Prioritizing by Modifying Workouts
There’s only so much that can be fit into a day and when much of the week is spent in a car, workouts just might have to take a back seat, so to speak. One-hour full body strength training sessions became 15 minute core workouts, bike rides bookended the week without any mid-week rides, and I had time for only one run and one short walk. I did; however, spend quality time with my mom and that’s what was most important.
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 24 miles
• Average speed: 12.7 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 1,864 feet
• Start time: 9:07 AM
• Location: Canby/Sands/Mt. Gilead Road loop
• Weather: 62° and sunny, climbing to 75°
• What I wore: bike shorts and s/s jersey
We’d ridden this route a few weeks ago and I loved it so much that I requested we do it again. It’s a relatively short course and since we were on a time crunch it worked out great. We shortened the distance and time by driving to meet our friends instead of riding the 16-mile roundtrip to and from the start point.
Later in the afternoon I walked for well over a mile without timing it.
Monday
Drive to the farm
Strength training: 15 minutes of core
Tuesday
Day of errands and appointments
Wednesday
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 9:38
• Start time: 11:29 AM
• Location: country roads near the farm
• Weather: 71° and sunny, climbing to 77°
• What I wore: shorts and tank top
Strength training: 15 minutes of core
I woke up to 49°, perfect for a run, but I had an early morning appointment to take my mom’s cat to the vet. By the time I got home and finally got around to running, the temperature had climbed significantly. The leaves have already started to turn slightly in the higher elevation of SWVA and I enjoyed the hint of autumn scenery.
Thursday
Day of errands and appointments
Friday
Drive home from the farm
Strength training: 15 minutes of core
Saturday
Cycling: 65 miles
• Average speed: 12.0 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 5,066 feet
• Start time: 9:04 AM
• Location: Loudoun and Fauquier Counties
• Weather: 51° and sunny, climbing to 71° and cloudy
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, arm sleeves for first 12 miles, light jacket
Wow, what a beautiful ride! Bill and I rode the 65-mile route of the Tour de Conservation Easement (there were also 35 and 18 mile routes). The course traversed not only along our favorite local gravel roads, but through some of the private estates along those roads. Thanks to the generosity of those property owners, we were able to enjoy views we’d never seen before. This was a ride worth recapping so stay tuned…
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • How do you modify your workouts when time is tight? ~ I skipped some walks and shortened my strength training sessions. Less time on the bike and only one run ended up being good for giving my legs some additional rest before Saturday’s 65-mile gravel ride.
- • What was your favorite workout of the week? ~ My favorite workout was Saturday’s Tour de Conservation Easement ride.
- • Did you run in a race this weekend? ~ No
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
I bet your bike ride felt great after a couple days off for your trip! Sometimes you have to do the right thing and I’m sure your mom appreciated everything you did!
Hmmm….my favorite workout? Probably last Sunday’s IAT run to Gibraltar Rock? It’s hard to pick.
Yes, you’re exactly right. Family first!
I rarely have time for a long workout when I’m away from home. I try to at least do a 10 min core and 10 min bodyweight class to warm-up for the day ahead. My husband thinks I’m nuts, but it feels good to me.
I agree with you, morning core warm-ups feel great!
I am sure your mom appreciated all of your help while you visited. To answer your question, I try to keep moving when away from home but also remind myself that it is ok to cut back and do other things while away. I will try to keep up a core and strength routine and just cut it shorter
Agreed, I just get so stiff if I don’t do some sort of movement/warm-up as I get my day started. And of course it’s more noticeable as I get older. 😉
Well, I think you had a great week. Two long bike rides, a run and some strength in there as well. I always feel like it’s important to be consistent most of the time, so when those weeks come up where you have to cut back, it actually feels pretty good to take a break. And you got to see your mom and help her out!
It was a great week – just didn’t get in the amount of strength training I usually do and at my age strength training is so important.
When my time is tight, I tend to prioritize running and skip the rest. I know I should make time for both!
We do what we like most, right?
Love reading about your bike rides.
It’s tough when you are busy to fit it all in.
I had to cut my run short yesterday to go to a family event. But I ran today instead.
Thanks, Darlene! I always wonder if I should focus on it so much since this started as a running blog.
Well, the main reason I no longer run at my moms is because it’s 3 women, 2 showers — but one is my mom’s bathroom, so it’s really just incredibly awkward. Not to mention the living room in my bedroom . . .
Yes, spending her 90th with her is more important!
You do what you can, when you can. Luckily my mom doesn’t get moving early, so there’s usually time for Yoga and a walk before she’s dressed.
Glad you were able to spend that time with your family! You won’t regret that.
Ah yes, I’m sure that would make a huge difference in being able to run and then shower after with the awkwardness of such close quarters.
I’m sure your mom appreciated all your help! Family first for sure. Great week still!
Thanks, Jessie!
You nailed it when you said the time with your mom was top priority, so well done! Nice matchy-matchy kits for Sunday’s ride 😉 Was that your idea or the hubby’s?
There were LOTS of VeloPigs wearing those matchy-matchy team kits. 🙂
I’m looking forward to the bike ride recap!
I saw McKenzie pushups in your summary and had to google it. Looks interesting! I have that as part of my stretching routine (on one of Pamela Reif’s videos) and I really like it.
Very cool! McKenzie press-ups have helped me be able to maintain what little running I’m still doing, plus I’m now able to drive without sciatic pain. Doing them regularly has been life changing for me!
100% agree with you that time with family, especially parents, takes priority over anything! I think that dealing with the Covid lockdowns definitely help me put things in perspective, especially family time.
Looking forward to your bike ride recap!
Thanks, Kim! I’m hoping to linkup my bike tour recap with Tuesday Topics later today. 🙂
I figure something is always better than nothing, and I feel better if I’ve gotten out to move. Glad you had a good visit with your mom
Thanks, Cari!
That was a big change in temps from the morning! I pretty much just get up a lot earlier, or the run isn’t happening. I’m really not motivated to run after the morning has passed by! That being said, I think I am going to have to suck it up and do an afternoon run this week. Not looking forward to that change in schedule!
I hear you on runs not happening if I don’t go first thing in the morning. Had I been at home I would have gotten up earlier to run before going to the vet, but I not longer like to run before dawn at the farm – there have been too many bear sightings in recent years for my comfort. 😉