Can’t do simple arithmetic: 5/8-14 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

Seriously, apparently I can’t count. I wanted to move my long runs from Sunday to Saturday — my next half is a Saturday — and it never occurred to me that I’d have two long runs in one week — according to the calendar Rachel @ Runningonhappy uses, which runs Sunday through Saturday. Although since I report Monday through Sunday here, it’s all good. Sort of. This week had its ups and downs.

I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin; if our hosts don’t inspire you to get more active, I don’t know what will!

WeeklyWrap

Workouts update

  • Monday: JY High Mileage Reset
  • Tuesday: Dogwalk, 8 x 400 downhill repeats — 6 miles total
  • Wednesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk
  • Thursday:  Couple of dogwalks
  • Friday: PIlates Perfect Body Arms, Legs, Couple of dogwalks
  • Saturday: 11 mile LSD
  • Sunday:  Dogwalk

Mileage: 21 (+5)

JY = Jasyoga
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running updates 

It’s really a long hill

Tuesday

This was my first time running downhill hill repeats. I definitely like it better than uphill ones, but that doesn’t mean it was easy! I ran downhill then walked back up. And I felt just fine . . . until the last downhill, where I felt a slight twinge in my left hamstring.

It didn’t bother me on my cooldown, and my last mile was the fastest.

Running hands free with Bandit

Wednesday

I tried to tape the bothersome hamstring — it wasn’t bothering me much, but it was there, ya know? Headed out and warmed up with Bandit for a couple of miles using the new hands free leash.

About the last half mile I started to feel something in the hamstring again, but did I stop? D’oh, of course not. Stupid.

We had some sun this week — but not much


Saturday

I was supposed to do a tempo run on Thursday, but my hamstring was really aggravated so I chose to take a couple of rest days instead. I had also meant to get back into Iron Strength, in preparation for the net downhill in UT, but obviously that was out too.

So I headed out Saturday, not quite sure how far I’d go. I also headed out earlier than usual to try and beat the rain and was mostly successful. My hamstring didn’t bother me (and still seems fine), so I got the 11 on the schedule done.

It’s always such a balancing act when there’s just a slight niggle like that — every time it felt tired, I’d be asking myself whether that was a twinge? Did it feel a little tight? Should I turn around? In the end I think I was successful listening to my body, but it’s not always easy.

Favorites of the week
Well, I did it again. Another hydration pack. Seriously. I really wanted one with pockets and when I saw a good deal on one I snatched it up — it finally arrived Friday, just in time for the long run.

Made by Ultrainspire (and in UT, no less!), there’s an incredible attention to detail. The bladder actually opens at the top, making it easy to fill, and the hose disconnects completely.

There are multiple pockets on the vest in front — my hard sided case I put my cookies in fit perfectly in one. There’s too decent sized pockets up front, one zippered, one open, and then a couple of smaller ones.

The pocket in the back is the largest one of all of the hydration packs I own. The hose has a bite valve you pull open to drink from, and then just push shut to close it.

My only problem? One side was good, the other was falling off my shoulder. I assume it still just needs to be adjusted and will have Mr. Judy help me with it. I tried to adjust it at one point on the run (obviously, not on the run), but it didn’t help.

bpiebites
I liked them, but even three bites took a bit too long to eat!

I also tried using some pie bites during my long run. They were a bit time consuming to make — you can only put a tiny bit of pie filling in each — and I ended up just kind of rolling the pie crust around that bit of filling like a biscuit.

I just used a few, but they take longer to eat, even though they’re quite small. Still, they were tasty and different and I found myself looking forward to them. I only chopped up one apple, but I had a huge amount of filling left over, so I baked it for a while and enjoyed that topped with some greek yogurt and granolahalotop as a dessert after my long run.

Happy Mother’s Day to all celebrating! Ours was a very long day, leaving home at 9 am, coming back at 6 pm, a long drawn out lunch, dropping the dogs off, picking them up, taking back that cabinet from my parents . . . maybe I’ll have some photos for Thursday’s post. Right now I need a snack & to relax just a tiny bit!

And that’s a wrap 

link-up-badge

This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.

Let’s get the conversation started:

Fun stuff for Mother’s Day? 

Ever forget to count a run? 

Would you eat a pie bit on the run?

35 thoughts on “Can’t do simple arithmetic: 5/8-14 Weekly Wrap”

  1. Hope your hamstring cooperates. Supposedly downhills are harder on the legs than uphills. It was raining by 8am at my house on Saturday and poured during my 5k. I was soaked but still glad I supported this cause.

    I can’t imagine wearing a hydration pack. I hate carrying anything even my Gus.

    I don’t pay attention to race days. I run when it’s convenient. I don’t think one day or one run makes a difference. But you know me. I don’t even train these days. And I am much happier and relaxed. Now if I could only quit my job…

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    1. It didn’t start raining at the bike path til almost 9 am. I started around 7:30 am. I am sooooo tired of running in cold rain.

      If I had actually done my scheduled tempo run, I only realized after the fact, it would have been a pretty high mileage week. So maybe my hamstring did me a favor.

      It feels fine now . . . . more downhill repeats on tap for today so we’ll see what happens.

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  2. When I was having IT band issues the down hill was always more bothersome than the uphill. I never thought to do downhill repeats though!
    How do you like that hands free leash? Do you feel you have just as much control over your dog?

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    1. I forgot to tape my IT last week — I’m going to do it this week. It hasn’t been bothering me, but I know hills can aggravate it & like the hamstring, it often doesn’t start speaking until I’m done.

      The hands free leash makes running with Bandit easier. There is a handle on it you can grab, Although frankly it’s just easier to grab the leash.

      One problem I have is the leash tends to get under his leg, mostly because we use a no pull harness with him. I’m going to see if I can dig out the regular harness, because stopping to get it out is a pain (we already take enough pit stops!).

      I doubt that’s a problem you’d have with a larger dog.

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  3. No Mother’s Day plans here. I have never forgotten a run although I have re-arranged my schedule he to work, weather or illness. I don’t know what pie bites are. I have been thinking that a medjool date would be a good fuel to pack for a run.

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    1. The pie bites are exactly what they sound like — little bites of pie! I just put some filling on pie crust, cut them into small squares, and kind of rolled them up.

      Dates are awesome running Fuel!

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  4. I always find that running downhill is harder for me than running uphill. I think it might have to do with my knee and IT band issues. I hope that your hamstring feels better soon.

    Those pie bites that you mentioned sound super yummy. I can see how those would be great as fuel for a long run!

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    1. My hamstring feels fine right now. I have more downhill repeats on the schedule today so we;’ll see!

      The pie bites were really yummy, but took too long to eat — even small ones. But I like having just a couple as something to look forward to.

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  5. I hope your hamstring doesn’t give you more trouble. One of the many reasons I decided not to do Utah was the course. People think downhill is easy, but it’s hard on your legs — although I think your quads?

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    1. Oh, I knew downhill isn’t easy. I’ve never done a net downhill race & this year I’m doing 2!

      A week ago I would have told you what really worries me is the elevation. But this year is all about taking on challenges and trying new things. Sometimes you just gotta!

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  6. Those pie bites sound yummy. but if they take more effort to chew, I’d probably take a pass. I tried eating a granola bar halfway through my first marathon…and my mouth was so dry that it took forever to chew up the first small bites. I finally gave up & tossed almost half of the bar because it was a total fail on my part LOL

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    1. Since I do use real food during runs/races, I’m used to chewing stuff & it seems to work for me.

      The pie bites ere good, and I think I’ll continue to just have a couple in there — something to look forward to — I don’t think they would work as my only fuel.

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  8. I actually jarred my leg a little bit running down hill a couple months ago. I have no idea how I did it, but did, and of course my IT band got irritated from that. Take care of that hamstring!

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  9. One of my hamstrings is upset with me too from the hilly Door Co race. I’ll test it out tomorrow. For Mother’s Day we traveled to my in-laws and back — which makes for a long day. I was looking at the Utah course today. The last few miles are actually pretty flat. After running down hill for so long, it’s my experience the flat miles will feel uphill. So now I need to think about pacing strategy. LOL. Do you like the hands free leash? Thanks for linking, Judy!

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    1. I’ve only used the hands free leash once, but it’s definitely better than holding a leash and not being able to swing the arm that’s holding the leash. To me, anyway.

      This is my first net downhill race, so it’s all new to me. I changed things up a bit with my downhill repeats this week & that seemed to work better — although today’s easy run will give e more info. Hopefully your hamstring is cooperating, too!

      I know it’s not all a downhill course, which is actually probably a good thing.

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  10. The pack you have sounds nice! I have been eyeing a clip hose so it would be easier.
    I know all about those hammies…if something is going to make noise it seems to be my hammy or glute. Once I get it aggravated it lingers…
    Your area looks really beautiful 🙂
    I wish I was going to Utah!!!!!! I think it will be a wonderful experience.

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    1. Unclipping the hose really helps!

      I don’t usually have hamstring problems (piriformis is a different story, but I’ve been good there for a while). Occasionally I’ll strain it with ST or the wrong stretch, but I don’t think running had ever bothered it before.

      We will definitely miss you in UT. Are you doing Vegas? Or MT?

      The whole elevation thing makes me think it won’t be a fast race for me — but I’m open to believing it will be too. 🙂

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  11. I’ve had 2 long runs in a week more often than I can remember. I don’t really think my body can count the days tho.

    I don’t think I could do a hydration pack. Too much weight and fluid sloshing around. Not for me.

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    1. Most people seem to love their hydration packs (myself included), but it’s not for everyone (obviously).

      I actually find that it feels much lighter than any other way I’ve tried to carry water & I’ve pretty much tried it all!

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  13. Hills are hard on the hamstrings – you probably are anyway but just make sure you are training the muscles supporting your hamstrings if you are doing hill training! hopefully it was just a twinge this week and it won’t come back!

    I would eat pie anytime 🙂

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