After my post last week when I said I enjoyed running I should have known it was going to come back and bite me in the butt! I had horrible shin splints this last week. I'm sure it was due to my long run last week. In order to help alleviate the pain I've incorporated more stretching, some calf compression sleeves, KT tape, and even ice baths. Yes, I said ice baths. The first time was frigid and I only lasted about 5 minutes on each leg. Then I did some research and discovered I should be putting my legs in the water and then adding the ice. Once I did it this way it was much more pleasant, well as pleasant as an ice bath can be I guess.
This last week was my third week of training and it went really well despite the shin splints. Tuesday I ran just over 3 miles and on Thursday I did 4.25 miles! I was actually surprised I'd gone this far, I just plugged along with my intervals and alternated my running speed between 5.5 and 6.0 MPH on my treadmill. I knew that there was a difference between running on a treadmill and road running but I'm really beginning to see just how big of a difference. My average pace while road running is anywhere from 1:30 to 2:00 minutes longer then my treadmill pace. Granted, I slow things down when I run outside because I'm more concerned about getting the distance in but still.
This past Saturday was my longest run to date, 5 miles. It was actually about 5.5 after you throw in my warm up and cool down but on my longer runs I only time the actual distance. All in all, the run was really good. The weather has been very uncharacteristic for the summer in Florida. Normally the humidity is ridiculous even at 5:00 AM but these last few Saturdays have been perfect for outdoor running, the running gods must be smiling at me! I was about a mile and a half in when I hit a mental wall. I kept thinking that my legs were too sore and that I should really stop so I didn't hurt myself and while maybe some of that is true, I basically told my self to shove it and suck it up. After those few minutes I was good to go! My goal was to finish in under an hour and fifteen minutes and I clocked in at 1:12, I was ecstatic! Week 4's long run is actually a short run of 3 miles and then the week after I jump up to 6.5 miles. I'm already mapping my route!
One other thing I've been struggling with is that I've gained about 7 pounds since I started running! While I know that many do gain weight, usually muscle when they're training, I just don't think that is the case for me. One part of me is really disappointed because I had recently hit a 35 pound weight loss and only had 15 pounds to my goal weight and now it's back up again. My plan? Start logging what I eat and make sure I get some weight training in on my off running days. I used to do CrossFit and I really enjoyed it, then all my favorite instructors left. One started her own bootcamp class that I really like but between my hubby and I both doing our masters degrees, he's working, and my kids at home, it's hard to get there. I'm just going to have to make it more of a priority! I'm looking forward to August when my ALL of my kids are in school so then I can do my running outside more often and I don't have to worry about other workout class times.
Sara's big bike race is coming up and I know the humidity in Houston is just killing her training! Keep your fingers crossed for her!
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