My fitness goals have been all over the place since the Boston Marathon. At times I feel like I am floundering with my fitness plan each week… yet the main goal has always been the same. My summer fitness goals are to work on my aerobic endurance with running, gain muscle strength and lose body fat. Pretty simple, right? Not so much.
Last week I took off from running per my chiropractor’s recommendation. He thinks I might have tendonitis in my ankle with a flare up of plantar fasciitis in my left heel. Great. Super. Fun!? Lame.
I did as he suggested and didn’t run. I walked. This week I am running again, I have no pain in my ankle or foot… but will focus on stretching and icing to make sure there isn’t any more inflammation or pain.
The heat and humidity is killing me with my running. This is reminding me that NOW is a great time to focus more on the aerobic endurance training (heart rate training) rather than speed training. Like I mentioned last week, I will be continuing to use the polarpersonaltrainer.com heart rate training plan with my RC3 GPS watch. This means running S.L.O.W. often taking walking breaks to make sure my heart rate is in the desired zone. That is okay… I am shifting gears and slowing down.
My ultimate goal with heart rate training is slowing down now so in the future I can run faster… not harder.
My fitness plan for this week:
Monday: Run 4 miles + at home WOD
Tuesday: Walk + PiYo
Wednesday: Run PPT plan + DailyBurn WOD
Thursday: Run PPT plan + PiYo
Friday: Walk + PiYo
Saturday: Run PPT plan
I am shifting gears with my nutrition also. I will share (later) my ah-ha moment I had this weekend… but basically it gave me the push needed to focus on nutrition. I am trying to decrease my processed and sugar comfort foods… and focus on eating foods that fuel my body.
My meals each day will be pretty similar in nature: I thrive on structure and routine. Too much flexibility and freedom and I will find myself driving through the nearest fast food restaurant for a quick fix.
Breakfast: Everyday Paleo Breakfast Muffins
Snack: Protein Shake
Lunch: Salad w/protein
Snack: Cottage Cheese + Fruit
Dinner: Protein + Greens + Carb
I am not perfect. I am always tweaking and trying to figure out what works for me and my body. What I do know is that something needs to change… and I am willing to make that change. Now. I am shifting gears and slowing things down… with my speed, with my fitness, with my food… and in my life. Slowing things down… enjoying the moment… taking it all in. Choosing joy.
Even though I am a day late on the #MotivateME Monday link up… you can join in late too. Janice from FitnessCheerleader and I decided to start this as a means to keep each other accountable and motivated with our health goals. Link up and stay motivated with us!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I’ve been off with my eating lately, as well – so I’m trying to get back on track this week. I’m also trying to take it easy with workouts since marathon training starts next week!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
The heat and humidity has been killer here as well. I keep reminding myself that its okay that my pace has been slowing down a bit, despite how difficult it is to accept such reality.
Margo says
I am always tweaking my workout and eating plans., As I get older it becomes more and more necessary.
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader says
Yay! I’m glad to read that you can run again! I struggle with my eating too – I have an easier time when there’s healthy-ish stuff around, if not then I head to the nearest pizza place 🙂 Have a great week!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
I tend to stick to a pretty same routine of eating Monday-Friday but the weekends tend to be more all over the place depending upon what I get up to,
Stephanie says
Good luck with your new plan! I hear you and feel as though I am in the same boat. The heat and humidity are killing my runs, switching to running in the early morning and also trying to eat much less processed foods. You got this!
Kate says
Nutrition is so important! Looking forward to more on how you have been motivated to make the change!
Mar @ Mar on the Run says
good luck to you!! I have struggled with my nutrition as of late as well but tweaking some things so get back on track. The humidity in DC these days has been awful so I’m learning to love the treadmill!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
We just seem to eat more healthy in the summer; lighter fare and lots of salads. I’m the meal planner, so it’s up to me. I just don’t feel as hungry in the hotter weather.
CARLA misses CA. says
#thatisall
#knowyougetit
Toni @runninglovingliving says
I am always twealing my workouts and eating plans otherwise I get bored. I need a lot of variation!
Keith Andrews says
I feel your pain–the busier I get the easier it is to throw the rules out the window and stop by McDonald’s! Hang in there! I hope the training gets better 🙂 Also slowing down was a big transition for me too. I think it made me enjoy running more because I was always trying to give everything I had, every time I ran.
Elena says
I have definitely been off with my nutrition as well….and am trying like you to re-focus. Not easy, but worth it in the long run.
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
Glad your ankle/heel/foot is feeling better! Hopefully that meant you were able to accomplish everything you wanted to last week 😀
eliz frank says
I hope by now you have seen some improvement on your tendonitis and that the nutrition shift brought benefits… Shifting gears is important for us all! I wish you all the best.