Monday, December 17, 2012

Maximum Monday

Okay, my title might be a bit of hyperbole. On a scale from 1-10, I would give my day of training a 7. I was too lazy to get out of bed for a morning workout, so that dropped me a few points. Additionally, I was late leaving work, son didn't get as much time at the gym as I would like. Regardless, what I did do was pretty solid. I was on the stair climber for 50 total minutes, with 10 of those minutes sideways, and another 10 backwards. I followed this up with a 2:30 minute plank, so assorted core work, chest and back lifts. I did get an two lifts in, so I feel good about that, and my upper body feels great.


Beyond my week of training, I am looking towards the disaster that will be next week. Christmas is quickly approaching, I will be out of town, and I am not road running - what does that mean? Well, the answer isn't good. I think I am going to shut it down completely for at least a week and really let my knee heal. I will spend the week focusing on staying off of it (not something I can do normally, as teachers never sit). Additionally, I will apply compression and ice whenever I remember. Finally, I will try to get some blueberries and continue my daily supplement cocktail. I figure, if this doesn't get my knee back to form, I may have to suck it up and go to the doctor. I just don't think doctors have my running future in mind. Needless to say, I am a little apprehensive about this whole thing. Plus, I hate taking a single day off, so a whole week will drive me nuts. I just hope that all the Christmas craziness will keep me busy.

Here is what I am looking forward to though: running gifts! I should be getting a camelbak, which is great for long runs, as I hate to carry a bottle, and I don't want to wear a belt. I should also be getting some compression socks, so my continuing running form changes with be a little less painful on my calves. Hopefully I will also get a heart rate monitor, so I can really start to focus on this during long training runs in the spring. I am also getting a gift card to a local running store for some new kicks - I am guessing vibrams, but we will see. I may be shutting it down, but at least I will have some great new gear to try out later. I am just glad the people around me have accepted my insanity.

Did you go maximum today?

Have you ever shut it down completely? What did you do to heal a joint?

What did you do to keep your mind focused elsewhere?

What do you know you are getting for Christmas?

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13 comments:

  1. TRDecember 17, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    You've got some great stuff coming to you for Christmas! I'm waiting on my compression socks:D
    I'm interested to hear about vibrams if you get them!

    Wow on 50 minutes on the stairclimber by the way. crazzzy!

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    1. Running GingerDecember 17, 2012 at 5:16 PM

      Thanks for reading through my iPad's typo laden post. I will be sure to post about whatever barefoot shoe I end up getting. I am interested to see how I take to it, but I have a feeling that it will be a great experience. Barefoot running just seems to make sense. I am excited for all my new gear - nothing like new stuff t motivate.

      Yeah, I am growing to love the stairclimber. It is intense, but I can't get that kind of workout on anything else. Plus, flying pig is a very hilly and challenging marathon, so I gotta be geared up.

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  2. AnonymousDecember 17, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    I went maximum today, I was feeling kinda of crappy but I knew that if I got a good sweat in that I would feel better and I was right! 30 minutes on the elliptical, a circuit, my squats for the day and then of course planking!
    To answer your questions about my 5k race, we started running together but then broke off, we all run at different paces so we don't end up together.
    Are you traveling down South for the holidays?

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    1. Running GingerDecember 17, 2012 at 6:01 PM

      Missy, sounds like a great workout! Keep knocking out those, and you are going to have an amazing spring!

      I will not be going south this round. Instead, my folks will be coming from Alabama and meet us in Cleveland. I have a considerable amount of family up there and elsewhere in Ohio. Convenient for me, but I doubt they are looking forward to the drive.

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  3. UnknownDecember 17, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    I had to shut it down completely for 8 weeks...which only ended a couple weeks ago. My SI joint is still not at 100% but physical therapy stretches of all the muscles that support the joint helped, along with hip strengthening exercises. I'm hoping increasing core work will help over time too.

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    1. Running GingerDecember 18, 2012 at 4:49 AM

      Jade, I don't know how you did that. You must have some crazy internal strength and an amazing metabolism! I have definitely been working on my strength training, especially in my core. I am hoping everything will come together in time for March. I hope you end up coming back at 100%!

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  4. greengirlrunningDecember 17, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    I've definitely completely shut it down before, and I'm glad I did. Better than chancing a permanent injury. Have you ever tried tart cherry juice? I've heard it's great for reducing inflammation (the good stuff w/o added sugar, organic if possible). Also, I took Rainbow Light Theramend for inflammation during marathon training and I'm convinced it helped keep me from injuries! And lastly, I LOVE love love running with my Camelbak! I never race longer distances without it now. That's great you'll be getting one :)

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    1. Running GingerDecember 18, 2012 at 4:51 AM

      What is that therma stuff? Explain more. I have heard about the cherry juice, so I will have to check it out. How long did you shut it down?

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  5. AnonymousDecember 18, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    I'm looking forward to running gifts, too! My big one is the Garmin Forerunner 305. I've dropped my iPhone one too many times while out on runs.

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    1. Running GingerDecember 19, 2012 at 4:44 AM

      I hear you will love that gadget. To be honest, I don't know much about them. Is that one of the bigger ones? I wish they had maps on them. I get the iPhone situation though. Let me know how it is! I have some fantasy football winnings coming my way ;)

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  6. Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's BlogDecember 19, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    Sorry your knee is bugging you. I did run Monday after a 6 day break due to a grouchy back and hip flexor, and the run felt really good, hoping to run again Thursday.

    Running gifts are the best and my husband refuses to buy them for me (he thinks I am obsessed, I think he needs a hobby) so I buy them for myself :)

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  7. Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's BlogDecember 19, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    ps you will love a camelback, I love mine anyway I use it for runs longer than 90 minutes and I have a heartrate monitor on the way ans compression socks are the BOMB! I wear PROcompression and LOVE them, also great for wearing at work (I'm a surgical nurse, I am on my feet all day) and sounds like they would be great for teachers too.

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    1. Running GingerDecember 19, 2012 at 4:47 AM

      I have been told the same thing by loved ones, but I think they have accepted that I am just crazy. Plus, my dad decided to just join me, so his ass is hitting the roads too. I am looking forward to having plenty of water on my long runs, as I have to portion out a water bottle too much. Additionally, I will be able to carry some snacks now. As for the socks, I have heard great things, so I am looking forward to them. My calves are always sore now that I am shifting my form forward on my feet.

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