Sunday, July 22, 2018

Finding My Way Back

If last week was the week I found my strong, this week was all about getting back on track. You know I'm all about the music and when I sat down to write this post, the song "Find Your Way Back" by Jefferson Starship (1981) kept playing in my head. I bet it's playing in your head now too! What a blast from the past.

Anyways, I did find my way back to my running self. I continued to feel strong, my knees didn't hurt,  and the weather cooperated, which meant some good running. One bootcamp doesn't make for dramatic improvement, but crushing that grueling hour of power sure did turn my head around.



Running
I'm still running slow and using the run/walk intervals. I'm at peace with that right now because I'm feeling comfortable running at this pace. Not dying on the run is a win. On Monday, I ran 4 miles at a 10 m/m pace and on Wednesday, I ran 6.2 miles at a 9:50 m/m pace. I'm sharing my paces because I do still care about how fast I'm running. Running this pace, I plan on using the run/walk intervals on Sunday at the RnR Chicago half marathon. A pace of 10 m/m would put me at about a finish time of 2:11, barring any unexpected potty stops. Fingers crossed. Most of my post RA half marathons have been right around this pace, so considering all the struggles I've had this summer, that finish time would make me very happy.



CrossFit
Oh my lanta. On Thursday, I did a strength session with Coach Sammy Jo followed by a bootcamp. I would have done the bootcamp on Friday afternoon like I did last week but on Friday afternoon, I was picking up Holly from the airport. You know what? The double workout wasn't bad at all. I think I may just keep doing this. Who am I?

For my strength workout, we focused mostly on upper body. I did push presses with the barbell, maxing at 60# 8 reps x3. Oh yes, I did! I am getting stronger! Then she had me do barbell rows x 10 alternating with Bulgarian split lunges x 10; 3 sets total. Next was a reverse pyramid workout of pushups alternating with goblet squats. I also did some kipping ring swings.


While I waited for bootcamp to start, I stretched and foam rolled and tried not to panic. Once we started it was all good. There's the warm-up and then the workout. While it was tough, it didn't feel as hard to me as last week's bootcamp. Last week was incredibly hot--it was 95 outside--and that bootcamp seemed to have a lot more cardio activities like running and rowing. This week was more strength/crossfit type moves. Don't get me wrong, my heart rate was up and I sweated like a pig, but I didn't struggle quite as much with this one. And that, my friends, is a win!

Bootcamp knee-ups while hanging from the bar
Yoga
I did 2 shorter classes this week. On Monday, I did Five Parks Yoga Post-Workout Recovery class. I've done this one before and it really hits all the high points. It's basically a deep, gentle stretch class. On Wednesday, I did FPY Flow on the Floor. I didn't feel like doing a full practice after my 6 mile run and this was perfect.

If you've been on social media at all this weekend, you know there was a little race here in Chicago with a lot of familiar faces! I prepared this post earlier but I wanted to leave you with this photo of your WeeklyWrap hostesses from the Expo. Spoiler alert: it was a blogger extravaganza and I've got tons of photos to share. Check back on Tuesday for the full recap!


How was your week? Any good workouts? Is the weather cooler by you? 

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap, hosted by Holly and me! The linkup is open until Wednesday. Be sure to link back to us and comment on a couple or more of the links. Thanks so much for supporting the Weekly Wrap.










91 comments :

  1. I'm sure you have a fantastic time this weekend, and I can't wait to read all about it on Tuesday! Hope your race went well.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. It was so fun! Hopefully we can meet at a race one of these years!

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  2. I'm so glad you had that bootcamp! I love bootcamp type classes. They're so much fun!!

    We've had some cooler temps here and I'm not complaining. I know the west coast and southwest is suffering right now because that front pushed the cool weather this way and I do feel a little bad about that but .... I'm not in control so I can only feel so bad. LOL

    Hope your race went well today and you were able to meet your goals! I wish I had been there to meet up and run with you guys. Looks like so much fun!

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  3. Sounds like you and I are having similar struggles, one week apart! :) Can't wait to read about your Chicago half. Hope it went well for you.

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    1. The best thing about blogging is reading about other runners who are experiencing similar issues. It really brings us all together!

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  4. Chicago looks fun and it seems like you're doing better with your running! Can't wait to read about the race!

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    1. Yes, I don't want to jinx it but I am feeling surprisingly well!

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  5. I'm glad you had a better week of running. I hope today met or exceeded your expectations. I know you all had a BLAST in Chicago!

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    1. Running-wise, the race met my expectations. The overall experience far exceeded it! This is what it's all about!

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  6. I am still smiling from ear to ear from the weekend! So glad that I came and got to meet you all

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    1. So so so glad you came! I hope Cherry Blossom comes together for us!

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  7. Not a drop of rain at my race. But the calves are very tight now! Nothing but walking, hiking, and running all week. Can't wait to hear about all your races!

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  8. I hope you enjoyed the RnR Chicago half and felt nice and strong! Looking forward to reading about the weekend!

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  9. Haha, I agree, getting through a run without dying is a win!

    Cant wait to hear about this weekend. Sorry we missed you.

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  10. Great work, and both of you in the pic - hooray! I can't wait to read your report.

    I know we're all different and comparisonitis is a bad thing: I'm at peace with my pace but I'd be amazed if I ever got an under 2:30 half marathon or ran at 10:00 mm pace for more than a mile. So I say you're doing brilliantly.

    I have been doing a walk-run schedule all the time in this heat, it really does help one to cope, doesn't it! Good luck for later today!

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    1. I know, comparison is the thief of joy and all but I'm comparing myself to my pre-RA pre-menopausal self. I just have to get used to the slower, gentler me. I will say that it was a win in that I'm not one bit sore.

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  11. Can't wait to hear about the weekend and your race!

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  12. Still on a high from this weekend! Loved meeting you and all the other bloggers. Hope we can do this once a year!!

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    1. We're talking about Cherry Blossom in the spring! Wouldn't that be fun?

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  13. Really happy to hear that your running feeling better for you!

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  14. I'm finally running again! Now that the sprained ankle is better, guess what I realized? The support muscles and joints aren't as strong as they use to be. My right shin is particularly painful. Who knew there would be so much muscle atrophy? I finally headed to my favorite Hawaiian mountain this morning. Probably my slowest time ever, but it felt so good to be back up there.

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    1. Hooray for running again! Yep, it's amazing how fast your muscles lose strength.

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  15. I run slower in the summer, no matter what. I feel like I block it out every year, but it always happens. Saw your RnR Chicago photo on instagram -- hope you had a great time!

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    1. We had so much fun! Really, if I have to run slower, this is the way to do it!

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  16. I think I've said this before...your strength sessions look awesome! I think I would love to train there. Congrats on your race finish!

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    1. That CrossFit box is amazing. So much support and creativity there!

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  17. I'm glad you've found your way back! (GREAT song choice). I was cheering RnR today - did not expect the downpour!

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  18. The weather's finally cooled down a bit I got in a little bit longer and faster run this weekend! It's amazing when a change in temperature will do. Can't wait to hear more about your weekend and the race. A meet up sounds like so much fun

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  19. From your Insta pics, it looks like you had a wonderful and wet race! But it's all good when you've got friends by your side, right? ;)

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    1. Oh, we were soaked! But you were right, who cares when you're with friends!

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  20. Congratulations on finding a good place and continuing your growth. This weather, what a mess.

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  21. That sounds like a great week - double workout, wow! I've been seeing all the blogger meetup photos on Instagram - sounds like it was so much fun!

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  22. I'm so glad you're feeling back on track! This weekend was just the best - still smiling!

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  23. I hope the race went great! I love how you are going with your momentum from finding your strong. You are crushing it!

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    1. It was amazing how that bootcamp class really turned my head around. I'm glad to be feeling mentally strong again!

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  24. Truthfully, I can't remember much from the past week because my head is so full of all the fun that happened in Chicago ;-) I'm glad things are turning around for you ;-)

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  25. Well done on finding your way back to running. Can't wait to read about your race and the blogger meet-up! What an incredible experience that must have been - seeing everyone in person! Shathiso @www.thegaboronerunner.com

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    1. Such a fun time--I had met some of the bloggers before. I've known all of them since I've been blogging (almost 5 years). It was incredible.

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  26. I'm glad CrossFit/Bootcamp are helping to bolster your confidence! I think the cooler weather ahead will do wonders for your running as well.

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    1. I'm going to keep doing the Bootcamp and run one less day per week. My knees will probably be a little more happy with that.

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  27. You are definitely kicking butt on your workouts, and it showed in your strong finish on Sunday! Can't wait tread all about your take on things!

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    1. I'm glad we finally got to meet! Now let's make a habit of it!

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  28. Sounds like Chicago was lots of fun. FOMO about all those bloggers in one place. Maybe next week for me. Too bad about the rain. I ran my last one in the rain but it wasn't fun because I was alone.

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    1. I thought you were coming to Chicago when we were picking races last winter. Hopefully another one!

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  29. Our weather here is hot, but not as hot as some summers (granted, I'm not running so maybe I have a different perception).

    I hope the race went well for you! I love the pic of both of you in front of the backdrop too.

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  30. I really need to get in on the blogger meetups! So jealous. If only I had extra time and $$$, sigh. Sounds like things are going well for you right now. I've become a big believer in strength training after the last 6 months or so of lifting heavy. It's actually helped me keep running despite my ankle issues.

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    1. I really think the strength training is keeping me relatively injury free. I also really enjoy it.

      We're having a blogger meetup in September! I keep trying to recruit more bloggers.

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  31. Sounds like a good week overall! And I hope Chicago went well and was a lot of fun :)

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  32. I don’t think I could handle boot camp right after a strength workout. You’re one tough lady! Or a little crazy. 😝 I can’t wait to hear all about the race and blogger meet up. I wish I could have been there!

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    1. I used to do speedwork after strength training, so it worked just fine for me. Yes, I'm a little crazy. I'm also strapped for time!

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  33. Definitely sounds like you managed to get back on track! You're so amazing and I hope you are feeling so confident in the strides you are making!

    It was a good week here, with lots of miles. Now I just need to bone up on the cross training. Our neighborhood's new gym is opening soon and that will make life so much easier. It will all work out.

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    1. That's great that a gym will be right in your neighborhood. I can't wait to hear about it!

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  34. Chicago sounds like such a fun weekend! I'm glad you were feeling better physically too.

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  35. So glad you had a great week! I have an appointment on Thursday morning to have my Achilles tendon looked at, so I'm hoping that I can get that straight and start having some good weeks myself!

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    1. I hope your Achilles behaves itself!! Let me know what you find out.

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  36. YAY! I'm so happy that I got to see you (and be seated across from you). That brunch was just the best. I wish I could have come to more of the get togethers to spend more time with people! I'm so glad that you have been feeling better (ROIDS, right? ;P) and got to enjoy your run!

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    1. I'm glad you made it to the meetup. Let me know what you find out with your pelvis.

      That just sounds wrong, doesn't it?

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  37. Oooh this post so reminded me that I need to find a good recovery yoga class near me. Those things are ah-mazing. We just moved so I'm still scoping out fitness places closeby!

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    1. I love recovery yoga and have pretty much been doing it exclusively.

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  38. Well, you know I'm singing the song. I predict you'll feel even stronger with your running once lower humidity and fall weather returns! Boot camp does sound fun...who am I? Thanks for much for hauling me around all weekend. I'll repay the favor very soon! OK?

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    1. I loved having you here, as always! I hope you're not going to be tired of me!

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  39. I hope you had a great race! I had an off week. I was extra tired and on Saturday I woke up with a stiff neck. Guess my body needed the extra rest.

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    1. Funny how our bodies tell us what we need to hear? I hope you're feeling better.

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  40. My training is starting to hit plateau status. I hit training PRs every 5-8 days now, but I know that just means I'm getting stronger and stronger. Congrats on a great week!

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    1. That's awesome that you keep getting stronger! I'm kind of plateauing so my coach switched things up a bit.

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  41. Congrats on your half! Looking forward to the recap and saw that it rained. So cool you're getting stronger on your presses with the barbell! You rock!

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  42. Yes--my knees reminded me that they were unhappy towards the end of the race. But the steroids definitely kept them calm.

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  43. Sounds like running really is getting better. I'm so happy for you. man I know how that feels to feel like your old running self almost! you impress me so much with your cross-fit and bootcamp and yoga! I'm so intimidated by cross-fit though admittedly a few months ago I looked into a special beginner cross-fit where you learn all the moves, etc., before you move up to the big kids class :)

    Looking forward to your chicago recap! too bad I couldn't make it this year! so bummed.

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  44. I can’t wait to hear all about how race weekend went for you. You already know this, but running using intervals has been my lifeline as a runner, especially recently with my own health challenges over the past 9 or so months. There’s no way that I’d be able to run any sort of long distance without using intervals, especially now. I can completely sympathize with the slower paces, but you’re still out there moving, and that’s what’s most important. 😄

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    1. I keep telling myself that! I will say that after Sunday, I really know now that this is what I have to do if I want to keep running.

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  45. I loved seeing all the pics with all the beautiful bloggers! So fun!
    I am an interval runner so I can keep my hip happy. I am glad you are back to running and I hope it keeps improving for you!
    I can't wait to read about your race!

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  46. A bootcamp and strength session on the same day?! Sheesh...that would put me out for sure! Great work this week!

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