August was relatively busy in a good way. 2 trips to mom, one with a side trip. More day trips. Slight increase in running. Slight increase in walking, too. Made an effort to get in more steps. I collected my mug from June’s virtual xc runs (with a side trip on that trip too).
August’s song is throwin’ it way back, but man I remember belting this song out when I was young. It’s a classic — Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman”.
You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
These lyrics really speak to me! Do you still have goals? Has 2020 broken you or made you stronger? Do you feel that you’ve grown because of every thing you’ve gone through in 2020?
Getting in scheduled runs
I’ve slowly begun to try for 4 runs a week — some weeks, anyway. When I feel like it. So upping the ante just a bit. A virtual race (in September) isn’t the same as a real race, but I can still challenge myself a bit.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
I record them here. Someday I’ll get back to journaling!
Grade Earned: F
Dynamic Warmup
Dynamic warmups were often really short — 5 minutes — but every little bit helps. As we merge into Fall and the mornings are cooler, it should be easier to do longer warmups. And necessary with cooler temps!
I’ve even done a little Yin Yoga some mornings before a run. In fact, I’ve also filmed three short Yin Yoga Pre Run Warmup videos! I was inspired. Not quite sure yet when I’ll be sharing those.
Grade Earned: A
Foam Rolling
Mostly just foam rolling before runs — once or twice after a run too.
Grade Earned: B+
Nutrition
Nutrition has been meh. Not terrible, not great, and the scale reflects that. I already feel the pull of wanting to eat more as the weather heads towards Winter. It’s natural . . . but some clothes are feeling a wee bit snug, sometimes (because I go back & forth around a few pounds).
Grade Earned: B-
Support
- Massage? Nope. We all know why.
- Chiropractor Appointment? See massage.
- Do I need a hair appointment? I need to schedule that appointment. We are in a very good situation with COVID right now, but I could see that changing with more time spent indoors and school restarting.
Grade Earned: F
Cross Training
Stationary cycling fell off the grid this month, but the rest is still going pretty strong. There’s only so many hours in a day & I find I need to be careful not to overdo things.
Grade Earned: A
August 2020 gets . . .
. . . an A. A couple of Fs again, but mostly August was a busy month and I did the best I could with the time I had and by listening to my body.
August Goals:
- Run 4 x week. Y/N. Sometimes. Some weeks I just wasn’t feeling it, so I didn’t. Other weeks, I did.
- Set an intention for each run. Y. Sometimes it’s after the fact, though. Not as effective that way. I need to work on that!
- Finish the irest course I started. Y. I did, then discovered that there was an audio book version on Audible. So I bought that (I’ve got a lot of credits), because I enjoy the practices (which are included with the audio book).
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. I’m trying, but it’s crept up just a bit beyond where I’m comfortable. It seems the Winter creep has started early. So Y to eating intuitively; unfortunately Y to creep, too. I mostly know what I need to do — but I need to do it. #youfeelme?
- Add in more Pilates when I can.Y.I feel that Pilates does helps to shape my body. Yoga can be really tough, but most Pilates (done correctly) is tough in a different way. They are similar, but not the same, and I enjoy both. The problem is always time!
Which leads me to September Goals:
- Run 4 x week. It all depends on how I feel. I’m enjoying the Peloton Bootcamps and runs — still have to try one of the walk/runs — so it adds a little variety to my life. Plus the weather should make outdoor running more fun again.
- Set an intention for each run — before the run! It’s not really an intention if you set it afterwards, now is it?
- Meditate when I get up. Meditating first thing in the morning is centering and sets me up for a calmer morning.
- Explore new places when I visit my mom. There are quite a few places that are pretty much on the way. Easier to explore on my own, and then size up if it’s somewhere we want to go back to.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. In the last few months my choices haven’t always been the best. I can feel that in some of my clothes — and I don’t like that feeling!
- Look around for the next virtual to motivate me. I don’t need to do #allthevirtuals, but it’s not bad to have something to work towards sometimes. Makes life feel a bit more normal. The cool Fall weather is my fun season to run (if it’s not raining).
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 August, Judy! More running, more walking and day trips! Very nice indeed!
I love that photo with you on your hike. It looks like you have great hiking places nearby.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the weight creep – as long as you are monitoring it, it’s under your control. I’m sure your weight will soon be back to where you want it.
Have a great September!
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You did well on your goals! I got a hair cut two weeks ago — I had to do it before my September conferences, which are virtual but Zoom close-ups couldn’t hide my lopsided self-service bangs 😉
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I don’t have bangs, but I really do need to make the appointment. I’ve got a busy week next week because I’m going to do a bit of catsitting for a friend. She’s not far away, but she’s also not in my neighborhood.
It’ll probably take me longer than that to get an appointment anyway!
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Another good month.
Virtuals don’t motivate me because I don’t race them. It’s good that they do help you.
I’ve had 3 haircuts already. I just can’t let it go.
And the weight thing. ??? Only been wearing running clothes. Time will tell if I ever wear normal pants. Lol.
Can’t believe it’s September. I want a summer rest-do.
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We had plenty of summer, and I’m sure it’s not completely over yet either. Gotta appreciate what you have, right?
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Yup. It could be worse. Not a single weekend of long runs rained out.
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* re-do but maybe I do need a rest. Not from running but from work!!
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You made August work, good for you (as you know, my was a bit of a train wreck LOL). I’m glad I have been able to ride my bike, but I am really missing my runs. I’m especially missing my daily walks…who would have thought those simple walks could be such a big part of one’s day? It’s nice to see all the hiking you’ve done!
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At least you started out August strong! I love to walk, always have, so I would absolutely miss walks, too. I’m so sorry that this has happened to you, Kim. But glad that you have another activity you can do!
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You did great in August. I’d say, the two “Fs” that you gave yourself are negotiable. These things sometimes fall by the wayside and you did so great overall with the runs and foam rolling and all.
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Thank you! Those Fs have been a constant almost all year long, but it is what it is. I really do need to make that hair appointment though!
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I think alot of us have grown in different ways this year, even if we didn’t really want to. I’ve learned to be more flexible because I had no other choice. Looks like you did great in August! I am at the point where I may just cut my own hair. I wear it up all the time anyway, so I’m not too worried about how it will look.
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I’m definitely not cutting my own hair! It’s layered, so it’s complicated. It’s definitely time so I need to make that appointment! Then I can go another three quarters of a year, LOL.
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I don’t know if I have grown the last few months but I have come to learn and appreciate what and who is really important to me.I’ve definitely been more able to roll with things more. I have gotten my hair cut twice and I felt really comfortable w the measures they had in place. I will also need to focus on getting my nutrition back in check this month.
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It definitely sounds like you’ve grown a lot! You’re doing great, Deborah.
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I’ve always had a pretty positive outlook but I feel like that’s been tested this year. I have to really work hard to not be negative and to practice an attitude of gratitude.
You did a great job this month and I hope that you have a great September!
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Thanks, Kim! You wouldn’t be human if your attitude hadn’t been tried this year. September looks like it’s gonna be another busy month! Thank God for *some* cooler weather, right?
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Great month for you Judy!
These past few months have been challenging and hard for everyone. I think we are somewhat settled in a new routine until things improve or get back to normal. Who knows when that will be.
I like to be positive but sometimes my mind wanders and thinks negative instead. It is draining and does not help at all.
Have a great September!
Thank you for linking up with us!
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I think we all want to be positive, but sometimes it’s hard even in the best of times, & it’s not the best of times!
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Exactly!
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