This week was a much needed cutback week for me. I planned to run less last week because I was starting a new phase of strength training (which always leaves me a little sore) but I really didn’t have the desire or energy to run anything more than I did. I think the dark, cold mornings during the week are catching up to me. On Saturday we got our first snowfall of the season. It was supposed to start the night before, so I sort of convinced myself I would do a shorter-long run. The snow didn’t start until after I finished running, but I kept my run short anyway.
During Saturday’s run my legs just didn’t want to move. Mentally, I felt like running, but physically, it was a struggle. I may keep all my runs next week short and easy too if I’m still feeling this way. (Or, I’ll do a 5 mile race on Saturday. I didn’t sign up yet, but if there are still spots open I might register on race morning.) This was my lowest weekly mileage (by far) since September and I think all those miles finally caught up to me. It was only a matter of time!
Monday: Strength training phase 4 (day 1)
I always get excited to start a new phase of strength training! Once again, I am doing some of the same exercises but also some new ones. There are a few that I did in previous phases so it was nice to take a break from those and come back to them again.
Tuesday: 3.5 easy miles
I felt like even though I was running slower than usual, my effort was much higher than it should have been. I had taken 3 days off of running so I don’t know why this was such a struggle. Maybe my legs were tired from strength training? (They didn’t “feel” sore.)
Wednesday: Strength training phase 4 (day 2)
Another great strength training workout. This time I’m doing one-legged hamstring curls- ouch! These take me a long time because I need t go really slowly to use proper form. I thought I would be really sore from them but surprisingly I felt ok.
Thursday: 4 easy miles
I felt a little better on this run. Still, I didn’t push it too much and just kept it short and easy.
Friday: 30 minutes spinning and core work
I hadn’t been on the spin bike in 2 weeks so it was nice to be back.
Saturday: 6 miles
As I said early, my legs did not want to cooperate for this run. Any time I ran up a hill it was like they forgot what to do. Oh well, after 3 months of good long runs this had to happen at some point.
We ended up getting a few inches of snow the rest of the day. It started around 9am and continued on through the evening. Luckily it didn’t stick to the roads much but it looks like there is about 2-3 inches on our deck. It feels like it’s too early in the season to be getting snow!
Sunday: Rest
I tried to take some time to focus on recovery by foam rolling and doing some mobility exercises.
If you remember a few weeks ago, I said that I was going to try to lift heavier this month and cut back on running, so I guess my body is forcing me to do that. I’m hoping that after a few more days or another week or so of cutting back that I will feel good enough to increase my mileage just a bit and be able to hover around 15-20 miles per week for the next month or so.
[Tweet “A Cutback Week, Snow, and Strength Training Phase 4 via @milebymilerun #weeklywrap”]
How were your workouts last week?
Did you get snow this weekend?
Do you plan cutback weeks or take them when you feel like you need them?
Ever have a long run when your legs just didn’t want to cooperate?
I don’t plan them I just do them a naturally. Like this will def be a cutback week for me because I did 15.5 UNPLANNED miles with my dad on the trail yesterday and it was TOUGH and I feel creeeeeaky! So I am definitely not running today or tomorrow, which I think will naturally give me a cutback.
I think doing them naturally is a good strategy especially if there are no races planned. I wouldn’t want to go into a race feeling like I should have taken a cut back week but didn’t!
Oh yeah, I completely agree! It’s different if you’re training. Hopefully they are planned then.
Glad you’re heeding the signs from your tired legs and cutting back. Yes to snow this weekend. It (mostly the wind) made my run on Saturday pretty brutal. We have more snow in progress this morning.
I guess winter is already here. I’m glad I cut back because my legs are definitely feeling a little fresher this week.
Last week I thought I had a pretty good week. I wonder if I pushed myself a little too much, because by the en of the week I didn’t feel good. So I know what you mean. I had the right mind set to want to continue to workout/run, but physically it was a struggle. I don’t think this weather has been helping either.
It’s always a battle between our mind and body. Part of me wondered if I was fighting off a cold last week because all my coworkers were sick.
We got snow this weekend, about 5 inches! I used to take cutback weeks just when my body felt like it needed it, but now I plan them in. I’ve had runs where mentally I was ready, but my legs were not. I usually cut those runs short because otherwise I feel I would be altering my form and gait, and it’s just not worth it.
I agree its not usually worth it to push through when things just don’t feel right. Planned cut back weeks are good, especially during training!
A cut back week is always a great thing and it seems like our bodies know exactly when we need it!
So true!
During marathon or half marathon training, I plan my cutback weeks but during base training I take them when I feel like I need a break. One legged ball curls sound so hard!
That seems to be my strategy too!
You still had a great week of workouts!
I was sick all week so I did a lot of walking/easy running. Back to the grind this week!
I hope you’re feeling better!
What strength plan are you doing? I love weight training but always find my runs suffer when I’m really into it.
I have an individualized strength training plan created by an online strength coach/ I wrote about it here: https://www.milebymileblog.com/review-of-running-for-real-strength-training-program/
It’s a great program if you are looking to try something specific for runners!
it thankfully starting snowing here later than expected so our flight to Boston wasn’t affected! it does seem early though in the season just based on how the last few winters have been.
Yea I guess last winter we barely had any snow at all. As long as it doesn’t interfere with running outside then I am ok with it! Glad your flight didn’t have any issues.
Isn’t it funny how our bodies let us know? In training, I plan my cut back weeks but when I’m building base or in the off season like now, I don’t really think about it and am more likely to have the dead leg experience you had, where my body one day says, enough!!
That seems to be what I do, too! And as long as we listen to the signs then I think its a good way to plan cutback weeks!
I’ve cut back a lot this month, but I know my body and mind need the break. I do like the idea of strength training during that time for something different. We have not gotten any snow on the Front Range since before I left for Vegas, but the mountains are starting to get some. Temps are still higher than normal, but I’m used to that after living in Texas.
Post-race is a good time to cut back! And in general winter is a good time for a break from training.
No snow for me, but LOTS of wind. Today it’s like a permanent tornado outside. About the legs….I’m not a coach or trainer, but I know there are times when my entire body just does not want to move. Physically, it doesn’t feel fatigued, but when it’s time to get busy, it’s a battle LOL. I think a lot of times that happens after a big race, too…the body is never quite as recovered as we think it is.
I totally agree! There have been so many times I jumped back into running after a marathon because I felt fine but looking back I definitely wasn’t fully recovered.
Wind is the worst! I hope it settles down for you.
Do you feel like the strength training has made a huge impact in your running? I think it’s great that you’ve stuck with it and blogged about it!
I do think it’s helped! At least with being able to get back to running. When I’m actually training again then I will be able to see if it helps with speed and endurance!
Sorry that you had a not-so-great week of running but hopefully this week you’re feeling back on the upswing! Those weeks always creep up on us when we’re least expecting them.
No snow for us, I WISH haha! It was 49 degrees when I woke up this morning which is pretty crazy though! I’m living for this weather!
49 degrees sounds like great winter weather, especially in Florida!
Still a really good week in my book lady! And yes, we even got snow here in Mississippi! Just crazy!!
Thanks! The snow was so surprising last weekend!
Even I had snow this weekend. Isn’t that crazy? I think cumulative fatigue eventually gets us all. I guess that’s what the cutback weeks are for. I need to get back on my bike trainer for cross training! Thanks for linking.
I already feel better after a week or so of cutting back. These down weeks can be so helpful as long as you don’t wait too long to take one!