The weather kept going back and forth from hot and humid to unseasonably cool in June. I’m pretty sure hot and humid won out, for the most part. The turtle I found on one long run was most definitely my spirit animal for some runs this month!
I seemed to find my mojo in most of the everyday stuff, and my running mojo never left me. I planted a small garden, we had a little fun this past weekend, there were a couple of short hikes, and maybe I consumed a wee bit too much sugar this month.
Things got a bit hectic and messy at the end of the month — in more ways than one — but I got the runs in. I always do unless I’m sick or someone else gets sick!
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
I can’t say as I always got right on it, but I know how disappointing it is to look back at last year’s journal and see blank pages, so I’ve definitely made an effort to be more proactive about journaling my runs.
Grade Earned: B +
Dynamic Warmup
There have definitely been a few times where I’ve vastly shortened my warmup. And other times that I actually took more time with it. It really all depended on what was going on in my life. I again even did it before my race this month!
Grade Earned: A
Foam Rolling
I’m keeping up with the foam rolling, too. Like I said last month, when I skip it, I feel it. So I try to make it a priority.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
I wish more miles = weight loss for me. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. There have just been so many occasions this month that involved cake . . . some of it self inflicted. Hoping I pull it together by the end of the month/beginning of July so that I continue to be free at Weight Watchers — I don’t have much wiggle room this month.
Grade Earned: B-
Support
- Massage? Not yet.
- Chiropractor Appointment? Check. Pretty much as you read this.
- Do I need a hair appointment? Yes, still, but I like my hair a bit longer in the summer so I can braid it.
- I even made a PT appointment for a few issues that have been bothering me a while — nothing major, and nothing new — too bad it’s not before my upcoming half.
Grade Earned: A-
Cross Training
I haven’t gotten to the pool — the one day I contemplated it Lola had a vet appointment (although I did finally make it there yesterday) — and the stationary bike has been sporadic. Yoga continues to drop off even though I try to make it a priority. I’ve managed to get in a few longer strength training sessions, but it’s hard!
Maybe those longer strength training sessions are the reason I’ve been doing all my run untaped, so far. I’m still on the fence about the 12 miler in a couple of weeks. My knees talked to me a little after my 11 miler, but seemed to quickly work themselves out.
Grade Earned: B
June 2018 gets . . .
. . . a B+. Despite a fair amount of As, an A is for perfect, and June definitely wasn’t perfect. I know, I know — seriously, there is no such thing as a perfect month. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, either — in fact, I’d say it was a (mostly) good month.
June Goals:
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- Prehab; and anything is better than nothing. Y. At least some — at least more than May.
- Strength train 2-3 x week. Y.
- Foam roll — really foam roll. Y.
- Chiropractor visit. Y.
- Run a 5k. Y. Freihofers Run for Women (read about it here).
- Greens daily. Y. That was actually a March goal — still going pretty strong. There’s an occasional day with no greens, but it’s rare.
- Berries daily — they’re so good for you and they’re coming into season now! Y. Again, at least the majority of the time. And I have a bunch growing — can’t wait for them to ripen, although it’s going to be a while.
- Shoot for a couple of classes at Wellnest Studios. N.
- Book a hotel for 18.12 Challenge. N. Sigh — there better be some hotel rooms left! I mean seriously, how many months has this been a goal? I think part of the problem was being sure if I’d go with friends or Mr. Judy — poor Mr. Judy gets to sherpa me.
Which leads me to July Goals:
- Continue to Prehab. As always, something is always better than nothing.
- Strength train 2-3 x week. I know it’s going to be super busy, so I’m going to try for two longer sessions per week — it definitely seems to be helping my knees.
- Foam roll — really foam roll.
- Chiropractor visit.
- Run a 4 mile race. It looks to be even hotter than usual. Take it easy-ish.
- Greens daily.
- Berries daily.
- Shoot for a couple of classes at Wellnest Studios.
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 
Judy, your planning and the thought you put into your training are so impressive! I have developed an injury and can’t run right now (just happened yesterday), so I will be going to the pool too. Gonna try to get there this morning.
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Are you going to be doing pool jogging?
I’m so sorry about the injury. I hope it’s something that will heal up quickly.
I actually really enjoy swimming, always have, the problem is it’s another time suck. Part of why I enjoy it is that I just go veeeeery slowly. I always feel so relaxed after a swim!
In fact I felt so good after yesterday, I’m going to try hard to squeeze one next week — the following week will probably be too busy though.
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I was just swimming laps, but I did pool jogging last year when I was injured.
I am a slow swimmer too, and I agree – I feel all stretched out after a swim. Almost better than yoga! 🙂
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Oh, and I forgot to say that I have a running coach — she does the running workouts for me. The rest I do myself. Even slow runners can benefit from a coach!
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I love how you have included support in your reflection…it’s something so easily forgotten about. I just had a pedicure and massage today!
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It takes a village! Massages might be on hold for a little while, but I’ll see the chiropractor one more time before we leave for our trip.
Maybe I’ll get my hair cut . . .
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I’m pretty sure that your strength training is paying off for you–glad to see you haven’t had to tape your knees as much. You’ve had a nice month!
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I always strength train. That really hasn’t changed. I’m just making an effort to do more than 15 minutes (and it often feels like even that is a struggle!).
Taping the knees is a real crap shoot. Because it really sucks when you’re out there at 10 miles and your knee tightens up — and sometimes even just walking the last couple of miles can really screw it up.
And I know I’ll tape it for the race. That much downhill can really aggravate my IT, and I have another big race to do!
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Looks like a good month to me. I am always impressed on how you get ALL your runs in.
There are quite a few local runners going to 1812. From the Strong Running Mamas group. Do you want their names?
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Sure; thanks!
It was a good month. I’m not sure what would be an A month for me.
I only skip runs if I’m sick or injured or feel like I’m not recovering properly, and have done so for all those reasons. So far, though, I’ve been feeling really strong this training cycle.
Doesn’t mean it’s been easy!
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Good month!!
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Thanks, Natalie!
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Sounds like a good month! Strength training is always a goal each month since it’s so important.
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I’m kind of chuckling about all the comments about strength training. I’ve been doing it all along. 🙂
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Strength training has made a huge difference in my running. I don’t get as tired on long runs and I bounce back much faster. Keep up the good work and make time for the strength training!
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I’ve always done strength training. 🙂 But it’s also easy to let it slip!
Even running aside, as you get older, I think it’s super important.
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Strong month for you Judy! I am the opposite with my half in Vancouver. I know we made a hotel reservation but have absolutely no record of it so we made another one. I hope I remember to cancel one of them….or at least have a clue what hotel the first reservation is at. Ha!
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The shuffling of our hotel reservations in ID really ought to be a runfession. Guess I’ll save that for July!
Hope you find that reservation.
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You know, if it weren’t for my weekly wraps, I’d have to give myself a big fat F for recording my runs. Normally, I write everything down but I haven’t for the past few months. Between the blog and the system my coach uses to share my workouts, I guess I figured that’s enough. But, you know what? I actually kinda miss it. There’s something rewarding about going back and flipping through pages and seeing all the training and hard work.
I think you had a pretty solid month! I’m glad the strength training is helping your knees. 🙂
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I hear you on not recording the runs. It happens to all of us. I’m trying so hard to be better this year — there are just months missing out of last year and I miss it. 🙂
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YOU had a solid month! I think you may have earned a B+, though (or even a A-) LOL I, too, have been trying to make dynamic warm-ups and foam rolling a habit. For the most part, I have been doing pretty well…though sometimes, I do “short-change” the time I devote to them.
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We all short change ourselves on those things sometimes!
Right now I’m working on the whole stretching thing afterward. I’m really bad about that. I really just stretch my calf (perpetually tight) and my IT & shake out my arms & legs, but it’s oh-so-tempting to skip!
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I am always impressed with your attention to warm ups and foam rolling. I have really slacked off in that area of late
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I still tend to get aches easily, and those things just help those areas. I’m working on the stretching afterwards now . . .
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I would have given you an A, you did so well! Love how specific your goals are – well done. I am so lazy when it comes to strength training but when I do it, it really makes a difference with my running (and actually just all round). Well done for the foam rolling too – that’s another area I should be doing a lot more of. Best of luck as you head into July!
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I’m not lazy with the ST, it’s just a matter of squeezing it in — and you’re right, it definitely makes a difference.
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Sounds like a pretty good month overall! That’s great that you got in that appointment with the chiropractor and PT. That reminds me that I need to make another appointment with the PT too.
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Unfortunately the PT isn’t until after my upcoming race — but before my next one, so that’s good. They’re really just nagging issues (thankfully!).
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