End of Spring Update

This year, I have cross trained, cross trained, and cross trained some more. I have done weights, an at home Combat program, yoga, cardio classes, and now a leg/ butt specific program.

Have I ran? A little bit. I still try to get a couple runs in a week. I'm not specifically training for a race, nut I'm training to make my legs stronger. After my knee issues, I wanted to focus on getting stronger so I can run without a brace of some sort again. I want to run faster and better without feeling like an old lady.

Have I seen progress? Yes. On my runs, I often have to hold back because I'm afraid my of reinjury. Most of all, my average pace is 10mm, which used to be my fastest ever. I often see 9:15-9:30 paces on my Polar tracking.

I've even done another 5k recently, mainly on trails. My finish time was the same as my last 5k in 2012.

The best result: awesome looking legs that are stronger than before.

Have you ever focused on strengthening instead of just running? What were your results?

Midweek of Full Week #1 in 2010

This week I've done very well. I've been struggling with a hamstring issue, hoping it may not be something worse like an aluvsion, a ligament torn from the top of the bone. I stay stretched out with at least 30 minutes of yoga every morning, which helps tremendously with it as well as my back. Rotating ice and hot soaks seem to helping as well. I've ran everyday, but Tuesday, logging 6.61 miles so far. Not bad considering I didn't run like I should have during the 5 horrible holiday weeks.

Tonight, I did a short run with weights and a core workout afterwards.

Tomorrow, I'm planning on a treadmill run at the rec center while my son is at his karate session. Saturday, I'm planning a longer morning run. I think 4.5 miles will do. Sunday, I plan for a maintenance run of 2-3 miles. I need to keep it short just in case I have a soccer practice pop up. Yes, it's pre-season right now.

Weight: I fluctuated over the holidays from 143-149. With watchful eating geared to my runs and my diligent workout schedule, I am currently sitting at 144.5. I honestly think my scale is wigging out on me because I don't "feel" 144.5, but I weighed in several different spots with the same result. I try to convince myself that it's about fitness and my running right now, but I cannot help to still eye that number everyday with scrutiny.

Update to come on Sunday after my longer runs this weekend.