Another week of 2020 has come and gone. Now that my Race Across Maryland challenge is over, I didn’t have much to focus on with my running this week. I figured I would just keep doing what I’ve been doing. We did have some rain come through which finally started to cool things off a little bit. I guess you can say at this point I’m just running in maintenance mode while I figure out what’s next.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: Strength Training + 4.2 Stroller Miles
Tuesday: 6.5 Miles with modified Pyramid Workout + Hip and Glute Exercises
Wednesday: Strength Training + 3.6 Stroller Miles
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: 9 Miles (with 3 x 3 mile progressions)
Saturday: 3.6 Stroller Miles + Core Work
Sunday: 5.2 Miles
Sore Legs
Early in the week, after both of my strength training sessions, my legs were a little sore. It didn’t help that I did a fartlek run in between those workouts. I don’t love how my schedule looks right now, with my hard running day in between my two strength sessions, but logistically it works out best. As I write that I am not even sure why I am convinced that it works best. It’s not like I have anywhere to go impacting what day I could do what workout!
I need to think about making some adjustments but I am a creature of habit and this routine has been working well all summer. So not sure I want to mess with it.
Obstacle Course Stroller Runs
When I run alone with the stroller I usually don’t follow the same exact route each day, although we stay in the same area within about a mile from our house. On Monday I felt like it was an obstacle course! More people were out walking than usual so I was trying to go to the other side of the street before passing them or turning early to avoid going by them. There were overgrown bushes everywhere and construction happening on the main road with one of the sidewalks closed. Not to mention a certain toddler was extremely needy that day and I felt like I had to stop about a dozen times. Oh well, we got the run done but it was interesting!
The other two times I ran with the stroller were less eventful. Rob was with us both times and when we run together we do the same route so we both know where we will be turning, how much is left, etc. I guess the route we do is a little quieter and more open, however, it’s hillier so I’m always happy to share stroller pushing duties!
Stretching and Planking
Somehow I have managed to keep up with my daily stretching (or rolling) and planking. I’ve needed to be very intentional about getting it in. Before having kids I would have thought that being home all day it would be no big deal to get in 10 minutes of stretching and a 2 minute plank. Now I know it’s not always easy! Some days I will take out a bunch of foam rollers and he will play with some of them while I use one. However, it only lasts about a minute before he wants the one I am using so we are constantly switching. Oh and if I try to plank with him around I will inevitably end up with an extra 25+ pounds of weight on my back which I guess will only make me stronger.
Running in Maintenance Mode
So for now I guess I’ll just keep doing what I am doing. I keep thinking that I want to take a few days or a week or so off of running just as a break before the fall. Usually after a season of training/racing I’ll take a break and because there haven’t been any real races I haven’t planned any down time. I may just base this around the weather, if we have more extreme heat or rain. Once it finally cools off I probably won’t want to take time off.
You May Also Like:
Race Across Maryland Week 8: The Final Stretch
How Not To Run A Virtual Half-Marathon
Training For Life and Virtual Races
Anyone else running in maintenance mode right now?
Do you ever take time off running just to reset and give yourself a break?
Every feel like you’re running through an obstacle course?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
That’s a big week of maintenance! I know it’s hard to cut back when it’s going well and everything feels good. People aren’t out and about here like they were when things were more shutdown but when they were it was a total obstacle course to run in the neighborhoods. They’d stop and talk in the street and there’d be up to 3 dogs on long leashes totally blocking everything. I can only imagine pushing a stroller would be even more difficult.
I agree it was probably busier during those first few months. I wasn’t running with the stroller as much then and I also think that more people were out later in the day (not at 7 when we run).
I’m definitely in maintenance mode too! I took last week off running to give myself a break before heading into fall and maybe training for something. I’m scheduled to run the Houston half marathon in January and while it hasn’t been cancelled yet I’m not optimistic that it’ll happen. The week off was nice to heal up some niggles and just have that mental break. I hadn’t planned the break but the night before my usual Tuesday run I wasn’t feeling it so decided it would be good for a reset.
I’m glad your break went well! I think I need to do the same. It’s hard to take time off especially now that the weather has finally improved a little! But I know it will pay off in the fall when I want to run more.
Nice week of running. I was just thinking how much time you’ve been home, just you and Grayson! You’ve certainly bonded well!
When my race was canceled, I dropped my mileage down to maintenance mode. Now that I have an actual race on the calendar plus 2 virtual halfs, I’m dialing back up again. We’ll see how my legs hold up!
Haha yes, we certainly have bonded! I feel like my running has been all over the place this year. Not necessarily in a bad way, but there’s no real intention to it other than the few virtual races I’ve done and increasing my miles this summer for the race across maryland.
Guilty as charged with being home all day and not finding a few minutes to put into strength and stretching. But gosh it is so nice to just run.
It’s almost like when you have more time, its easier to put off things like that!
Awesome job Lisa, and a great week of workouts as always!
I guess I’ve been in maintenance mode all year since I really haven’t had any races, lol. I’m actually a little nervous for when I start training for half marathons again since I haven’t been the best at doing consistent long runs this year.
I finished my run at a local park on Saturday morning. I probably got there around 8am and it was a total obstacle course – kids playing, people walking, dogs everywhere and a bunch of runners. I was glad that I only had to run one loop in the park and that it was the end of my run!
I’m sure the long runs will come back to you easily, and the break from them might be a good thing overall! It’s so hard to run when it’s busy like that. It feels so much more stressful to be dodging everyone!
Being in maintenance mode is good right now. Yes I do try to intentionally take some time off of running to give my body a break especially before starting to train for something or right afterwards. Nice week of workouts again. Thanks for linking
It’s definitely important to take a break once in awhile. I think I need to make it happen before the fall when I know I’ll want to run more!
I felt like that today actually – walking through an obstacle course! Took the kids for a walk around the neighbourhood which is usually really quiet but today there were quite a few people out and about, or cars driving in or out of driveways. Didn’t feel as relaxed as usual so I get what you mean!
It can definitely be a little stressful to deal with all of that! Our neighborhood is relatively quiet too but sometimes there is alot going on.
I suppose I’m sort of in maintenance mode but holding out home that there might be a fall marathon somewhere feasible! Maybe Boise- races appear to be happening in Idaho!
I have seen some complaints on Next Door about sprinklers being annoying to people running with strollers- I would think the kids might find it kinda fun? But probably just me on a hot day, ha!
Great week of running for ya!
I love running through sprinklers with the stroller! Not sure how my son feels about it, but I try to prep him and get him excited for it. I think eventually he will find it fun!
I’ve sometimes had to take a break. A few times I’ve felt burnt out and did not want to run at all. It simply made me unhappy. Nothing wrong with taking a break.
I admire you for running with a stroller. Great job though!
I thought too being at home I would have more time to stretch, strength train, and foam roll. Ha, the joke is on me because I am finding that I still don’t do enough of it. I am hoping once I have a school routine I can plan it better so I do more of those things.
Having a routine definitely helps! I’ve been trying to take a few minutes for rolling and stretching either early in the morning or right after my son goes to bed. It just feels like there are so many other things to get done!
I sort of had a day like that last week, where it seemed there were more wrong siders (people walking on the wrong side of the road — or running, sometimes) than usual. Luckily most of them moved over so I didn’t have to zig zag all over the place.
I have my virtual 10k the end of september. I’m thinking I may take some days off of running after that. I don’t really plan to race it, but I do plan to try to push a bit & maybe up my mileage a bit before it — although every time I think I’m going to add in an extra day it seems like I get tired or don’t feel well.
I can’t imagine how challenging it is to try to squeeze it all in around a toddler!
That sounds like a good plan to take some time off running after your 10k! I think now I might do a fall 10k as well, so now would be a good time to take off a few days before I start adding in some workouts for that.
Nice week of workouts! I usually take some time off at the end of the summer, but I feel like I’ve been in a low-key mode for most of this year. I’m looking forward to the fall weather too!
I think after dealing with so many months of heat now that some time off is a good thing! I just hope we get some nice fall weather for awhile and that the cold weather doesn’t arrive too quickly.
I literally feel your pain, having added kettlebell swings this week to my regime. Last night jogging to my club fartlek session, I was really regretting the decision to do a heavy strength session the day before 🙂
Its hard to get in a good strength workout and then run the next day!
My Garmin graded me at “unproductive” today, but I still haven’t figured out what that is based on. After all, it couldn’t know my ITB felt tight and was nagging at me. Speaking of which, your post reminds me that I need to get on my foam roller tonight! I should be cutting back after my July run streak but between also being a creature of habit and being stir crazy, I just want to keep running. 😛
That’s exactly why I keep running! I’ve just felt like I’ve needed it so much this year!
I have been rocking maintenance mode for awhile (with all my races cancelled/virtual-used). I also had been thinking of scaling back for a few weeks…and then, yesterday happened LOL With this stress fracture to deal with, I think I will indeed be scaling things WAY back for awhile. Glad you’ve had some cooler temps!
Ugh I just can’t believe that happened! Yes, its absolutely a good time to scale back with all you’re dealing with!
The past few years I have been taking a week or so off from running, but it’s been due to vacationing – but still, I count it as my “recovery” time! Otherwise I find it very hard to cut back. I’m having a hard time figuring out what workout days are best for me. I’m kind of on a schedule due to my sub-coaching duties now, but with all of the other social workouts (bootcamp, cycling), I need to figure something out! That looks like a really nice stroller to run with. Keeping toddlers entertained can really be a challenge sometimes, so that’s great he agrees with the stroller rides most of the time!
He does ok in the stroller most of the time, but its still challenging! I’ve definitely had to cut runs short before when he isn’t happy.