Let’s be clear here: May 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

bgrademay21

I love this quote below:

Sometimes things aren’t clear right away. That’s where you need to be patient and persevere and see where things lead.
— Mary Pierce

Often times things aren’t clear. We don’t always know why things happen the way they do — maybe not in the moment, and maybe not ever.

Setting goals helps me to be clear on the things I need to work on. Maybe I work on them, maybe I don’t get around to them, but they’re a compass for where I need to go.

Collection of May flowers: as seen on the run, hike & walk

Getting in scheduled runs
Still running 3 x week. I knew I’d be too busy the first half of May to add in an extra run. Then the third week I added in a hike instead of that extra run. The final week I did manage a fourth (short) run!

Grade Earned:  A 

Recording my runs
I have veered off course here again . . . seriously, I need to start using my planner again because it helps me to keep focused.

Grade Earned: C

Dynamic Warmup
I have been doing my short dynamic warmups right before a run. What I’ve stopped doing is the warm up walk. At least I’ve been consistent with the cool down walk after the run — often picking up Bandit for his walk then. The previous is what I wrote in April. It’s still true. I always seem to be in a rush to get out there.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
I pretty much foam roll (or some variation of foam rolling) every morning. It helps tremendously!

Grade Earned: A++

Nutrition
I was doing really well, slowly feeling more comfortable in my clothes. I don’t really feel as though I started to eat terribly, but I haven’t made as much effort to cook and we’ve eaten out a bit more, and things have started to creep up again — a lot due to too much sodium, I think.  We actually didn’t have ice cream this month I think.

Grade Earned: B

The sometimes cooler weather was perfect for hiking

Cross Training
Yoga, running, a little more hiking, walking, not so much indoor cycling. I have been doing a bit more strength training.

Grade Earned: A+

May 2021  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. I was at a 7 mile long run last month, and only made it back up to 6 miles this month. Running is going well, my body mostly feels good, and I try my best to eat healthy (with varying results).

May Goals:

  • Add in another running day (when I can). N. I kind of had a feeling this might be hard to work in, especially with travel. I added in an extra day of hiking one week, though, and that counts for me! One week had four runs.
  • Do some longer ST. Y/N.  I did better than I did in April, so slowly building back up here, too.
  • Strength for Wheel Pose. Y/N. I started out strong at the beginning of the month, but petered out trying to get everything in towards the end. No time limit on this one!
  • Flexibility Challenge. Y/N. I seem to have a mental block on putting myself out there with this. Not quite sure why. Tired? Lack of time? More likely not feeling good enough, even though I know I can lead what I’m planning on (in my head — the planning that is). 
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I have made just a tiny bit of progress here, with things trending down just a bit — well, they were trending down but took an upswing toward the end of the month. Not quite sure why. 

Which leads me to June Goals:

  • Add in some stationary cycling/hiking. I would definitely hike more if I could get Mr. Judy to do it more. I know it can be tiring for him though. I need something else than just running. Garmin says hiking gets me into the moderate range for intensity.
  • ST 3 x week. Somehow this seems challenging for me with getting in runs and lots of Yoga time. Even though I know it’s said to keep your easy days easy — in other words, don’t do strength training on days you’re running easy — it just doesn’t seem to work for me. Still working on this one! I think part of the problem is I’m really trying to get in one real rest day per week. 
  • Strength for Wheel Pose. I am definitely not even close. Again not sure whether that’s a mental block, lack of strength, or my particular physiology. My bodyweight exercises to work towards this are great exercises for runners — so it’s a matter of balancing this with everything else, which so far I haven’t been great at.
  • Flexibility Challenge Practices. I need to carve out some time and actually write out some practices. I have an idea of what I want to do in my mind, so now it’s time to plan it out and get it out there.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Always a goal. I just want my clothes to feel good on my body! And I don’t want to buy new clothes because I have to, only because I want to.

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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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29 thoughts on “Let’s be clear here: May 2021”

  1. As always you are pretty consistent in meeting your goals. So another good month.

    If you want to hike more challenging ones you may have to go alone or call a friend. Unfortunately now it is starting to get very buggy out there.

    I’m looking forward to more consistent temps and more races being held.

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  2. I have become a big fan of foam rolling. I agree it helps tremendously. And well done on the strength training, too!
    The flexibility challenge sounds interesting. I’m sure that would be a big success. But I know what you mean – sometimes it’s just a question of sitting down and writing things out.
    All the best for June!

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  3. A solid month Judy! Also glad to see you’re getting some more hiking done! I think that’s my favourite form of cross-training 🙂

    I have the same thoughts as you on goal-setting. Even though I may not always achieve them, they form such a powerful “compass” for me.

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  4. Awesome job on your May goals Judy! Cleaning up my nutrition was one of my goals last month and I didn’t quite do that so I’ll be making another attempt at that in June, lol.

    I hope that you’re able to get in a few hikes and rides this month – hopefully the weather will cooperate!

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  5. While I’m not technically “foam rolling” as much as before (with an actual foam roller), I’m using the Theragun all the time. I use it before some of my runs (or workouts, like the stairs or bike), I frequently use it immediately after my workouts, and I use it almost every night before bed. It’s not only great at getting into those smaller nooks and crannies, but it feels so much more thorough than a traditional foam roller. And, it’s pretty relaxing 😉

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  7. Great month for you! I also believe that things happen for a reason but sometimes many of those things do not make sense to me. I am trying really hard to be positive but even that can be exhausting. Anyway, going off topic here. 🙂 I love how consistent you are in working towards your goals.

    Thank you for linking up with us!

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    1. I believe things happen for a reason — but not always on OUR schedule.

      I’m not always consistent, I’ve definitely been unmotivated to some of the things I should lately. Probably because it’s “summer” & I want to take advantage of that!

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      1. I agree. As you know for years I’ve been looking for a house and still nothing. People tell me to wait and that the perfect is out there for me but frankly I am tired of waiting. How much longer?

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      2. Now it’s such a seller’s market. I’m sorry it’s dragged on so long for you. So frustrating! OTOH, we were in a time crunch getting a house here. It was a “temporary “ assignment (12 years later . . . ) — this house is definitely not my dream house!

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  8. Sounds like you did great for May. I agree that it’s hard to figure out how to schedule things sometimes. I’m still trying to figure out the best time to fit in strength training.
    Thanks for the reminder to strive for clarity- I need to focus on that for this month!

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  9. The flowers on your runs are so pretty!

    It sounds like you are very much on track with your goals. It certainly helps to set them so clearly, as a guide.

    For now, I’m holding off on detailed goals for myself, when it comes to running. But reading this did make me think about goals. My only one at this point is, I guess, to enjoy the feeling of running again..to want to do it more.

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  10. I have been trying to do PT exercises a few times a week, but I could be better at that. And, I’ve been cutting back on my pre-run warmup (even though it takes one or two minutes. Shame on me!!). Now that summer has arrived I’m sure I’ll be able to fit in some more crosstraining in the form of biking and kayaking hopefully. You have some good goals – wheel pose (!!!).

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    1. My prerun warmup is pretty fast. It’s the things I do when I first get up — yoga, foam rolling, stretches — those take time!

      It’s always hard to keep up with PT exercises.

      I think I’m probably going to let wheel,pose go for now. I just haven’t had time for the prep practices lately. It’s really weird, I can get up onto my head & then am just stuck!

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  11. Sounds like you did great on your May goals. I too have to have a plan, even if it isn’t followed. At least it’s out there if I lose my way. Your pictures are lovely. I love spring flowers and the hiking looks amazing too.

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  12. You had a great month! Consistency makes a huge difference! I have a Believe Training Journal that I love, but lately I haven’t written in it at all; however, I’m working with Coach Laura and I write all my notes in her training platform!

    I’d be very interested in your flexibility challenge! 🙂

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    1. Well, the flexibility challenge is off to a slow start (on my end). Struggling with a new way to do the classes.

      I did stop journaling again. I know I’m so much more focused when I do!

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