November and December in Review

I figure since I am on a blogging roll today I will knock out my November and December in Review in one post!  It's not going to be very hard to accomplish this since I didn't run or walk a single step in the month of December. 


November 2016
**Very limited running this month as I was sidelined with a major chest cold.**
19.35 running miles
.06  walking miles
19.41 total miles

One of my three whole runs in November (13 of my 19 miles happened this day)

December 2016
**I really have no excuse for this mileage (or lack thereof).  I was plain lazy and then I ended up with yet another chest cold**
0 running miles
0 walking miles
0 total miles





Current 2016 Stats
 574.36 running miles
 34.84 walking miles
 609.2 total miles

Clearly I needed to put just a little more into it in 2016

In the end my running in 2016 was a far cry from what it has been in past years but sometimes you just need to give yourself (and your body for that matter) a break.  I have gotten in one run so far for 2017 so I am at least moving in the right direction.  I don't have any goals/mission for 2017 at the moment but I will be thinking about what I want to improve upon in regards to my mind, body, and soul.


Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me.

December in Review

How is it possible that today is the last day of 2014.  This year really seemed to fly by.  My December activity came to a close today when I completed the final day of my December Challenge.  I did 31 push ups, 31 sit ups, 31 dips, 31 squats, and jumped rope for 31 minutes this morning to close out the month of December.

Decenber 2014 Stats
38.53-- running miles
4.56- walking miles
0- biking miles
0-- elliptical miles
0-- kettlebell workouts
0-- stair workouts
0-- fitness app workout
0-- upper body weight fitness workouts
0-- leg weight fitness workouts
0- monthly fitness challenge workout
0-- Assorted cross training exercises workouts
43.09-- total miles

Current 2014 Stats
845.04-- running miles
56.4-- walking miles
37.59-- biking miles
4.1-- elliptical miles
8-- kettlebell workouts
6-- stair workouts
1-- fitness app workout
1-- Assorted cross training exercises workout
3-- upper body weight fitness workouts
1-- leg weight fitness workouts
2 1/3-- monthly fitness challenge workout
943.13-- total miles

2014 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Make an effort to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Action Plan: Always have fruits and vegetables cleaned, cut up, and ready for consumption.
Action Plan: Choose healthier options when snacking.
Mission #1 wasn't all that great this month.  Too many parties and holidays and not enough fruits and veggies!!

Mission #2: Accept and embrace that my best is good enough.
Action Plan: Stop comparing myself to others and compare myself to the person I was yesterday.
Action Plan: Define my own success and measure it by what I am able to do.
Mission #2 didn't waver at all this month.  Me against me as it should be!!

Mission #3: Run 1400 miles in 2014.
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.
Mission #3 didn't happen in 2014 but I am 100% okay with this.  38.53 miles run in December (This mission was not accomplished.  I fell short by 554.96 miles.

Mission #4: Run happy.
Action Plan: Run training runs and races with friends as often as I can.
Action Plan: Listen to my heart and not the beeps on my Garmin.
Action Plan: Be thankful that I have been blessed with a healthy body that allows me to run.
Mission #4 happened the entire year and I am very thankful for that!!



Mission #5: Do other workouts in addition to running.
Action Plan: Find workouts I enjoy and actually do them.
Action Plan: Participate in some monthly fitness challenges.
Mission #5 went very well in December!  I actually completed a December Fitness Challenge and cross-trained every single day in December.  In the end I completed 496 push ups, 496 sit ups, 496 dips, 496 squats, and 496 minutes (which converts to just over 8 hours) of jump rope. 

December went pretty well even though I didn't do a significant amount of running but I am proud that I completed my challenge.  Here's to seeing what 2015 has to bring!!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

December and 2013 Goals in Review

Yes, I do realize that there is a day left in December but I am 99.9% sure that I won't be running tomorrow since my best friend and her family will be arriving late this evening.  With that being said, a nice 10 mile long run yesterday brought my December training to an end.

 

December 2013 stats
56.03-- running miles
0-- spin miles
0-- jump rope fitness workouts
0-- core fitness workout
0-- Pure Barre classes
0-- Fitness App workout
0-- walking miles
56.03-- total miles

Current 2013 stats
1,314.54-- running miles
67-- spin miles (3 classes)
19-- jump rope fitness workouts
1-- core fitness workout
12-- Pure Barre classes
1-- Fitness App workout
9.69-- walking miles
1,391.23-- total miles

2013 "to do list" check-in

2013 Running Goals
1. First and foremost 26.2 under 4 hours--enough said
FAIL- I did end up running another marathon that I received free entry into. My goal was to run smart and listen to my body which I did. I also finished in my second fastest time (4:31:43) so I can't complain about that. I will have to try for sub 4 another day....



2. Achieve a second sub 1:50 half marathon so I can remove the asterick from my current sub 1:50 PR
FAIL- I came very close in March (1:50:43) but alas I didn't break into the 1:40's.   I didn't run any 1/2 marathons in December but I did run the Christmas Story 10K and had a blast with the girls!  We shall see what 2014 brings in this area!



Bick, Emily, Kim, me, and Missi


2013 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-56.03 miles run in December...oops that's definitely not 100 miles. 
PARTIAL FAIL- There were several months that I did run over 100 miles but I was not 12 for 12.
2. Run 1300 miles for the year
SUCCESS- 1,314.54 miles run in 2013!!

2013 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Cross-train at least twice a week
-This was a fail for December.  I had even told Kim that I would do at least one jump rope workout but that didn't happen....
ALMOST TOTAL FAIL-  There were definitely a lot more months that I didn't get any cross-training done in 2013. 
2. Complete a jump rope workout every day
-Not a single jump rope workout completed in December
FAIL-  This was a pretty short lived one...the streak ended before the end of January...so much for jumping rope every single day in 2013.
3. Drink 50 ounces of water per day (based on my current weight, this is my daily water intake need)
-Done in December and done well.
ALMOST TOTAL SUCCESS-  There were a couple long runs that I didn't hydrate properly for but I felt I was successful for the most part for 2013.
4. Take my vitamins daily
-Vitamin taken every single day in December (assuming I remember to take it tomorrow). 
 ALMOST TOTAL SUCCESS-  I believe there were less than 10 days that I forgot to take my vitamins in 2013.
5. Continue to choose and cook healthier foods
-8 meals made in December.
SUCCESS- I am quite pleased with my results in this area in 2013.
6. Learn to swim...better luck this year
-What's this swimming you speak of......
FAIL- I have no excuse....I didn't learn to swim in 2013.
Overall December was a great month.  While I didn't have 100% success with my goals and challenges I am still happy with how 2013 went. 

We were talking on our long run yesterday about our 2014 goals and I realized and verbalized for the first time that "goals" stress me out.  Therefore when coming up with my 2014 plans, I am going to try and come up with a better "term" for "goals".  I am open to any suggestions any of you may have.  I will be back soon with my "un-goals"?  HA!  Yeah, I definitely need to work on that one!

December in Review

I have to say I was much better about blogging in December than in previous months.  With that, I give you my stats for December.

December 2012 stats
108-- running miles
0-- walking miles
0-- bike miles
0-- pool workouts
1-- core fitness/strength training workouts
0-- P90x plyo workouts
108-- total miles
No idea-- weight as of December 31, 2012 (my scale battery died today)

Current 2012 stats
863.02-- running miles
13.1-- walking miles
18.7-- bike miles
3-- pool workouts
58-- core fitness/strength training workouts
1-- P90x plyo workouts
894.82-- total miles
No idea-- current weight (my scale battery died)

2012 "to do list" December check-in
2012 Running Goals
1. My number one running goal is to run a sub-1:50 half marathon
-I decided to give it a shot at my final 1/2 marathon of 2012 and I finished in 1:49:16.  I keep an asterick next to this time though as I don't know the exact course measurement.  Just means I have to run another sub-1:50.
2. Secondary to the goal of a sub-1:50, I would like to attempt to run another marathon PR (sub-4:10:11) with a stretch goal of running a sub-4:00:00
-I have come to the decision that I am not going to run a full marathon this year. With a goal of running a 1/2 marathon every month this year, I think it would be a bad idea to train for a full at the risk of getting injured.

2012 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
- 108 miles in December!  I am happy to finish on a high note.  This is also my highest running mileage in a month in 2012.
2. Run a half marathon each month
-Santa Hustle Cedar Point 1/2 marathon (1:49:16).  12 halfs in 2012 done!



2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis
-1 strength training workout which only happened as a result of the snow storm.  90 minutes of snow shoveling.
2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods
-9 well-balanced meals prepared in December with all of the holiday activities we attended.
3. Drink more water
-Success!
4. I promised a certain someone that if they ran a marathon with me I would learn to swim so I intend to make good on that promise this year.
-Sadly I did not have success in this area in December either.

I have to say I am happy with how December turned out.  Today I am thinking about my goals and mini challenges for 2013 and will be back tomorrow with a review of 2012 as well as my plans for 2013.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

December in Review

When I was creating this post several hours ago my phone rang and it was Nikki asking me if I wanted to go running. At first I told her no because I had already showered. Minutes after hanging up the phone with her I knew I had to call her back and change my mind. I mean, seriously it's 50+ degrees on December 31 in OHIO!!! So the kids and I headed to the local track and Nikki and I did a combination of running/walking/sprinting for 3 miles while the kids played on the football field. So glad I changed my mind! It felt great to get out there today!

Now even though I ended up with my lowest mileage month since I started running again in February 2009, I was still sucessful in maintaining my fitness level through my Daily Challenge!

December Stats
33.5-- running miles
2.5-- elliptical miles
0-- bike miles
36-- total miles
150.4- weight as of December 31, 2010

Current 2010 Stats
1,099-- running miles
55.4-- elliptical miles
5.1-- bike miles
1, 159.5-- total miles


All things considered, I am happy with my December. I ran 34 miles, did 2.5 miles on the elliptical and completed all 31 days of my Daily Challenge to the tune of 496 sit ups, 496 push ups, 496 dips, 496 squats, and 496 minutes of jump rope and 10 "boy" push ups today! I am quite certain my December workouts had a little something to do with the numbers on the scale today! I am down to 150.4 from 152.2 on November 30. I would say that is very impressive considering I managed to drop weight during the Christmas season when a lot of excess eating took place!


Marathon training starts in ten days. I am looking forward to training with Jenn! I have a bit of unfinished business with a little thing called 26.2. I will cross that finish line in 2011 upright and smiling with a little help from my friends!!

I will be back this weekend with my year in review post!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!