2013 Spring Into Summer 5K Training: Week 2

This week was not a good week at all. Only one run this week, and three days of working out in total. I had a crazy week at work, and when I wasn't working, my body was telling me to rest, and I listened. Anyway, here's a recap of the week:

Monday: 2.4 mile run (AM) + 30 Day Shred Level 3 (PM)

Only run this week (FAIL!), and it was so-so. I ran the same distance as I did on Sunday, but the pace was about 30 seconds a mile slower. Conditions were a little less than favorable on Monday though (about 15 degrees colder with heavier wind). I wasn't feeling the gym, so I popped in my 30 Day Shred disc, and still got my ass kicked on Level 3. Worth it though!

Tuesday: Spin (90 minutes) + Weights + Core

Tuesdays have become my "Spin and a Half" nights. I had the same rush as I did last Tuesday, and the feeling was amazing! After the spin classes, I did a core class.

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: REST

Wednesday and Friday's were planned, but Thursday's was not. Thursday was supposed to be a running day, but my body decided it didn't want to get up to go running before work. I took this a sign that I needed more rest, so I listened to this. Good thing I did. I ended up working back to back 11 hour shifts on Thursday and Friday. =P

Saturday: Weights + Spin + Core

I took Saturday off work to go to a family party in the afternoon, so I took the morning for myself and went to spin! I also did weights before the class, and did a core class after.

Sunday: REST

Another unplanned rest day. Everything caught up to me, and I just crashed when I got home from work this afternoon. Epic fail.

I take full accountability for not accomplishing everything I planned on this week. Yes, it was crazy, but I could have still gotten some sort of run out today. However, I have become better at listening to my body, and it was telling me to rest more this week. Six weeks to the race, and I honestly don't feel ready for it. However, six weeks is still a lot of time, and I believe I can make good progress in that time.

Have a good week, everyone!

Goodbye, Running

After letting this sink in for about two days, I finally decided to blog about it.

I'm leaving the sport of running after my 5K on May 4.

This decision was not an easy one at all. In fact, I was hoping that this race would spring my comeback to the sport after almost a year away. However, after a training run on Monday, I realized that the passion just isn't there like it was a year ago. It might be partially due to the knee, and partially because I've found so much else I love fitness-wise, but I'm just not into running like I was when I first started.

You may call me a quitter or say that I just didn't give myself a chance to come back. Honestly, I actually find myself stressed out over training for ONE 3.1 mile race and bored when I run. I'm actually glad I realized this now, when I'm training for a shorter distance rather than going further and making this discovery when I already paid for and started training for, say, a half-marathon. 

Over the last year, I have realized that not everything is for everyone. My body simply isn't built for running or cardio dance (as I found out the hard way). I have found my true fitness loves in cardio kickboxing and spinning, so I'll stick with those. I would rather invest my time and energy into my passion rather than pass it with something that feels more like a chore.

Maybe I'll revisit the sport, maybe not. Either way, I feel like I made the right decision, and have no regrets with at least giving myself the chance to try becoming a runner.

2013 Spring Into Summer 5K Training: Week 1

Hi, all! Last week was crazy, but I managed to get some solid training in! My knee did hit a sore spot on Friday, but after a few days rest, it was fine and I was able to get going again!

Monday: Core+Kick

Two weeks ago, I said I was going to give up kick until after my 5K. However, since I decided to postpone training for a week, I did my regular Monday doubleheader of core and kick. Totally worth it.

Tuesday: Strength Training+Spin (90 minutes)+Core

I got off of work at 4 on Tuesday, and didn't feel like going home before my spin class at 6, so I went to the gym to squeeze in some weight training before the class. Well, one spin class turned into a spin and a half, since my gym now offers a 30 minute spin. I was surging throughout the second class, and the momentum went with me into core!

Wednesday: REST

Only day off work, so I took the day off from exercise too.

Thursday: C25K Week 2, Day 1

First training run, and while it was windier than I thought it would be, I pushed through and ran 2.91 miles in 40:12 (13:48/mile). My first time running negative splits EVER! While my pace was not where I hoped it would be, I made improvements on my first post-injury run in February (2 miles in 30 minutes). I'll take it.

Friday: REST

My knee was giving me some issues, so I took an unplanned rest day.

Saturday: REST

Knee was feeling better, but I still took the extra rest day. Plus, I had laundry to do. What fun. =P

Sunday: C25K Week 2, Day 2.

Not windy at all outside, plus I wanted to let out some of the energy that had built up over the last two days! This run was 10 minutes shorter than Thursday's, but my pace was faster. I completed 2.43 miles in 30:02 (12:21/mile). Not all negative splits, but I was still happy with the pace. I also ran my fastest mile in nearly a year at 11:41! 

I have a feeling that if my knee wasn't bothering me, I could have done a second strength training session, and possibly gotten another run/cross-training session in. Still, despite that, and a six day work week, I'm very happy with my progress this week. The downside to not having a regular work schedule is having to figure out when to fit everything in! I think that as training goes on, I'll become better at that. 

Here's to an awesome second week!

2013 Spring Into Summer 5K Training Plan

Yes, my friends and readers! The comeback is FINALLY in motion!

Six and a half months since I got injured and nine months after my last (and heartbreaking) 5K, I am in training for my comeback race: the Spring Into Summer 5K on May 4! This was the race I trained so hard for last year, and it is the one where my current PR stands!

I was going to start training earlier this week, but my work schedule is insane this week and I realized that I wouldn't be able to fully commit to the running. While it has been several months since I ran consistently, I did start running again back in January and logged a few runs in the last two months. I'm not entirely starting from scratch either, since I ran last year, but it's more about getting speed and stamina back. Still a work in progress, but I think that I should be back to where I was last year within seven weeks.

I have a training plan, but like life itself, nothing is set in stone. So, I'll just give you all the basics:

• Three days of running. I am going back to C25K, which is only three runs a week averaging 30 minutes at a time. Totally doable. =)
• One or two cardio cross-training days. I do at least one spin class a week, so that will stay. If I'm feeling up to it, and if the week allows, I will add another spin class or kickboxing (I seriously have a problem here. I can't stay away from kick!). If I'm not up to the second day of CT, I will take an extra rest day.
• Two or three core classes. They're only 30 minutes each, and core work is huge!
• Two strength training days. I've been doing two days on the weights a week lately, and it works for me. Don't fix what's not broken, right?
• Two rest days. This is a MUST! Honestly, I would love to be working out six days a week, but given that I do have a sensitive knee, I have to be careful, and two rest days are needed.

Whew! That's a lot for even me to take in! Still, I am going to put my heart and soul into this and make sure that my comeback race is everything I hope for it to be! Hopefully, I can even get some redemption for last June!

Are you currently training for anything this spring? Or making a comeback yourself?

Foodie Pen Pals: February 2013

After a four month hiatus (part of it due to the hurricane, part of it was me forgetting to sign up), I am back to participating in Foodie Pen Pals! =)

My box this month comes from Erica of Abbie and Erica's Coast to Coast Adventures! I told her that I like mostly sweet stuff, and she put together an awesome box!

Here's more about what's in the box:

• Cinnamon honey almonds. One word: YUM!
• Vegan oatmeal cookies. I actually liked these. I was never an oatmeal cookie fan, but these were awesome, and didn't taste vegan. =)
• Trader Joe's strawberry licorice. Can't go wrong with these!
• Salt and pepper dark chocolate. I admit, this tasted strange at first, but after a bite or two, I enjoyed it. 
• Chocolate quinoa bar. Yummy. =)
• Peanut butter and raspberry jelly bar. Another surprisingly delicious find!

I enjoyed my first box in four months and realized how much I enjoy this program! For more information about how you can become a Foodie Pen Pal, check out Lindsay's page over at The Lean Green Bean! If it wasn't for her, this program wouldn't exist! =D