January and February in Review

Since I haven't come up with any missions for 2016 and I'm just "going with the flow", my month in reviews will be a little different than in the past.  The truth of the matter is I wasn't very motivated to run or workout in January or February.  It was too easy to choose sleep over the 4:45AM alarm.  It also didn't help that I was incredibly sick at the end of January and a few weeks into February.  I was hit hard with a sinus infection and I cough that wouldn't stop which made running quite difficult! 

January 2016 Stats
37 running miles
17.01 walking miles
54.01 total miles

February 2016 Stats
19.01 running miles
.63 walking miles
19.64 total miles

Current 2016 Stats
56.01 running miles
17.64 walking miles
73.65 total miles

The only reason for the high walking mileage in January was a family trip to Disney World!  We had a great time but boy were my feet sore from all of that walking!! 

My February mileage was even lower than January but I feel that I should count dancing as a workout since my cousin got married in February and I was on the dance floor with my cousins and friends the entire evening!

I am hoping the fact that my cousins want me to run the Cleveland 1/2 Marathon with them in May and the fact that Deb, Nikki, and I signed up for state #17 in May as well will be my motivation to get back on track with my running.  I also need to find the desire to incorporate other workouts (core, strength, etc) into my routine!

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

February in Review

My February training came to a close yesterday when I headed to the Metroparks for a 12 mile run with Chrindye, Heather, Karrie, and Trisha.  I do believe it was the coldest run I have ever experienced.  The actual temperature was -1 when we started.  There were lots of frozen eyelashes and cold fingers and toes but we got it done.
 



Clearly!!

February 2015 Stats
85.1-- running miles
2.39- walking miles
0-- stair workouts
1- monthly fitness challenge workout
87.49-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
118.38-- running miles
5.55-- walking miles
3-- stair workouts
2-- monthly fitness challenge workout
123.93-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 continues to be successful.  Since February only has 28 days, I will finish out my February challenge tomorrow but I went ahead and started my March challenge today as well. 



My February Challenge

Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)
Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, and TX

Mission #2 was successful when we completed the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama.  The only glitch was that Deb was not able to join us so she will have to make up Alabama at a later date.  We definitely missed her!!  It was a great race with awesome bling!

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.

Mission #3 had a nice jump in February even though I did take one day off from training after my 1/2 marathon.  In the end I only missed 3 of my scheduled miles for Feburary.  85.1 miles run in February (881.62 miles to go).

Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 didn't go at all in February.  With marathon training in full swing I think I need to edit this mission.  It will now be to get in an occasional stair workout when I am feeling good and craving a nice cross-training workout

So true

Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 is continuing to come along with the help of my family and my crockpot!

February was a successful month overall.  I would appreciate it if Mother Nature would give us a break so we could run outside more!  Running in circles at the Y gets old!!

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

February in Review

A treadmill hill workout on Thursday was supposed to bring my February training to an end however I just ran out of time to get the workout in so my February training ended with a kettlebell workout on Wednesday evening.

February 2014 Stats
77.7-- running miles
3.06-- walking miles
4.1-- elliptical miles
3-- kettlebell workouts
2-- stair workouts
1-- fitness app workout
84.86-- total miles

Current 2014 Stats
122.20-- running miles
6.14-- walking miles
4.1--  elliptical miles
6-- kettlebell workouts
4-- stair workouts
1--  fitness app workout
132.44-- 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 is still going pretty well for the most part.  I didn't do so well with eating fruits and vegetables when we were in Fort Lauderdale for a girls weekend.

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 is a daily challenge for me but I am really working hard on this.  In fact, I'm reading a book called "Raising an Athlete".  It not only is helping me with the what and what nots to say to my kids in regards to their chosen sports but it is also helping me understand myself more as an athlete.

Mission #3: Run 1400 miles in 2014.
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.
Mission #3 is slowly creeping up there.  I got in a lot more miles than I did last month.  There's still plenty of time to achieve this mission. (1277.80 miles to go)
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 is staying on track!  I don't stress about missed workouts anymore.  I am just enjoying the journey.
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 is going great. In February I walked on the treadmill 2 times, did 3 kettlebell workouts, 2 stair workouts, completed 2 elliptical workouts and one fitness app workout. 

I continue to be happy with the way things are going right now.  If this weather would just give us a break I would be much happier!  Nothing like having frozen eyelashes on our run this morning!!

Our "diamond" eyelashes and eyebrows!

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

February in Review

A fantastic hill repeat session on the basement treadmill  brought my February training to an end.  It was a great sweat session and I had the chance to break in my new shoes!

The February Details
February 2013 stats
76.6-- running miles
67-- spin miles
0-- jump rope fitness workouts
0-- core fitness workout
7-- Pure Barre classes
1--  Fitness App workout
143.60-- total miles

Current 2013 stats
176.91-- running miles
67-- spin miles (3 classes)
19-- jump rope fitness workouts
1-- core fitness workout
7-- Pure Barre classes
1--  Fitness App workout
243.91-- total miles

2013 "to do list" check-in

2013 Running Goals
1. First and foremost 26.2 under 4 hours--enough said
-As of February 28, 2013 I have been looking at marathons to determine where I would like to attempt this goal.  I'm leaning towards an October race.
2. Achieve a second sub 1:50 so I can remove the asterick from my current sub 1:50 PR
-I didn't run any half marathons in February.  I am still hoping to achieve this goal while running in DC in March.

2013 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-73.1 miles run in February.  The stomach bug and pure exhaustion hit me hard and put a glitch in my monthly mileage goal.
2. Run 1300 miles for the year
- 1,123.09 miles to go to complete this challenge.

2013 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Cross-train at least twice a week
-I am incredibly happy with February's cross training.  I took 7 Pure Barre classes, 3 spin classes, and completed one fitness app.  In fact, one of my employees told me that she could see a difference in the way my clothes were fitting so the Pure Barre classes must be working.  Always nice to get a compliment. 
2. Complete a jump rope workout every day
-This goal came to a halt last month to prevent injury and I didn't do a single jump rope workout this month. 
3. Drink 50 ounces of water per day (based on my current weight, this is my daily water intake need)
-Success here.
4. Take my vitamins daily
-Vitamin taken every single day in February.
5. Continue to choose and cook healthier foods
-12 meals made in February.  I am pretty happy with this considering every single person in our house was sick for a few days in February.
6. Learn to swim...better luck this year
-Same story as last month.  We all know this one is a thorn in my side. I have done extensive research in regards to swim lessons. I just need to figure out what will fit my schedule and make the commitment.

I am very happy with my February training.  I managed to incorporate a lot more cross training and I have thoroughly enjoyed every class that I have attended.  Both the spin and Pure Barre instructors are great and really know how to motivate you to do your best.  I did fall short of my mileage goal for the month but I can't be upset about that since I was sidelined by that stomach bug.  Also, for those that are keeping track, I did not eat a single sweet or chip the entire month of February--challenge complete!!

I really would like to know when it is going to warm up here and actually start to resemble the fact that spring is just a few short weeks away.  I'm looking forward to running the Rock 'N Roll USA half in March with Deb and Nikki.  Here's hoping for awesome running weather with a killer PR to show for it!

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