Tuesday, June 26, 2018

June: The Month I Didn't Run

After having more than a few good runs while in the US in April and May, I came up with a brand new running plan and then totally didn't follow it. I couldn't resist flat routes and beautiful Colorado, so I ran more than I said I would.


My knee wasn't happy about that.

For a couple of weeks while littleC was visiting, I gave my knee a break from running and focused on low impact workouts like swimming, easy hiking and walking.


My knee was super happy with that.

So, June became the month I didn't run. It's not the first time I stopped running, but it is the first time that I have admitted that I like it more that my knee is happy than that I went for a run ---> major change in mindset happening here.

Instead I continued to log time in the swimming pool ---> 2950 meters to date. Swimming is going to become my "new" running. It's not the same but swimming does not aggravate my knee and I get a great cardio workout. Bonus, it's perfect for this hot and humid climate I live in!

I found my motivation to get back in the gym after completing a video workout challenge. The goal is to keep strength training in my weekly routine again. My body definitely responds when I pick up the weights.

Lastly, I added more walking into my daily routine and logged 14.26 miles so far. I would like to get into the habit of walking every morning, but it takes awhile for this creature-of-habit girl to get a new habit going.


It kind of feels like my fitness has been a little all over the place. My motivation over the last couple of months has been up and down and up and down. I think it's because I was putting off the inevitable decision to stop running and take care of what is left of my knee. It's scary to give up something that you spent years doing and focusing on it so much that you actually started a blog about it. I mean, what would I do without it? It kind of feels like a fitness identity crisis, ha!

June might have been the month I didn't run, but it is also the month that I realized I'm still a fitness junkie and I'm going to keep running through life one fitness adventure at a time!


Today I'm doing the link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run! 

How well do you follow your own fitness plans?
Are you a creature of habit or are you more impulsive?



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21 comments:

  1. I didn't run much in June, although my ankle seems to be happier about running than it is about walking. Good job listening to your body!

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    1. Isn't that crazy??? I hope it's 100% for both soon.

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  2. I found running late in life, and while it can aggravate my knees, so far I've usually been able to work through it & I hope that I always can.

    That said, unlike many runners, there are actually a lot of different activities I truly enjoy -- swimming being one of them. I just wish it wasn't so time consuming (even if I don't swim very long!).

    I have a type A personality when it comes to plans. But I've slowly been getting better about that.

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    1. Crossing my fingers that you can too...that's what I was hoping after having my last knee surgery in 2014. At least I got a couple more years of it in. On to swimming now!

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  3. Sounds like you are ok with giving up running. I'm having my own struggle with running over here, with pretty significant knee pain for the first time in my life. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not close to giving it up but I'm starting to think that day will come.

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    1. It took me awhile (like two years) but yes, I am finally ok with it. I hope that you can keep going, even if you have to run shorter distances. Hope your knee feels better soon!

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  4. In my advancing age (ha!) I've come to learn that the body "asks" for different things at different times. Where once my body was totally on board with distance running, now I'm finding strength training and HIIT to be much more in my wheelhouse. I think our habits, and what our brains are telling us is "right" or "wrong" are where we tend to get hung up. Finding what works like you have, is so key.

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    1. As much as I do miss the running, I am having fun with shorter workouts that have such a big impact on my body.

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  5. I'm glad you have found swimming! Like I have said before, though, you never seem to be out of options for fitness. Running is such a rewarding activity, but it can come with a price. WHen my surgeon told me "no running, don't even think about it" last summer, I was in shock for (maybe) 24 hours. When I got home and started walking (all the time LOL), I realized that even though running was my sport, it was not my life. Thankfully, by heeding my surgeon's strict recovery plan, I was able to return to running. And I appreciate each and every run, now, no matter the weather, distance or speed of my pace. Too bad we are in opposite time zones or we could "virtually" walk together every morning LOL

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    1. Virtual walks with you would definitely help with my motivation ;) One day I will be back in the states...and I'm so happy for you that running is still a part of your life after last summer!

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  6. I don't think of it as you giving up running (once a runner, always a runner) but more of you moving on to a new chapter in your story. :) I'm so glad you have swimming and you might even find that walking is more enjoyable (for more reasons than the low impact) than running. Before my surgery, I was walking all over town and I really grew to love it. I felt more in tune with things, I noticed more things.

    I feel you on the identity crisis. I've gone through that with CrossFit. It's hard to balance those two things and I love them both so much!

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    1. You are so right! It is a new chapter. Thank you for that <3 In the short number of walks I have taken, I have noticed more about where I live than when I ran the same routes. There's a reward for getting out and moving, no matter what kind of moving we're doing.

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  7. What a tough decision to have to make - but I love Jennifer's response in the comments "...moving on to a new chapter in your story". But still it must be tough. Best of luck in all the other fitness activities. I am definitely a rigid planner - no impulsiveness here! LOL.

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    1. Thank you so much! It was not easy to admit, but I know that no running will be best for my knee. I'm a planner too ;)

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  8. I have discovered I love biking and swimming in the summer. Running not so much. It's just too hot and not enjoyable. I am keeping my runs at a minimum and embracing the swims and runs until the weather is cooler.

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    1. That sounds like a great way to embrace summer and still do all the things you love to do!

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  9. I think it's important to do what you love, and that might change over time, that's OK!

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    1. That is so true! A long, long, lonnnnggg time ago I played soccer (hence the bad knee). When I couldn't do that anymore, my new love became running. And here I am, changing things up again, haha!

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  10. June was most definitely a bust for me, and I am taking your advice and check out the local pool. Maybe that will be good for my current situation.

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    1. Oh I hope it is a good fit for you! I had a very humble start to swimming, but I'm really enjoying it now that I've done more and gotten better at it.

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  11. I'm sure its hard to accept that your knee is happier without running but I am glad you are finding other ways to work out that you enjoy!

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