I am happy to report my first day of training for one of my part time jobs went great.
I am working in a chiropractors office part time and am really enjoying learning something completely new. It isn’t the best paying job but there is something to be said about just having SOMETHING to help us. It’s a big learning curve but I am really enjoying it, and you never know where these types of things can pay off in the future.
Next week starts my first week of working both jobs and I am actually looking forward to it. It’s all about pushing forward and focusing on the future. That’s my goal each and every day.
Yesterday before I headed to training I met my husband at the gym for a spinning session.
We completed about 90 minutes of spinning before I had to call it quits to hop in the shower and Wes headed to swim.
I would have loved to get in a small weight lifting session, but I didn’t end up having the time. Oh well.
I felt good throughout the spin, and I am starting to think this little focus on cross training may be beneficial to me!
Still no change in Wes’ condition. He is still pushing through and trying to stay positive. I guess that is about the best you can expect. We keep hoping that one day something will knock him back into alignment and the pain will subside, so far though nothing has happened.
As I’ve been working on getting ready for my workouts this week I’ve noticed my body has been extra stiff. I think this has a lot to do with the crazy cold weather.
Going along with my tips for running in snow and ice yesterday, there are a few others things that are even MORE important during the cold weather months.
1. Start with a Warm Up
Never forget your warm up. Sometimes I will jog a lap or two around the indoor track or simply walk for the first minute of my treadmill workout. Even if I am spinning I always incorporate a warm up.
This helps your muscles to get loose and can help to avoid a costly injury.
2. Don’t forget Your Dynamic Stretches
Dynamic stretches are always important but especially when your muscles are cold.
It has been shown that stretching pre-workout really doesn’t add much benefit, but dynamic stretches are an easy and quick way to warm up your muscles and prepare for your workout.
3. Hydrate!
It is easy to remember to keep hydrated during the summer months when it is hot outside. We often forget that even though we aren’t sweating like crazy, we still need to be staying hydrated.
Proper hydration can drastically improve your runs, your sleep, and even helps your body recover.
Don’t forget to hydrate!
Do you hydrate as much during the winter months?
What do you do differently in the winter versus the warm months?
I think I actually hydrate more during the winter months. The cold air drys my skin and hair out so bad that I find myself drinking gallons of water a day vs the summer when it’s a few glasses a day. I need to be much better about the warm up situation though. I hardly ever warm up and I’m lucky that it hasn’t caused big issues!
You are a lucky girl! I try to pay attention to hydration but I have to remind myself to do it more during the winter.
When it is colder out I make sure to get a really good warm up with layers on! Like until I am sweating then I take off the extra pants or long sleeve top. This ensures that my muscles stay warm!
I do the same thing! I walk into my workout with 2-3 layers on the once I warm up I start taking them off. It really helps!
Those are all SO important, and were part of what I was thinking when you wrote last night.
For hydration, it is SO important, and Megan (lyonsshare.org) did a fantastic post on winter hydration late last year. As I commented on her post, I am lucky to be so linear and routine driven in the morning – I grab a 24oz cup and fill it up (have a thyroid pill to take anyway) and drink it before my run. Then I drink again when I get home. 52 weeks a year! 🙂 But you are right – it is so easy to forget!
Dynamic stretching and warmups are also really important – many people who do all of that while waiting for their GPS to link up in warmer weather are less likely to be as mindful in the cold. Personally I move my stretching routine indoors, but otherwise keep it the same.
For warming up, I start slow on our street rather than just blasting out of the gate – we have a cul de sac at the end of our road, so I run down there, turn around, and by the time I hit the main road our of our development to start my run for real I am fully warmed up and at pace. It takes practice, because very often you just want to GO … but it is really important.
Also important is taking time to cool down properly … this week we have had four straight sub-zero mornings, meaning that by the end of each run I have been ready for warmth and a hot shower. But it is important to force myself to cool down and stretch and not let stuff tighten up.
Ooh – one more thing … you brought up arm posture, and one thing I have noticed is neck/shoulder tightening when it gets really cold … you sort of tense up and keep your body tight, which is good for warmth but bad for good relaxed running posture. So this week I have made a conscious effort to keep myself relaxed (hard when it is -20!) and my neck and shoulders feel much better as a result!
Good tips yesterday and today, thanks! I probably hydrate better in winter because I do most of my running on the treadmill and have a water bottle with me and I drink every 10 minutes. When I run outside in the warmer months I just stop at water fountains and might only stop every 4 or 5 miles or so. I definitely find it takes me LONGER to warm up in the winter. Even when I am on the treadmill.
Oh – and also congrats on the 2nd part time job! Who knows what you will learn or what connections you might make … you really never know! And as you say, it does a lot to help your family move forward.
Thank you! I am really excited and happy that I found something. 🙂
I definitely don’t do enough pre-run stretching or drills but I need to start making time to do so. I’m pretty good with water intake though, but I find I naturally go for it and get 70 oz when I don’t try and 90-120 when I’m carefully watching it.
I’d say you do a better job then I do! 🙂 Pre-run dynamic stretches are hard because sometimes we are in such a rush to start and get going that we forget the small things that can go a long way.