Running With Perseverance

Between training for Ragnar, getting in my weekly rides at RevolveDC (did you enter my giveaway yet?), and taking advantage of our amazing weather by going on long weekend bike rides with my husband, I’ve been exercising 7 days a week with no rest days. Last week I felt my enthusiasm waning, and instead of forcing myself to suck it up and push through, I decided it was a good time for a “step-back” week to make sure I didn’t risk injury from over-training. But, that didn’t mean I couldn’t fit in a run for beer!

When I woke up Monday morning my legs felt really heavy and tight. I listened to their complaints and opted for yoga instead of strength training. I had seen a Facebook post promoting a 7-minute yoga flow for “Hamstrings and Hip Flexors,” so I decided to give that a try.

It went a bit fast for me, so I repeated the moves on my own so to give my muscles more time to relax and stretch. It felt so good, I know it was just what my body needed.

Monday evening I finally made it to a “Lagers and Joggers” event put on by Pacers at Port City Brewery. The run started at 7:00 pm, with options for a 1, 3, or 5 mile out-and-back route. I was tempted to do the full 5 miles, but I knew that wouldn’t fit with my plan of an easy week, so I settled on the 3 mile route. My non-runner husband decided to go with me, and he ended up running the whole thing!

I had never been to Port City Brewery before, and it was really nice. They had their Tasting Room open, and I tried their “Ways and Means” which is a sessions IPA brewed with rye. It was refreshing after a humid run!   

Since I had run Monday night, on Tuesday I did the strength training routine that I skipped on Monday. 😉 

On Wednesday, I went to a 6:00 am Body Ride class at RevolveDC (did you enter my giveaway yet?).

On Thursday, I met some MRTT women for speed work at the track. After a 1 mile warm-up, I did six 800’s, taking 1/2 lap to recover in between. I think my pace was a bit faster than it needed to be, but the cool weather made it feel easier–until that sixth one.

Since the people at Nuun sent me samples to try and share with my Ragnar teammates, I have been using Nuun during all my runs. I used to like the light lemon-lime flavor the best, but now the stronger Tri-Berry flavor is growing on me.

Friday I finally took that full rest day that I’ve been skipping! 

Saturday I met up with some MRTT women for a long run. I was so impressed that 12 of us showed up at 6:00 am Saturday to run! I ran with a group doing 14-15 miles for their Marine Corps Marathon training, and turned back before they did. I ended up going 11 miles. I felt fine at the time, but I was so tired afterwards! 

View of Dyke Marsh along the Mount Vernon Trail

On Sunday, my husband convinced me to try something new with cycling–riding on a mixed-surface trail on a mountain bike. He had found a new (to him) trail on Saturday, and wanted to show me the sights. The route was probably 1/2 paved, 1/2 gravel, with a few dicey spots. It was pretty shady and much less crowded than our usual bike paths. 

So, I didn’t do any double runs this week, but I did do an evening run for beer, speed work at the track, and my long run. I don’t want to get into the habit of skimping on strength training, but I’d rather skip a strength workout than miss a run. 

Do you run for beer? 

Are you consistent with taking rest days?