Yesterday I started my last semester as a student ever in life. Well, sort of. The spring semester doesn’t start until the end of January, but I decided to take a one credit seminar on diabetes during the “winter session” or whatever they call it, to meet all of my requirements for graduation in May (!!!!).
I had a little bit of time before class, so I visited my old friend Bobst Library
In case you’re wondering, I can begin work as a dietitian as soon as my internship is over as long as I take the RD exam sometime soon. You don’t need a Master’s to work as an RD, just an undergraduate degree, completion of an accredited dietetic internship and a pass on the RD exam. I think having a Master’s opens up a few more doors in terms of jobs, and I’m only three classes away from getting mine, hence the May graduation date goal (so I’ll be an MS, RD vs. an RD).
There are 7 days of my internship left, and it may be a bit of an adjustment switching from internship mode to class/studying for RD exam/job searching/marathon training as always/OMG what am I doing with the rest of my life mode. I always like to have a plan in place, but to a point I think this is kind of a “I’ll figure it out as I go” type situation. Obviously I have to do lists, am developing study schedules and made a nice little spreadsheet of available RD jobs and my application status, but as to when things will actually happen is a big, huge question mark. It’s exciting but really scary too.
injury update
True to my word/Coach John’s orders/Dr. Levine’s advice, I haven’t even thought about trying to run this week. After some stim, ART and Graston from Dr. L on Tuesday, the Achilles has been feeling noticeably better and I don’t want to screw it up by trying to run too soon.
I’ve been spinning, yoga-ing and eliptical-ing, and while they definitely don’t take the place of hitting the roads in the morning, will do for now. I went to a spin class at my gym this morning that totally kicked my ass, and left dripping in sweat feeling fairly content. I think looking at this injury situation as only temporary is making my current gym rat status a little more bearable, as well as the fact that I’m probably working muscles that haven’t been used in a while since I’ve been exclusively running for so many months.
I loved concentrating on “only running” during marathon training (and definitely need to save $$ by not having a monthly gym membership), but this little detour into cross training is making me wonder if I should continue to incorporate it into training. For the majority of NYCM-turned-Philly training, I ran six days per week and rested/did easy yoga one day. For a while in the summer I also swam a little in the afternoon, but when the mileage creeped up and my internship more demanding, I got tired and cut it out. I guess maybe the nice PR speaks for itself, but I’m still curious as to what benefits cross training may have during marathon training (heads up Coach John, this may be one of my Questions of the Week).
“guactails” at MXCO
Besides not being stupid with running injuries, another thing I’m trying to do this year is see friends more often, so on Tuesday I joined Abbe, Baker and Maura for a post-run (for them) happy hour of sorts. I can’t think of a better way to end a day than running (and non-running) talk with great buddies, and if beer and guac are involved I’m pretty ok with that too.
Question: Do you cross train during marathon training? Thoughts on it?
