March in Review

My March training came to a close on March 30 when I met up with the neighbor girls for a 5.5 mile pre-dawn run.  My quads were tight at the beginning of the run but did loosen up as the miles ticked by.  





March 2015 Stats
101.54-- running miles
2.72- walking miles
0-- stair workouts
1- monthly fitness challenge workout
104.26-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
219.92-- running miles
8.27-- walking miles
3-- stair workouts
3-- monthly fitness challenge workout
228.19-- 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 was once again a success in March as I completed a 30 day tricep dip challenge




My March 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 had no progress in March.  We need to plan our next race ASAP!

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

Just run

14 run in the rain

10 run in the snow

Mission #3 exceeded 100 miles for the month.  101.54 miles run in March (780.08 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 March either.  However, my daughter's figure skating club hosted a competition in March and I spent three days walking all over the ice rink.  I would definitely count that as cross training.  There just aren't any steps at the rink....

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 going okay.  Some weeks are better than others but we are eating at home more often.

I am very pleased with my March training and am happy with the great start to training I have had these first few days of April!

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

March in Review

Sunday's pre-dawn 16 mile run brought my March training to a close.  I am truly hoping that Sunday was the end of this crazy snow!

March 2014 Stats
109.74-- running miles
1-- walking miles
0-- elliptical miles
2-- kettlebell workouts
2-- stair workouts
1-- fitness app workout
1-- Assorted cross training exercises workout
110.74-- total miles

Current 2014 Stats
231.94-- running miles
7.14-- walking miles
4.1--  elliptical miles
8-- kettlebell workouts
6-- stair workouts
1--  fitness app workout
1--  Assorted cross training exercises workout
243.18-- 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 picking back up finally.  Planning to cut up those fruits and veggies this evening after a nice easy run.

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 continues to challenge me but I am really working hard on it and feel I am moving in the right direction during my workouts.  I do what I can do and have been happy with it at the end of the day so I say that is a success.  I also  just finished reading "Raising an Athlete".  It was a great book and incredibly helpful with this mission.  I highly recommend reading it.

Mission #3: Run 1400 miles in 2014.
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.
Mission #3 was much more successful this month as I ran over 100 miles in a month for the first time in 2014 (1168.06 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 right where I want to be!  I love running with friends and not stressing out about things.
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 really well. In March I walked outside once, did 2  kettlebell workouts, 2 stair workouts, and one assorted cross training exercises workout.  The plan for April is to keep up with these additional workouts as well as complete this April challenge! 

Overall, I am absolutely thrilled with the way March ended up and am looking forward to seeing what April brings.

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

March in Review

As March comes to a close, I am once again grateful for the very mild winter we have had in Ohio this year.  It makes for pleasant running conditions!

March 2012 stats
73.1-- running miles
0-- bike miles
0-- pool workout
27-- core fitness workouts
73.1-- total miles
151.8-- weight as of March 31, 2012 (an increase of .4 but I certainly can't complain about that since I added sweets and chips back into my diet)

Current 2012 stats
258.3-- running miles
6-- bike miles
1-- pool workout
56-- core fitness workouts
264.3-- total miles
151.4-- current weight

2012 "to do list" March check-in
2012 Running Goals
1. My number one running goal is to run a sub-1:50 half marathon
-I am considering attempting my sub-1:50 at my April or May half marathon
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 haven't really thought too much about this one lately
2012 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-73.1 miles run in March- I fell short again this month but a nagging hamstring and foot influenced my decision to take additional rest days and I'm happy to report that both the hamstring and foot are feeling better.
2. Run a half marathon each month
-Rock CF Rivers 1/2 Marathon (1:53:15)
2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis
-27 core workouts done in March
2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods
-15 well-balanced meals prepared in March
3. Drink more water
-I further increased my water intake for March so I am moving in the right direction here
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.
-I looked at the swim lesson information again and am trying to figure out when I can take lessons.

March was a decent month with lots of amazing running weather!  I am excited to see how April goes since I have finally created a plan to work towards that sub 1:50 1/2 marathon goal!  Next stop for the 1/2 marathon in all 50 states is Louisville, Kentucky at the end of the month!  I'm definitely looking forward to another trip with Deb and Nikki!  Should we take our Derby hats?  LOL!

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

March in Review

Yesterday's 5 mile run brought my March training to a close. The beginning of March brought my first 30K, while the end of March brought my first 20 mile training run for Cleveland. Throughout March the weather fluctated and some days I had to put on the layers and others I was able to just run with capris and a long sleeve shirt. I guess that's Ohio weather for you though!!

March Stats
136.4-- running miles (3 for 3 for hitting 100 miles per month in 2011)
0-- elliptical miles
136.4-- total miles
0 minutes-- rope skipping
153.8-- weight as of March 31, 2011

Current Stats
341.3-- running miles
17.8-- elliptical miles
359.1-- total miles
1 hour and 55 minutes-- rope skipping

Overall, March was a great month of training. I did miss a few days when I listened to my body and took a couple unplanned rest days. In the end, those days didn't make a huge difference in my mileage because I set a new monthly mileage PR!! Yes, that's right, 136.4 miles is the most I have run in one month!

We are less than 50 days away from the 2011 Cleveland Marathon and I gotta feeling it's going to be GREAT!!

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