Wednesday, February 6, 2019

WWU - What is Happening Here?

Running update:  I don't know why, but Saturday's long run with Diane was by far the best one I've had in years.  Yes, years.  And I didn't realize how much I needed that good run until I got it.

The weather could have made the run go either way - it was 57 degrees with 100% humidity, but there was a breeze and we were wearing just a short-sleeved shirt and capris, so we while were chilly for nearly the entire first mile - our thin Texas blood is showing - we warmed up without overheating.

We ran a route that I haven't run in a long time - we headed down the old new road, doing one of the jig jags (but not the other one because Diane was worried we'd encounter wild hogs even though I told her she didn't have to outrun them, she just had to outrun me, LOL), and then we ran the outer perimeter of the fancy neighborhood, which again, I haven't done in forever because it feels like you're always going slightly uphill and you know how I hate running uphill.  But this time, it felt good.  I never got tired and never wanted to take an extra walk outside of our intervals.  We needed to tack on a little extra mileage to hit an even 5 miles, so we ran another jigjag through a little neighborhood close to the clubhouse, and then we were finished. 

We started on our cool-down walk back to the clubhouse when out of nowhere Diane said "let's sprint to that light pole" so we took off running.  That was hard, but we walked a little bit more and then did another sprint and that one was awesome - I was lifting my knees high as I ran and felt really powerful.  We walked a bit more and then did one last sprint, which again, was fantastic.  What was happening?  This was so good!  I was a good runner.  I haven't been a good runner in years.  But on Saturday, something magical happened and I ran like Runner Shelley circa 2010.

Five miles, and it wasn't a struggle.  Five miles, and I liked running.  Five miles, and I felt good about the run.  Five miles, and everything changed.   This run will stay with me forever.

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BCS Fitness update:  I've started doing some light jumping and hopping - after tearing my calf muscle doing mountain climbers, you can imagine my trepidation about doing any kind of explosive movement, but I'm testing the waters, very carefully, and so far it's been good.  I'm not going all out; last week we had either a three-minute burpee test OR three minutes of doing thrusters - I chose thrusters because I'm so slow with burpees that I knew I'd get more out of the thrusters.  I had my hands on a bench in an angled push up form, and would pop my feet back and then pop them up toward the bench.  Anyway, I was doing a POP, pause, POP, pause and it got less scary with each POP.  My bench neighbor was doing a POP, POP, POP, POP - and I admired that, but I'm still in the cautious stage.  It's all good.
I finished boxing that bag and still had about 90 seconds left so Jared told me to do a bridge hold.  Honestly this was the easiest part of the entire 30 minute workout!

Oh, I hit the Perfect 10 attendance club again - actually I think I worked out 13 times in January, so I'm pretty pleased with that.  Showing up, doing the workouts and being willing to push myself are all things that are helping to make me fitter and stronger.  And maybe, all of this is contributing to better running?  That was my plan...could it possibly be working??

27 comments:

  1. “Strong Shelley” is your new running name. What a great, inspiration post!!

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  2. Three cheers for your great run! Those are the kinds of runs we need once in a while to remind us that we actually love running. They are also the kind that can get you to thinking about racing lol. And believe it or not, sprinting when fatigued is a form of speedwork, so you really showed up. So happy for you!

    My trainer told me thrusters are just as effective as burpees and are better for injured people or people with back issues. o you feel very, very good about that. You rock girl!

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  3. This will DEFINITELY contribute to better running! I was going to ask if you had any ideas as to why your LR felt so good, and I think you may have answered my question :)

    I'm right there with you on cautiously adding in explosive movements. It feels good to be able to do stuff I wasn't able to do while injured, but I definitely don't want to overdo it.

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    1. Yeah, it crossed my mind that the workouts, even though I don't run there (I did back when I used to workout at BCS Fitness in 2010), might be helping my body's conditioning overall.

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  4. What a fabulous post!!! You are killing the workouts and I’m with you...there is nothing like a good run!!!! We need them once in a while!!!

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    1. For real! One good run in the bank is worth several so-so runs.

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  5. I am so glad that you had such an amazing run and it was 5 miles! Woohoo!

    Perhaps all that cross training is paying off.

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    1. I think so - good thing I'm enjoying the cross training too!

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  6. Great job on your awesome run! 5 miles that felt good woohoo! Your blog I bet serves as a kind of diary so you will have a record of it. I bet all your cross training at the gym is helping you be a better runner. With more time in the gym under your belt where you don't get injured you will become more confident again in doing explosive moments. Hopefully days like that will help you get through the hard times when they come.

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    1. You are right, my blog is my diary and this will be a good entry to look back on. :)

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  7. WOOHOO GO GIRL! That's so awesome and exciting, and such a great feeling too! Great job on your 5 miler and hitting it hard!

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  8. I had a run like that on Monday and man! it felt great! I agree with you--the work you are doing off the road is making you a stronger runner!

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  9. Maybe NOT doing the half marathons has actually helped! Your body isn't as fatigued and worn out so now it's got more "GO"! But I'm not a runner so I could be talking out my behind. :) You are inspiring me to look into some classes at my gym - I think a group class might be the thing I need to get me out of hibernation.

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    1. I actually thought the same thing - normally at this time of the year I'm sick and tired of running, my body is hurting, and it's not fun. Not so this year! I hope you try (and like) a group class - with the right people and instructor, they can be really fun.

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  10. I was reading the first part of your post thinking about how all your strength work is probably a huge part of why that run felt SO AMAZING YAY! And, running someplace kind of new and with a friend helps too. You rock! I hope you have more runs like that!

    3 min burpee test?! No. WHY.

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    1. LOL on the WHY for the burpee test. My thoughts exactly.

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  11. So happy the running deities smiled down on you on Saturday! Those kinds of runs are just the BEST, aren't they? There is such a feeling of accomplishment to nailing a good run or a fab workout - enjoy it, Shelley!

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  12. I adore that feeling of a really good run! I feel so strong and powerful. It's an amazing feeling. And I definitely believe that the workouts we do besides running help a lot with running.

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    1. Good descriptors - I felt especially powerful after doing those sprints at the end of 5 miles. :)

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  13. Look at you go! You're putting in the work and it's paying off.

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    1. Thanks - it's slow going, but I do think I'm seeing some results.

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