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.