Well it’s been a little while since I put a new blog post together. A lot has happened in the last few weeks and blogging just hasn’t been a priority. I wanted to chat a little bit about my current training plan today though. I’ve been receiving a lot of messages lately asking if I’m running everyday along my strength training. The answer is no. Right now running has taken a back seat. After battling a knee injury for 5 months, it was time to give my knee a break and focus on recovery and getting stronger. I’ve been doing that by adding in more functional training and less running.
With my knee injury, or “runner’s knee” as it’s called, my goal the last few months has been to work on strengthening my glutes, hamstrings, and core through new workouts. I’ve also added in resistance bands to my running warmup to help wake up my glutes and open up my hips before I run. I don’t know why it took me so long but using resistance bands has been such a game changer.
Currently my workout regimen looks like this:
Sunday: Rest
Monday: Lower body
Tuesday: Upper body
Wednesday: Core/ Cardio
Thursday: Lower body
Friday: Upper body
Saturday: Long run
*This is the routine that has been working for me the last few months. Find a routine that works best for you. It may be similar to mine or it may be different.*
With my gym workouts, my trainer has been adding in cardio intervals-whether they are on the treadmill, rower, or ski erg. I also having been doing core work almost every single day. After a few months, I can finally say my knee is better. I don’t head out on my runs wondering if my knee is going to bother me anymore, which is such a great feeling! I had so much anxiety the first few miles of my runs this past summer because I never knew when my knee pain was going to come on.
So let’s chat a little more about my gym routine. Back in October I changed up my gym routine. My body was starting to break down from all the years of heavy lifting with bad form. Not only was my knee bothering me, but I was battling a shoulder injury as well that wasn’t getting any better. At first it was hard to leave my old gym, that’s been my home for the last 4 years. It’s been where I met some of my best friends, who have become like family to me. But my body needed a change. At the end of every week I was feeling super run down and struggling on my weekend long runs. I am now more focused on my form, and no longer trying to lift super heavy to PR on deadlifts or squats
My goal the last few months has been to not only LOOK good but FEEL good as well. I must admit in the past my goal was to just look good, but now at this point in my life and years of training, I just want to feel my best. I’ve been working out at Shift Athletic Performance, which has been a total game changer. I definitely struggle with some of the different movements and workouts at times, but it’s been good to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I was so bad at implementing any lateral or single leg work in the past, which is probably why my glutes were so weak. My training now consists of strength training, core-work, agility, plyometrics, and cardiovascular training.
Although running has taken a back seat the last few months, I am still planning to run a half marathon next weekend. I’ve been keeping up with my weekend long runs and adding in interval work on the treadmill during the week. My training hasn’t been conventional, but it’s what I enjoy right now and doing what makes me happy is what matters most. I don’t plan on running to PR next weekend, I plan on running for fun. The Surf City Half has always been one of my favorite races- it takes place along Pacific Coast Highway in beautiful Huntington Beach, California. The last four years I have always ran with friends, which makes racing even better.
I’ll be sharing my resistance band running warm up soon- I’m shooting the video this week and will be chatting more about how I’ve rehabbed my knee injury! Happy running!
