Weekly Workouts: 1/2-1/8

OMG I'M BACK. It feels so good to be back to "training" even if this week is really less about training and more about just stretching my legs.

Monday: Three miles on the golf course. It felt so good to run by feel, especially because none of that "feel" ended up being painful!

Tuesday: Lots of restful recovery, just in case my calves were going to regress.

Wednesday: 4 miles with Elizabeth! It was our first run together in ages. My legs were definitely tired, but pain-free. I kept the pace very conservative because my lungs and quads kept reminding me that I had taken time off and wasn't at the same fitness level as before.

Thursday: More stretching and recovery. I meant to do some upper body but my shoulders still ache from doing the kitchen!

Friday: Another 4 miles, another good run! My body is definitely tired and feeling the effects of two weeks off, but as long as I keep our pace steady things seem to be progressing well!

Saturday: More rest. If I'm being honest, at this point it's really just laziness.

Sunday: We woke up at 7am to run at 8...took one look at the weather and went back to bed. I know some of you run in literal subzero temperatures but I don't own clothes for that!

We were able to meet up at 1pm for a nice 6 miles. The run felt good, but the headwind in the last three miles made it tough.

After taking time off, I feel like this was a very strong way to come back. I'm excited to be back to our usual schedule and clobber the last six weeks until A1A!

Total mileage: 17

I have to confess, while I took time off from running I didn't do much of anything else, either. My arms and core feel pretty weak at the moment, especially considering I didn't stick to a good cross-training plan while volleyball season was going on. 

That means I've had something like 8 weeks "off" from proper cross-training. I absolutely need to make core work a priority in the next few weeks so I can be strong and ready for A1A in February.

How did your workouts go in the first week of the year?

ABK

Homecoming

The hardest part about having to take some time off running for an injury is that it feels like a betrayal. Here's this hobby that makes you feel strong and fit and whole in so many ways, and it's turned against you. Instead of making your body feel strong, it's done the opposite!

And with every run, you're in denial. Is this pain real or in my head? Is it getting worse? How much time off do I need to take?!

It's like when you're suffering from a breakup and you want your best friend to comfort you but your best friend is the breakup-er. I mean, that's some 90s-teen-TV-drama, you know?

Classic. I knew The Hills would have an appropriate gif for this analogy.

But then you make amends, and coming home feels so, so good.

I ran on Monday. I went into it feeling lethargic - inertia had definitely set in from two weeks off and lots of holiday relaxation. It didn't take me long to warm up, though.

This is an unedited photo of the start of my run. With this view, how could I not get into the mood immediately?! That's Matt on his OneWheel on the grass.

I didn't wear my watch and I just went by feel. My splits ended up being very even, which tells me that listening to my body is the way to go. (Go figure.) My calves were "sensitive" in the way that I was hyperaware of every sensation in them, but they were pain-free.

My Garmin was dead so I downloaded Nike+ again and just stuck my phone in my belt to be forgotten about until the end.

The run felt like starting fresh. It felt like a "welcome back."

Post-run, so happy!

It was with some trepidation that I ran Wednesday. Was it a fluke? Are my legs truly healed?

It certainly looks that way! Although I had the usual "We haven't run in 14 days why are you doing this to us again?!" muscle soreness, my calves didn't even ping on my radar.

Plus I had my buddy back!

I'm going to keep on taking it easy; I'll ease my way back in and get back to with training. For now, I'm just basking in the thrill of a couple pain-free, watch-free, enjoyable runs!

ABK

2016 Year in Review: Life

I wrote last week about my running year in review. It kind of sucks to have ended the year resting because I like to get a couple more runs in between Christmas and New Years, but it is what it is. This post is a life-in-general review.

Happy New Year! This was how I rang in 2017. Anyone else eat sauerkraut for good luck?

This year, Matt and I celebrated six years of marriage. As the year ended and we shared our New Year's kiss, I told him, "I'm glad I'll be spending this year with you," and I meant it. I feel very lucky to have such a supportive, loving, understanding partner in my life.

This year, I turned 30 years old. I was excited to turn thirty and it felt like a milestone at the time, but now I'm not sure what the fuss was all about!

Signing my name on the banner for my birthday race!

This year, we made major progress on our kitchen...and that post will be a separate one because I have some big, fun updates on that subject! This was our first major new-house DIY overhaul and it was frustrating and daunting at times, but I'm glad we've experienced it.

More to come!

This year, Matt competed in Chattajack for the second time and placed 3rd in his division. This was our only "vacation" in 2016; we need to try to travel more in the future.

This year, I earned a job promotion and stepped out of the classroom. I love my new job and find it very fulfilling. I still miss the students at times, but I enjoy working with teachers and supporting them!

In my new office with my cool new radio.

This year, Matt realized a long-held dream and opened Upriver Ceramics. The other night, as we hung out in the studio - he was glazing and I was doing my nails - I looked over at him and said, "Do you ever just stop and think about the fact that you had this dream and now you're really doing it? Really making ceramics again?" It's just surreal and awesome!

His Etsy shop is open if you're looking for belated holiday gifts ;)

Our year wasn't all good. Nana's passing and my grandma's lingering poor health were difficult hurdles to overcome. Life will continue to have its ups and downs, and I've been feeling the downs lately (actually, going through my old posts I saw that pattern beginning as long ago as April. I hadn't realized I'd been struggling for so long), but it's good to step back and review the whole year and see that, really, there were highlights worth focusing on.

I know 2017 will bring more of those, and I hope to put my energy into enjoying those moments so I don't fixate so much on the lows.

What went well for you in 2016?

ABK