Remember my word for 2021? If you don’t, it’s clear and you can read about it here. The last few years I used song lyrics each month that used my word — or maybe just the feeling I wanted to convey. In 2021 I’m just using quotes. I like to do something like this because then I can actually stay clear on my word!
It’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.
–Thich Nhat Hanh
Obviously I’m a resting and relaxing champion, especially in January! All that rest did allow me to get clear on some goals and launch my Yoga Website here (in case you’re new to this blog).
Getting in scheduled runs
Good thing there was no scheduled runs. There was pretty much no running in January at all. I will get back to running, but I know my body and I know that just wasn’t what I needed. With the pressure of training off, I felt no guilt at all about not running. I never expected to take this long a break though! I did start the year off running, and I ended January with just a smidgeon of running.
Grade Earned: A (for listening to my body)/C- (actual running)
Recording my runs
I am actually back to using a planner. A smaller one, less things to fill out (although sometimes I wish there was more room), so yes, what little running I did got recorded.
Grade Earned: A
Dynamic Warmup
I think I may have slacked on this on the few runs I did, but I honestly don’t remember.
Grade Earned: B
Foam Rolling
There is daily foam rolling going on! I took a course in myofascial release, and I have another one booked for the end of this month. It came in so handy when my shoulder was painful! Thankfully that didn’t last long, thanks to the self myofascial release (SMR). Can’t wait to share some of that with you! Basically I do some SMR and foam rolling pretty much every morning before I do my Yoga.
Grade Earned: A+
Nutrition
Nutrition was actually very good. I’m pretty good about trying to eat very healthy when I don’t feel well because I know that is helpful. It didn’t hurt that when I was sick initially (way back at the beginning of the month), I wasn’t terribly hungry.
Grade Earned: A
Support
Normally this is where I remind myself to go to the chiropractor, the hair dresser, and get a massage. I think I’m just going to delete this section going forward! The only good thing about not doing those things is the $$ we’ve saved.
Cross Training
Well, there’s been a lot of Yoga and even when I still wasn’t feeling 100% I only missed a couple of days of walking Bandit. As I got better there were some days when we only walked him a short amount (due to cold), so sometimes I went on to walk longer solo.
Grade Earned: A+
January 2021 gets . . .
. . . an A. For effort. I did the things I knew my body needed. I didn’t meet my goals, but it’s just silly to push for no reason when you’re not feeling well.
January Goals:
- Continue to run 3 x week + 1 cycle class. N. It wasn’t the right choice for me this month.
- Focus on endurance. Y/N. Y, when I actually ran, LOL!
- Continue to strength train 2 x week N. This may actually have been behind when I tweaked my shoulder — twice in just a few days! — doing Yoga. I kept up with my AM Yoga, which does actually do quite a bit of bodyweight moves, but clearly I wasn’t quite in shoulder weight bearing shape.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. It’s easy to eat healthier when you’re just not hungry (don’t worry, the appetite is definitely back) — although some people go for the unhealthy kind of comfort food when they’re sick. I know that won’t help me feel better. Even with minimal activity, I maintained my weight.
Which leads me to February Goals:
- Get back to running 3 x week. Not quite sure what that’ll look like right now. Maybe it’ll only be 2 x week in the beginning. Not sure. Just going to try and take it slow and ease back in.
- Listen to what my body is telling me. I don’t feel like I was pushing too hard at all before I got sick, but something is always out of balance when you get ill. I’m going to ease back in — not just in distance and pace, but maybe even the amount of days I work out. Someday I’ll actually get clear on what balance looks like for me!
- Ease back into strength training. I think that’s always my problem — I want to do it all: Running. Cycling. Swimming. Yoga. Strength Training. Pilates. Maybe this will be starting out with a couple of ten minute workouts a week — maybe even just one.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Always a goal. Over the years I’ve gotten much better at it, but it’s always a work in progress.
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 your January goals and listening to your body, Judy! It’s the way to go to avoid injury.
I am fascinated by all your foam rolling tools. Not only that, you have a nice set of weights, too!
So exciting about the SMR course. If the vibrating thingy works I think I should get one, too.
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All those tools have been slowly added over the last 10 years — there’s actually a few more, but they weren’t downstairs, LOL!
I’ll actually get some doubles with the tools they send you, but I figure now I can have some upstairs & some downstairs — just makes it easier to get it done!
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Being sick does suck. But as you said, no races so not running was not crucial.
And you had more time for indoor activities such as yoga and your website.
My only goal which isn’t really a goal is to run the miles as time allows and get outside every day for either walking or hiking. So I’m happy with 2021 so far. At least for running.
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I wasn’t very sick for very long, really, but I was very tired for a long time.
I am ok with not getting out occasionally. Although today it’ll be for shoveling.
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My hubby used the snowblower so I can get out later. I do need to shovel out my hot tub at some point before the next storm.
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He’ll be using the snowblower later — but there are areas it can’t do, like front steps, pitstops for Bandit in backyard, getting closer down by end of driveway so it’s not a sheet of ice, etc.
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He did it before work and so I feel bad but he’ll have to repeat it later. If you work, you get out of snow shoveling chores lol
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Well done! We all need to be better about listening to our bodies, and you set a fine example 😉 I have been foam rolling (and “stick” rolling) a lot more this past year, and especially in recent months. My hammies were so sore after my 5K on Saturday, but after just 10 minutes of rolling, they felt almost like new.
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Well, you are definitely a great example of listening to your body, too, Kim — I’m just sorry you’ve had to do that so much in the last few years.
Foam rolling just does a body good. 🙂 Maybe my shoulder would have healed as quickly without it, but I doubt it, because it was very painful!
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You had a really productive January! I’ve been focusing on getting in pre and post stretching after my workouts. I’m also trying to get better about active rest days too.
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Great job getting in those pre & post run stretches! I know it’s SO tempting to skip them (me too!) but they really do make a difference.
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Congrats on your goals! I am currently sick and it has made me reset my expectations, which is definitely not a bad thing! I have to ease my way into February and not put too much pressure on things. Like you, I like to do it all!
Congrats on the yoga site, it looks great!
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I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling well, Janelle. Feel better soon!
I find it easier to ease back in in Winter. Plus I was just very fatigued for a long time. Hope that’s not the case for you!
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Good job for January! Every month I say that I am going to do a better job of foam rolling and never do it. I get home and then quickly shower/drink something so I can head out for work.
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I foam roll before I run — found when I did it after it was easier to skip. It’s actually supposedly better to do before anyway!
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Great job with your goals! It sounds like you’ve been smart about listening to your body. I am pretty good about foam rolling but it used to be a daily habit and isn’t anymore. It would be great to get back to that!
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Oh, I definitely go through periods when foam rolling is daily & then slack off. Life happens! Always feels better when I do it, for sure v
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I am terrible at resting and relaxing. Even when I have down time, I am still doing something.
I think I have been doing intuitive eating, and to be honest, I’m just not as hungry. Or maybe the pandemic has left me not as hungry. I’m not sure. But I haven’t been snacking or eating between meals, and I haven’t been eating as much at those meals. I guess if it’s working…
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I find when I’m busy working on stuff i live to do I eat less naturally. Most of the time I’m not a big snacker but if I’m hungry I’ll snack.
I enjoy relaxing but there seems to be a lot of care taking in my life. Although nothing compared to raising kids, especially now!
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I respect and admire how well you are intune with your body and give yourself what you need. It will serve you well!
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Well something was out of balance or I wouldn’t have been sick. Can never seem to figure out that part.
Once I am sick though I know not to push.
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Ah perfect, because i’m reading this on my day off, lying on the couch under a quilt with a hot cup of tea. I know how to rest and relax!
i’ll be really interested to hear about your SMR. I do foam rolling, but could probably do it in a more effective way.
Good luck with your running this month!
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Live a fellow runner who actually embraces resting!
I already did one course from a yoga teacher that was really good — she’s also a PT. The one at the end of the month is from Triggerpoint & I’m a big fan of their products.
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