Sunday, March 20, 2016

Hello Spring! (WW # 33)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!


This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin.    The purpose of this link is to connect with and support other active women. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!  {See rules}   

It is our hope you will return here later in the week and interact with more women.   It's a truly wonderful way to make new connections!  Don't forget to comment on each blog that you read and please remember to support your hosts.  


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My body needed extra TLC after last Saturday's rough half marathon.  My calves were sore until Wednesday from their cramping.  Irritatingly, midweek I developed a pulled muscle in my groin from using too much resistance while doing at-home PT exercises.  {Are you flippin' kidding me?}.  Aging is simply not fun.  I stomped around like an unhappy toddler most of the week.  Funny how that doesn't help.  Here is my week in pictures.

You can see the agony on my face and the knot in my calf!

My Motivate Wrap from Momentum Jewelry came in.  I love it! 
I won a discount from Phaedra @ Blisters and Black Toenails.

This came for participating in The Runner Awakens by Level Up Virtual Runs.
I did my 10k as part of a 11 mile training run in February.  This medal is HUGE!
  
I may not always talk about the extra things I do, but I have been planking!
 
My latest pair of Mizuno Wave Inspires arrived.
It's been years since I've run in a (mostly) white shoe.

By Saturday, I was over my aging tantrum (thanks Karen for posting about Hitting Reset).  I thought I'd try a couple of easy miles to test my groin muscle.  Surprisingly and very gratefully, I felt fine and turned it into a 4 mile progression run.  It was a warm 70 (and a little muggy) but without any walking or stopping for any reason  -- my splits were:  10:11 / 9:55 / 9:25 / 8:53.  This is hands down my favorite type of training run; continual and progressively faster.  

Although Spring arrived a few weeks ago in the south, we can now says it's official.
The azaleas are in full bloom and there are none prettier than those outside my front door.

After a fun dinner out with all the kids and grandkids, PoPo and I watched the movie Self/less Saturday night.  I thought it was OK.  At least it passed my don't fall asleep test.  Sunday I ran my typical long slow run (in holy cow wind) in preparation for my next half marathon 2 weeks away.  I may run a 5k this Saturday as part of my "run more 5ks to work on speed" plan.  I'll wait and see how this week plays out.

Weekly Summary:

Monday - Rest (Physical Therapy)
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - 6 Easy Recovery Miles
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 4 Progressive Miles
Sunday - 9 Slow Miles

Total Week - 19 Miles

And that's a wrap! 


What type of training run is your favorite?

Tell me about your week!  What are you preparing for?




88 comments:

  1. Sorry you had a rough week. Yes, I get the aging thing ! I wrote my Tuesday's on the run post on the topic this week.... I am just grateful I can keep running even if I am not getting much faster. I just want to keep injury at bay.

    I love progression runs too, but most of mine are... because it takes my body quite a bit of time to warm up. If I run too fast from the beginning I always get shin cramps. Sometimes it can take me 20 or 25 minutes. But I have accepted that is what it will be like.

    I love my momentum bracelet too.

    Have a great week and thanks for the link up.

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    1. I'm definitely not awake during the first mile or so of my early weekday runs. Keeping injury at bay is the most important thing. Speed is definitely secondary.

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  2. I'm so glad your pulled groin muscle wasn't any worse! And I agree, the easier injuries and slower recoveries are what bother me most about getting older.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. It's very frustrating to pull a muscle while doing exercises to help prevent injury! It's like a cruel joke.

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  3. I am so with you. Love me a good progression run! Yikes that calf cramp sounds horrific! I've also made my hips hurt from preventive work and that drives me batty. Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. I've gone through a lot of days of achy hips while working on them for PT. In the past, I always gave up when I reached that point. I think I've finally make it through.

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  4. It really sucks when you're doing exercises to rehab and that just creates another problem! Yup, getting older sucks sometimes but consider the alternative.

    How I wish spring had sprung up here. It'll get here, but it takes a long and winding road! You'll see from my running outfit tomorrow.

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    1. Very good point,Judy. Great perspective. At least we are still around to be aging, right?

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  5. Right there with you, Holly. Every tweak and pain I get these days sends me into a tailspin. Hang in there!

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    1. Sometimes I think one more injury right now will send me over the edge!

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  6. I like progressive runs too! I tend to do most of my runs that way naturally. As you know I've been feeling frustrated with my body/running lately too. Hopefully all the little things will pay off for a strong spring running season.

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    1. They do feel naturally, perhaps because I'm an early morning runner. I still feel asleep during that first mile or two.

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  7. I totally like to run 5Ks as a way to incorporate speedwork into my running-you can go all out and still be able to walk afterward! Thank you for hosting and have a great week!

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    1. They've worked well for me in the past. It's hard to run that fast in training. I need the adrenaline of a race, I think.

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  8. It was winter again here this weekend. Spring comes and goes - no flowers yet!!

    I just got white shoes too. I wonder how long they'll stay that way.

    Another half? You crazy lady!

    Mine isn't for another month!! Then I am another in a month after that.

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    1. I figure those white shoes will look more like a light gray. I don't mind as long as it's an even color. LOL. You know you are as crazy as I am. I've got some catching up to do.

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  9. What a tough race it must have been for your calves to be sore until Wednesday! A 2+ minute plank is awesome! Pretty flowers. Everything's starting to bloom here, but I hope the cold spell we have now doesn't kill everything.

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    1. My body didn't bounce back quickly after this race. It's been a while since I've been that sore.

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  10. Glad you were able to get a good run in! Not many movies would pass a sleep test for me. I always fall asleep watching movies at home.

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    1. It's rare I can stay awake for a movie. Put me in a recliner with my two dogs and I'm out like a light!

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  11. Sorry that race left you so sore. I've definitely been there a time or two before!
    Those are some beautiful Mizunos. Those have been my shoe of choice lately!

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    1. I've stuck with the Mizunos Inspires even when they made some not so appreciated changes. They always seem to right their wrongs though.

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  12. I'm glad you were feeling better by the weekend! We went to see a movie yesterday and I fell asleep in the theater for most of the movie.

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    1. We used to go to the movies a lot, especially when the kids were young. I would always say that was the best $5 nap money could buy! Now, it's more.

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  13. I miss wearing Mizunos; they look so cool these days. (I had to switch when they discontinued my shoe.) I'm with you on loving a good progression run. They usually happen for me when I'm not paying attention to my times. Which really means I had a solid run and probably had fun! I've got a few 5ks coming up. Looking forward to them because I only ran a few last year. Should be nice to work on speed.

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    1. Yeah, I typically don't plan a progression run. I realize after a few miles that it's happening and then finish it on out that way.

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  14. That knot looks awful!! I don't know how you were walking on it! I like that plank picture! Thanks for hosting us!

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    1. I wasn't walking well at all, or running. You should see the other finish pictures. LOL.

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  15. I like changing things up. Way to get your planks done! Have a great week!

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    1. I'm trying very hard to run slow runs 'slow' and then incorporate speed work on some days. I'm guilty of always wanting to run the same speed.

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  16. Glad your groin pull didn't get any worse. That knot in your calf was no joke! Here's hoping this week will be much better for you :)

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    1. I think humidity is such a game changer. Things happen that don't normally happen. I'm very grateful the cramps waited until the last mile.

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  17. I understand about having a rough week. I'm currently injured and only run 5 km once a week. I also love those new Mizuno running shoes. I love the white and purple.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. You are definitely not alone. I've just completed one of my longest down times. It's hard.

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  18. I had some cramping after Saturday's race and it certainly left some residual soreness. Glad to hear you are starting to feel better.

    Nice job on the progressive run. I need to get some of that kind of running in again!

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    1. Cramps can definitely leave you with soreness. This time even after soaking in the whirlpool at the spa, stretching, and foam rolling.

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  19. Ugh, the injury thing. I call BS on that (hope everything heals quickly!!). We had a tiny taste of winter in Iowa this weekend. Annoying, but this IS Iowa, and we have had nice temps recently. so it's kind of a wash. I don't know if I have a favorite training run...I like the LSD's because they reinforce just how far my body is capable of going, but I also like Fartleks because they are short and sweet. And, hill sprints are kind of fast & furious, what's not to love about that? ;-)

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    1. All of the different types of training runs have their merits. I enjoy the LSD too. It's my time to just think and enjoy a run.

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  20. Sorry to hear about your calves and pulled muscle! Great it was all good on Saturday! Way to go on your progression run! Love the motivate wrap! Cool medal too!

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    1. I'm really looking for to wearing my motivate wrap in my next half marathon.

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  21. Sounds like a tough few days but really glad to hear you are better now.

    I need to get some new trainers that are more supportive. Although I've seen a few white pairs that look good the practical side of me says no! I know they won't last white for long where I run.

    Hope this week is a vast improvement!

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    1. I had some almost white shoes last summer and they surprisingly stayed fairly clean. I wanted to try something different.

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  22. Sorry to hear about the pulled muscle! The great job getting in so many miles even on a week with rest days. Hope you're feeling great soon

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    1. I'd love to be able to run every day. It's such an invigorating way to start a day. Unfortunately my aging body says otherwise.

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  23. Wow, I am so sorry you had a rough start to your week. I agree about the whole aging thing. I try to keep things in perspective because I am nearly the oldest in my running group and most of the runners could be my children age wise! Progression runs are also my favorite, but they are rarely on my training plan now. Must ask my coach about those. Glad you ran without pain and enjoyed it so much.

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    1. I'm always inspired by your running! It's all about training smarter as we age. I still want to run almost every day. But, I just can't do that any more.

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  24. Sorry to hear about the calf cramp. Its never any fun to deal with injuries, regardless of how big or small they may seem. Glad to hear that you were able to run pain free by the end of the week.

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    1. It's amazing what a couple days of rest can do. Some times that's all a little ache or pain needs.

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  25. I did the same thing with my hip flexor. I didn't use resistance, so maybe it was too many exercises of one type?

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    1. I tend to go overboard with everything I do. I wish I'd finally learn that lesson!

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  26. Sometimes you need to stomp around like an unhappy toddler lol

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    1. I agree! As long as it doesn't last too long.

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  27. I love the motivate wrap! I keep seeing these and really need to get one. Maybe as a reward for finishing my first marathon.

    My favorite kind of run is the long slow distance in good weather. I feel like I could run forever! And not worrying about my pace means I can just get in the zone.

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    1. I look forward to wearing my wrap in my next half marathon. I hope it helps during those difficult last miles.

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  28. I need to remember to do planks more! I love the Mizuno Inspires. I actually had a white pair too and they got really dirty :) I'm glad you were able to run a little bit after testing your groin muscle

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    1. Maybe the dirty shoes will make me look tougher! LOL. I'm really stretching here.

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  29. I actually used to hate progression runs, until I realized that I was starting way too fast which made the concept of getting faster nearly impossible to accomplish. Once I realized that I started treating my first few miles as more of warm-up so I still had some fuel power to pick it up each mile after.

    I also like fast finish long runs, most of the time. Sometimes my legs are just like, NOPE. Haha.

    Happy Monday. Glad the pulled groin didn't keep you down all week!

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    1. Since I start out slow and sleepy on most of my early morning runs, the progression is pretty easy to accomplish.

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  30. OOH! That medal is awesome! I think even thought that picture of your finish was of you hurting - it's a good one. You will always remember your struggle and how you overcame it! Sorry about your groin injury - I'm actually thinking that this is more of what mine is too from pushing too hard on sprints :) Thanks for the awesome link-up every week!

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    1. I couldn't believe the size of that medal. They really went above and beyond.

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  31. Hate when your calf knots up! I hear ya, they are painful. Sorry to hear about the pulled muscle in your groin too. Glad it's feeling better and that you got a couple of good runs in. Next up for me is Rock n Roll San Francisco on 4/2 and I'm scared of the hills that I'll be facing!

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    1. Oh wow. Just hearing San Francisco make me think of killer hills. It should be a great scenic course!

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  32. Aging does suck! It is taking longer to bounce back! You still got some solid miles in this week- way better than I! I am loving all the spring blooms and this morning it was 50! WTH? Have a fantastic week!

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    1. That bounce can be pretty hard some times. I keep plugging away because I know it won't get easier,

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  33. Azaelas are definitely one of the things I miss about spring in the South. The mix of azaelas and dogwoods were always a sign that winter was over. I'm glad your leg is feeling better!

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    1. Dogwoods are pretty too, especially the pink ones. I was never successful growing any of them.

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  34. I'm so glad your strained muscle is better! If it's not one thing it's another right! I'm going to check out that movie yall watched. Seems we're on a marathon streak with 2 movies Friday night and 2 movies Saturday night. We worked on fence Sunday out in the wind and then my daughter and I went to the Campground to run. The water is still up over the road too!

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    1. It does seem like there is always something you have to deal with. It's when several things pile on together that it gets extra tough.

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  35. Oh man - sorry you had a rough week but so glad your muscle is better and you're running pain free now!

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  36. I've dealt with pulled groins before and it is MISERABLE. I am really sorry you had to go through that, as well as the calf strains. OMG that BB8 medal!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Yay for the planks, too! I need to be better about doing them because they are so good for you, but I swear it's the longest set of minutes in my life, LOL.

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    1. I had a substantial groin pull years ago that took months to get over. I'm lucky this one was short lived. I thought they did a great job with that medal.

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  37. Sorry about the bad week.
    Yikes on the groin pull, I did that in high school oh it was painful to walk for a few weeks while it healed. I'd say skip doing that type of resistance training ever again:) Sorry about the calf too, hope you can continue to feel better and not experience any long term effects from the groin or calf pulls.
    Love the new shoes, Mizuno's are what I use too. Although I may need to break down and add a new pair to the rotation soon as well.

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    1. Believe me, I'm now avoiding that exercise like the plague! I had a bad groin pull years ago and it seemed to take months to get over.

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  38. calf cramps and groin pulls, oh my! even though you had a rough week, it sounds like you ended the week on a positive note with that progressive run!
    hopefully next week will bring better, less painful days ahead...you got this!

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    1. I admit it gets frustrating with you have multiple aches and pains.

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  39. Awesome job on the negative splits! I can never seem to get those right!

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  40. im currently sitting here sore from a crazy hilly half marathon on Saturday-I want the soreness to go away already-it really stinks.

    and your progression run rocked!

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    1. I believe the most sore I ever got was after an all downhill half marathon. It felt easy to run, but afterwards...holy cow.

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  41. I'm glad to hear your pulled muscle fixed itself. That's the worst, isn't it? I've strained myself while trying to make sure I'm staying healthy too many times to count.

    I LOVE progression runs. They're my fave, too. :)

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. It's extra frustrating when you get hurt doing preventative exercises. It makes me feel extra old too. LOL.

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  42. Sorry to hear about your groin, glad your weekend run went okay. Love the picture of the flowers - I'm happy to be snapping those again.

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    1. It's been nice checking out everything that is blooming in my neighborhood during my runs.

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  43. I had a very pale (almost white) lilac colored pair last summer and they surprisingly stayed clean. They also have a black pair out but I just can't go there for some reason.

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  44. Sorry to hear about the rough week....had one of those myself. Need to get my post written for the weekly wrap still too! Great job on the planks!

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that. Here's to a better week. {clink}

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