Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Wednesday Workout Update

The sunrise was a beautiful pink - couldn't quite capture how gorgeous it was with my phone, but it sure was nice start to our run!

Our Saturday runs have been really fun lately - a bunch of us meet up to start and then everyone does their own thing with distance and routes.  Last Saturday Julia and I ran 4 miles, while Andi ran her age to celebrate her birthday.  Jeff and CC ran 5 miles, and Loretta, who is back after recovering from hip surgery (HURRAY!) ran a Couch to 5K program.  Afterward, we hang out for a bit before heading off to breakfast or other activities.  I'm not sure what I'm loving more - not having a set-in-stone training plan, or not thinking ahead to all the stuff I should be taking care of as organizer of the running club.  Ahhh, no responsibilities on that end...what a relief!

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Julia and I say this to each other quite often after a run - it helps to keep things in perspective!

We did our speedwork yesterday.  On Saturday, CC reminded me to keep my muscles loose and relaxed - she says looser equals faster, so I tried to do that by relaxing my jaw and wrists - I figured I could only concentrate on a couple of body parts, and those were her suggestions.  I think it helped, although I ran too fast (I know, I know - it's called speedwork for a reason) for the first four, and I about died.  OK, I didn't...but I took it down a notch for the last two.  Ended up with doing six intervals, plus some warm up/cool down easy running, for a total of two miles.  

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#OSTB is going strong...my running and eating are pretty much spot on.  I just need to finagle the motivation to get to the gym a couple times a week.  Last week was a bust, but we're going there this morning.  FOR REAL.

17 comments:

  1. Wow beautiful sunrise! I can't wait till it's that time of year again where I do a morning run and see the sun rise.

    Well done on the speedwork!

    I have a bit of the same problem, not with the gym but doing a morning run on a week day. I skipped yesterday and thought I would go today but skipped again. Oh well, I go Friday when I don't have to work. After all: I run just for me so what's the pressure right?

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    1. I rarely skip a run (the weather is my only excuse), but the gym has been challenging. That said, we DID go to PF this morning - woohoo!

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  2. We had a sunrise like that yesterday. Of course I was already in getting ready for work but soon I'll be out there enjoying it!

    One of the things my running mentor taught me to check was tension in my shoulders. Without even realizing it, if you're working hard you'll begin to hunch your shoulders a bit. One of my vivid memories of running with him was us running down the road and windmilling our arms to get the tension out of the shoulders!

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    1. Windmilling is a good technique, too...I'll have to try that one. :)

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  3. I've noticed that tension thing happening too, even when walking. I've found that rolling my shoulders and focusing on pushing my shoulder blades down seems to help, much like Helen's windmills. (I'm totally trying the windmill thing, though. :) )

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    1. It's funny, because I notice tension manifests in my neck and shoulder blade area; I'm sure it gets started with running (sometimes) and I don't notice it until it gets exacerbated by other issues. Windmills for everyone!! /Oprah voice

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    2. Windmills for everyone!! /Oprah voice-- HAH!!!!

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  4. So you said "we" went to the gym. Does that mean you've found a gym partner? Because that seems like it will really work for you. Every time I go to the gym I'm glad I keep my gym membership. I just feel better after a workout. That said, I do feel ilke jumping up and doing some windmills right now :)

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    1. Actually Jeff is home this week, so he was my "we" LOL. But I do wish I had a regular gym partner, aside from him. Julia's dumb job makes it hard to do the gym in the morning unless we go super early.

      P.S. I just did some windmills!

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  5. That's so nice that you have a group to go run with even if you all aren't running the same mileage or pace!

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  6. I get a lot of tension in my shoulders when riding my bike and have to consciously relax them - which makes me wonder how long I had them all tensed up LOL!

    What is that meme? I don't know who that person is or the phrase.

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    1. The meme is from the movie The Hangover. Wickedly crass and funny...if you like that sort of thing, which I do. :)

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  7. Thought of you today as I did my Balladea workout. :)
    I did the "Power" DVD. Pretty sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow!
    Have fun with Jeff around! Nice.
    Chrissy

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    1. So glad to hear you are still enjoying the Balladea DVDs! :)

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  8. I love that you are enjoying the running without the added pressure of organizing everything! Great job :D

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  9. The sunrise is lovely!!!!! Love the Meme! And for the record, love the word "finagle". We all need to use that more often! Happy Thursday Shelley!!

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