It’s Monday morning which means it’s time for a recap of last week’s workouts! There was nothing particularly special about them, although I did get to run outside for the first time in 2 weeks. Oh, but we are expecting more snow tomorrow…. Anyway, let’s not think about that! I did have a pretty terrible run this week which I will talk about in a minute.
Monday: 45 minutes elliptical. I was getting to the end of my gym trial so figured I should take advantage of the equipment.
Walk: 2.4 miles
Tuesday: 3 mile treadmill run. I tried to plan out enough time at the gym to do a little more but ended up only being able to squeeze in 3 miles before I needed to get home to get ready for work. I did my core work before I went to the gym.
Walk: 2 miles Push-ups: 20
Wednesday: Rest day. I had gone out for drinks the night before so this gave me some extra time to catch up on blog stuff in the morning. It was kind of nice to have a slower and more relaxing morning, but I realized I was particularly grumpy by the end of the day!
Walk: 1.4 miles
Thursday: 4 miles outside. It felt amazing to be back out there again!! I did loops around my neighborhood because there are still alot of sidewalks that are icy or covered in piles of snow, and it’s tough to navigate around them when it’s dark out in the mornings.
Walk: 2.5 miles Push-ups: 20
Friday: Core work and 30 minutes pilates
Walk: 2 miles Push-ups: 15
Saturday: 3.3 terrible miles (see below)
Walk:5.3 miles Push-ups: 20
Sunday: 6.15 miles and core work. This was a million time better than Saturday, although it was still kind of tricky to find places to run.
Walk: 1.5 miles
Total: Run: 16.56 Walk: 13.2 Push-ups: 4 days
Yearly Mileage: 211.43/2016
Ok so here is what happened on Saturday: When I got up at 5:30 I was planning to run, but it was still dark out and the temps were in the low 20s. I knew it would be icy and I should wait until it was light out to run. (We still get a refreeze just about every night from the piles of snow on the sides of the streets that melt a little each day). At the last minute we decided to do our errands (grocery shopping and we had to go to a few other stores) when the stores first opened to beat the crowds and then we would run when it was a little warmer. As we were in our final store I realized I was absolutely starving and had only eaten a banana and some granola (it was 10am). When we got back to the car I started inhaling peanut butter pretzels that we had bought at Trader Joe’s and felt better.
We got home, put everything away, and headed out to run. I wasn’t planning to do much but immediately I felt like my legs were not attached to my body. Everything felt tired and I just could not get in a groove. I kept telling myself that if I could get past the first mile I would feel better, but that never happened. When I tried to go uphill I practically felt like I was going backwards. I turned it into a 3 mile run/walk and headed home. Once I ate a real meal I felt more like myself again but that is something I never want to experience again! The only thing I could compare it to is running while hungover…but usually I feel better by the end of those kinds of runs.
Luckily Sunday’s run was better, but I’m not really motivated to run for more than an hour lately. This is the perfect time of year to feel that way, with the crappy weather and limited places to run. So I’m just going with it for now, and hopefully my motivation will return with the warmer spring weather.
How were your workouts last week?
When was the last time you had a really bad run?
How is your running motivation right now?
Thanks to Holly and Tricia for hosting the link-up!
It is funny when you have a really bad run how they stick out … and how they can get inside of your head! I remember my worst one since I started doing long distances – it was two years ago, just an ordinary weekday and a normal winter 7.5 mile route that felt absolutely awful the entire time … nothing felt right, and I ended up cutting it to ~5.75 miles and just questioned the whole time if I was losing my mojo and overthinking and worrying about everything …
… and then getting up the next day and everything being back to normal. Pretty much what happened to you! Was glad your Sunday run was good!
Thanks! Yea, in the grand scheme of things its not big deal, but I will definitely remember that run for awhile! It definitely made me appreciate the good runs a little bit more:)
Ugh we have the refreeze every morning and more snow today, and they are saying snow all week long! I had a bad run last Monday when I was still trying out the Brooks. It’s so weird and mean when it happens but usually the next day goes much better.
I always try to remind myself that a bad run is usually followed by a good run. Glad you were able to go back to the running shoes that work for you!
We all have those runs. I’m sure it was a combo of mentally wanting to run earlier + not eating until hanger strikes. At least you felt so much better on Sunday!
Yes, I definitely think it was a combo of those things! I won’t be making that mistake again!
Whenever I run later than usual that’s exactly how I feel! I almost feel like my feet are pounding and my whole body just can’t move and get into any groove. You’re right in that this time of year is perfect for some extra rest, I’m really enjoying my Fri and sunday mornings!
Such a terrible feeling! And I am embracing the more relaxing mornings lately too.
I’ve so been there with runs like that! I wait for it to warm up, but in the process I begin to starve then the run sucks and yes the weather is no help at all. I hope it makes you feel better to know you are not alone. Haha!
Yes, it definitely helps to know Im not alone, but I would not wish those feelings on anyone! Im glad runs like that don’t happen too often:)
I know exactly what those type of runs feel like because I had one last week. After having to move my squatting day to the middle of the week, my run the next day felt just awful. I couldn’t get any pep in my step at all. I kept thinking I could shake it off but called it a day after 5K. That run made me grateful for all of my other runs though! 🙂 Thank goodness those days only come once in a while!
Yes! And at least they do help us appreciate the good runs. But I would still rather not ever experience that kind of run again!
Usually bad runs happen on treadmills for me, although I’ve long runs outside that have just fallen apart and ended half way through. This time of year is a great time to take it easier—although I can’t believe you’re getting more snow!
I think for me every treadmill run is a bad run, haha. And yes, the snow is coming again. But not nearly as much as last time, so it shouldn’t impact my running too much (hopefully!)
I hate those runs. Like you are bonking before you even go out there. It is just like, what is the pppoooiinnntttt. My motivation is to get back to running! And then it will be to get in shape to coach. I’m not aiming for anything right out. I just want to get back out on my path.
That’s some great motivation! And I know you will get there. Probably just in time for good running weather too:)
We can’t always have great runs. At least you got out there and did it so I’m sure you felt better about that. Bad runs still beat good days at work….haha. I have been slacking on my runs this past wkend. Went on a short cruise. Managed to run twice. Once on treadmill and one on the track. It wasn’t as warm as I’d hoped for.
Nice job getting in a few runs while on your cruise!
Sorry to hear about your bad run, I’ve definitely had my fair share of those. My running motivation is at its peak right now because of training, and I’m lucky I was able to run all my runs last week outside (minus speed day). I think finally getting a break from the treadmill was just what I needed!
I think being back outside definitely helped with my motivation, but now Im dreading the snow we are supposed to get tomorrow. Hopefully it won’t be much and will melt quickly!
I’ve had plenty of those. I need to work on loosening up for morning runs and I either need to get up earlier to do that to run when I want, or push the run until later so I have time to foam roll and stretch after waking up without an alarm. At least your Sunday run was good.
It can be tough to fit everything in around a morning run before work!
Sorry you had a tough run. A couple of weekends ago I had a run where I felt absolutely miserable. Thankfully, the following week was much better. It’s all part of the life as a runner, I guess!
You’re so right! Luckily those kinds of runs don’t happen too often- they are pretty miserable!
My motivation ebbs and flows with the snow versus signs of spring as well. (And the amount of sleep or lack thereof I’m getting lately). I think it’s important to stay in tune with what my body needs for now so when I start marathon training I’m in the best shape physically and mentally I can be!
Thats a really good point! I figure if I run when I feel like it and rest when I don’t, I’ll be ready to go when spring arrives:)
i had a run like your saturday when i ran at a weird time as well. i had eaten way too much sugar that day and couldnt shake the horrible feeling. luckily my run was only 3 miles that day but sheesh i felt like i was running in mud uphill the whole way. its runs like those that remind me how important fueling really is
Thats exactly how I felt!! Sorry you had the same kind of run. Hopefully neither of us deal with a run like that again for awhile!
That actually happens to me a lot! I would say maybe once a week. Not so much nutritionally but that my legs feel like tanker trucks. Sometimes I will have the best day of nutrition, the best sleep the night before and have completely rested fresh legs only to go out there with the deadest legs in the world. And then other times I’ll run after a night of drinks fueled with a filet o fish and have the best run ever. It’s so weird.
Its so weird how things like that happen. I have days where I feel sluggish but this was like a whole different level. It was as if I had never run a day in my life before!
It’s been such a long time since you’ve been without places to run outside. I feel for you! I know exactly what you mean about the snow melt freezing during the night. So frustrating. It’s good that you did get some outside runs in but also that you’re able to take it easy during the crappy weather. There will be plenty of time for long outdoor runs once Spring comes!
Exactly! There’s no point in forcing myself outside right now while the weather is not great and I’m not completely motivated.
Please don’t tell me you think it was the peanut butter pretzels that did it. I love them things. I think maybe because it was so late and you were hungry? Any rate you still had a good week. I’m so impressed you get and try running with all the icy patches. After last night eating all those heavy finger foods for the super bowl I was not feeling it this morning. I did finish but took me a lot longer to warm up and settle in. At least, I had a beautiful sunrise to make me feel better. I hope you have a great week Lisa! Thanks for linking up with us!
Well I definitely don’t recommend those being the only thing eaten before a run! I ate them other times and felt fine, but I am used to running first thing in the morning on a relatively empty stomach. I think it was a combination of a bunch of things but I won’t be eating those again before a run…
Sorry to hear about your tough run. They happen. Mine usually happen in the afternoons too. After running so much in the mornings, I just don’t feel the same in the afternoons for some reason. Way to get outside even in the cold! Have a good week!
Exactly! I feel so thrown off when I change up my routine!
I’m so sorry you had a bad run! As I know, I had a really bad one a few weeks ago, it had me questioning everything, but thankfully that week, I killed my 10 miler, so that was my redemption run! I am glad Sunday you felt better though!! I hope you aren’t getting the snow we are getting right now–I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it misses you!
Thanks! We are getting some snow but I don’t think its supposed to be too bad. (But that’s all relative- not much can compare with the 2.5 feel we got a few weeks ago!)
Bad runs are tough, but it’s always nice to get in a redemption run!
Everybody has bad runs. I am also obsessed with those peanut butter pretzels-I can’t be left alone with a full bag!
They are so good but definitely not pre-run food (at least for me!)
I have really bad runs when I eat poorly, and running at a time that is not my usual time can really throw off my groove. If I don’t leave to run by 9:30 a.m. I am out of whack !
Me too! And I did all of those things before my run Saturday, so its no surprise I felt so terrible!
While bad runs are not something I enjoy, I do feel that they make us much stronger as runners. This time a year can be tough and frankly I am always happy once we get to April and the winter months are behind us. Keeping a training log helps me when I feel a lack of motivation. The pages cannot be left blank because I did not feel like working out
Thats so true! I can’t wait until we get to April either. And a training log is a great way to stay motivated!
I think we are gifted with bad runs just so we can appreciate the good ones. I do think your motivation will return with spring! Just listen to your body and do what you feel like right now. After the marathon, I had no motivation in part because I was suffering with ITB issues. Seriously, I did not want to get up and that is not like me. My body was telling me to rest! Now that I feel better, I look forward to my runs. Thanks for linking with us Lisa!
You make some good points! Thanks for those reminders. Im sure my motivation will return when the time is right.
Sorry to hear about the bad run! Glad Sunday’s run made up for it. I had a terrible run on Saturday too, but pushed through all 9 miles because I am stubborn and it was on my training schedule (and I really didn’t want to have to do it over on Sunday). Hope you guys don’t get too much snow this week!
Sorry you had a bad run too! Im impressed you pushed through that. If I were training maybe I would have as well. I’m in such a different mindset right now!
I always say those icky runs make our good runs so much more special!!!! Hope you have a GREAT run this week! <3
Thank you! I think you are right!
Ugh, I definitely know what you mean about your Saturday run! Sometimes it is better to throw in the towel. I feel like that seems to happen when I get off schedule.
Definitely- my body does not know what to do when I try to run later in the day!
I am sorry you had such a bad run. 🙁 We have all been there. I have run hungover before and it is NOT fun. I am glad your Sunday went better and obviously Saturday’s run was just a glitch. You’re right, it is the perfect weather to not be running super long. I just got over a running rut. Most of my runs are about 40-45 min in length, but I have been purposefully trying to do some 10 milers on the weekends just to remind my legs what running for over an hour is like!
I hope I can follow your lead and get out of my running rut soon!
Man those bad runs really stick in our brain don’t they? I can’t say that I’ve ever run hungover, have you?! Glad you finally got to get outside though. Seems like the snow is lingering for you guys a bit more. Our snow has been gone for over a week now!
I have run while hungover plenty of times, but not recently! I used to do it all the time in college, and I swore it got rid of my hangover. Not fun in the beginning though!