Training Rundown: 4/12-5/2

Humpday! I’m collecting the past three weeks of training into one recap because I’ve been slacking (being completely honest over here). I really enjoyed my break from work over my birthday and just getting back into the swing of things (I.e. need to continue to list things on eBay & pare down all the things we never use before our closing date at the end of June). The transition from my marathon to now hasn’t been anything crazy, but it has been gradual.

Total Run Mileage each week: 21.25 , 35.19, 38.19

Longest Run: 13.36 (2.5 hrs)

Average Runs Per Week: 5

Total Miles Biked: 21.11

Total Swam: 3,007 yds

I focused mainly on really good nutrition and adding in walk breaks to my runs to transition from my marathon back into ultra training. I think it’s important to focus on recovery after any sort of race/big training and sleep is also a part of that. Sleep is certainly hard to come by when I’m switching between day/night schedules at the hospital, but I’ve been trying so hard to make that my number one priority.

-How do you transition from races back into training? What do you like to focus on?

Training Rundown: 3/8-3/14

Humpday & St.Patty’s Day! I wish I had planned something festive for the day, but I haven’t. I guess there’s still time! What’s your favorite St.Patty’s Day food? Irish Stew, Corned Beef, or Soda Bread? I actually haven’t tried any of these. Maybe this year should be ‘the year’?!

Monday, 3/8: 10 minutes on the indoor trainer, 35 minutes of strength, & 9 x 800m

Tuesday, 3/9: 1 hour easy run between night shifts

Wednesday, 3/10: 20 minutes of strength & 45 minute easy run

Thursday, 3/11: 35 minutes of Pilates & PT exercises & 3:15 long run

Friday,3/12: 15 minutes on the indoor trainer, 25 minute tempo run, & 35 minutes of strength

Saturday, 3/13: Rest Day

Sunday, 3/14: Another rest day! Originally planned to do yoga after work, but the time change got the best of me and I fell asleep almost directly after work.

Total Mileage: 43.08 miles & ALL OUTDOOR RUNS!

Feature Friday: Why Take A Rest Day?

Happy Friday! This is basically like my Sunday, since I have to work for the next four days so I’m taking advantage of the day off and trying to get as many chores done as possible. I like to get all my meal prep and clothes laid out in the morning so I can have the rest of the day to do fun things (like running or reading)! My body is TIRED from my 19.5 mile long run yesterday, so I’m very much looking forward to my rest day tomorrow. I am NOT looking forward to losing an hour of precious sleep Sunday morning (since I already get very little sleep between my shifts), but it will be so nice for it to be lighter out later in the evenings. YAY for longer days ahead.

So, why are rest days important each week? They allow your body time to recovery, replenish, ‘fill its tank’ for the week ahead, and adapt to the previous weeks training load. If you never take rest days (I.e. very gentle movement), then you’re putting your body at an increased risk for injury or burn-out.

Everyone’s body is different, so some can run everyday of the year and never get injured, but it’s also important to recognize that they are probably also running at a wide range of speeds to give their body the necessary time it needs to adapt and get stronger. When we rest, our muscles rebuild the fibers that slowly get broken down during harder/longer training runs. I like to think of it as we’re stitching our body back together.

It’s good to get some movement in your body during rest days- like walking, yoga, light cycling, gentle stretching, or swimming to help stimulate the blood flow to your muscles (helps repair them faster), but listen to your body. Sometimes I really just need a day of total ‘nothingness’ and that’s OK! Over time, you’ll come to know your body better and be able to recover from your workouts more efficiently.

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—How do you like to spend your rest days?
-Favorite cross-training activity?

Training Rundown: 3/1-3/7

Humpday! Last week I had a solid week of running. I worked overtime as well, but still felt like I was able to fit in all of my runs. I had a few treadmill runs, but it was so chilly here in the beginning of the week that I didn’t feel like bundling up to go outside (also I just really love our treadmill). This week should be warmer, so hoping to have less time indoors!

Monday, 3/1: 1 hour easy running, 45 minutes strength, & 15 minutes on the indoor trainer

Tuesday, 3/2: 45 minutes easy & 15 minutes of Pilates

Wednesday, 3/3: 1 he strength training & 2:45 easy running (16.9 miles)

Thursday, 3/4: Rest day

Friday, 3/5: 15 minutes of strength & 45 minutes easy running

Saturday, 3/6: Cross training day that included extra sleep and many steps around the hospital

Sunday, 3/7: 1 hour ‘fun run pace’ (8:24) & 20 minutes of Pilates

Total Mileage: 37.93 miles

Training Rundown: 2/22 - 2/28

Happy Humpday! Last week was weird with training- I was supposed to race a snowshoe run on Sunday, but ultimately decided that I wanted to go swimming and downhill skiing instead. It’s weird to be in a phase of my life where I’m OK with pulling out of a race. I think it’s especially weird when this would have been my first in-person race since March of last year and I just decided I wasn’t really into it, BUT I’m also proud of myself for making that decision. I think it’s been really hard when I’m now working most weekends each month and really have to be selective with how I spend my free-time when I DO have it. I guess this is all to say that it’s ok to pull out of a race and it’s even more ok to not feel guilty about it!

Monday, 2/22: Rest Day! 2 hours of travel to work & a 13 hour shift meant no extra time / energy to do anything else

Tuesday, 2/23: 20 min up/ 10 x :30 hard / 20 down & 10 min of yoga before another 13 hour shift!

Wednesday, 2/24: 45 min easy run & 10 min of Pilates before another 13 hour shift & a 2 hour commute home

Thursday, 2/25: 1 hour easy running w/ strides, 20 minutes on the indoor trainer, & 30 minutes of strength

Friday, 2/26: 45 minutes easy running & 30 minutes of yoga

Saturday, 2/27: 30 minutes of easy running w/ strides, 10 minutes on the indoor trainer, & 35 minutes of strength

Sunday, 2/28: 40 minutes of pool swimming (~900 meters) & 1.5 hours of downhill skiing

Total mileage: 23.21 miles

Total February miles: 141.68