Lazy Runner, Party of One

Right, so, strength training. I really just need someone to make me do it. Only that wouldn't work either, because when someone tells me to do something, I want to do the opposite. I'm really mature like that.

I was listening to a Runners Connect podcast in the car this morning (which I found because MB of Tutus and Tennies posted about podcasts today) that talked about why strength training is important for runners (injury prevention!) and how to incorporate it into your schedule.

What I took away from it is this: even adding 5-10 minutes of bodyweight exercises before and after a run can make a huge difference.

You can check out the podcast (or just the transcript) HERE.

Inspired by the podcast, I started my run with a short routine known as the Lunge Matrix.

I ran 4 easy miles while I finished watching Blackfish (have you watched it? It's so sad.), and when I was done I ran through a few bodyweight exercises - 3 sets of 12 reps each.

Bridges
Backward Lunges
Squats
Plie Squats

I used an app because we all know I'm incapable of making myself do more than 3 squats before deciding that's enough. Lazy runner, party of one.

It's Cinco de Mayo, so we're celebrating with tacos, chips and guacamole and beer.

Buddy is very excited for the festivities.

Are you doing anything fun for Cinco de Mayo?

Oiselle Roga Shorts and a Lazy Sunday

It was absolutely beautiful here on Sunday. Buddy and I hung out on the deck with some iced tea and my kindle for a while. It doesn't seem like too long ago that I was wearing my jacket to go running, now I'm relaxing on the deck in a sun dress!

Buddy is psyched for spring weather.

I actually had to make him go back inside to cool off at one point, he was just laying there, panting like crazy. He won't drink any water I bring outside for him, so he gets sent inside for his own good.

I had an easy 5 miles on the plan for the day, so I decided to test out my new shorts. The shorts are really lightweight and super comfortable, I really like them! That being said, there was Body Glide involved to prevent chafing. It's not the short's fault though, the problem seems to be my thighs.

It may have motivated me to do some strength training to tone some areas that constant running doesn't tone. Of course, I've made such declarations before and have yet to stick to any strength training program, so there's that.

Why is strength training so boring?

Heavy Legs and Shorts Shopping

I have a special request for the universe: please leave my toes alone, specifically those on my left foot. In the last few days I have dropped the dog gate on one toe and shredded the cuticle, buddy scratched one to the point of bleeding, and I stubbed another on the coffee table. I'm running out of toes, so please, give it a rest.

I did my run on Thursday in my Altras to give my poor toes some extra room. 4 easy treadmill miles.

On Saturday, I planned on doing my long run like I did last week - half with the group, and half after on my own. It was a beautiful morning, clear skies and about 50 degrees. And then when we started running, my legs felt like they weighed a couple hundred pounds apiece. I had to push pretty much the entire run to keep up with the group.

I was feeling a bit better by the end (around 6.5 miles in) and was trying to convince myself to go out for a few extra miles, when one of the guys offered to go back out with me. Up until last year I was pretty much a solo runner, and I never realized how much easier it is to run with people. We did another 4 miles, bringing me up to about 10.5. I was planning on 13, so I didn't quite hit that goal, but considering I wanted to stop after mile 2, I'm happy with 10.5.

The funny thing is that my running buddy had run before meeting up with the group and was heading back out for a few more miles after I went home. When I left he was almost at 17 miles for the day - and he isn't training for anything!

I went on a running shorts shopping expedition in the afternoon. I have a pair of shorts I use for treadmill runs, but they're not something I want to run in outside (they're short and spandex). I have always had problems with looser shorts riding up and driving me insane, but I also know that I won't get through marathon training this summer trying to run in my capris.

After trying on pretty much every single pair of shorts in the store, I picked up a pair of Oiselle Rogas. I'll let you know what I think once I get a chance to test them out.

I'll leave you with some springy pictures from the neighborhood:

The lonely white flower from a couple weeks ago has some company now.

Do you have running shorts that you love?

I Clearly Didn't Learn

It was downright hot here today. I think we actually hit 80! Well, the back deck hit 80 anyway, I can't speak for actual accurate temperature recordings. 

I had a tempo run on the schedule for the day and after my usual putzing around, I hit the basement. There's no way I was running tempos in 80 degree weather. I'm not built for that.

My ankle has been a little off lately, and I clearly didn't learn from the last time one of my ankles was hurting (it's the other one this time). I barely made it two miles in before I had to stop and do some serious (seriously painful) stick rolling on my calf. It may have brought tears to my eyes, but it pretty much instantly helped.

I managed to successfully finish my run - 6 miles, with 4 @ 8:20 pace. My calf is sore from rolling it, but otherwise everything feels pretty good. We'll see about maybe doing some stretching - I hear that's good for you. Right, Jan? :)

Buddy and I spent a few minutes on the deck after my run until it became way too hot - I need to re-adapt to warm weather.

I'm glad you guys appreciate my endless pictures of Buddy sleeping, because I can't stop taking them.

I don't have a shoe problem, I don't know what you're talking about.

Also, look how uncomfortable this looks:

Weird dog.

Tuesday Randomness

I have a bit of a random post for you today.

Monday and today I had a couple of easy 4 milers, which I did on the treadmill because I'm lazy. The irony of being a lazy distance runner is not lost on me. My next half is apparently in 18 days (I just bothered to check), so I'm trying to stick to my training plan even on my lazy days.

Buddy is now perfectly happy to go out on the back deck by himself. He goes where the sunshine goes - as long as we don't wander too far out of eyesight, he's good.

Tom has decided that he wants a barn when we finally move, so we went to a place in Connecticut that we refer to "the barn store."

Some of them are pretty neat looking.

It's officially, officially springtime - the landscapers came and mowed the lawn on Monday. I like the stripes.

Um, don't buy these. I ate them all really quickly. It's a problem I have.

And these are kind of weird. You can always depend on me to test out the new flavors of everything for you :)

Buddy is one spoiled pup. Tom moved his bed into the sunshine this afternoon. Buddy was in heaven.

And some pretty clouds to wrap up my randomness. I swear one of these days I'll have a normal post again.

A Long Run and Group Nap Time

Winter feels like it is never going to give up this year. We had snow flurries on Thursday and freeze warnings the last few days. This morning it was chilly and I actually had to track down my running jacket.

Fun fact: my hair is fine, but super slippery and it usually takes 3 elastics to keep it in check. I know you were all wondering.

I actually managed to leave on time (I'm not good at that on Saturday mornings) to go meet up with the group. We ran our usual loop and complained about how cold it was. After a short break, I headed back out to get in some more miles. I had already told Tom I was planning on doing my long run today, or I might have been tempted to get back in the car and drive home.

Getting almost 7 miles in with the group definitely made the rest of my run not seem so long. I may need to find someone to run long with when I start marathon training later this year.

After I got home and showered I made biscuits and gravy, which I promptly devoured. I'm getting much more successful making biscuits with my grandma's recipe - practice makes perfect!

Then we watched tv and had group nap time (I actually napped a little bit today!). Buddy was loving it.

This was $1 at the grocery store the other day, I couldn't pass it up.

And watermelon Nuun is back for the summer, so I restocked my supply the other day. I love that Nuun almost always has a water bottle or pint glass that they put in with every order (they post on the home page when they're available) - naturally, I love that this one is a watermelon water bottle.

I'm looking forward to not setting an alarm in the morning, fingers crossed I actually manage to sleep in!

Watermelon Bumblebee

Some days, I just don't like speed work. It's hard, and I'm lazy.

I had a tempo run on the plan for today, though it ended up being something closer to a progression run. I was dragging my feet for a bit and used a combination of angry music (Linkin Park) and Gilmore Girls to get through my 6 miles.

I did a 1 mile warm up, followed by four faster "tempo" miles and a 1 mile cool down.

These were my fast miles:
1. 8:27
2. 8:20
3. 8:20
4. 8:00

Not too shabby.

This little flower was pretty cute hanging out on its own by a tree. It's only about 6 inches tall.

And some requisite Buddy pictures:

I couldn't turn down this sherbet today - Tom says it tastes like watermelon bubble gum.

That reminds me of high school choir, anyone else learn the "watermelon bumblebee" trick for when you forget the words to a song?