Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Less Dreadmill

Yesterday I hit the treadmill during my lunch break for a tempo run. Spoiler alert: things did not go well. The plan was to do a 1/2 mile warm up, 3 miles at tempo, and a 1/2 mile cool down. Perhaps it was a bit of an ambitious speed workout after not having done much in the past month. Maybe I was just having a bad day. And maybe I just need to strengthen my core more before doing this type of workout. Either way, my shins started hurting me part way through the 2nd tempo mile. I didn't want to risk anything so I cut the workout a mile short (and did some foam rolling afterwards). I'm looking to get on the exercise bike or rowing machine for some cross training today so that should be helpful. I'm not quite sure what happened. Maybe I'm trying to do too much too soon? Maybe this was too soon to try and incorporate some speedwork? I'll keep it easy the rest of this week and see how things go. I'm looking forward to my first "long run" in awhile this weekend!

After my workout, I was pretty sweaty and gross but was able to whip up a sock bun and look halfway decent for the rest of the work day (after taking a shower from the neck down, due to the adjustable shower heads in our locker room showers). Do you workout on your lunch break? If I'm working out during the work day, I try to take my lunch break later so I am only gross for an hour or two instead of more.
Sweaty post-run photo

21 comments:

  1. I am having dreadmill problems too! I think they make us run weird, as my knee has been brutally sore since i have started using the treadmill...I try to sneak in lunch workouts, but half the time i end up working through my lunch and my gym bag site all lonely under my desk, haha

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  2. I also feel it in my shins if I really push my track workouts or my tempo runs. Also, I can feel my shins if I run fast in new shoes. If you aren't used to running on the treadmill, that could be the "shin culprit" as your foot landing might be different there than running outside? I like to warm-up for at least a mile before my tempo runs if at all possible, so maybe your warm-up was too short? Anyway, I'm out of ideas! :-) Good luck with the speedwork, and don't they have showers at your gym?!

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  3. If I can't fit it before work (and I know I'll ditch running after work) I'll do it during my lunch break, drawback is I can only fit in like 3 miles and have to shower at the gym . But I hardly do that since I hate dragging extra clothes around plus a towel and shampoo and all the shenanigans. haha. I prefer waking up earlier :P

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  4. I am thinking/hoping that is the issue. I just don't want to lug all my layers all the way to the office when I'm running on my lunch break. Although, that might be a better option these days.

    I've done that plenty of times, lugged my gym bag all the way from the suburbs, only for it to sit unused on an empty cubicle chair. Le sigh.

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  5. Katie @ LivehalffullDecember 19, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    I'm still so jealous of your office gym!

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  6. I think the treadmill is the culprit. I also think it might have been too soon to try and incorporate speedwork. I think I have to build a better base first. Thanks for your perspective.

    They do have showers at my gym so I shower without washing my hair afterwards. I just put the hair up, even though it might be a little sweaty.

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  7. I always warm up for at least a mile when doing any speedwork, including tempos. Also I think for one of your first speed workouts in awhile, 3 miles at tempo pace is a bit ambitious. 2 miles might have been a better way to easy into it. You could even split them up and do a little recovery pace in between the tempo'd miles.

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  8. Also I wore my hair in a sockbun to the office yesterday (I'm trying to wash my hair less), and everyone thought I was so fancy.

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  9. How odd that your shins were bugging you! I hope that was a one-time thing only!

    3 miles at tempo does seem like a lot to jump in to for first speedwork. Maybe try some repeats next time? I am happy you cut it short when you weren't feeling great - that is a smart move :)

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  10. Even though there is technically a gym at my work (high school), my lunch break is only 30 minutes long, so I never get to work out my lunch break. Maybe when I retire (someday), I will have a runch break just to see what it feels like ;)
    Hope your shins are better!

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  11. Yeah, when I was in the middle of it, I was thinking that was probably too much too soon. Live and learn I guess. :)

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  12. That stinks that you only get 30 minutes. I guess I am kind of spoiled with our office gym. :) Thanks!

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  13. I also hope it was a one-time thing.. I think it had something to do with me being a bit ambitious. I've done tempo runs a million times before, but never on a treadmill and with a much more substantial miles base. Oops! Lol

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  14. I don't work out during my workday because I don't have any type of shower (or gym for that matter) and it wouldn't be pleasant later! I'm sure you just started a little too fast a little too soon...and on the treadmill no less. It's always rougher on there. You will be fine!

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  15. Hey girl! I nominated you for a Liebster award-details on my blog! Enjoy!

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  16. I dont workout during my workday because I wouldnt want to return to work.. hehe

    Kudos to you for jumping on the dreadmill mid day for a tempo run. I am struggling a lot lately with dreadmill runs of any distance... OMG 2 miles feels like 100... UGH.

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  17. Sorry to hear about the shin pain, I hope that it never reappears!!! When I had access to an onsite gym at the office, I did like to work out during my lunch break. It was always so nice to have the workout out of the way, because then I had the rest of the evening after work to relax. But now I don't have access to an onsite gym - so I never work out during lunch anymore. And it's harder to find the motivation to work out in the evenings. Grrrr.

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  18. Thanks! That's exactly what I'm thinking. I did hills over the weekend and a fartlek last night with no shin pain. I think I was trying to do too much too soon. I have to ease back into a tempo!

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  19. Haha, when the afternoons are slow, it is definitely nice to have a bit of a break to change up the afternoon. I haven't done a long run longer than 6 miles in a few weeks. I know I have the endurance to do it, I just haven't had the time. Looking forward to doing 7 or 8 miles this weekend! Need to build up that base for my half marathon plans in January!

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  20. It hasn't re-appeared yet! I agree, the lunch time workout makes my evenings so much better! That stinks that you no longer have access to an on-site gym. It really is a great perk!

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