November Goals

Becoming Clear on who I am: November 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 34 Comments

bnov21grade

As you become more clear about who you are, you’ll be better able to decide what’s best for you — the first time around — Oprah Winfrey

I love the above quote. Being clear on who you are, what your values are, what feels right for your body — it’s a journey, to be sure, an ever changing journey. It’s worth it, though, because that kind of clarity often brings peace of mind.

Getting in scheduled runs
I did pretty well. Spoiler alert: most weeks were only 3 x week. I knew that I might have to take a week off due to jury duty (and no available treadmill), but it didn’t happen. I managed to get through an entire month of potential jury duty and not be selected. It’s a Thanksgiving miracle that I am deeply grateful for!

Grade Earned:  A-

Dynamic Warmup
The dynamic warmups are mostly getting done, although I must runfess I’m sorely tempted to skip them on short recovery runs. Post run stretches are usually happening — except maybe a few particularly nasty days weather-wise.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
Foam rolling is rolling along. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Usually it’s just calves and feet, unless I feel the need somewhere else. About once a week I try to do a full body rolling routine.

Grade Earned: A

Nutrition
It was a stressful busy month. There were times I was busy enough that I didn’t have a lot of time to eat during the day, and by the evening I just didn’t want to make anything. I did notice, though, that when I can eat what I want (Mr. Judy out of town), things actually tend to be more healthy. Not sure what to do about that!

I seemed to find my sweet spot between healthy and indulgence this month, and I dropped a few much needed pounds. I feel better and my clothes fit better. Winter is never an easy time, but for now, I’m happy at how November played out on the nutrition front.

Grade Earned: A

Frog Squats. A great Yoga Asana for runners — it’s not static, either.

Cross Training
Lots of Yoga, ST, hiking. Strength training kind of took a hit but I tried.

Grade Earned: A-

bhikingnov21
Still lots of hiking in November. I think that’ll be going away in December.

November 2021  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. Hiking has definitely wound down, although I did visit a couple of new places when visiting my mom (along with a couple of visits to Olana). Running was less times per week but mostly trying to slowly inch up mileage — and I do mean slowly and inch, LOL!

Let me be clear, though, this time of year is the time I always struggle with my mood. The short days tend to leave me more tired and irritable in the best of times. I keep trying to figure out a way to get through the short Winter days and feel at least somewhat energized and happier — it’s slow going, though. Pun intended.

November Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. Y. I thought I’d changed it to four times, but I guess I was smart & knew it could be difficult this month. Grateful I didn’t have to take a week off.
  • ST 3 x week. Y/N.  ST was kind of hit or miss this month. One week none, one week only two times, but I’m still trying.
  • Get back to a different course that’s been on hold for a while. N. I’ll be bringing this one back in December! 
  • At least one hike. Y. Not as many hikes as October, but I explored several new places.
  • At least one real rest day a week. Y. I think I did slightly better on the rest days than I did in October.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is still higher than I’d like, but I’m happy that there’s been a little bit of downward momentum.

Which leads me to December Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. 3 x week is usually doable, although sometimes even that can be hard. Hence the low mileage!
  • ST 3 x week. I have one visit to mom that will require several nights there (that I know of so far). I’m usually quite busy when I’m there getting stuff done for her. When I just go for the day my fitness doesn’t take as big a hit. I think this will be doable most weeks.
  • Continue to work on a new Spring challenge. Yup, gotta start this far in advance! Stay tuned.
  • At least one real rest day a week. Often my rest days aren’t very restful. I’m either catching up on stuff or going to my mom. I continue to make it a priority.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Can I keep up my downward momentum with Mr. Judy home for the foreseeable future?

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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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A Clear Conscience: October 2021

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 21 Comments

bnov21goals

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.— Steven Wright

My conscience is usually pretty clear, and it’s clear that my memory isn’t always great — except when it is. Mostly I chose this quote because it made me laugh. I get what he meant, but it’s my blog and I’m spinning it my way. Conscience clear!

I tried as much as possible to get out of the neighborhood. When Winter comes many of my normal routes are too snowy/icy to run.

Getting in scheduled runs
I did very well until the end of the month, but that was due to hiking. I’m A-OK with that.

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. It’s a broken record, folks! But hey, I did finally got a haircut, LOL!

Grade Earned: C

Dynamic Warmup
The warmups are short, so they get done, but I’m still being a bit loosey goosey with those post run stretches — doing them a bit more often, though. It gets harder and harder as it gets colder and colder.

Grade Earned: A-

Foam Rolling
There were a few days I just forgot about foam rolling my calves in the morning. I blame it on Menopause brain. I wrote this part before I chose my quote!

Grade Earned: A-

Nutrition
It was hit or miss. Sometimes good, sometimes not great, sometimes not horrible. I am usually good for lunch, but by the time dinner arrives I just want it to arrive, LOL! I know that it’s important, though, so I’ve been trying to make more of an effort. I’ve been semi-successful with it.

Grade Earned: B+ (for trying)

Not only a great place to hike, it would be great to run there, too. Hilly in parts, though.

Cross Training
Yoga, ST, lots of walking recently, hiking. Gotta get out in nature before it becomes harder.

Grade Earned: A+ 

October 2021  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. I kept us busy with visits to three different state parks this months — one new to me, one new to me because I don’t remember it from childhood trips (back to that quote!), and the other tried and true but a new trail for us. Of course a couple of trips to mom; one multi-day, one just for the day. I’d already been going twice a month this past year, but sleeping there is challenging. I might get a break in Winter, or not. Overall I kept busy, tried to eat mostly healthy, and did some of the things I love.

October Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. Y. Most weeks I exceeded this goal. Short runs (sometimes just 1 mile) made it doable.
  • ST 3 x week. Y.  I did quite well with strength training, too. Except the last week, but that’s okay I was still very active.
  • Get back to a different course that’s been on hold for a while. N. I’ll be bringing this one back in November, I hope! 
  • At least one hike. Y. October was hiking month with many hikes.
  • At least one real rest day a week. Y. I definitely don’t think I got as much rest as I needed many weeks. I tried, though. I definitely did my best to make rest a priority.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Weight is definitely still higher than it should be — I just need to cook more!

Which leads me to November Goals:

  • Run 3 x week. 3 x week is usually doable, although sometimes even that can be hard. Hence the low mileage!
  • ST 3 x week. It’s a good goal to work towards, and most of the time it happens. Just not always.
  • Get back to a different course that’s been on hold for a while. At least finish up the reading & videos. Small steps.
  • At least one hike. I should get in a couple of short hikes this week on the way to visit mom. Go me!
  • At least one real rest day a week. I know many people  hate the dreaded rest day. Not me. Many of my rest days aren’t so restful, either. I’m shooting for one rest day a week. The Nor’Easter last month enforced that and my body enjoyed a day in pjs.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Seem to be maintaining at a higher weight. Some things are out of my control, but others aren’t. I really struggle with energy at this time of year.

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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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You’re Gonna Be Ok: November 2020

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 19 Comments
There was one virtual race in November

November had one virtual 5k and I really like the tee from that “race”. There were walks with friends and a little hiking. Of course I am still working my way through the sadness of losing Lola, which happened on Halloween.

This month’s song selection, from Brian & Jenn Johnson, is all about holding on because you can get through anything if you just hold on. Maybe that means the election to you. Maybe that means getting through COVID, or a loved one’s illness. Maybe it means getting through a loss.

Just take one step closer
Put one foot in front of the other
You’ll get through this
Just follow the light in the darkness
You’re gonna be ok

Getting in scheduled runs
There’s really no schedule, but I run 3 x week. I was able to keep to that “schedule” in November.

Grade Earned:  A

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

Grade Earned: Incomplete (due to pandemic)

Dynamic Warmup
I actually did extremely well with warm ups in November. I even often did a warm up walk in addition to my cool down walk. I was also good with some short stretching post run (most of the time).

Grade Earned: A+

Foam Rolling
I got back on the foam roller, too. My calves have been tight so I’ve rolled them pretty much every day, sometimes hammies too. And foam roll before the run — of course!

Grade Earned: A+

The air fryer helps with healthier food

Nutrition
Unfortunately with Lola’s decline and passing at the end of October, as usual, I lost my appetite and dropped several pounds. I didn’t stay there, of course, but it actually did help for a little reset. Despite a humongous cupcake at Thanksgiving — which was so worth it — nutrition has been better.

Grade Earned: A

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

The beautiful colors may be gone, but there’s beauty in every season

Cross Training
The Fall colors are long gone, but I’m still hiking a little bit here and there. Plenty of Yoga. Not enough strength training — but some, plus a fair amount of bodyweight exercises.

Grade Earned: A

November 2020  gets  . . . 
. . . an A. It was a relatively good month and I improved on the things that needed improvement.

November Goals:

  • Continue working through the Peloton 5k Course. Y. I didn’t follow it exactly, but I did do about 2 runs x week using it and adjusting it for my needs.
  • Choose a course for my virtual 5k. Y.  I went back and forth on where to run. I ended up running it as part of my long run at a bike path fairly close to home. Just saved time.
  • More strength training! N. That was the plan, but my body had other ideas (like more rest).
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up.. Y. I lost a few pounds while caring for Lola that last week of October and in the first few weeks afterwards. While caring for her, I often didn’t have enough time to cook — after, I didn’t have much appetite. Don’t worry, the appetite is back; I’m not a stress eater.
  • Continue to explore Kundalini Kriyas. Y. One of the reasons to do a 40 day Kriya is that supposedly it takes 40 days to create a habit. Well, it worked for me. I did 40 days of the same Kriya, then a month of a different Kriya each week . . . I’m still doing Yoga almost first thing when  I get up. I feel so much better after!

Which leads me to December 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.
  • Choose a word for 2021. It hasn’t come to me yet. Hopefully it will pop in this month.
  • More strength training! My AM Yoga is great bodyweight training. I feel strongly about lifting weights as we age, though. The trouble is how to get that on the schedule.
  • 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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Reunited & It Feels So Good: October 2019

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 33 Comments

breunited

I got a small break in October (see last month’s “grade” herefor what’s been going on), but it ramped up at the end of the month with my Dad’s discharge from rehab and scrambling to try to find a suitable aide for him. They don’t give you much notice.

Even with a break, there was a lot of time at my mom’s

Running continued pretty strong, and since I was home most weekends, I also got to do some of my favorite Fall races, with varying degrees of success.

There`s one perfect fit
And sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited
Cause we`re reunited

Getting in scheduled runs
Even though I continued to play it by ear, from necessity, I also ramped up my running miles just in case I run a 15k in November. If the weather is good, I’ll do it (despite mostly likely little friend support) — although if a Nor’Easter or Blizzard comes through, no thanks!

Grade Earned:  A

One of my favorite things to do in fall — race!

Recording my runs
The scramble at the end of the month to get my parents settled caused some run recording to be spotty, but for the most part, it’s been better than it has been. Still lots of holes sometimes, though.

Grade Earned: B-

Dynamic Warmup
Still skimping on the warmups, but at least most days I’m going through some high knees, some butt kicks, and some leg swings. It’s something.

Grade Earned: B

Foam Rolling
I’d dearly like to get back to daily rolling, but for now mostly I’m rolling before my runs.

Grade Earned: B

There may have been a few too many treats in October

Nutrition
Nutrition has been okay. Most of the time fairly good, but occasional eating stuff I know is not really helping my body. I’m human, like everyone else — mostly I’ve been able to maintain my weight with the normal fall to winter creep. Time to cook has often been an issue.

Grade Earned: A-

Support

  • Massage? Not this month.
  • Chiropractor Appointment? I need to schedule an appointment soon. Probably after the 15k.
  • Do I need a hair appointment? No! The hair got downright scary, but it’s been trimmed and shaped. Even one of my mom’s friends commented on how nice it looked (of course that was after being washed, but before running).

Grade Earned: A

Cross Training
Yoga continued strong. There’s still some light strength training (some days a bit heavier) or some bodyweight exercising. Not quite as much walking as the days got shorter, colder, and busier, but there’s been more running miles.

Grade Earned: B

October 2019  gets  . . . 
. . . an B+. Still hanging in there at running three times a week, lots of yoga, a little bit of weight training. A few races: a slow trail 5k (read about it here), including a surprising 10k PR (read about it here) and a 5k that still didn’t break me out of my 5k rut (read about it here).

September Goals:

  • Strength train 2 – 3x week. Y. Not as heavy/intense as I usually do, but I did what I could.
  • Do my best to remain in running maintenance goal. Y. Actually, I got up to double digits in prep for the 15k. I’ll drop back down into running maintenance afterwards. Maybe . . . stay tuned.
  • Develop at least one vinyasa class. Y. Actually, developed two (the memorization is a different story). Taught private Yin Yoga classes. Got on the sub list at one local studio.
  • Foam roll when I’m able. Y. I’ve done better with it.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. Y. Still not tracking, still mostly maintaining (which means I bounce around a few pounds, but it’s not an upward creep). Although I need to keep a close eye on it going into winter — hopefully being home more often will help.
  • Meal plan on the weekends! N. Still struggling with it. After the beginning of the month I was just exhausted from everything going on, at the end of the month there was the mad scramble to get my parents settled. 
  • A race? At some point?. Y. Three of them, in fact.

Which leads me to November Goals:

  • Strength train 2 – 3x week. This will always be a goal. Hopefully November will be an easier month (if my parents stay healthy). I won’t be hosting Thanksgiving because my Dad can’t make the trip. Both relieved and a bit wistful at the same time.
  • See if I can at least sometimes get back to a 4 x week running schedule. I’ve done okay on 3 x week. It’s not the first time I’ve only run 3 x week, either. 4 x per week is my sweet spot, though.
  • Approach another studio about getting on their substitute list. It’s scary, but I know that I still need a lot of experience, and there’s only one way to get it.
  • Foam roll when I’m able. Would love to foam roll at least occasionally on days that I don’t run.
  • Continue to try to eat intuitively — unless the weight starts to creep up. It’s been back and forth. Not up enough that I feel the need to track, but I really hope that being home more will mean it settles down some.
  • Meal plan on the weekends! I’ll keep putting this in until I get back to it. Which I haven’t managed yet. But maybe with only the occasional day trip to my parents.
  • A race? At some point? I still want to tackle another 5k if the weather is favorable, and the weather is looking good for the 15k, too.

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Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner

This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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October 2017: Did I pass?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy ~ 24 Comments

boct17grade

Did I pass in October? I suppose any month that starts off with a half marathon PR (read about Wineglass here) can’t be a bad month. With the half “monkey” off my back, though, there have been a wee bit of slacking going on. You decide.

Getting in scheduled runs
While there are still runs on the schedule, still races on the schedule, the time has come for an off season. Still out there running, but pretty much just easy runs and long runs with the occasional races and strides. And skipping a run every now and again (hiking, recovering).

Last week I traded a hike for a run, though.

Grade Earned:  A-

Recording my runs
Ugh! I have been completely ignoring my written journal, and I know I will hate that next year. I’ve got some information here, obviously, and some on the calendar that Rachel @ Runningonhappy uses to schedule my runs. But I go into far more detail in my written journal — when I use it.

I’m not going to fail myself, but I hope never to see this low a grade again.

Grade Earned: D (for disappointed)

Dynamic Warmup
I have actually kept up pretty well with my dynamic warmups. I just know it’s so important.

Grade Earned: A

Foam Rolling
I didn’t bring my worm to Wineglass or my parents this month (that seems to be a bad habit forming when I go to my parents — we have to lug so much stuff).

Other than that I’ve been fairly faithful to foam rolling, even using the stick sometimes before riding my stationary bike to warm up for strength training.

Grade Earned: B

Respecting my body
I’ve really come a long way when it comes to listening to my body. I didn’t feel all that great before Wineglass even before my Dad got sick; I skipped one run. Of course, that was in September. But I really took it nice and easy when I got back, too; I’d been teetering on the edge of burnout/overtraining for a while.

Grade Earned: A

Nutrition
Last time I visited my parents we had five people tackling the double brownie fudge sundae. I swear that thing is magic; I always seem to do well with my weigh ins when we have it! No, I didn’t lose weight, but I stayed the same that week, while starting the heavier clothes WIs.

In general, though, I’ve been eating well (as long as you don’t count Wineglass weekend!) and my clothes continue to feel good. There is still definitely some room for improvement, because yes, as always I’d like to lose a little weight.

Grade Earned: A-

Support
I finally got my hair cut. But I’ve been procrastinating about booking a massage. I mean, I love my massages, you’d think it would be easy to book one, right?

Grade Earned: B

Cross Training
Still doing some yoga most days, I got to the pool once, I’ve started to use my stationary bike again, and I sweet talked Running Buddy J into a hike with me and the dogs.

It’s a lot easier to crosstrain when you’re not actually training!

Grade Earned: A

October 2017 gets  . . . 
. . . an B+. I know I am so going to miss having a filled out journal. Yes, I can go back and fill in stuff — but it’s just not the same a month (or two) after the fact.

Which leads me to:

Goals for October:

  • Enjoy my half — finishing = winning A big fat Y!!!
  • Get right back to clean eating when I get back home Y (once I finished that Garret’s I runfessed about — read all about that here)
  • Epsom salt soak — shoot for every week; every week even better N — not even after I wrote this & realized I hadn’t done it . . . 
  • Swim every other week; every week even better I got there once . . .
  • Continue to research ID halfs N
  • Trail race (if the weather’s decent — yes, I’m a fair weather trail runner, except for my only trail half!) Ugh N! I already proved I can do a trail race in a cold rain; but this was supposed to be for fun, and I just wasn’t feeling it with more cold rain all day

Goals for November:

  • Do a short yoga sesh when I wake up early (always feel better afterwards)
  • Try for 80/20 with clean eating — don’t go nuts baking for Thanksgiving!
  • Epsom salt soak — let’s try for one, shall we?
  • See how a swim feels now that it’s getting colder
  • Continue to research 2018 halfs
  • Although I don’t see a trail race in my future any time soon, continue to run on trails occasionally. It’s good for the body. And soon no doubt they won’t be runnable.

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

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This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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