Between my time off running this summer and my little break from blogging, I’ve gotten out of the habit of doing monthly check-ins. This week’s topic for Tuesday’s on the Run is “Best and Worst of Summer”. I thought I would recap my summer all in one post. Don’t worry, it won’t be too long since there wasn’t much running happening this summer!
June
I was pretty optimistic in June as I finally got my orthotics and was running a little bit in them. That is, until the blister happened. I ran throughout the whole month of June and hit about 50 miles total.
July
Early in July I knew that I couldn’t continue to run in the orthotics because of the blister they were causing. After I sent the orthotics back to be adjusted my ankle started acting up again. I got fed up and decided to take some time off of running until things felt better. In July I ran about 20 miles.
I joined a gym and started doing elliptical workouts. I had hoped to spend more time in the pool but it was difficult to pool run in a shallow pool.
When I think back on July, I just think of how hectic work was during that month. I felt like it helped to distract me from the fact that I wasn’t running. However, I also think running would have helped me to deal with some of the stress of it all.
August
I was still having some ankle trouble in early August, but by the middle of the month it was finally starting to feel better. I started running agin the week of August 22nd and ran less than 10 miles.
In the middle of August we took a trip to Charleston which was a nice break at the end of a busy summer!
The end of August and beginning of September was a rough transition back to running, but finally last week I started to make some progress.
I also kept up with my strength training all summer. While I didn’t have a training plan to follow for running, it was nice to have specific workouts planned to keep up with my strength work.
While this was not a good summer for running, it allowed me to focus on other things. It was probably the fastest summer of my life but I probably say that every year. If nothing else, I’ve learned that patience it the key to this process. If I had spent most of the summer trying to run through this injury I would probably be set back even further. Now I just hope to be able to enjoy fall, which is another great season for running!
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How was your running this summer?
Do you think this summer went by quickly?
Does time off running give you a chance to focus on other things?
the summer definitely went by way too quickly! I’m still not ready for it to end but I think it’s time I accept it.
I know, Ive been thinking the same thing. For some reason I thought September would still seem like summer but I think we have jumped directly into fall.
I agree that summer does go by too quickly! I think it’s because we just pack it full of activities. I actually was looking forward to a little downtime at the end of August.
It really can be such a busy time of year! There is so much to do and its so nice to spend time outside. Im dreading the long winter months that drag on forever.
I agree with you: fastest summer yet. I also agree that trying to run instead of giving an injury total rest likely causes set backs. I’m so happy your ankle is making some progress and you’re easing back to running!
Thanks! Coming back after a break is hard too, but I feel like I was at least able to keep up with most of my fitness through cross training.
This summer did fly by. I thought you may have said it dragged on,because you were running as much. Glad you were able to focus on other things than running.
I think I stayed so busy with other things that it really helped with not being able to run! Even the 6 weeks off I took went really fast.
You have become so much stronger–right now I am only running and it is definitely hurting me strength wise (read, doing none of that). I need to find some balance!
I think after everything thats happened Im scared to not strength train lol. Even a few days off from core work and I notice my form and posture starts to fall apart.
I know you’ve had a summer of ups and downs when it comes to running, but it looks like you finally found a groove toward the end of summer!
It was nice to end summer on a high note!
Ugh, summer always goes by way too quickly! But fall is def the best season for running 🙂
Time off running totally gives me a chance to focus on other things, like my eating habits!
Hope you have a great Tuesday!
As much as I hate time off running, I don’t think I would have gotten myself to join a gym and work on cross training otherwise. Silver lining, I guess!
I’m guessing part of you is happy that this (frustrating) summer (in regards to running) is over… 🙂
Hahah yes, but the other part of me wants a do-over:)
This summer went by quite quickly. I took time off at the end of June, had year end chaos and quarterly financial reporting in July, and then August was over. What?? I can’t believe we’re heading into mid-September as well.
Wow, mid-september sounds crazy but you are right! Work busyness can definitely make the time pass quickly.
I feel like summer was not too fast – because I was at work while my family was home having fun… work days drag on! haha!! Glad to see you are on an upswing with your running and fitness again. August was kind of a dud for me running wise, but I’m coming back too!
Thats interesting because I feel like when I am busy at work the time flies by! I hope September is a strong running month for you!
This was the oddest summer ever. Like you, I had a lot of downtime away from the act of running. Oddly, I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would. I am looking forward to the “change of seasons” in more ways than one 😉
I agree, it could have felt a lot worse to take time off running! I think its helpful to stay busy and try to stay positive.
I seriously can’t believe we are recapping our summers already. Where did it go? I hope the running momentum continues and your issues become a thing of the past! Are you running with or without the orthotics now?
Ive given up on the orthotics. When I brought the messed up ones back to my dr. he said thats how they are supposed to look and wanted me to try them out, but they felt awful! I just cant deal with going back there any more so Im just going to focus on strengthening my feet, ankles, and everything else!
This was not my favorite summer for running but like you, I did lots more of other activities that I really enjoyed. Here’s to fall!
Hopefully fall will be a season for great running!
You’ve definitely had your shares of ups and downs this summer, but hoping the good stuff sticks around!
Thanks!
You’ve made some awesome progress… finally getting past some of the injury issues. Looking forward to seeing how this year goes for you!
Its been a frustrating process but Im hopeful that Im finally making some progress!
Well, it’s really good that you were able to keep up with your strength training. So many people would have a pout about not running and just throw the baby out with the bath water. Now you’ve got a great base and strong core so that now that you’re getting back into running, you’ll be that much more strong and stable. Smart girl.
Now the key is to figure out how to keep up with all that stuff while Im running again!
That’s really great how you built up your strength training over the summer. I feel like it’s so hard to build up a good strength routine when focused on running, but much easier to maintain a strength routine when building up mileage. I hope the fall goes well for you!
That’s so true. I just hope I can keep up with the strength stuff as I get back to running!
I found out that my sore leg was actually a stress fracture on the first day of my teacher summer this year, so I too spent my whole summer not running. I did quite a bit of swimming, which I ended up really loving! It’s a bit more meditative and calming for me than running. I’d never really practiced my swimming enough to really learn to move efficiently in the water, so this summer really helped me develop that skill! Now that I’m back to 4:55am wake ups to get to the YMCA pool before work, i really feel like this summer went wayyyyy too fast!
Thats a tough way to spend your summer, but Im glad you’ve enjoyed swimming! I still struggle with it but I guess its getting a little better:)
Running is summer can be quite challenging. That’s why I wake up early and manage to run while it’s still cold. You’re truly inspiring, Lisa!
Getting up early in the summer to run is key!
You are doing so GREAT! I am so excited for you because I know you have been probably wanting to get back to longer runs and races. My running for the summer didn’t start until the 3 week in June due to my tendon therapy. I have kept things pretty mellow but truth be told, I never really run a lot. I was doing 4 x per week before all of this but each run is only a little more than a 5K. Now I am doing 3 x per week with about the same distance (I have had a few runs closer to 4-5 miles) and then I spend the other days on my bike and in the pool which I love!
That sounds great! Im so glad youve been able to get back to running and it sounds like you are close to being back to where you were before your injury!