Friday, October 10, 2014

Dedication Means Double Workouts

So, that whole "moving Monday's run to Tuesday" thing seemed like a good idea at the time, but immediately afterward I remembered why I never skip a Monday.

I wanted to do upper-body T25 with Elizabeth Thursday, so I was faced with the decision to do another three-in-a-row (shakeout Tuesday, speedwork Wednesday, upper-body Thursday) or do a double workout Thursday.

My legs were pretty tired from my recovery run because I can't seem to keep my paces slow enough when I'm only doing a couple miles, so I opted to rest Wednesday and double it up on Thursday.

In short: awesome. choice.

After warming up with T25 and getting my cross-training in that way (the upper-body video includes core and some light cardio, too), I came home and had a snack, then headed to the park.
I forgot to take off my necklace and didn't want to pause...so I had my classiest workout ever.
I'm really lucky that Matt likes to hangout when I run sometimes. He not only makes it to every race to cheer me on, but he even watches me train...how much more supportive can you get?!
And he even took photos and read the Stephen King book I recommended. Love.
I had some Gu because I was starving, then did a mile warmup on the road before heading to the loop. My plan was 6x400 if my legs held out, which they did.
Verdict on this new-to-me flavor: pretty tasty, a slightly thicker texture than the Salted Caramel or Espresso. I'll buy it again.
 I slipped an extra 400 into my repeats and was happy to see my paces coming down again. I kept my intervals around 8:20. The highlight of the run was when a high-schooler, who was pacing a friend and going the opposite direction, reached out to high five me.
It was a really pretty night; there were probably at least a dozen other runners out on the loop.
That was a first, and it really pumped me up. I always feel weird encouraging strangers or offering a high five but maybe I should do it more often, because it feels good to be on the receiving end of that kind of good will.
I look so speedy!
After my run, I watched my sister's recent yoga flow and felt a little envious of her flexibility. I guess that's good motivation, right? I have to brag on her a bit because she got certified as an instructor recently and is pretty freaking amazing. You should see her handstands.
 

I'm still feeling very up this week. I have 15 or 16 on my plan this weekend and feel 100% confident that I'll get it done. I finally feel ready for it!

Do you ever double-up your workouts?
Do you high five strangers, or do you draw the line at a wave/nod?
Are you a fan of yoga?

ABK

17 comments:

  1. I love to high five strangers, but now they won't let me into the mall anymore.

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  2. That is so cute that Matt hangs out with you when you run. :) It's kind of like when Paul and I go play disc golf/run. We're not TECHNICALLY together, but we're in the same park doing what we love and we pass each other, so we kind of are. :)

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    1. Yes, exactly! Sometimes quality couple time means doing your own thing in close proximity haha.

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  3. I think Matt wins best husband award for coming to watch during your training runs! I can't picture Adam EVER doing that! haha

    A guy once high fived me as I was running up a bridge and he was running down, that was cool and gave me extra motivation to keep trucking on up! I'd like to do it more often but I worry about people thinking I'm crazy ;) I think most runners would understand, but I'm too shy to do it!

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    1. Careful, he's ego may swell!

      I agree, I'm too shy to give a high five...what if someone ignored me?! That would be embarrassing!

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  4. I usually wave/nod, but once I got high-fived at the end of a hard run and that was pretty awesome.

    LOVE double workouts! I usually do them as a swim/gym work out then a run later in the day. Although I'm kind of doing double workouts every day now since I head down to the basement for strength training and boxing practice, as much as I can fit in before the boys get up, and then do my run after taking the Goo to daycare.

    And I love yoga and never do as much of it as I think would benefit me.

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    1. I'm insanely impressed that you do double workouts so often. It was a rush, but definitely left me exhausted!

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  5. I just have to give Matt a high 5 for being so supportive of you...AMAZING! I do enjoy yoga to help stretch out the tight hamstrings and such that we runners enjoy! I've never doubled up on a workout...unless you count brick workouts for my tri...LOL. You are killing your training...I cannot wait for the marathon to arrive and see all your hardwork pay off!

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    1. I think brick workouts count as double...that's why tri-athletes are so amazing.

      Great job on your half, by the way! You killed it!!

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  6. Love the post workout/pearl selfie...super classy. ;) Sometimes I forget about long earrings when i'm heading out to run and realize immediately that they are there. That is so sweet that Matt watches you race and train. :)

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    1. Running in big earrings is so distracting because they make musical jingling sounds as you run! lol

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  7. I love the pearls! So adorable. I love that Matt watches you train. That is a great husband right there! I hope your long run goes well. It sounds like it is going to. It's always great when your runs start to feel good again after feeling really hard.

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    1. Yeah, I'm definitely enjoying this string of awesome runs after being a bit down in September.

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  8. It's always great to have support when you run! It's awesome that your husband is there for you. I haven't doubled strength and speed workout yet but I have split my long run when it started storming and cut me off mid run! :-o

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    1. Oh, those unexpected storms can be the worst. Kudos to finishing the long run once the rain let up!

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  9. I love seeing you feel confident about your running and training! You are such an inspiration Ali!!! :)

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