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This summer I obviously didn’t post workout recaps for the week as I wasn’t in training for anything. I enjoy having some time to change up my workouts, rest a little more, and do more walks instead of other more intense forms of cardio. I thought I’d go into what I did this summer that gave me a good foundation for coming into training for this half marathon cycle!
I lifted/did Jillian Michaels’ Ripped in 30. I believe that strength training is critical for success with cardio as well, so I made sure to do some form of strength training most weeks. Sometimes I enjoy it and sometimes I hate it, but I definitely see growth and benefits resulting from it. My cousin got me Ripped in 30, so that’s mostly what I’ve done through the month of August. I hate it and I hate my cousin the entire time, but I feel really good about it after. It’s humbling, as I have yet to make it through the entire week 1 workout without needing to pause it once for a breather.
I went on long bike rides. The bike was my favorite part of exercising this summer, and I took full advantage of only working part time to go on long morning rides. I went on 5 or 6 bike rides that were between 50 and 64 miles, and I had a great time (rides like these: Bike Ride To Mackinac Island, Metric Century Ride, Being Chased By Dogs, Take Me Home Country Roads, and Cornfields and a 50 mile PDR. I find a lot of peace and joy on the open roads and trails, so these were some of my favorite rides of the summer. I also think that the 4 hour rides definitely helped to build up muscle differently in my legs, which I appreciate.
I started to implement some speed work. I think it’s averaged out to one speed work session every other week, and while I dread it a bit before hand, I actually feeling really good about it, even when I’m in the middle of it. I come close to throwing up at the end of each session (27-28 minutes total), but I think it’s making a difference!
I did a lot of races: Many of my actual runs over the summer were done in race form. I kicked off the summer with Indy Women’s Half Marathon, and also ran another Half that was totally accidental. For fun, I ran the Foam Fest, Neon Dash, Freedom Run, and the Ripple Effect.
I started training with Team in Training: While I only went to three or four Saturday morning runs all summer (I didn’t sign on until the very end of June), I’ve enjoyed being pushed a bit in these runs, and I love getting to run with other people. Do you want to partner with me as I raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?
I’ve continued to do pilates & stretch regularly. This is an absolutely non-negotiable part of my week, as I think the strength I get from pilates and the stretching and flexibility I get from pilates and regular stretching after each form of exercise is absolutely critical to staying healthy and hopefully not injured!
I’ve walked… a LOT. This summer I’ve walked a little over 100 miles, but it doesn’t feel like that at all. Some of them have been exercise walks- where I’m walking briskly to get my heart rate up, but probably about 2/3 of all my walking this summer has been me just going out for a stroll in the evenings. I really love this part of summer.
I’ve noticed that my running has definitely improved over the summer, which has been a surprise to me. I’m not nearly as sore after most of my runs, which has been nice. Some of my runs pace wise have hovered right around what I ran all fall and spring (which is saying something just because it’s so much hotter and more humid over the summer), but back at the end of July Melissa and I also went on a 5 mile run where my pace was 10:45- much faster than usual, and I felt great. I’m hoping all the cross training I’m doing has been helpful!
I also enjoyed plenty of rest days while I sat by the pool, which is my all time favorite way to relax! Now that summer is over and I’m back in training again, my work outs are obviously going to change a bit, but I’m ok with that. I hope to include each of these things in some way throughout most weeks as I continue to train!
Now it’s your turn to share! How do your work outs change between summer and fall? How is your fitness base right now?
How do you like the Jillian Micheal’s workout DVD? I have been considering something like that, so I can do some strength training from home. Does it work? I feel like I am at my peak fitness level right now, which is just in time for the Portland Marathon. Once I finish my final “big race” of the season, I am going to take some time off. Maybe.