We celebrated my Mom’s 90th birthday. Then we will celebrate with her again and my Dad’s 92nd birthday as well, with the whole immediate family. I tried new stuff and yeah, I shoveled a lot of snow (in fact, there’s still snow on the grass, even though the last big storm missed us. Thank God).
Getting in scheduled runs
March marked my return to running. Despite starting easy, I was struck with runner’s knee in both knees. One knee resolved quickly; the other was more stubborn but seems okay now.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
I’ve been right on top of recording my runs — trying to do it the day I run, although that doesn’t always happen. I’ve continued to record my level of sleep (normal, below, above)
Grade Earned: A
Dynamic Warmup
In an effort to strengthen my knee, I’ve tried hard to stay on top of the dynamic warmup and added clamshells and leg lifts when I’m running from home.
Darn procrastination has me shortening it some days.
Grade Earned: A-
Foam Rolling
I’ve continued to keep up with the foam rolling, too. And that includes spending a bit more time with it — holding it for 30 seconds (or thereabouts) on tender spots.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
Since I’m now more active, I’m eating more, which makes life a little easier. If only the scale rewarded me for my efforts. Part of the problem with that was that as I got more active, I also got rungry. And there was a little too much mindless munching on some days. It’s always my downfall. But I’m really enjoying the Lifeway Kefir cups, which are high in protein and low in sugar — lower than greek yogurt.
Grade Earned: B
Support
I used up the last massage in my package. I wish I had health insurance that paid for a monthly massage because I’d surely do it! I went t the chiropractor, and by that time, my knees were feeling pretty much okay. My hips, as usual, were a bit out of alignment. I didn’t get to epsom soaks as often as I planned to — a couple for the month; I think. I enjoy them but taking the time to do them is hard!
Grade Earned: A-
Cross Training
While I would love to say I’m back to ST three times a week, that would be a lie — but I did get in two times a week. I’ve been on my stationary bike some this month. And I did more yoga than normal, since I did a few classes at a studio.
Grade Earned: A
March 2018 gets . . .
. . . a A-. I thought I returned to running easily enough, but when my knees told me I didn’t I listened — and now they seem to be back to normal. I tried some new stuff, I did a little too much mindless munching which showed up on the scale, and I celebrated birthdays with both parents.
March Goals:
- No reason to push. Have 2 rest days following a run until I really feel rested. Y. I took the rest I needed, when I needed it, but now I feel back to normal and am running two days in a row sometimes.
- Strength train 2-3 x week. Y. 2 times per week + yoga and some stationary bike.
- Get back to Epsom salt soaks. Y. Sort of. Not enough.
- Foam roll — really foam roll. Y
- Book a hotel for Freakin’ Fast Half. N. Not yet, anyway. It is on the to-do list and I did start my research, but nope, not booked yet.
- Sign up for 5k in April. N. But I know what I’m planning.
- Book last massage in the series.Y
Which leads me to April Goals:
- Wall sit 30 seconds 1 x week (net downhill half in July).
- Strength train 2-3 x week.
- Get back to Epsom salt soaks.
- Foam roll — really foam roll.
- Book a hotel for Freakin’ Fast Half.
- Run a short trail race if the weather is good. And a road 5k. Maybe a 5 mile road race. I know the races I want to do — we’ll see which ones my body wants to do.
- Greens daily. That was actually a March goal, and I only missed a few days in March.
Did you sign up for my Honeystinger discount giveaway here? It ends tonight!
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.
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
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I think you did great!
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Thanks, Natalie — it was a good month!
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I need to start foam rolling more. When I do it I don’t feel like it makes a difference. Maybe because I don’t do it as often as I should. I love taking Epsom salt baths as well, but the same thing, I don’t do it as often as I’d like. It is such a process……haha.
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Definitely a process. I have every intention of doing an epsom soak this week but it hasn’t happened yet.
Everyone is different — but I really do believe that most everyone can benefit from foam rolling! I know it helps me, and that makes it easier (although not always easy) to make the time for it.
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Sounds like you had a great month with all those A’s!
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Thanks! It was a good month. I needed that after a not-so-great start to the year.
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Kefir cups? I drink Kefir for a boost of protein after a good strength workout, and I’m eating Greek yogurt for my lunch protein source.
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Yes, Jenn, thefitnana.com, had shown them on IG quite some time ago. I finally found some. Plain kefir is a bit too sour for me, but these are cups with a little bit of fruit syrup — high in protein, still low in sugar — I think I’m officially addicted. They’re pricey though.
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Congrats! Sounds like you are doing great! I’m currently sitting here on the computer when I should be using my elliptical. Hmm. I do use it most days though and find I feel so much better when I exercise. I’m also trying to cut back on mindless munching, some days I do well, some days leave room for improvement!
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Thankfully this week I did much better on the mindless munching. I’ll be some sunshine helped (although today is totally gray — but so far so good).
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You had a great month! I like your greens daily goal. That’s a great goal to have. Don’t know that I could achieve it, but still a great goal and perhaps one I should try to work towards, ;D
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Goals motivate us to try. It’s not always important to achieve them — it’s the simple act of trying that helps!
I get a lot of my greens from green smoothies, but I also made an effort to step up my greens in salads — I actually eat a lot of salad; I just made an effort to rotate through the greens more. Usually I’m stuck on romaine because I like it.
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You did awesome with your goals! I’ve actually been even worse with recording my runs this month despite making it a goal…sigh!
I’m glad your knees are feeling better too. I still have a few more weeks to get mine in better shape!
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You have a lot on your plate. Cut yourself some slack!
I hope that you can get to the bottom on your knees. Luckily my self diagnosis was right. But it wasn’t a good feeling while it lasted, of course.
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Sounds like a great month to me! I’ve been trying to get more greens too. Sometimes, it’s just hard.
Keeping up with your dynamic warm-ups and strength training should also help your knees a lot, too. I’m sorry they started bugging you. 😦 Maybe also try some banded walks too? Those help strengthen your hips which in turn relieves some of the stress on the knees.
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Banded walks are actually in the rotation. Thankfully they’re all better. Until the next time. 🙂
I actually really like salads, but I do find that green smoothies are probably the easiest way to get in more greens (and green powder helps, too).
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Since I got my VitaMix my leafy greens intake has greatly improved. Spinach is my green of choice but kale & Swiss chard have made it in the rounds. What is a wall sit?
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A wall sit is pretty much what it sounds like — stand against a walk and then lower down so that your back is still against the wall but you’re knees are bend as if you’re sitting.
Love my Vitamix.
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Congrats on a good month. Esp being healthy and uninjured again.
Glad I don’t have your goals. I would have failed at each one. Lol. Esp since I’m in a hotel and eating in restaurants.
I may see you at a race. But I have a few choices and don’t know yet. I won’t run a trail race and I’m not sure about Delmar Dash. Did sign up for cherry blossom.
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I haven’t signed up for any of them. Right now the weather next week looks horrible. And sometimes that means it’ll be nice. 🙂
But if they’re right & it’s raining, I won’t be doing a trail race.
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I’m racing Sat and the weather should be ok but who knows.
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I would say that you had an awesome month! I see a lot of A grades 🙂
Also happy to hear that your knees are feeling better too!
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Thanks, Kim! I think I was due to have a good month. 🙂
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Wow, I’m so impressed. Sounds like you are doing an amazing job with your fitness. I run, but only 5k. Trying to become fitter and faster so visiting the gym a lot atm. Hope your knees are ok. Always worrying about injuries. Well done. 🤗
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It doesn’t matter how far or how long you run. You run — that’s the important thing (and actually, the only important thing is to stay active.
My knees are ok. Pretty sure my self dx of runner’s knees was spot on.
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What a great month for you! That is always a great feeling.
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Thanks, Zenaida! It was a good month. Finally!
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I need to get more massages. I have no excuse not to, but never seem to remember to schedule one.
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I loooooove massages. I particularly loved getting 3 in one month!
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