Taking It Easy


Normally this post would include a monthly running recap with total milrs run, highlights of the previous month, etc. But I will be honest with you — February did not include many miles. I was nursing an injury and instead stuck it to the indoor bike. But … I ran this week! I ran!

I didn’t have a lot of miles, but I did go running outside a few times to see how my leg felt.

Disclosure – it didn’t feel 100%. There’s still a slight soreness. But I’ll take soreness over PAIN any day. I remember when I tried to run around the block about a month ago and couldn’t do it because of my leg pain. Hopefully the soreness will go away and if I take it easy the next few weeks while starting to build up my mileage, I’ll be better soon.

Am I being too optimistic? Maybe. But with spring half marathons less than 3 months away and the weather getting better, I need to be! Here’s how this week looked:

Sunday: 4.38 mile run outside and 2.71 mile walk — I ran! Yes I did. I was so nervous/excited to get in an outdoor run. It was freeeeeezing out (20s) but I didn’t care – it was sunny and I was dying to go running. 4.38 miles later, plus lots of stretching, and I felt alright. I then got in a long walk with GM. He wouldn’t go to sleep in his crib, so I got out for a walk with hi in the stroller. After the 2.71 miles I also did several laps on my driveway before going in the house.

Screen Shot 2024-02-28 at 3.27.02 PM
despite the cold it was a gorgeous morning!

Monday: 55 minutes on the bike plus some arms and core work, stretching and 3 miles walking — I wanted to take a day off after running, so I did an easy bike workout plus hip stretches and core work. I got in 1.8 miles in the morning walking with GM before heading into work, and then 1.2 miles at lunchbreak.

Tuesday: 5.07 miles running outside, ~3 miles walking and core and stretching — I got in a run before work and felt okay! I then got in lots of stretching, and another walk split between the morning (before work) and lunchbreak. At lunch it was nice to walk outside with a coworker – it was 60 degrees! It was nice enough that I could finish my workday outside while FW played basketball.

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Wednesday: 2 miles running outside, 6.44 miles on the indoor bike and 2.11 miles walking —  I woke up to 60 degrees and decided to get out for a short run before focusing on the bike. It also was warm out in the morning, so I got in a 2ish mile walk with GM before the day cooled off to 30 degrees.

Thursday: 55 minutes on the bike and core work/stretching, plus 2 miles running outside —  I got in my bike ride and then was itching to get outside at lunchtime. It had snowed during the morning and was cold, and since I only had 20 minutes to kill I decided to try for a short run instead of a long walk on my usual path. I was tired but didn’t feel too bad.

Friday: 5.14 mile run outside plus core work and hip stretching — Okay, I wasn’t planning on a “long” run Friday, but we had plans Sunday morning when my normal long run would be so I decided to give it a try. Since I have until May to be half marathon ready, I decided this week to try to run 5 for my long run, and I did it! Now to rest the rest of the weekend and make sure my leg feels okay.

Saturday: 45 minutes on the bike and 2 miles walking. I got in the bike before a day of kid activities (ice skating, piano and soccer). When I went to bed Friday night, my leg was sore as was my back … but woke up Saturday feeling good! I also got in a short walk at naptime in between activities.

So we will see what Sunday holds – my goal is to run 3 easy miles before some fun early activities with the kids.


Questions for you:

  1. Do you incorporate stretching into your routine?
  2. Did you have wacky weather too this week? We had 60 degrees one day and snow the next!

I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

13 responses to “Taking It Easy”

  1. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    Those are a lot for taking it easy. But I’m glad that you have no pain.

    Hope you continue to improve and can return to normal routines.

    Nope. Never stretch. My bad.

    Yes. Crazy weather. 60 then 15 windchill.

  2. Wendy Avatar

    I know how good it feels to run again after an extended time off for injury! i hope the recovery continues.

    I do stretch more often than I used to–doing yoga seems to help. Pool running also helps alleviate my soreness!

  3. deborahbrooks14 Avatar
    deborahbrooks14

    You were smart to take the time off and come back slowly. Stretching is a huge pat of my day both before and after a workout. Have a great week

  4. Coco Avatar

    Lots of wacky weather and lots of stretching!

    Glad to see you are able to run pain-free again! I am getting there, but I have be careful I don’t cross that line!

  5. Kim at Running on the Fly Avatar
    Kim at Running on the Fly

    Yay, back in the running shoes! Sounds like we all got hit with wacky weather this past week…at least we’re headed in the right direction (towards SUMMER!).

  6. Melodie Baker Avatar
    Melodie Baker

    Glad your leg is starting to feel better! Hopefully you will be back to normal running very soon. We had crazy weather this week as well!

  7. jennystancampiano Avatar
    jennystancampiano

    Ooh, it sounds promising! I think if your adductor were still injured, you’d be feeling it. Sometimes you just have to start running to test it out. And you’re still incorporating a lot of the bike in there, to give it some rest.
    Good luck with it this week!

  8. Lisa @ TechChick Adventures Avatar

    Well, I try to stretch after my runs, but sometimes I just don’t leave enough time for it. But I think about doing it every time 🙂 I hope your week goes well and the pain keeps diminishing!

  9. Debbie Avatar

    I hope your run went well today! I stretch, but not enough.

  10. runswithpugs Avatar

    I hope everything went well!

    I am terrible at stretching, but I need to do it.

    Our weather has been awful. The storms coming through have been so bad and scary 😦

    1. Melissa (I Crashed the Web) Avatar

      we had one day of a scary thunderstorm last week (which doesn’t happen often in February!) but that’s it. I hate those storms and am glad we don’t get them too often! Though I do get them more here it seems than we did in NY.

  11. therightfits Avatar
    therightfits

    I’m not great about stretching, but I do pilates which incorporates a lot of it…

    I’m so glad the pain is minimal! Hoping for continued success in your return to running.

  12. Susanne Avatar

    I’ve missed your posts for some week but it seems you’re back running and doing well, I’m happy for you! Soreness instead of pain is a good upgrade. How lovely with 70F!! Even if temporary.. very odd weather changes. Here it’s mostly cold all the time.

    I never stretch. I’ve never thought it’s helped in any way. I do some dynamic stretches which are more like mobility exercises and mostly just keep the affected body part moving.

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I’m Melissa

Welcome to I Crashed The Web — proof that I’ve been oversharing online since the early days of blogging. It started as a blog (back when that was cool), morphed into a mom blog (when that was cool), and now it’s my happy place for all the things I love: running, baking, reading, traveling and life with my family of five.

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