Sunday, May 7, 2017

Breaking the Unintentional Run Rut

Saturday I finally laced up my Wave Horizons after an unintentional running rut and it felt really good.


More than a week had gone by since my last run and it was driving me crazy! First it was my sunburned feet. Then a busy schedule plus rainy weather just made it impossible to get out for a run.

We spent one day back in Shenzhen at the Luohu Commercial Center ---> it's the Made in China shopper's paradise. It's hard to tell what is copy, factory seconds or the real deal, and you can't beat the prices.


My pesky shoulder called for two sessions with Dr. Cosman and myofascial release. It's painful, but it's working. 

My look here
My running rut wasn't a total fitness wash though. I did spend quality time with my foam roller and yoga mat.


Everything lined up on Saturday. The air quality was ranked as moderate, so I took my run inside at the fitness center. I had my choice, so I picked a treadmill that had all the options and created my own interval workout at 2:1 with a goal of running a 5K.


I loved how the treadmill automatically switched between my work and recovery speeds. If I have to keep looking at a timer or manually change the speeds it prevents me from enjoying the run. It's hard to get into it. This was the best interval run I've had on a treadmill.


I was back to the apartment in time to watch Breaking2, the quest to break the 2 hour marathon barrier. Besides the obvious excitement over how close Kipchoge was to busting that wall, I loved watching the spirit of the running community play out live. The intimacy of the running family that played a role in this challenge demonstrated such love and support for the runners attempting to make history. Seeing them smile and laugh, and cheer Kipchoge to the finish was so heartwarming.



We went to a housewarming party last night and today I'm enjoying a quiet, lazy Sunday.


How long was your last running rut?
Do you like using the workout options on treadmills?
What do you think of Nike's Breaking2?


I'm linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap!










20 comments:

  1. My recent run streak might be perceived by some as a sort of rut--doing the same thing repetitively, but for me it was so freeing. Now I have to get out of my strength training rut!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, a different kind of rut ;) love that positive spin! Good luck with the strength training.

      Delete
  2. My running has been in a bit of a rut all spring. I've been running slower since a February injury and just haven't been able to get back to my January paces. As a result, I can't keep up with my friends and spend most of my time running alone slightly behind them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you. Hang in there! When your body is ready, you'll pick that pace back up.

      Delete
  3. I'm finally getting out of my running rut. I hope!

    I bet it is so tempting to spend $$$ at that mall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay to getting out of ruts ;) Soooo tempting, but I'm trying to turn my shopping desires to others and what I can get them.

      Delete
  4. I totally missed the Breaking 2 movie (in a vehicle, on the road coming home from our son's graduation)...but I did see some of the press on it. I have never used the controls on my 'mill for intervals...I do it "old school" and manually adjust the speed (#truth)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will forever want the programmable treadmill now...just call me a high maintenance runner ;)

      Delete
  5. Yes, I LOVE using the workout options on a treadmill! I've had to use the YMCA for the last two years since my daughter is able to attend the drop-in childcare, allowing me to workout. The hills option is always nice, but only goes up to 3% incline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never been brave enough to use the hills workout option, but I have manually done hill repeats. 3% is a pretty good leg workout, right??

      Delete
  6. I feel like I'm constantly in a running rut! haha! but my last real rut was right after the Athens marathon. I think I went 10 days or something without running!

    at my gym it's not clear if the treadmill options can be used the way you used them and I go to a really cheap gym so asking anyone who works there a question is kind of an exercise in itself... I haven't run on a treadmill in absolute ages - I really try to avoid it where possible.

    The Breaking2 was very exciting; admittedly I had my doubts but now they are so close... and how is it that some of these guys still look so fresh after running this hard????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, a running rut after you've run a marathon is totally forgivable compared to being "too busy" or "bad weather" ;) I was thinking the same thing about Kipchoge...he looked the best out of three and most of the marathon he looked like he was just strolling along! Amazing!

      Delete
  7. I hate running outside in the rain too. I had to forgo my run later last week because it was stormy and raining all day. I guess I could have took it inside on the treadmill but it is just not the same. I never set intervals while running on the treadmill but it does sound a lot easier than to always be adjusting it. I will have to see if the one I use at the gym has a setting like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm completely spoiled now and any time I have to run on a treadmill, I will be super bummed if it doesn't have the option to make my own interval workout.

      Delete
  8. Nice to see you running again! I get those ruts once in a while...mixing things up really helps me stay energized!

    I haven't done intervals on a treadmill in a while...I used to use a treadmill that made it easy to switch, my current gym unfortunately I have to create them the old fashioned way! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have told myself to enjoy it while I can because most treadmills I will see when we are traveling do not have this luxury feature ;) And hope that most of my running can be done outside!!

      Delete
  9. That programmable treadmill sounds great! Glad you're getting out of your rut. I'm trying to break out of mine by mixing things up a bit.

    The Breaking 2 attempt was awesome - amazing what can be accomplished!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mixing things up is how I attempt to avoid a rut...wish it could also bring me good weather!

      Delete
  10. A programmable treadmill sounds like the perfect answer when you have air quality issues. I always feel like I'm in a rut during our sweltering summers. Then the air cools and the rut disappears. Thanks for linking, Amy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Even though I would rather run outside any day, the treadmill is a lifesaver when the weather is icky.

      Delete

I love comments!

*