Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Wednesday Workout Update - Just Call Me Popeye

My 5 mile run on Saturday was excellent.  Loretta, Amy and I had a good pace, great conversation, and we finished strong.  This was the first run that I've used GU on in a long time; we hit mile 3 and each of us took our respective fuel, and I swear, I felt like Popeye after he eats his spinach - baBAM!  I was feeling great!  Sometimes I don't think GU does that much for me, but I must have balanced the need for extra energy just at the right time, because this stuff made me strong to the finish (or finich...wasn't that how he pronounced it?):

It was just like this, only with GU instead of spinach...

I couldn't have asked for more (well, except for cooler weather but hey - August in Texas?  ain't gonna happen).  In lieu of actual cold weather, several of us cooled off in an extreme way afterward with the ALS ice bucket challenge:
For the record?  Ice water is shockingly cold, even when you've just run 5 miles in 80 degree weather.

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After we ran, got doused and had breakfast with our crew at Blue Baker, Jeff and I went to Planet Fitness to get a quick circuit workout in since he was going to be gone on Sunday, which is when we usually go.  We skipped the step part in between the machines because we'd already run 5 miles, but got in all ten of the machines in the 30-minute circuit room.  Afterward, we were STARVING...like, lunch can't come soon enough except that we were in dire need of showers by that point.  We took a quick detour at a convenience store on the way home for some chocolate milk and that did the trick.  Even though I'm still trying to lose some weight, I have a feeling that I won't be physically able to cut calories on my long-run Saturdays.  Which is fine - one day a week shouldn't mess up the other six.

Oh, and about going to PF after our long run?  That was Jeff calling my bluff.  Earlier in the week he lamented how he'd have to miss our Sunday workout because of "work" (he went to a conference in New Orleans...not exactly work, as we all know).  I flippantly said that we could just go after we ran, so as to be sure he wouldn't miss out on exercising.  Well, he said yes, so I was stuck.  By the way, working out after running 5 miles is a lot different than working out after running for 30 or 40 minutes.  I do not particularly recommend it.

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Speaking of PF, I realized on Monday that it's time for me to scale back a little with the workouts.  During the summer months, Julia and I were going four days a week, plus I was going an extra day with Jeff.  It worked because we weren't running as much, but now, I'm pretty tired when I hit the gym right after I've run.  So I think I'm going to drop a couple of PF days and see if that makes a difference.  This week, I went on Monday and I'm going today, and I'll go again on Sunday.  That doesn't seem like enough, but my shoulders are bothering me a little (they started hurting when I was doing one particular machine), so I probably should give myself a little respite from daily gym workouts.  I kind of hate to do this, but I have a feeling if I don't, the choice won't be in my hands...my body will force that decision - and I've had that happen too often for my liking!

12 comments:

  1. I find when we start really getting into biking season that I have to cut back on strength training and other stuff because I just don't have the oomph and it also affects the bike rides themselves.

    It's nice not to be static all the time, though, right?

    And a conference in New Orleans? Why did you not go with???? :D

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    1. Good to hear that you cut back at times, too. :)

      I wasn't invited to New Orleans! He was taking two of his charges, and they were going to bond and do manly things. Fine, fine. I'm getting my solo vacation next week!

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  2. I agree with the cutting back too. I'm totally into listening to my body these days. And I and my body feel much better for it.

    Heheheh on the ice bucket challenge.

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    1. Listening to my body instead of the online pressure (other's FB posts, blog posts) is a change for me. I am learning that I can't compete with anyone but myself.

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  3. Have you tried the Salted Watermelon Gu yet?

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    1. I did - that was the GU that gave me Popeye powers! However, I wasn't as in love with the taste as I am with the Salted Caramel and Chocolate (aka melted candy bar) flavors, so I'll probably stick with them.

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  4. IMHO calories should not be cut back at all on long run days. Not saying you have to replace every single one but you should definitely listen to your hunger cues and eat if you're hungry. Plus you should eat whatever you want, not necessarily another serving of fruit. If you don't refuel properly, you'll start having issues with muscle soreness and can even make yourself vulnerable to injury. So, mangia!

    The strength training really is an individual thing - some people might be able to do more - but most runners I know don't do more than 2X per week during race if they're doing a full body workout, and they cut it out completely during the taper. You'll figure it out!

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    1. Yeah, I think I've been focusing on the diet/cutting back for so long that I forgot how I'd feel after a longer run. It's like I'm a running newbie again! ;)

      As for doing strength training while training for a half, um...I've never really done it. I knew it was recommended, but until now, just couldn't get up the gumption to do it. So again, running newbie on this stuff. Today's workout felt much better having only that to do, without running beforehand. I guess it's a trial-and-error thing right now. Hopefully I'm finishing up with the error part. ;)

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  5. Congrats on the race !!!

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    1. Thanks! It wasn't a race, actually - just a training run.

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  6. Yep - better safe than sorry Shelley. I rested my knee last night instead of doing Insanity, and today it feels fine. I think I have to remember I am 46, not 26 - ha!

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  7. I think it is smart to scale back on the fitness now that you're runs are getting longer. Plenty of time to do more after the half. I wouldn't worry about it, 3 times is still more than most people (read: me) are doing so that's still great.

    So happy you had such a great run on Saturday. I remember taking my first GU during my first half marathon training. I was sceptic before but after I used it I couldn't believe what a boost that gave.

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