Why hello there!
I hope you are all enjoying your hump day!
I have been a busy little bee today and didn’t have time to post this morning. Deepest apologies. ;) Don’t worry I will make it up to you with a super amazing Whole Foods giveaway tomorrow! You won’t believe how fun this contest is going to be.
I have some other exciting news that has kept me from all of you today! Fresh restaurant has agreed to sample my Glo Bakery goodies!!!! So I have been busy trying to figure out what to send them and I have also been testing out a new Biscotti recipe. This could be a huge opportunity for me (if they decide they like the products and want to supply them in their restaurants), so I am really keeping my fingers crossed. Please send me glo-ing vibes!!!
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Light Exercise on Off Days
Yesterday, I decided to do some light walking on my off day to see if it helps with recovery.
I did 20 minutes on the treadmill at incline 10% walking at speed 3.5 mph. It was enough to break me into a light sweat, but I didn’t feel like I had to exert too much energy.
It is hard to say whether it helped much because I wasn’t really sore after my 12.40 mile run on Monday. However, my legs felt like lead so I am sure it helped get the blood flowing! I am going to try to get some light walking on most of my off days to see if I notice any difference in recovery long term.
With that being said, if I really don’t ‘feel’ like it on my off day, you can be assured that I won’t be pushing myself to do it. You all know how I feel about my off days! ;)
I also did something yesterday that I have been meaning to do for a long time now.
I did some knee strengthening exercises!
As you may know, I have been wearing knee sleeves since I started running again post-injury back in April/May. My knee sleeves have been a saving grace for me and have literally taken away 99% of my knee pain. It has been nothing short of miraculous.
However, I would eventually like to address the root of the problem which is likely weak muscles surrounding and supporting the knee structure. That is what my Sports Medicine Doctor told me in the Spring. At some point (when I can afford it) I would like to see a Physical Therapist so I can have targeted and professional help with strengthening my knees!
However, in the meantime, I have decided that I am going to try and strengthen my knees on my own.
You may have seen this excellent demonstration video that Caitlin put together:
I did these moves last night, in addition to this one:
It is now my goal to do knee strengthening exercises on a regular basis!
Now the only question I have for you guys is when should I do them? Should I do them on my off days or on my run days? I really have no idea.
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Tackling Speed Work Post-Injury
Today I tackled speed work!
I have almost entirely backed off from speed training since my injury. Aside from the two races I ran (10 km and 10 mile races), I have literally not done any speed work at all.
As you may recall, speed work was what contributed to my pelvic injury.
I was running a lot of Army Fitness Tests (run 2 miles as fast as you can) and I was pushing hard. The one I did right before my injury was 2 miles in about 13.46 minutes. I am almost positive pushing that hard is what contributed to my injury, along with doing the 30 Day Shred and intense yoga sessions. Superwoman syndrome, anyone?
So naturally, I have been really scared to really challenge myself speed wise. Today, I mustered up the courage to run a 10k speed run, but I promised myself that I would really listen to my body.
Lately, on my long runs, about every mile or so, I turn off my music and just do a check-in with my body.
I find music can be really distracting when you are trying to read the feedback your body is giving you. I just run in peace and quiet and do a scan of my body to make sure there is no strange pain. Once, I do this I can often put the music back on until the next scan. This has really given me an appreciation of working with my body when running. I highly recommend check-ins for all of you runners out there!
So when I headed out the door today, I told myself I would do my check-ins. Any strange pain, and I would stop. Easy as that.
The conditions today were pretty intense- it was one of the chilliest mornings we have had so far this month (11C/51.8F) and really intense winds (~25km/hr). I wasn’t sure how fast I would be able to run in this weather, but I gave it a shot. After all, no one says the weather conditions during my half marathon will be ideal, right? We could have snow for all I know! haha.
I started off dressed like this (sporting my ‘I Like It Green’ tee):
Went outside and came back in to put on this:
Yes, I am Canadian but I am a total cold weather wuss! Anyone else?
It will be nothing short of a miracle if all of you can motivate me to run outdoors a bit this winter. ;)
Once I got warmed up, I actually had a great 10k speed run!
Here are my mile splits (estimates from memory):
Mile 1: 9:15 min/mile (big hill)
Mile 2: 8:31 min/mile (big hill)
Mile 3: 8:27 min/mile (strong wind)
Mile 4: 9 min/mile (strong wind, stopped to walk 30 secs.)
Mile 5-6.2: 8:07 min/mile (strong wind, steady hill incline,stopped to walk 30 secs)
I was really happy with this run. My goal was to finish strong, like I would hope to in a race. And my final mile was my fastest, so it worked out well.
10k stats:
- Duration: 53:17
- Avg pace: 8:42 min/mile
- Max HR: 175 bpm
- Avg HR: 163 bpm (much higher than Monday’s long run stats)
I was so excited hitting my watch at the end of the ‘race’ look what I did!!!!!!!
Major ouch!!!!!! Right down to the skin!
This run felt absolutely awesome! :) I came home and guzzled a shot of protein, Amazing Grass style:
And had one of my ‘RENEW’ recovery Glo Bars (11 grams protein). Thanks for your help with voting on the name everyone! You guys rock. I really like the name Renew.
Afterwards, I stretched, did a mini ice shower and I’m feeling on cloud nine right now. :)
My running plan over the next 10 days:
My running plan for the rest of the week is to take tomorrow OFF and then run another 6 (easy!) miles on Friday. Saturday is probably going to be some form of cross training as we are going to Eric’s parents house for the weekend and will likely be active doing some kind of sport.
Next week is my TAPER week since the race is the 27th!
I think I am going to run 3 easy miles on Monday and Wednesday and then *maybe* 2 slow miles on Friday. I’ll play it by ear. I want to be very rested for Sunday morning (7:30am start time- gulp!)
For the racers out there- What do your taper weeks look like?
I’m so excited for my race I can hardly stand it!!!
Do you think I have caught the race bug?
I can’t remember being this excited about ‘exercise’ in years and years- if ever!
We have some huge giveaways coming up on OSG! I will be announcing the winner of the 6 bottles of Barney Butter Giveaway tomorrow morning (I have extended the contest until midnight tonight so get your entry in!). And then tomorrow I will be announcing a new contest for a Whole Foods Giveaway of over $350 of Whole Foods Gift Cards!!!! And yes, this will be open to US and Canadian residents once again.
Another reason to be excited? Tonight marks the kick-off of the Leafs first pre-season hockey game!!!! I love hockey season!
You don’t want to miss this contest!
sending GLO-ING thoughts re: FRESH!
That would be fantastic!
thinking of you ;)
Yay for the “Fresh” opportunity!! That is so freakin’ awesome – go girl!
a. I love, love, love cool weather!
b. Good luck at Fresh!
c. I might have been sleeping, but you must be doing the Scotiabank Waterfront half? I did it a few years ago, and it is a really fun, flat course… exactly as advertised. :) I’m doing the Toronto Half this year, but hope to go cheer at Scotiabank.
d. Taper week before the big spring race was spinning on Tuesday, a short run on Wednesday, a short run on Thursday and then a super SUPER easy spin on Saturday, just to shake the legs out. The hay is in the barn loooooooong before taper week – rest is key!
I love your race excitement! I just get sick with nerves!
My tapering brings me down to slow, short runs and stretching. That last week I wouldn’t do more than 3 miles. I also do knee and shin (toe taps) on days that I run so that my off days truly are off.
I’m not Canadian, but the weather where I live (and was born and raised) is rainy and yucky… and I am still a total weather wuss. :P
It’s sure feeling like fall out there! Just came in from a walk and it is COOL!
That’s awesome news about Fresh! I hope it all works out just the way you plan. What a great opportunity!
Can’t wait to tune in for the Whole Foods “business”!
Have you read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall? It offers a lot of insight into running, ultra running, and barefoot/minimalist shoe running. I gave up my fancy shoes and have been running better than ever (well, until I hit 25 weeks pregnant and had to just start walking). It’s a fun read, at any rate, lots of adventure and profiles of great runners.
Congrats on your Glo Bakery samples!!! Woohoo that is awesome girl :-D I went to PT for knee exercises, and I honestly felt like my knee hurt WORSE after doing them. I stopped going because of $$$, but I know I need to start up again on some type of strength since I’m running now more. I’m looking to do Caitlin’s exercises plus a few of my own! And thanks for recommending the knee sleeves – I really think I’m going to invest in some.
Angela, I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it! I’m from not tooooo far from you (Oakville originally, now Toronto) and it’s super exciting to see someone from nearby that I share so many interests with!
Congrats on getting into FRESH! I live around the corner from the Crawford location and I’ll be watching out for Glo Bars there for sure (I’m pretty much there every week if not more. It’s an addiction.)
Oh, and I’m not running the half marathon but my best friend is with the Toronto Vegetarian Association so I’ll be there rooting her on :)
Thanks so much for adding me, I will do the same :)
Brand new to this whole blogging thing but I think it will be fantastic.
I totes put on my running jacket for my run this morning too!! It was ch-ch-chillllllly!!!
gah! no more fingernail pictures! im eating dinner!
I live in seattle so i hear ya. it started raining today (first time in a while) and i made my puppy go out in the yard instead of me walking him because it was too cold for me
ANXIOUSLY awaiting WF giveaway!
Congrats on your running progress, it has been super cool to watch! I think all of us runners make a lot of mistakes in the beginning, and then really embrace what our bodies can do for us when we take care of it.
The first time I ran 16 miles I immediately came down with mono because I compromised my immune system and didn’t recover properly. I will run 17 this Saturday, my farthest since then, and know for a fact that I will handle it much better this time!
Thanks for getting the positive message out there that our bodies need to be taken care of…not enough people hear it!
Hey! I just wanted to say that I love your blog and read it all the time! I just started a blog a few days ago and would love for you to check it out! Also if you have any helpful tips on how to make it better that would be awesome! Also I love your cat! Is he a bengal cat? I’ve always wanted one! They look like mini leopards!
I am a Canadian too … and live in Sask (pretty darn cold province), and yet I am still a cold weather wuss!!
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for this Whole Food giveaway!
Congrats Angela, on your possible deal with Fresh!
I am a major cold wheater fuss too, I am already freezing and it’s still 15C over here. The other day I ran in a sweater, lol. But I think that it is not such a good idea to hide inside all winter. As long as you make sure you don’t cool off too much, and do a proper warming up (not running off like a mad woman) there is no problem with low temperature on itself. And the perspective of hot chocolate afterwards is so so good! Last year I went on a hike in snowy woods with a friend. Halfway there was a stand that handed out delicious, typical Dutch winter soup. That felt so good! So when the conditions of the roads are ok (no ice/snow that make it slippery) I will try to go outside running/biking/walking. Who will join me?
I think running in too hot weather is way worse than cold, but I’m a redhead so I don’t respond well to heat ;)
I actually found it kind of funny that you thought 11C was cold, that’s pretty much my ideal running temperature. I live in Calgary and as you know it gets pretty damn cold here but I ran all through last winter no problem. I’m a little worried about having to do my marathon training this winter though, running 30km+ on snowy sidewalks and no trails is going to be unpleasant. But I’d die of boredom if I had to run more than 10k on a treadmill, so it’s still better.
It’s funny how I adjust to the cold depending on the season- see right after summer, I find 11C to be freezing (because I ran in 25C all summer), but once winter comes 11C would be HOT AND BALMY! lol. Its all relative right?
Did you see the snow in June? I went to AB for my sister’s b-day and it snowed!
For my taper week before my half I ran 10 miles about 10 days before – it was my last long run.
7 the Sunday before
Bike on Monday
4 on Tuesday
Bike on Wednesday
4 on Thursday
COMPLETE REST Friday and Saturday.
My legs were fresh and raring to go on Sunday! Worked out great for me!
Thanks for sharing! I think I will try not to run more than 8 miles total next week
I hear you about the cold weather! As soon as it gets chilly, I usually keep all my workouts indoors, but this winter I really want to push myself to do some running outside…I definitely need to stock up on layers!
As for your knees, these strength moves are great exercises to get you started. I actually am a PT, and have treated a few patients with patellofemoral syndrome. Although I’m not sure that’s exactly the condition you have, it is a pretty common one with runners. It’s usually caused by weakness of the muscles supporting the knee (especially the inner thigh/quad muscles) and tightness of the IT band, causing the patella to track incorrectly over the rest of the knee joint. The knee sleeves will help keep the patella tracking correctly, which is why they can provide relief. There are, of course, tons of exercises you can do, but you have a great start with the ones Caitlin recommends and the bent leg lifts. If you don’t have one already, you might want to consider a foam roll so you can massage your IT bands and keep them from tightening up, too. You could probably do these exercises every day, but 3-4 times a week would be sufficient!
That was a mouthful! If you have any questions, feel free to email me: [email protected]
Great job with the half and good luck with Fresh!! I’ll be running a half marathon the day before yours. I know you will do awesome!!
Hi Niki,
Thank you SO much for all your help! It means a lot to me especially coming from a PT! =)