Sunday, November 4, 2018

Falling Back into Running

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I received The Original Worm in exchange for my honest review. 

See what I did there? Did you turn your clocks back and enjoy your extra hour of sleep? I woke up at 5:30, but consoled myself with the reminder that my body thought it was actually 6:30.

I wrapped up October with 80 miles running, which isn't bad considering that I've only been running 3 days per week. I've really been enjoying running this fall. I struggled so much over the summer that I started having dark thoughts about running. I worried that my running days were over. Thankfully, with the arrival of cooler weather, I found running to be enjoyable and rewarding again. I've also found my mojo which was sorely lacking. I'm starting to think ahead to 2019--looking at races and setting goals.

What a difference the weather makes!

Let's wrap up the week. Holly is taking a much needed week off. Marcia is graciously co-hosting. Be sure to show her all the love you always show Holly and me!!



Running
I felt so encouraged after last Sunday's 10 miler. I was also pretty sore the next day. By Wednesday, I was ready to roll again and I took my Halloween 8 mile run to the retention pond. I didn't wear a costume, but even more scary was that I wore my new Inknburn Christmas top! Yep, less than 8 weeks until Christmas. There was no wind and the cool temperatures made this a nicely paced run.

Oooh, so scary!
On Saturday, I woke up early to get in 4 before I had to go into work. I wanted to catch the sunrise, but by the time the sun came up over the trees I was finished. With the time change, I'll be able to run with the sun again. Not a fan of those dark mornings. Sunday's 10 miler was just miserable. I headed out early to avoid the impending rain but I still got wet. Boo hoo. The last 5 miles were into the wind and at mile 8, it started to pour. I was so glad to be done with this one and surprised to see the same paces as last week. I felt like someone should have put a medal around my neck!


CrossFit
This week's strength session was so much fun! We worked mostly on upper body, starting with sets of push presses x 8 alternating with kipping swings from the bar. I've never done kipping swings before and they are much harder than I expected. The eventual goal is to swing my toes up to the bar, which we did work on a bit as well. I do toes to rings without a problem, but without the momentum that I get from the rings, it's really tough to do it on the bar! I also worked on assisted pull-ups. After that, Sammy Jo had me push the prowler (weighted), KB deadlifts, lunges, and Abmat sit-ups.


Bootcamp started with a 10 minute EMOM, alternating between side steps and monster walks using resistance bands. Hello, hips! Then we did a Tabata AMRAP workout (4 minutes each) of air squats, push-ups, calorie rows, Abmat sit-ups, and Russian KB swings. I was sore and I was tired after we finished. But I rewarded myself with Tailwind Rebuild afterward. It's all good.

Yoga
To help with recovery from Sunday's long run, on Monday I did Five Parks Yoga 70 minute Yin Fusion. I was so excited because this class was literally uploaded right that minute! It's like Erin knew exactly what I needed. What a great class. On Wednesday after I ran, I did a quick Post Workout Class for Tired, Sore Muscles. The class was filmed on her patio in Costa Rica in the pouring rain. I found the pouring rain a little distracting and Cocoa even barked at it a few times. But it was still a nice class.

Cocoa doing some of her own yin yoga in the background.
Off the Road
I was the only person in the office to dress up for Halloween. Seriously, what a bunch of party poopers! In their defense, there are very few of us pediatric folks in my office--we share space with family medicine and internal medicine. But come on, man! My patients enjoyed having Wonder Woman take care of them, even the littlest patients. I'm thinking I should work in costume all the time!


On Thursday, I had lunch with Marcia and as always, it was so great to catch up. I got the scoop on Tokyo and London. I am just so excited for her to run both and to realize her dream of running all 6 majors. Running friends are truly the best, aren't they?

The NYCM results are in and I am so excited to see so many US women in the top 30! Kudos to everyone but especially Shalane (3rd), Molly (4th), Desi (6th), and Allie (7th)! You ladies make us proud. 



When I was offered the chance to try the Original Worm, I jumped at it! I've seen several running
friends, particularly Chocolate Runs Judy, wax poetic about this travel massage roller. One of the reviewers on amazon.com said it touched him and his girlfriend in "places they've never knew existed". I'm not sure what they did with the Original Worm, but after trying it myself in the way it was intended, I have to say it is a pretty nifty little device! I received the 6.3 in pink, which is a neoprene sheath that contains 4 balls that are 6.3 cm. There is also a 7.0, which is intended for people with larger frames. The Worm was invented by a woman athlete who was looking a device that could do everything her tennis ball, lacrosse ball, foam roller, you name it could do. The Worm is small and you can easily pack it in your gym bag or suitcase. In fact, The Worm is sold at many airports--something I found fascinating. I've been using my Worm to massage my high hamstrings/glutes, especially after lifting heavy at CrossFit. I'm really enjoying the Worm and am glad to have added it to my post-workout recovery toolbox. I think you will too! If you want more information, you can check out this instructional video or head over to the website to learn more.

Photos courtesy of The Original Worm

~~~~~~~~Welcome to the Weekly Wrap~~~~~~~~
Hi y'all! Holly and I are happy to host the Weekly Wrap, which is a link up for fitness bloggers to support and inspire each other! If you're new to the link up, you can check out the rules in the tab above. Please don't link with us if you are not a fitness blogger. If you do link, don't forget to link back to both of us and use the badge below. Comment on some (or all) of your fellow linkers' posts. One of the comments we hear quite often is how supportive this community is. Spread the love! We all can sure use some of that these days, right? Have a wonderful week and thanks for supporting the Weekly Wrap. 



How was your week? Have you ever run so hard that you felt like you deserved a medal? I'm just joking but geez! What's new in your world? Have you tried The Original Worm? Did you watch the NYCM?

53 comments :

  1. Wasn't the extra hour today divine? Wish we always had it. Ha! I runfess I totally missed all the NYCM coverage because I was at the gym. Whoops!

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    1. I missed it too but hey, I had to see how our girls did! Thanks so much for cohosting!

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  2. Ah, you're caught up with us again, I always feel weird when we go and the rest of the world doesn't!

    And I think I might deserve a medal for running with an anxiety attack through the WHOLE RUN last week. Or daring to run again. Maybe not, but it felt like a big achievement this week. Off to visit Marcia now...

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    1. Oh no!!! I've never had an anxiety attack while running. Usually running makes it go away. I will admit to getting lost in my head and having negative thoughts tho--I'm a worrier! When I finish running I do feel much more positive, tho.

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    2. Yes, indeed, and I kept thinking running WOULD make it go away and it didn't. But I didn't, yknow, die or burst or collapse, it was just unpleasant. I've had feedback from many people that my fear of going out after an unpleasant incident on our street was justified, though, which makes me feel a bit better about it.

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  3. Eighty miles is great for running three days per week! That's about where I fall when I do a slightly longer run on Saturday.

    That Worm sounds fascinating! Is it anything like the massage chairs when you get a pedicure? I find those to be the most uncomfortable things ever.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. Oh, those pedicure chairs are so uncomfortable. I always feel like someone is going to push a button and eject me out of the seat! No, the worm is a worm-like device that you roll on.

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  4. I really enjoyed the extra hour today, especially after dealing with some insomnia this week!

    Congrats on the long run and also a great week of workouts.

    Love that you were able to catch up with Marcia this week. I wish I lived closer - I miss you both!

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    1. I miss you too! I'd love to get together again. We'll just have to plan something for 2019!

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  5. It's a shame the others in your office couldn't have fun on Halloween and dress up for the kids! Although I work at a school and no one here dressed up either. My friend took some kids to the childrens's hospital for a site visit that day and she said all the dr. Nurses and therapy dogs were dressed up!

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  6. I pushed a weighted sled in my workouts this week and could barely move it! You make it sound easy! I love that you dressed up, I bet it made the kids feel more relaxed.

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    1. My hamstrings were crying after I pushed the sled!! I look at that as a win...

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  7. Fun costume! That worm looks interesting..

    That extra hour this morning was so nice...Hopefully that means a little sun on my morning runs now.

    thanks for hosting the link-up!

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    1. I'm looking forward to having a little more light for those early morning runs too!

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  8. So glad you're feeling better in the cooler weather! Its really made a huge difference. I also cant believe there's around 7 weeks until Christmas...especially because my due date is 2 days before Christmas! I've never tried the worm...its probably the only recovery type of device that I don't have!

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    1. I thought I had all the recovery devices but then I acquired the Worm! Now I feel complete.

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  9. Wonder Wendy!
    I love your crossfit tank
    Such a magical day on the roads today - picture perfect marathon weather

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  10. I agree with you on the Halloween costume thing....there's always a group of us at work who dress up each year, but the majority of all others come "as themselves." And, we have a very lax dress code, so it's not like we have to worry about looking professional to the public. I didn't really notice the time change...probably because I was so exhausted from my l.o.n.g. yesterday ((still yawning)).

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    1. I'm glad for the time change because I have to get up super early to head downtown tomorrow. My dad is having surgery and I need to be there by 6.

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  11. I woke up shortly after 5, which was like sleeping in until 6 which was a luxury after getting up at 4:15 for OTF Hell Week! I think I need to try that yoga for tired, sore ... So glad running is being good to you again. The weather makes a huge difference for me. I love that you dressed up. Your costume -- I mean outfit ;-) -- is awesome! People dressed up the Friday before, which I forget about and then figured I shouldn't dress up on Halloween since we'd already celebrated at work.

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    1. I've worn this outfit several times, which my youngest pointed out to me. In fact, he used the word "weak" when he responded to me...

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  12. I work in outpatient rehab and there were only 3 of us that dressed up for Halloween. I was Where's Waldo but most thought I was a nerd or an elf. What?!?! I thought everyone knew Waldo? Nice to see you back to loving the run. The cooler weather helps so much!

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    1. One year I dressed up like Doc McStuffins and no one knew who I was EXCEPT the kids! LOL

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  13. Love your costume and I bet the kids did too! The extra hour was so nice today, though getting dark before 6pm is not my cup of tea..

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    1. Yeah, I'm sure not looking forward to driving home in the dark!

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  14. That's so funny that Coca was barking at the rain. And I am so with you on the cold rain. More rain on tap this week, too. Man, it's been a snowy, rainy year!

    You make such a cute Wonder Woman.

    I love my worm to travel with & it's so easy to throw in the car. However, now I'm torturing myself with Trigger Point's Grid roller!

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    1. I used both the Worm and the Trigger Point roller last night. I was ridiculously sore after my run yesterday. I feel great today, tho!

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  15. Fun costume! I can see why your patients enjoyed it! Great to see you having such a great week of workouts!

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    1. I had 100% cooperation on Halloween. There could be something to this costume thing.

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  16. That original worm looks so great! I might need to get one of those!

    Your strength session did look fun! I found myself ready to bump up to the next level of weights at the gym, which is pretty exciting. Even if I'm not seeing results, I guess I'm producing some anyway!

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    1. I just don't want to lose strength at this point. Forward progress is always a win.

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  17. My entire floor dressed up and each team decorated their cubicles. My team won, and we get a pizza party! I'm so happy the entire floor enjoyed Halloween because my neighborhood was quiet for trick or treating.

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    1. We didn't get a ton of trick or treaters at our house either. The kids seem to cluster in the center of the neighborhood.

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  18. I have a toddler and a 5 month old, so Daylight Saving did not help us at all. In fact, the baby was up every two hours last night so we got less sleep! I'm hoping she doesn't wake up super early tomorrow now ..... Your costume is great! Also, I've never heard of the Original Worm, but wow, it seems pretty cool!

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    1. I remember those sleepless nights with the time change. But seriously, how do they know? It's not like they can tell time...

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  19. I never "got" DST until I moved (way) further north. Now I'm its strongest proponent. We NEED that hour of daylight moved to the morning - who wants to drive to work in the pitch black?

    I'm intrigued by the worm rollers. I like massage balls better than a foam roller for most things, and this seems like a good in-between.

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    1. I like the Worm for rolling hard to reach places like my piriformis and my back. I'm still experimenting with it and it's a great addition to my recovery toolbox.

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  20. Woot woot! Your training is so balance, heart.

    And I L-O-V-E my Original Worm! I've used it in the car, right after runs, and right before bed for some late night restless leg issues. It's perf. <3

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  21. So glad that you've got your mojo back. That's great mileage for only running 3 times a week too. It's quality not quantity.

    Don't have a worm or anything.... I am one lazy runner.

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  22. I love your costume! I like the extra light in the mornings, although it now getting dark before 5 pm throws me off for a few days. The TriggerPin is my favorite foam roller - like a combination foam roller and lax ball set!

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  23. I love that you wore that Wonder Woman costume for Halloween! I'm sure it lightened up people's days. I've never heard of the work before. I'll have to check it out.

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  24. I love the time change because it's lighter in the morning when we run. Of course, I think I need to go to bed around 6:30 pm because it's so dark...

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    1. That's how I felt last night. I actually fell asleep at 8. Yikes.

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  25. That is awesome mileage for 3 runs a week! I'm glad your running is going so well. I was so inspired watching the NYC marathon yesterday- so many strong American women!

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  26. Amazing job this week! I have wanted to try the Original Worm for a while now...looks neat!

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