Sunday, July 10, 2016

Sole Food: A Week Off the Road

It's been a week of ups and downs. After facing reality and realizing that I needed to take more time off running than I thought to calm this latest PF flare, I immediately felt my willpower muscle start to atrophy. Maybe it's because I trained through injury all winter--who knows--but I'm just not feeling it right now. I'm not feeling sad or anxious or guilty--really, I'm not feeling much of anything at all.

If I had to pick a feeling, I'm feeling kind of free. In a footloose and fancy-free sort of way.

Like those pay-as-you-go wireless plans, I have no long term contracts. No commitments. No obligations.  Really, the only thing I'm working on is recovering from this injury. Yes, I need to maintain fitness, but there's something to be said about shutting off the alarm and rolling over to get a little more sleep. 

Yes, I did that this week. More than once.

I don't know this person but it feels kind of good. In spite of a less than productive week, workout-wise, I'm feeling pretty ok right now.


First, the lowdown on my workouts. Spoiler alert: there's not much to share.



I did do my share of daily squats for Marcia's squat challenge #bootypatrol. There were squats and then there were yoga squats.

Malasana. How low can you go?
Monday: 3.5 miles slow with 2 sets of bar hangs, scapular pull ups, kipping bar swings, and 25 push ups.
Tuesday: Pool running x 1 hour
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: CrossFit with Becky: Ring Rows, lunges with overhead plate, rope climbs, and handstand pushups on the wall. 
Friday: Kayaking
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 30 miles on the bike and squats:

Because plain old squats are just plain old boring.


Goddess Kali Squat. A new one for me!
The highlight of the week was time spent with friends. On Thursday, I had plans to meet up with a Facebook running friend, Sam, from Sammy Runs. She was in Chicago to visit family and we had lunch together. We had never met before but it was like we were old friends. Because runners are friends you haven't met yet, right? Of course, we commiserated about our foot issues. And we planked. She's on a plank streak and we couldn't let her break it, right? If you don't follow her on FB or Instagram, you need to because she is so inspiring and cute!

Side planks with Ernie Banks. Mr Cub.
In the spirit of self-care, this summer I took off 4 Fridays from work to be able to go kayaking with my high school friends.  Fridays are their kayak days and I had so much fun last year that I wanted to make sure I was available to join them. This week was "Kayak Krawl Friyay" planned by our group organizer--doesn't every group of women have one? She outlined a plan of action to stop at several bars along the river. 

Shenanigans.
Sole food. And soul food. It's summertime and the living is pretty easy when you aren't training for anything. Time to just enjoy.

How was your week? Any words of wisdom or inspiration to motivate me to get back at it? Tell me what fun things you did this week!

I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap and with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Link Up!


97 comments :

  1. Well, my race was a ton of fun & the rest of the week really sucked. It was very hard to squeeze in fitness, I tried, but I was totally exhausted physically & mentally much of the week.

    I like having off seasons though! We need to let off a little steam sometimes, and quite frankly your week of "not much" would be quite active for a lot of people!

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    1. Sorry you had such a bad week! I felt like a slacker but when I wrote this post, I felt much better about my week!

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  2. I'd say you aren't missing anything at all since running right now is like visiting hell. Enjoy other stuff. Running will always be there. You could always come water ski with me (cough, sputter). The kayak Fridays will be awesome fun. I'd love that. My sister is visiting soon and I'm thinking we need a water adventure. Hope that PF calms down soon. Thanks for linking, Wendy!

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    1. DYING. It IS like visiting hell, that is the perfect description!

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    2. It is not like visiting hell here at all, which is making all the much tougher not to be running! But waterskiing? I'm serious! Let's do it!

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  3. Haha, what HoHO said! You picked a good time for some down time since it's been SO hot lately! It does feel good to not be tied to a training plan for a particular race, doesn't it?

    This must have been the week for drinks and Kayaks cus my sister just kayaked to a winery on Friday too!

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    1. I wish we all lived closer so we could to the kayak and drinks thing together!

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  4. I think I get this feeling too a little bit only with the passing of my fitbit! lol I kind of feel free not knowing exactly how many steps I've gone nor how many I think I need to do!
    Your kayaking outing sounds like serious fun! OMG I'm so dang jealous of this too! I think I'd take off at least once a month on Fridays to participate! Thanks Wendy for linking up. I think your filling your time just fine :)

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    1. I'd love to have you join us. I have a feeling you'd fit right in!

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  5. You were way more active than I was during the week that I "stopped caring". I think it's an important part of the process. I allowed myself to just not worry about any exercise rather than forcing myself to cross train (which I cant really do because I don't have a gym- so its really just yoga and at-home workouts). After about a week of being lazy I was itching to be active again!

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    1. Yep, I feel you. I brought my yoga mat outside to do my "work" and I just brought it back in, completely unrolled. I'm so glad to have you validate my "I don't care" feelings.

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  6. My summer mood is similar -- but I'm missing those Fridays off! That kayak krawl looks so fun! You've been training so hard all year. Some down time will do your mind and your body good.

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    1. It's a weird change of pace but I'm learning to embrace it.

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  7. Being unemployed has got me very depressed but I'm trying to take advantage of my new found free time by hiking, playing tennis. I am actually running less than when I had no time and was working. Just not motivated so I ran a 5kj race instead.

    You will be back at it. I am jealous of your kayak krawl - sounds like a blast.

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    1. I've been really depressed not running and not having anything to train for. I know, first world problems. But I feel kind of lost. I really enjoyed my kayak krawl. These ladies get me. And I needed that! Don't we all?

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  8. Your kayak krawl looks like so much fun! Perhaps some downtime is just what you need right now. Enjoy it!

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    1. I plan to embrace my downtime--it's not like I have a choice!

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  9. You know I love me some "freestyle". I love that you're enjoying the summer without the pressure of a race hanging over your head. Heal that foot and enjoy the season.

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  10. Way to set the bar high with bike squats!! We all need to sleep in once in a while

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  11. How fun that you have kayaking friends! I just learned that our reservoir will be closed for the next two years as of November 1, or I think I'd go out and buy a kayak or a SUP. Of course we'd have to get two, one for me and one for my hubby and that would make it twice as much fun!

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    1. I wish my hubby would go kayaking with me. I think he has an allergy to any kind of physical activity!

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  12. For not having a super active week it seemed like you got a ton of activity!! I've felt the same way for a few weeks. Just no running mojo and the alarm has also been shut off. I haven't ran since Wednesday. :(

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    1. It didn't seem like a busy week until I wrote this post! Who knew?

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  13. AS you know, I seem to have rebounded rather easily from (potential) PF to hamstring/glute crap (again). It's a vicious cycle! The kayaking looks like a blast!!

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    1. I sure hope your injuries stay away for your 12 hour thingie...

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  14. I don't think you need inspiration, just go with the flow! Be an intuitive exerciser. :) That is so fun that you have Fridays off to kayak with your pals! :) Do your arms get tired?

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    1. Not at all! Even when we were paddling into the wind and waves, it was fine. The kayaks glide smoothly through the water. I really really enjoy kayaking!

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  15. Must be nice to be not training for anything! Looks like you still had a great active week! Kayaking sounds like so much fun! Have a great week!

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    1. Not having to train for anything is kind of a mixed blessing!

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  16. I love that you're taking the 4 Fridays to go kayaking!! That's really what summer is all about....I'd love to do a kayak krawl!!!!

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    1. These are my forever friends and I love that they love to kayak!

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  17. I think taking a break is important for both mind and body. Although I stayed active, I hadn't realized how much I needed a break after my April marathon. It did me good, physically and mentally not to have a plan. While I missed the structure, it allowed me to do many other things... like connect with friends and family. I hadn't realized how much of a back seat that had taken during my 6 months. So enjoy !

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    1. I realized this week how much I need to connect with my friends. It's funny how isolated we make ourselves when we are training for a big event!

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  18. Agreed!!! I feel like everyone is writing on losing motivation this week and I think it's mostly just because it's SUMMER and we are meant to enjoy it. When you live somewhere it's only nice outside three months out of the year, you have to take advantage! I think you're making great decisions and I so wish I could do the kayak bar hopping with you and that group - looks like trouble and, by trouble, I mean so much fun!! :-)

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  19. You were quite active for needing to take a "rest" week to let your PF heal. I don't know if anybody has the same attitude towards recovery as you do. You didn't seem to let the pain stop you from still being active in ways that let you rest your foot. Way to go!

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    1. I just don't want to lose fitness. I think I worry more, being an "older" athlete!

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  20. I think that attitude is SO IMPORTANT for athletes to embrace from time to time. A reminder that while we are runners, training for a race does not define you :) I LOVE kayaking! We lived on a river in Vermont and kayaked frequently, but haven't since we moved to SC :(

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    1. I have really come to love kayaking! It's the best way to cross train, really.

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  21. Well, if you lived here with me in Texas, it might be the perfect time to take a tiny break. That way when fall comes your PF would be ready willing and able and the weather would be too.
    xoxo

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    1. Yeah, I won't lie. I'm not missing running in the heat! Funny how we just live for summer and then we complain about how hot it is!

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  22. After this half I am going to be just chilling. And you know what? i'm kind of looking forward to it! I am probably going to have to take this week off anyway because of some ligament issues in my SIJ (stupid injury rearing it's ugly head). Spin bike seems to exacerbate it, so we will see what happens. But breaks can be magical things.

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    1. Oh I have that SIJ thing too...on my left side, natch. I need to get on the floor and do my exercises!

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  23. There's not much to your workouts for this week? In my opinion, you still killed it girl! Way to go!

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    1. Haha! I didn't realize how much I did until I wrote my recap. I like to keep moving.

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  24. You still did so much more exercise then most people do in their regular routine so wow !!

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    1. I guess it just feels less because I'm not running! Still doing everything else, tho.

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  25. Time spent with friends...so much more important than sticking to an exact routine...and I find when you spend time with friends you still move and eat just the same with only a few indulgences :) So glad you enjoyed yourself!

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    1. You are so right! It was nice not to worry about how what I ate would affect my run the next morning. Very freeing!

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  26. If you're not feeling it, then enjoy the break. I thought I'd be ready to get back to simple fitness a month after my 10k, but I needed more time mentally. It was nice to come home and plop down on the couch, no worries about the fitness room or anything like that.

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    1. I've still got that rehab stuff to do--that's super hard to motivate myself for that!

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  27. That sounds like such a fun week! And it certainly seems like you stayed pretty active even if you weren't doing a lot of "formal" workouts :)

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  28. Love all your photos and seeing how active you are, especially the squat with a bike photo. We had an awesome weekend of racing.

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  29. Enjoy the break and try to find some new things you love. So hard not to run though!! I know.
    At least your bike squats are legit!!!

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    1. Even my coach thought so, after she shamed me about my yoga squats!

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  30. Taking a break is always great - because at least for me - it ALWAYS motivates me to get back 10x stronger!!

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  31. Sounds like you still had a pretty awesome week. I love all your kayaking trips!

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  32. Enjoy the break! I'm thinking of taking a break personally too.

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    1. I don't know if I'd take one without being forced by injury! But it's a mixed blessing for sure.

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  33. It's so frustrating to be dealing with injury, but you'll get through it! Just stay as active as you can otherwise (which you're certainly doing) to help keep you from going crazy. Honor your body and you'll be back there in no time!

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  34. I think it sounds like an awesome week and certainly not inactive! You're smart to pay attention to your injury. I may have told you this but years ago I spent months fighting PF, including three cortisone shots (2 in one, one in the other). Nothing worked. Until, I hurt my knee, ended up taking weeks off, and healed both my knees (mostly) and my feet. So, I vote for active rest!

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    1. I'd be ok with active rest if I hadn't done that in the spring! I'm hoping this goes away for once and for all!

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  35. Wendy,

    I read your post on your foot injury and your fall on Friday, and it sounds awful and really painful! I'm sorry that happened to you! It really really sucks!

    I say that you can enjoy the rest and the free feeling! Especially if it's reducing your stress and your anxiety on getting back to the road. The running will be here, and your foot needs the time to heal. I hope all goes well!

    Interesting that you mention kayaking, I was dreaming I went kayaking and I flipped. scary!

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    1. That's so funny that you had the dream about kayaking! I should worry about that, I guess, but I don't.

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  36. How awesome is this! I have read other blog posts of where people get so down when they get injured. Glad to see you embracing it and having a good time.

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    1. I have my moments where I'm hating life but who wants to read about that? I find that if I write positively, it makes me feel more positive. I was surprised to see how much I did last week, considering that I didn't run. It was really helpful to log this week.

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  37. Those ladies and I have been friends for almost 40 years. God, that makes me sound old. I'm really not.

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  38. looks like a fun week! i need to go kayaking again! i am starting with a new trainer this week!!!

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    1. I saw that! I'm so excited for you! I hope you have a great experience!

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  39. Even without running, you stayed quite active! I always admired that about you - you find ways to maintain your strength even when bogged down by an injury. I'm not training for any long-distance races either and somehow I feel my life is a bit disorganized, but I'm grateful to find the time for other activities I've been meaning to do. Kayak Krawl - what an awesome idea! It looked like a lot and it's great you're still friends with many of your highschool friends.

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  40. Despite it all this looks like a great time. I like switching it up and sometimes spending time with friends and family is better than a workout.

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  41. Sounds like a great week and a great idea to take it easy so you can recover from your injury faster. Love your squat pics! Meeting up with fellow bloggers is awesome and how fun to meet up with high school friends to kayak!

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  42. What a wonderful week for you, Wendy! Even though you're not running, you are definitely getting in your activity, and I'm sure that all the fun things you are doing will keep your mind off the injury so you can focus on getting better.

    Love those squats!

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    1. I'm kind of struggling with not running. But I like all the cross training.

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  43. PF is miserable, I have suffered with it off & on over the years! Rest is good...but my goodness, you sure stay active when you are not running!! I LOVE the picture of you squatting with your bike :-) I need to try that one! I really enjoy following your journey and pinned this post. Thanks so much for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up.

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    1. I'm all about trying to maintain fitness while I'm off the road--coming back is so much easier that way.

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  44. Wendy - that picture with your bike above my your shoulders made my Sunday morning when I saw it on Instagram! Pure Awesomeness!

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  45. Looks like you did a great job not running :)

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  46. Enjoy the free feeling! Looks like you're handling injury well.

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  47. As always, beautiful photos and poses! I haven't run in over a week either, and it's really tough! You have a great mindset.

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  48. The kayaking looks fun! That's a great way to get in some non-running cross training. Great perspective!

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  49. Taking a running break for me really has been the ultimate Soul Food :) I'm sorry you are still struggling, but I know you will come back stronger than ever. So fun to kayak with high school friends!! I keep in touch with maybe 2 people at most from high school sadly!

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