I Can’t Make You Love Me

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

bgradefeb19

Still riding the love train (read about it here), and this month I give you Bonnie Raitt. You’re welcome. I chose that one because sometimes races are just ok — not necessarily anything you did or didn’t do, it happens.

Last month it was “What is Love? Baby Don’t Hurt Me”. Well, my race (read about it here) did hurt me, in the form of a blood blister, but overall I was fine so I guess it sort of worked.

I got lucky and got all my long runs done outside

Getting in scheduled runs
I get very lucky with this training cycle — I managed to get all my long runs done outside. That also meant the last 3 or 4 were in the same neighborhood, and by the time I left I felt that if I had to run there one more time, I’d be scratching my own eyes out.

I also got lucky we escaped this . . . 

Luckily the next week was all running in Savannah.

It wasn’t the sunny vacation I dreamed of, but it was better than back home!

Grade Earned:  A+

Recording my runs
I have continued to do a good job recording runs, including making copious notes all over my journal while in Savannah.

Grade Earned: A

Dynamic Warmup
I’m still struggling with this on cold days. If I ran more at home, I’d do it inside, but I rarely ended up running in my own neighborhood (often icier than where I did run). I did not do my warm up mile in Savannah — the streets can be uneven and who wants to trip on the way to their race? However it was a mile and a half walk to the start, so there’s that.

Grade Earned: B-

Ok, this was from January. But you get the idea.

Foam Rolling
I did great with this right up until I got home from Savannah . . . and no foam rolling. Really broke my streak! No PT exercises either. With no running, though, things still feel pretty good. I’ll get back to it — I’ve gotten back to the foam rolling, not to the PT exercises yet.

There’s a lot of debate whether or not foam rolling is really helpful — read Wendy’s review of “Good to Go” here — but I’m #teamfoamroller. Not #teamicebath (never done one).

Grade Earned: B

Also #teamchickennoodlesoup post run

Nutrition
If you don’t count Savannah, my nutrition in February was pretty good. That’s kind of like saying if you don’t count the bank robbery, he’s an upright citizen. Am I the least bit regretful? No!

And all the rich food in Savannah . . .

Grade Earned: B

Support

  • Massage? Yes.
  • Chiropractor Appointment? Yes.
  • Do I need a hair appointment? Done.

Grade Earned: A+

Cross Training
I committed to Iron Strength while training and stuck to it. I did more yoga, and more Pilates, too. After the race I’ve spent some time on my stationary bike, usually as warmups for strength training. And still doing yoga and Pilates but not running — by the time you read this, that will probably change (yes, it has).

Grade Earned: A

February 2019  gets  . . . 
. . . an A-. I think I’m going easy on myself here, quite frankly, there are lots of Bs here. I completed my race and my training despite the stress of losing Giz. I also allowed myself #allthefood in Savannah — good thing I don’t drink; Savannah may be a foodie city, but it’s also a drinking city. Let’s just say there was a lot of adults having a lot of fun there. #thestruggleisreal when it comes to warmups in cold weather, which ironically is when you need it most.

February Goals:

    • Continue to Prehab. Y. Until we got back home, yes.
    • Add on some short strength training 2-3 x week.Y. I was faithful to my Iron Strength workouts once a week. Right now many of my workouts are short, often bodyweight, but it’s getting done. 
    • Continue alternating Yoga & Pilates — emphasis on Yoga.Y. Even though I was heavy on the R&R when I got back, I have definitely continued to do yoga and Pilates. 
    • Plan out meals the day before. Y/N. Sometimes . . . not as often as I should. I’m working my way back to making this more of a habit, but I’m not there yet. And obviously all bets were off on vacation.
    • Foam roll almost daily.Y. Again, until I got back from vacation. 
    • Play around with savory snacks (and report back on them!).N. Yeah, no. I just haven’t been super motivated in the kitchen lately.
    • Meal plan on the weekends! Y. Much easier to shop and eat well when I have a plan. 
    • Be mindful of eating on vacation. Y/N. I definitely indulged. I also never felt bad due to food choices, and I got right back on track with healthy eating when I got home — I think that’s really key.

Which leads me to March Goals:

    • Continue to Prehab. As always, something is always better than nothing.
    • Strength training 2-3 x week. Pilates is a great workout, but I truly believe that actually lifting weights will help me age better. So while I’ll continue to concentrate more on Pilates and Yoga, I need to start lifting, even if it’s just a little.
    • Continue practicing Yoga & Pilates. I actually enjoy both and see benefits from both.
    • Foam roll almost daily. I’d really like to say daily, but I just know that won’t happen. 
    • Play around with savory snacks (and report back on them!). I am still really struggling with this one and it probably means I really need to do it.
    • Meal plan on the weekends! Much easier to shop and eat well when I have a plan. 
    • Plan out meals the day before. Another habit I’m really struggling with. I think I need to try doing it earlier in the day. Most of the time by night I am tired and have a lot of other little things I need to get done before going to bed.

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Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

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

24 thoughts on “I Can’t Make You Love Me”

  1. As usual you are a dedicated runner and an inspiring one. A month for sure

    No doubt that even with no goal races, you will continue. Maybe even get that 5k PR.

    Hope spring comes soon for both of us.

    Blisters are no fun. I get one in the same spot but it’s because I have a bunion there. I don’t plan on surgery but maybe my new supportive shows will help. Right now I’m trying to run without leg discomfort to keep sane.

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    1. Oh, I am running again. And digging no pressure. It’s nice to have that sometimes. I’m doubtful of a 5k PR, right now I’m not really in the mood to push that hard. Time will tell.

      The blister was part of why I took time off running, too, so that I wouldn’t re aggravate it. Being a blood blister, it takes much longer to heal (as I read), but while my toe looks pretty ugly so far it’s been ok so I guess it’s healing up.

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      2. It was painful that day, but not bad afterwards. They take longer to heal than a regular blister, though, and since there was no reason to push I didn’t want to aggravate it.

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  2. Nice one! “That also meant the last 3 or 4 were in the same neighborhood, and by the time I left I felt that if I had to run there one more time, I’d be scratching my own eyes out.” tell me about it! I am so sick of the whole area right now! I keep making other people make me routes!

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    1. With the snow here there are not a whole lot of places to run. I’m hopeful that we’ll turn the corner on winter soon and the paths will begin to open up, but it does actually take the snow some time to melt, too (affectionately — NOT! — known as mud season).

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  3. OVerall February was a busy, but great month for you!

    I totally relate to what you said about the routes. I need to start running in different areas because I am SO bored with my current route.

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    1. I’ve actually been able to run somewhat in my own neighborhood, which I hadn’t been doing because it’s hard to get much more than 5 miles without either major hills or looping.

      Of course we still walk the dogs here a lot . . .

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  5. I’m right with you–running in my neighborhood gets old in a hurry! To get 6 miles, I’m zigzagging up and down the streets. The bike paths are so icy–but with the rain that is supposed to come this weekend, hopefully, that ice will be history.

    I haven’t done yoga, stretched, or foam rolled all month and I feel fine. Isn’t that interesting?

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    1. I definitely find when I skimp on foam rolling or yoga something gets tight.

      My neighborhood is definitely not exciting, but it’s so limited where you can run in the winter if it’s been a snowy one. We’re supposed to warm up this weekend & next week, too. Of course then the dogs think it’s raining because it’s dripping from our deck & they still don’t want to go out!

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  6. I just saw your Insta pic with your meal prepping a couple hours ago! Go YOU!! I have several 2-3 mile routes, and they have gotten all the attention (on the few times I’ve actually been able to get outside). Clockwise, counter-clockwise, figure-8’s, etc. I”m eager to get out more and be able to run farther without the risk of cold/ice/wind/or freezing temps.

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  7. I actually do not mind running in my neighborhood. I’d rather do that than drive to the lakefront (not because I don’t like the lakefront because I just don’t want to drive). To get to the airport is 1.5 miles and the distance around it is 4 miles. I am used to it and like it.

    I like your March goals. I am also very bad with foam rolling. Cannot remember the last time I did

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    1. I can understand about not wanting to drive somewhere. There are definitely times I don’t want to either. But my neighborhood is not exciting and I’m already walking the dogs around it most days.

      I like variety!

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  9. Great job with your goals! Especially while having so much to deal with. I hear you having no regrets in Savannah – I definitely indulged as much as I could when I was there, with too many cocktails to count!

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  10. Just like that, it’s March and here we are. Moving right along. When I didn’t foam roll I had a bad ITB problem that kept me out of running for 4 weeks. I don’t care who says it’s not necessary, it is for me. You had a good month! Any month with Savannah time in it is good in my book.

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  12. When you figure out planning for your meals the day before, let me know the secret. Some weeks I’m good, but other weeks…

    I am very good at foam rolling when I’m running regularly, but haven’t since January 1st after my 5K. I haven’t gotten back into it since my few 1-milers in the past two weeks (I’m spending too much time with my PT exercises and stretches to have time for rolling).

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    1. I have found right now trying to do it in the afternoon rather than at night is *mostly* working for me.

      Those PT exercises & stretches are important! I wish sports could just be simple, but they never are really, are they? I guess that’s also what makes them endlessly interesting!

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