March was a doozy, wasn’t it? It didn’t start out well for me, not feeling well. I get a non specific virus like this often in Spring (relatively sure it wasn’t COVID19 but we’ll never know). I rest, I get better, then out of the blue I feel a little worse, and back and forth for weeks.
I was a little disappointed because I’d really tried hard to clean up my nutrition. For the record, I was never very sick. Maybe that’s the clue — while I still got sick, it was extremely mild. Maybe due to making an effort to eat healthier because I know that this time of year I’m always vulnerable.
Truthfully, if my family and loved ones come through this okay, if we have a roof over our head (and four walls, please!), and enough to eat, missing some racing is a small price to pay.
These lyrics from Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” (which I’ve always loved) seem very appropriate to the times:
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
Especially the part about not being lonely when I’m alone. I know that a lot of people are really struggling with the lack of social connectedness right now, and I am sorry for the many that #thestruggleisreal.
It doesn’t mean that I love doing everything alone — no. It’s just that I’m okay being on my own. I’ve had a lot of practice, having lived far away from relatives for many decades (until now, although still far away from my brother and my MIL), and also spent a lot of time separated from Mr. Judy over the decades due to his work.
I think it’s a good thing to be comfortable with being by yourself; not trying to be preachy here, just that it’s a good life skill no matter what’s going on in the world.
Getting in scheduled runs
Except for the one week I was sick, I kept up with running 3 x week. Missed one long run. Didn’t really matter as I ended up not being in training mode anyway.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
Again I got spotty with recording my runs. I’ve been working on a big project for my YouTube Channel (which you can visit here), and it’s kept me very busy. Then there was that pesky COVID19 thing.
Grade Earned: B-
Dynamic Warmup
It’s (mostly) getting warmer, so I’ve been doing well with my dynamic warmup — as I wait for my Garmin to find a signal.
Grade Earned: A
Foam Rolling
I have actually been doing well with foam rolling, too. Even occasionally foam rolling on days I don’t run. My long run on Friday was physically very tough, and my hamstrings were complaining. I did yoga, I did a long foam rolling session, and I was very surprised (and happy) to wake up feeling okay the next day.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
My weight is hanging steady (even if it’s a few pounds over where I’d like it to be). I really have to stop doing my long runs at lunch time, though! By the time I get home, even with a post run snack, I’ve got a serious case of the rungries. It isn’t pretty.
Grade Earned: A-
Support
- Massage? Nope. We all know why.
- Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
- Do I need a hair appointment? Again, see above. It’s probably going to be a while. It’s been about 6 weeks since my last cut — even though that’s the “correct” amount of time for me for a cut, I very rarely get it done that often. Sometimes I go months. And I do like to grow it out a bit in the summer to braid it.
Grade Earned: B
Cross Training
I’ve been riding the stationary bike fairly regularly. I was getting back into some strength training too, though somehow I fell off of it the last week of March. I’ve done a little pilates here and there. So hard to squeeze it all in!
Grade Earned: A-
March 2020 gets . . .
. . . an A-. There’s always room for improvement, but March, despite the craziness, went pretty well.
March Goals:
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. Y. I’m going to say I met this goal — when I felt healthy. I felt meh off & on in March, so I rested when I needed to.
- Continue running 3 x week and maintaining my base. Y. Again goal met when I was feeling good. I only had one week with just one run, and only one missed long run.
- Begin to write half marathon plans. N. No reason to yet.
- Start practicing at the Yoga Studio that’s close to me. N. For obvious reasons that didn’t happen..
- Foam roll when I’m able. Y. High five for doing it pre-run and some non-running days too.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is staying pretty stable, but it’s on the high end. I wouldn’t say I’m overindulging in sweets, but I would say there have been more than I need (or burn off). Need to get a handle on that; clothes are just a tiny bit snugger.
- Meal plan on the weekends! Y. Not only did I meal plan, I even began to meal prep too. Until COVID19 hit . . . then simple grocery shopping sucked up a lot more time than usual.
- Maybe a shorter race? N. Again, not my fault. I had actually planned to try for a new-to-me race; it was not to be.
Which leads me to April Goals:
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. I’m really shooting for those 3 x week, even if one session is just 10 minutes.
- Continue running 3 x week, adding in more mileage. I’ve slowly been adding distance to my runs, both the long runs and the midweek runs.
- Plan out long runs (in case I run the June half). I like to look at the race date, and work backwards from there. Even for the June half, it’s time — starting early gives me that wiggle room.
- Release my 21 Days of Yoga Challenge! Um, maybe. Depends on what happens in life. I’ve been thrown some curve balls with this, again, but we’re getting closer to it.
- Foam roll when I’m able. Would love to foam roll at least occasionally on days that I don’t run.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Although I’d love to drop just a little weight, I’m still maintaining fairly well.
- Carve out a time to read non-fiction daily. I read fiction (for the most part) before I go to sleep. I have a lot of nonfiction books waiting for me. Something always seems to get in the way of setting a regular time during the day to just read. Maybe the first step is to decide how long I will give myself.
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
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Well done on achieving your March goals! (for those that were achievable under the given circumstances).
I don’t mind being alone either…when my husband used to travel, I would spend whole weekends without talking to a single soul. And I didn’t mind one bit.
Oh, and reading non-fiction daily: love that goal!
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I have so much I want to read, but even not working, I keep myself busy so it’s still hard to find the time! Which is totally my choice, of course, and I’m lucky that I can make that choice.
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Wow, March was a pretty good month for you even under less than perfect circumstances. Your goals are very motivating and realistic. Here’s to an awesome April despite the chaos going on in the world.
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Thanks, Emily. I hope you have a good April, present circumstances nonithstanding.
There are many things we can’t control in life, but many that we can. I try to (mostly) focus on the things I can control.
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March has felt like the longest month ever. When I look back on posts from earlier this month, they were full of hope and anticipation. Now, I feel dread. Hoping for April to bring some optimism back into our world.
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Times are going to be tough, there’s no doubt. I heard that Chicago is a hot spot. While NYC is, not all of NY is, thankfully.
In general, though, I’m a pretty positive person (of course I have my not so positive moments), so I continue to be grateful for my many blessings.
And very grateful that I don’t work in health care. Glad that you are able to telework, Wendy!
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As the others have said, you had a pretty good month.
I think everyone at one time or another has been alone and able to cope. I certainly have.
The hardest part of this lock down is not knowing when it will end. And the anxiety of if some you know and love will get sick. Fingers crossed that this will not happen but it does make it hard to fall asleep at night.
Grateful for technology that allows us to at least see people.
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Even though I have loved ones at higher risk, I keep worry to a minimum (meditation helps a lot, as does running & walking), and prefer to focus on the good & hope & pray for the best.
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Outdoor activity does help me. Still impossible not to worry. So many people suffering and dying.
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❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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All things considered, I think that you had a really solid month. March has not only felt like the longest month ever, but the most emotionally draining as well!
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I know, just when I thought things couldn’t get worse . . . still in general I remain pretty happy most of the time. Life can still be good, if you choose it.
I feel much better now, knock on wood I stay that way, so hoping April is another good month despite the craziness of the world.
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Great job with those March goals! It’s been a crazy month so an A- is really good. I’m an introvert so pretty ok with being alone too. But even I have to admit I’m glad I have people with me in the house for social isolation 🙂
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Introverts will come out of this stronger, right?
I am glad that I have Mr. Judy & the dogs. There was a chance that Mr. Judy might not have been here due to a work project, but it fell through before everything happened. Which in retrospect is a good thing.
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I remember last month I was getting ready for my half marathon in Atlanta. How much has happened/changed these past couple of weeks. 😦 I also like being alone. Despite coming from a big family, I enjoy my alone time. Here’s to hoping that things are better in April!
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Yes, I’m at the very lest looking forward to longer days — ad the occasional warmer day, which is still not happening a whole lot unfortunately. But I was able to shoot some video outside yesterday & that was lovely!
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March certainly threw us for a loop. Great job on getting through it! I agree with you on being alone. I don’t crave alone time (well, on occasion I might LOL), but I don’t have a prob entertaining myself if I’m “safe” at home. I’m really hoping a lot of others will learn that skill after this crisis has passed.
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Unfortunately I don’t think the people who don’t like being alone are going to learn to like it. I’ve just seen how important that is — when you get everything from external sources, you struggle mightily as you age (often anyway) when you can no longer do the things you define yourself by.
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It doesn’t take long for my hair to reach disaster level. It is going to be ridiculous come ,,,, June? And that’s assuming I can get an appointment when everyone else wants one, and that my stylist is still in business …. We haven’t done any take-out yet. I’m going to be suggesting we support our favorite pizza place soon.
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Since I wear my hair medium length, I can braid it or pull it back in a ponytail (which is why I no longer cut it short).
However, when the layers grow out it definitely doesn’t look great, but I let that happen often anyway.
Mr. Judy is a little funny, getting freaked out by grocery shopping but still wants to do the restaurant delivery.
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It sure has been an interesting month! I am also ok with being alone. However, taking care of a 1 year old means I rarely get any alone time these days. Its all good though, he keeps me entertained. I haven’t had a haircut since last June. I guess it doesn’t matter right now since I just wear it up everyday now.
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My hair is curly, so would definitely be frightening if I let it go that long. Although I think I had a stint of like 5 months while I was going back & forth for my parents.
I’ll bet you’re too tired to be missing other people too much — a 1 yr old for sure will keep you entertained!
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I can’t believe March is over! It feels like forever! But you rocked your goals and got it all done and I am so proud of you!
We haven’t had any takeout food in FOREVER. I am so over eating things I have cooked. I have lost interest in snacks. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. 😦
April is going to be better!
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I think April will be better & worse. But you have to roll with the things you can’t control & pray for the best.
We normally eat out once a week, so delivery (we have’t done actual takeout, except my one stop at the bakery) was fairly normal — especially in Winter, sometimes I really just don’t feel like changing just to go out in the cold!
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Having grown up out in the country in the middle of nowhere and not have playdates or a sibling close to my age, I learned to entertain myself at an early age so, like you, I’m dealing with this social distancing very well. With that being said, I miss hanging out with my family and friends!
I think you had a great month! Good job!
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Thanks, Debbie. I did have a sibling close to me in age (and one 7 years older, not so close, but we’re much closer — in relationship — now).
I also lived in suburbia, and while I never had a large group of friends, I always had a few close ones.
Being ok on your own is a really good life skill! Not just tolerating it, but truly being ok with it.
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March went pretty well for you! I was also doing really well with my meal planning and prepping until 2 weeks ago. Now everything seems out of whack. It is a good time to focus on foam rolling and stretching more. I am usually a very social person so lots of changes for me but I have my whole family home which is nice (most of the time) thanks for linking up
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I have noticed a huge difference in how I feel since I’ve been foam rolling again.
The main reason I’ve fallen off the meal prepping is I’ve actually been really busy! But it makes a huge difference (as we ended up eating dinner almost an hour and a half later than normal last night, LOL).
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