I was very clear on trying to listen to my body and slowly ease back into activity after three weeks of pretty much just Yoga and walking. I know I lost cardiovascular fitness in that time — thanks to my Garmin automatically recording my V02 MAX — but still never really felt much DOMs as I transitioned into working out more again. Thank you Yoga!
It’s very refreshing to go away and take a break, to clear your head, and just get into something else.
— Francois Nars
I know for some people an extended break from fitness would have them climbing the walls. Breaks can be a great way to get back to what you love. To become really clear on what’s important to you. You may realize that yes, you absolutely loved what your were doing and are willing to do whatever it takes to get back to it. You may have a new found appreciation for things that you took for granted. You may realize that some of the things you thought were so important maybe aren’t quite that important.
Of course you should ease back in gently, which you can read more about at this blog post here.
Getting in scheduled runs
Still no scheduled runs. I runfess I kind of like the lack of pressure to train. That might change as the weather sloooooowly gets more conducive to running.
Grade Earned: A
Recording my runs
I’m doing fairly well with this, although sometimes it may take a few days, by which time of course I’ve forgotten most of what I felt on the run.
Grade Earned: A
Dynamic Warmup
In January I slacked on this because really — it was only a mile! Of course my shoulder injuries (thankfully short lived) showed it sometimes doesn’t take much to hurt yourself. The runs are getting a little longer, so I’ve buckled down and done it. It’s easier when running from home in the Winter, I find, rather than driving somewhere to run (somehow I feel as though I need to make up for the time lost driving and just get going which is silly).
Grade Earned: A
Foam Rolling
Still rolling pretty much every morning. As always, before runs, too.
Grade Earned: A+
Nutrition
Nutrition was pretty good, but of course a bit of birthday indulgence and with more activity, more hunger.
Grade Earned: A
Cross Training
Yoga, running, strength training, walking, a little bit of indoor cycling. I think I’m good!
Grade Earned: A+
February 2021 gets . . .
. . . an A. I didn’t know how I would feel in February (other than tired, cold — that’s just a given!) and coming back from three weeks off running so I made my goals really conservative. I know that it’s better to ease back into things rather than dive right in — less likelihood of injury or a rebound illness.
January Goals:
- Continue to run 3 x week. Y. It’s slow, it’s not very far, but it is running!
- Listen to what my body is telling me. Y. Y. For the most part. As I felt better, it’s too easy to get back into doing too much. So far so good.
- Ease back into strength training. Y. I tied this to my morning Yoga. I foam roll, I do Yoga, and then I do a very short ST session. Getting it done first thing in the morning is a great way to make sure it actually gets done.
- Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I knew I planned to indulge on my birthday, so I tried to eat pretty clean before that. It was actually easier when I wasn’t feeling well and most of the time just not super hungry. Better to feel good, obviously.
Which leads me to March Goals:
- Continue to lengthen out my long run. I might end February with 4 miles — hey, it is what it is — and quite frankly with the weather, that doesn’t really bother me anyway. I still don’t see much in the way of racing in my future, so it’s all about rebuilding my base.
- Do some longer ST. I will continue to the short practices in the morning, as it’s really working for me right now. Time to do a longer one at least a one day a week — on the days I don’t run.
- Balance + Core Challenge. I did a morning routine challenge in the Facebook group in February; I *think* March will be a balance + core challenge. Join us here.
- 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 February goals, Judy!
I know what you mean about the dynamic warm-ups being easier when you leave from home. When I drive somewhere to run I feel I “need” to start running straight away and miss the warm-up part.
That cupcake looks delicious! What was it? Chocolate? I hope you didn’t share too much of it with Mr. J!
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I gave Mr. Judy about a third of the cupcake. At Thanksgiving I ate the whole thing though! It was chocolate & peanut butter — my favorite combination.
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Well done. You are very goal oriented and follow through on things.
I pretty much drive everyday. I’m stuck in the house for work. I love varying my routes. Sometimes I can’t at lunch but then I can go walk somewhere pretty after work. Of course I could do longer runs if I just went out my door. It’s a give and take. My base is 10 miles now. And it feels good mentally stretching my limits.
Hope you stay healthy now and that the snow Melts!!
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With a fair amount of above freezing days + longer days I think the snow will melt. Takes longer on the paths though.
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That cupcake and sourdough loaf look delicious! You can tell where my head is. Ha! The first comment is about food.
Great job on meeting your February goals. I think it’s so cool that you backed away from running. It’s supposed to be fun. If you’re not feeling it, you shouldn’t be doing it. Bill and I now drive to every run. With all the snow, it’s just not safe to run from our house right now. We sometimes begin in the neighborhood right below ours, so it’s only a 2-minute drive, but it’s not the same as starting from home somehow.
I will check out your FB challenge.
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For some reason they seem to do a better job with the sanding, salting & snow removal these days. I’m going to have to drive somewhere soon though — the neighborhood gets boring! But still not a lot of options.
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Great job on getting back to your routine, Judy! As we have discussed, listening to one’s body (and not necessarily one’s mind LOL) is key. There are times when I wonder if I’m taking things too slow with my rally-back, but then I remember that I have no reason to rush anything. It’s my journey and I get to be in control.
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I think that’s actually helped me a lot — not training, no reason to push unless I feel like it. Which I often really don’t in Winter!
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Firstly, Happy Birthday to my Valentine’s Day Friend! That cupcake looks AMAZING!
I’m so bad at taking breaks — well, I’m good at taking and enjoying the actual break — it’s the return to fitness activities that is the hard part! So glad things are going well for you and you earned some solid A’s in your birthday month! Can’t believe we are already talking about March goals!
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The cupcake was good. 😊 Too bad I’m not running more right now though!
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Super smart to listen to your body and I’m glad that you were able to ease back into running with no issues. Awesome job on all of your February goals too!
I’ve been on an extended break from long distance running for a few months and I can honestly say that I don’t miss it. I am definitely enjoying shorter runs currently which allows for more strength training.
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Shorter runs rock — especially in winter! Strength is really important! I’m enjoying shorter sessions of that, too!
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Great job on your February goals! I love how motivated and dedicated you are. That bread and birthday cupcake looks yummy! Just today I told my students that I was craving something sweet. I had an apple with some Drizzle. It hit the spot!
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An apple & drizzle is a nice healthy snack!
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You did great on meeting your February goals! That cupcake looks yummy. If I didn’t tell you before, “Happy Birthday!” Love your winter wonderland picture too!
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Thank you! I’m personally happy it’s warming up a little & the snow is melting. I’ll be even happier when it’s all gone!
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Great job easing back into things! The weather was so rough this month that it wasn’t conducive to a ton of running anyway. Hopefully as you start to run more again it will warm up!
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It was warm on Wednesday, but I went to see my mom so no time to run. But warmer days are coming!
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Great job for getting back to your routine slowly and feeling good while doing it. It is a skill to know when your mind or body needs a break and to listen to it.
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Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to do, but with no serious training going on it’s easier.
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Love your socks.
Time off goes good and bad for me. When it’s by choice, such as quarantine, I’m OK. When the decision is taken from me I struggle. Glad to have “found” Peloton to keep me active this week.
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I mostly use Peloton for indoor cycling & treadmill runs but it’s really helpful!
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I love their strength training classes as you’ll read about this week. I find them manageable blocks of time
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I have someone else I prefer for ST. And I often do short ones. Not as much of a fan of Peloton’s but I know many are!
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