Hope you guys had a great weekend! I was so psyched to be home this weekend and had grand plans to go apple picking, get our pumpkin and enjoy some workouts in this perfect fall weather. Then Friday night came and BAM…sick. Much of the weekend was therefore spent on the couch with a box of tissues, not quite what I had in mind. Here’s what you missed if you were outdoors enjoying this amazing time of year.
- Rosemary dijon roasted potatoes
- Random thoughts & quinoa crack balls
- Apple spice pancakes <—make these, they smell like cider donuts!
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As you might imagine, being sick kind of threw week 6 of training off a bit. Combine that with a really long day of work on Tuesday and a 6am 6 hour flight on Wednesday and you’ve got one c-r-a-p-p-y week of workouts. At least this was designed as a fall back week mileage wise, I just ended up falling back on pretty much everything instead of just mileage.
Previous training recaps:
- Philly half training: week 1
- Philly half training: week 2
- Philly half training: week 3
- Philly half training: week 4
- Philly half training: week 5
The plan:
Reality:
Eeeek, that’s embarrassing to look at!
Monday:
Instead of moving on to 10 miles this week, I knew I’d be traveling and not have that sort of time, so I made this a fall back week for my long run. I ran a 9:03 average pace from my hotel all along the Bay Trail with views like this.
The weather was beautiful in San Francisco last week and this was a hot run because of it but I’m not complaining.
Tuesday:
Unintended rest day.
I had intentions to try and fit NROLFW in before the conference started but it didn’t happen. A long work day and knowing I had to be awake at 3:30am for my flight home the next day meant it didn’t happen after work either.
Wednesday:
Unintended rest day.
Got home from the airport at 6pm after 6 days away from home…yeah, workout not happening.
Thursday:
Pretty good 5 mile tempo run. A slight change in scenery from Monday to this.
Mile splits:
- Mile 1: 8:40
- Mile 2: 8:24
- Mile 3: 8:24
- Mile 4: 8:30
- Mile 5: 9:14
While the splits look good, this run got me worried. It was tough to keep that pace in the middle of this run and all I kept thinking was how the heck I’m going to do that for 13 miles when it felt so hard for 3! My only goal for Philly is to beat my previous PR (1:57:16) and now I’m starting to freak out about it a bit because that course was completely FLAT. The only increase in elevation was the speed bumps we ran over in the residential communities. I know this is not the case in Philly and I don’t feel much faster than last year. I’m not sure if I should mentally just accept that and lower my expectations or if I should work even harder to get faster in these next 4 weeks. Thoughts?
Friday:
Planned rest day turned low key cross training in the form of Yoga Meltdown.
I haven’t done this DVD in probably 6 months or so and my arms let me know that the next day after all those chaturanga pushups!
Saturday:
Unintended rest day.
Felt like death, no question at all to take the day off.
Sunday:
Unintended rest day.
I was supposed to run 4 miles at “pace.” This was a tough decision because I probably could’ve pushed myself and run but I decided it was better to rest up in hopes that I’ll feel well enough to get my long run in today. I did take a nice 3 mile walk instead to enjoy some fresh air and it reaffirmed the fact that I shouldn’t have run because I was out of breath just walking up a hill! <—not normal!
Obviously, this week was super unimpressive. I guess it’s better to be sick now than in 4 weeks though so I’m just going to try and forget it and look forward.
Total Weekly Round-up:
- Run: 10 miles
- Bike: 0 miles
- Strength training sessions: 1 (I’m counting Yoga Meltdown)
Do you workout when you’re sick?
What are your thoughts on the PR situation?
What was your best workout last week?
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I am glad you didn’t work out while you are sick! I don’t want you any sicker! :)
You might surprise yourself with the PR goal – I had NO idea I could run a 2:05 half marathon but somehow I did that yesterday and am *still* stunned by it all. if you want it badly enough, and you work hard during that race, I have no doubt you can and will beat your previous (wicked fast) PR!
Depending on how sick I am, but I have noticed lately I’ve been taking more “unexpected” rest days due to the fact that I’m just so exhausted from school and life
Sticking to a work out schedule is definitely easier said then done!
I’ve been doing Insanity and this weekend came down with a cold. I took one day off, but pushed through it the next day even though still feeling weak. I’m glad I got it done. It’s all about listening to our bodies. If I was way too sick, then I wouldn’t have done it, but felt up to it!
Oh man, that picture of San Francisco is totally worth a crappy workout week, if you ask me. Just think this week *has* to be better ;-)
I don’t work out when I’m sick, even if it’s just a head cold. I know some experts say it’s ok, but by just resting, I recover faster.
Awww bummer! I’m glad you’re feeling a little better, but don’t push it so hard that you relapse. As for the PR, I like to set 3 goals for myself, one easy, one challenging but very attainable, and one that’s pretty much out of reach. It keeps you reaching for the stars, but since you know it’s virtually unattainable, you really aren’t bummed if you don’t get it. I dunno… something I picked up in B-school and applied to fitness.
Relax, take the race as it comes. Try plyometrics- it can enhance the muscles that add to speed.
sometimes (rather often) life doesn’t go according to our plan. I think your body was
trying to tell you something on thursday.. Hopefully you’re loading with antibiodies from this illness and won’t be sick again for a while.
Wow– what a great view for a run!! Beautiful!