The year continues to fly by and October is coming to an end. Happy Halloween for those who celebrate!
I’ve really enjoyed this month and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m sad that it’s almost wrapped up. Marathon training has been going really well, but I’m still nervous about the big day getting closer – less than 3 weeks to go!
Over the past few months, I’ve been sharing my monthly goals when it comes to running and healthy living. It’s that time again to reflect on October and look ahead to November! And just like any other Monday, I’m giving a recap of my latest week of Philly marathon training.
I’m also joining Ange and Carmy for the Monthly Goals Linkup, Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run, and Hoho Runs and Miss Sippi Piddlin for the Weekly Wrap!
October Running Goal Recap
I’ve really enjoyed tracking my goals over the past few months and keeping an eye on my progress over time. My monthly mileage for October is my highest ever: 126 miles!! I noticed that in October, more than ever, I’ve consciously kept my goals in the back of my mind. This accountability stuff really works! Of course, it wasn’t perfect and there are always things to prove, so let me look back on this past month and reflect on whether I succeeded in my health and fitness goals!
- Plan and prepare my own lunch for every weekday. Grade: B+. I did a great job of making lunches almost every day for work. Leftovers came in handy and I became the sandwich queen, for better or worse. My wallet thanks me!
- Prepare healthy snacks to replace my cravings for sweets. Grade: C. I definitely did a better job at eating healthier snacks and keeping my sweet tooth at bay, but I didn’t get to make any goodies from scratch, despite buying all the healthy ingredients. Trail mix has been my biggest ally this month.
- Get 10,000 steps on my non-running days. Grade: B. While I didn’t always hit my goal of 10,000 steps, I really committed to doing this right. My worst day in October was 5,600 steps, and in September, I had several days with that many steps or fewer. Participating in the fall walking challenge at work has made a huge difference, so I really want to keep it up!
November Running Goals
- Prepare healthy snacks to replace my cravings for sweets. I want to keep working on this goal because I know that I can do better. Prepping for the week will be key and I really need to get rid of my excuses!
- Step up the prehab during the marathon taper. With the 20 miler behind me, I am officially in taper mode and I want to get to the race in one piece! Foam rolling, core strengthening, and stretching will take priority. I tend to slack on these things, so I’m making myself more accountable!
- Stay hydrated throughout the day. Drinking more water obviously has a ton of benefits, and with the marathon coming up, I need to stay on top of this. I’ve done really well with drinking a lot of water at work, but when I get home, I slack off.
Week 13 Training Recap:
Monday 10/24: 4 miles after work, I had to take it easy after working so hard at the Perfect 10 Miler! It was nice and peaceful on the Forbidden Drive Trail.
Tuesday 10/25: Yoga class after work. We did a lot of balancing poses that were more challenging than I anticipated. As always we had some headstand time at the wall, and this time I was able to do the L shape without bending my knees, though I couldn’t stay up there very long!
Wednesday 10/26: The goal of this 6 miler run was to alternate between 10:30 and 10:50 pace. I should have run this one on the treadmill – I had to run in my hood and as usual, the hills threw off all my pacing. It was challenging and pretty cold outside but I got it done.
Thursday 10/27: Spin class after work. It was really good class and I enjoyed it. I still feel pressure to be really intense but since I was recovering from my cold, the instructor gave me a pass.
Friday 10/28: A very necessary rest day!
Saturday 10/29: Big day – the 20 miler! Since I felt so good after the 18 miler a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t too worried about this run though I had my usual nerves leading up to it. Bret actually joined me for the first 5 miles, which was a change of pace. I started the run at 6:30 am so he provided some extra security! It seemed that things were going to be just fine but my knees were really hurting, my right hand was extremely cold and took forever to warm up (why just one hand??), and then in the last 5 miles or so I experienced an unpleasant sensation in my calves, which I presume to have been cramps? I was thirsty for much of the run and it seemed that my fueling plan wasn’t sufficient this time around. Maybe 3 Honey Stinger Chews every 3 miles instead of 2 would have made a difference? Regardless, I made it through and had an average pace of 11:20, exactly where I was supposed to be.
Sunday 10/30: And I thought 20 miles would be my hardest…it was really tough running these 3 “easy” miles 24 hours after my long run. Took it very, very slow. It wasn’t until the last mile where I almost felt “normal” again. Thankfully, my knees felt fine.
Week 13 Report Card:
Okay, so the 20-mile run was really tough! I’m glad that I didn’t miss any runs this past week and that I did get in a day of rest. On Saturday, it seemed that my body would never recover, but thankfully I started feeling better before I went to bed. I’m wondering if I should have iced my knees after my long run? I was tempted but didn’t go through with it, nor with the Epsom salt bath.
I’m going to give Week 13 an A. I can’t believe I ran 20 miles! Overall I’m happy with that run but I know I have to make some adjustments so that I’m ready for the real thing in less than 3 weeks – no surprises!
How well did you achieve your health and fitness goals for October? What are your goals for November?
20 miles is no joke! You have some awesome goals. I did well with my eating last week but sort of fell apart this weekend. I need to get back in the game.
Thanks, Coco…yeah, 20 miles is craaazy! I’d rather go back to 18, haha! Hopefully we both improve our healthy eating habits! 🙂
Great week! That 20 miler should give you confidence–just get in your car and drive it and you’ll realize how far you really ran! You are ready.
Thanks, Wendy…I hope you are right! When you put it like that, that is a lot!!
I always like to have a stash of homemade snacks in my freezer when I need them. Thanks for reminding me I have to restock
No problem! I will have to do the same and start freezing snacks!
Congrats on your 20 miler! When I completed my first 20 miler it was an instant confidence booster. You are so right about the “easy” miles after a long run – they seem so hard!
You’ve been doing so great with your training and taper time is right around the corner!
Thanks, Kimberly! Those 3 miles were the toughest that I can remember, lol! I’m sooo ready to taper now LOL.
Great job on that 20 miler and on meeting your goals! It sounds like a tough long run but you pushed through. And that’s great you’ve been making your lunches. I’ve gotten good about the healthy snacks but I’m still bad about packing lunches. I definitely need to work on that.
Thank you, Chaitali! I really didn’t think the jump from 18 to 20 would be so tough! I’m glad to make packing lunches routine but I still need to look at more creative ideas!
I feel like October was a good month for me too. I was able to up my mileage on a consistent basis, which kind of became my goal for the month. I hope to do the same in November.
That’s great to hear! I hope you continue increasing your mileage in November 🙂
Nice work Janelle! I’ll bet that 20 was a confidence builder. The jury’s still out here on whether a warm epsom salt bath > than an ice bath. The warm is more enjoyable but I think I feel more recovered after ice.
Thanks, Marcia! I just hope the race goes better than that 20-mile run! I may have to try ice this weekend…
Woohoo!
Way to get your 20 miler done. Enjoy your taper 🙂
Thanks, Ange! 🙂
Fantastic job on October! It is crazy to see all those miles isn’t it! 20 miles is a huge confidence booster. To be honest I still don’t have a perfect fueling strategy for race day because my long runs all took place in such different conditions. I like honey stinger chews too and i think I will put several packs in one bag to carry with me for the race.
I am trying to maintain healthy eating in taper, I am going on vacation this week, so it’ll be a challenge. Making lunches is a big help in staying on track- great job 🙂
Thanks a lot, Karen! I think eating healthy is going to be a challenge when I go on vacation next week but I’m hoping for the best!
I am so glad that I came to your blog today, on the last day of October. I have been saying that I wanted to publicly share my monthly goals forever, but then keep forgetting until the middle of the month. This will remind me to do it tomorrow! Good job on your A, and your B to C range in the report cards… You can just keep improving there!
Thanks, Mandie! I really enjoy using the blog as a form of accountability. I’ve got some things to improve but overall think I’m going into November strong! 🙂
Great job on the 20 miler! Now, you know you are ready–really the battle is mostly mental after that!! Great job on your training. I need to make some homemade bars for snacks to beat the cravings.
Thanks a lot, Sonia! 🙂 I just need to make sure I don’t experience such awful knee pain on my next long run.
126 miles!? That’s great! Congrats!
Isn’t it amazing how much money can be saved just by eating leftovers!? Every time I think I don’t want to pack a lunch I remember how quickly a bite out is $10-$15 and that adds up!
Thanks! I didn’t realize the mileage would get so high!
And yes, leftovers save so much money. I can easily spend $50 in a week just on lunch and/or breakfast!
Congrats on getting in your 20 miler! You are doing great and are going to be ready for your marathon. Great job sticking to your goals too- it can be tough to remember to other things when you are running so much!
Great job on your 20 miler! Foam rolling and stretching is something I need to do more of too. Congrats on your highest monthly mileage!
Great job on your 20 miles. Now enjoy your taper. I think this is the worse time of year to try to eliminate all the junk food and sweets now that the holidays are coming up.
Nice job on a tough 20-miler–just put it all in the mental toughness bank for Philly 🙂 You’re going to do great!!!
My mum and I ran 20 miles this weekend, and Mum was having knee pain too. Praying you’re both feeling 100% three weeks from now! Can’t believe the marathon is so soon. Where did the time go?!
Aw, sorry to hear that your mom was having knee pain too..it’s the worst! The marathon is so close, yet so far away! It’s exciting! 🙂
Kudos on our 20 miler! And that’s why it’s training — to work out the kinks. Even if you didn’t quite hit the paces on that shorter run, it may have been better to have done it out on the road anyway.
I seriously cannot BELIEVE it’s November.
You have totally got this marathon! You’re ready (now just stay healthy).
Thanks a lot, Judy! Hopefully I’ll be a well-oiled machine come race day, and all in one piece! 🙂
Wow! That is so many miles!!! Congrats on a strong month. Sounds like you have a great plan to be on track for the marathon and November!
Thanks so much, Julie! Being able to run so many miles in a month is such a source of pride for me 🙂
Yay! Glad that marathon training is going well and best of luck to you in the next few weeks and at your marathon! You’re gonna be awesome! Yay for prepping your own lunches too! I’ve been trying to do that in bulk on the weekend but have been slipping lately because I’m just too tired (and lazy). I need to get back on that! Great goals!
Thanks a lot, Farrah! The weekend prep always seems to run away from me, but this month I need to get it together!
Congrats on what looks like a great week! One of my favorite healthy and high-energy snacks recently is coconut butter/manna on some fruit like an apple. It is a little sweet and the healthy fats are satisfying.
Wow, that sounds delicious, I’ll have to give that a try sometime, thanks for the tips!
Hooray for 20 miles! It’s such a huge milestone and confidence booster too! You are going to do great in your marathon. Eating healthy takes more time and effort, as I’m sure you well know. Time is not my friend these days so I’ve been slacking in this area and need to get myself back in gear. Thanks for linking, Janelle!
Thanks, HoHo! Yeah, the healthy eating really takes commitment and I’m hoping to do a better job of that this month! Hopefully we’ll both improve in November, despite Thanksgiving on its way!
Congrats on the 20!! You are so ready for this. I know it’s easier to say that do, but you have this in the bag. You are already so much more prepared than I was. I only reached 18 miles until my knee started to bother me and I never finished my 20. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Lara! I just hope things go well on race day, I’m excited but still a little nervous!
Better to get the tough runs over with in training instead of race day! Awesome overall that you finished the run exactly on pace even though it was tough!
SO true. Thanks, Jennifer, it’s funny that my pace was right on point when all was said and done!
Congrats on your 20 miler! Sounds like you are doing great with training! I’m excited for you running Philly! You are ready! When I did the Philly half one year I remember the crowds were amazing! They will get you through your marathon!
Thanks a lot, Sharon! I’m excited and nervous about the big race! The split the half and the marathon to 2 days, so I’m a little worried that it won’t be as big of a crowd this year, but time will tell!
Great job in October and transition into your November goals. I am really focusing on eating better too. I am trying to make at least one of my meals each day organic plant based – salad or stir fry or juice or something like that. I’m getting older and need to focus on the diet more.
Thank you! That sounds like a great plan to eat more healthily…nutrition is everything!
Wow 126 miles for October and I’m with you it is just flying by! Great job on your 20 miler! Once I hit this it was really a confidence booster to me that I actually may can do this! You will too!
Sounds like with just a tweak or two on your fueling and you’ve got it!
Thanks so much, Tricia! I’m cautiously optimistic!
I love your recaps and grades! It’s something I should do myself to keep myself accountable. 20 miles— whooooweeeee! Go YOU!