Training Week 36
I should be training for the Chicago Half Marathon (9/12/10) + Full Marathon (10/10/10) right now, but my injured legs are keeping me from running. So this training is more of an attempt to try to keep some sort of fitness, until the doc gives me the go-ahead to run again.
Day 246 | June 21, 2010: strength
I did the world’s shortest strength workout during lunch – and not because I didn’t want to work out – I am just beyond swamped at work and that was all the time I could afford. Wah.
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Day 247 | June 22, 2010: cross
Another day where I could only make it down to the gym for a short workout. I guess it is time to recommit to evening workouts and do something else during my short lunch… socialize?
I tried really hard to go fast on the bike, but really… I am just SLOW!
Stationary Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 6.35 (Set on Resistance Level 4)
Day 248 | June 23, 2010: rest
Day 249 | June 24, 2010: rest
I called my doctor on Thursday to tell him how much better my legs have been feeling – which they have – and he said I could come in to see him on Tuesday for a check-up. Woo hoo! I may be running again soon. For some reason though, he kept repeating he would help me get back into running slowly on the phone… what’s this “slowly” business?!
Day 250 | June 25, 2010: strength + cross
Quickie during lunch:
Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Arm Curl: 3 x 15 @ 25 lb
Pectoral Fly: 2 x 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
In the evening Steven and I went on a bike ride on the local Millennium Trail. So local, that they are planning on building a link to it in our back yard! How close do you live to trails?
They have the future trail marked out with these white poles (pointed at with the red arrows).
It’s not finished yet though. Or even started! We drove a few miles to get on the trail, then rode our bikes to the Lakewood Forest Preserve, which is about 7-8 miles away.
I wore a backpack with some goodies in it for a picnic dinner, and a soccer ball to play some soccer after dinner!
We got really sweaty playing soccer. And covered in mosquito bites. Running around and kicking the ball didn’t bother my legs though!
Thoughts on wearing a backpack while riding a bike? It’s comfortable, but it made my back all sweaty (it was about 85° and sunny out!) and I swear, it made me more out of breath than I should have been. This bike ride was actually pretty hard. I felt out of breath and very tired toward the end. It’s pretty hilly, so I blamed it on that, the backpack and my general fitness level.
After we got back to the car, I decided to ride Steven’s bike in the parking lot. Holy crap! It’s like a dream compared to mine – it must be at least 4000 times better. It has shocks, brakes that work, 28 speeds that all work (compared to my 10-speed bike where only 3 work), a comfortable seat… I definitely have bike envy!
Bike Time: 1:29:28 | Distance: 15.20 | Average Speed: 10.2 mph
Day 251 | June 26, 2010: rest
Day 252 | June 27, 2010: cross
Steven and I went to Maywood Park (in Maywood, IL) so he could do some autocross racing with Erin’s husband, Jason. I decided to bring my bike so I could explore a southern part of the Des Plaines River Trail while they weren’t racing.
I couldn’t find much info on the trail before I left, but figured it would be a bit muddy, since it it next to the Des Plaines River and we have been getting a TON of rain.
“Bit muddy” may be the understatement of the century. This was a real trail ride, complete with LOTS of mud, water:
and fallen trees:
Let’s just say there was a bit of walking through mud and over/under trees.
I made it as far as I could before there was no way to continue on the trail anymore because of water. I was kind of bummed – I was having a lot of fun!
Well, minus the bird that pooped on me, the mud that flew into my eye, the cobwebs that I kept running in to, and the poison ivy I am sure got all over me.
Thanks for the warning!
I was completely covered in mud when I finished, and so was my bike.
Luckily I brought a towel and there was a public restroom with water. I cleaned up the best I could, so I could go back to Maywood Park and watch the boys race! When I got there, Steven told me I still had some mud on my neck. Oops!
All cleaned up! Well, kind of!
And funny thing, it started pouring rain just as I got in to my car! Ha! I just beat the rain! I was happy it cleaned up my bike a little bit.
On a side note, see that dog tag around my neck? I wear that when I run/ride by myself. It has my name and Steven’s contact info, as well as saying “NKA A POS” – No known allergies A positive. What sort of identification do you wear?
Blurry on purpose
Bike Time: 48:37 | Distance: 5.8 | Average speed: 7.2 mph
Week Summary: 0 miles
Due to my work schedule, I really struggled to get workouts in during work this week. I really like working out during lunch and having my evening free to be a lazy bitch bum but I guess that might need to change. And I need to get back in to the habit of fitting in workouts on the weekends. We’ve been running around so much, I’ve let it slide. Oops.
Interesting link: A while ago, Andrea (Off Her Cork) recommended the Hollaback Health website to me. It’s basically a website about having a health blog. I found the post “How to talk about running without being annoying” interesting. The author gave recommendations on when to mention your runs and when not to… and how to not sound like you are bragging. I didn’t really think the article applied to people who use their blogs as a running log, but like I said, I thought it was interesting.
Themocracy
Thanks for introducing me to the Hollaback Health blog. That site cracks me up!!! Some of those posts are right on point!
Ok, that is quite a bike ride. I cant believe you kept pushing forward though, the minute I saw how swampy it was I would have rode back with my tail between my legs … I sure wouldnt need to see falling trees and poison ivy to push me over 🙂 You are a trooper. Hopefully, not an itchy one!
I love your bike+dinner+soccer date with Steven! (Does it count as a date if you’re married?)
You’re staying so active without running. Good for you!
Ugh, mosquito bites. Do you swell up a lot when they bite you?
I hope it counts as a date. It would be nice to pretend we are still romantic (or at least, still enjoy one another’s company, ha ha!).
I do swell quite a bit with the mosquitoes. And I get covered in them. Do they bother you?
I think by now you understand my complete lack of understanding of directions and where things are most of the time so if this question is ridiculous, at least it is expected. Is millennium trail near that bonner farm off of that somethingLake Road (Deep lake? Grass lake? They all get confused in my head…lucky thing I know where things are by looking or I’d be lost all the time!) If it is, that is where my daughter has volleyball and it is such a pretty area.
Sounds like fun except the mosquitos. I swell up like crazy from them and really get cranky when I am covered in bites.
I am cracking up about your confusion over “slowly” getting back into running. I completely understand and am crossing my fingers that everything is all healed and you are ready to go!
The Millennium Trail near us starts near Singing Hills Farm at Fish Lake Rd. and Gilmer. It goes down toward Lakewood Forest Preserve (in Wauconda). There is also an extension of it in Bonner Farm! I have not been on that part yet. I did call the Lake County Forest Preserve on Monday and they said they are going to start building the 2.5 mile trail by our house in Aug/Sept and it should be finished next July!
I am covered in bites all summer long 🙁
When I lived in KC, we had a trail in the back of our yard too. unfortunately, it was only 3/4 of a mile in either direction. I can probably count on one hand how many times I “ran” on it! 🙂
i have my fingers crossed for your check up appt! Hopefully he has good news.
Is it just my perception, or is KC lacking trails? I can never find any when we go there.
The doctor gave me the go-ahead to get back in to running this am!
Look at those muddy legs. Hilarious! What fun!
You know, my mom always used to give me a hard time, because I never wore identification when I ran. Still don’t. Though, now that I’m taking longer walks with the dog, I do carry my cell phone for emergencies.
I don’t wear any ID – shame on me 🙁 I love the muddy leg shot!
Your “really short” strength training workout sounds intense to me!!
Aww, thanks 🙂
You need to get a REAL bike. But since that may not happen right away, if you want to haul it that far, bring it with and I’ll at least try to get everything working on it.
Will do! THANKS 🙂
Since my bike is not “real” does it exist only in my imagination?
Yes, you always had a fairly active imagination. (it’s easier to haul that way too)