met it, I’m feeling a bit lost. I’d really love to get back to focusing on half marathons, but since I’m getting married this fall, I don’t know if it would be wise to commit to another training plan (once I’m injury-free, of course!). Sure, I won’t have to deal with 3-hour runs on the weekend, but training takes up a lot of time! I know that Bret wants us to do more races together, and I would love to get closer to a 2:00 marathon – I really believe it’s possible!
Since I’m getting married at the end of October, does it make more sense to train for a half marathon in September or November? If you’ve read the blog long enough, you know that I HATE training in the summer (for many reasons), but it would be a great opportunity to try to find some new trails in the Greater Philadelphia area. I’ve done the big Philly fall races so many times at this point that I’d really like to do something new. Any race recommendations for the fall in the Mid-Atlantic region?
I’m Scared I’m Going to Lose All My Progress from Marathon Training
This is the first year in a very long time that I’ve had such a low mileage in May. Normally the winddown begins in June and things pick up in August. Obviously, after training 5 months for a marathon, I deserved a bit of a break, but with all the progress I made with Coach Laura, I’m scared that it’ll be that much harder to pick things up when I start running again, especially since I have to get past this PF injury. I’m still doing other barre and yoga of course, but I miss running. I need to keep up with my cross-training and maybe get into strength training, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just getting a little stir-crazy? I’ve been running long enough to know that I have to be patient!
I Really Miss Blogging, But I’ve Been In a Rut
Training for a race provides so much structure when you have your own running blog! Since I’m not in training mode right now, I feel like I don’t have much to talk about! I love Holly and Wendy’s Weekly Wrap, but I feel a bit silly just talking about my one-off workouts and weekend shenanigans as if it’s interesting to anyone else. I thought my life would be too boring to share without training for a race, haha!
But now that I’m heading closer to my 5-year blogiversary, I am inspired to get back my writing mojo. I miss having brainstorming sessions about running topics – I have a spreadsheet and everything, lol! I’m also hoping to have some more product reviews to share with you. I hate that I didn’t post much this month, but I’m looking forward to the future and I hope you’ll stay tuned!
What runfessions would you share with me?
I’m sure your body needed that time off. Don’t stress over the low mileage – recovery is essential. As you know, I just completed PT for PF and it was great, I think because my PT was so awesome and evaluated/treated everything. She did Graston on my PF (and calves) and assigned foot exercises/stretches, but also assigned hip/glute exercises and worked on my hip tightness. So, I would suggest finding a great PT who works with runners and understands that PF can be a symptom of a different issue, and address both the PF and the underlying issue(s). 🙂
Thanks for the advice, Coco! I had Graston done on my knees years ago and it was amazing! I hope to get with my doctor soon so they can set me up with a specialist. Working with runners always helps! I’m glad your recovery went well!
I’m so sorry to hear about your PF. I don’t have any experience with PF, so unfortunately I cannot give any advice, but I hope that you get some good suggestions on how to treat it!
If you focus of cross training/strength training, I don’t think that you will lose all of your fitness. As long as the body is moving, that’s a good thing! As far as training for a Fall half marathon, totally up to you, but wedding planning does tend to get super stressful the last 2 months! Maybe you can run a half marathon, but not train for a PR?
I’ve also been in a rut when it comes to blogging. Besides doing the weekly wrap on Sundays, I haven’t blogged much. Hoping to get my mojo back soon!
Sorry the PF is rearing its ugly head. I’m sure the rest will do your feet lots of good. Don’t worry too much about losing your marathon endurance. I swear the body has a way of toughening up after marathons and muscle memory kicks in and it’s all good. Trail races sound like a fun option for you!
Thanks for the well wishes, Marcia!!
Oh sorry to hear that you are suffering from PF. it’s the worst! I struggled off and on for a while. Honestly resting it is the best treatment. I did a lot of alternating heat and ice and stretching.
I am sure the time off was much needed. Honestly I hope you don’t stress to much about all the running delicious. It all works out for the best. Plus you must be excited about your wedding.
Definitely needed the time off, but I’m still wondering where to go from here! I’m just grateful that the race went well 🙂
PF is such a pain in the, er, foot! I had it years ago. I did all the things: icing, stretching, exercises, etc., even cortisone shots. Nothing worked until sadly, I hurt my knee and had to take several months off running. That’s when it got better.
These days I’m consistent with my foot, calf, and hamstring stretches and I make sure to wear supportive shoes even when I’m not running and I never go barefoot. All that seems to help. I haven’t had a recurrence (and I hope I never will!).
I’m contemplating RnR Philly in September…has that been on your radar? It’s only a half…just saying 😉 I hope you’re able to get some help/relief for the PF. I know how frustrating theta can be.
Ugh, I get a rip roaring case of PF every two to three years and it comes on so suddenly! As soon as I get it I STOP RUNNING. I do not run through the pain. Usually it goes away within in a week and then I am super cautious about easing back into running so that it doesn’t come back. I stretch, ice, and do the same things as you. I see I chiro and he does ART on my calf and foot. ART on a PF foot hurts soooo bad but it really helps to smooth out the little tears in the fascia. Good luck! I’m sure once you make it a priority you will find some relief.
I’d say take as much time as you need with recovery, and take care of that PF!
I haven’t ran much in May either due to a crazy work schedule. Hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of things in June. But now the struggle will be the heat and humidity. Sorry to hear about your foot, that stinks!
Hey wanted to tell you I am in Philly now, so once your foot feels better maybe we can meet up for a run:)
Oh I can’t believe I missed this and that you were in Philly, boo! Next time? 🙂 This soupy weather we’ve had lately has not helped with my running motivation, lol!
You deserve both mental and physical downtime after your marathon. I intend to take a break myself. I’m not sure I could train with an upcoming wedding ceremony. Although, maybe it would relieve some stress. 😉 You don’t have to be training to link with us on the WW. It’s fun to see what people do when they aren’t training!
Thanks a lot, HoHo! Maybe training for a race while wedding planning those last few months is a little too ambitious, lol! I will definitely remember to hop back on to the Weekly Wrap, I do miss it!
I had PF really bad when I ran Big Sur. Really, the only thing that helped me was not running. That’s when I did all that pool running and cycling. I know that people do all kinds of things but I really think the only thing that really works is time off. That’s my take on it…
I’m sure you’ve enjoyed your break! I hope the PF clears up!
Thanks, Wendy! I was thinking about taking spin class, but I’m still on the fence…even walking is a struggle sometimes, ugh! Hoping to get over this slump soon!
Sounds like some time off to recover is just what you needed. I’m sorry the PF is still raging. I wouldn’t rush back until it’s under control. I’ve been feeling the same way about my blogging – I’m posting far less than I used to. I think it ebbs and flows. Hope your wedding plans are going well!
I can completely relate to the blogging stuff! Its so hard to write when you’re not really training. Over the winter I felt like I had more time and was able to be a little more creative, but now I feel like my posts don’t have anything interesting to say. I do like keeping up with it but its hard. If I were you I think I would try to do a September half so you’re not training during your wedding. Or what about December since you don’t like summer running? Race 13.1 is in Baltimore in early December and then you wouldn’t have a super long run around your wedding. I hope you can get some answers for your PF!
Thanks, Lisa – the struggle is real! I think I would rather run a race before the wedding, but I don’t know if it’ll end up being too stressful…sigh! You know, I haven’t done a half in December and there are always some good ones at the beginning of the month, hmmm…
I am sorry about your foot. 🙁 PF seems to be so hard to beat. And I think that your body really needed that downtime — you’ve been training hard for a long time!
I’m not sure what I’d do if I were getting married. It can be so stressful, but running helps me deal with stress. OTOH, it IS time consuming — even with the shorter distances. I would say discuss it with Brett & Coach Laura & see what they have to say. Then listen to your heart.
The foot pain is so frustrating, ugh…then when it seemed I was making progress, now I’m feeling worse, go figure! Running is definitely a great stress relief, but now I’m wondering if I need an even longer running break just to have time to focus on other stuff! Definitely trying to figure things out…
How did I miss that you’re getting married this fall? Congrats!!! That is exciting!
Training for a marathon is hard and you most definitely deserve to take off as much as possible. Each body responds differently so I would take my time getting back to running (except of course when I did WDW on Sunday and then TinkerBell the following weekend).
I also worry about the marathon endurance. I also trained hard for a marathon but ended up doing the half marathon. I’ve been running here and done and just did my 2nd race this month. It was a HOT one.
Thanks, Zenaida! I haven’t been talking about wedding planning as much since I had a lull where I didn’t have anything to do, haha! You’re right…the body needs rest after marathon training! Running in the heat is always hard for me…I can’t help but dread running in the heat and humidity!
Don’t beat yourself up about not running. When you get back to it, it might seem like you’ve lost a lot, but it will come back quickly. 🙂
Thanks, Clarinda!