Here I am smack dab in the middle of those exhaustingly heinous peak marathon training weeks before the taper. Before I get to one of the ways I’m rewarding and taking care of myself (sort of) here’s how the week’s workouts went.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run 5 Miles
Wednesday: Strength
Thursday: Hill Repeats
Friday: Plyo intervals
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Run 18 Miles. Ouch
I’m still obsessed with this new (to me) trail. The squirrels have really messed it up with their nut debris, just saying.
What a difference a week makes. Last weekend it was hot and sunny with temps pushing 90. Then fall came in with a vengeance and a 30+ degree drop in temps. And rain. Lots of rain. The kids begged me to turn on the heat. Can you believe that? Heat. In September. Sunday’s long run was fine (minimal sciatic nerve pain) until mile 13 or so when I started to drag. I boarded the struggle bus at mile 15. My endurance just isn’t there.
I finally did a hill workout in preparation for RnRSTL. I’ll do a couple more, but still most likely too little too late. Whatever, it’s gonna be a blast. There’s still time to join me. Remember MarciaRocks saves you $15.
This marathon training cycle is a little different. Typically I’m all about the ice bath. I’ve given plenty of advice on how to make the perfect ice bath. Even a kinder, gentler ice bath. But this time around? I can count the number of ice baths I’ve taken on two fingers. Don’t get me wrong, they’re fine. But I’ve taken a page from the teenager’s high school track coach and have been experimenting with epsom salts in a warm bath.
Plus I have some Lush bath bombs the kids got me for Mother’s Day. What better time to pamper myself, right?
I went with this cute Ladybug, or as Lush calls it, LadyBIRD bubble bar. Alrighty then.
I whipped it in under the running water. It fizzed and foamed nicely. Then it turned the water an alarming shade of magenta. My inner cheapskate cringed at using an entire $10 ladybug for a single bath so at the last minute I fished it out to save for a future bath.
…except it looked like a mound of neon ground beef. So gross. I’ll tell you about that other creature from the black lagoon in a sec.
Us runners, we need to take care of our feet. You know, pamper them. Personally I’m all about the pumice. And cooling foot gel. All the better if I can get someone to massage my feet with said gel, which I can’t. One can dream.
That white thing with all the dried sea creatures in it is what Lush calls Foot Soak and Fancy Free. I bought it because I thought it was a cool pumice. I didn’t want to go over to the sink with the girl like they always make you do at Lush and listen to her explain anything so I just bought the dang thing.
So there I am soaking in the bubbly magenta water with my pumice that is not a pumice. I decide I’ll give it a go on my tired feet when it starts disintegrating, because it’s not a pumice at all but a freaking foot soak. Foot soak as in you throw the entire $8 disc in the water and watch your money disappear. You know by now my inner cheapskate would have none of that so that’s how it got on the side of the tub with the ground beef…I mean ladyBIRD.
Since my Lush extravaganza I found some cheaper $2.50 bath bombs at Whole Foods. I’ve only tried the epsom salt one so far but it was good if you can live without magenta water.
Alright enough about my bathing escapades. Let’s end this post with my fave Snap Chat filter of the week.
Is a bath part of your post-long run recovery process? Are you a Lush fan?
I’m linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap…
…with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup. Join us!
I haven’t heard of Lush but the Epsom salt bath sounds more like my thing! I’m a cheap skate as well ? I’m tapering for one last race of the year and could use a warm bath and/or foot massage right now! Ha!
Great week of training for you! Those peak weeks are tough but your taper is just around the corner. Keep it up!!!
Congrats on 18 miles! That trail looks beautiful. I put that snapchat filter on my two year old niece. Thug life! I never took ano ice bath but my brother is training for validation marathon right now and he is a strong believer in the ice bath.
I haven’t tried lush yet.
I have a hot tub outdoors and I love going in it after a long run.
You are making me want a bubble bath though.
Our weather has cooled down too. But it’a getting dark so early! Wah Wah!
I have not done Lush anything, and I do not do baths. I know, I know….but the whole sitting in my own “filth” kinda grosses me out LOL I have done some epsom salts soaks for my feet, does that count? Thanks for the great detailed-account of your bath experience 😉
Oh my gosh this is hilarious! I do like Epsom salt baths post run, but wasn’t really feeling them this summer (felt like it took so long to cool off that a hot bath wasn’t appealing). Now that it’s cooling off, I plan to bring that back into the routine. I do like Lush, but it can be pricey. Usually I just put the Epsom salt I buy in the big bag in the bath and call it a day 🙂 You totally earned a full bath bomb though after your 18 miles!
Haha! Your $8 Lush disc experience made me laugh – but the ladybug looked really really cute, I would have fished it out, too! Congrats on your 18 Miler. Well done! Are you ready to taper?
So much rain here, too the last few weeks. It’s putting such a damper on my running. I’m not a fan of running in the rain. Hopefully it will clear up for you soon.
Can you believe I have never ever been brave enough to take an ice bath?
Have a great week Marcia!
I also like a bath after a long run but I’m not a fan of cold baths. I sometimes do a cold shower on my legs only if I think they feel tired and need some help.
I must get some Epson salts as everyone says they are great for runners. It’s just hard to find them in the UK.
As for heating in September, we waited until 1 October until we lit the fire this year!
I used to take ice baths but I havent done that in years. Now I definitely prefer an epsom salt bath! Its crazy how much it cooled down over the past few days!
Your new running trail looks beautiful! Something about all the Fall colors makes it so pretty!
I had my first ice bath yesterday and it was quite the experience. I have to say that my legs do feel much better this morning. I’ve been doing weekly epsom salt baths and love those as well.
I can’t wait to hear all about your RnRSTL. I’ve heard its a fun race and I’m sure you will have a blast!
LOL! I’ve never used a bath bomb and just barely started doing the Epsom salt soaks…I don’t think I have the strength to tolerate an ice bath!
Ooooh….no ice baths for me! That sounds like a torture treatment. And now that I found research saying how they don’t help recovery, well, say no more…
When we moved in this house, I was 3 weeks postpartum and all I wanted was a hot bath to soak my sore booty in. I turned on the water in my new tub and it wasn’t hot. For the first time since I gave birth, I fell apart. My poor husband, who had been working to get the house ready for us to move in, could only try to figure out what went wrong. There was a “safety feature” on the spigot that was meant to prevent hot water from becoming scalding. He tore that thing out and I had my bath. I don’t know why I’m telling you this except to share that I need my hot baths! With all the fixins.
I tried an ice bath, and I’ve tried epsom salts, but I’m definitely a warm shower after I run, foam roll and stretch kind of girl. I don’t sit still well, in general, so a bath is never really relaxing. If I feel my feet need attention, I get a basic pedicure, and then my nails are all pretty.
Epsom salts for me… often! I have a magnesium deficiency and this is one way to get more!
Watch ouf for those nuts and leaves… they can be really slippery!
I have never taken an ice bath but I love hot Epsom salt baths. I don’t every put bath bombs in it though. I’ll need to try that.
Woo hoo, way to push through those 18 miles!!! I’ve never tried an epsom salt bath, but I have done a few ice baths. They are so uncomfortable but they do work, right? I’d love to try a bath bomb, too. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL at your stories on the magenta bomb and the “pumice” stone. I totally would have done the same thing in EVERY aspect from pulling out the half-used bombs to just buying the “pumice” to avoid the sales pitch. COMPLETELY RELATEABLE!!!!!!!
I haven’t tried Lush before…having seen the prices I’ll just stick to my good ole Walgreens Epsom salt soak!! LOL!!
I have never done an Ice bath… honestly it sounds scary! But I’m down for a hot bath any day! that is any day that there is a free 30 minutes in my day.
I was using epsom salt fairly regularly over the summer and last month not a once…why do I get so lazy? I have no answer. I did buy a dish pan so I could epsom and ice my feet easier but so far I only used it once LOL I need to get busy. I wish someone would massage feet but nope..not going to happen LoL unless i pay them.
At least the 18 is done 🙂 and your trail looks pretty amazing!
I’m so laughing at you because I am the same way! $10 oh no ma’am! Now if someone wants to gift it to me, yes please but as far as me buying them with my money? No way! Do you know how big a bag of Epson Salt I can get at the ol’ Dollar store? A big one I tell ya! And I use it on a regular basis. Well if I’m home. That is one thing I miss being in the RV, a freaking bath tub!
Oh yes! I head straight for the bath when I get home from a long run. I use Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts with oils because they smell so nice. I’ve used some cheaper bath bombs from the grocery store and they’re a nice change once in a while but I wouldn’t have been pleased with LUsh either!
Epsom salt baths are where it’s at!!! I love them! I haven’t been to LUSH in forever but their stuff is great! I get a bag of Dr Teal’s (I think $5-$6?) and it lasts 5-6 baths. And you smell so good after!!!!
Nut debris ? Ah yes…. don’t get me started on the chestnuts !
I don’t like baths, nor sitting in water of any color. But I would completely hate to spend money on bath things to see them disintegrate in less than 10 minutes. LOL
And I have never taken an ice bath either. Don’t like being cold !
You did great on that long run. 3 miles on the struggle bus in a win in my book. My squirrels attack all the pine cones in our yard and leave piles of sharp, ouchy shredded pine cone mulch everywhere. I’ve always favored a soak in a hot bath. In fact, I’ve never taken an ice bath. And, I’ve never heard of Lush. Maybe that’s a good thing. Thanks for linking, Marcia! See you in a few days! EEK.
Way to get your 18 miles done! I haven’t used any Lush products and I rarely do baths. Lol, sorry to hear about the pumice not being pumice. Not fun when that happens.
I’ve never heard of Lush, but I’m right there with you on being reluctant to use a $10 bath bomb! I am a fan of the epsom salt baths for sure. My attempts at ice bath have just been downright comical, including me squealing so loud at one point that it sent my dog into a howling panic…I think he thought I was dying. LOL!
I’ve not heard of Lush before.I don’t do the ice bath thing. But I’ve taken epson salt baths before, not for running recovery but when I’ve had minor injuries and stuff.
Great job getting that 18 miler in!!!
I’m all about the Epsom salt bath! In fact I just took one! That’s mostly because I’m too much of a wimp to do an ice bath… Haha. But it is definitely relaxing!
I can’t tell you the last time I got in the bath tub- I do believe I am missing something now ! and I bet I have some bath stuff just hanging out that needs to be used! Hmmmm. Now I know what to send you for Christmas! Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Haha, this post made me chucle. I love a long hot soak in the tub after a long run…well, after any day as a matter of fact! It used to be my respite from the kids when they were little and the days were exhausting! Now I just enjoy the solitude with a good book and glass of wine. I used a bath bomb once and was terrified that it would stain my tub…it didn’t of course, but I’ve yet to use another. Congrats on your 18 miler and I do love the ‘nut debris’ covered trail you’ve found…looks beautiful!
Awesome week of running! I am a shower girl. In and out!