I’m still on the waiting list for a covid-19 vaccine, but am hopeful now that several family members have been vaccinated. As much as I’ve gotten used to staying safer at home, I am looking forward to being able to do more, and even contemplating a spring race.
Decisions, decisions.
Contemplating A Spring Race
When Janelle first posted about the Delaware Running Festival, I was intrigued. I have run in Wilmington during a few business trips, and know the course will have a nice mix of park and city scenery. But then I fractured my rib and hand, and forgot all about it. Now that I’m back to running and there’s a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the thought of a “real” race is enticing.
Temptation!
The Delaware Running Festival also would be an excuse for a weekend getaway. We could use my son’s new home as a base camp, and enjoy his company during my pre-race dinner and post-race refueling. 🙂
The big question is whether I can get in shape to run 13.1 miles by April 25th. Already I’m dealing with a cranky achilles and whiny ITB, so I’m really trying to take the time to warm-up, stretch, and foam roll. Since I’ve already missed the early-bird pricing, I’m going to play it by ear and see how it goes. At least it’s giving me a reason for my runs and a purpose for my Peloton workouts.
Weekly Wrap
I didn’t really struggle with the change to daylight savings time, but I did have to psych myself up to run in the dark again—I’m grateful for my headlamp and well-lit neighborhood streets. I celebrated another milestone in my recovery—I was able to do a tripod headstand for the fist time since my fall. I figure that’s a good sign that both my hand and my rib are healed.
Monday: Core + 3.7 Scooby Miles + Glutes+Legs
Oh it was dark, so dark! I took this photo under a street lamp and with my headlamp on.
Tuesday: Core + Ride + Arms/Shoulders
Finally did a ride with Cody Rigsby. He has a reputation for being over the top, but his new BHM Celebration ride wasn’t as too much as I was expecting. 😉
Wednesday: Core + 5.7 Scooby Miles
Before my run I tried a “core for runners class” that was a lot like a pre-run warm-up, with some standing core moves and balance moves. After my run, I took time to stretch.
Thursday: Core + HIIT Treadmill Run
After a rainy walk with Scooby I hopped on the treadmill for a HIIT run. I started with a new warm-up designed especially for HIIT classes and ended with a stretching program. Those nine 1-minute intervals were tough!
The first block is the HIIT warm-up program.
The main HIIT program had a long warm-up leading into 9 intervals.
Friday: Core + Ride + Upper Body Strength
I made it an upper body day with a 30 min Intervals + Arms ride (with two 3 min arms toning segments during the ride), 15 min Arms + Shoulders workout, and 15 min Chest + Back workout.
I enjoy hard intervals running, but I do not enjoy hard intervals on the bike. Will I ever?
Saturday: Core + 8.2 Scooby Miles
It was in the low 30s, but with no wind and plenty of sunshine, it felt fantastic. This run felt better than last week’s long run, but still was too fast for a long run. I blame Scooby for that!
Sunday: Core + 25 Mile Bike Ride
By late morning, it was warm enough for a bike ride–we even spotted one of the 26 cherry blossom Art In Bloom installations located throughout the D.C. area.
Weekly running miles: 21.8
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up.
Have you signed up for a spring race?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I can’t wait to get back to racing. My husband gets his second dose this week, so at least the most vulnerable in our family will be covered. I’m hopeful that 3 of the four of us will be covered by the time school starts in the fall. (The 4th one needs them to decide under 16 can get a shot or needs to turn 16, whichever comes first LOL)
And I hear you on trying to build up mileage with a whiny body. It’s been a challenge this winter.
At least at (almost) 16 he’d be in the next group to get approval — I hope it comes soon!
I’m frustrated with the inability to a vaccine for my husband. Illinois is such a mess. It’s like the Hunger Games, the way people are acting about the vaccine. My son, who lives in Wisconsin, was able to get his last week fairly easily.
I’m trying to get ready for my 10 miler on April 17. I can ‘run’ 10 miles, but can I race it? I’m not sure how many more half marathons I want to do. My body is really unhappy right now.
I’ve heard mixed stories about getting a vaccine here. If you are willing to wait for the state to call you, it’s easy. If you don’t like what they offer (my Mom didn’t want to drive that far) finding an alternative is rough. I might try my first 10 mile ^run^ in 9 months this weekend …
Sorry you are feeling bad.
I looked at Delaware and thought about it but I don’t think i am ready to be around that many people yet. Also I am feeling so good running right now, I am afraid to push it. Sounds silly I guess
But by then your vaccine should be fully protective! But, it’s a big reason I shouldn’t do it yet — once I think beyond the race itself, there will be a lot of interaction with others …. Hey, you’ve worked hard to build up your solid base, I understand not wanting to risk it.
What a loyal running buddy you have in Scooby 🙂
Spring races- so exciting! I haven’t run in Delaware before, but I know that I won’t be vaccinated by April…maybe next year!
Yeah, I won’t either, so maybe it’s too risky for me. I can keep running with Scooby a while longer.
As I learned this week, it’s a short jump from being on the waiting list to having an appointment. It can’t be much longer for you! And yay on the handstand.
They just started doing 1B in my area, so I probably still have a few weeks to go – but weeks instead of months is exciting!
Cody is definitely over the top, but in a good way. If I’m having a bad day, I know that jumping on a ride with them will put me in a better mood.
If you decided to run a live race, I think you will enjoy the Delaware Running Festival. I ran it two years ago and I really liked it – very well organized, big but not too big, plenty of distance options and a pretty course.
Good to know! If I get cold feet due to covid, I can plan on it for next year.
Oh gosh! Those cherry blossoms are gorgeous! How amazing it must be to go out and see those around the city.
I’ve been registering for races here and there. Nothing too major yet. If you feel comfortable, I think you should go for it!
That’s the question. I love the idea of it. Not sure I’m ready for the reality of it. At least there’s no down side to training for it. 😉
At this rate, I really don’t see being vaccinated (fully) to most likely the end of June. So no to the Spring races probably. Our big one has been moved to the fall, anyway. I hope you can get into 13.1 shape!
I definitely am longing to be able to do more. At least we’re not so cooped up now that we get the occasional nice day. 🙂
My favorite April race was moved to November. It should be pretty with fall foliage.
I am feeling better now that I can get back on my bike again — being out in broad daylight when I see more people (from a distance) helps me feel less isolated than just running at dark o’clock with Scooby.
Glad you’re feeling more connected again! So important!
Awh, that cherry blossom street art is so cool! I’ve had two 7-mile “long runs,” and am doing 13.1 in four weeks. Not an ideal time frame, but with my stress fracture rally-back, I’m grateful to just go the distance. It’ll be interesting to see how much endurance is still there (on reserve LOL) come race day. I bet you won’t have any issues, you’ve got a strong base.
I think the biggest challenge would be not starting out too fast, but I shouldn’t underestimate the different between running for 1 hour and change and running for 2 hours an change …. it’s a lot!
It’s funny you said that about the bike- I’ve always felt the same way. Hard intervals are much less fun and much less satisfying that running hard intervals!
I think you could probably be in shape to run 13.1 by the end of April- the question is, how competitive would you want to be? If you just wanted to run it to finish and didn’t have a time goal, it would be fun!
This definitely would be something I’d do just to do it, but of course that’s easy to say now.
Glad you understand how I feel about bike intervals. I don’t mind the climbs, but the speed. Ugh.
I think you are in better shape than you think…you work out so much and bike. You can do it!!!! It may not be a PR but that racing atmosphere is so awesome. I know you will not regret doing it…take it slow and enjoy!
I do miss that race atmosphere — or energy from people in any situation, LOL. It might freak me out after a year in isolation though.
I does feel strange. But it’s still not normal racing.
I bet you’d be fine running Delaware – you’ve got a solid base. I’ve heard great things about that race, but there’s not a chance I’ll be vaccinated in time for any spring races. Things in MA are still fairly chaotic with the scheduling.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I might have a first dose by then, but not a second, so I’m having second thoughts again. 😉
Aww Scooby is such a great run buddy! That’s awesome you’re shopping for a race. Honestly I’m quite happy running a few trail miles here and there. Racing does not excite me at this point. I’d say a tripod is a great indication you’ve healed well!
I’ve run the Delaware Half Marathon and I think you will be fine running it. You are in good shape to run it! Happy you did a class with Cody!
I thought I saw someone post on IG this week that Delaware was most likely not going to be held in person. I think they said they still didn’t have the required permits or something. I was telling Deborah that I was eyeing the Potomac River Run Marathon in October since its so small. I’m going to wait a bit and see how things look as it gets closer and hope it doesn’t sell out. Even though I’m fully vaccinated I still plan to be really careful because my son isn’t. (Neither is my mom right now, but they just opened up MD to 60+ this week so hopefully she can get it soon!)
It sounds like you have a solid base and getting longer runs in. I think you’d be in shape for that race! It is nice to have a goal and a purpose for your training. I thrive on the consistency of a training plan! That’s great that your hand and rib are healed now.
good week! and look at you on the bike! whoo hoo!! To be honest I am not personally sure you should do a half marathon already in a month’s time, but you know yourself best! So perhaps winging it is the best idea. and I agree that it would be nice to have a live race as a goal.
[[Had this tab open, but forgot to hit post, pardon the delay]]
ooh, Wilmington. Will have to put that on my list one day. Been binge reading Bidens and am somehow on their tourism PR list so I’ve learned a lot about Delaware. Would be fun to check off a state.
Purpose is always so good.
IT Bands are mean 🙁