January has been over for several days already and I’m not gonna lie- I was happy to see it go! It went by faster than usual (probably because of my time in Florida and the blizzard) but I always feel like January is the toughest month to get through. As I did last year, I am going to try to recap how I did on my goals each month, in a slightly different format than last year.
Summary of January:
This was an interesting month, as it started out with oddly warm temperatures and ended with a blizzard. I felt like I got a strong start on my goals but definitely slacked a bit when I was away and during the blizzard. That’s why it’s important that I keep track of my goals and check in regularly to hold myself accountable.
I didn’t run any races this month, but did manage to run about 99 miles. (If I had paid more attention I probably would have just run 1 extra mile!) I made a trip to the Speed Clinic in Virginia and started working on improving my strength and form. (I still have to post more about that!) I also ran on a treadmill more than I would have liked by doing a free trial at a gym.
I think I fell into a rhythm with my blogging that can work for now. I have been posting about 3 days week, which has left me enough time to also read other blogs and reply to comments. Here are a few posts from this month:
Getting Organized to Achieve Your Goals
Why I Decided to Work with a Running Coach
5 Strategies for Breaking through a Racing Plateau (guest post on Laura’s blog)
The Things I’ll Do for Running
5 Reasons Why Treadmill Running is Good for me right now
FITNESS GOALS:
- Continue to work on staying strong and healthy This month I visited the UVA Speed Clinic where I had a full 3D running assessment and was given specific feedback about my imbalances, weaknesses, and how to address them
- Run/Walk 2016 miles 175 miles ran and walked in January…just about right on track for this goal
- Work towards a BQ No marathons are scheduled for anytime soon. I’m working on building a solid base right now
- Work towards sub 1:40 half I’m starting to think about training for a half, but haven’t decided on one yet
- Do at least 10 push-ups 3 days per week I did this except for the week of the blizzard when I was sore from shoveling. (That week I did push-ups 2 days)
OTHER GOALS:
- Improve posture This one has been tough for me. Posture is one of the things I am focusing on after my running assessment but it’s I still find myself slouching all the time.
- Move more I did well with this in the beginning of the month but have gotten off track, especially when it snowed. I felt like I just wanted to be lazy the whole week! Aside from shoveling, of course.
- Focus on saving money I did well with this in January, but now I am starting to think about all the expenses I have this spring and it’s starting to worry me a bit
- Get back in the habit of weekly meal prep I think of the 5 Sundays in January I did meal prep on 3 of them. But one week I knew I was off from work for the snow and the other week I had just gotten back from vacation.
- Make time to unplug I haven’t really figured this one out yet. It’s tough to track, and really hard to do when I feel like am busy and behind on so many things.
Now we are already several days into a new month, so it’s time to focus on what’s ahead!
[Tweet “Time for a monthy check-in! How are you doing with your 2016 goals? @runningoutowine”]
How did you do with your goals in January?
What are you looking forward to in February?
Thanks Jill for hosting the Life of Fitness, Health, and Happiness link-up!
I am not a goal setter but I would like to pick my races soon and figure out if there’s a half in my future that I am training for! I don’t total my monthly mileage but if I did, I would probably see that it’s down in the winter because of the weather and dark mornings. The combination just has me running slightly less I think but before we know it, the warmer weather will be here! I say this as it snows right now!
Looks like you guys got quite a bit of snow today!! It missed us, but we may get some early next week.
I’m not sure I had any January specific goals except just to get through it! Sort of the same for this month. I have been going strong (aka hanging by a thread) with recipe development for the blog and want to continue that.
I don’t know how you do all the recipe posts! I bet they are so time consuming!
Nice month! I probably would have done an extra mile too! You did well considering the storm that was thrown your way. You’re lucky to live in a place where if you want to do a half, there are tons of options 🙂
Yes, now I just need to pick one!!
One “goal” that I had for January was to get off crutches, CHECK SUCCESS. Now just to get back to running!
YAY!! Hopefully you will be back to running before you know it.
Really excellent January. I know if I had to deal with ice and snow my January would be super weak!
“Make time to unplug” I started making a conscious effort to do this a couple of months ago. At first I had to basically schedule the time for myself. I would say”okay from 10:30pm – 12:30am” (my bed time) you will not go on the computer or do any chores. It was hard at first because I felt like “oh no, I still need to blog and comment on blogs and do laundry and ….” but eventually I learned to let go of all that unnecessary stress!
Whenever I try to go to bed early to read (instead of being on my computer) I end up falling asleep! Sometimes I try to put my laptop on the other side of the room for the last half hour or so before I go to bed, but then I end up on my phone!
Great job! You ran a lot considering how much snow you got. I started adding in full push ups after my Pilates workouts (except I was bad about them this week, oops) and they are so hard! It sounds like you’re on great track for your goals and I’m excited to see if you pick a half to run soon!
They are hard if you do them right, I think! I have been slowing them down even more and doing less to make sure i use proper form.
These are great goals–I’m with you on saving money and improving posture. My posture is notoriously horrible. I have weddings/races/trips coming up during the spring and the thought of the finances related to them is stressing me out a bit. This month I’m looking forward to checking out a new restaurant in D.C. for Brandon’s birthday!
This spring I have a bunch of weddings, showers, a baptism, and bachelorette, all out of state! And I think I need to set reminders or something on my phone to remind me of my posture.
Great job – you’re doing great with your goals, especially considering the storm! Maybe 99 miles is good luck, rather than 100? Meal prep on 3 Sundays is really good too! Have a good weekend 🙂
Thanks! Hopefully 99 miles is good luck, thats a good way to think of it:)
I need to go back and check on mine. Posture is such a good one- I need to work on that too! I sat up straighter just reading it. 🙂 Yes, January is one of my least favorite months too.. now winter feels like it’s manageable, just another month or so hopefully!
I need to figure out a way to remember to check my posture more often! And yes, now that its February I feel like spring is (sort of) just around the corner!
Great job on your mileage and working on your goals. Posture is a big one for me too – working in an office setting now, I’m struggling to stay active (I used to work in a Plant) as much as possible. And meal prep is great when it actually gets done, so kudos!
Same for me! I used to work in a school where I was moving around all day, and now I sit at a desk slouched over a computer.
Nice Wayne Gretzky miles last month! Ha ha! I’ve been doing planks and a few pushups here and there but I’m also concentrating on stretching out my arms and chest to make sure the pushups aren’t making my slouching worse. I too have bad posture.
Stretching your arms are chest is a good plan- I should do the same. I try to do back exercises to even things out too.
January seemed to be a good month, and I hope to continue making progress this month. I set some goals a little late in January, but feel like I did well with my post-run yoga. I’d like to continue that as part of my cool down each time I run.
Glad you found a good routine this month! Hopefully it continues to work for you:)
i think winter in general is rough to get moving more. its cold and miserable outside and, me anways, just want to stay at home and stay warm under the blanket. the push-ups 3 days a week is a great idea, might have to steal that from you 🙂
Yes, all I want to do lately is lay on the couch under a blanket!!
Great goals-I need to save money because I too have an expensive spring/summer coming up! I wanted to reregulate my sleep schedule in January and that didn’t happen so now it’s a February goal!
That sounds like a great goal, but I am sure it’s challenging with everything you have going on right now!
Spring is an expensive time for me too. Taxes (I have a private piano studio so I always owe $$) and my car gets inspected AND we pay our car insurance for the year in a lump sum. Owe and teacher union dues are due and that’s $800. AUGH!!!
Ugh I hate spending money on stuff like that!!
You had a great month! Having a running assessment was one of the best things I’ve done to improve running overall.
Those kinds of assessments are so beneficial! Now I just have to be patient while I work on making some changes to my exercises and running form!
You aren’t kidding that January is the toughest month to get through! This January was particularly tough for me–I couldn’t wait for February. I like the idea of setting new goals or evaluating my goals at the start of each month. I kind of let things go in January, but I’m already back on track. Onward and Upward!
It can be so easy to forget about our goals as the year goes on, so I definitely find it helpful to “check-in” each month!
I totally get what you mean about not being in the groove in January!! Strength training would immensely help your running – speed, prevent injury, and definitely posture!
Yes, there are so many benefits to strength training for runners!
I love your new way to keep up with your goals Lisa. I’m also seeing I missed a post or two so I’m checking out them as well!
Thanks! I find it really helpful to check in each month, otherwise I would probably forget about my goals!
I’m loving your 2016 goals! Great list. And I’m with you, I was happy to see January go. I was sick and felt awful for most of last month – which is so rare for me! – so I’ve been enjoying a healthy, happy February so far!
Let’s hope this is a great month! And then once March comes I feel like its practically spring:)