I say this every month, but I really can’t believe it’s the beginning of September already. That means the summer is pretty much over, and I have no idea where the time went!
Now that August is over, it’s time for my monthly check-in to see how I am doing with my goals. You can read my other monthly recaps here:
-I am planning to run my last half marathon of the year in October. I doubt it will be a 1:40, but it could possibly be a PR depending on how my training is going between now and then. However, I’m not specifically training for a half-marathon, and this is not my goal race.
-If you have been following along this year then you already know that the mile and race goals aren’t happening due to time off and reduced mileage in the spring. It’s looking like I will have one more race per month this year (although I am not sure about December) which would make for 8 races this year.
-I am continuing to work on my strength even though I have started marathon training. One day per week is devoted to strength training, plus I do hip/core work 3 days a week. I have also formed a close relationship with my foam roller.
-Uhh the planking didn’t go too well this month once again. I usually plank on my core days, so its more like 3 days a week.
-I read a bunch of books this month! Now if I only I could remember what they were…. One was The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton which my friend’s mom recommended last month when I asked for book recommendations (thanks Sue!). I also read The New Rules of Marathon and Half-Marathon Nutrition by Matt Fitzgerald- very interesting information!
-I already shared my marathon goals for my fall race, which is not a BQ.
-I wrote a bit last week about variety and consistency. I think I have the consistency piece down, but I think with marathon training it’s tough to have too much variety. At least I had a lot of variety throughout the rest of the year!
August 2015 Stats and Highlights
Total miles: 100.4- broke the 100 mile mark for the first time this year by the skin of my teeth!
Best run: I would probably say my 13 mile run two weeks ago. I was still recovering from being sick, but still had a pretty good run with lots of hills. August was not a great running month for me as I was fighting this cold for just about the entire month!
Favorite Non-Running Activity: Does foam rolling count? My strength training workouts haven’t been all that exciting, it’s more about getting it done. And with no access to a gym, my activity options are limited.
Most popular blog posts:
- Trader Joe’s Favorite’s For Runners (Guest Post by Meredith!)
- Marathon Training WIAW
- Comfort Foods on a Rest Day
- Thinking Out Loud 8/6/15
- Should Runners Take Ice Baths? (Guest Post by Laura!)
- Route 66 Marathon Training Weeks 1 & 2
- Weekly Recap and Marathon Goals
- Develop Your Fitness Routine to Stay Consistent and Motivated
- Thinking Out Loud: Catching Up
- Using Self-Myofascial Release Strategically to Prevent Injury
Biggest accomplishment: Running this challenging 10k while still recovering from being sick!
Set-backs and struggles: This silly cold that just won’t go away!
Things I’m looking forward to in September: The Charles Street 12, increasing my mileage/long runs, some cooler temps (maybe?) and a wedding in New York!
What were some August highlights for you?
What are you looking forward to in September?
Planking hasn’t been happening for me, and core work in general I’ve been slacking on! I’ve been finding that less is more this time around anyway and just focusing on the running takes up enough energy. I think you’re doing awesome!
I think you are right about “less is more”. That was one thing I asked my coach to help me with- scheduling enough of the “other stuff” without overdoing it. This seems to be working out well so far.
I plank when I do pure barre so that’s 3 or 4 times a week, so in my opinion, you are doing it plenty! HA. I love that my TJ post was so popular! Makes me happy.
People love their Trader Joe’s! I do think 3-4 days of planking is enough, especially if you are also doing other exercises that work the core.
I think you did great! 1oo.4 miles for August with that cold is very impressive. Foam rolling is so good for you – I need to get on this as well. I have been neglecting it big time. So inspired by your post on this.
I read Matt Fitzgerald’s book last month as well. I though it had some interesting tips and approaches as well. Love reading your blog because of all the dedication you have for running.
I do love learning new things about running and then sharing them on the blog!
MY goal at the beginning of the year was the same as that of last year: to kick ass and set PRs. You know what? I’m just going to have fun now, and it is so much better!
And yeah, planking happens every now and then. Whatever.
You have already had an amazing year! I think I have realized that I would rather focus on enjoying the process rather than trying to reach on a specific number goal.
I love reading about goals and goal check-ins, they definitely make me consider how I am doing on my own monthly goals. I love reading about your running recaps and your running goals, but it makes me miss running so much! At least I can live vicariously, right?
I miss reading! I have not prioritized my time well enough to allow for that; it will definitely be on my goal list for this month!
I always had difficulty finding time for reading, but this summer its become more of a part of my daily routine.
I’ve definitely enjoyed staying focused this year by revisiting my goals each month!
Can you believe we’re nine months into the year? I feel like it was just yesterday that everyone was posting their goals and dreams for 2015. I need to go back and look at mine!
I am looking forward to some cooler temps. I can already see them coming … lately it’s been in the 80s with feels like temps in the 90s for me, which is relief from the feels like 100 temps in July/early August!
I can’t wait for you to start posting snow pictures 🙂
I can’t believe it either!
Um NOOOO snow pictures any time soon!!
Congrats on reaching 100 miles this month! I loved readinng Firzgerald’s nutrition book as well – so much information in there. I need to take after you and foam roll more.
Thanks! I was so glad you posted about Fitzgerald’s book- it definitely motivated me to read it while I was on vacation!
My August highlight was definitely increasing my long run mileage from 5 miles to 12 miles. Don’t worry, I’m not venturing past 12 for quite awhile now! I think that is a perfectly acceptable base to have. Actually, 10 is a good base.
You made SO much progress in August! 12 is definitely a respectable place to be, as is 10.
I feel like I was just getting ready to go on vacation, and now it’s September. I hope you can finally kick that cold.
It’s crazy how fast the summer has gone!
I JUST wrote about how hard it is to hold yourself accountable for cross training and mentioned ab workouts in particular! At least 4x this year I’ve made the goal to do short ab workouts 3x a week and I’ve failed to keep it up every time! I don’t know why it’s so hard!
What other running books have you read? I’m currently reading Meb’s book- Run to Overcome and it’s pretty good.
Hm I am having a hard time remembering the running books I have read. I enjoy learning about injury prevention so Anatomy for Runners and Ready to Run were good ones for that. I have also read books about different training methods like Hansons.
I think you have had a great month! 100 miles is so admirable, as are all of your goals! Let me just say, it is super refreshing to see someone humbly admit that some of the goals they have made earlier in the year are just not attainable at this time – which is totally okay!! I feel the same way with some of my goals, and though they might not be met in the next few months – there is all the time in the world to try again:) Thanks for letting me know I am not alone! Good luck with your September goals!!
Exactly! When I made these goals earlier this year I wanted to work towards them but I also wasn’t set on achieving them this year. I’ve learned I need to be flexible and focus on enjoying the process rather getting too fixated on a specific number/goal!
Congrats on that 100 mile month! And you were cheeky about it by smacking it around with an extra .4 mile. YES. Nicely done, and all while sick, too.
I didn’t even plan to hit 100 miles, but I think I would have been annoyed if they added up to 99.6 or something ridiculous. After writing this post I realized I took almost a whole week off which would have been another 20-30 miles. I definitely needed the rest that week though!
August highlights were definitely finding my groove again with running. Not feeling so forced, but should definitely still work on foam rolling, stretching, and getting enough sleep! I’m looking forward to cooler running temps, my first half marathon tune-up this training cycle, and getting ready for the holiday season! Never too early to start yeah? Happy Wednesday!
Glad you had a good August! Sounds like you are on the right track moving into fall:)
I am having such a hard time focusing on core work and hip stretch/strengthening which should be a priority after last year’s injury. I think after this weekend at the Dumbo Double Dare I really need to hone in on both for the autumn!
Sounds like a good plan! I think downtime after a race is the perfect time to focus on that stuff.
I’m so blown away by your sub-1:40 goal. That is unbelievably impressive! You are a running inspiration, that’s for sure.
It’s definitely a reach-goal! And it kind of scares me- but that’s what makes it a good goal, right?:)
August was a tough month, running-wise, for me. The heat and humidity really took a toll. Last week was cooler and I had some really nice, rewarding runs.
Congrats on 100 miles!
Hopefully all those tough runs will pay off as it gets a bit cooler!
Nice job!! Especially on that 10K – that elevation profile from your Garmin looked really intense! August felt like a month of training burnout, so I am looking forward to being done with my marathon in September. = )
100.4 miles!!!! Way to go. That is an awesome accomplishment in my eyes. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I know that I will someday soon.
Thanks! I am sure you will get there too.
You did great considering everything that has came your way! I know you will make your race goals happen in time. Way to go on your 10K! That’s a true feat!!!
Thanks for your support!:)
I’ve been trying to get better about planking too. I’m doing it at least 2x a week… which is more than I was before so that’s something, right? 🙂
Something is always better than nothing:) And I like to tell myself its quality over quantity…I would rather do 2-3 days of strong planks than 5 days of just going through the motions.
Just caught up on all your posts 🙂 Sorry to hear you’ve been sick the past few weeks. I am getting over a cold/cough myself. Hopefully you’ll be okay for the Charles 12 – I’ll look out for you! I’ll probably get to Kenilworth on the earlier side so I can get my bib and run some miles before the race.
Not sure what time we are getting there but we will be taking the shuttle from PowerPlant. Good luck!
I think I had my highest mileage EVER in August!! My core work went out the window this month for some reason, and I’ve noticed my hip issue flaring up since I’ve slacked. So I now know that’s related…time to get back on it!
Congrats on such a high mileage month! I always notice my hips start to bother me when I slack on core work…I think some of us just need to be super diligent about it!