February 2018: Did I pass?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

bradefeb18

I know TOTR is no longer doing monthly grades, but I liked the idea so I’m keeping it. You’d think a month with almost no miles run would be short. You’d think wrong!

Getting in scheduled runs
I can’t fail myself on this one, even though I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a low month of running since I started running. And it’s not the first time I’ve gotten sick; in fact, I’ve been far, far sicker in the past.

But it may be the first time I got sick when I wasn’t actively training for anything.

Grade Earned:  C-

Recording my runs
Well, when you don’t run much, it’s easy to record your runs, right? After reading more about recovery, I also started to add some more metrics to my running journal: a simple little graphic for my sleep:

  • Below Normal
  • Normal
  • Above Normal

I hope that I keep that up when I get busier. And actually pay attention to it!

Grade Earned: A 

Dynamic Warmup
I made damn sure to properly warm up when I did return to running. Because it had been so long since I ran. Helped that I wasn’t running far so running wasn’t consuming all my time.

Except . . . damn, I waited around forever for it to warm up last Wednesday. Which it did — but it was cool and drizzly in the morning. So right around the time I wanted to start warming up for the run, the dogs decided they must go out. And of course I don’t want an accident, so I was delayed quite some time while they enjoyed some sunshine and sniffed everybladeofgrassaround.

So I admit I didn’t quite take as much time as I might have if I hadn’t felt rushed — again!

Grade Earned: A-

Foam Rolling
I do foam roll. I’m pretty good about it. And most of the time, it takes me all of five minutes. That’s for calves, quads, hammies, IT, and piriformis. And then I read Coach Rachel’s post, Runners: You Need to Foam Roll! Thirty minutes? Say whaaat?

So I’ve started to actually take more time with my foam rolling. My calves and hamstrings are always so tight. We’ll see how long I can keep it up . . .

Grade Earned: A-

Balancing indulgence with healthy foods


Nutrition
Making sure to eat less when I was less active wasn’t easy; I will freely admit that. But it was worth it, in the end, because I managed to maintain my weight. I only hope that wasn’t because I’m losing muscle mass (which no doubt I am).

Grade Earned: A

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I promise I’m gonna research it more & write a post!

Support
No need to visit the chiropractor until next month, especially considering I wasn’t running. But I got a massage on my birthday and visit the Salt Den. It is time to schedule that next haircut . . .

Grade Earned: A

Cross Training
Well, since I wasn’t running, can I say I was cross training? There was a little yoga (until I seemed to relapse and decided I needed more rest again). There were lots of dog walks when the weather got nicer. And I’ve started to add back in some bodyweight exercises.

Grade Earned: C

January 2018  gets  . . . 
. . . a B-. Most of it wasn’t my fault, and I did a good job on some things that weren’t easy, but let’s face it, I spent the majority of the month laying on the couch watching the Olympics.

February Goals:

  • Book 2 massages (I have a package that runs out in March). One on my birthday. It’s my birthday tradition. Y
  • Register for the 1812 race. Y
  • Keep up the Epsom salt soaks — let’s shoot for three (although it is a short month!). N; too tired to sit around soaking my feet, but it probably would have been good for me.
  • Strength train 2-3 x week. N for obvious reasons
  • Continue to research 2018 halfs in November/December. N
  • Continue to play around with all the great tips from Laura @ Mommyrunfast’s Fit & Fueled course (a new one coming in March !) Y well sort of

Which leads me to March Goals:

  • No reason to push. Have 2 rest days following a run until I really feel rested.
  • Strength train 2-3 x week.
  • Get back to Epsom salt soaks.
  • Foam roll — really foam roll.
  • Book a hotel for Freakin’ Fast Half.
  • Sign up for 5k in April.
  • Book last massage in the series.

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.

Tor-box

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

coachescorner

33 thoughts on “February 2018: Did I pass?”

    1. I highly doubt there’s going to be a 5k PR now. Maybe in the fall. Just haven’t been able to work out the way I’d need to to chase that. But that doesn’t mean I won’t sign up for one (or two).

      I was a very sickly kid — this truly is nothing. Except it’s still not quite done with me. 😦 It’s as back & forth as the weather.

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    1. I’ve been getting a massage on my birthday (unless we’re traveling, which is really rare) for well over a decade.

      It was actually a pretty good month. I wasn’t super sick, but I’m still not back to normal & that’s been super frustrating. I’ll get there.

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    1. Foam rolling & yoga are definitely not the same thing, although both are good things. I’m not saying I spend 30 minutes on rolling either, but I did decide to spend more time on it & I think that’s a good thing.

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  8. I wouldn’t panic about the 30-minutes of foam rolling. Granted, 30 minutes would be beneficial, but I think as long as you’re disciplined to do it for even 5 minutes, that’s huge! So many runners procrastinate the foam rolling…and then it doesn’t happen at all.

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  9. 30 minutes of foam rolling!!! Oh man, am I way behind on that!! I definitely fail foam rolling by those standards.

    I’m glad you’re feeling better and able to get more. I think your plan of 2 rest days after a run until you feel rested is really solid. That’s the best way to come back when you’ve had something low-key niggling at you for an extended time.

    I should probably do epsom salt soaks too. I’ve done them a few times and I like the way I feel afterwards but …. I’m really not much of a bath-taker. I get cold, I feel awkward, and I’m not one of those that lights candles and reads while in there. I just can’t. How do you keep the water warm anyway?

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    1. Well, that’s the thing — I was only super sick a handful of days. It’s been weird. As back and forth as our weather. But I didn’t feel well on a lot of days, and then I’d feel okay, then I wouldn’t.

      Here’s to a much better March (despite the snow at present).

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  14. I’m pretty sure my foam roller has dry rotted due to lack of use!! I’m going to check out the link to see what I should be doing. You had a great month and I’m glad you’re feeling better. Cheers to a new month!!

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  15. I think you had a great month! I like your idea of recording your sleep in your training journal – it would definitely add some good insight! I am stepping up my foam rolling and 5 minutes never seems like enough time. I need to get one to keep in my office at work since it seems I’m always here!

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