Lake Michigan at Sunrise

Lake Michigan at Sunrise

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Runtality

Ask me a month ago my opinion on recovery runs, and I would tell you they are hard. Forcing yourself to go slow and having other runners wiz by you like you are in the breakdown lane.

Fast forward to the present (while making the T.A.R.D.I.S sound) and you'll get a very different response. After some good literature (Hanson Marathon Method) on the topic and getting into some more challenging training, my body demands the easy runs. Anything more would definitely cause an injury. Although I still don't like getting passed like the stale egg rolls at a buffet.

Today my legs were exhausted. 20 degrees colder (30 if you count windchill) than yesterday at the same time. Wasn't too focused this morning, missed that it was going to rain for almost my entire run. Not nearly as enjoyable as the rain yesterday.
What the rain felt like this morning

The run itself was slow and steady, with a chilly rain and breeze from the north.  The first couple miles felt like a fatality to my legs (see Mortal Kombat). I found an internal extra life and pressed run to continue.

Funny side note, coworker asks me if I run every day, I reply - no, not Thursday. He replies, damn, that's nuts.  I know he is a gym rat so I ask him, how often do you lift? He laughs, says okay, 5 - 6 days a week. Made my point.

I need to rethink my nutritional plan soon. I have the mindset where if I didn't exhaust myself and do 7+ miles, I shouldn't eat much.  I do want to get to a lighter running weight for my training, but I also want to make sure I'm eating enough. Time to start up My Fitness Pal again.

Tomorrow, no run, just gym. Better call my muse for a good blog entry.

4 comments:

  1. Debbie @ Healthy Running MomApril 24, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    Since you're working on your eating, you should seriously try NuNaturals. I've been experimenting & loving using the drops to sweeten things without the calories & bad additives of sugar. I actually have a raffle going on now, good way to just experiment. I LOVE it!!!!!! I made chocolate pancakes for my kids this a.m. with the chocolate flavored drops & am going to play around with making "ice cream" with almond milk & flavored drops, Just haven't gotten around to it yet!

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  2. I don't do recovery runs. I know that they are supposed to be good to flush out some of the lactic acid from your legs. But I much prefer throwing the inactive method of recovery (i.e. complete rest days or just doing some yoga). =D I don't do any single fitness activity 5-6 days a week - I've learned the hard way how dangerous overuse injuries can be! So now I try to mix workout routines up as much as possible (even though it's not always what my body has in mind)!

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  3. I hear you! I wish I could do some bikram yoga or something. Can we make the days longer?

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  4. I'll keep it in mind! I try not to sweeten things right now. But I'll bookmark for when an occasion calls for it! Thanks for the info :)

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