Weekly Workouts and Finally a Purple Belt!

Hey, all! Now I’m just a day late on my weekly training post — I’d call that progress. :)

Mon., April 28: 5-mile run

Tue., April 29: 3-mile bike ride, 2-mile run

Wed., April 30:  Rest

Thur., May 1: 3-mile run

Fri., May 2: 4-mile run and Taekwondo class

Sat., May 3: Thai kickboxing class and gym workout/strength training

Sun., May 4: Thai kickboxing class

This week, I tried to slowly start getting back on a consistent running routine. And I have to say, even though they were all shorter runs, I’m still having a hard time. Physically, I can definitely feel the lack of consistent training catching up to me (good thing I have one more spring half marathon to run in 2 weeks…*gulp*…) but mentally, I can feel my urge to run coming back. I am starting to “miss” it a little bit, and I am legitimately starting to enjoy my runs again.

I was willing to do whatever I had to do to break out of the running rut I’ve been dealing with for the past few months, and I do think that some time off has done me a lot of good — even though my legs (and, let’s face it, waistline) would probably disagree.

My plan is to run the Superhero Half Marathon for fun and then continue to run “by feel” until I start New York City Marathon training in July. That way, I’m hoping my body/mind will be fully recovered from the countless races I ran in the fall, and the two full marathons in January and March, so I can hit the ground running (no pun intended) when it comes time to train for New York!

In the meantime, I’m focusing on staying active and getting in plenty of cross-training. When I want to run, I run. When I want to cycle, I cycle. And I’ve been making it to as many martial arts classes as my schedule will allow — last week I was FINALLY granted my purple belt in Taekwondo! In addition to memorizing combinations and new kicking techniques for each belt level, you also have to demonstrate a form to music (it’s always patriotic, like Stars and Stripes Forever or God Bless America), and let me tell you…it took me forever to learn it! :)

purplebelt

Have you ever taken time off from running?

What are some of your other favorite cross-training activities?

Comments

  1. It always enjoy seeing when you have a post up! Congrats on the purple belt. I’ve been taking a break since PHM and technically before then too. I just home I haven’t lost all the strides i’ve made in my running ( literally and figuratively)

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Meranda! I know exactly what you mean. I tried to convince myself that my body needed a break and we physically just can’t train 365 days a year. Every athlete has an “off season,” right? :)

  2. HUGE congrats on getting your purple belt!!! So exciting!

    I am actually on a running break right now due to my bum knee. Ugh. I miss running already but I am finding other ways to be active without hurting my knee anymore at least!

    I am glad you have found a good running routine and are enjoying it again! :0)

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Lauren! Sorry your knee has been giving you trouble. Injuries are THE WORST. But there’s nothing wrong with giving your body a break, and after a little bit of time off from running I’m sure you’ll be good as new! I’m finding it kind of enjoyable to invest some of my time and energy into activities other than running…it makes me enjoy/appreciate my runs a lot more, if that makes sense. :)

  3. Hahah.. Have I ever taken time off from running? That is my life right now. Sigh… I really need to get back to it.

    Congrats on your purple belt! That’s so awesome!

    • Jennifer says:

      I know exactly what you mean, believe me! But we ALL deserve some time off if our body/mind needs it. Of course, sometimes it isn’t easy to go back…but you’ll get back into the swing of things. One step at a time. :)

  4. Congrats on your purple belt!! After my next half in 6 weeks, I don’t have anything lined up until October… yikes!

    • Jennifer says:

      Nothing wrong with that! I’m doing significantly fewer races this year, too — I’m at the point where if I don’t have a specific reason to run a certain race, I don’t sign up (which was NOT my M.O. last year, believe me, haha). That way, I save all my energy for the races I really want to run! :)

  5. Congrats on your purple belt! That’s so cool! And great week of workouts :)

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Lauren! It was definitely a better week than I’ve had in a while…I’ve totally been slacking off since the marathon in March, not gonna lie.

  6. Congrats on the purple belt! I would love to take martial arts classes but they scare me lol. See you at Super Hero!

    • Jennifer says:

      Hahaha, some forms of martial arts are scarier than others. I felt the same way before I started! Taekwondo is a bit more “artistic” than, say, Muay Thai…those classes are where we really learn how to beat people up. :)

  7. Congrats on the purple belt! I don’t know the color hierarchy, which one is next?

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Lesley! Haha, it took me awhile to memorize the color hierarchy…next is blue, and after that is when you start to get a bit more advanced (your red belts, brown belts, and the like). :)

  8. Congratulations on the Purple belt!

    And it seems like my entire life now is a time off from running…unless it’s race day. I do miss it though. I’ve been doing CrossFit mostly, but at least lately are warm-ups and workouts have included running so I get the best of both worlds! :)

  9. So interesting, I had no idea Taekwondo involved sequencing or music like that! Random question, but how did you get into doing it??

    I think it’s a great idea to listen to your body as far as what workouts it’s craving right now (I’m totally doing the same!) we’ll be getting in plenty of miles soon enough once we start training for NY and Goofy!

  10. Congrats on your purple belt! That’s a huge accomplishment.

    I took a nice break from running after my last half at the end of February, but now I’m bak in training for another half in July and then for the Disney marathon after that!

  11. Congrats on getting your purple belt! And it looks like you had a great week of workouts. Keep up the great work!

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