Training Tuesday: Almost spring-like

I’m two-ish months away from the Cincinnati half marathon. TWO months. Time is going to fly.

This past week I really started to get back into the swing of working out. On Wednesday, I met with Faith for weights. I tried new exercises with her that left my arms shaking that afternoon and my hamstrings and butt super sore that night and the next day. I didn’t get to do weights on Thursday, but I ran 3 miles on the treadmill on Friday.

I took Saturday off unintentionally. For that matter, I took Thursday off unintentionally (but I went walking and sledding. That has to count for something, right?) I spent the bulk of Saturday running after a 3-year-old and it was too cold for me to run outside. I just can’t do the cold running right now.

Sunday was fabulous! I set out to run around 4 miles, and finished with 5 miles. That’s the first 5-miler I’ve done since October. I didn’t realize it had been so long since I’ve run that kind of distance! (With the exception of January 1 when I ran the two 5ks in one day.) The weather was great (mid-50s) and it was partly sunny. I was overdressed, but just tied my jacket around my waist.

The best.

I decided not to take Monday off. I ended up completing 3.5 miles on the elliptical. I won’t take another day off until Wednesday, maybe Friday. I feel like I’ve taken a lot of time off lately – mostly unintentional. And my goal for Wednesday is to exercise before I have to go to work. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, so we’ll see.

I have a 5k coming up and two more races in April. (An in-person race and a virtual 10k race. I’m still debating whether or not I should do the virtual race following the 5k since I’m technically in training and could use the distance.)

I have races. I’m running. I feel good again. It feels good to feel good. It’s been far too long.

How are you coping with exercise in the winter months?