Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Shaking Things Up

Now that marathon season is behind me, I'm feeling the urge to shake things up. But that's not to say I won't be running - especially since I just realized that 2000 miles (I should make that 2010 miles) is within reach for the year. It will take a bit of a push during this "maintenance" period, but I should be able to do it.

Speaking of mileage, the 4T wrapped up October with  about 175 KM (109 mi). It's my lowest month this year, which is not surprising since I took almost an entire week off. Cumulative mileage for 2010 so far is 1641.72 (miles). (200+ miles over 2009 total mileage already)

So, here's what's shakin' down.

Diet

In the weeks leading up to my race, I found myself getting bored of my usual staples. Anyone else tend to eat the same breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks in marathon training? I was so over it by September! Unfortunately, instead of making the effort to freshen things up, I started making poor choices. As I mentioned in my "What Went Wrong" post, I was really disappointed in my nutrition this training cycle (and the higher-than-comfort-level weight which resulted). This is something I am going to work on in the coming months. Nutrition overhaul!


Cross Training

It's time to get my booty back to the gym! I am guilty of completely neglecting cross-training when I'm in major running mode. I just can't seem to find the time, energy or desire to do anything else. Now that I'm lightening up the mileage for "maintenance mode", I'm going to take advantage and get back to my Spin, Yoga and Bootcamp classes. Here's what I've been up to so far:
Thu - Spin + Yoga
Sat - Bootcamp (still sore!)
Mon - Yoga
Tue - heading back to Spin tonight!

I love group fitness classes! For me, it's the best way to get a full-body workout and have fun doing it.


Lunch Running

Now that the mornings and evenings are darker/colder, lunch running is the perfect way to soak up some extra daylight. This time of year, the mid-day temperature is just about perfect and I intend to enjoy it. It's time to start packing my shower-in-a-bag again! I headed out for a nice mid-day 6K yesterday and will be tackling 8K today. So refreshing to get out of the office for some fresh air and a little sweat over lunch!


How do you like to shake up your routine in the "off-season"?

39 comments:

Denise said...

i don't think i've had an "off season" for almost 2 years! i need a break and am looking forward to a light month after philly before boston training starts up. and i'm with you...cross training!!! it makes such a big difference for me in how i feel.

teacherwoman said...

Even when i am not training... I find myself getting sick of my usual eats. I should know by now that when I start to make poor choices, I need to change things up a bit!

TNTcoach Ken said...

Do you have an 'off' button???????

Meg said...

I should do the lunch run thing too. I'm just too gross for SIAB. I SWEAT something fierce!

Anonymous said...

i like lunch time workouts!

have fun with yoga and spin class and bootcamP!!!

great job on the milage this year!

Anne said...

I've always pretty much eaten the same breakfast...I can be pretty boring on the food front!

Yeah, group workouts really work...great job mixing things up :)

Quinton J said...

yuppers...lunch runnin'...getter done.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

I like your plans. I haven't really ever taken an "off season", but I guess that is kind of where I am now. Next marathon training starts 1/1. The next two months are recovery and rebuilding my base.

Congrats on the mileage. 2000 is huge! I just figured out that I am going to be just shy of 1800 by the end of the year - almost 2x as much as last year!

J said...

I really need to stop being a "winter only" XT person. Spin class for me tonight too! Great job on the mileage! 2010 miles in 2010 would be awesome!

Bethany + Ryan said...

How far away are you from New Glouster, Maine, USA? Do you and hubs want to run a 50K on beautiful non-technical trails that have gorgeous views of mountains and farms? If you guys can run 42 km you can *easily* run 50km on trails. The pace is much more relaxed so it's not as hard as a marathon. May 29th 2011. Come celebrate our wedding by running a 50km with us! We are asking all our running friends to join us to keep the party going. It's near Freeport ME, there is tons of great shopping and lots to do. (we are getting married on the 27th then driving up to ME on the 28th)

Emily said...

I've been doing a ton of strength training and pilates during my off-season/injury. I'm loving it (minus the whole being injured part.) I'm also a big fan of group fitness classes, it's a great way to knock out a quick hour of fun exercise.

5 Miles Past Empty said...

UGH! my diet is seriously in the gutter! How can one gain weight while marathon training?! Easy, just eat like I do!! I need to revamp my diet and focus on food as fuel.

I am looking forward to mixing things up too! Just have to get through one last winter marathon then I can focus on some x-training! I really want to focus on core and building lean muscle.

Jill said...

I've been in "off season" for WAAAAY too long and feeling the affects (total blah) so I'd just like to get back into some semblance of order - someday soon!!! Stupid heel!! You'll get there, you are focused and determined!!! :)

Runners Fuel said...

I LOVE my group fitenss classes. I push myself harder while in class.

Jen Feeny said...

Shake it up, ooo ooo! :)

You have inspired me with your lunch time runs and I have found that my work has a shower! Score! I too will be hitting up the trails come lunch time!

Meredith said...

I am so with you on the dumb diet. Crap in. Crap out. Right? Trying to make better choices but find myself saying tomorrow way too many times!

X-Country2 said...

I'd love to start running at lunch. Perhaps I'll have to pack a shower in a bag too.

Emz said...

I love the 2010 miles idea.

awesome.

Enjoy the lunch run!

Katie A. said...

Hahaha! What's an "off season!" LOL!
But you're absolutely right, I also neglect cross training in the throws of marathon training. I've been shaking it up now, too and I swear I can feel a difference already!
I also changed my diet this time around and have lost a good amount of weight. We always know our food is our fuel, but it's easy to get stuck in a rut! Good work girlie! I'm cheering for you!

Nicole said...

i will be shaking things up again too as soon as i can run and exercise again! this break was much needed and i'm glad i've stuck to it! :)

Jamie said...

I am so guilty of eating the same things until I'm sick of them! Enjoy the shake up! Your body and mind will thank you.

Heidi said...

WOW Crazy mileage you have going on. Sounds like you have a great plan in place. Nice to shake things up a bit and try a few new things. Come back in the new year refreshed. Group fitness is awesome. I wish I could afford more of it. I used to go 3x/week and loved it.

Aron said...

yay you have some great stuff in the works. you reminded me of lunch time runs too, i think i might have to start them up again for the shorter ones.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Since I don't have an "off season" I race whenever Hubbs will tolerate it (heehee) I dont' have a plan however I usually do get in cross training over the winter-ish months.
The diet. It needs a complete overhaul!

Anonymous said...

Fist pump for Nutrition & Bootcamp soreness! ;) haha, I'm with ya on the latter. Just starting to feel back to normal after that CrossFit class last week - whew!

Lindsay said...

I used to HATE cross-training, but luckily I've really enjoyed it since implementing my 30-min rule. Now if I can find a balance of running solid miles AND XT...

RunToTheFinish said...

i actually can't remember giving myself an off season, which oh yeah resulted in injuries. right now is my on season because the weather is finally right for training, so I think this summer I will back off and do swimming and biking

Being Robinson said...

i'm pretty sure if i didn't have a goal in a few weeks i would be literally stuck to my couch, cheetos and milanos in hand... happily. ;) i've JUST gotten back to being aware of my nutrition and trying to sleep more and finally trying to cross train again. oh those silly marathons!

Char said...

In the off season I head down to the beach (about an hour away) about once a fortnight and get some beach running done. It's so much fun.

Teamarcia said...

Hooray for the off-season!
I focus on all the things (everything) I neglected during marathon training and just keep my body guessing. Hopefully we'll both be back fresher and stronger mentally and physically.

Marci said...

Good tips - I need to get my nutrition in line BIG time, post any tips if you have them! Your off training plan looks good!

ajh said...

Love the shower in a bag! I don't think I was reading your blog yet then.

Cindy said...

gotta admit, I'm kinda loving the "off season" and just maintenance running... :) I shake it up by doing bootcamp and yoga too, plus am really trying to amp up the weights...I got a little gishy over the last six months so I'm trying to tighten up again!

Unknown said...

I like your new plans and outlook. It's always nice to change a few things from time to time and see what works best. I have trouble having and OFF SEASON...what is that, really?
Enjoy your lunch time runs, those sound fun!

Laura said...

My off season will be the 3 weeks from my marathon and when the next clinic starts...I am going to run easy 3/week and do yoga. Once the clinic starts, it is a fresh new hell of speedwork, tempos spin class, core classes and bootcamp.

Runner Leana said...

Here here for group fitness classes! I am really enjoying them now that Ironman is over!

And yeah, this morning I stepped on the scale and it looks like I need a bit of a nutrition overhaul too...

Unknown said...

Great goals! I'm trying to get the cross training in, and having trouble.

ShutUpandRun said...

I'm in a forced off season for awhile. So it is laps and pool running for me. Not my fave thing, but it will have to do.

Anonymous said...

Yay for lunchtime work outs! :) Oh yes and your bootcamp, spin & yoga classes will be great fun. I'm so proud of you for all your miles ran this year. That is so awesome that you are so close to your 2000 mile goal! :)