When I was overweight, I was pretty good at taking it easy.
This was not the body of someone who spent a lot of time at the gym or running.
Since losing weight, I’ve learned to like exercise a lot more, and even make it part of my social life.
Yay running with friends.
While I still wouldn’t say I’m addicted to exercise, and while I still consider it a victory every time I choose working out over being lazy, I do enjoy exercise a lot more than I used to. But I still don’t think I push myself too hard or overexert myself.
Well, yesterday, I went back to the physical therapist and my lower back was really sore and my knee was a little crunchy again.
“How did your long run go?”
“Great! No pain or crunchiness, just a little stiffness.”
As we continued working on my knees and hips, I let it slip that, oh, I might have done a spin class the day before my long run and my legs felt really tired.
“Why would you do that? Spin is not an easy workout–especially the day before a long run.”
“Because I was bored with my usual cross-training of biking and swimming on my own?”
Well, now, as my lovely physical therapist so kindly reminded me, is not the time to take a class that’s hard. Even if I think I can handle it. My muscles need to be rebuilding themselves and repairing themselves from all of the work I’ve been putting them through in the past almost-4 months of marathon training.
“So I probably shouldn’t tell you about that yoga class I did Sunday and felt really sore afterwards?”
I’m posting this as a reminder to myself and a reminder to anyone else tapering–NO. HARD. WORKOUTS. Nothing that makes you sore. Those hard workouts will be there after the marathon.
I was subjected to this sweaty chamber of anti-gravity as my punishment.
Fellow marathoners: what’s your next-favorite hard workout after running that you’re excited to get back to after a marathon? For me, I’d say 30/60/90 (I haven’t dared to try it during training), barre classes and the occasional spin class.
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I’ve picked my 30/60/90 giveaway winners! (Or, that handy little plugin has.)
Blair, Cristina and Jaimie: can you please email me (theodora at losingweightinthecity dot com) your mailing addresses?
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Body Pump and Climbing!!!
Both of which leaves me pathetically sore so I can't do it right now...
Really looking forward to the marathon, and I've totally enjoyed the training, but also looking forward to being able to do new things afterwards.
omg, i need someone behind me saying the same things, half marathon and tennis on saturday, does not provide for a good taper...
I love that you post your "old self" pics, I used to cringe when people would tag me in FB pics from college, or right after when I was living large, today though, I could care less...it's not who I am now and I'm ok with that old self! Woa, acceptance!
I really can't wait to dive into Crossfit. I have been going to a CF gym for the past 3 months, but only 2 or 3x per week, and have even missed a few full weeks here and there. I'm excited to see how far I can push myself there.
Ah! This is the reminder that I will need come April. I have a hard time staying away from the gym sometimes, but I know that tapering will be important. I'm going to HATE cutting back on CF, but if I want to run fast I know that it's best to stick to the plan and take it easy within the last couple of weeks.
I've noticed I've had a muuuuuch more varied workout routine since I stopped training for the marathon. Monday night I did a Total Body Conditioning workout, and tonight I'm doing a water aerobics class - both new-to-me this week. Exercise classes are so fun!
crossfit or BodyPump. I always miss them in taper mode.
Oh yes, I hate the monotony of the same thing again and again. I'm looking forward to getting back into my strength training fitness classes (total body conditioning, it's called.) I walk about with the sorest butt evahhh but during marathon training I focus only on running. I've lost the definition in my arms so can't wit to see that again too!
Whoops! So spin last night was a no? Weirdest thing.. ever since marathon training my body craves much harder workouts. Like an elliptical session just won't cut it. I think that's why I like spin so much.
i've just rediscovered my love for spinning!
It's so funny because the same exact thing happened to me 2 weeks before my marathon (which I ran on Sunday, woo hoo). I did a spin class thinking it would be a great idea, but I woke up the next morning feeling way more sore than I should have. After that I took a definite break from hard classes at the gym. Now that I'm done with the race, I'm itching to start spinning again.