And just like that half of 2015 has come and gone! As usual I will be talking about June but also the first half of the year overall.
You can read my other monthly recaps so far here:
-I say this every month, but I’m still focusing on getting stronger and improving my form. This has meant very few races (two 5ks so far this year) and not yet training for any longer distances. My mileage has been on the lower side but it’s ensuing that I am 100% ready when I do start training again.
-I definitely haven’t been planking as much this month. But I do push-ups like 4-5 days a week, and that’s kind of like a plank, right?
-I read quite a few books (for me) this month! When we left off at the end of May I had started reading “Becoming a Supple Leapord”. I’ve read most of it but I am still going through the part with alot of exercises and since its a large, heavy textbook I only read it at home. I’ve also read The Scorch Trials (which is the second book in the Maze Runner series), Running Like a Girl (which I’ll review later this month for Wendy’s Book Club), and I am almost done reading Sharp Objects. That’s got to be some sort of reading record for me!
-I’ve continued to be pretty good at including variety in my workouts; however, I discontinued my gym membership this month so I will have to work at changing up my at-home workouts regularly now that I won’t be taking Body Pump classes or able to use the elliptical to cross-train.
June 2015 Stats and Highlights
Total miles: 92.87- my highest of the year!
Best run: There were alot of good runs this month! I would have to say running the trails in Arkansas made it to the top of my list again. I also enjoyed running in Cape Cod and I had some great weekly workouts at home as well!
Favorite non-running activity: It’s been a nice change to do my own strength workouts at home. As much as I love Body Pump, it’s good to change things up once in a while. I even had fun creating my own workouts like this one:
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Biggest accomplishment: I think that my biggest accomplishment recently is feeling like I have gotten back to my regular non-training mileage without any issues. I have been able to cut way back on going to the chiropractor which feels very freeing! I have also been feeling like all my strength work is starting to pay off as my paces are slowly improving.
Set-backs and struggles: A potential set-back could be no longer having a gym membership. But right now it’s not an issue, and if I really feel like I need one again then I will figure something out. My running and workouts have actually been going really well lately but can we all just knock on some wood please? Thanks.
Things I’m looking forward to in July: July will be another busy month but I’m not traveling much so that will make it a little easier. We are having alot of family and friends visit this month which will be fun! I’ll also be venturing down to DC for a night or two to hang out with some friends who I grew up with. I’m not signed up for any July races but may do a last minute 5k- we will have to see how the forecast is looking. 😄
I’m linking up with April, Patty, and Erica for Tuesdays on the Run-this week’s topic is 2015 goals update!
How have you been doing with your 2015 goals?
What are you looking forward to in July?
Are you running any more races this summer or are you waiting for the fall when the temps cool off a bit?
Definitely crossing my fingers for you that you’ll stay out of chiro and PT offices and will be back out on the roads without issues! That must be a nice feeling, you put in a ton of work to heal and now you’re seeing it really pay off 🙂
Thanks! I am crossing my fingers as well:)
Sounds like a great month! Are you enjoying Sharp Objects? That author’s books are seriously creepy! I Pinned your strength training workout to try. I need to build more strength training into my week. I took your advice and gave myself a couple days off from running last week. Then I managed to run the longest I’ve ever run (5 miles), after having that break! I was so excited. I know now that I need to back off a little once in awhile. 🙂
I’m a little more than halfway through Sharp Objects and so far its ok…Im hoping it gets better and the ending isn’t too creepy!
Glad to hear that you are feeling better! Sometimes a short break can work wonders:)
you got this–you have worked so hard on your strength and are so careful… make it so!
Thanks! Now I just need to figure out how to continue this into any sort of training period.
I might have to try that workout. I’m strength training on the weekends and one day during the week, and I need new workouts so my muscles don’t get complacent.
Its definitely good to change things up with workouts! I hope you like it if you do try it:)
Feeling like you can train without injury or other issue is probably the accomplishment of yours I most want! Happy July (and rabbit, rabbit to your goals) 🙂
Thanks! I am still so nervous about something bothering me again, but I definitely think I am on the right track!
Hip hip hooray for your highest mileage month this year! You worked so hard to get here. And that is a lot of books. I can’t wait until my life settles down a bit more and I can read real books rather than just multitasking and listening to them while I run!
I am usually lucky if I read one book a month! I read so many this month because I did so much traveling. I’m sure it will be less in July!
I feel like I’ve been doing a decent job with my 2015 goals… taking a step back and giving my body the rest it needs. I’m excited to start marathon training this month. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring my milage back up to where I like it. And no big races for me this summer, potentially some last minute local races for tune ups : ) So glad you are running pain free and I hope you have an absolutely fabulous day!
Its so important to give our bodies the rest they need! Especially before jumping into marathon training!
Great job on your mileage this month!! My goal for the year to run my first half marathon and marathon. I’ve accomplished half of that goal and just signed up for my marathon, so I’d say I’m on track! In July I’m looking forward to getting started on my training for the Richmond marathon.
You have had an awesome year so far and you are right on track to meet your goals for the year!
I wouldn’t plank at all if Pure Barre didn’t have me doing it every other day lol. And push ups totally count. I don’t know when the heck my next race is. I just don’t and I am going to have to be ok with it! I am actually considering a 5k at some point this summer, just to do it and maybe, just maybe, Cow Harbor 10k in September. I ran it once, it’s annoying because of the traffic getting there (so many people) but if it fits my schedule, it’s easy enough to run it.
I rarely plank on my own anymore, but if Im following a workout and they are in there then I will do them.
Traffic getting to races is definitely annoying. I am going to miss being able to walk to the start line for the races in downtown Baltimore!
Glad to hear that your mileage has been increasing with no pain. It is always fun to run in an area you are not familiar with. Makes the run go so much quicker. I’m sure July will be a nice change of pace after traveling so much in June.
Thanks! I love running in new places, but I will appreciate being home a bit more this month:)
Hi Lisa! Your outlook on forging ahead with no gym membership is perfect. It will have you being creative, trying new things and hopefully getting stronger with a varied routine! Go for it, girl! 🙂
Thanks Ashley! That is what I am hoping- although I will definitely miss my favorite Les Mills classes!
Congrats on your highest mileage of the year! You’ve worked so hard to on your strength and PT and now it’s paying off! I’d count pushups as like planks x 2 because they’re so hard.
Thanks! I feel like push-ups are one of those exercises that never get any easier.
Lisa, I did a review of my goals for the year and it’s not quite as bad as I thought – ha! I’m definitely looking forward to my vacation next week (and birthday), but I do not have any races planned for July; it’ll be my first race-free month all year, I think! I think the heat really makes me less excited about doing races, but I do have one scheduled in August and another in September; we’ll see. You’re doing GREAT! I’m just glad that you are feeling healthy and strong; can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for you!
Thanks Tara! Checking in on my goals did get me excited for what the rest of the year will bring. For some reason I wasn’t able to open your post…it was probably an issue on my end because I could see that others commented. I’ll have to try again later!
Enjoy some time off from racing this month!
Almost 93 miles for the month = you are completely back!! Hooray!!
I am so glad you are out of the chiro and PT offices – that must feel wonderful.
Exciting about your sub 1:40 half and BQ goals – you will do it for sure!
Happy July!! 🙂
Thanks so much!
I’m glad that you an I are on the same page with the strength training. Not glad that you were unable to run regularly for so long, but it’s nice to have someone with similar goals such as becoming a stronger runner, even if it means less races because it reaffirms that it’s the smart thing to do :). I have a race on Saturday and then I might do a 5k in August, but after that, probably just waiting for some fall races!
Great job with your goals this year. I’m glad your paces are reflecting all of your hard work with strength training, you showed a ton of patience and I’m happy to see it all paying off for you! I’ve been terrible with my goal of reading more this year…not so good with textbooks about to consume my life haha.
It’s nice to know we are not alone in these kinds of situations! And summer is a great time to take a break from races.
As for the reading, hopefully you will be ready to go once you start school!
I am looking forward to 4th of July – can’t believe it is this weekend! And visiting New Jersey for a week to see my family.
I’m excited for the long weekend too! And that will be great for you to go and see your family.
Great month of workouts! BTW, I don’t have a gym membership–haven’t for years! I do take classes at a yoga studio and work with my coach at the CrossFit box. But no memberships. No need!
I just heard from the author of Running Like A Girl–got my questions answered! I’m glad you’re participating in the book club! 🙂
I’m hoping I can make it work to not have a gym membership! I am definitely learning that there are plenty of ways to get in a great strength workout at home.
Looking forward to joining the book club link-up for the first time!
It’s crazy to think that 2015 is halfway over!
I know, I can’t believe it either!
Great job building back that mileage! All the strength work is really going to pay off. I also flew through the maze runner series when I started the Scorch Trials – perfect quick/fun books to read this summer 🙂 I watched the Maze Runner movie and just went right to reading the second book haha
They are great summer reads!
It was certainly nice to see you out running again – pictures, blog. I enjoyed your trail/travel pictures from last month.
Thanks so much!
Push ups could be considered as “Extreme Planking”, or even “Planking To The Max”??… Great round-up…
Haha, very true! Now I feel better about slacking on my planks this month because I did so many push-ups:)