April continued to be a challenging month. It would really help to have Spring-like weather, but it’s not unusual for us to miss out on Spring and unfortunately this was another year that that’s true.
The flowers are blooming, the trees are slowly beginning to leaf out, the lawns are greening up, every once in a while we come across a blue Robin’s egg. Sure signs that there is a season to everything, and that there’s always hope in the world if you look for it.
Taking a slight break from songs with strong in the title, to songs with strong in the lyrics with Mariah Carey’s “Hero”:
So when you feel like all hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
You know I’m all about looking within (yup, that’s what GoWithYin Yoga is a play on). Or as Dorothy had to learn, the power is within you all along.
Getting in scheduled runs
Although I still seemed to struggle with recovery from runs, unlike March, I didn’t miss any runs. So there’s that. Can’t really decide if I need to train for the June half or not. I caught a video from one of the coaches saying he’s still training as if it will not be cancelled.
I am having a hard time deciding if it’s really worth upping my mileage right now. Considering it’s a race where they have to bus you up a mountain . . . even if they decided to hold it, I can’t see doing it. It may be a #firstworldproblem, but yes, it makes me sad.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
Pretty much total failure. I guess because I was so busy with 21 Days of Yoga.
Grade Earned: F
Dynamic Warmup
I’ve been very good about the dynamic warmup. It’s all part of the great nasal breathing experiment.
Grade Earned: A+
Foam Rolling
I’ve been great with foam rolling too. I got back to foam rolling most days, sometimes twice a day on the days I run. I just realized how much better I feel when I do it.
Grade Earned: A+
Nutrition
I don’t really feel as though I’ve been eating that badly, although I notice feeling hungrier than usual. My weight stayed pretty steady through April, although there was an uptick last week. Maybe it’s because I’m running slower? Fewer miles? Or is it just stress?
Grade Earned: B
Support
- Massage? Nope. We all know why.
- Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
- Do I need a hair appointment? Again, see above. I suppose I should take this section out, it ain’t happening in the near future (although the chiropractor is open).
Grade Earned: F
Cross Training
I’ve been doing fairly well with the cross training: Yoga, strength training, stationary bike, dogwalks. I haven’t been hitting it hard, my body just hasn’t felt up to that for whatever reason.
Grade Earned: A
April 2020 gets . . .
. . . an A-. I guess for a lot of us in April it became apparent we’re in this for the long haul.
April Goals:
- Strength train 2 – 3x week. Y. I’m fairly certain I got in at least 2 strength training sessions a week. I often wanted to do more, but my body just kept asking for rest.
- Continue running 3 x week, adding in more mileage. Y. I upped my middweek runs but kept my long run the same distance — until last weekend, when I did 9 miles.
- Plan out long runs (in case I run the June half). N. Came to the conclusion one way or another the race is not happening.
- Foam roll when I’m able. Y. High five for doing it pre-run, post-run, and most non-running days too.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is creeping up just a little. Maybe all I really need is some Vitamin D in the form of sunshine. Sunshine makes everything better, right?
- Release my 21 Days of Yoga Challenge! Y. I had no idea how much work this would be when the idea came to me shortly after my Dad passed. Thank you to everyone who gave it a try!
- Carve out a time to read non-fiction daily. Y. Not too surprisingly, mostly Yoga related. Still so much to learn.
Which leads me to May Goals:
- Add in Lean & Lovely once a week. This is more of a push program with kettlebells I’ve had great results with in the past. I need to lift a little heavier — occasionally. Otherwise I still love working out with Pahla B here. I’m just in awe of how much material she continually shares.
- Continue running 3 x week, adding in more mileage. I’m not sure how much mileage I’ll be adding in. Maybe I’ll go up to 10 miles. Maybe I won’t. Stay tuned.
- Strength Train 2-3 x week. That’s my gold standard. Listening to my body is the most important thing.
- Explore a backbend course in one of the Yoga memberships I have. I can’t do wheel. I can do Camel, I can do Bow, but Wheel still eludes me. It may just be a strength problem, but I know that backbends are good for me, so it seems like a good goal. It could take me a long time to good there, but you already know I’m patient. Besides it totally jives with my Strong theme for 2020. How did I know we’d all need to be so strong?
- Continue almost daily foam rolling. It’s amazing how much of a difference this makes for me.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. A slight uptick on the weight the end of March. Just a couple of pounds can make a big difference in how my clothes fit (yup, that’s what happens when you’re 5’1″ — happy I haven’t started to shrink yet!).
- Take the tests for the online Reiki course I’m doing. Okay, I admit Reiki is a bit woo-woo even for me. I try to keep an open mind about things, and for me, it’s not always about the science. I find it really fascinating, though, and I like learning. I might sign up for the animal Reiki course too. Couldn’t hurt, those furkids ain’t getting any younger.
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Well done on the April goals! You must be the foam rolling queen! (Note to self: I still need to foam roll today). You have a nicely balanced program. I had to look up what Reiki was – yes, a bit woo-woo, I’m interested to see what your takeaway will be. Keep us posted! 😊👍🏻
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Reiki definitely seems woo-woo, but OTOH, there is some science to back it up, too, interestingly.
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You are very consistent. The pandemic has not affected your fitness routine other than a cancelled race.
Congrats on your yoga challenge.
I can’t wait for this to be over and be able to run with others. It has affected my running and my morale. And I’m not even self isolating except for working from home.
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It hasn’t effected my fitness routine because of the reason I exercise: to age better. To live better. Knowing your why always helps!
Working from home is a huge change for you.
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mental health is just as important and that’s where friends and running come into my life. I feel good physically (never get sick knock on wood).
I am trying to keep a work routine though. I shower, brush my teeth and get dressed before I go on the computer (in my home lol) and even wear make up for a video call.
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I’m one of those people who will keep running even without a race on the calendar. I need it! Your goals are really good. I’ve heard a lot about Reiki but I’ve never done it. I’ll be curious too see how it goes. I used to be able to do wheel–before RA. I had to stop because it really hurt my wrists. Of all things…lol
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Great job with getting that foam rolling in there! I still haven’t been doing it and need to get better about it. The 21 days of yoga has really been helping out with the stretching at least 🙂
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It’s so easy to skip foam rolling. But I feel better when I do it. I still skip it sometimes, too!
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You had a great month, Judy! Consistent with everything, especially foam rolling. I’m pretty consistent rolling now, too…and (knock wood) I haven’t had any weird kinks or tweaks in along time. My marathon is Sept. 19th, so I’ll be starting “official” training late June/early July. My mileage stays in the 20-25 miles/week, when I’m not in training, so I’ve just been maintaining. My Monday time trials have upped my recent mileage a bit, though.
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My races have been cancelled (one I never signed up for, but still felt its loss). It’s sad, but obviously if that’s the worst that happens, I’m very lucky.
You’re absolutely consistent too, Kim!
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Great job with your goals in April! I had a massage scheduled in March that has been indefinitely cancelled, sigh! That’s awesome that foam rolling has become so routine. I just realized that I haven’t touched mine in weeks, no wonder I’ve been feeling “off” lately! I need make a similar goal!
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I had gotten away from more frequent foam rolling, but then I did some extra & just realized how good it made me feel. 🙂
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You have been really consistent this month. Well done on your goals. Also missing the massage and prof stretches but this is forcing me to do more stretching on my own which is also good.
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At least the husband gives me backrubs. 🙂 I’d return the favor but he’s not interested — I really don’t understand him sometimes!
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Solid month for you Judy! My chiropractor just reopened his office. I’m not sure what to think about that. I suppose he needs the business and if one has an emergency…
That’s one great looking poke bowl!
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My chiro was deemed essential so they’ve been open all this time. One of them did have to quarantine when her daughter was exposed (they were all fine).
I know I could use an adjustment, but yeah, not happening.
The poke bowl was amazing. I’ll definitely be having that again!
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My chiropractor is open but I don’t plan to go, especially because I don’t have anyone else to watch my son and I wouldn’t want to bring him with me. But I would definitely like an adjustment! I am also desperate for a haircut, but at least I can just put it up every day!
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I’d love an adjustment and even though I want to support them — no, I don’t plan to be going anytime soon.
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I can’t see a June race happening, especially in the northeast. It looks like you did well on all the goals you had control over! I’ve been really good about being some sort of dynamic warm-up before my runs, even if Scooby gets impatient!
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The race was in OR. But nope, cancelled.
I used to pick up Bandit at the end of my runs, so he didn’t have to wait through the warmup. Although when I first started running with him, we went longer. I think I just did my warmup in the house.
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A solid month for you. We have 2 similar goals: continue running every other day and adding in more mileage; Continue to eat intuitively (my weight is always the same).
Here, in Italy, for sure, no races until next year.
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Great job on all of your April goals Judy!
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Thanks, Kim!
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I love reading your monthly recap and your upcoming goals. You did great in April! I struggled in April but it is what it is. I cannot turn back time. 🙂 I am looking forward to May. A new month is always motivating. I am very late in responding. Thanks for linking up with us!
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It’s been a hard time for everyone. We all react in different ways.
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