Everyone have a nice weekend? I adore my 3 days off from working out. Doing a 2 in-a-row at the gym for Wed. and Thurs. is rough, but it is so worth it when Friday after work I can simply go home. Priceless. However, those who know me know I never truly take a day off from working out. Besides my endless amount of crunches, pushups and weights at the gym on workout days, every morning I do 75-100 ab rolls on my ab wheel (After breaking my 7th Ab Roller, I’ve switched to the Ab Wheel. So much better!). And on my non-running days (or lately, non-biking days) I do 5 minutes of the hula.
That’s right. I do the hula. It’s completely embarrassing and I forbid anyone from watching my hip-swiveling display (well, except the neighbors up at 6 am because I hardly ever shut the drapes. I have no shame with strangers).
 |
| With my collection of broken ab rollers |
 |
| I'm fairly certain I can't break this one |
TMI, I know! Anyway, it was a nice weekend full of new sweaters, Sangria (practice for the Hoop Dee Doo Review in Disney this January), and some painting. I even squeezed in a nice 3 mile walk into hurricane winds on base and some icing of my hip/thigh. I feel some definite improvements!
 |
| So worth dismantling the mannequin for! |
After reading up on hip flexor strains (thanks, Morgan!), I am fairly certain that that is my problem. The good news is I only have the Level 1 severity. I’m frustrated that I’m still a little sore from last week (only a little though!), but I’m really hoping that its just because I tried to do too much, too soon, too fast.
So, even though I feel well enough that I could probably do all 9 miles today, I’m going to play it smart and ride the bike. It kills me because it’s so gorgeous out and probably the last semi-warm day of the season. But, I’d rather not set myself back anymore and just get this over with. I may try to run at a slooow pace on the gym’s indoor track Wed. or Thurs.
I think my return to running is going to be a lot more gradual than I had anticipated. Maybe 1 slow-paced 9 miler with 2 bike days a week, then increase from there. I’m afraid of ultimately losing my super-fairy speed, but try to keep thinking that I’d rather be able to run period, than not run at all. And my 7:28/mi pace after 3 weeks off gives me some hope.
