I am pretty sure that November has been the fastest month so far this year. I couldn’t believe it when I realized it was already time for my monthly recap! And even crazier than that is how we are now in the last month of 2015! Time is flying. Here is a recap of my goals for November 2015.
You can see my other monthly recaps here:
- January 2015Opens in a new window
- February 2015Opens in a new window
- March 2015Opens in a new window
- April 2015
- May 2015Opens in a new window
- June 2015Opens in a new window
- July 2015Opens in a new window
- August 2015Opens in a new window
- September 2015Opens in a new window
- October 2015
Opens in a new windo
Here’s an update on my 2015 goals:
I’m not planning on running another 1/2 marathon this year, so my 1:40 goal will have to wait until 2016. Although now that I ran under a 1:42 I definitely feel like it’s within reach!
It’s time to get back into planking, core work, and strength training! I was pretty good about keeping up with it during marathon training but backed off during the taper and recovery.
This month I read The Runner’s Brain. I talked about how it helped me to prepare for my marathon here.
There won’t be a BQ in 2015, but I PR’d by 5 minutes and am now 6 minutes away from a 3:35! However, if I want to actually run Boston I will need to get a time faster than that.
November 2015 Stats and Highlights
I know that I did well with my November 2015 goals overall, and here are some of the stats and highlights for this month.
Total miles in November 2015
120..still a pretty high month compared to most this year, but with the taper and recovery week it was lower than it’s been during marathon training.
Best run in November
This was one of those months that had really good runs and really tough runs. My last two long runs before the marathon were really good. Of course I was happy with how the marathon went. But I also really enjoyed running just to run, with no purpose or plan, after the marathon.
Favorite Non-Running Activity
I feel like I mostly just focused on running this month, but I did start getting back into yoga the week after the marathon. Hoping to continue with that during the off-season!
Most popular blog posts:
- Baltimore Runner Festival 2015 Race Recap
- Route 66 Marathon Training Reflections
- Route 66 Marathon Race Recap
Biggest accomplishment in November
Getting a 5 minute PR in the Route 66 Marathon, of course!
Set-backs and struggles
I think right now I am struggling with taking a true break now that the marathon is over. I am kind of not sure what to do with myself. Even though I want to do other workouts, it’s tough to change up my habits!
Things I’m looking forward to in December
I actually am looking forward to a break from training, especially not having to worry about long runs on the weekend! The holidays will also be here before we know it, which will involve some time off from work and spending time with family.
What were some November highlights for you?
What are you looking forward to in December?
How did you do with your November 2015 goals?
OMg yes, the months are just flying by! Cannot even believe it’s December and that I am already planning camp for next summer for my son lol. It’s so hard to take a break from your running because we are so routine and it just totally screws with us! I never know what to do with myself on rest days lol
I think that’s why it’s easier for me to always have rest days on Sundays! I’m all about following a routine.
I’m looking forward to being able to run again after being so sick, and really picking it up since I have races coming in in January. Clearly I haven’t trained enough to “race” them, but I just want to get healthy and get back into a routine. You really had an amazing month and deserve the downtime after that PR to refocus!
I hope you are feeling better and can get back to running soon!
You could just get injured in order to switch up your habits (please, do NOT do this). November was… a very odd month for me! But you have so much to be proud of!
Ha! That’s one way to change a routine. I am hoping December brings lots of good progress for you!!
I feel like November just started – the month flew by! You had such a great month and achieved so much! You definitely deserve the rest and downtime, although I agree – I never know what to do with myself! I usually end up just reading a new book. I’m excited to get back into harder training in December for my March half – I really want to PR!
For some reason when Im not running I still don’t feel like I have more time- I always mange to fill it with something- even if that just means sleeping in a little more!
You had such a great month, which is well deserved after a long year! I hope you have a great December of switching things up and just running for fun. I’m looking forward to some warm runs in Florida in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to bring the shorts and tank tops back out!
That will be such a nice break from the cold weather!
I’m actually looking forward to getting my butt back into gear this month. I slacked off a bit too much in November, and I want to build my mileage back up before I start training in January. Congrats on a great month!
Sounds like a great plan! Im sure December will be a great month for you:)
I’m looking forward to a few fun races this month and enjoying the “run up” to 2016, when I kick off with two half marathons in January and thinking about a training plan for NYCM next year!
Sounds like a great plan!!
You’re right: November was gone in a blink of an eye. At first I resisted the urge to sign up for all the spring races post-marathon. Now that our weather has gone bad (hello more snow) I’m rethinking that. I’m running the same amount of days but less miles. Focus is on strength and swim, but yes it’s hard to refocus when the running habit is so strong.
I am realizing that its easier to stay inside and do other workouts when the weather is bad- like this week its been raining every day so Im way less motivated to be outside running!
I agree and can’t believe how quickly November flew by! My November highlight would be being able to still run outside! This time last year I was inside on the treadmill already so I am enjoying the extra time on the roads. I am also planning on stepping up my yoga same this winter and looking forward to it!
It has been nice to have some warmer weather this month before the winter hits! But yes, winter is a good time to do some other workouts!
I have really enjoyed watching you progress. I can’t WAIT until you get that sub-1:40 and then qualify for Boston! You’re a gifted runner, Lisa. It’s in the bag.
Aw thanks:) It’s nice to be able to see the progress but I know I still have alot of work to do.
Great recap! and great job on 120 miles! I want to get back into a running training plan. I seemed to just go out and do 8-10 miles whenever, but wasn’t really doing the shorter runs in between. Need a stricter schedule and want to plan some races for 2016!
I definitely prefer to have a plan to follow, otherwise I have a hard time deciding how much to run or what other workouts to do!
I really like the structure of your monthly check-ins! Mind if I steal it next year? I stopped doing monthly goal check-ins because I felt I was always saying the same thing. I like you picked best runs and other highlights from the month, which is a nice way to mix things up without saying every month “I followed my training plan.” I was the same way with wanting to do other workouts during my off-season but struggling to find a routine that was different from running. Happy December!
Of course you can use it! It’s definitely helped to keep me accountable this year:)
Congrats on the marathon! Enjoy that high for a long time! I remember when I did the Chicago Marathon in 2010 (and I’ve done tons of other races since, but that was my “big” one), I didn’t know what to do with myself after it was over! It was nice to not HAVE to run, not HAVE to plan my weekends around training etc. Then I just did more yoga, more fun workouts, and ran for fun rather than training for a race. You’ll get into a new routine! Yay!
Thanks! Yes, that is what I am hoping to be able to do over the next month or so!
So stoked you had such a great year! Congrats on all the new PRs. November was a blur of work for me, but I am looking forward to running a half-marathon relay with the fiancé in a couple of weeks. No time pressure, we just want to finish – should be fun!
That does like fun! Enjoy!
Since finishing my marathon in October, I think I have yet to take a “true break” and I don’t know if I need to this time around. I recovered but then settled back into a sort of unofficial training mode where I do workouts and long runs and races, but with a little more flexibility in my life. It’s been fun! Hope you have a great December!
I think its nice to take a break once or twice a year. Winter seems to be a good time for that anyway!
You had an incredible month. I can’t believe it’s gone already. I think I may have reached my breaking point with my crazy alternate training in November. Or perhaps, today is just not a good today! 😉 I want to get back to normal. It’s been too long. Enjoy your December training break. It is well deserved!
I’m sure you must be over it by now! Hopefully soon enough you will be back to normal.
I’m finding it hard to take a true break as well. I promised myself I wouldn’t focus on running and it’s been really hard! You had a great month and your PR is getting so close! You will get that BQ before you know it!
Doesn’t it always feel weird not to be training for something? I usually end up feeling a little empty after a big race! I’m happy with my recovery, and heck, I even threw that half marathon in for fun last weekend.
Love the new look of the blog!
November really did fly by. I have heard of the Runner’s Brain book on another blog recently. I may have to add that to my wish list. Congrats again on your PR for your marathon. Nice that you got that out of the way and now like you said you can just enjoy the holiday coming up with family and not have to worry about getting long runs in.
Its definitely nice to be able to do all my holiday traveling without worrying about getting my training runs in!
Sounds like you’ve been doing A LOT of running! Hope you’ve gotten some good wine in lately too 🙂 Taking a break sometimes is hard, but much needed! The holidays should be a perfect time for you to chill out a bit more on your workouts.
Yes its definitely nice to get a break sometimes! Looking forward to relaxing a bit more over the next few weeks.