To Rest or Not To Rest Before a Long Run??

Workout:  3.3 mile run in 31:04

Welcome to Fitness Friday!  To new readers, I hope you enjoy my blog.  I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs.

So the big question for me today is: "Is it better to rest or not to rest before a long run/race?"   I couldn't decided on the answer to that question today. So I thought I would put it out there for ya'lls thoughts and opinions.

I decided to go ahead and do an easy short 3 mile run today, even though I've run the previous two days (5 and 6 miles) and have a long run (10 miles) planned for tomorrow.  My thoughts were that the run today would help to get my legs loose and not so tight for the early start.  At the same time I don't want them to be "too" tired.  They feel good at the moment, but do need some stretching.  Sometimes I take a rest day before long runs and races, sometimes I don't.  I really don't know what is better for you.   What do you think works the best?

The biggest issue I've been having lately isn't my legs being tired, but the bottom of my feet and heels are sore.  I think it is all the barefootin' I do around here plus the not very supportive sandels and flipflops.  I have been thinking about putting some cushioning insoles in my sneakers but I don't want that to screw up how my shoes feel or how I run.  What I really probably need to do is wear sneakers or supportive shoes during the day but I HATE HOT FEET!!  I love to be barefoot or in sandels so that would be a struggle for me.

Another quick thing to  share.... I've recently gotten addicted to smoothies and green monsters.  However, I was tired of the mess and cleanup using my big ol blender.  This week I purchased my new after a run, buddy - the Oster My Blend!

So nice!!!  Quick, easy to use and when I'm done with my smoothie, I just wash it out and fill it up with water to help increase my water intake throughout the day. I loved it after the first try and went and got my sister one as a belated birthday gift.  She loves hers too. 

QOTD:  Do you rest or not rest the day before a long run/race?  What works best for you?

Gorgeous Sunrise start to my day

Workout:  6.0 mile run with Cop in 56:38

.5 mile walk with Cop and 2 mile walk with Macy

So I've had to remind myself about four times already that it is Tuesday not Monday.  That happened to anyone else? 

I struggled a little bit getting out of bed this morning.  I was just beating that snooze button up.  However, I finally managed to swing my legs down and touch the floor at 5:50 and was out the door by 6 for my morning run.  Copper and I tackled more hills, including a new one we never thought we'd accomplish.  Why is it that some hills look more fearsome then others until you are actual pounding your feet up them?  It was a big old hill but really didn't seem that rough once I got going.  We ended up with 6 miles and the last mile I decided to push myself again to work on lowering that overall pace. 

When I made it back, I took several excellent blogger's advice and mixed up a smoothie.  I had frozen blueberries, frozen black red raspberries and frozen strawberries along with yogurt, splash of OJ, half a banana and a scoop of whey protein.  It was surprisingly tasty even though I was just tossing things in.  I need to do some looking for recipes to follow. 

Getting the proper nutrition is something I've really been struggling with.  On these hot summer days, I just don't feel like cooking or eating.  So my lunches just turn into several snacking episodes (with not the best snacks) and dinners end up being sandwiches or burgers or something easy I can do on the grill.   I am hoping I can get into the routine of having smoothies or eggs after my morning runs and then really focusing on something healthy and with protein for lunch.  I think for lunch today I will mix up some tuna salad on a whole wheat tortilla.  That should fill me up till dinner.  We have lots of leftovers to clean up from the weekend. 

QOTD:  Do you have any great  recipes or links for smoothies or quick, easy, simple and healthy lunches to share?