Welcome to Weekly Wrap. Berlin Marathon training week 12. There are 42 days until the Berlin Marathon and 63 days until the Chicago Marathon. And I am still not running. How can I train for a marathon without running? It’s been quite an adventure figuring it out! Linking up with Holly and Wendy for this Weekly Wrap and Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run!
Monday 7/30
Run – Strength + cycle. 5:30am class with Shawna really woke me up. Then I went for about an hour on the bike in the Kickr studio. No one else was there, so I just jammed out to some music on my own.
Other – PT appointment after work. Clamshells, walks, glute bridges, adductor exercises galore. I’m making progress
Tuesday 7/31
Run – Track Tuesday. While everyone ran, I did my PT exercises and coached. After we enjoyed watermelon, muffins, and the vegan zucchini avocado cookies I made. One of the goofiest and most fun days I’ve had there for sure.
Other – I did another hour of pool running after the track before heading to work. I used a workout from a company called Fluid Running and loved it! High intensity intervals in the pool is quite a tough workout! My strength training for the day was helping Amanda, another girl on the Windrunners team, move out of her apartment.
Wednesday 8/1
Run – Strength class + treadmill. 5:30 am class with Robyn and then a 4.5 mile hike on the treadmill. I progressed to .5 mi at 6%, 7%, 8% and 9% inclines while holding 5 pound weights. Throwback to some ultra marathon training!
Other – What I ate Wednesday featured another throwback to my chickpea salad – a vegan mock tuna salad recipe from last year.
Thursday 8/2
Run – PT appointment and bike. The PT said I was improving a lot so we could test out running next week! AHH HAPPINESS!
Other – In the evening I went to On Your Mark for strength class with Emily. HOLY PUSHUPS! We did 3 rounds of 8 minutes, AMRAP style (as many rounds as possible) with the heaviest weight we could do. In the middle we did 3 minutes of hight intensity “plyo” with alternating 5 chest presses with a med ball and 5 pushups. My arms were noodles.
Friday 8/3
Run- NP + treadmill. In anticipation of a 20 mile run for Berlin training and a destination wedding this weekend, I had taken the day off work. Instead of a long run, I went to NP and led the Injury Deck workout for other injured athletes. Then went 5 miles on the treadmill at EDGE. 1 mi at 5%, .75 mi at 7%, .5 mi at 9%, and .25 mi at 11%. With 5 pound weights too. Whoa baby it was intense.
Other – Since I had a long drive to Minneapolis set for the weekend, I decided to break it up by heading to my Highland Park to see my mom and dad and, of course, Frizzle.
Saturday 8/4
Run – Early morning walk with Mom, Dad and Frizzle before hopping in the car to head to Minneapolis! It’s a 6 hour drive (at least) each way.
The rest of the weekend was a blast. I loved having a mini college reunion and celebrating Stacie and Nick’s wedding. We tore up the dance floor and took over the photo booth.
And that’s a wrap! Berlin Marathon training week 12 is done! My July stats are quite abnormal due to my injury. Normally, in a peak month of training, I log about 200 – 250 miles. For July, I ran 120 miles – only about 30 on road and the rest in a pool or hiking on a treadmill. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions dealing with an injury.
However the biggest accomplishment from July, and maybe even from the whole year, has been realizing that I am still ok mentally, physically and emotionally even if I can’t run. It forced me to reconcile with some lingering ED issues. My first response on that day or two after I injured myself was panic – “If I am not running I’m going to blow up and gain so much weight.” It also felt like an identity crisis. “I’m a runner, but I can’t run… so what do I do?”
But day by day those feelings dissipated. The world kept turning and didn’t crumble like I thought it would. In fact, some of the moments these last few weeks have been the happiest I’ve had in years. Funny how life works. Focusing on what I CAN do empowered and energized me. I was able to find stability in instability.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally looking forward to trying to run again next week. It will be a slow return to running, just a mile or so of walking and running. I won’t rush it (even with Berlin just 6 weeks away!!), but rather let it come back when it comes back. But I’ll be brining a different vibe to training and certainly a new mental strength.
Happy running,
Becca
You were in my city!!! Next time you visit, let me know 🙂 I’m sure you were busy though.
How awesome you have found some good pool running workouts to keep you interested. I should have done more of that.
Ah I know! It was a quick trip though, but I will let you know when I go back again- and if you’re ever in Chicago let’s get together!
Way to make the most of your non running week. I have the fluid running kit on the way and I cannot wait to try it out this weekend. Glad you got the ok to return to running hang in there
I’m loving it so much! Their guided workouts are great too. It’s definitely a way of training that I will continue even after resuming a full running program.
Running is what you DO, it’s not who you ARE. I know it feels that way, but . . . OTOH, I’m glad you got the green light to go back to running. 🙂
You have really kept up with all your fitness activities, despite this setback, and I have no doubt that you’re going to make it to that starting line!
Such a great reminder and perspective to have
I’m so glad you’re doing well with this injury. I’m pretty sure I was in the very same place last year before I ran Berlin. Pool running will work wonders. I think I pool ran for 6 weeks in a Boston training cycle back in 2010 and still went on to do just fine. Injury aside you had a solid and fun week!
I;m LOVING the pool running for sure! I think I’m going to keep it in the regular training rotation.
I am so impressed with the way you have handled this setback and have still managed to train and keep such a positive outlook! I’m also really happy that you share all that because not everyone handles injuries/setbacks well and it’s good to offer alternatives to moping and show that it’s actually possible to do other things and still be okay!
Um, those treadmill hill workouts sound brutal. I’m glad you’re not my coach. LOL
Hahah, they are a challenge! And thank you, it has been an all around good experience so far.
Brilliant – I’m so pleased you’ve been able to stay really strong and focused and not let that ED thinking creep in, that’s amazing work. And you are doing so much cardio work and keeping up your endurance and strength and I’m sure that’s going to stand you in massively good stead. Most people who go into a mara “undertrained” really won’t have done anything; you’ve been able to maintain fitness so well.
Love the coaching pic, too!
Thanks Liz! This has been quite a wonderful journey – a word I never thought I would have used!
Tearing up the dance floor counts as alternate marathon training too! Hang in there. It sounds like it won’t be long before you are able to hit the road again. Injuries are certainly never fun, but it sounds as if you learned some things about yourself. The happiness you’ve experience these last few weeks is priceless. Thanks for linking!
Great job! I’m currently not running due to PF, so I can totally relate when it comes to not being able to do something that you’re so passionate about – but it looks like you’re making the most of your situation and still getting in great workouts! I need to follow suit!
I hope your run goes great next week!
It took me a good week of wallowing to get there, but being so focused on the task at hand is a mental relief. And I’m realizing there’s a LOT that I can still do. I recommend trying the same for PF, even if its lifting weights it’s still something!
You sound like you are in such a healthy place while dealing with your injury. Whenever I’ve been injured, I’ve always felt that if I can do something–cycling, pool running, weight lifting–I am happy. You may have to adjust your goals for the race but you will be able to do it!
Exactly. I just want to get back healthy at this point, no cares about a time goal.
Congrats on an awesome week or workouts and it looks like you had a super fun weekend too!
Good luck as you head back to running this week – I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks Kim!