Thinking About Training

I scoffed when Matt, in the face of my excitement about running A1A, said, "Can you train for it in time?" But the truth is, I've been barely running three miles a week for about a month now, and so I'm starting from almost-scratch. That means it's time to do some major planning for training.

Volleyball started this week. I love coaching volleyball; it's so fun and rewarding. It is, however, extremely exhausting. This season is going to be shorter but more intense, with double the games. It's hard to fit runs in on game days because of timing. We also have a winter trip planned, so while I plan to run on vacation, the logistics may be sticky...or slippery.

That's right...I finally have an excuse to buy winter running clothes! These are from the Wonder Wool collection from Skirt Sports.

I've never run in real winter before!

Anyway, I've mapped out the next few months with a very slow, easy build-up of miles that will hopefully leave me feeling fairly confident on February 17, 2019.

General November Plan

I plan to use the rest of October to build up to four mile runs again. My real training will start in November. I know I'll need to be flexible, so these specific dates and distances are mere suggestions because I have a very busy November and December; the most important thing will be to add long weekend runs back into my schedule with consistency, and to avoid any kind of overuse injury as I begin a training plan for the first time in over a year.

I hope I'll be a bit more active on the blog, as using it to keep track of my training has always been successful. We'll see what happens on that front!

Right now I'm feeling nervous and excited. Planning long runs, even 6 or 7 miles, is already freaking me out. But I remember that I've done it before, and if I trust the process, I know I'll be able to do it again.

ABK

Weekly Workouts: 5/22-5/28

The last week of school is HERE! This week always means lots of late evenings and exhaustion, and despite good intentions, this week was totally a bust. I was at work late every day and slept a ridiculous amount over the weekend. But I think I just needed it.

I need to find my motivation as summer begins. The truth is, I've been feeling unmotivated and dejected this week. Even though I know answers are close at hand, I am just in a funk. I miss running. I'm bored of all other workouts. I'm physically and mentally tired. I haven't even had the energy or interest to watch my junk TV, let alone watch it while on the max trainer!

I hope taking a break will help my mind get back on track.

Monday 5/22: Rest. I think I was up for a workout but just...lost track of time? I had my appointment with Dr. Guerra so that contributed to my laziness.

Tuesday 5/23: Two Blogilates videos with Elizabeth before the Sports Awards banquet.

The second video is one of my favorites!

Wednesday 5/24: 8th grade graduation. I wore heels. Big mistake. My calves were not happy!

Thursday 5/25: Rest.

Friday 5/26: Student teams vs. faculty volleyball game on the last day of school. This was a fun, active 75 minutes in the Florida sun!

We played three sets. Faculty won the first, kids won the second, and then they won the third 28-26. It was really fun!

Saturday & Sunday: Rest.

Here's to more energy and a better mindset this week.

ABK

Weekly Workouts 12/12-12/18 - A Wrench in the Wheel

I didn't really work out this week. On Tuesday my girls had their final volleyball game - we lost in the quarter finals. It's the furthest any of our teams has ever gone, so I'm very proud and happy with the season's outcome!

After the game they surprised me with this. They each wrote me a note and signed it! How sweet is that?!

I took five days off this week because of my cold and my calves; I ran Thursday and my calves were still bugging me, but I made it through the run more consistently (read: without any walk/stretch breaks).

Then, Friday, I paid the price; I had legit pain in my calves when I was walking around throughout the day. I've tried:

-rest
-baths
-massage/foam rolling
-my TENS unit
-stretching
-ice
-elevation
-compression

...Nothing is helping.

Friday, Elizabeth and I looked at our plan. I told her that if I were just training for myself, at this point I'd have rested for real, but I feel a responsibility to her. She told me she'd rather that I rested now than that I become too injured to run with her in February.

Obviously I agree, so I'll be cutting back for the next couple weeks and focusing on flatter runs, in case the bridge is exacerbating the issue. We've figured out an adjustment to our training that allows for some extra rest without derailing everything. But I'm frustrated and annoyed!

To recap, this week I: had volleyball Tuesday, a run Thursday, and dancing-in-heels Saturday. (Oh yeah, we had a holiday party so there was that.)

I thought you'd all like to see that Elizabeth and I don't only wear workout clothes!

A few weeks ago I bought most of my HRC-supporter friends the OPI nail polish "Madam President." We three all wore it to the party on Saturday.

Anyway, this was not the week I wanted, but the week I was dealt. Here's hoping additional rest helps my calves get back on track.

ABK

I'm Over Resolutions

Guys, this week has been kicking my butt! We've had volleyball four days in a row. I mean, it's a good thing - it means my girls are winning and are moving through playoffs to semi-finals - but I am exhausted and so behind on blogs. Oops.

My Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week...plus practice on Thursday. We've gone further this year than ever before!

At this time of year, I usually start planning my New Year's resolutions. This blog was the result of one of those resolutions; for those of you who don't know, learning to run was my resolution in 2009. It was the first resolution I ever truly kept.

It was such a roaring success that every year since, I've put a lot of time and consideration into my resolutions. Then, last year, I took a step back and simplified.

This year felt good. I've felt more consistent and stronger than ever. I think simplification really worked for me. So I'm sticking with it.

I'm not focused on a particular distance and I only have one race lined up (A1A), so for the first time in years I have a lot of freedom. I'm going to keep running and cross-training and getting stronger. I'm probably going to pick a marathon for 2018...Probably. We'll see how I feel!

Anyway, I think I've finally gotten to a point in my running and fitness where I don't feel I need a resolution to help narrow my focus or keep me motivated. There aren't any other areas of my life that need direction or a major overhaul, so this year, I'm over resolutions.

That said, I have some important goals; it's just that my focus has changed. I plan to stay aware and actively involved politically. I plan to keep up my monthly donations to SPLC, HRC, and the ACLU going. I plan to use my privilege to help others as we gear up for the big fight we have ahead of us for the next four years.

I'm putting my money and time where my mouth is. I hope you do the same.

But as far as running goes? Yeah, no resolutions this year...and it feels damn good.

Are you making running/fitness resolutions this year?
Are you making other kinds of resolutions for 2017?

ABK

My Other Sport (#tbt & TOL!)

Today, I'm thinking out loud about my other sport: volleyball.

I am really not a naturally athletic person. When I was younger, I was much more into indoor hobbies. I loved to write and read. I liked to draw. I took singing lessons and went to drama camp during summer when my friends went to sports camp.

But when we moved to Florida, my mom wanted me to meet people, so she encouraged me to sign up for volleyball. In 8th grade, everyone made the middle school team, but I immediately realized I loved it and had a little bit of natural talent.

My JV team; I think I was a sophomore here. Can you spot me?

Varsity players had much cooler uniforms, as you see here. This was junior or senior year.

I played all four years for my high school, attended summer camps, and joined a traveling team. I even played for the local junior Maccabiah Games one year. (I wish I had a picture of that!)

I was never talented enough to play in college, so I settled for intramural and played with my sorority.

Playing some intramural volleyball with my colleagues for our inter-school tournament for teachers.

For awhile after college, there were no opportunities for me to play volleyball. I took up running in grad school, and then started teaching. That first year, I co-coached the girls team with another teacher. When that teacher moved out of state the next year, I took over.

I've coached our team ever since.

I love watching the students play; they are so enthusiastic and have such a good time. They really learn to depend on each other, support each other, and gain confidence in their own place on the court and within the team. Running is a great sport, but I really believe team sports (especially those that include a bench) are one of the best ways to teach life lessons.

Our girls (in red and blue) playing a fantastic game while I nervously pace on the sidelines.

I've developed some habits from my high school coach; I never sit during games, instead choosing to pace outside the court and shout instructions and encouragement. My coach used to eat an entire tin of Altoids when he got nervous; the smell of Altoids still makes me think of him!

So  far this year our record is 2-1 with one more regular season game and then playoffs. Some of my girls have been on the team since 6th grade, and for the last three years or so I've had returning players. It gives me a chance to have a different kind of mentoring relationship than with teaching, and this year especially - because I have no students of my own - I especially appreciate being about to coach them.

I love running, but volleyball was the first sport I ever played, and the first that showed me I could be athletic if I wanted to try. It will always be a special favorite of mine.

Do you play a sport besides running?
What was the first team you belonged to?
Do you consider yourself a natural athlete?

ABK

Last Week in Pictures

Monday: A nice little run with Kristin over the bridge starting at her new house. I love how close she is to the bridge! It makes running it much easier.

Tuesday: Volleyball practice. It was the first practice with just the 9 girls who made the team, and it was great to see them all working together.

Wednesday: A surprisingly fast five miles - I was in the 10:40s the entire time. My quads and knees weren't happy. I need to keep the big picture in mind - it's nice to run faster these days, but I need to avoid injury in these last couple weeks before race day!

It's hard not to push the pace when you're in awesome new shoes! 

Thursday: Our first game! My girls played like champs and won in two (25-9 and 25-18). It was a great way to begin the season! The girls were absolutely walking on air, and I was glad to see that the team I've been crafting for the last couple years is really solidifying now.

We're the blue & red team. You can see me nervously standing on the sidelines - I absolutely hate sitting during games!

Friday: A wonderful six miles with Elizabeth. I like running with her because she's not training for anything and literally doesn't care how far we go. She's a very low-pressure running partner.

Saturday: Besides errands and laundry, I got some grading done. Progress reports close Tuesday before we leave for Thanksgiving break, so I'm working on catching up. I mentally prepared myself for my 20-miler Sunday...I was actually really excited for it...

Sometimes you just need to use the floor as a giant desk to get things organized.

Sunday: ...But then I got up at 3:30am and had coffee only to discover it was pouring...And would be pouring all day. It's actually finally stopped, but now it's sunny and hot. (I'm pretty jealous of people who live in states where you can run at any time of day because the weather is beautiful and cold right now.)

Cooler weather Wednesday will kind of make up for the delay I guess.

So, I'm planning to run shorter tonight and have my final LONG long run (20-22 miles) Wednesday morning. I guess I'm grateful that the rain means cooler temperatures. I'm lucky that this week is a vacation week, so I can make up the long run without waiting until next Sunday.

How was your week?
How far out from race day do you begin tapering?
What are your Thanksgiving plans?

ABK

Dynamic Planks & Volleyball

As runners, we know that core strength is essential to avoiding injury. "Core" doesn't just refer to abs; it includes our glutes, hips, and back muscles as well. If you find yourself slouching forward during runs, especially during long runs, your core may be in need of strengthening.

I am definitely one of those slumpy runners.

Photo evidence: totally slumped over during the last mile at Spacecoast.

Many of us turn to planks as an easy go-to strengthening exercise, but planks are fairly static. Even as we increase our time (I'm always blown away by people who can hold a plank for over three minutes!), we're still just holding there.

Definitely check out the full routine here.

I found this set of dynamic planks a little while ago and finally began doing them recently. My first impression was that they were incredibly more difficult than I expected! I was dripping sweat and panting as I went through the moves.

I completed 5 of each plank (per side in the case of the side planks) and did the entire routine twice. I think I'll build up to completing it three times.

As with any body-weight exercise, purposeful movement is key. It's important not to rush so that you're truly targeting and engaging your muscles.

My form needs tons of work, but I know it will improve as I get stronger!

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the results of adding these planks a couple times a week to my usual workouts.

The rest of my weekend can be seen in the background: papers I graded and laundry I folded. I was very productive!

In other weekend workout news, we had our faculty volleyball tournament this weekend! Despite only practicing three times before the big day, our team held its own...

We didn't exactly win, or even place, but it was a ton of fun and we raised $1000 to send to a sister school of ours in Haiti.

I really want our team to keep meeting after school because I miss playing volleyball so much, but maybe I'll look for a Meet Up group to join if it doesn't interfere with weekend long runs.

(I took last week off from running because of all the travel/jury duty/classroom catch up/rest from Gasparilla weekend...but this week it's back to training as usual for my next half on March 15.)

 On a random note...I know quite a few of you liked Serial. Are you watching The Jinx on HBO? It's like Serial but about Robert Durst. I actually know one of the actresses who plays Kathie Durst in the reenactments (she's my best friend's sister), which is why I started watching, and now I'm hooked.

I had seen the movie All the Good Things about Robert Durst a couple years ago and find him really intriguing. This documentary is super creepy, and Durst himself sat for interviews throughout the series. He's a truly unsettling character.

How's this for a totally random post?

Do you do planks?

What is your favorite sport to play besides running? (Can you "play" running?)

Do you like the true-crime genre?

ABK