January 2022

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. — Dalai Lama

I showed myself compassion by realizing that at least in Winter, I just cannot go and stay for days at my mom’s. I don’t sleep well. It’s stressful. I know what these visits mean to her, but I also know there will come a time when I will need to be there more and I need to take care of myself so I’m not burnt out.

Even with much less snow than normal it’s been hard to get in runs outside

Getting in scheduled runs
It was a tough start to the year for me. The truth is that the start of 2021 was even worse! I was sick and not running for weeks! I scaled back on running a great deal so that I could keep running, if that makes sense, so I added a simple goal to this month: beat January 2021’s miles, which I did. Keeping my runs short meant I was able to run pretty consistently, unlike last January.

Grade Earned:  A-

Dynamic Warmup
It’s been easier to get it done with the arrival of the treadmill. January started relatively mild, for these parts, but Winter soon came roaring in. So there were more treadmill runs that I’d like, but I know I would have taken more time off running without the treadmill. It’s both more difficult (I just want to get on the treadmill) and easier (I don’t have to warm up in the cold!) sometimes, but I’ve been pretty good.

Because of some of our very frigid temps, I’ve also added in a Peloton Cycle WU before outdoor runs — because warming up before a very cold run can help prevent injuries. I use it before those treadmill runs, too.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
Every once in a while I do just forget — which is probably a good thing. It means nothing is really bothering me, but I need to keep foam rolling to make sure nothing will bother me.

Grade Earned: A

Nutrition
I spent a lot of time eating for me in January (aka eating healthy foods). Although when I went to my moms, I wanted to be masked, and that meant no eating or drinking while I was there. Which means eating in the car. Which translated to a protein bar and some chocolate. But it’s only a couple of days; it won’t kill me.

It’s not about a number on the scale, it’s about feeling comfortable in my body. With my birthday coming up, and who knows what I’ll be eating then, I decided to try and eat quite clean this month which paid off.

Grade Earned: A

For Jenny @ Runnersfly! Halfmoon. Definitely room for improvement!

Cross Training
Yoga, of course. I managed to eek out a couple of ST sessions most weeks. I’ve also added in more moderate early morning cardio that isn’t running some mornings.

Grade Earned: A

People up here love to hike year round, but even with some kind of traction thing on my shoes it’s just not in my comfort zone, especially since I’m on my own. There will be a lot of Olana photos in the winter. Good thing it’s so photogenic.

January 2022  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. I definitely showed myself a lot of compassion. I really struggle with SAD at this time of year. There’s a huge difference from feeling a bit unmotivated by the weather and feeling as though your entire body is just weighed down as if someone poured lead into it. Which was compounded by just being utterly depleted by so many nights at my moms. I finished January feeling much better, maybe due to the longer days, although energy isn’t at full yet.

January Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. Y. Mostly anyway. Very short runs.
  • ST 3 x week. Y/N.  I did manage 2 x week most weeks. I made it a priority and backed off when I needed to. I ended the month strong, so to speak.
  • Continue to work on a new Spring challenge. Y. I worked hard on this in January!
  • At least one real rest day a week. Y. There was a lot of resting in January! Yet a lot of productivity too (not as much running time can have its benefits).
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is relatively good. Not bad for Winter, anyway!

Which leads me to February Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. Hoping that the slowly increasing daylight brings back more energy.
  • ST 3 x week. I will settle for 2 x week if necessary. 
  • Cardio/ST before 10am on non-running days. Sometimes it’s just cardio, sometimes it’s toning cardio, sometimes it’s just walking. That’s in addition to my AM Yoga practice!
  • Continue to work on a new Spring challenge. I filmed almost all the videos in January, but not all. There’s editing, there’s emails to write but I’ll be excited to share it with you in March. Or April!
  • At least one real rest day a week. It’s easier when I’m only going to my mom every other week, but sometimes there’s still a lot of juggling going on. That was the main thing in January: I just wasn’t recovering well, from runs, even from normal housework. So I gave myself compassion and took it easy — lots of reading in January!
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. January had me back to feeling more comfortable in my body. There will always be fluctuations, but I know when it’s time to get back to cleaner eating.

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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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33 thoughts on “January 2022”

  1. What a beautiful winter scene of Olana, Judy!
    Well done on January goals – that’s a straight A, I completely agree!

    I’m curious about the moderate cardio that isn’t running – I think I would like to add something like that in my routine. What kind of exercises do you do?

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    1. I love Pahla B, who, btw, is an ultra runner. I love her philosophy on working out. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXAh1l-MSjIbDkvHXa1yyA

      I also love Erin Stutland, who is not to my knowledge a runner. She is quite a bit younger, but I’ve been following her for years & love her, too. She marries movement with mantra & I just love that. She’s the person who does the Soul Strolls that I do often when I’m at my mom.

      She does a lot of Yoga, Barre, and cardio that’s a little bit of all things (including some kickboxing type moves).

      Unfortunately her app is a paid for app, but you can try it for free for a week here: https://erinstutland.com/the-movement/. I joined in the beginning so it was pretty reasonable then, not sure what it costs per month now.

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      1. Thanks for these recommendations, Judy! I really appreciate it!
        Both Pahla B and Erin Stutland look like interesting options. I will definitely try these out! 😀👍🏻

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  2. I think 2021 really took a toll on you, Judy, and I’m glad you are recognizing the need to give yourself compassion. I hope that moving forward, you start to feel better, both physically and mentally. Winter sure doesn’t make that easy, does it?

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  3. Great job on your goals.

    Hope you continue to feel better. Rest seems to be what you need.

    We got spoiled with mild winter temps. Now we’re paying. At least relatively no snow.

    As I age for some reason I want to be more active. That means running a lot. And hiking. Being outdoors. This was probably my highest mileage months in years. High for me anyway. But we need to do what works for us.

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  4. I think you definitely made the best out of January as you were able. And, most of all, you gave yourself grace when you needed (and deserved) it. Great job ❤

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  6. It sounds like showing yourself some compassion really helped you flourish this month! Winter is a hard time for lots of people but you made some space for yourself and crushed your goals! Great job!

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  7. NICE HALF MOON!!! It’s that rotation that was so hard for me to get- it was almost like I was doing warrior 3, but with one arm raised (if that makes any sense.) I’m still working on it- some days it comes easily and sometimes I’m still struggling to open up.
    Nice job on your January goals- earning an A is great. Oh, and I hear you on the SAD. Feeling as though your body is filled with lead is a good description. Hang in there- it will end.

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    1. I definitely feel much better now. Still a little tired but able to do things!

      Half moon is not an east pose & it’s definitely one I can struggle with. I could definitely pick apart my pose, but yup, it can vary day to day & like anything just takes practice. It’s a good one for runners to work on hip strength but I also wouldn’t call it a beginner pose!

      Doing it against a wall is super helpful.

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  9. It sounds like you had a good balance this month! It can be tough to get runs in during the winter, but the treadmill is a great option to have. I also foam roll less when I am feeling good and have to remind myself to do it so I keep feeling good!

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  10. I love the cold weather but I’ve really had no desire to do outdoor runs this winter. The treadmill has been my buddy.

    You always remind me that I need to take the proper time to foam roll, especially after a run.

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  11. Good job on your goals.
    It’s not easy to follow the planned schedule when we don’t feel good and we are busy with our family.
    I’m glad that the treadmill is a good option for your activities.
    A secret but please don’t share….. even if I hate it I’m thinking to buy another treadmill. A shop near my house has a lot of beautiful items on sale.

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    1. Well, I never tell anyone that they need a treadmill, especially if they hate it! There are just too many days where I live where it’s not in my comfort zone to run outside.

      We’re expecting a big storm this weekend — my guess is I’ll have to run on the treadmill on Sunday because it takes a while for the roads to clear. Unless we’re lucky & they have the forecast wrong!

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  12. You definitely need to take time for you so you don’t burnout. I see adult children who are exhausted, bitter, depressed, all the time in the ED. It’s hard to care for our aging parents.
    Beautiful pic!

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    1. Thanks, Denise. It’s just hard because she’s out there on her own (except for the other residents & her aide, who she hates unfortunately) & I know that my visits really help.

      At least right now the days are getting longer (even if we’re expecting a big storm!) and I’ve had more time to rest so feeling better.

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  13. Taking care of yourself is important! If we don’t then we won’t be able to take care of others. 2021 was rough. Winter is rough. It is February and hopefully the worst is over. Time for some sunshine and flowers!

    Thank you for linking up with us!

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  14. Great job! We all could give ourselves more compassion. It’s been a hard couple of years for many people and we need to remember that.
    I have noticed it’s getting darker a bit later so that’s a good sign for getting outside anyway.

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