In the spirit of sticking with New Years’ goals, I thought I would try doing a post at the end of each month to check in on things. I can tell you right now that January 2015 didn’t go as planned in many ways, but I am thinking more about my long term goals for the whole year and more, so I guess that’s good.
Let’s start by looking at last week’s workouts:
Sunday:
5.6 miles, drills, core/glute work and rotating planks +foam rolling
Something crazy was going on with my watch during this run because it said I ran a mile in “0:00 minutes”. Yeah clearly that’s impossible but it messed up my overall time.
Monday:
3.85 miles with hills, myrtle routine, core and glute work + foam rolling
Tuesday:
AM: Rest day from running, glute work and plank on ball +foam rolling
PM: 60 minutes yoga
Wednesday:
2.8 miles on treadmill, body pump
Thursday:
4 miles with hills, core/glute work, planks + foam rolling
Friday:
Rest day from running, core/glute work + foam rolling
Saturday:
6.2 miles, drills, glute exercises, rotating planks +foam rolling
Total: 22.45 miles
So let’s look back on the New Years’ goals and see how I’m doing:
-I haven’t stated “training” for my half in March, but I’m just trying to keep enough fitness so that I can complete the distance. A PR probably won’t be in the cards for this race, but hopefully if I focus on getting 100% healthy that will happen later in the year
-My mileage was lower this month as I’m been managing some aches and pains. No races so far this year.
-I’ve been working alot on getting stronger and healthier. I’ve reduced my mileage, been doing more yoga and core workouts, and focusing on long term goals.
-There has been a lot of planking! I’ve been doing some sort of plank just abut every day, whether it’s not a medicine ball, rotating planks, or up-downs/arm-leg reaches.
-I started reading a book, but never finished it. Actually I spent one day reading like half of it and then got busy and never picked it up again. If I can finish it this week I’ll count it for January.
-I’m not even training for/thinking about a marathon right now
-I’ve been doing well with mixing up my workouts, and hope to do so even more now that I am trying out ClassPass. I’ve been consistent about my core and glute exercises and foam rolling.
January 2015 Stats and Highlights
Total Miles: 91…significantly less than usual
Best Run: Probably the 15 miler I did on New Years’ Day.
Favorite Non-Running Activity: I’ve been loving the hot yoga classes lately
Most Popular Blog Posts:
5. Random Things I Just Have To Tell You
7. A Weekend Without Running Or Wine
9. Meal Planning and Prep: Whole30 Week 1
10. Winter In Hawaii, Whole Foods and Running Updates
Clearly people like reading about food and the Whole30. I actually had a big jump in page views this month and I think that was the reason.
Biggest Accomplishment: Being chosen as a PRO Compression Ambassador! And completing the Whole30- Well, almost done now!
Setbacks and struggles: Some nagging leg/hip issues.
Things I’m looking forward to in February: seeing more progress on our new house, trying out some new classes using ClassPass, and going to Arkansas for my sister-in-laws baby shower!
We survived January! That means we are one month close to spring and warmer weather!
- What were some of the best parts of January 2015 for you?
- What are you looking forward to in February?
I am the absolute worst when it comes to starting and finishing a book! I’m a bit embarrassed to admit just how long it took me to finish Gone Girl… one year! Hahah 🙁
Haha ok so thats even worse than me! But there is no way Im finishing this book this week so there goes my book goal for January…oh well, theres still 11 more months to go!
It looks like you’ve been doing well with your last goal, variety & consistency. Maybe a month of reduced mileage was exactly what you needed to kick-start your efforts towards becoming stronger and healthier overall.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about classpass! I’ve never gotten super into any one type of class, so I think the variety would be something I’d be into.
I do think that changing things up and cutting back a little on running is definitely helping.
I do enjoy the variety of class pass- and I think it will force me to try classes that I otherwise wouldn’t take!
I barely remember January. It’s all one big blur. I am thrilled that it is February simply because it is days closer to March which means spring is on the way!
That’s how I feel! And usually February feels like it goes a little start since its 3 days shorter than January.
I’m just like you when it comes to January–I always breath a sigh of relief and am thankful that we’re closer to spring! I think you’ve done a lot of things right so far this year and that will set you up for lots of success in 2015. Great start!
Thanks! I hope so. And now that we are past January I definitely feel like we are one step closer to spring….
Crazyyy how similar our running ailments and running goals are for 2015. I am the same way as you right now:
*Not even thinking of marathon time yet
*Not training for my half in March but keeping up with strength, a speed run, and a long run each week
*Loving hot yoga
*Focusing on getting strong some more
You are going to love Class Pass!
As much as I hate that you are also dealing with issues it is nice to know that someone else is going through the same thing! I really think that barre was helpful for activating my glutes…I may need to continue testing this theory and see if it helps my running!
You may have run fewer miles this past month than you were planning, but the focus is on getting good miles in, and you are still running at a high frequency. And besides, you have to remember that it is basically impossible to get both stronger and actively train at the same time. You would just be exhausting your body! So, strength now, PT, and I have some workouts for you as well!
Exactly- I would much rather keep my mileage low and run a few days a week than end up having to take a whole month off. I’ll keep ya posted and I look forward to hearing from you!
I like the idea of summing things up for the month. I suppose the highlight of my month was progressing along in yoga and also running that half last week. I’m glad I got a race in, otherwise I think I would have felt really blah with running.
You’re doing a great job of shifting focus to feeling 100% healthy, can’t go far if things are hurting so there’s nothing else you can do. You are super dedicated as usual and that’s really the meaning behind setting these goals to begin with.
You have definitely progressed a lot with the yoga! And you also managed to get in an awesome race without really “training”.
Its hard to stay dedicated when you’re forced to cut back on running and do more of the other stuff, but I’m just trying to focus on long term goals!
I used to do a monthly recap- this post reminded me I should do that again. It’s always helpful to reflect on the month! Although honestly January was not my favorite… I’m okay to move on to February now. 🙂
I really enjoyed a monthly check in. I know at the end of 2014 it was overwhelming to look back at the whole year so I think this is a good way to check in more periodically!
I still can’t believe January is over! It’s traditionally one of my least favorite months so I’m not too sad to see it go. However, PR’ing the Miami half definitely made it memorable!
I love your commitment to planking everyday. Do you hold for the same amount of time each day?
You had a great January! But yes, its time to move on!
I switch up the planking quite a bit but usually I do them for about 2-4 minutes.
I’m with you on that one. After January I feel one month closer to the spring! For February I’m looking forward to going on vacation and hopefully seeing some sun! Enjoy your week 🙂
Lucky you going on vacation- I’m jealous!
But at least we survived January and are just moving closer to the spring….
I love hot yoga. I really really need to get back into it again. I didn’t get in as many miles running this month as I would have liked BUT I did a lot more cycling than I normally would have, so I guess it evens out 🙂
I think it can be really good to change things up, and its important to keep things like that in mind. Like I may have run less miles but I also did more of other kinds of workouts this month.
Ah, January. This month FLEW by. I’m impressed by how much cross-training you do, which is definitely the area that falls apart for me when I’m training for a distance race. I need to be smarter about that!
Back when I was in marathon training mode I did a lot less cross training. I think its good to have periods where you do different stuff even though you may not keep up with it all the time.
A really great month – I think you are being really smart with your training, and your cross-training inspires me!
Thanks! Its not my favorite thing but I know its beneficial.
January did go by super fast! I love your list of goals. I would like to get stronger too. I just ordered the new Insanity Max30 dvd set so I can do some workouts at home. I can’t wait to try it.
I’m sure anything like that would kick my butt! I am so bad at those types of workouts. I hope that you like it- Im sure it will help you build a lot of strength!
Yes, I can see how your page views would have gone up this month. A lot of people are doing the Whole30 and your posts are so practical and helpful! You did a really great job. I know I told my friend Jen about you as she had started the Whole30, and she’s been following your posts. And about the book thing–I know nothing replaces the smell and feel of an actual book but I’ve been listening to audiobooks while I run and I really, really like it.
Thanks for sharing my blog, I really appreciate it! I have been reading on my Kindle now and I do miss the feel of a book but now Im just kind of used to it. Plus its nice to just have all my books in one place.
Really good mileage for the week! I love how balanced it is. I can’t wait to read about your full Whole30 experience!
Thanks! I’m planning to get the rest of my Whole30 posts out of the way this week and then be done with them…I don’t want to bore people who have zero interest in the Whole30 if I drag it on for too long!
We did survive January, but I woke up to 25 degrees this morning :-/ And I saw the groundhog saw his shadow.
I heard that too! But Im not surprised. Hopefully the rest of the winter will go quickly!
Great runs this week! I love the idea of recapping each month. Goals can change throughout the year and reflecting eah month helps keep one on track and helps evaluate new goals.
Exactly! I’m hoping a monthly check in will help me stay on track.
Your January looks pretty darn productive to me! For me, I know that I can’t push the envelope on all fronts. My January focus was on strength and swim but I’ve gotta say lots of my runs suuucked. It ebbs and flows, right?
That’s a really good point. I guess the same is true for me, and I need to respect that. As I tried new activities and focused more on strength it makes sense that I would be running less. Definitely ebbs and flows!
I’ve actually had a great month of mileage probably due to goofy challenge but now I am paying it for it. But I really don’t think it was by of that bc I have had problems before that race. So I have been doing some workout videos. So funny how you don’t think certain activities are that effective until you feel it afterwards. I bet you are so excited to be having wine now that you’re whole 30 challenge is over.
I am always amazed at how sore I can get after trying a new workout. I won’t be sore from running 10 miles but my legs will be killing me after a strength class! I hope that you can figure out whats going on and get back to running pain-free!
Looks like you had a great January, despite some small setbacks. Better to rest and recover now while you still have the whole year ahead of you. Cheers to completing the Whole 30 (or almost!).
I was just glad to stay consistent in January…despite the weather. I tried some new things on the treadmill (progressive runs anyone?) and have weathered my longest runs on the treadmill to date. Seems like Puxatawny Phil isn’t letting me top out yet. (Six more weeks of winter? Ugh!) February I start half training, so I’m looking forward to that and inching closer to my second half. 🙂
Sounds like you have been progressing and have a lot to look forward to! 6 more weeks of winter doesn’t sound too bad as long as its only 6 and not like 8-10:)
This is a great post! I love how you have recapped your entire month-That is a really cool idea that I would LOVE to do…maybe I will do one this week recapping January. I love the idea of the reflection back on the month to keep your goals in line. Great job.
As far as the PR’s go-I think that there’s no way you WONT hit them. You have been making great strides in your running. I can’t wait to read about your training again when you start!
We survived January! HOORAY!!!
I would love to read a recap of your month!
I know I just need to be patient when it comes to training and PRs:)
Looks like your month went pretty well! I’m sure the nagging hip will go away soon. You’re strengthening, foaming, etc is on point.
I hope so too! I just need to stay focused on the prevention stuff:)
I love the monthly wrap up. You had a really productive month!! Congrats on the Pro Compression ambassadorship, that is amazing!!
The biggest thing I am looking forward to in February is my son’s 3rd birthday and my husband and I are taking a quick trip away, something we haven’t done since our son was born!
Thank you!
It sounds like this will be an exciting month for you- enjoy your time away!
Hi Lisa! You had a great month. I’m so wanting to try Whole30, but am a little nervous about it. Nice work on all the runs and strength training! 🙂
Thanks!
I was nervous to try the Whole30 but it went really fast and wasn’t really too hard at all! Let me know if you have any questions about it!
January is such a strange month. I always feel like I’m in limbo, just waiting to be closer to spring and warmer weather. It can’t get here soon enough! Two highlights of January for me was finding a running buddy who is training for Boston too (freezing cold runs are so much better with friends) and getting back into a yoga studio. My mind and body is feeling so much better!
I’ve also been loving yoga lately- especially a hot class when its cold outside! I have really been seeing so many benefits from taking classes regularly. That’s awesome that you found someone to train with!
This month went by so quickly! I really wish we had class pass around here because it looks like you are having so much fun with it!! I hope your leg/hip issues keep improving for you!
My best part of January was probably being brave enough to run around where my boyfriend lives by myself. I can get pretty anxious being in a new place alone but I LOVE running on the other side of the lake! I hope in February I get over this calf pain and get up to running 25 miles a week 🙂
I hope February brings great things for your running! It sounds like you are on the right track:)
Sounds like we are in the same spot with the little aches and pains. Keeping on top of the little things really will help the long term goals :). By staying on top of those things, we’re still making progress, even if it may not be in terms of mileage and hard workouts. Oh and I should have commented this on the actual post, but I just remembered you asked me if there was any tips/tricks to using the R8 and I was going to say that unless I’m doing it wrong or just have a weird shape haha that the way the video shows to roll the piriformis is ridiculously hard! I find that if I want to roll it, I have to prop one leg straight either on a wall (I feel like it works a little better this way) or the end of a couch and roll it that way. Kind of awkward looking, but it works a lot better in my opinion.
I’m loving hot yoga so much right now too. I would go to class every day if I could!
All things considered with your injury, you’ve been doing great! January is such a crap-for-motivation month anyway and you’ve been getting so much done.
Maybe I’ll see you at barre on Friday? ClassPass freaking ROCKS.
Nice month – it went by so quickly. In a couple of weeks I will be heading to Austin for a girls weekend (2 of which are Loyola friends). Looking forward to the warmer weather and reunion ahead of the reunion.
Don’t be so hard on yourself girl! I think your killin’ it as far as your goals go…we are only 1 month in! 😉
I can’t put a finger on my best thing from January (that’s not a good sign), but I’m looking forward to the end of February, because I will be 4 weeks closer to be weight bearing again! I’m also going back to work at the end of the week, so that is a step in the right direction!
I hope February brings healthy runs for you and you continue striving towards your awesome goals!
It sounds like you have some good things to good forward to! And thank you!
For January, the best thing was starting my new job. Love that you are doing Class Pass. They started it recently in Austin and it’s definitely on my radar!
You definitely had an exciting January with starting a new job!
And I hope you get a chance to try class pass!