Fighting Stronger: December 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

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No races for me in December, virtual or otherwise. I did have a pretty well rounded fitness routine for most of December, including shoveling!

This month’s song selection: who doesn’t love Rachel Patton? I probably already used her, but I think it’s totally appropriate for going into 2021, because the COVID vaccines allow us to take back our power and fight back — along with giving us hope for a better new normal. We’re all weary of fighting, but we just have to stay the course and believe:

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

Running inside, outside, seeing new “friends”

Getting in scheduled runs
We finally got the really big storm we almost always get in December. That makes running more difficult — there are few places to get in more than a few miles, and often the streets are slippery due to snowmelt that refreezes. Not to mention shoveling all that snow is tiring & a multiday affair! Then there’s juggling my trips to my mom, which I do twice a month (if it’s open). I may not be running #allthemiles but I’m still running, outside & in.

Grade Earned:  A+

I started using my planner again. But not for runs.

Recording my runs
I record them here. Someday I’ll get back to journaling!

Grade Earned: Incomplete (due to pandemic)

Dynamic Warmup
Still going strong with warmups. Generally I do the dynamic warmup inside, unless I go somewhere, and then walk a bit before I start my run. Mainly because we live on a dead end and it’s usually not cleared great and still pretty slushy/icy for a while.

Grade Earned: A+

Foam Rolling
I continue to make foam rolling (or some form of myofascial release) an almost daily occurrence.

Grade Earned: A+

Nutrition
Nutrition has been okay. Not great, not terrible. I definitely suffer from SAD (seasonal affective order) — or maybe it’s my low vitamin D levels — but too often I just don’t want to cook. Or maybe the reality is I just don’t want to clean up! Still maintaining, though, so not terrible.

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: I

Cross Training
I’m doing pretty good with cross training. Still walking — not as much as I was, but still out there most days (in addition to pacing in my house when my Garmin says I need to move). Some indoor cycling. Strength training. Still on my AM Yoga streak. I think it’s over 2 months now.

Grade Earned: A+

December 2020  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. Except for a few extra pounds and chafing at a restricted life due to COVID and Winter, in general things are good.

December Goals:

  • Continue to run 3 x week + 1 cycle class. Y. I do struggle with getting in that cycling. Mainly because I feel like it should be a recovery workout, and somehow I am still struggling with how that fits in my week.
  • Choose a word for 2021. Y/N.  I have not yet chosen my word, but it’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about. Stay tuned!
  • More strength training! Y. This has been a goal for a while. I feel as though I should be doing more, but I am proud to say I’ve been doing two Pahla B strength workouts a week; they’re usually about 30 minutes. 
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I’m maintaining. A little higher than I’d like to, but it’s not terrible. Doing my best to make peace with that. Having a partner who truly doesn’t care about his own nutrition/fitness — it makes it more difficult. I know some of you feel me on that. Ultimately we’re in charge of what we put into our bodies.

Which leads me to January Goals:

  • Continue to run 3 x week + 1 cycle class. I’m ok with running 3 x week, but I do feel my body could benefit from something other than walking & hiking, and both walking and hiking are harder to get in during Winter.
  • Focus on endurance. This began in December. With no races anywhere in sight for me in the beginning of the year, it’s time to feel strong. In my body and my runs. Let’s hope Winter doesn’t make me endure the wrong things! Doesn’t mean there can’t be a little speed here and there.
  • Continue to strength train 2 x week. It’s important for women of a certain age (ok, all women!) to fight against muscle loss.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. There was some holiday creep. Not initially, a few days afterward. Weird. Anyway, gotta keep those clothes fitting.. 

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Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with the new Runners’ Roundup linkup.

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26 thoughts on “Fighting Stronger: December 2020”

  3. Well done on your December goals, Judy!
    I think you are right about strength training. I find now at 52 I have to do a LOT more strength training than at 32. Actually, I don’t think I even did anything at 32.

    Eating healthy when your partner isn’t enthusiastic about it is really hard. Just keep at it! He might join you one day, you never know! 😉

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    1. Thanks, Catrina! I would be very shocked if Mr. Judy ever came around in the eating department. He has made improvement, though, so I’m happy for that.

      Interesting what you say about doing more ST. I don’t necessarily think it’s about more (at least for me), but it is about being more consistent with it — I finally nailed that goal in the last month of the year, LOL!

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  4. As always you are disciplined with running even without racing.

    Not wanting to cook is a reality even if we love winter and have high D levels. You probably do more than most of us.

    At least the snow has melted. Hope it stays away so maybe the bike paths will be clear.

    It’s not even January and winter seems long lol.

    That song is one I turn to when a run is tough.

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    1. Definitely not cooking enough lately. Which isn’t great for me, or Mr. Judy really, frozen food has too much sodium for us both!

      Shorter runs aren’t as tough. Well, most of the time. My last 4 miles seemed really tough, even though it was ultimately a good run.

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      1. I think genetics comes into play unfortunately more than a healthy lifestyle. But you can’t change your DNA.

        I don’t ever buy frozen dinners but I do just throw things in a pot or pan (and they may or may not be healthy options – we eat meat most of time). My hubby has been known to eat cereal for dinner or ice cream lol (if I don’t cook something). We have different schedules so we don’t eat at the same time. Glad he plays a lot of tennis to balance out his unhealthy habits.

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  5. Even though I cook every day I feel like lately my meals have just been lazier- like lots of pasta type dishes. Which is fine, but I could use some more veggies in my life! And now that Christmas is over I could probably do without quite so many cookies. Hope you have a good start to 2021!

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    1. Thank you Lisa! Same to you on 2021!

      Haha, I’m making pasta for lunch today. And it’s basically a rest day. Or maybe I should make something different (although I have to make the sauce since I’ve already defrosted the ground turkey).

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  6. Well done in December 😉 You’ve been a great role model for all of us with your yoga and foam rolling. The stress fracture recovery has really kept me accountable in foam rolling and warm-up/cool-down. I was doing all of these before, but wasn’t very consistent. We made it though 2020, but let’s hope for a much better 2021!

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    1. Well, obviously it’s no secret I love Yoga — have for a very long time. And I love the way it makes me feel!

      I’m taking a myofascial release course right now, and may take another one in Jan — I definitely believe that makes a huge difference!

      I think we are all due for a great year, but it’s going to take a while to kick in, I’m guessing. 😦

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  7. Sounds like I have some of the same issues with my husband that you have with yours in the kitchen. We just eat different things but together and it seems to work for us. I believe I have chosen my word as well. Way to finish the month strong!

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    1. Actually I’m still working on my word!

      Basically I cook one meal, although there are days I make more, and then Mr. Judy is on his own. He offers to cook for me, which is nice, but unfortunately what he wants to cook often isn’t what I want.

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  8. Every time I hear ‘Fight Song’ I instantly smile. Such a great song and a strong message, especially or this year.

    Awesome job on your December goals and i love your January goals too – I still need to think about mine.

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  9. I’m looking forward to seeing which word you selected. You’ve set good goals too. I had to laugh when I read about a hair appointment – I called for one today, because I really, really need to get my highlights done. I can’t get in until Jan 15th. oops!! I should not have procrastinated. I hope you have a great start to 2021!

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    1. I’m still working on my word, too! Otherwise I’d probably have posted about it already. I really chose wisely somehow this year, and really kept it in mind.

      I have considered several, and I think I’m on the right track, but the right one hasn’t clicked yet.

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  12. That song should be the world anthem going into 2021!! What a solid December for you Judy! A few extra pounds this month is usually to be expected but the attitude you’ve had throughout the year will get you right back on track in no time. I need to get a lot more consistent with my nutrition. Some days are good and others are just train wrecks! LOL. Wishing you and Mr Judy an awesome start to the new year. I hope 2021 is a bit gentler on all of us!

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    1. A few extra pounds in Winter (which it is for us now) is to be expected. But having lost 40 lbs multiple times in my life, I always have to be careful not to let it get out of hand.

      Thank you, Shathiso. A very Happy New Year to you, too!

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  13. I am doing a lot more strength workouts at home with the Peloton app than I did in the before times. I feel like 2020 was all out and I need to figure out a better balance for 2021.

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