Hey-o! What’s up?! Happy Monday!
I wanted to stop by and share a quick update on what my 50K recovery weeks looked like and what “the plan” will be going forward.
Basically I’ve had two weeks of short easy runs only (with optional rest days at any point (I took two :)). My recovery weeks coincided with the second half of our Colorado vacation and also a quick trip to the beach with my mom, which I must say was great timing! I definitely enjoyed the break from workouts and early morning alarms. I slept-in more in the last two weeks than possibly in the last two years combined and it was glorious!
I got a full body sports massage the Wednesday after the race, which was much-needed and quite amazing. I’m planning to do that once a month going forward. I’m looking at it as an investment in my health (hashtag worth it). I also tried two new to me fitness classes that I really enjoyed as well. One was an Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) class and the other was HOT YOGA (oh my).
After one workout, I must say that I am a huge fan of OTF. I would love to make it part of my weekly routine. I started out on the treadmill, which was great because I felt super comfortable there. We alternated between a base pace, a push pace and an all out pace. I equated those to easy run pace, half marathon pace and 5K pace. We ran for 15 minutes, did 750 meters on the row machine and then did 15 minutes of strength work (with free weights and TRX bands (which I had never used before)). You did that whole thing (run, row, weights) twice. I really felt like I got a great workout in. The running was lots of intervals and I ended up with close to 4 miles. Combining running and strength training is a really good incentive for me to actually get the strength training done.
The massage therapist that I saw strongly suggested that I incorporate yoga into my weekly routine. I promised her that I would at least try to give it a shot. It has been a hot minute since I have been to yoga and I have never done hot yoga before, so that was an experience. I got started off on the wrong foot because I arrived right at 4:30 for a 4:30 class (but of course, on time is late) and they had to rearrange the entire room to make a space for me. Let’s just say that I picked up some negative energy from the other yogis. Ha. I couldn’t for the life of me remember what a chaturanga was (or half of the other poses for that matter) and the instructor didn’t have room to demonstrate the poses.
I couldn’t get Rebecca’s favorite “honest meditation” video out of my mind the entire class. I almost laughed out loud a few times when the instructor told us to set an intention for our practice and then to breathe in … and breathe out … I don’t know if yoga is going to be a regular thing or not. We were packed in there like sardines, but I definitely got a good sweat in! Success … I think.
Now that I am all rested up, I am really looking forward to the next chapter, which will be a SUMMER OF SPEED! I’m going back to my original plan (from last summer) of focusing on shorter distances for a while. I enjoy trying to be a well-rounded runner that runs lots of distances. The 50K was a nice break (I realize that this sounds a little crazy) and I am so glad that I did it. Variety is definitely the spice of life (and training in my opinion). Now it is time to get back to the track and focus on some speed work.
I’m going to try to find a one mile race at some point this summer, I’m doing a two mile race in August and other than that, you’ll probably see lots of 5K recaps. Oh … and half marathon recaps … I’m still working on the one half per month thing!
“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What are your running goals this summer? Other than not to melt in the heat and humidity (obviously that is a solid goal for everyone).
I have never tried OTF but have a few friends who swear by it. For them it is their speedwork and their strength workout which is a good thing. It is kind of pricey here which is why I haven’t tried it (although you do get your first class free). I do yoga twice a week but am not a hot yoga fan. I like vinyasa flow or more restorative classes because I feel like they do a good job helping me recover from running. Also, I am always hot when running so I don’t want to sweat at yoga (I feel differently in the winter).
So glad your recovery is going well! You definitely needed it after vacation and the 50K. I think it’s fun that you want to race a mile and also do the half marathons too.
The cost of OTF is definitely a down side and I haven’t exactly figured out how it fits in with my other speed workouts either. It’s a challenge, but not a full workout (running wise) if that makes sense. I don’t really do any other fitness classes or anything and I’m also cancelling my gym membership that I never use, so that helps me justify the cost. I only plan to go 1 or 2 times (max) per week. I don’t even know enough about yoga to know what type of class I would enjoy (if any). I probably just need to try out several different kinds and find my niche. What you are saying definitely makes sense! I want something to work with and assist me with my running.
Very nice! I like the idea of taking some easy time after a big race like yours. And the fact that it coincided with a vacation is all the better. I would love to do a mile race at some point, but I am also scared!
I’ve only done one 1 mile race and it was SO FUN. It was several years ago and I didn’t train specifically for it or anything, but I really surprised myself with the time I was able to do. If you are used to running 5Ks, 10Ks, halfs, etc., the one mile race is awesome because it seems so short. You can give 100% for 5-6 minutes and then are done! You’d do great. You need to fine one and try it, even if you don’t have a specific goal going in. I think you’d surprise yourself.
I took one OTF class (free) and actually liked it. However, I think it is too much for me to pay on a monthly basis. I am going to join a new gym that will have more interesting classes than my current gym and am looking forward to it.