Happy Sunday!
It has been one whirlwind of a week and I am so happy to be on the backside of it. Before I put it firmly in my rearview mirror, let’s recap shall we?
Monday – Rest day, as usual. Completed plank streak day 57 and 100 Bird-Dogs for the final week of the Superman, Squats, Twists Challenge. I substituted bird-dogs for the supermans because they agree more with my lower back.
Tuesday – I had presentations to give for work which required almost 6 hours of driving to and from – needless to say I felt like a pretzel by the day’s end. After some gentle yoga poses, I eeked out 50 of the 100 challenge squats plus plank day 58 and called it a day.
Wednesday – 3 miles soaking in a beautiful 60 degree day! This run probably felt the best since coming back from being sick. I followed it up with planking and 100 twists to wrap up the SST Challenge.
Thursday – I was on the road again for work, but thankfully there was less time in the car. I question my sanity but I did join Rachel’s Total Body Challenge, which kicked things off with 10 burpees. I absolutely hate burpees so it will be a miracle if I make it through…but I do love a good challenge.
Friday – I woke up to the howling wind of the Nor’easter bearing down on us so I headed to the gym for 3 miles on the mill and Day 2 of Total Body. After a quick shower, it was off to see my massage therapist to get some relief for a cranky piriformis.
Saturday – With the remnants of the Nor’easter still in full effect, I decided to push my run to Sunday and avoid the harsh wind. So it was a rest day with 20 burpees and planking thrown in.
Sunday – The goal was 7 miles, and within the first half mile, I knew that this was going to be tough.
Full disclosure – the cranky piriformis first reared its head on the back half of last Saturday’s 6 miler. And, while it was definitely aggravated by so much drive time on Tuesday, I was really encouraged by how I felt after my next two runs.
When I went to see my MT on Friday she had warned me that it was clear to her that I had tweaked something and that runs longer than the 3s I’d been running might irritate it – cue the foreboding music. Well, she’s usually right on the money and she was right about this run. I held it together for the first 3 miles, but then the wheels came off. I hated to cut the run short, but attempting to run with my right leg screaming at me didn’t seem to make much sense so I headed for home and settled for 5.
I’m having a hard time shaking off today’s run. For one thing, I’ve dealt with piriformis issues before and know what a bitch it can be; and two, it’s left me feeling like next Saturday’s Black Cat race/training run is out of reach. My biggest goal this year is to steer clear of injury so I can go after some big goal races. I’ve got to update the RunnersConnect coaches on today’s run – I’ll be curious to see what they have to say.
Is it worth it to push for double digits next week just because I committed the $35 to run?
I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
I’d wait until the last minute, but if you only spent $35, I’d probably DNS. It’s not worth going down the injury pathway again. I had to DNS a few races last year–one was Grandmas’ Marathon, which was over $100 dollars but what did someone tell me? It was the “sunk cost” theory– “Reasoning that further investment is warranted on the fact that the resources already invested will be lost otherwise, not taking into consideration the overall losses involved in the further investment.” Anyways it made me feel better.
Wendy recently posted…The Week that Came in Like a Wrecking Ball
Are there any other distance options for Black Cat? If not, would you consider running as much as you can maybe speed walking the rest? Since you’ve dealt with the piriformis issue in the past, it’s probably just better to err on the side of caution.
If you can’t do the race, at least it was only $35. I think you can look at it this way – give up for the $35 for the race or run the race and maybe cause more injury and have to pay more for PT visits. I used this rationale when I didn’t claim my guarantee entry for the NYC Marathon. I knew I’d be out the $200+ race fee, but it was worth it to not have weekly ART appointments!
Kim G recently posted…Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Training Recap – Week 10
Yeah I figure I’m lucky that this race was super cheap – it will cost me more in PT appointments if this thing blows up into a problem!
We have had horrible weather this past weekend too. I wanted to get a longer run in but that didn’t happen due to the crazy wind! Sorry to hear you still have problems. If I wasn’t feeling it during race weekend, I wouldn’t run. Even if it was only $35. It’s not that much, but what if you do decide to and irritate it even more. It will be more than $35 to rehab that injury.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Weekly Wrap…March 4!
I don’t blame for not running this weekend – the wind was just insane and made running so tough!
I hate that you are having piriformis issues. I dealt with that a few years ago. I went to physical therapy (for 3 months) to get a handle on it. I did still run (limited) throughout those months. If you aren’t feeling 100% and there isn’t a shorter distance you can transfer to, I think I’d just lose my $35. It is not worth it in the long run. Fingers crossed it goes away quickly. Thanks for linking!
Thanks, Holly – unfortunately, the only other distance offered is 20 miles. Guess I’m lucky that at least it wasn’t an expensive race.
Well since I have been in your position before and gone both ways on the race decision. I am going to say that no it is not worth it at all if it will mean injuring yourself further. That is never worth it!
Deborah Brooks recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date March
Thanks Deb – I agree 🙂
Oh man sorry to hear about the piriformis woes. No fun at all. I’d say, especially since it was only $35, to take a DNS and live to run another day. Either that, or take it very easy with lots of walk breaks.
Marcia recently posted…February By Number
Thanks Marcia – as much as I am not fond of those 3 little letters I think it’s the way to go.
UGH. Piriformis issues are a total bitch, and that’s putting it kindly. My piriformis issues have all but disappeared this past year or so and I think it’s due to my stand-up desk at work. I guess only you will know how functional your leg feels on race day…and $35 is not a huge loss, but I know it will be a disappointment none the less.
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Spring is coming…I think
That’s interesting that you think your stand-up desk has helped! My husband and I have been talking about getting one for our home office cause he has one at work now and loves it.
Gosh. So sorry you are going through this. Maybe the race has some shorter distance options, or like others have said run what you can and then walk the rest? But see how you are feeling closer to the time, you don’t want to risk making things worse.
Shathiso recently posted…Journey to My First Half Marathon, Week 9
Since the race isn’t too far of a drive from my house I can hold out and decide at the last minute. This is the shorter of the two distances the race offers so I’m thinking if I don’t think I could at least run a solid portion of the distance comfortably it may not be worth it.
That’s a lot of bird dogs – I can barely get through two sets of 15 for PT. If you can’t get your piriformis to release this week I think a DNS is the best decision for the long run, but I won’t judge!
Coco recently posted…First Race Of 2018 ~ The Reston Ten Miler
It was a crazy number of bird-dogs! LOL! If I can get the piriformis to cooperate then I’ll give it a shot, but I agree otherwise not worth it and I’m not out a big race fee.
Sorry about your injury. Hope it heals quickly. There are worse things than a DNS – a more serious injury and lay off.
I travel for work A LOT so I admire anyone else who gets it done.
Darlene recently posted…Weekly Wrap for 2.26.18-3.4.18: Job #2
Yes work has been nutty and it’s been quite the juggling act, but without the workouts I’d be over the edge!
Ugh, sorry to hear about the piriformis 🙁 It was smart to cut your run short and if it’s still giving you problems, it seems like it would make sense to miss the race too. It’s better than risking bigger injuries and set backs after the race.
Chaitali recently posted…National Women’s Half Training – Week 4
So true Chaitali – thanks 🙂
For $35, I’d pass on it – it’s an inexpensive fee and they’ll be plenty more opportunities. If it were more expensive, I might sing a different tune.
Also 6 hours of driving in one day?! That’s crazy. It reminds me when I used to teach in the city and commute from the south shore, to our office in somerville, to my schools in Mattapan/Hyde Park. SO.Much.Driving.
Exactly – I’m sure if I’d have paid more than $35 I might push my luck.
I hate DNSing, but I think it would probably be smart to do so in this case 🙁 Ugh. I hate even writing that, but …. better safe than sorry, right?
You do a ton of driving. I left a job with a huge commute (3+ hours a day, traffic), and I give you a lot of credit for being able to get in 6 in a day! That’s a ton!
Jenn recently posted…weekly wrap: 2.25.18 – 3.3.18
Luckily I don’t have to do this kind of driving too often – just a lot of presentations to give lately!
I’d say to listen to your body and hopefully the money is for a good cause. I’ve never heard of piriformis, but I looked it up and it sounds painful!
Hope it goes away soon!
Thanks Angela.
For $35, I’d forgo the race and make sure you are solid listening to your body. In fact, even if it was $135 and not an “A” race, that would be my decision. Run for the long term is my goal.
Smitha@FauxRunner recently posted…Cochran Mill Trail Race
Running for the long term is always a smart strategy!
Oh man, sorry to hear about the issues! I would say a $35 entry isn’t worth risking it!
Nicole @ fitnessfatale.com recently posted…Kate’s 21 Day Fix Transformation Story
A DNS is never fun, but at least my wallet didn’t take a beating on this one!
I had to back out of an Ironman last year, which was $600…Yikes!!! However, I just could not put my injured body through it. I think listening to your body is always best!!
Ouch to $600! But, yes listening to your body is always best!
Your Tuesday sounds absolutely exhausting. I’m impressed that you fit in the little workout that you did after such a long day. I would have just said “Tomorrow is another day.” Way to go!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Loudoun Half Marathon Training Log – Week 1
Tuesday was definitely crazy – thankfully I only have a few more days like that one coming up and then I’ll be done with all of the driving.
Ugh 6 hours in the car in 1 day sounds terrible!
I also questioned my sanity signing up for the challenge. The non-burpee days I am ok with but I am with you with HATING burpees! They just jack with my hips and I need them to stay injury free! I may have to break them up into sets of 10 to get them done.
Hope your injury calms down!
I’m right there with you on questioning my sanity about this challenge. Small sets is the only way I have any hope of getting through them!