I went into the week without a real plan, which is very unlike me. I was still working from home every day, and the only day I had childcare help with Wednesday when Rob took off. So my plan was to do stroller runs and take a rest day when the weather was bad. It really became a “go with the flow” week of running. And spoiler alert- I didn’t take a rest day on the worst day of weather. Oops!
Weekly Run Down: A “Go With the Flow” Week of Running
Monday: 4.1 Stroller Miles + Mobility
Tuesday: 4.4 Stroller Miles + Core/Glutes
Wednesday: Strength Training + 4 Treadmill Miles
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Strength Training + 4 Stroller Miles
Saturday: 8.2 Miles + Core/Glutes
Sunday: 5 Treadmill Miles with Hills
Strength Training
So let’s start by talking about how strength training played into this “go with the flow” week of running. I was starting a new phase this week and my strength coach didn’t have it ready for me at the start of the week. On Tuesday my workouts were uploaded, so I figured I would do them on Wednesday and Friday. (I prefer to not lift on the weekends and spend that time running instead).
Well, Wednesday brought pouring rain all day. As I said, Rob was off that day so I wasn’t going to do a stroller run anyway. (I wanted to take advantage of extra work time!) So I lifted and then ran on the treadmill. It all worked out just fine.
I was pretty sore from the new exercises this week. There is a big focus on hamstrings and bench presses. But it felt good to feel some muscles firing in a different way than I’ve felt in awhile.
Stroller Running
Clearly there were alot of stroller miles this week! Since this was a “go with the flow” week of running, I wasn’t really worried about mileage. 4 miles seems to be our limit, although if I’m lucky I can push it to closer to 5.
We went back to the park on Friday. It was so humid and really windy. I love running on the path there but it does get somewhat busy, even early, and I need to hop onto the grass to get around walkers and their dogs. Sure, I could ask them to move, but by the time I asked and they actually moved over and got their dogs to move with them it seems like a waste of time. My stroller wheels are really gross from being on the muddy grass.
Of course we spent some time on the playground while we were there. We ran 2.5 miles, played, then ran 1.5 miles and played some more. And this week we had the playground to ourselves!
A planned but unplanned rest day
I went into the week not knowing when my rest day would be. After running on Wednesday when it was raining, I saw that the rest of the week would be warm. But I woke up sore on Thursday and figured that was a good reason to make it a rest day. Plus warm and sunny weather on a rest day meant we could walk instead!
A Perfect Long Run
My long run this weekend wasn’t very “long”, but the weather was finally perfect! It was 48 degrees when I started and I got to see a clear sunrise about halfway through my run. Once it got lighter out I ventured away from home and ran a bit of a different route. The way I went has a slight uphill on the way out and a downhill on the way back, so I ended the run feeling great.
My next “race” is a virtual marathon relay in the beginning of May with the Brooks Run Happy Team, so I’m not too worried about long runs at this point.
Sunday was rainy with a chance of thunderstorms so I ran on the treadmill. I even forced myself to do some hills! This week may be another go with the flow week or running, although I am trying to come up with a loose plan, so we’ll see if I’m able to follow it!
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Do you plan your workouts or follow a “go with the flow” approach?
Do you like to take rest days when the weather is bad?
Ever run a marathon relay?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Sometimes the weeks where we don’t make plans seem to work out the best!
I’ve never run a marathon relay but I think it could be a lot of fun.
Agreed that sometimes those unplanned weeks can work out really well!
I tend to stick to the same schedule every week. Might as well take advantage of the stroller runs while you still can. Soon, Grayson won’t want to do them anymore!
I know! I’m hoping eventually he will be able to entertain himself in the basement while I run on the treadmill. But right now he would never go for that. But I’d rather run outside with him while I can.
I have definitely become a fair weather runner as much as I can!
Because of how I was feeling the second half of the week, it was definitely go with the flow. I really wanted to do a second strength workout today, but just too tired. Maybe I should’ve but oh well.
My hiking shoes are so muddy I can only imagine how muddy your stroller wheels must be! And that’s got to be really hard to push it through mud — a little extra strength work. 🙂
Haha it is a little extra strength work! Luckily I’m not on the grass for too long.
All of my outdoor shoes are really disgusting b/c of social distancing. If the other person doesn’t move, it makes me think that they’re more likely not to follow all of the other social distancing precautions so they’re higher risk. In a perfect world yes I’d shuffle my days around to match the weather but sometimes it just doesn’t work out.
That’s true! Most of the people at the park aren’t wearing masks so I make sure to go pretty far around them.
It’s good to go with the flow sometimes! Especially with a young one where you have to be extra flexible!
I guess I don’t know the standard protocol for a person with a running stroller- do they have the right of way? Meaning others should move out of their way? I guess its hard as you said when your wheels are all muddy, but maybe the walkers don’t want muddy shoes or muddy dogs! I see people pushing their strollers on the bike path around our lakes (we have separate bike vs. run/walk paths). I suppose the bike path is for all things with wheels? I hadn’t really thought about it since I don’t have kids!
I’m not really sure what the protocol is because I don’t usually run in places like that. This park just has one path that is pretty narrow. I could run by one or two people if they are off to the side, but if they’re in the middle then I need to hop into the grass to get around them.
This was a challenging week, weather-wise, for a lot of us! I’m definitely flexible when it comes to my running schedule. I’ve been lucky to be able to get my planned runs done. But yesterday was so rainy that I just skipped the 4 miler I had planned. No biggie, just wanted some road time for my upcoming race!
My trail shoes sound like your stroller wheels, lol! So much mud!
I’m a little worried to see what my trunk looks like after leaving the stroller in there this weekend!
My coach plans my workouts but I know that things happen and sometimes I need to change some things. I like those black joggers/pants. I’ve purchased a few for work and am liking them. That is something different than what I would normally wear. Yes, I’ve done a marathon relay. There were 4 of us on the team and I was the first one to run.
I bet the in-person relays are really fun! We have one as a part of the Baltimore Marathon that I’ve considered running before.
Since I only run 3-4 days each week, I have some flexibility in switching my runs around if the weather is iffy. I have run on two marathon relay teams, but both were for live races. They’re fun!
The live relays do sound like fun! I’d like to do one in person one day.
Since I’m training for nothing, I go with the flow. I still get in at least 3 runs per week though, although they’re quite short. The weather is so up and down right now! I guess it beats extreme heat.
I’m just glad its not really hot or really cold at this point! I could do without all the wind and rain though!
I guess I have a rough plan for the week, but it’s always subject to change depending on my mood and the weather. Your “plan” worked well. LOL on the treadmill/playground intervals.
There are definitely weeks that my plan changes, but its nice to at least have a plan to start with! I went into the week not knowing when I would do what…other than a longer run on Saturday because thats what I always do.
I have a rough plan every week but usually have to be go with the flow – work, life, weather…you know what I mean.
I did the Vermont marathon as a relay twice. Once the first 13.1 and once the 2nd. But it was live.
My hiking boots are so muddy, I can’t bring them in the hose. They are in my trunk.
I left the stroller in my trunk over the weekend and hope the mud comes off a bit on our next run before I bring it in the house!
I always have a plan in the back of my mind, but usually make last minute adjustments according to the weather and my work schedule (or other appointments).
I’ve run lots of marathons, but never run a marathon relay. I used to love when I’d pass a relayer running during my race – it would always give me a mental boost!
I always thought it was fun seeing the relay runners during the Baltimore Running Festival! I’d like to do it one day but the logistics seem a little complicated.
I have run a marathon relay and it’s wonderful! All the fun of a marathon without the 26.2 miles! Sign me up!
I don’t take rest days in bad weather, necessarily. I’ll just pivot to something else if I can.
That’s so true about a marathon relay!
I usually have a plan for my runs and stick with it, but am. little more “go with the flow” for strength work. I’ve been thinking I should make a more concrete plan for lifting weights and stick with it. It’s definitely easier to stick with a plan when your kids are older! I think your whole life is “go with the flow” when you have a toddler.
Haha that’s so true! My only plan with strength is to try to get in 2 sessions a week, not back to back. And I also usually run easy on those days. Ideally, I’m not doing a hard workout after lifting but it doesn’t always work out that way.