My spring race schedule doesn’t leave much time for rest and recovery. The Reston 10 Miler was exactly one month before the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run last weekend, and the George Washington Parkway Classic 10 miler is only two weeks away. With that in mind, I jumped back into my regularly scheduled workout program last week, but after Saturday’s long run I realized that my legs are tired and need time to refresh if I want to make the best of the Parkway Classic.
Is this Garmin’s idea of a “motivational” message on race day?
I think it should have said “… off the charts!”
I’ve been participating in the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly and Tricia long enough that you may be able to guess my workouts, but here are the details that make this week unique:
Monday: Strength routine at home, including a few rounds of this core workout.
Tuesday morning: Recovery run in my neighborhood, breaking in the RUseeN vest I picked up at the Cherry Blossom expo. I’ve been wearing my quilted white Athleta vest for visibility on my dark o’clock runs, but need something lighter for spring. Although this vest is black, it has tons of reflective stitching and accents.
This was meant to be an easy run, but my legs felt good! Maybe that Epsom salt bath I took after the race did more good than I thought.
Tuesday evening: I convinced a friend to join me at CorePower Yoga for a CP2 class after work–followed by dinner of course!
Wednesday: Indoor cycling–my favorite 45 minute Real Ride class at Revolve.
Thursday: When my day trip to NYC was cancelled I couldn’t resist joining some MRTT friends for hill repeats. Sometimes I alternate the long hill with the shorter one, but this time I decided to focus on the shorter one, which I did 6 times. Then I had to run uphill to get home. :-/
Friday: Strength routine at home, including squats and lunges.
Saturday: Long run in my neighborhood, in between rain showers and before it snowed. When I woke up I thought the rain was over, but as I was heading out the skies darkened enough to make me go back for a jacket and hat (my other purchase at the Cherry Blossom expo).
Two miles into this run, I knew my legs were tired, and would need some recovery time before the Parkway Classic. I also remembered that last year I needed KT Tape to get through the Parkway Classic (you can see how I had to tape myself here), which is a sign that I probably over-trained this time last year.
Sunday: Rest Day. I wanted to go for a bike ride, but by the time it warmed up enough I was firmly planted on the sofa gearing up for a power nap. I figured it was a good start on my plan to cut back during the week ahead.
[Tweet “Needing Recovery to Keep #Running Strong”]
So, I need to cut back. I don’t want to, because I love my workouts. I don’t want to miss spinning, or running at the track with my MRTT friends, or my long run next weekend. But I will make some adjustments. I’ll hold myself accountable and report back next week. 😉
Do you find it hard to take it easy?
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I’m really glad I’m tapering because otherwise I’d be cutting back on my workouts. Even though I haven’t been running a lot, I’ve been doing all that cross training, and yes, I’m tired!
This is something my trainer and I have been talking about lately. Recovery is important for me to stay injury free. I want to do everything but I can’t! I have one day off a week always.
Ugh! Why is it so hard! At least this week I have a trip to force a rest day but then I don’t know how to schedule my other workouts.
I think rest and recovery is the hardest thing for runners to do! It certainly allows us to continue doing what we love most, so why is this? I like your new vest. You can’t have on enough reflective clothing on those dark runs. Gosh, it’s hard to believe some of you are still dealing with snow. Thanks for linking with us Coco. Get some rest this week.
I am ok with not running every day, but there’s so many other things I want to fit in!
Way to get it all in but yes to recovery. It’s hard to cut back sometimes but worth it. I’ve been plagued by weather challenges here so my swim and bike have not been happening. That needs to change.
I think I’ve been on my bike once a month at most. Between the weather and my schedule I’ve been lucky to go spinning once a week.
Great job on your workouts. I have a hard time cutting back when I should too. It has been cold here so I haven’t been feeling too bad skipping a run here and there lately. Hope there is Spring weather soon here to stay.
Spring has to come soon, right? I’m hoping this weekend’s snow was winter’s last hurrah!
I do find it hard. Last week was an active rest week for me and it was soooooo hard. I know I needed it to prepare my body for the next weight trainig program but still so hard.
I am suppose to start my new program timorrow (monday)but my knee is giving me issues, I know I should listen and rest it but it is sooooo hard.
Good luck this week. You know you are doing the right thing!
Ah, take care of that knee! More rest now could prevent real injury later.
you know me…I AM A GREAT accountability partner for rest.
now
can you get me to yoga??
<3
Get yourself to D.C., and I will get you to yoga!
You’ve been doing great with your workouts! Definitely sounds like some down time is in order – enjoy a little rest and hopefully you’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to go!
Some days it feels so weird to rest anymore so I’m glad I made Sundays my rest day.
It used to be my rest day too, until I took up cycling with my husband …. It is the first thing to get cut when we’ve got too much going on, mostly because my husband doesn’t like to get up that early!
So glad you are being smart. Sometimes I find it challenging to cut back but when I’m in an in between phase, like I am now, I find the relaxed running refreshing!
I don’t find it hard to cut back because with my work Schedule, I can not work out every day anyway. My goal is to work out 4 days a week.
That a balanced goal! Even when I work long hours I usually start my day with an early workout — unless I have an early train or plane to catch.
I’ve said this before with my races so close together, I don’t know If I’m training, tapering or in recovery I think all seems to be happening within one week too!
I also won’t rule out the reason I had foot issues a few days before my race was my bodies way of saying I need rest. It is just as hard to listen to our bodies sometimes as it is to cut back on our workouts I think! Thanks Coco for your continued support of our link up! We sure appreciate you!
Your hill work out look awesome! That will make your legs tired for sure lol
I have always had a hard time taking it easy, which is why I guess I am out injured again…
I would take a few days and go easy 🙂 IF you can feel the cumulative fatigue it is time to refresh. All you will probably need is a few days now, you know how things can go if we push through too much.
You do have a good variety going!
I think sometimes you need an easier week here and there- it just makes sense! I know it is hard because we are all princess warriors on the inside but…..resting is important!
Yes, letting your body rest is so important. Take care of yourself.
Thanks. I’m taking your training and training cycle posts to heart!
It’s always hard to cut back because being in a regular workout routine feels so good. But you definitely need to give your body that time to recover if you want to feel good on race day.
Having to run uphill to get home after hill repeats is just mean, haha.