A couple weeks ago I re-learned the importance of scheduling my workouts so they actually happen. I knew this, but it’s been so long since I did any real cross-training that I’d forgotten.

I finally pulled my bike out of the shed and set it up in our basement.  My bike trainer (this is a newer model of the one I have) had been gathering dust out in the shed also, but it works just as well as it did when I last used it five years ago (before I got pregnant with River).

The problem arose when I decided a good time for my first bike ride was the day before my October 5k. If I’d gone nice and slow, I would have been fine. But of course, I didn’t, and didn’t think about the potential problems until the end of my ride. Oops.

Sure enough, I felt that ride the next morning as I ran my race. This was the first time I ran this course, and I’ll have to do it again- it was a good one. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect for running. The first two miles were quite flat (unusual for around here) and the last mile had a couple hills in it. So not an easy course, but also not super difficult. But my calves didn’t like me running so soon after riding my bike and I was forced to walk more than I’d hoped to.

I like running and hiking and cross country skiing if there’s snow (I’ve only skied once in the last 7.5 years). I used to go on regular bike rides before we moved here, but I’m not always consistent with mixing things up. Cross training is important, which I understand, so I do try, but I will admit I rarely do any weight training. I blame my neck issues- I always get headaches after lifting weights, though maybe that will change now that I’m seeing so much improvement?

Scheduling my workouts

I’ve been in a rut lately though, with most of my workouts happening on the treadmill, which is why I set up my bike. I wanted to add in a lower impact workout option and work some different muscles than what I use when running, walking, or hiking.

I’m chronically short on time, so I’m trying to get better about scheduling everything that needs to be done each week. I currently have the bike scheduled for Monday and Friday, running on Wednesday and Saturday, and hiking on Thursday.

If I have a race on Saturday then the Friday bike ride becomes a walk so my calves don’t get too tight. Tuesday and Sunday are rest days. I don’t actually stick to this schedule 100%, but it’s a goal to work towards and I’m getting closer. It’s a work in progress, like so many things in life.

Having a schedule that I’ve thought about makes it easier to be more intentional with my workouts and with life in general. Have you found that to be the case as well?