As expected, February went by pretty quickly. It seems like it was a busy month but I also don’t really know exactly where the time went. It was definitely a strange month of weather. We had some snow/ice but also warmer days that got into the 80s. I remember last year February was kind of weird too.
In 2018 I set some goals for the year, and I am also setting monthly goals. Let’s take a look at how things went in February.
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2018 Goals
PR IN “SOMETHING”
I am working towards running a 5k at the end of March, but I really don’t think I will be in shape for a PR. But you never know! I need to start back somewhere with my speed and a 5k seems like a logical place to start.
TRACK MY SHOE MILEAGE
I’ve been continuing to do well with this using my Shoe Tracker app! I only track my Pure Flows and Levitates (the main ones I run in) but once in awhile I do short runs on the treadmill in other shoes. I’m not worried about tracking those because I won’t be wearing them for anything more than a few miles. (Plus, if I am wearing them on the treadmill it’s easy to stop and change into different shoes if they feel like they are worn out).
GET RID OF BACK ISSUE
Overall things have been better with my back this month, and I haven’t been to the chiropractor at all. I have a theory as to what is helping but I don’t want to jinx it. I need to give it a little more time, especially because my back has a tendency to feel good for a few weeks and then bother me again.
NO INJURIES
I’m still doing good with this! (Again, hoping I am not jinxing myself by actually typing that out!)
IMPROVE RUNNING FORM
There hasn’t been any real progress here. I do think that some faster running helps with form, as well as dynamic warm-ups which I do before almost all of my runs.
BE MORE STRATEGIC ABOUT SAVING MONEY
I had some bigger expenses this month which were annoying, but there was nothing I could do about it. I haven’t really been spending on anything that’s unnecessary. Plus, I gave up Starbucks for Lent so that will save some money that I would usually spend!
READ AT LEAST 6 BOOKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
So far this year I’ve read Roar by Stacy Sims and Running Rewired by Jay Dicharry. This month I started reading Mindful Running by Mackenzie Havey. I thought I would have finished that one by now but I feel like I haven’t had much time to read lately! Still, I’m definitely on track for my goal.
February 2018 Goals:
- Drink plenty of water– I started drinking a full (large) glass of water when I wake up while I am making coffee. This has been a good habit since usually I wait until after I have coffee to drink any water.
- Get outside at least once a week– I was glad I made this a goal because there were some weeks I was tempted to run inside every day. But I did get outside at least once a week and was always happy that I did.
- Start reading another book– This month I started reading Mindful Running . I should be done with it soon, I just need to make some more time for reading!
Goal Setting for March 2018:
I want to keep up with my goals from February (drink enough water, get outside at least once a week, and start another book). Here are a few other things I hope to do:
- Try at least one new recipe this month- my meal plan has gotten pretty boring and I haven’t tried anything new in awhile.
- Foam roll 5 times a week- Now that my workouts have been getting more challenging I need to make sure I am keeping up with my foam rolling. I usually foam roll before my strength training sessions so this would just mean doing it 3 other times a week.
Overall, February was a pretty good month. I’m glad it went by quickly and that the weather wasn’t too terrible! However, March can be pretty unpredictable (and long) so we’ll see how that goes.
[Tweet “Now that February is over it’s time to look back on goals for the month! @milebymilerun #tuesdaysontherun #goals”]
How did you do with your goals in February?
Did you get outside at least once a week this month?
How often do you foam roll?
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run!
Great job this month! I’m so glad your back isn’t bothering you. Maybe it’s all that attention to your form?
Maybe so- I definitely think even just paying close attention to form while strength training has helped.
I think I did at least get outside at least once a week, which was a nice change. I wish I could read 6 books in a year. I am struggling with this one, maybe it is just not the book for me if I can’t get through it. You’ll have to let us know how that book is.
I definitely go through phases with how much I can read. I get alot done when I go on vacation so hopefully this summer I will get through a few books.
Sounds like February was a really good month for you! Yay for the back feeling better and fingers crossed that it stays that way. Good luck with the PR goal – that’s one I’ll probably never have again LOL.
Thank you! I am starting to question the PR goal as well. It feels so intimidating when you know you haven’t hit PR paces in years.
You’ve had a great month!
I’m glad that you think you have found what works for your back issues – I hope that continues! I’m planning on getting a sports massage sometime this week and I hope that will help a little bit with my back issues as well.
This morning on the news I heard that it was the warmest February in New York since the 1800s so the weather has definitely been very “off” this month!
I hope the sports massage helps you! It’s crazy how warm its been this month with a few random cold days thrown in there!
Solid February Lisa! February was a snowiest month in awhile and I spent my share of time on the mill but that said, I was able to get outside the past couple of weeks, which was great. I still am not tracking shoe mileage. I think I’m a hopeless case. Great news on your back! I’m in a similar boat with mine since I hurt it 2 years ago. Since I’ve been focusing on strength, my issues have almost disappeared.
Strength training really helps with so much, right? I hope that you don’t get any more snow and can start doing more of your runs outside!
I honestly cannot believe we are approaching march already! I hope march/April are fairly warm rather than snowy/cold/unpredictable. I’m so over the cold and winter weather. also! it’s been light out again early, I always think of you when I notice it lol
I know, it was light for the end of my run on Tuesday and I was so excited!!
I gave up my daily Starbucks years ago to try to save on money, and I already had a Mr. Coffee ice tea maker. I can buy a packet of tea at the store for less than what I was spending in a week at Starbucks, and the tea box lasts me so much longer.
It definitely saves so much money by making drinks at home rather than buying them at Starbucks!
February always feels so short! (Haha wonder why?!) but it looks like you smashed it. I love the monthly goal idea too… I may have to implement that!
Thanks! The monthly goals definitely help me to stay focused.
You know, I just realized you have not mentioned any foot issues in awhile…that’s a great thing, right? I wonder if that could be a factor in your back doing better because you’re not in a constant flux of foot “stuff” affecting your form?
I would definitely agree that it probably is related!
I need to hop on that “foam rolling 5 times a week” goal!! I know that would be so beneficial for me! Do you have a plan for working it in? Are you setting aside/scheduling specific time for it? I may need all the advice you have to give!
I like that reading books is one of your goals and you’re killing it so far! I also read Roar and it was eye opening. So glad I bought it! I’m interested in your opinion on Mindful Running. Maybe do a review when you’re done? Just a thought. If you post when you’re done with it, I’ll probably just ask then what you thought. haha
I don’t have a plan just yet for the foam rolling! Im thinking Ill do it in the evenings, but if that doesnt work then I will probably do it right before or after my runs. I think the key will be keeping track of how often I do it so I don’t end up skipping it for a bunch of days!
February was crazy and last year but even crazier because of how warm it was. Glad to hear about your back. That is a delicate and important area.
I’ve never heard of that app to track your shoes. I track mine on Garmin Connect.
I had started to use Garmin connect but I rotate shoes, and as far as I know that only tracks on pair at a time. It sees much easier though since you don’t have to manually enter if after a run!
I love your goals! I try to get outside at least twice a week, but that is definitely weather dependent. I’ve been pretty good so far – fingers crossed for March! I try to foam roll everyday, and I am pretty good about it because my husband does it too so we can remind each other. Tracking shoe mileage is another great one. It can be hard especially if you rotate through different shoes. I’ll have to check out the Shoe Tracker App!
I am much better about getting outside when the weather is nice! Thats nice that your husband foam rolls too. Mine is also a runner but he rarely uses the foam roller!
Looks like a solid month! I need to get on the foam rolling bandwagon…my hips have been so tight recently and I know it would help.
It can be so helpful when done consistently!
I am going to check out the Mindful Running book. Mindfulness in general is one of my big goals for this year so it makes sense to incorporate it into running as well.
I also need to get the Shoe Tracker app. I just started tracking shoe mileage this month so it seems like that would be helpful.
I hope you like both the book and the app!
It sounds like February was a successful month for you! I bet that running faster will help with your running form in the long term. That’s really great how you have been injury-free!
I need to foam roll more this month! I am trying to carve out time to do it on rest days and after hard workouts.
I finally got back on my foam roller today- it feels so good when I make the time to do it!
Good work this month, Lisa. It sounds like you’re making progress in all areas… I love goals that are not finite, but leave room to grow.
Thank you!
You had a great month! And it’s great to hear that you are still injury-free. I actually envy you for having a treadmill at home…I had a few rough days where I really had to drag myself out the door, but if I had a treadmill life would’ve been so much easier!
Can’t wait to see how you do on that 5k!