Thursday, December 1, 2016

Care to join me?


Shall we spend some time together, perhaps over a cup of coffee? Actually, you can have the coffee, and I'll have my usual chai latte.' Care to join me?

What's new with you? Any races coming up? Did you have a great racing season? Any new injuries, or were you able to breeze through the training injury-free?

Here's what I'd share with you...if we were having coffee.



First of all, I'm a little relieved to have November behind me, but now I'm in the midst of that dreaded "marathon hangover." Ever been there? I don't know about you, but my body is feeling tired, but not drop-dead exhausted. And, strangely, I'm feeling a little lost without a workout regimen to keep me busy. Kind of like I'm in a fog....



Next, my planking challenge was successful! My goal was to do 150 planking minutes, and I ended November with 150:30. I actually remembered to take measurements this time....and I lost an inch off my waist and hips! My weight pretty much maintained itself through my marathon training the past few months, but I could tell my clothes were fitting looser (especially around the waist/hip/tush). I did a lot of side planks (on my elbow), and those are total mid-section burners. I also did a lot of my training runs in the early morning hours, so I was burning more fat than fuel because I was running in a "fasted state." (***disclaimer---I was NOT purposefully trying to lose weight or burn fat, that's just when the bulk of my training runs fit my schedule best)


Also, let me share with you some of my December goals. I had some unexpected hip/groin discomfort during the marathon...like from Mile 2 until the finish line. I had to take more walk breaks than I'd preferred (resulting in a slower finish time than I wanted), but I'm thankful I had the training (and endurance) to finish the race (though there were several times I considered stopping at the half marathon finish line instead). As a result of 24+ miles with a compromised hip, my body needs some serious recovery time from running. I plan to do some cross-training, as well as daily push-ups, planking, and cardio. Oh, and there will be some easy daily streaking as well....

Care to join me?
Yes, you heard that correctly, I am attempting to streak through the rest of 2016. I have done the Runner's World Winter Streak before (like in 2015 and 2014 and 2013), and am hoping I can also complete it in 2016. So far, I ran a couple of easy miles on Thanksgiving morning, and have run an easy mile every day since. Nothing grandiose, and certainly nothing fast. I'm just doing the minimum 1-milers each day for now. I finished November with 115 monthly miles, which will put my total 2016 miles at 947 if I do just the 1-mile minimum each day. Trust me, I'm quite content with that. It's another PR for mileage for me. If things go well, and my hip is feeling better, I may add a few extra miles here and there...but I probably won't make it to 1,000. My main focus is recovery, not creating another injury.


And, lastly......guess what's happening in June 2017? I'm heading back to Duluth, MN to run Grandma's Marathon! It's gonna be strange returning for a repeat marathon, but I'm looking forward to running the beautiful course along Lake Superior again. Also, there's gonna be a few running gal pals there with me, so it'll be a grand experience.

Check out this piece of hardware!
So, there you have it. That's the latest and greatest in my little corner of the universe.

Do you feel lost after a marathon (or any big race that you've trained for)? Do you honor the rest and recovery routine after a big race? Have you ever done a running streak?

I'm linking up with lovely Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up, and also with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup.





44 comments:

  1. ooh you are doing the streak!? No one is better at keeping up the challenges than you are! I am doing a workout streak but not all running works better for me. See you tomorrow for the coffee date :)

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    1. I don't do streaks very often, and I do the bare minimum on most days (especially this year #marathonhangover), but I like the challenge!

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  2. I'm always impressed with your planking. I don't think I can even do one correctly.

    I hear Grandma's is a great marathon. That is cool that you get to do it again!

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    1. Yes, Grandma's is a sweet event...even though it was in rain for the first 10 miles or so (in 2015).

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  3. I'm excited to do Grandmas with you!!

    I'll be doing a strength cycle with Becky Jan-Feb, and then diving into marathon training. I'm going to do everything I can to ensure that I'm strong going into this race!

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    1. I'm excited to return to Duluth....it's gonna be great having some extra gal pals there ;-)

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  4. That's awesome that you're going to finish the year STRONG!! It's so easy to just let things go when the holidays arrive but it sounds like you won't let that happen! And I'm looking forward to hearing about your training for Grandma's!

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    1. It's tempting to just sit back and bask in my "recovery," but that's not me. I trained pretty hard for the past three months...it's weird to not be doing 40-mile weeks (but I'm adjusting LOL)

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  5. I am totally in the marathon hangover mode. I was literally just emailing with my coach about it last night.

    I've always wanted to do Grandma's. I used to spend my summers at camp in the north woods of Wisconsin and we would go to Duluth on cabin trips sometimes!

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    1. Grandma's course is beautiful....nonstop evergreens and lots of crowd support!

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  6. Very impressive plank challenge! You are amazing!

    I've never done a streak... it sounds interesting, but very challenging.

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    1. I don't do streaks very often because after awhile they feel more like a chore than a challenge. I like dong them, though, because they are the polar-opposite of my comfort zone (I'm NOT a daily runner usually)

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  7. I'll have to check out Grandma's. I think my body is telling me a marathon's not the best idea, though. Are you going to get your hip/groin checked out or do you think rest will do it?

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    1. Grandma's is a mostly "downhill" grade course, and it's beautiful! The hip/groin? Not sure what to do...it's not any worse. I feel nothing when I'm running, but if I twist or bend in a goofy way I can feel it (more in the groin than hip). I'm not worried about it (yet).

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  8. That's great news about Grandma's! I've heard great things about this race and that medal is super awesome. I think you're right that it's more marathon "hangover" than recovery. I've been in a bit of a funk this month after NYC - after the elation ended. Trying to get back focused and inspired now!

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    1. It's like a total change of scene...I spent almost every day training (in some aspect) for the past three months, so it's weird to have this open slate LOL

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  9. I'm a little lost right now post NYC Marathon. I have the Disney Princess Glass Slipper challenge in February, so I need to get a plan going for that.

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    1. It's hard right after a big race...it takes so much time training, then the race happens. You wake up the next morning...and don't quite know what to do with yourself and all that free time LOL

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  10. How awesome that you are going back to run Grandma's again. I have heard that is a great marathon! Enjoy the time off before training starts to ramp back up again. It looks like you have some great goals!

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    1. Yes! I'm excited to return to Grandma's! It's my first "repeat marathon," though, so that adds a little bit pf pressure to PR...

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  11. I definitely know that "lost" feeling after a marathon! That planking is awesome. I never thought to time myself throughout a month. Enjoy your time off before you start training again!

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    1. Most of my planks are done with a timer (while I'm waiting for something), or else I'm just curious to see how long I can hold it.

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  12. I need goals but boy was I ready for time off after NYC. I had spent practically a year in marathon training mode and I am so welcoming the change. I am changing things up with a lot more lifting and HIIT workouts (and some running). I have 2 races on my schedule for 2017, and am thinking about others, but not a marathon yet. I am not ready yet to commit to the training needed.

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    1. True...marathon training is a huge time commitment. Some people thrive on constant training, but NOT me LOL

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  13. I love your compression socks!! These are great goals too, I am doing a Running Streak with my Team Smashfest Queen, great way to stay motivated!!

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    1. I don't do run streaks very often, but I like them when I have nothing else on the calendar.

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  14. I'm doing the #RWRunStreak, too! So far, so good. I've done them a few times in the past years.

    Be sure to take it easy to allow your hip time to properly recover. Congrats on your planks! You kinda crushed that November goal.

    I almost ran Grandma's in 2012, but ended up moving out of state and forfeiting my registration. It's been back on my bucket list ever since. One day, I'll make it back for that race!

    P.S. LOVE your socks!!

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  15. I think that we are all just hungover from last month. It was a crazy one. Or you are just hungover from Coach Suz. You know what they say... #hairofthedog :D

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    1. ha ha....as much as I like to keep busy and active, I do like having (some) down time.

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  16. You did great with your plank challenge! Good luck with your run streak - I've got one planned for January!

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    1. woot!!! I just read your blog about your run streak...good luck!

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  17. Yay for chai lattes! I'd love to have one right now! I should get back into doing planks!

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    1. Gosh...planks are my daily thing (usually while my chai is heating!)

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  18. Congrats on so many levels! I did a streak after a November marathon, but stopped as it aggravated my knees- I do better as longer runs, less days. But I LOVE the idea so much, as I am always drawn to challenges- month long ones are such a great motivator!

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    1. I'm not a huge advocate for streaking, but I like doing them once in awhile. And, I do the minimum on most days to keep things easy and low-maintenance.

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  19. Grandma has a very cool medal! I've always heard that is neat race to run, although running along Lake Superior sounds very COLD! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments and streaks in 2016, I'm so impressed with your commitment and determination!

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    1. Thanks you ;-) Well, Grandma's had high temps last year (though I wasn't there). I ran it in 2015...and we had heavy rain for the first couple hours. Hopefully, that won't happen again.

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  20. Congratulations on your planking - 150:30 is an INSANE number. I can't even visualize that!!! Good luck with the RW run streak, too. I did it once a few years ago and it was a great way to keep myself accountable. Hurray for Grandma's!!! I've known several folks who have done it and they all RAVED about it!!!

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    1. Well, the planking minutes may look impressive, but that is over the course of an entire month ;-)

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  21. I did my final race for 2016 today (Sunday). Jingle Bell 5k. Same old knee issues-I have not gotten any cortizone at all this year and I am really feeling it ;(

    I think the hangover after a big race is so real. That was how I felt after my triathlon.

    I so need something on the schedule to keep me motivated and active.

    Girl, your planking is BEAST MODE!!!

    Great December goals!

    June

    2017...you got it!!

    How is the Chai..?.I have never been a fan but may need to give it another try.

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    1. I should clarify...chai latte' LOL I don't care for just plain chai tea, I gotta have the extra goodies mixed in there, too ;-)

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  22. Good luck with the streak! Streaking doesn't fit my schedule, and I don't want to stress over not getting a run in, especially with how limited daylight hours are nowadays.

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    1. I just do the minimum 1-mile runs for the most part, especially this year as I recover from the marathon. So, yes, sometimes it seems like I spend more time getting dressed to run than I actually spend running LOL

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