January 2018: Did I pass?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

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I started out the year slowly, not feeling 100% for several weeks. I was never very sick, just enough that I needed more rest than usual.

As the month went on and I got back to normal my activity got back to normal, too. Not much going on this month.

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I got those runs in — inside & outside

Getting in scheduled runs
I did a lot of rearranging, shortening, and skipping runs in the beginning of January. But I wasn’t training for anything; I’m just trying to maintain (and build) my base. Plus feeling meh for a lot of the month.

Grade Earned:  A-

Recording my runs
Why is it so easy to do when you’re not seriously training? Except not always. Last January is a big question mark because I didn’t record anything. And I was in training! So I made sure to start the year off right.

Grade Earned: A 

Dynamic Warmup
I did pretty good. Skipped it a time or two when it was super cold, shortened it a few times due to time crunch.

Grade Earned: A-

Foam Rolling
I know many seem to struggle with this one. I’m really pretty good about it. Mostly I think it feels good. And I know it helps. It did get skipped a time or two.

Grade Earned: A-

Respecting my body
I didn’t feel great for most of the first half of the month, so I took it easy.

Grade Earned: A

Nutrition
With the holidays over and a good long stretch at home, I got back to more normal eating for me.

Grade Earned: A

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Mmmm . . . massage

Support
Another hair cut. A chiropractor appointment. A massage. A dentist’s appointment. Epsom soaks. Using my massage seat. Seriously, who am I? I can’t remember the last time I was so on top of things. All those appointments made the month seem busy, but in the long run, they’ll do a body good.

Grade Earned: A

Cross Training
Not much strength training for the first half of the month, but as I felt better, I slowly got back into it. I’m on my stationary bike occasionally, but there’s been no swimming. Which is normal for me in the winter.

Grade Earned: A-

January 2018  gets  . . . 
. . . an A-. It’s a whole lot easier to get in most things when you’re not training for anything in particular. I didn’t set January goals because I wrapped up 2017 in December (which you can read here).

Which leads me to:

February Goals:

  • Book 2 massages (I have a package that runs out in March). One on my birthday. It’s my birthday tradition.
  • Register for the 1812 race.
  • Keep up the Epsom salt soaks — let’s shoot for three (although it is a short month!).
  • Strength train 2-3 x week.
  • Continue to research 2018 halfs in November/December.
  • Continue to play around with all the great tips from Laura @ Mommyrunfast’s Fit & Fueled course (a new one coming in another March !)

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

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This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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41 thoughts on “January 2018: Did I pass?”

  1. Congrats on a good month. Glad you’re feeling better.

    My month had less miles than normal but I blame it on the temps and that I’m not training. Although my race is in March, my long runs are just maintaining until the month before.

    Let’s hope this cold weather lets up. At least the hours of daylight are increasing.

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      3. I don’t have monthly mileage goals but I know that if I am healthy all year and run consistently each week, I should hit 1000. So I guess a rough goal to run often but not too often so that I get injured 🙂

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      4. Everyone has their own goals that motivate them. I care much more about training than mileage; I’d say you’re basically opposite. 🙂

        For me, caring about the training is what keeps me injury free. Or so I hope, anyway.

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      5. I don’t run extra miles at the risk of injury. Even at the peak of my training I rarely exceed 20 miles. I think that’s why I don’t feel rundown and tired. Then again I decided how many miles I feel like Running. Some days it’s only 2. Racing often is what motivates me to run.

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  6. What a great month! You definitely get an A for respecting your body – massages, foam rolling, epsom salt baths, taking it easy because you didn’t feel well…that’s how it’s done! Glad you’re feeling better. 🙂

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  7. I never make monthly gals, although I like to at least hit 100 miles a month, but if it doesn’t happen, I am not going to lose sleep over it. I did get a massage the other week, and I received a gift card to another massage place I will be able to use in February. I always feel like i need to save it for after I day I’ve done a strenuous work out.

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  8. My nutrition is taking a hit, but it is Girl Scout cookie season. Right after Christmas, I think I’m in the clear, and then nope! At least the cookies freeze, and I won’t be eating more cookies than normal. I have 2 in my lunch each day.

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  9. I haven’t thought much about February goals since I’ve been so focused on getting through the January challenge with all those burpees. I need to commit to getting back outside daily, even if it’s just for a 20-minute walk when I get out of bed. I do miss my outdoor adventures.

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    1. It’s been so damn cold here most of the time — too cold for the dogs for the most part. But when I can, I do get out there. They’re much happier when they get a walk.

      Unless it’s too wet, too cold, too hot . . .

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    1. You definitely need to cut yourself a little slack for this month! I’m good about the foam rolling, & while I’m good about the dynamic warmup, that one is definitely more of a struggle for me. Soooooo tempting to skip!

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  13. Glad you are feeling better. Your start to the year sounds a lot like mine. I also spent the first two weeks sick and having rearranging my schedule/skipping runs. I’m glad that everything is back to normal. You had a really great month though, despite being sick. Congrats!

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    1. January was a good month. 🙂 I slacked off a little this last week, but i think that was mainly due to a week of major sleep deprivation. Thankfully Bandit hasn’t been waking us up (knocks on wood) so hopefully I’ll have a great February, too!

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  16. Sounds like you had a stellar month! I’m glad you’re keeping up with the foam rolling and dynamic stretching even when you’re not in training. Those are the first two to go when I’m not training for anything and look what happened. #eyeroll

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  17. Congrats on nailing your goals! I was so upset that a hair appointment I scheduled 6 weeks in advance ended up cancelled at the last minute…self care is key!

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    1. I will be the first to admit that I’m not always so good with self care. In some ways I am, in other ways I’m not.

      I don’t think I’ve ever actually had a hair appointment canceled. But then again I don’t go real often — still, I’m getting better about scheduling them . . . for now.

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