TRAINING:
Week #9, I was already dreading...as a matter of fact, after last year's 16-mile run, I already began to dread the 16-mile run this year. Now, coming off that bad 14-mile run, I wasn't making a great case for myself. Going in to this week, my legs were shot. I was afraid that I had a stress fracture on the lower front of my right leg. I mean, at this point, nothing was going my way this week from the get go.
Here are my non-run day workouts for WEEK #9
MONDAY:
LABOR DAY! I stretched at home, iced my leg, rolled out my muscles...then went to a White Sox game...enough was enough. I needed a break.
TUESDAY: My long day at work, so because of the increased heat and humidity, I was training clients indoors. I knew that I had to keep things low impact again, so I worked on bodyweight leg work...600 reps to be exact. I always get in my core work as necessary and moved on with my day. Bodyweight work isn't easy, and sometimes the easiest exercise done no repetition is more taxing than weights or a HIIT workout.
FRIDAY:
Well, my 16-mile run was Saturday, so I laid low, worked on my legs passively. I went with the less is more theory this week. I foam rolled the heck out of my legs, took another soak and prayed!
NOW the fun part...MY RUNS OF THE WEEK!
WEDNESDAY: Soooo...the heat and humidity trend continued! YAY!! I mean, come on, this weather this year has been a joke! I opted for an indoor tempo run for 3 miles instead of my usual outdoor run. WRONG CHOICE! I was bored, my legs weren't great, it was hotter on the treadmill than it would have been outside...I WAS BORED...there was nothing good on the little TV...did I mention that I was BORED? I did a light 300 rep dumbbell set after and 100 ab reps just to round out my workout.
SUNDAY: 16 MILES! Why this run terrifies me, is beyond my understanding. I think it's because it's past a certain mental threshold for myself. It makes it more real that I am running the marathon in 30 days. In any case, I was excited about the cooler weather (lower 60's)...and then the joke was on me with 3-6-foot waves coming off the lake, flash flood warning on the path...oh and the bazillion mile per hour winds...because this run needed more baggage attached to it.
Now, at some points, I felt like I was in a water park, or standing on that bridge at Great America where you get wet from the water ride...other times, I felt like I was running into a brick wall going uphill, so I ended up walking...and for some BRIEF moments I actually enjoyed the run...I know, it weirds me out just typing that.
The final outcome? This was the best run I have had in 3 years! My farthest mileage at a 9 min/mile pace. I wish I could tell you how, I have no idea. I honestly don't. If I hadn't have experienced it first hand, I wouldn't believe it myself. However, that came with a price...which I will explain in my new section of this blog...WELLNESS CHECK!
WELLNESS CHECK:
I am starting this section mainly because as you've been reading these last few weeks, I am having some definite leg issues. Soreness is one thing; the occasional crap or shin splint is another...but the fear of having a stress fracture made me nervous like no other. I kept feeling this pain, more specifically in my lower leg, on the front of the right leg. When I got my usual flush massage from Jack on Wednesday, as he was about to work on stripping my fascia (which is painful on its own), I screamed at the mere touch of his thumb on that bone.
I have never seen Jack so concerned in the 3 years I have known him. Immediately after my flush, I was lucky enough to get an appointment with my chiropractor right after and Dr. Louis did he tuning fork test (negative), Ultrasound (inconclusive), made some adjustments on my legs and pretty much told me that it's most likely inflammation from overuse. Rest, Ice and pain killers was the only way to get rid of it. I did take it easy Thursday and Friday and didn't work out all that much. At this point, it was more about pain management to get through the next 2 long runs and then some bone stimulation therapy before race day to promote healing, so my legs are fresh on race day. I'll keep you posted on my leg health as the weeks go on and race day comes closer. For right now, I could use a prayer or two to get me through the next long runs!
NUTRITION:
My meal plans have been spot on! I haven't really run into major issues, definitely a change here and there. I didn't think last week I ate the right things the night before my run...even though there is a lot of salt in Chinese food, I could feel it in my stomach during my run. With the 16-mile run looming, I went back to my basics and wanted a good mix of my usual sandwich and Indian food...comfort food isn't called that for nothing!
Meals of the week included and pictured are:
1. Breakfast Quinoa of the Week - STEAKHOUSE! I am really starting to run out of ideas and just can't repeat anything just quite yet! (Ground Bison with A1 Sauce, Red Potatoes, Cheddar Cheese, Corn, Bacon)
2. Cacio Pepe - One of my favorite Italian pasta dishes! So easy, simple and ridiculously GOOD!!!!
3. Tomato Braised Pork, Goat Cheese & Jalapeno Sweet Potato Puree, Grilled Asparagus, Tomato Gastric
4. Orzo Salad with Grilled Chicken to eat between meals! Made it on Monday...and done!
5. Charred Cauliflower Salad
6. I had to sneak in Tostada Night for NFL's opening day!
7. Pre-Run Meals on Friday included Roast Beef and Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich from my friends at J.P Graziano's and then my comfort food for dinner...INDIAN FOOD! Lentils, Chicken, Lamb, Saffron Rice and Cucumber-Mint Yogurt
OVERALL:
Week #9 was a battlefield to say the least. Nutritionally, I knew I had to go back to basics and didn't want that to be an issue for me during my run. I had enough going on to make nutrition one more thing that didn't work for me this week. I trusted my gut on this one...ahem. Sorry...mentally, I was losing it. I am drained, tired and just want this race to come and go. This is usually when I start to really feel awful. I say no to seeing friends, miss out on events, leave events early because I literally can't stand. Emotionally, I felt withdrawn from most everything. Some people say things out of ignorance, it's hard to brush it off at times, especially now with the race so close. I'm not sleeping well which isn't helping me at all. I wasn't setting myself up for a great 16 mile run at all. The pain in my leg was unpredictable, as was the weather. With all that said, it somehow came together for me. I ran a good 16 miles in adverse weather conditions, leg health and mental stability. I paid for it later as I was and still am sore! I don't know how this all translates on race day because there are still too many factors to consider, for now I am focused on my final long run of 20 miles next week! Talk to you guys when I am post-20!
For those of you that are new to RB FIT and my blog, I am running the Chicago Marathon 2018 for the same charity as in previous years, The Chicago Diabetes Project - Cellmates on the Run Foundation! Click on the link below for more information, race updates and donations! Every dollar counts, help us find a cure!
UPDATE: I am almost at 95% of my goal of $1,500! Please keep those donations coming! I only have $122 more to raise! Thank you to everyone who has donated!
https://www.crowdrise.com/team-cellmates-on-the-run-bank-of-america-chicago-marathon/fundraiser/monicasehgal
See you guys next week!
~Giz
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