Hey everyone! I hope you’re all having a great weekend. So I left off on Friday with my training update, my IT band issues and not knowing what was going to happen with my long run this weekend!
On Friday I decided I’d go for a 1 mile run to see how my IT band was feeling, and I also wanted to try out swimming as a way of cross-training. I’d been inspired by both Meghann and Lindsay, feeling jealous of their swimming! I swam laps once last year, and before that I haven’t swam since Spring of 2007 when I was getting my lifeguard certification. Lol, so I didn’t know what to expect other than I knew it would be fun because I love to swim!
I started off on the treadmill (yes, I ran in a swimsuit with a Tshirt and shorts over it…) and my mile went just fine! I kept changing incline and speeds to really test out my leg and see how it would go. It felt fine the whole run, so I was feeling good!
Then I headed to the pool and started swimming laps. I had a BLAST! I started off swimming 50m (down and back) and then upped it to 100m, with a few seconds break. But really I didn’t feel the need to rest too much, clearly running helped out my cardio. I wanted to go a mile (1600m) but Lindsay told me to take it easy if I was going to run the next day so I opted to end at 1200m.
I tried to take the laps easily, but, let’s be honest, I get a little competitive… Haha so clearly I had to beat the man in the lane next to me (and yes, I did, although I don’t think he caught on to my competition…).
I would also like to note that 1) I didn’t realize my goggles had stickers on the lenses until about halfway through my laps and 2) I tried to leave the pool but accidentally went into a maintenance closet and then looked like an idiot trying to find the door to the women’s locker room. Several men in the hot tub were laughing… I do what I can.
After texting back and forth with my cousin, I decided it would be best to wait one more day, until Sunday, for my long run. I had ended up walking about 3-4 miles on Friday running errands and I could tell my IT band was a little sore. My cousin was running Sunday too, so I promised her I’d take Saturday off and be smart!
One of those errands I ran was buying new shoes! I’d had a pair of Asics since May and was told it’s about time for some new shoes. When I went into Fleet Feet the guy who helped me said they looked pretty worn down, and that IT band issues often come up with worn down shoes. After trying a few different shoes I decided to get the same shoe, just the upgraded version: The GT 2170. I wanted to get this shoe because I felt the most comfortable in it, especially since it’s counterpart got me this far in training!
Yay!!!
**Added in this morning: I talked again with my cousin last night and decided to just skip this week’s 14 miler all together. My type-A stubborn personality is dying on the inside right now, I missed 28 miles this week. TWENTY EIGHT. That’s a lot of miles in my head, but it was less than a full week of training. Deep breaths. I’m trying to stay calm and cool because I know this is the right choice but I’m still freaking out on the inside. I’m hopefully meeting up with her early tomorrow morning to knock out 8 (she’s doing 10) so hopefully all will go well!
Do you ever swim laps?
What’s your favorite shoe?
If you’ve run a marathon, please reassure me that missing 1 cutback week is fine…
I run in Mizunos, but I wore Asics back in high school and university, and am probably going to add them into the rotation in a month or two.
I used to swim when the pool was part of my university gym membership … too expensive for me now though, unfortunately.
One week won’t hurt you (especially if your cardio felt strong during the swim!) — but to keep running on your sore ITs really would have hurt you, and may have caused you to sideline you for the race altogether. You made the right decision!! 🙂
Thanks Chelsie! And I’ve never tried Mizunos, but I hear great things!
I have those SAME running shoes and I’m OBSESSED with them! They’re awesome! And I use swimming as my main form of cross-training (2-3x a week), and sometimes I even jump in the pool right after a long run…I’ve found it really, really helps my muscle recovery, and I always feel so much more loosened up if I’m feeling really sore.
Hope your run tomorrow goes well! 🙂
I wish I liked swimming laps more but it is definitely an amazing work out! I don’t know how people swim incredibly long distances!
I don’t either, especially since I stop a lot!
I’m glad your swim went well! I’m always such a mess on the pool deck, especially when I don’t wear my contacts. I’ve never gotten any weird looks (that I can see) so I’m sure you were fine!
I also ordered new Brooks this weekend online. My old shoes are so worn down, my body will appreciate new ones!
When I trained for my first marathon, there were a couple of weekends that I didn’t run at all for various reasons. Honestly, I don’t think it affected me too much at all. In fact, I felt a lot more rested and ready to run the following week. I know it can be super hard to mentally take time off from running but remember that you have an 18 miler under your belt and a 20 miler coming up. You’ll be totally fine!!
Thanks, Lindsay! I’m just so worried it’s going to act up next week!
I used to swim laps last year, but I stopped over the summer because my gym at home doesn’t have a pool. I want to get back into it now though. It’s such a good workout!
And I love the colours in your new shoes! Right now I run in Asics Gel 1170s, but I think I prefer the Saucony Pro Grid 8s I was running in before. They just felt more right for my feet! I’m thinking of trying Mizuno’s for my next pair though because I’ve heard such good things.
I think you made the right choice to skip your 14 miler – better safe than sorry, right? 🙂 I hope your 8 miles go smoothly though!
Haha definitely better safe than sorry! And I’ve heard good things about Mizuno too!
I have those shoes 🙂 I’m not a hardcore runner but they’ve been great for me! Best of luck this week. It sounds like you’re making the right choices, even though they’re not easy.
I’m glad you like these shoes! I’ve been walking around in them and they feel just like my old ones!
SO PROUD OF YOU for listening to your body and what it needs, especially given that i know exactly how you feel. i think you’re doing the smartest thing for you. i’m also so impressed with your ability to fit other workouts in that don’t work your IT band. when i rest i just don’t do anything, lol.
and i love the new kicks!
Thanks Molly!!! Lol and I didn’t do much all weekend… haha just a little yoga this morning. Thought I should stay off my leg!
You’ll be fine! I had to skip almost two weeks in my marathon training the first time (it was during the taper) and I don’t think it made much of a difference.
And someday you’ll have to show me how you can make swimming fun! So far I haven’t enjoyed it much at all.
Haha we should all swim together! I just love being in the water so much!
I have those same shoes!! I run cross country and track for my high school but recently i had to stop because of a stress fracture so I know exactly what your going through!!! You are defiently being smart by taking time off! I ran on my stress fracture for an entire week before i had to stop. Then it took four months to heal. But i did fall in love with swimming and cycling!
p.s I love your blog!!
-Meredith
Aww thanks, Meredith! And I hope your injury gets better so you can participate in part of this season! Or join swim team!
You go girl! Way to take that needed recovery. I hope you are feeling better soon!
Thanks, Alex!
nice shoes! I have the exact same ones and really like them! and it definitely makes sense that worn down shoes could cause aches and pains.
Not getting in all of your training runs feels like a big deal, but it is going to be best for you in the long run that you didn’t injure yourself more. From the things I have read missing a few runs isn’t a big deal, I think it will all be fine. Keeping up with cross training is a good plan though.
You do!?!? Haha I love that we have the same shoes!!
Those are the shoes I run in!! I believe I own four pairs right now. Hey stick with what works, right? And I truly applaud you for not running. Seriously. The hardest thing to do sometimes is change the plan. But I’m positive you made the right decision.
Haha these seem to be popular shoes! And thanks, Emily, I appreciate the reassurance!
Hey Katie!
I used to swim laps all the time! It’s soo good for your body. I really should get back into it. But I got into other stuff like HIIT bodyrock, kickboxing, etc.. But I think it’s one of the best forms of cross-training. Do you mind if I ask where you swim? I’m always on the look out for a good pool. I used to lifeguard and teach swimming lessons to kids, babies, and adults at Northwestern University’s pool in Evanston. It’s gorgeous! It’s Olympic sized–but kind of inconvenient to get to as I live in lakeview. For a while I belonged to Depaul’s gym and their pool was decent–it was just a little too hot. Now I belong to an FFC that’s like right around the corner from my apartment so it’s much more convenient–but their pool is really tiny. Would you mind telling me which pool/gym you go to? You could also e-mail me if you want to keep it private.
Thanks!
Yaara
sent you an e-mail!
It’s been years since I’ve swum laps, but I’m dying to get back in the pool and “stretch” out! My body is pretty tight right now, and I think non-impact movement would feel really good.
You should feel so good about staying strong and doing what you know is best for your body. I’m a competitive person too (mainly with myself), so my inclination is always to “push push push,” even when I know I shouldn’t. It takes serious willpower and strength to say no, but when you finish that marathon strong, you’ll be so glad you did!
Thanks, Sara! It was definitely hard to hold back, but I started to get scared that I wouldn’t be able to run the 20 miler next weekend, so I decided that was more important!
I’m really proud of you for taking it easy, hun. I know it’s not easy, but you said it – it’s the smart thing to do 🙂
Thanks, Meg!
[…] that I ran the Chicago Marathon this past October. During training I had some IT band issues and took a week off during training, which helped me out and I was able to run the race without […]