It’s no secret running has been a struggle for me this year and I’m calling my thyroid disorder out for all of it. When running sucks, naturally I’m not wild about doing it. While I haven’t stopped running completely, I have been cutting runs short and procrastinating like nobody’s business. Don’t even ask about speedwork cuz that’s MIA entirely. While speed is so not in my wheelhouse right now, I made it a goal this week to stop the other two behaviors: This was the first week of the year where I actually succeeded in getting all of my runs done, in their entirety. Plus I’m hanging tough on Rachel’s Burpee’s Planks and Pushups Challenge. While planks and pushups are my jam, I still don’t love burpees but I’m doing them and not dying.
Monday: Rest +60 Burpees (did them in sets of 10)
Tuesday: Plyo Intervals + Strength + 3 min. plank
Wednesday: Run 6 miles + 60 pushups (I did 2 sets of 30)
Thursday: Rest +70 Burpees (did sets of 15 +10)
Friday: Run 5.5 miles + 3.5 min. plank
Saturday: Run 8 miles + 70 pushups (2 sets of 35)
Sunday: CrossFit
To what do I attribute my success? I listened to my body and gave myself permission to slow or walk whenever I felt like death. Whether it was after a mile or two or sometimes even a half or quarter mile. I made a truce with my inner critic and gave my body the break it needs. I figure (slow) time on my feet will serve me better at Gasparilla (which I’m totally going to have fun with anyway) than showing up severely undertrained and hating every second of it. And you know what? My Garmin seems to like it! It’s gone from telling me my runs are “unproductive” and I am “over reaching” to things like this:
Somehow (not sure how) my VO2max has stayed intact as well. I’ll take it. That tells me that even with the walking, I’m getting a plenty good enough workout for my body and fitness level as it stands at this point in time. I’m hopeful the walk breaks will diminish when we get this thyroid thing sorted out, but in the scheme of life, there are worse things. What matters most, especially as we age and have to adjust the sails, is that we KEEP MOVING in one way or another, at one pace or another. It’s all good!
It’s not all doom and gloom though. While running is a struggle, strength training is my beacon of light. While it’s true I had my behind handed to me at CrossFit a couple of weeks ago with this workout, since then my body has totally stepped up and I’m pretty much as strong as I’ve ever been. Today (the third time I did this workout + a few other exercises) I was able to move up in weight on everything and my body handled it far better than it did the first time around. Cheers to progress!
Hot List
Let’s get to some fitness goodness I’ve tried recently:
Body Glide. Of course I’ve been a Body Glide fan almost from the beginning of time. Nobody’s got time for nasty chafing and the worst part is you never really know when you’ll fall victim to it. A product I’d seen but had no idea what the difference was…or if there was any difference at all…is Body Glide For Her. It is the year of the woman…or something like that…after all right? What I wondered was how are these two “glides” different from each other? So I did a little research.
Both are sweat and water resistant. Both are made from plant-based ingredients and are never tested on animals. Yay!
Body Glide:
- Apply it to feet before you run to prevent blisters. Check.
- Infused with Vitamins A and C to help soften and restore dry, chapped feet.
Body Glide for Her:
- Apply to prevent chafing of thighs, bustline, underarms and anywhere skin rubs or gets raw.
- Infused with Vitamins A, B, E and F.
From what I can tell, there are a few more vitamins in the Body Glide For Her. I runfess I’ve been using regular Body Glide universally on my feet as well as all the other body areas that are specified in the For Her formula and I’ve had no issues. Maybe this is merely marketing? Either way both products are awesome.
Tiux Compression Socks. I had an opportunity to give these a try recently. Although I’m not running big miles right now that require the full recovery process, I do like to layer compression socks under my usual running socks when it’s cold out, mostly to help with warmth from the knee down especially the ankles. I found Tiux compression socks to be high quality socks that fit well. I love this pretty blue. They washed well time after time without bleeding, fading or stretching out and feel great on. Wanna try Tiux compression for yourself? RUNDEFINITELY saves you 15%.
How was your week? Have you “adjusted your sails” lately? Did you enter my giveaways here and here?
I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
Join us for the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup where this week’s topic is SHOES! Show us your shoes!
I can’t believe it’s not too early to be saying this but the first Runfession Friday Linkup of the year is this Friday! Be sure to join us. It’s so good to get stuff off your chest.
Kudos to you for getting in so many great workouts this week, but also listening to your body!
I’m sorry that you are having thyroid issues and I really hope that everything gets fixed soon – I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be.
You always should take a break when you feel like death! Hope that doesn’t happen very often. I get miffed when my Garmin tells me my workouts are unproductive. It should at least tell you that you did better than if you’d stayed home eating chips and dip …. It’s hard to runfess when you haven’t done much running, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something by Friday.
Glad to hear you are crushing your strength training workouts! Hopefully you’ll get the thyroid issue settled and then all smooth sailing from there! My niece bought me some Body Glide for Her for Christmas but I haven’t tried it yet. And I, too, have been wearing compression socks for my arctic winter runs!
I think your runs have been strong! We all know Rachel is trying to kill us (sort of LOL) with all these burpees….just being able to stand and walk away when finished with them is a victory.
Glad to hear you got all your runs in and that you feel good about them. That strength training is definitely the go-to for us. This aging thing is not for the weak!
Thats great that you have been able to find a way to make your runs more manageable! And nice job with the strength training. We cant make progress with all things at the same time, right?
Glad you are finding solace in the strength training if the running hasn’t been your thing lately.
Ever since Rachel told me about using stick deodorant to prevent blisters and chaffing, I haven’t used any body glide or that sort of thing. Her tip works like a charm!
It’s always nice to be able to cut back and still keep your fitness level in tact. It looks like you made the right choice! I feel like I’m there with you… I just haven’t been able to get back in to the swing of things yet no matter how much I may will myself to train.
I love the body glide for feet! It’s a total necessity for wet runs! We have the lotion form though.
A beautiful perspective, my friend. I’ve been adjusting for over two years now and that in itself it’s getting old. Acceptance would alleviate a lot of my stress. 😉 It’s probably a good thing that my Garmin can’t tell me as much as yours does. I would take offense. Hang in there. Hopefully, you can get the thyroid issue under control soon. Thanks for linking!
as always you inspire me with your words and your perspective/take on life.
Thyroid struggles and issues are so flipping hard to get figured out, too.
xoxo
I’m glad you’re in the process of figuring things out. Sometimes aging doesn’t seem very fair, does it? We work so hard at our sport through our lives and get rewarded with slower times, pain, and other not so fun things.
I always assumed that Body Glide for her was a marketing thing. Just as long as it doesn’t cost more!
So sorry you are having thyroid issues, but you are looking very strong to me! I admire y’all for doing the burpee/push-up challenge. I hear the Gaspirilla race weekend is awesome! I will be at Disney Princess that same weekend!
Push ups and burpees. You are amazing. I’ve never tried either…yup. I’m a slacker. I do plank on occasion but not often enough.
Gasparilla is on my bucket list but it’s never at the right time of year 🙁
It will be fun even if you don’t run fast. Fast is relative, anyway!
I don’t café but I do get blisters – always. May have to try your suggestion.
Wow, you still got some really good workouts in! Listening to your body and cutting yourself some slack is definitely the way to go. I stink at doing that sometimes so I’m going to try to remember this when I need to chill and don’t want to.
I’ve never tried Body Glide but this past weekend, I wore some new gear and well ….. let’s just say that I wish I had that “for her” stuff. What the heck? I’ve never had that happen before.
I’ve had phases of adjusting too- our bodies are brilliant and let us know what they need. You’re being really smart!
Finding a different rhythm for your runs sounds like a good call. Hopefully, you can get the thyroid situation straightened out quickly. Great job with Rachel’s challenge! The idea of that many burpees had me running in opposite direction 😉
That dang thyroid!!! Hope you can get it under control soon. I completely understand where you’re coming from. I was never a fast runner to begin with but the last year and a half my pace has plummeted. Embracing the walk/run method is the only way I’d have gotten this far in this marathon training and no doubt the only thing that will get me to that finish line! I’ve been using #olderandslower #butstillmoving in most of my IG running posts lately as a reminder that yes, as we age many of us slow down but it’s no excuse to stop moving. Forward motion is progress, right? At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself all the way to that finish line!! 🙂
It’s been tough getting back to things after the holidays. I know what I ate and drank definitely did not help. My running seems to be getting back to me, but strength training has been going well. It’s good to feel sore, knowing I’m improving.
Wow! You have an amazing workout routine regardless. I’m glad you listened to your body, such a good “self care” attribute many of us should follow.
that is a lot of burpees my friend! We must have different Garmin watches bc mine does not give me a critique on how my run went 🙂
Sails were made to be adjusted. I think the ability to roll with the punches is a positive thing, and you really have the most wonderful attitude. I’m sorry things get so difficult for you, but I think you are going to have a blast at Gasparilla and get your groove back!
DAMN, lady! That was an awesome week! Cheers to a new one.:)
Well if you’ve been struggling it sure doesn’t seem like it! You’re one tough runner. And I’m so glad you’re still hanging on with the crazy challenge!! 🙂
Great job! My feet blister so easily when I run. Does the anti-blister balm really work?
I completely understand how you’re feeling. I’ve been going through some of my own health issues, which has definitely affected my running. Just keep pushing through and you’ll eventually come out on the other side.
I’m so sorry to hear about the thyroid problem; those are never fun. It looks like you’re doing alright despite that, though! I hope things improve for you.
Despite some struggles, it looks like you had an awesome week. It can be annoying to be forced to listen to our bodies, but it all pays off in the end!
Way to get all your runs in and just keepin on moving! Sounds like you are crushing your crossfit workouts. Great job!
you know I totally relate to this right? are you me right now?
all last year it was pulling back on running and focusing on what I could do. These last 3 months or so have been really more about other cross training, walking, biking, etc. and running when I can. I’ll runfess I’m ready to start training again, but nervous that my foot won’t cooperate. We shall see. You did the right thing though. Sometimes you have to pull back.