DNS

A Tough Week

May 21, 2023 by Michelle 13 Comments

This was a tough week. Work was hectic, I spent way too much time in my car with multiple days of long commutes, and then there was some added family drama at the end of the week (parenting is not for the faint of heart!). Since this was supposed to be race week, the workouts were lighter than usual and I was just fine with that – Keep reading and I’ll explain the “supposed to” part.

A Tough Week

Monday — Rest day. While I usually like to start the week off strong, after another night of poor sleep it just wasn’t happening.
Tuesday — 2-mile walk, Core, & Yoga
Wednesday — 2-mile walk, Core & Upper Body Strength
Thursday — 3 miles & Core
Friday — 2.5 miles & Hip Mobility Work. I hadn’t planned on running but I received a great collection of new gear from Brooks as part of the Run Happy Team and couldn’t resist a short run. (Plus, I had some crazy to burn off!)
Saturday — Rest day.

I woke up early Saturday morning (like 3:30 early) and knew the thought of getting in my car to drive to Connecticut for Sunday’s race was bringing me no joy…so my hubby and I agreed to cancel our hotel room and take a DNS. Sorry, not sorry. After a sleepless night, I took advantage of the rainy day to park myself on the couch with my book and rest. There may have even been a nap.

The hubs and I also decided to jump in on a last-minute registration for the Run to Remember 5 Miler next weekend – there’s always another race, right?! This race is a fave that I’ve run a number of times, but I had not planned on running it this year since it was scheduled for the weekend following the Mystic 10K.

So the plan today is to get a run of 6 – 7 miles and re-group for what I hope will be a quieter, drama-free week ahead.

In case you missed it:

Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

Do you ever decide you’re just not feeling a race? Are you quick to make up for a DNS?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

Filed Under: DNS, Weekly Run Down

Keeping my eye on the prize

March 11, 2018 by Michelle 20 Comments

If you read last week’s wrap up then you know I was contemplating taking a DNS on the Black Cat 10 miler thanks to a very cranky piriformis. The truth is I knew even as I was typing that post that the chances of my actually running Black Cat were slim. But we runners always hold out hope, right?

Well, I eeked out a run on Tuesday, but it was a lot of effort for a short 3 miles with my piriformis talking back most of the way. Decision made – it was not worth it to push it for what was basically going to be a training run.

Once that decision was out of the way, the rest of the week seemed to get a lot easier. I babied the heck out of my right leg, returned to some of my PT exercises, hit the yoga mat, and spent some time on the Arc Trainer. I also managed two more runs – both slow and easy with 5:1 run-walk intervals and finished the week with 12.5 miles. Surprising…and I’ll take it as a win!

So this week will be more of the same so I can get back to training for the races I have planned for the spring. Next up is the Portland 10 Miler in April and then Boston’s Run to Remember Half in May.

Have you ever taken a DNS? What’s next on your race calendar?

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

Filed Under: DNS, focusing on goals, Weekly Wrap

Hitting the Training Reset Button

February 19, 2017 by Michelle 52 Comments

It’s time to hit the reset button…

My little slip during a run last month did more than just tweak things. And, while I’ve been able to eek out some runs, it’s been inconsistent at best…and with some significant pain at worst. No bueno. I’ve probably known for a couple of weeks now that I need to re-think my plans, but I didn’t want to admit it. I’d been hoping to hold it together and some how stick to my race schedule, but it’s just not happening.

So after a trip to the new chiropractor (who was awesome!) and conferring with the RC coaches, it’s time to hit the reset button on my training. I took a pass on the 10 mile race I was planning to do this morning and I’m deferring my entry in the NYC Half until next year. And while I’m especially bummed about putting off NYC, I’m refusing to have a pity party.

So I’m focusing on the positives:

Better to have this happen now while the year is still young and there’s still lots of time for running and races
I still have 14 weeks until my Spring goal race, Boston’s Run to Remember
I’m loving the new chiro I was referred to – he’s mapped out a course of treatment and believes he can get me back on track shortly
My RC coaches are all very positive that we can work around this and put together a decent training plan
Since the whole family was looking forward to heading to NYC, we’ve decided to still hit the city during the school spring break

I’m headed back to the chiro tomorrow, and this week will probably be heavy on the cross-training and strength work. 14 weeks to go!

Linking up with Tricia and Holly for the #WeeklyWrap.

Quick housekeeping note:

Congrats to Jessica & Stephanie for winning entries into the Utah Valley Marathon/Half Marathon/10K! (Check your email boxes for details. ) If you didn’t win but are still interested in running, you can use code rwa15 to get 15% off any distance! (This is an affiliate code.)

Filed Under: chiropractor, DNS, half marathon training, injuries, NYC Half Marathon, Weekly Wrap

Where did March go?

April 1, 2013 by Michelle 16 Comments

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I got to start my day with a run with my oldest son (he wants to run a 5k!), there was egg-dying and hunting and a great family brunch.

Cannot believe today is April 1st. For as slow as the days of February seemed to move, March just flew by!

Good things for March:

After giving my ITB some extra attention and extra rest days, I feel like I’m settling into a nice running groove!
Mileage is back on the right track
Finished the 30-day ab/core challenge and started round 2
Selected again as a ZOOMA Cape Cod Ambassador!
Returning to hill work 😉
Running with my son

Things I could do without:

Taking a DNS for the New Bedford Half (I know it was the right choice though)

What’s up for April:

1st race of the BAA Distance Medley – the BAA 5K is the Sunday of Marathon Weekend
And speaking of the Boston Marathon, I’ll be volunteering at the race this year!! I’ll be working in the Athlete’s Village greeting the buses and helping to direct runners to where they need to be. Very excited!
Running the Newport 10 Miler with my friend E

How was your March? Any big plans for April?

Filed Under: BAA, Boston Marathon, DNS, month in review, Newport 10 Miler

Cough, Sputter, Blow…Repeat

May 24, 2012 by Michelle 9 Comments

Cough, Sputter, Blow…that’s what I’ve done all week…and it hasn’t been pretty! I am a congested, coughing, hacking mess!

I’ve been holding out hope that my body will cooperate so I can race Sunday, but clearly my body (particularly my lungs) has other plans. After a low point on Tuesday, I thought the worst of it was over and announced I was going for a short run on Wednesday. J looked concerned but didn’t discourage me. However, when just going upstairs to get dressed sent me into a coughing spasm, I decided to hold off (The Universe smacking me upside the head perhaps?). After a slightly better night’s sleep last night, I once again declared I was going for a run this morning.

So I set out to do a simple 5k loop – except it was anything but simple. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say I wheezed and hacked my way through it and had to walk a couple of times — really?!? And, when I finished it felt like I had to have gone a lot further than just 3 miles. OK so I have my answer – short of a miracle turnaround in the next 48 hrs, there will be no race for me this weekend 🙁

As you can imagine I’m ticked off – 9 weeks of running my fanny off to be brought down in the end by a relentless cough! As much as I wanted to run this race again, this is the wise choice for the long-term. So I’ll allow myself a bit of a pity party today (but just today – really…first world problems), hit my doctor’s appointment tomorrow to figure out what’s going on, and then set my sights on a new target.

Filed Under: cough from hell, DNS, to race or not