Did the Love Run Out?

Ever feel that our work and everyday lives get in the way of our running? I’m sure we have all had that feeling at some point. We create this training plan to follow, then work or family obligations forces us off track.  For me, February was about trying to stay on track.


Currently I am training for the Shamrock marathon that is coming up. I started off really well with my training and hitting double digits each week for my long runs. 

 I knew I had a girl’s trip coming up that would consist of a lot of relaxation so I wanted to make sure I upped my mileage the week before. And that is exactly what I did. I ran a total of 56 miles the week before my vacation. Want to know what it is like to run 56 miles in a week? EXHAUSTING!!! (Has anyone else ever run that far in a week?) Kudos if you have. I never have done that in any of my marathon training plans. That wasn’t even a goal, but when I looked back at my runs and calculated it, I knew I could complete 50 or more within the week.  Afterwards I thought to myself, I am glad that is over with and vacation is here.  

During vacation I did not do anything active. I didn’t even bring my sneakers( I knew I wasn’t going to run because of the mileage I just ran the week prior, and also I carried on and they take up too much room in the suitcase). I thought I would just enjoy relaxing by the pool with a few cocktails.  

After not running in almost a week, I was looking forward to the next run the following day after vacation. I ran 10 miles and felt great! Then of course work got in the way and I wasn’t able to run for several days later.  

In addition to my evening job a few nights a week, I teach classes Mon-Fri at the gym.  I still try to get my runs in after each class during the week, but that is really the last thing I want to do after teaching an intense group fitness class for an hour each morning.  Lately I have noticed that my runs have been a bit sluggish. I am not keeping a pace that I normally keep and just feel really tired during my run.  Is there such a thing as cross training too much?  My fitness classes are going great, but my runs seem to be suffering as a result.  ~L



We will be linking up wit the gals from TOTR.

38 comments:

  1. I think it's totally normal to have ebbs and flows with running and take breaks on vacation! The joy of having a struggle with running is when you get to fall in love with it all over again. :-)

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    1. Yes that is so true! It makes your appreciate the good ones.

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  2. I bet it felt great to take that week off running, tho! Sometimes we burn ourselves out with our training. Hang in there.

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  3. Some weeks it is hard to fit it all in. I think it's important to remember that this is a hobby and not our "jobs" sometimes I have to remind myself to put it all into perspective. It's ok to miss a few workouts and I will still be ok

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  4. I would find it really hard to cross train for an hour and then run! I am not sure what types of classes you do but could you participate less in thrm? I realize depending on what kind of class it is, that is just not possible!

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    1. Unfortunately not! I have to do the class with them, or they would be totally lost with the moves.

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    2. That makes sense. I am picturing a Zumba instructor being like, "Oh hey guys, you got this" hahaha! I know you don't teach Zumba, but I was thinking of a class that you have to do the moves with.

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  5. Are you able to run before your class? Not sure what your schedule is like but it might be easier to get it out of the way before instead of waiting till after. I hate waking up early (5:30) to run but it's SO much easier to do it then instead of at 6:00 when I get home from work!

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    1. Not when my classes start at 6 am. And the other ones start at 9, but I would hate to come into class being a hot mess from running an hour beforehand.

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  6. Sounds like you had a good vacation! I'm sure you needed the relaxation with all the work plus so many miles the week before. It does sound like it would be hard to run at peak pace after teaching class for an hour.

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    1. Yes it is, but I just have been doing easy runs afterwards. On days I do not teach, I try to hit my goal pace when my legs feel fresh.

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  7. Its very normal for us to go through waves with our motivation for anything, including running. I'm sure that before long you'll find that love again.

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    1. I hope so! Maybe I just need a new pair of sneakers or a new outfit to help:)

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  8. Dang, that was a lot of miles in one week!!! Glad you were able to get some nice R&R on your vacation; I think taking a week off of training, especially when you're training for a marathon, is good for the psyche.

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  9. Relaxing vacations are always great. I do take sneakers everywhere, but if I'm not planning on running, I don't pack any running gear. No sports bras means no running.

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    1. I knew I wasn't going to be doing any activities that why I didn't pack any. When I do pack running gear, I make sure I always use it or I feel like it was a waste packing it.

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  10. 56 miles in ONE week. No wonder you needed time off.

    Get new shoes and you will want to run again LOL

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    1. I plan to get a new pair after my next marathon in mid March.

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  11. I definitely feel like running gets in the way of life sometimes! I often wonder how the heck I manage to fit normal life stuff - like groceries and laundry - into my days!

    I love that LOVE picture!

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    1. Thanks! Sometimes I forgo the errands I need to run to fit in a run.

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  12. I think its hard to make progress in more than one fitness area at the same time. When Im running alot, my strength training suffers, and the opposite is true as well. The most i have ever run in a week was 62 miles and it was exhausting!

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    1. Wow! Now that is a alot of miles. I don not think I could ever hit that!

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  13. 56 miles! That's no ordinary feat. Just reading about it is exhausting. Hope you had a good vacation and all charged to get back to business.

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    1. Vacation was nice, but I felt like it was hard to get into the swing up things afterwards.

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  14. I'm sure you can do too much, even if you do it different ways. It sounds like your body is just plain tired!

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    1. I think so! I think I need to make a massage apt to help me recharge!

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  15. Wow I have never run even half that in one week! LOL. Kudos to you! But yes it is possible to train too much lol. Sounds like your body had a well deserved rest!

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    1. Yes it did. Maybe a little too much rest, as my runs felt hard the week following my vacation.

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  16. Life definitely gets in the way. I think the most I've ever run in a week was 70-something and yeah, your body lets your know. Even though crosstraining is at the root of the problem, your symptoms sound like overtraining to me.

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    1. Wow! 70 miles is a lot! I probably should take a day off. Even when I do from running I still have my class. So everyday I seem to do something.

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  17. I think my longest week ever was somewhere in the 30s. ha! Even though you had that intense week at least you were able to balance it out with a nice vacation. I think it's important to have that time to relax! Time off makes me appreciate finding time for a run even more.

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  18. 50+ mile weeks are insane. Great job! ;)

    If your runs are suffering you should take inventory of what's going on in your life. Work, cross-training, family obligations, etc -- it can all take a toll. Figure out what's up and then decide what's most important and go from there.

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  19. I've run 50+ miles a week a few times. I felt like all I did those weeks was run LOL.

    Way to get the runs in! I bet your body adapts after a bit and you stop feeling so sluggish. It's probably the combination of high mileage and cross training.

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  20. 56 miles! Wowza! Sounds like some time off was definitely in order. I think it's natural to have ebbs and flows in your running. I'm sure your body's just tired. How about treating yourself to a massage?

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  21. 56 miles in one week is crazy- LOL! I would have needed 2 weeks off after that! I am sure your body is tired:)

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