I hate the offseason. I don’t especially know how to turn myself off and away from hard training. It’s an addiction and, right now, my dealer (aka coach) is only handing out small doses. I’m trying my best to relax and enjoy this time off but, in all honesty, it’s hard for me to kick back. I’m sure this is shocking to you.
The good news is that in this offseason I can rebuild my strength, get my nutrition on track and maybe even do some yoga. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2016
RUNNING
Coming off of the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon, I was riding a runner’s high. That race, although incredibly hilly, felt amazing to my legs, lungs and heart. If only I could run every race with nine of my best running friends, I would PR every time, I swear!
The highlight of my running week was getting to run in downtown Hartford. I was there for a strength training session (see below) and took advantage of being able to run “in the city.” It was a little awkward as no one else was running and I received a lot of stares, but once I made it to the water front and though the park, it was amazing!
I also did some pool running which was much less amazing.
CYCLING
Sadly, I had two indoor sessions this week but I was just so happy to be back in the saddle that it didn’t matter much where I was. One of my rides was spilt up with core work so, every 20 minutes I was getting off the bike, which is much needed for the first few sessions on the bike trainer.
If you’re looking for a cycling interval workout (and really, who isn’t?), try this:
Warm up 10 min easy
3 sets of – – 4 min hard, 30 seconds all out, 2:30 recovery then off the bike for 1 min plank, 1 min side plank right, 1 min side plank left, 1 min bridge, 1 min single leg squats right, 1 min single leg squat left
My second indoor ride was 90 minutes so I caught the last of Sunday Morning and finally saw the Ray Donovan season four finale. That show never disappoints and this was no exception. #everybodydies
SWIMMING
There was no near drowning this week so sorry to disappoint. My coach actually gave me a break and set my intervals at breathable levels. Bless her.
STRENGTH TRAINING
A local gym reached out to me to see if I wanted some killer strength training in exchange for some props on my blog. It’s perfect timing because my strength training has been non-existent for the last six months or so and, the offseason is the perfect time to get back in the game. So, until Barre starts up again, I will be taking a beating getting strong at Boundless Performance in Hartford.
Me and my trainer Hannah who is super sweet, even while kicking my butt, which is incredibly hard to pull off…
I’ll be writing a few posts about my experiences and the owners and trainers but this is a little taste.
For the record, I absolutely loved the assessment and workout and was sore for days. Days!
FUEL
As everyone found out at Rise.Run.Retreat (although it’s no secret) I hate to cook. How did they find out? We were tasked with making a meal from Chef’d as one of our dinners. Lest you think it was all glamorous at this retreat, this night we had 10 women making three different recipes, each enough to feed 10 people, while scrambling around a kitchen made for two.
It was totally worth it.
My favorite of the three was this salad. As far as salads go, it was the best I have ever had. Seriously. It’s way more than a salad, it’s a meal. I already ordered it for next week.
Arugula Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette | Chef’d
[Tweet “One of the best meals @riserunretreat via @get_chefd #foodisfuel”]
GEAR
After once again experiencing massive, painful chafing from the heart rate monitor my coach insisted I wear during last week’s half marathon, I decided it was high time I tried to use the Victoria’s Secret sports bra with the snap on heart rate sensor. It had been sitting in the back of my drawer for about a year. I have issues. I know.
Guess what? It’s freakin’ amazing! Guess what else? I don’t think they make it anymore. I found exactly one on Amazon and it was like a 42 double D which is not quite my size. #Icouldliveinabrathatsize
I did find one from Adidas so I ordered it up and will let you know if it’s just as good.
You simply snap your monitor onto the front (my Garmin worked with it), wet the built in strap underneath and presto! It’s accurate and the bra is machine washable. Just be sure to take the monitor off first!
THINGS I LOVE
When a movie version of a book does it justice. I went to see The Girl on the Train this past weekend and it was fantastic! My SIL and I had read the book and both agreed that it followed it closely enough to really work on film. My husband and BIL just enjoyed it without having read anything about it, in book form or otherwise. Imagine that?
There was only one small part at the end, where the audience actually laughed when it was definitely not a moment meant to be funny, that I wish didn’t happen because it was over-the-top cheeseball. Other than that? I highly recommend seeing it.*
*I had half a bottle of If You See Kay red wine when I watched it so I really cannot be held accountable for an accurate review.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Not running a fall marathon.
I have to say, it was tough to watch my social media feed this past weekend and see so many amazing runner friends and family having incredible half and full marathons! After running two marathons last year, it’s incredibly hard to not be a part of it but, I have to accept my decision to focus on triathlon and that my season will be here before I know it.
Huge congratulations to everyone who ran this past weekend! I hope you are all recovery nicely and riding the high of your accomplishment!
READING
ICYMI I have a three page spread in Women’s Running Magazine October issue all about how to safely return to running after a break. Regardless of why you took or needed the break, there is a healthy way to get back on the roads and into your running routine. I took the liberty of mapping it out for you and, I was psyched to see it in print.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
We took the boys to their first Celtics game this weekend. At halftime, the very young, very thin, very talented Celtic dancers took to center court. My son Miles was sitting on my lap when we had this exchange:
Miles: Mom, they would never ask you to do this.
Me: What? Why not? What do you mean?
Miles: Well, because they all have long hair.
My hair length also keeps me from being a Victoria’s Secret model.
Is saying “Happy Columbus Day” even a thing? If so, happy day to you. If, like me you’re suffering at home with your kids, happy yelling day to you!
How was your week?
Are you in an “offseason” of any kind? Do you wish you were?
YAY! HAPPY CHILD HERE HOME AND EXPECTING ME TO ENTERTAIN HER DAY TO YOU TOO 🙂
First, huge (yuge?) congrats on the spread.
Thats fantastic and I swear Id frame that thing in your shoes.
Next? The first sentences here? THAT IS WHY YOU ARE SO FLIPPING SUCCESSFUL.
<3
Im a tad too type B.
Which is not a good thing….
Hope the entertaining is going well 🙂 THANK YOU for all the love and I could stand being a little more “B”…I’m trying…
I need to find and buy one of those bras!!! I’d love the convenience and not having to remember yet another strap/thing to wear at the gym. I too hate resting/relaxing but I have learned it often benefits my body more than what I care to admit…I’ve been resting a lot as we’ve had sickness going through our hosue and through all the trainers I work with at my gym…uhhh!!
It’s amazing!! I tried the Adidas bra this past weekend too and it works just as well.
I know resting is key to better performance but it’s SO hard!! Hope you (and everyone around you) is feeling better. Forced rest due to illness is the worst.
Happy Yelling Day to you!!!! Lol! I remember seeing that Victoria’s Secret bra and thinking there was no way that it would be a good thing. Who knew?!?! Garmin needs to get on that and make their own version. And I loved your spread in WOmen’s Running! WTG!!!!!
Yes they do!! What is wrong with them? It’s genius!
Thank you so much for saying that. It’s always so much cooler seeing your name in print than online. #oldschool
Ha your boy’s comment made me LOL though…I’m with you. The “off season” can be tough to just figure out what to do with all of your time. It does sound like you are making the best with some workouts, etc.
I hate cooking but I am proud to say I’m getting a little bit better.
I have no problem filling my time but it’s not with FUN things like running, swimming and biking 🙂
Maybe we can take a cooking class together in our offseason? LOL!
I will be the one yelling today and trying to keep my ish together. I miss training. Just about all the time. I would love to have a race to train for. Or even just to use as an excuse….
I know, I know…but then, when I have to run 20 miles 3 times over I whine about it. Never happy. Oh well. Good luck not yelling too much today 🙂
I work today which means my schedule will be clogged with everyone trying to bring their kids in for silly stuff. Stuff they’ve had for a year but, because, no school. It’s so predictable.
You win. That is much worse.
Just think of Meb every time you want to scream and run 🙂
Congrats on the article- you are amazing!!
And I’m soon going to be joining you in the off season and am not sure I’m so excited about it either. It’s a strange transition- my body is ready for the break but my mind isn’t! Looks like you’ll have some new ways to stay active and strong, which is exciting.
Thank you Laura but YOU are the amazing one today!! I’ve been thinking about you since yesterday and I’m just so excited for you. I hope you’re really taking in your accomplishment. Sometimes, that feeling can carry you into your off season on a high note!!…plus, you still have NYC in a few weeks!
Congrats on the article! That salad was my favorite dish from the Chef’d meal as well. So good! The off-season is fun for a few weeks and then I get antsy. I think from now on I’m going to take off-season in summer since that’s feasible on the West Coast. You deserve a break after how hard you trained and raced!
I seriously couldn’t stop thinking about that salad. I wish I had it right now!
And I know I need the break but the first few weeks are always the hardest for me, especially with everyone out there marathon racing!!
You’re up next and I cannot wait to see how your race goes!!! :-))))
You wrote a great article!! I enjoyed reading it-I get a digital subscription. I seriously loved that salad too! Anxiously awaiting my first Chef’d delivery! I have my goal half marathon on November 19th-then after that I want to become more dedicated and consistent with core and strength training-my goals for the December through February season-while still maintaining 22-25 miles of running a week. Enjoy your “off season” time!
Thanks so much Kara!
Those are some great goals but I love that you still have a big goal race late in the season. Good luck!
Given that I’m in the thick of doing 18 and 20 mile runs right now for nyc, let me just tell you to enjoy NOT having to do those…. it has not been easier the second time around and someone needs to remind me not to sign up for LA marathon right after…. Your son’s comment…WOW…. just shows how observant kids are and the messages we send them.
I know, I know. Last year at this time I was whining about all my marathon mileage too and definitely wanted a break after NYC but…I have “off” for weeks now and getting a little nuts.
Looking forward to all that is YOUR NYC marathon!!! woot woot!!
And YES, so interesting he said that, right? I had no clue he even thought about my hair length.
Look at my friend Allie ALL UP IN WOMENS MAGAZINE! YES! So proud of you! Watching the Chi-town marathon yesterday was both inspiring and humbling. I had TWO friends that didn’t finish and one of them is an elite…so it reminded me to a) respect the distance and b) nothing is promised!! You still got Vegas baby!!
Also yes, I am 3 hours into my YELLING DAY and I have another on wednesday. joy.
HAHAHA – thanks Nellie – you are the BEST!
So true about 26.2 – no joke and never a given but, this is now your second time which is always better than the first. I will be watching you for sure and loving every minute!!
Now, go rest your voice and hide in a closet for a little bit 🙂
So cool about the magazine article!!! I’m sad about missing the Fall marathon too. 🙁 We have two big marathons about 3 hours away from my house every Canadian thanksgiving weekend. One of them was the first marathon I ever did 18 years ago! But alas, my time will come.
The half bottle of wine disclaimer was hilar.
Um, didn’t you just run a marathon and KILL IT??? I know it’s hard to watch what seems like everyone else running tho. I keep saying “my time will come” too but *sigh* in the meantime.
Thanks for always getting my humor 🙂
Happy Yelling Day to you too!! For me, I didn’t even realize that I enjoyed training as much as I have this cycle…so much so that I’m about to sign up for another fall half. God help me. Congrats on your WR article! Can’t wait to read it!
YES!!! That is the best news!! Cannot wait to see what happens since you killed that super hilly course. I smell a big PR! #nopressure
Thanks Christine 🙂
I’m actually looking forward to some down time!! I’ve been hammering my body for 16 weeks training for this stupid marathon that I’m starting to regret signing up for. Ha! Ok not really regret. I’m speaking out of a sick head cold. But—you Allie are incredible. You train hard, write smart (um, hello magazine article!) and are a wonderful mother. Enjoy your off season and eat all the holiday pies.
Aw – thank you so much for saying that!! And, I totally know how you feel when you’re in the toughest part of marathon training but you KNOW it will all be worth it when you cross that finish line!! Hang tough… xo
Allie,
join me in the pity Train on missing a Marathon this fall! I keep seeing everybody’s social media feeds with their “18 miler, 20 milers… only so many days to the marathon!” and I kick myself for not training for a marathon this fall!
I back up your Girl On The Train review! it was good! I’m not a movie critic, but Emily Blunt was amazing and I could see her getting nominated for some award for that performance.
I’ll pick up the magazine for your article!
Kids!! they are so cute and mean at the same time! Mine told me that I couldn’t be a famous singer, because I don’t have yellow hair.
I’m so glad to have you as company on my pity party train :-)…and girl on the train review too!! I completely agree that was an award winning performance for Emily Blunt!!
What is with kids and hair? LOL!
Your sons comment made me laugh! that is hysterical.
I just set up my trainer…still trying to figure out how to get the best out of my time on it. I can’t seem to get my heart rate up enough without it feeling impossible! new to this whole bike thing and have a whole winter to get acquainted and figure it out.
I totally remember feeling that way but it will pass – trust me! Just keep playing around with it and you will get in your groove 🙂
Kicking back IS hard! I powered through some runs and hikes in Florence… and was one of only two people who elected to bike the 18 incline on that tour. But it was nice to have chill days and not do a thing other than stroll through old streets, drink, and east.
BTW: I like short hair. Long haired blondes are a dime a dozen. 😉
I’m loving the 18% incline – you GO! But you absolutely need some down days to stroll and take in the beautiful Italian countryside. You must be so bummed to be home! Have you planned your next visit yet? 🙂
And I couldn’t agree more about short hair. We know how to work it!