Conditioning Week 7: July change up

So now that it’s the last full month before training starts I’ve reevaluated my plan and made some changes.

On the 4th of July I ran the Firecracker 5k on Governors Island. It was a beautiful day but much hotter than I think is ideal for running. While the breeze off the water felt like mercy my time definitely suffered for the heat and humidity. I came in at 37:08 and I feel fine about that time given the heat. It’s not an improvement, but it isn’t worse than the baseline time I set when I started conditioning.

I am not happy to report that my shins were feeling tight and painful during parts of the race. Every year I end up with shinsplints so I really want to avoid being de-railed here.

Before I set a rule that workout classes could not replace the miles I set out but I don’t think I’m ready for that rule. I’m still going to aim include 4 miles at least 4 days a week, but those miles can be all walking if I need it and a spin class or rowing or boxing or yoga can replace the miles if that makes sense.

For July I’m going to be focusing on doing more cross training and overall fitness. Yoga, Spin, and even getting back into Rowing and Boxing. Low impact cross training seems to be the best plan for keeping those dreaded shin splints away.

So that’s the plan. For the remainder of the month my weekly recaps will be suspended while I focus on my final weeks before training begins in earnest.