Sunday, May 16, 2021

Smarter, Not Harder

I don't know if it's the cooler weather or allergies or what it is, but on Thursday this week, I was commenting to Sammy Jo about how long it has taken me to recover from that race I ran a few weeks ago. I'm definitely not bouncing back as quickly from a hard effort like I used to, that is for sure. Even though this week I felt really good on Wednesday's trail run, when I got home from work in the evening, I had dinner and I was asleep by 9 pm. 

I guess it's like the old cliché, I have to train SMARTER, not harder. I know that I've still got some speed and strength in me, but I can't waste energy doing activities that don't have any value. For now, I don't have anything planned, running-wise, until the fall. I'm looking forward to continuing to explore more segments of the Ice Age Trail and running my local trails as well. 

Changing my mindset and not pushing myself so hard--this may be my biggest challenge yet!

Weekly Rundown
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: trail run 6.5 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6.2 miles
Saturday: rest
Sunday: Ice Age Trail run 7.5 miles

Running

I woke up to bright blue skies on Wednesday. It was cold, but with a predicted high in the 60s, I wore my new Oiselle pocket jogger shorts that I got on sale. Can I just say how much I love them? Anyways, I took my legs right into the woods on the single track and was amazed at how green everything was! It's still really dry, though. We are in a drought and the roots were in abundance. I caught my toe multiple times, but thankfully never lost my balance. I came close though! 


On Friday, I woke up again to bright sunshine, although it was a little chilly. No worry, spring, I got this. With the sun and predicted temperatures to rise to the 70s, I put on a pair of shorts and a light long sleeve top and off I went for my run on the bike path. I felt strong. Good tunes were the icing on the cake!


After work on Saturday, I drove up to the lake with plans to run the local segment of the Ice Age Trail. The last time I ran there, it was late winter. I was looking forward to seeing the spring blooms and I was not disappointed!! I took a little side trail and climbed down the bluff to the marsh. The marsh marigolds were everywhere and I even found a little spring flowing out of the hillside. It was foggy and that made everything feel magical. My heart was happy after this run.


CrossFit/Strength

I loved Monday's WOD for its bootcamp-style workout.  We started out with a full Tabata of V-ups, switch lunges, KB swings (25#), and OH plate holds (25#). That got the heart pounding! The MetCon was 'Bodyweight Fran" for time--more prep for Murph, which is coming up on Memorial Day. We did 21-15-9 Pull-ups (I did banded) and Burpees. There was a 9 minute cap. I finished in 6 minutes.

For strength on Thursday, SJ had me do deadlifts, building to 3 sets of 8 at 135#. I alternated these with Bulgarian Split Squats, holding 25# dumbbells. After that, I did bicep curls alternating with triceps kickbacks. I finished up with a 10 minute EMOM of a 20 second hollow hold plus 6 v-ups alternating with plank leg raises, 20 seconds on each leg. 

Off the Road

I am so excited to tell you that I have a granddog!!! My oldest son and his roommate adopted a stray from the Anti-Cruelty Society. Kali is a one year old gray pitbull--we think she's a purebred--and she's a sweetheart. She's really well-behaved and affectionate. I just love her! She likes to 'lean in' when you're showing her some love. Tom has been wanting a dog for a while; now that his friend is living with him and working from home, it was a good time to adopt. He keeps sending me pictures and that makes my heart happy!



A while ago, I was interviewed for a SELF magazine article on thriving with RA. The article was published recently and here is the link if you want to check it out! I'm always happy to put a positive face on living with RA. I'm grateful that I was a runner before I was diagnosed with RA--I think that has helped me push through the challenges of this disease.

Next weekend I'm traveling south to visit Holly, whom many of you know as my former Weekly Wrap co-host and waterski buddy. I'm excited to see her--it has been almost 2 years! I'm flying for the first time since last March, when I went to Florida right at the beginning of the pandemic. I'm really looking forward to resuming travel. Yay for the vaccine!

How was your week? Is spring finally popping where you are? Are you struggling with allergy symptoms like me? Any race plans for the summer? Travel plans? 

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 






35 comments :

  1. Recovery does take longer now for me as well. I have also been working on training smarter not harder. Sometimes, that means doing less of something to do more of running. still trial and error for me. Yay on the new grand dog and how fun to be in Self mag I will check it out. Have a good one!

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    1. Training smarter is definitely a whole different way of thinking! It's hard to not throw in extra miles, just because I can. I'm glad that I'm able to still run like I am with my train less kind of approach.

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  2. Lovely photos! I just run for the fun of it at the moment, I do like to get a certain number of miles per week as I really feel it keeps me well physically and mentally. But I'm relaxed within that. Of course, I have decided to do a marathon again next year so I'll have to adjust this at some point!

    And I'm so glad you can continue to be active with your RA. My friend here with it has such huge limitations now and it's devastating to see.

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    1. I'm very fortunate to still be so active with RA. But no more marathons for me. My body just rebels so much now with any big effort.

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  3. I know what you're saying, but I also feel like you're doing some workouts that a lot of (most) 20-year-olds would find impossible. So it's not like you're in your twilight years quite yet!
    The photo from the Ice Age Trail has "spring" written all over it- so beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Jenny! Lol I know I'm not in the twilight years but recovering from these 2 races took longer than it used to. I'm really enjoying the trails and they are much kinder to my body than the road. We'll see how it all works out.

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  4. I have found that my recovery differs depending on the workout. I'm usually able to bounce back fast after a long strength training session vs. a long run.

    Kali has such a sweet face - what an adorable dog! I hope you have a great visit with Holly next weekend. Please tell her that we all say hello! :)

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    1. I'm just a little obsessed with Kali...Tom keeps sending me photos of her and one is cuter than the next. I never thought I'd like a pit bull but she is one nice dog!

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  5. Awww Kali is a beauty! How fun to have a grand dog to dote on! Smarter not harder has been my motto since finishing the London Marathon. It works and it's much more enjoyable. Safe travels and have fun with Holly.

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  6. Your picture from the Ice Age Trail side trail at the marsh is so pretty. What a lovely spot!

    We are flying to Florida in two weeks and I can't wait. I'm loving the freedom of being vaccinated!

    Say hi to Holly for me!

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    1. I wish my photo did it more justice. The marsh marigolds were incredible!

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  7. Awhhhh, congrats on the granddog!! I love hearing stories, such as these, about rescue dogs. We had colder than normal temps here as well (winter-like, actually)...I just want my summer back. Spring has been (almost) a fail in terms of weather, more so this year than usual.

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    1. We haven't had much summery weather yet--the lake does a good job of tempering that. Aside from no rain, it's been pretty typical spring weather here.

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  8. Oh say 'hi" to Holly for me. Enjoy your trip. I know your will.

    I felt fine after my last half marathon but yesterday's 10 miler killed me. What gives?

    No big summer plans. I've gone to Florida in Feb and May. Not traveling again until Oct.

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    1. I've got a lot of mini trips to Wisco planned for the summer. Nothing else on the calendar right now.

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  9. Congrats on your granddoggy! She looks like a sweetheart. The allergies are super rotten this year...grrr.

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    1. She's such a great dog. I don't know if Cocoa will like her...lol

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  10. Awww Kali has such a sweet face! Enjoy her!

    Congrats on the SELF interview!

    Have fun visiting Holly :)

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    1. I am excited and nervous to travel. But ready to rekindle this friendship!

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  11. Adorable dog!

    Would you like some of our rain? We've gotten nearly 3 inches today and more's coming. In fact, it's supposed to be rainy all week long. I'll share!

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    1. I know, be careful what you wish for but it's SO dry here. Would it be wrong if I accepted your offer, but only with rain at night? LOL

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  12. I know I need to dial back my workouts, but I find it really hard, especially still living the lockdown life. You still go pretty hard with crossfit.

    Your grand-dog looks so sweet!

    Yay on visiting Holly! Say “hi” for me.

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  13. Congrats on the RA article, Wendy!
    Interesting that the other interviewees were women as well. Are women more prone to RA than men?

    Nice that you can travel again. Looking forward to the Florida photos next week!

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    1. RA is more prevalent in women than men, but I think that the magazine interviewed only women because that is their target audience. Good catch!

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  14. Say hi to Holly for me! So happy you're able to get together with her. And your granddog is so cute.

    No matter who you are, as you age, you're gonna need more rest. It is what it is.

    We are still on the fence about flying somewhere, although we've been talking about it. It's so darn expensive, apparently!

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    1. I had credits from canceled flights last year. So it worked out! The thing that is expensive is renting a car. Apparently all the rental companies sold their inventory when no one was traveling.

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  15. I want to boop that puppy's snoot!

    And what a fabulous article! I am so proud of you for being such a warrior for RA!

    Have so much fun with Holly! It will be such a great time!

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    1. Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting together. It's been a long time!

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  16. I do feel that I need longer to recover from just about everything these days. But it's also the reason I am ok with running just two times a week right now. I have nothing in my future as far as races go. when that happens I will train SMARTER and not harder (learning from those wiser than me ;) ).


    loving your grand-doggy!

    as you know the weather is poop here. except when I have to be indoors working. *sigh*

    have fun with Holly!

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    1. It looks like it's actually going to be warmer here this weekend than in Alabama. Go figure!

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  17. That is so cool that you are in SELF magazine, heading there to read it now. A celebrity :)

    OMG, welcome Kali! What a sweetie. Pitbulls get a bad rep, but really they are considered "nanny dogs" as they are actually great with kids! There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

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    1. I never thought I'd love a pit, but Kali has changed my mind. She is the nicest dog ever. I can't get enough of her!

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  18. How did I miss that you bought the pocket joggers! I also like them too. Enjoy your trip to see Holly. I am sure it will be a great time with her. Kali is cute!

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