Are you responsible for it already being September? How did this happen?! In any event, I hope you are having a great Labor Day weekend, whether you’re on the grill or at the beach!
Looking back on the past month, I had a really great August. I’m happy with how my training for the Philly marathon has progressed so far, and I hope to keep things moving in a positive direction. Now that we’re starting a new month, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the previous month’s goals and think about what’s next!
I’m linking up with Hoho Runs and Miss Sippi Piddlin for the Weekly Wrap! It’s a great way to see what your favorite health and fitness bloggers are up to each week! I’m also joining Ange and Carmy for the Monthly Goals Linkup and Marcia, Erika, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run!
[bctt tweet=”Did you meet your running goals for August? I’m sharing how I did in the #weeklywrap!” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
August Running Goal Recap
I think that August turned out to be a great month for working out! I joined a studio for yoga and barre, I’ve been doing a lot more foam rolling and stretching than I usually do, and I think the planks and hills are making me stronger! Marathon training has had a strong start, and I’m looking forward to kicking things up a notch in September. My monthly mileage for August was about 77 miles, a slight increase from July. As a reminder, these were my goals for August:
- Follow Coach Kristy’s marathon training plan to a tee. Grade: A! I have been doing a great job so far of following the training plan for the Philly Marathon. I haven’t missed a single run!
- Run with some new running groups. Grade: F. I didn’t run with any running groups in August. I can’t even really think of a good excuse, but I still need to check out the groups in my new neighborhood.
- Hit the track for my speed work. Grade: A! I had one track workout on my training plan this past month and it was thrilling to be out there running fast for the first time in over 10 years!
- Do planks, squats, and lunges 3 times a week. Grade: B. I was doing really great with this goal at the beginning of the month, but I really fell off on regular squats and planks, especially after the City Fit Girls FitRetreat.
September Running Goals
- Clean up my eating habits. I have been eating terribly the past several weeks. Way too much candy, not enough veggies. I know that this impacts my running, so it’s time to clean it up! Continuing to use PlateJoy for my meal planning will also help me avoid spending money for lunch. I’m also thinking of eliminating alcohol or at least significantly reducing my weekly intake. That’ll mean fewer pumpkin beers for me!
- Do yoga and/or barre at least once a week. Having a yoga and barre studio right near my house is so convenient! Both activities are very complementary for runners, so I want to make them a habit! I don’t want to be too ambitious with this one because I will start running 4 days a week this month.
- Continue planks, squats, and lunges 3 times a week. I think this was a great goal for August and I want to keep it going! Specifically, I want to hold longer planks and do more squats throughout the week, since I seem to neglect them the most. My knees have been a little grumpy on my long runs, so I’m hoping that doing more squats will help!
Week 5 Training Recap:
Monday 8/29: Rest day after Sunday’s 12-mile run. I was going to take a yoga class in the evening but decided against it.
Tuesday 8/30: Hill repeats! This was a really tough run. While it was the exact same workout as 2 weeks prior, this felt 1,000 times tougher. I just didn’t have the strength or endurance to run up the hills quickly and my shins and calves were not happy in the process.
Wednesday 8/31: No workouts. My calves were killing me all day so I wore compression and took it easy.
Thursday 9/1: I started out the day with a 1.5-minute plank. I’m going to start doing longer planks moving forward to keep challenging myself! In the afternoon, I went for a very, very easy 3 mile run on the treadmill. I kept it super slow so that I didn’t aggravate my calves and shins that were still pretty sore. Then when I got home, I went to barre class! I ended up having a solo session, and it was TOUGH, but I did my best!
Friday 9/2: I didn’t do any workouts. I did help Bret with his project building a retaining wall on our front lawn. 40-pound bricks? No problem…my back would say something different!
Saturday 9/3: The big run: 14 miles, my longest run EVER. And I did it solo. I was still really nervous about my calves, but overall they didn’t cause too many problems. My right shin still is a nuisance, and at some point my left knee was uncomfortable, but I had a very consistent run and felt good! I really couldn’t believe it! Now afterward my hips felt sooo sore, but I’m feeling fine a couple of days later! I was really proud of this run.
Sunday 9/4: I did some walking in the neighborhood and some more work on building the wall out front. It’s now almost done – just need to top it off! Bret and his mom did a really great job!
Still smiling after a really rough hill runWeek 5 Report Card:
I am so happy with how this past week of training turned out. I was really nervous because of my calf tightness – I have had this happen before back in early July and at that time I had to take some extended rest days. Thankfully, this time around, I was still able to get in all of my runs, though I did make some modifications.
I’m also happy that I went to barre class – I was pretty nervous and considered bailing, but I ended up having a great workout. My hope is that the more often I go, the easier it will get. My hips definitely need the personal attention!
So with all of that said, I’m giving Week 5 an A! I know I still have a long way to go, but marathon training right now is going really well, and I plan to keep it that way!
What are your fitness goals for September?
Yay for you!!!! Congrats on that 14-miler!!! When I ran my first training run that was longer than 13.1, I could not believe how “easy” it actually was. Heck, after running 13 miles, what’s one more mile, right? I was up in your state this past weekend…I’ve been there twice now, and still have not had a chance to run on any Pennsylvania streets ;-( I’m gonna have to fly out there sometime (the 18-hour drive is nutzo) and find a race 😉
Thanks a lot, Kim! It did end up being “easier” than I anticipated, and I’m just grateful! I did see that you were in PA again, I saw that Utz hat, lol! Yes, come run in Philly, we’d love to have you!!
I loved reading this post. You are positive, upbeat and confident about your training and it comes through. That mental aspect is so important, and it will get you through those tough runs. Every time I run a distance which is a little longer than my longest run, it is a huge confidence builder. You are going to rock your race !
I am cleaning up my diet with a 6 week carb cycling program. I love it and the results have been great. Kind of hard managing training and the program, but I am making it work. It includes no alcohol, gluten or dairy…. tough but doable.
Thanks so much, Karen, that means a lot! I’m just grateful that things are going well. And it has been an interesting challenge to run most of my runs on my own since I usually would have Bret to lean on for my longer runs.
I have heard of carb cycling but honestly have no idea what it is, but that’s great that it’s working for you! Nutrition is such a big part of training and it’s important not to neglect it! Hope your training is continuing to go well too!
Great job on another successful week of training and completing your longest run ever!
Do you run with compression sleeves or socks? I did my 16 miler with compression socks this past weekend and although my legs still felt a little fatigued, they didn’t feel too sore when I finished.
Thanks a lot, Kimberly! I don’t know what it is, but sometimes when I run longer runs with compression socks, they feel uncomfortable, especially when there are lots of hills. I need to play around a bit and see what works best.
Great job on 14 miles! Sounds like all your training is really paying off.
Between being sick & caring for my parents, training has been a challenge, but I think I’m getting enough done to at least get by.
About my only goal is to please God let us get to take our little mini vacation to the cape & also please let it be good weather! Getting back to normal training would be nice, too . . .
Hopefully you’re feeling better and it’s good that you’ve still been able to train with everything you’ve had going on. I hope you have a great trip to the Cape! I’m looking forward to ZOOMA in a few weeks up there!
Really great that you’ve been sticking to your training plan and woohoo on that 14 miler! I honestly have never run that far!
Thanks a lot, Coco! And wow, I’m surprised at that!
Yay for 14 miles! You are off to such a great start with your training!
Thanks a lot, Michelle! I’m still in disbelief!
Yay! for the longest run ever 🙂 It is always such a good feeling when you break a new barrier. I am excited to get there again.
Compression is the way to go with tired legs, I have been living in it lately 🙂
You are doing great with your training! I am with you on the eating, I have been cleaning up my diet, but I don’t want to give up my cocktails lol but seriously even one drink can rely zap my energy.
Thanks, Karen! I was a little emotional once I passed 13 and realized I was going farther than ever before! Compression is such a lifesaver! I may need to buy a few more pairs before this season’s over! And yeah, giving up the cocktails is a toughie! I’m going to do my best to moderate my consumption.
My goals for September also include cleaning up my eating habits. I’ve been eating a lot of junk recently and it’s definitely hurting my running.
I also did 14 miles this weekend (my longest run ever too!). My mum and I ran together which was great because chatting with her made the miles pass much faster. I’m feeling the miles in my glutes today though. And I have 15 miles on the schedule for next weekend…eeek!
Way to go! You are doing a great job!!
Janelle you hit August out of the park and you’re off to a great start this month too! Yay for having a great track workout. I was able to do weekly track workouts all summer for the first time and it was amazing. Brought back track team memories. How I fell in love with running in the first place.
Happy September! You really did have a great training month Janelle! You followed your training plan and you hit the track for speed workouts! You’re definitely on the right track for this marathon. I haven’t been running with my group in a while either. They meet a bit on the later side at night for me and that’s when I need to make dinner for my kids. Running groups help though. I always feel you push yourself a little harder when running with a group.
Have a great training week Janelle!
I’ve fallen off the wagon of good eating a bit too! Good for you for getting back to it. Your training is going really well and I’m glad the calf pain was ok for you on that long run! Hope it stays away.
You made August looks GOOD, girl! Nice work!
Thanks so much, Patty!
Great job on your long run. And even by yourself. That is impressive. When I go that distance I need my running buddy there beside me. I have been wanting to try out a Barre class. I am afraid I’m gonna like it and that could be bad bc it is so pricy.
Thanks a lot, Lacey! The first time I tried barre was with a Groupon, so I’d definitely try to find a deal first!
Awesome job covering your longest distance ever- that’s so exciting! And I definitely think the Barre and planks will keep you balanced and strong, too.
Thanks so much, Laura! 🙂
I am glad to hear that your running is going so well! I have had a few running set backs lately but ready to get back to it
Great job hitting most of your August goals and awesome week of training. Kudos to you for going to barre… I hear it is a great workout. Like you, one of my top goals for September is cleaning up my eating… I have been eating way too much junk, and I can feel it.
I love following your journey. I remember my first 14 miler. It was INSANE! I was so dang proud of myself. You should be so proud. xxoo
Great job on your training! I like that you are still mixing it up with cross training. Like you tho, I need to find a group to run with! It’s hard to give up those solo runs.
14 miles! Yeah! Congrats on that longest run ever and for doing well with August goals overall. I have issues running with groups mainly because my schedule doesn’t mesh with most of theirs. Sad! As much as I love my solo runs, it’s always nice to run with other people.
Congratulations on your longest run ever! My hips will get sore after a long run too. Just think what we are putting them through! I think your calf pain is simply an adjustment to marathon training. You are doing so well and had an outstanding week. Thanks for linking, Janelle!
Thanks so much, HoHo! We do put our bodies through a lot! I’m hoping the calf pain eases up soon!