This year’s opening salvo of racing is over. Here’s how the season has gone so far:
- 4/5: Lincoln Presidential Half
- 4/19: Eggshell Shuffle 5k
- 4/26: Loop the Lakes 5k
- 5/3: Flying Pig 5k and 10k
- 5/4: Flying Pig Half
- 5/18: Chicago Spring Half
- 5/24: Soldier Field 10 Mile
Since I plan to start training for NYCM with guns blazing in July, now seems like the perfect time to change things up.
One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war….oh wait, not a thumb war. I declare a Racebattical. Yeah, that’s it: A sabattical from racing, so Racebattical. Of course I’ll still run, but it’s not going to be the entree, rather more of a side dish. For the next few weeks ice skating is definitely my focus, since it’s ice show and competition season. When I’m not at the rink though, my focus is going back to strength training, as in heavy lifting like I did back in January. I’ve already hit up the bench press once this week and the squat rack is next. I’d tell you I was cleaning up my diet, because I hope to, but that’s a work in progress.
According to the experts, periodically changing up your workouts has many benefits:
- Prevents over-use injuries
- Strengthens supporting muscles while giving others a rest
- Helps you avoid physical and mental burnout
- Helps break through a weight loss plateau
So that’s the plan! Racing to the back burner for now. I want to be excited to build back the mileage as I move toward NYCM.
Do you change up your workouts? How often? Final days to enter my giveaway!
Good for you. I only stop racing when I am injured.
I don’t really race much at all. I usually have one big race a year and then randomly sign up for some smaller ones along the way for fun. I like just running to run.
Coming from a die hard runner who’s been slaving away on the elliptical….do it! Don’t get injured like I did! And ya know, these last 3 months on the elliptical have really changed my outlook on running as well. I’m not as anal about speed, which is a miracle in and of itself!
I always think of ice skating as a winter sport – kind of funny it gets busy now that we have nice weather. 🙂
Sounds like a perfect time to change things up a bit! Enjoy your racebattical 🙂
I take breaks either after a marathon training cycle or when I’m injured. However, I usually take two days off from running before a race, so that’s a mini-break right? 🙂
Wow look at all those races! Nice work:) I have been on a racebattical all year pretty much;) Although I do have a half this weekend:)
That WAS my plan, after the Chicago Spring Half, to cut my miles and focus on strength for 6-8 weeks, then dial it up again for Zooma. But my foot had other plans. Even if I get released from the boot this week, I’m sticking to my lower mileage plan and strength training. Becky has big plans for me!
Great post. I definitely think it’s good to change up workouts and especially intensity levels. B/c it’s so hot here during the summer, that’s when I slow my roll and do more cross-training like riding the bike.
Running all the races every weekend does get spendy. When I do mix up my workouts from just, I notice how out of shape I REALLY am. 😉 But I do think running helps my biking and biking helps my running, so I am all for mixing up my workouts.
I think it’s a fantastic way to give the body a break. That said, when I am healthy, I don’t do it very often b/c I love to run so much. But maybe those injuries are why I should!
I need to get back into the gym and hit the weights too!
No race break for me, but mine tend to be more spread out than yours.
It’s nice to change it up and take a break every once in awhile! We definitely aren’t racing as much this year with how much training we’re doing. It’s a nice change.
Woo hoo! Have a good Racebattical! I tend to take it light in June, July and August cause of the heat… works out perfectly! 🙂
Yes, I change up my workouts and I just started back into heavier lifting again, too!!! I’m hoping to keep my running up but not quite as much as the past couple of months!!
After the number of races you’ve done this year I think you deserve a bit of a break from them. Good luck for the ice skating season.
Yes I do regularly change up workouts in order to keep things fresh and not get bored. Good idea on taking a break before diving into NYCM training! When I’m on downtime from training for a specific race I love to try out new workouts. Recently it’s been spinning 🙂
What will I read? haha!If I remember correctly the strength training seemed to help with your running so that sounds like a good idea. I have exercise ADD so I change things up often. Although I’m doing pretty good with sticking to the baladea at the moment.
Unfortunately I do not workout enough to want to change anything 🙁 As of right now I only have time for a 30 min walk daily but I guess that is the pros of being with kids 🙂
Wow! You got in a lot of races. Yes- this is the perfect time to mix things up before marathon training begins. I’ve been thinking the same thing with the final 8-9 weeks of pregnancy- I should use this time to hit the pool, Pilates, and all the classes I don’t normally make time for!
I planned a break and then didn’t race for a year! I am glad I did it though and I feel ready to start up again!
You are seriously a racing machine! Enjoy your barre class! Excited to hear all about it!
I’ve been forced to change up my workouts. Currently experimenting with hula hooping!
Always great to change things up! Recently I started Rock Climbing, it’s totally challenging me and I am loving it!!
Annnnnd, I’m sure a summer vacation? Where to???? I always love living vicariously through your cool trips, so wondering where I’ll be heading this summer :).
xo
You are a racing machine! Enjoy the break.