I always feel a little weird posting workout recaps when I’m not training for anything… Does anyone care what I do when my workouts don’t have a race-related purpose? <– That’s a legitimate question, not rhetorical.
Well, since I don’t have any answers yet, I’ll go ahead and recap this week for you… in case you do care.
Monday: Leg workout at the gym, then 3.8 miles on the treadmill, since we were under tornado watches and stuff. I planned to go 4 miles, but the stinkiest human I’ve ever smelled got on the treadmill next to me, and I honestly could not stand to be on there for .2 more miles. Seriously. Bad. 
Tuesday: Easy 4-mile run and upper-body workout
Wednesday: 7 miles easy
Thursday: Leg workout and 4 easy miles.
Friday: I decided to bail on my upper-body workout (more on that in a minute) and just go for a run. I did stop at the gym as I passed, though, because I left my sunglasses there on Thursday. And they were gone. I am not happy. They’re my favorite, and they were a gift, so they’re way nicer than anything I’d ever buy for myself. I know it’s my fault for forgetting them, but seriously, people, don’t take stuff that is not yours.
So I left the gym, and I was mad, and I was not paying attention to my feet, apparently, because I ran .2 miles and fell on my face. Literally — I was afraid I’d have a black eye. Luckily, my face is a little tender but not bruised. My knee is not so lucky.
I’m bad at running.
Anyway, I got up and ran another 3ish miles for a total of 4, so obviously I was not actually hurt.
Saturday: 10.1 miles. I love fall running.
I may or may not have tried every Instagram filter on this picture until I found one that demphasized the still-red mark on my cheek from my little run-in with the sidewalk.
Sunday: Rest
Totals: 31.9 miles running, 1.5 hours strength
I learned three things this week (besides the obvious “‘pay attention to where your feet are”):
One, this weight-lifting plan is not going to work for me. I’m just not a four- to five-days-a-week, leg day/back day/chest day type of girl. I’m more of a two- to three-days-a-week, lift-everything-and-do-it-quick-so-I-can-go-run-again type of girl. So while it may be a great idea to lift more and focus more on getting strong, I just don’t like it, and I’m probably not going to stick with something I dislike… especially when the gorgeousness that is a Colorado October is just begging me to go running. So I ordered this book:
(because I didn’t win it in Christy’s giveaway). It should give me some new workouts that are designed for people more like me than like Bodybuidling.com’s typical audience.
Realization #2 is that I need to clean my diet back up. I haven’t been eating terribly the past several weeks, but there have been zucchini and pumpkin breads in the teachers’ lounge, pieces of candy from J’s classroom stash when I’m waiting for him to be ready to go home, a big spoonful or three of peanut butter while I’m cooking dinner, a bowl of cereal after dinner (even though I’m not still hungry), and, especially, stress eating the past few weeks…. all those things are starting to add up in the form of tighter pants, pimples, and a general “blah” feeling. I don’t need to do anything drastic, but I do need to rein it in and clean it up again.
The third thing I learned/realized: I need a goal for the winter. Since my marathon was so early, I need something to motivate me over the next few months, until I choose and start training for a big spring race. I’m considering Racing Underground’s winter series. I did the Yeti Chase a few years ago, and I enjoyed it (Okay, I really liked the homemade banana bread at the finish…). And while the bulk of my marathon winnings should go toward a new washer and dryer, it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little on race registration, right?
I’m not sold on that series, though. There’s also the Winter Distance Series. Or I could just pick one race at a time and not have to commit to a series. I can’t decide. Help me, readers…
What should my short-term goal be??
And to return to my earlier question… do you care about reading my weekly workout recaps when they workouts are unfocused?
Rural Running Redhead 
Oh my goodness, your poor knee! I’ve had falls during some of my winter runs too and after I realize I’m ‘okay’ I always check to see if anyone was witness to my embarrassing fall, lol. I enjoy seeing what other bloggers are doing for their workouts….seriously. 🙂 I also eat 2-3 spoonfuls of PB and sometimes have cereal after dinner!
I eat cereal after dinner a lot when I’m training hard and my body actually needs the extra calories and carbs. When I’m running three-milers…. not so much. 🙂
I really like reading your workouts. I find it interesting to see what people’s “regular” workout routine is and how they manage to stay fit without training for something specific.
I just added those series to my list of potential races… we’ll see if I’m actually in any kind of racing shape by then. Do you know much about the Winter Distance Series? The Racing Underground series is much closer to home for me, and the idea of banana bread at the finish sounds awesome…
I’ve heard good things about the Winter Distance Series but I’ve never done any of the races. I’m pretty sure they’re all on the same course, though, and I think I’d be more interested in different scenery every time.
I always face the same dilemma with my workouts. I usually do not post them unless I am marathon training. But I like reading what others are doing, so keep doing yours if it helps you stay on top of it.
I’m sorry about your sunglasses 😦 And I’m sorry but your fall after the gym reminded me of you dropping the weight on your toe and it makes me giggle each time. I am a terrible person, but that is a great story, in retrospect, of course.
Haha I am a disaster, aren’t I? You’re not a terrible person. I laugh at my ridiculousness, too. 🙂
I still like reading workout recaps..it’s fun to see what people do when they’re not specifically training.
I’m in the same boat as you – I won’t start training for my 100 until January and had nothing going on this fall/winter in the meantime to keep me motivated. I got offered a bib for a 12k, so I figured I’d use that and work on speed for once before I go back to long and slow. I think a series of shorter runs would be fun, rather than focusing on one race. And you can’t beat a race that has “Yeti” in the title… (plus I really love Bear Creek Lake Park).
I’ve never done a 12k…. sounds fun! I’ve only been to Bear Creek Lake Park a couple of times, but I liked it, too.
I hope you like the book, there is a workout in there I do about once a week and it is a great whole body workout with a lot of core work.
I am not a 4 or 5 days a week in the gym girl either, I like quick fullbody workouts and then go on about my way
Whole body with a lot of core sounds right up my alley!
I totally understand the not wanting to be in the gym 4-5 days a week. I really enjoy lifting, but I love running too! I hate when I really feel like running, but it’s leg day. Or vice versa… I really feel like lifting, but it’s a running day! Ya gotta do what works and what you will stick with. As for reading workouts when there is no focus, I like the way you did it- you listed your workout and then had your “realizations” or thoughts at the end. I guess I am more interested in that, BUT, that information at the end only makes sense if you include what you did for the week, and the it all comes together and I really like that. HOWEVER it’s your blog, do what you want! But “insights” if you will are always things I enjoy reading. 🙂
Thanks, Meg! Sometimes I think I just post recaps because it gives me something to write about. 🙂
Hope your treadmill neighbor isn’t one of your blog readers! Ha.
I hope he is! Maybe he will take the hint and slap on some deodorant next time.
I like to see the mileage that runners get in even when they’re not racing and I like to strength-train/lift three times a week – just for short periods. Hopefully, it makes me a better runner!
I think strength training definitely makes us better runners. It keeps injuries away, at least.
You and I would be one big hot mess if we ran together. I’m totally clumsy too. I’m so sorry about your face, but I am even more sorry about the smelly human being who got on the treadmill next to you. I don’t think it gets much worse than that. I’ve had the Coughing Man get on next to me too. He was hacking up a lung the entire time he was running. I had to cut my run short that day because of I could feel his disgusting germs sinking into my pores.
Oh, that’s gross! If you’re that sick, you probably shouldn’t be working out anyway… just stay home!
I need to build my running body! This book looks very insightful. You’ll have to let me know what you think of it. I’m already thinking of my next race too. It feels really weird not having anything on the calendar. I’m even considering doing another marathon soon, but we’ll see. ☺
A good short term goal might be another race that is shorter and local? Or add something new to your weekly workout routine.
I still like reading your workouts even when your not marathon training. Sorry and your fall! Ouch!
I mean, sorry ABOUT your fall! Thanks, autocorrect! 🙂
Also, maybe a PR at a shorter distance until you start training again?
I like to read working out recaps even when the blogger is not in training. It is great to see what people do when not in training mode! Hope you find a new goal soon!