One of the things I realized post-injury was that I needed to build up my strength. Fully understanding the importance of full body strength, I devised a plan around that.
Throughout 2016, however, I found it very difficult to stick with any plan. I was still running a bit, was doing HIIT training and doing strength work. Not really getting better at any thing.
Looking back, it was more maintenance than anything. My fitness stayed where it was. I didn’t move forward but I didn’t lose anything either.
This was not ideal.
I knew I was going to have to make some drastic changes. Never having been successful in maintaining a strength and running program, I knew I was going to have to choose one.
Then I found out that the HIIT place I was going to was closing. Well, this made it easier to give up that part of my training.
I went into 2017 with a new plan… and lots of travel in the first 2 months. This was not normal for me.
I ran a bit but ultimately if I found myself short on time, I choose to strength train over run. When I ran, I kept the mileage low and tended to use the running more as a way to warm up for a leg day.
I was getting stronger but still wasn’t getting where I wanted to be. I kept some races on the schedule but my weekly mileage was less than 10 miles a week still. I started bike commuting a bit to keep my cardio endurance up since I was trying to focus on getting stronger.
Then in May, the opportunity to try out a CrossFit Box arose. I jumped on it and knew I had found the right place to take me to the next level. The decision was made quickly and by the end of the month, I was ready to start taking CrossFit classes regularly.
More on CrossFit later 🙂
It Never Gets Easier - You Just Get Better 