I know I haven't posted in a while, but I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit and surviving finals or the final days of work before the holidays!
Despite all the stress of exams, getting ready for my trip to Vegas, and prepping for student teaching, I'm definitely getting into the holiday spirit.
Holiday music is blasting from my car's speakers pretty much whenever I'm driving. It drives my friends insane. I love it, though!
I love the holidays!
Anyways, today I just wanted to quickly talk about how I feel like I'm in a rut with running.
A picture of me from my half marathon
It is well known that running is my go to sport. Running is my exercise form of choice.
I love pounding the pavement, breathing in the early morning air, losing myself in the beat of the music, getting into a rhythm, and enjoying the famous runner's high.
As much as I love running, though, I know it can't be the only form of exercise I participate in. Running everyday burns a person out and doesn't work all of the muscles.
This summer, I had a great relationship with running. I would run about four days a week, weight lift two, and go on a bike ride or rest a day, while occasionally going on a long hike. I was also busy running around with kiddos at summer camp all day long. Although I was very active, I mixed up my exercise activities, never felt burnt out, or in a rut of sorts.
However, since the weather has gotten colder, I find myself running about six days a week. I also do Bikram Yoga about once a week or once every other week.
For example, here is a look at my activity over the past week and a half:
Wednesday: 5 mile run
Thursday: 90 minute Bikram yoga
Friday: 10 mile run
Saturday: 4 mile run with my puppy!
Sunday: 3 mile run
Monday: 6 mile run
Tuesday: 4 mil run
Wednesday: 4 mile run
Thursday (today): 11 mile run
I know I need to change this up, but I'm not sure how. I used to belong to a gym, but with my busy schedule, I had a hard time making time to go or just motivating myself to go. I can use my school's gym, but during the school year, it is always way too crowded, and during breaks, it has very limited hours.
I'm not really sure where I am going here, but I just thought that maybe admitting to myself on this blog that I'm running too much and doing too little cross training and weight lifting is a step in the right direction. I also know I need to force myself to take rest days as well. Tuesdays are usually my rest days, but my schedule has been a little bit different lately, so I haven't been sticking to resting on these days.
Okay, well I'm off to refuel after my long run, head to work, and then finish up a research paper.
One week until Vegas!
How do you get out of a running rut?
Do you love the holidays?
How do you force yourself to take rest days?
Now that I am taking a running break, I have been finding my love for strength training increase even more! I know it's hard to start somewhere, but maybe try doing it at the gym 1-2 days per week? And if the gym is a no-go there are plenty of workouts you can do at home with no equipment... body weight workouts are killer!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I certainly struggle with rest days... every single time I take one. However, I just remind myself that they are both essential and non-negotiable. Eventually your body is going to burn out and you won't be able to run/exercise like you can now!