About two weeks before Mont Tremblant, I wanted nothing to do with swimming or biking. I just wanted to eat healthy, lift heavy things, and run fast!
I finished Mont Tremblant, sort of wanted to run, but then my left knee started to act up again. So there went the running, and I had no motivation to swim or bike. Blaaahhhhh......
I did have motivation to lift the heavy things. So I have been doing lots of that!
Looking at my logs, I have lifted 3-4 times a week for almost the past 3 weeks. Already I can notice a difference!
Well, at first the lifting was SUPER humbling. I always say that the first day is free, and the second day you pay for it. Oh, I paid for it. HARD. I could barely walk for the next three days! Basically my glutes were so tight from all of the squats, lunges, and leg presses. (Regretting taking about 12 weeks off my strength training!)
Then, I could only hold a plank for like 45 seconds before I got the violent shakes. Now? I can do a 3 x (90 sec front, 60 each side) plank set. Improvement already!
While I haven't upped the weight yet with the lifting, I am noticing that it is getting easier, and I am not getting sore afterwards.
And my knee while running? Haven't felt it act up over the last 3 runs. The leg strengthening is already working its magic. Phew! I did NOT want to have a repeat of last Fall. That sucked...
So! Going forward, I am starting to feel an itch to do a run race finally. Just a 10K, with possibly a 5K leading up to it. That is all I want to do this Fall in terms of racing. I have already raced 15 times this season. That is a LOT of racing for me!
Now I gotta find a 5K and 10K race....
Good call on not over-racing. You've been killing it all year long. Take it easy in the off season! Nice work on seeing improvements from the lifting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of weight training in the off-season to strengthen your body before a season of endurances races. Can't wait to start lifting again in November!
ReplyDeleteFunny, starting in early August, all *I* wanted to do was lift heavy things. I think it's because it wasn't allowed.
ReplyDeleteBoo Run For Life 10k
ReplyDeleteTwo words: Mountain Biking.
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted already. My day is going to be wasted on Craigslist and bike reviews.
I I am liking the heavy things...
ReplyDelete