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in Running, Strength Training, Weekly Wrap · October 30, 2017

This is What Happens When I Don’t Have a Plan

For so long I was injured or coming back from injury, so I was slowly increasing each run very systematically. Then, I decided to do a half so I structured a couple of weeks of workouts to prepare for that. Now, I don’t have any sort of plan. This week I had a hard time deciding how much to run and ended up doing more than I set out to do. (This is what happens when I don’t have a plan.) I should really just make myself some sort of loose plan to follow just so I don’t overdo it! When I’m feeling good and give myself too much flexibility, I want to run all the miles. 

This is What Happens When I Don’t Have a Plan

Monday: 4 miles easy

I wasn’t sure how my legs would feel after the half, but they loosened up pretty quickly! I went to my chiropractor after work. I saw their massage therapist, who I had scheduled an appointment with like a month ago. The timing worked out with it being right after a race!

monday 4 miles

Tuesday: Strength Training

strength training

Wednesday: 5 miles easy

I didn’t know how far I should run, and ended up doing 5. I was thinking I would do 3-4. I’m not sure how I ended up with 5 but I guess I just wanted to keep going.

wednesday 5 miles

Thursday: Strength Training

Some days, the foam rolling is the best part of my workout! 

foam rolling

Friday: 45 minutes spin bike

I could have gone to the pool, but staying home and riding my own bike sounded much better. 

spinning

Saturday: 10 miles (When I don’t have a plan I run too much!)

This run was kind of a struggle. My legs just felt like they were slow and heavy. I was planning to stop at 8, but by the time I got to 7 I was starting to feel better. I decided to keep going and ended up with 10.

10 mile run (when I don't have a plan for running I run too much)

Sunday: Rest

 I realized how letting myself run “whatever I want” can get me in trouble when I was talking to Rob after Saturday’s run. He told me he ran 8 miles. I said “I was going to do 8, but then I did 10”. I don’t even know how I added those 2 miles on, but I did. And if I had taken fuel I may have done more. I definitely need a way to keep myself in check!

That being said, I kind of want to start thinking about working a little more on speed rather than distance. I know I can run for a long time, but my paces are slower than usual. I’m thinking now that the weather is finally getting cooler this might be a good time for that. 

You may also like:
A Look Back at August 2016
I Miss Outdoor Running…
One Foot in Front of the Other
How to Schedule Weekly Runs and Workouts Without a Training Plan

Do you run more than you should when you don’t have a plan?
Do you prefer long, slow runs or short, faster runs?
How were your workouts last week?

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Previous Post: « Baltimore Running Festival Half-Marathon 2017
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela @ happy Fit Mama says

    October 30, 2017 at 5:22 am

    I know I’m guilty of winging it when I don’t have anything planned. It’s so hard to stop when you are feeling good and in the flow.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      Exactly! Its hard to know exactly how much is too much.

  2. meredith @ cookie chronicles says

    October 30, 2017 at 5:47 am

    lately i’ve enjoyed the shorter, faster runs but some weeks i end up extending the runs because I’m so used to running longer! 5 miles though on a weekday lately is a really happy distance for me.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      I lke 5 miles on weekdays too, but Im not sure Im ready to do that regularly just yet! Ive been doing one 5 miler a week and as long as I keep my other weekend run short I think I’m ok.

  3. Shathiso says

    October 30, 2017 at 6:28 am

    I’m definitely starting to see that I prefer long, slow runs. So next year that will be my focus. Well done on getting those miles done, even though you didn’t quite have a plan to do so many!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      The long, slow runs are great!

  4. Kristina says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:12 am

    I definitely prefer long and slow runs, especially when the weather is nice and it just feels SO GOOD to be outside you know? On those days I never want the run to end. This year, of course, I’m just happy to run 1 mile on any day in any weather, but I know someday I’ll run long again just like you!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      You will be back to doing long runs before you know it!

  5. Samantha says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:27 am

    I am the same way, when I feel good and am not injured I just want to run all the miles! I think it just depends on my mood though… sometimes I enjoy the longer runs while sometimes I want to be speedy!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      Usually I go through phases where I like either speed or long runs, but lately Ive been all about the long, slow runs!

  6. Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Could definitely relate to this when I was running more – no plans mean no stopping if you don’t want to, but that’s not always the best thing!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:13 pm

      Exactly! It can be helpful to have a general idea of how much to run.

  7. Marcia says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:34 am

    I think acknowledging you have a tendency to do this is the first step! When I’m not on a plan I tend to default to the same, short, fast runs. Since I hurt my back a couple of years ago, running back-to-back days is rarely an option. Maybe set yourself a weekly mileage limit and keep going on all that crosstraining.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      I think its helped alot that I have stuck with running 3 days a week- that limits me from doing too much each week. I think a weekly mileage limit is a good idea.

  8. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:52 am

    I like when I don’t have a training plan so I can run what ever I feel like. When I do have a plan sometimes I feel obligated to hit certain miles and paces.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:16 pm

      Its definitely nice to not have a plan. I just been to make sure I don’t do too much!

  9. Kimberly G says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:06 am

    Sometimes the longer runs feel easier to me than the shorter runs, especially speedwork!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:16 pm

      Yes, I definitely agree with that!

  10. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:27 am

    If I don’t have a plan, most days I end up running for about a hour or so. I am not very inclined to do speedwork at the end without a plan.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:17 pm

      Ive been enjoying fartlek runs but it feels weird to do harder runs without a real purpose in mind!

  11. Kimberly Hatting says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:28 am

    Well, I always err on the side of caution…it’s like my default LOL . I probably run “not enough” when I’m not on a structured plan. As long as I get 3-4 runs/week (no matter how short), I’m totally good with everything 😉

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      I wish I did that! Once I get going, I find it hard to stop.

  12. Christine says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:48 am

    Because of my schedule in general, I prefer shorter, faster runs because I can fit those in much better than longer, slower ones. If I don’t have a plan, I end up all over the place, but the first thing that goes are those long slow distance runs. The most I’ll run without a plan is probably 5 to 7 miles.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:19 pm

      I think I have the hardest time with my weekend runs because I feel like I have more time to run as long as I want!

  13. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    Oh yes, this is me too. I just want to run and the runs end up a little longer than they would if I were on a plan, or I run too often. I Iike a plan to keep me in line!
    Who makes the reflective vest (straps) that you are wearing in your pictures? I’m on the lookout for one and wondered how comfortable they are. Hoping you don’t even notice you have it on?

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      Sorry, i meant to reply to your question about my vest but I kept forgetting to check! Its the Amphipod Xinglet Lite Reflective Running Vest on Amazon. Ive had it for like 2 years and have no complaints!

  14. Lesley says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    I stick with short distances when I don’t have a plan. It keeps my base in check, and then when training does start, I always have a plan. winging it seems to get me injured.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      That makes sense! Maybe I need to have a race on the horizon so I would feel better about taking it easy before I started training.

  15. HoHo Runs says

    October 30, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    I am so happy you feel good! You’ll get no judgment from me! I’ve fast tracked the last few weeks to get back to what I consider “normal” half marathon mileage. Because…I feel better than I have in a long time too. {Knock on wood}. I’d also like to work on speed now that I can level off on the weekly mileage. Thanks for linking.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      Glad you are feeling good too! Its nice to get to a place where you feel comfortable with the weekly mileage.

  16. Susan says

    October 30, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    I seem to always stick to the same type of routine each week which is about 3 runs (walking right now) a couple pool sessions and a couple cycling sessions + weights. Normally I only go about 3-4 miles on my runs simply because I only have a certain amount of time and I always row then lift so I need to get back inside quickly! Well, quickly is a loose term….I never am fast at any of my sports, really!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:26 pm

      I guess I cant really do much more than what Ive been doing anyway because of time constraints! Its the weekends that get me in trouble because I feel like I have more time to run.

  17. Jessica says

    October 30, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    I love the structure of a plan as well, but I will go the opposite direction. If I don’t have a schedule to follow, weeks will go by before I realize I haven’t gone for a run!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:29 pm

      I can definitely see how than can happen too!

  18. Teresa says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    You’ll probably find that most of us ‘older’ runners tend to lean towards those shorter faster runs when we’re not training for anything specific…. too much of an injury risk otherwise. So I say, do it while you’re young and your body can handle it!! 🙂

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      October 31, 2017 at 4:53 am

      I definitely worry that my body already cant handle it! Hopefully if I just stick with what Im doing and don’t push things anymore I’ll be ok.

  19. San says

    November 6, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    I tend to NOT challenge myself enough when I don’t have a schedule, so I usually try to adhere to some sort of running plan (even if I am not preparing specifically for a race) LOL

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      November 7, 2017 at 5:04 am

      I think thats really common! And probably one of the reasons Im doing more than I should is because I am just coming back from so much time off. Usually, when I have a break from training, I end up cutting back and doing less, at least for a while.

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Fall is pretty good too but there’s nothing like Fall is pretty good too but there’s nothing like seeing the sunrise on a morning run! As an early morning riser I would be fine with a 4am sunrise but I know that’s not for everyone so I will just enjoy the 2 months of the year when the sun is up (almost) as early as me. #morningrunner #sunriserun
Let them be your reason, not your excuse. I coul Let them be your reason, not your excuse. 

I could sit here and tell you how hard it is to train with 2 young kids. How I rarely get a full night’s sleep anymore. How they got me sick the week before my race. How my SI joint just isn’t the same since my pregnancies. But that wouldn’t be fair, because I need to listen to my own advice that I give them about how to keep working hard and that there will always be obstacles to overcome.

After my race on Sunday I was thinking about how my Kindergartner has been working for a special award all year long. Many times he has told me he just wants to give up, because he works so hard for months at a time and still hasn’t earned it. I keep telling him that if he keeps working hard he will earn it, but what’s most important is that he gives his best each and every day. All those good days add up and even if he doesn’t earn the award, it will mean he had a great year.

Don’t I need to take my own advice and remember that all the good training days add up, even if I don’t get the outcome I want on race day? Before my race he kept telling me to do my best, and that he would give me a prize (artwork) even if I don’t win. So maybe all the lessons I am teaching him are starting to pay off? #motherrunner #halfmarathon  #frederickrunfest
I can pretty much see the humidity as I look back I can pretty much see the humidity as I look back on these videos. After a few days to process my race I am feeling better about how it went and starting to focus on what’s next. I guess it’s officially time to acclimate to the heat and humidity because it’s not getting cooler any time soon! My full recap is up at milebymileblog.com

Have you acclimated to the warmer weather yet?

#run #runner #runchat  #frederickrunfest
Happy Medal Monday! This is a unique medal because Happy Medal Monday! This is a unique medal because the middle part is actually a removable pin! So you could take it off and display it somewhere else. What is the most unique medal you have received at a race? #run #halfmarathoner #frederickrunfest #medalmonday
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