Rehab and Recovery: Week 6

I think it’s safe to say I’m out of rehab and recovery, but until I’m running at normal volume and schedule, I’m going to keep treating it as recovery and such. The problem is, I just don’t feel “right.” I don’t know if it’s the lack of long training runs, lack of sunshine in the mornings, or the chill in the air — or maybe it’s just not running back to back days. But I just feel so “off.” I am trying so hard to keep my fitness level up with strength training and yoga, but let’s face it. Nothing’s the same as a good sweat session doing what you love to do.

My runs have been okay as of late. Nothing too exciting. I’m just happy I’m getting out there, to be honest. I don’t love that I’m uber paranoid about tibia or ITB pain. But time heals all wounds so I guess I’ll have to just wait it out.

Here’s how last week went with training:

Wednesday — 4.45 miles

Wednesday was a pretty good run after my tragic 6-miler last weekend. I really enjoyed it, actually. My son came home from school on Tuesday with an elevated temperature and woke up Wednesday morning with a full blown fever. My husband was home from work for Veteran’s Day, so I had some time to myself. I got to run in the middle of the day when it was warm and sunny, which was a very nice change from cold, dark mornings. I had a hard time keeping a steady pace at the beginning, but toward the end I was in a groove and felt good. I definitely could have kept running but I didn’t. Hindsight’s 20/20, but I definitely should have.

Thursday — strength and core work

Thursday was all right. I did a lot of IT band rehabbing and some weights and such. It’s nice working those muscles but it’s not running! Plus I had two sick kids by this time, so I was on-edge about when the mommy alarm would go off and I would have to interrupt my workout. It was hard to truly get in the zone.

Friday — 3.66 miles + strength training

Goal distance for Thursday was 5 miles of steady state running. I thought I had more time before my husband had to leave for work and I underestimated how long it was going to take, so I headed home just shy of 4 miles. It was kind of a bummer, but other than the distance not being up to par, the run itself was good. Annnnnnd the rest of the day was spent with two fevered children. I attempted a quick strength training circuit in the afternoon but again, my head wasn’t in the game.

Sunday — 4.52 miles

Total joke. Ha! I can’t even believe I didn’t make my “B” goal. But here’s what happened: My son was finally better on Saturday. My daughter still had a fever, though. So on Saturday, when I had all the time and energy in the world and my husband was home to take care of the kids, I could have run. But it was in the 40s and not sunny. The forecast for Sunday, however, was abundant sunshine and in the 60s! Perfect running weather for me! The wrench thrown was that we were going out to celebrate my birthday on Saturday night. So I kinda knew Sunday’s run was going to suck. But I didn’t realize how much.

I met up with Julie around 10:30 am for a planned 6-miler. My goal for the day was 9 miles but again, after last week, I really wasn’t sure I was ready for that. So we settled on 6. We were both out together the night before so I’m fairly certain both our expectations for the run were set pretty low before we even arrived.

We headed out and at our first turn around point Julie asked how far we had gone. We were both already struggling. We had run 2.4 miles. ACK! We turned and headed back. At this point we were running more uphill than down, and my stomach started sloshing. We stopped at a pavilion with bathrooms and running water, but of course the water fountains had been shut off for the season since we’re normally under two feet of snow by now. I gulped some tepid water from the bathroom sink. We pressed on. We finally got to our second turn around point and didn’t even make it the three remaining feet to the end of the sidewalk before we turned. Almost. Done.

We ended up running 4.52 miles. Didn’t even make it 5. 4.52 miles were so far down our goal distance list than it didn’t even show up as an “A,” “B,” or “C,” goal. But we were both done. Mentally, physically. The whole shebang. Just done.

By the time we stopped I felt like I was gonna hurl. I think the craziest thing about how bad I felt was that I only had two drinks the night before. I didn’t go to bed drunk (maybe I did?), I guzzled water when I woke up, I chugged a full glass of SOS Rehydrate, and I ate! I was just a hot mess. I can’t stay out late like that anymore! 

Overall, training last week (although I did get some decent runs in) was less than ideal for me. I need to pick up the mileage. I’m feeling uncomfortable in my skin, I’m getting lazy, and I feel tired all the time. This week I’m going to try back to back running days. Wish me luck.

Oh — I’ve also decided I have no interest in treadmill running this winter. I’m going to because there won’t be enough room for me, the snow piles on the sides of the road, and cars to all fit safely. But until that happens, I’m runnin’ outside!

xo

Have you ever stayed out too late with friends and it negatively impacted your workout?

Do you prefer power yoga or meditative yoga?

This post is linked up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run.