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It’s that time again – Tuesdays on the Run and “rate your month.” Join Marcia, Patty, Sarah, and myself as we talk about how the shortest month of the year went.
That shortest month of the year thing? Yeah, that’s really messed with me. I *think* I’m going to eek out 100 miles this month, but as I write this, I have 9.9 miles left to run and two days of running left. Oops. I did make running a bit more of a priority than last month, but 3 days fewer is messing with my running statistics. #firstworldproblems
Of course, the fact that I haven’t manage a run longer than 8 miles isn’t helping either. Planning last week’s long run on a record warm day for February did not do me any favors, leaving me 3.5 miles short just in that run alone. So far, my spring half marathon training is a big old fail.
Running: C
Life has been really busy outside of running lately as well. In addition to blogging and my job with a marketing company, I’ve been working for ZOOMA races. We are heading into ZOOMA Texas in just under 2 weeks! I love working for a race company – I’m learning so much more about the behind the scenes as well as the marketing aspects of that. Even more fun is that I get to go down and work the event (and run the 10K.) Add in various other commitments and needing to do our taxes, and I’ve been juggling a lot lately. Somehow (so far) none of the balls have fallen on my head.
Life: B+
One of the reasons that running has been lacking is that I’ve spent a lot of time cross training. I’ve been continuing to enjoy the Faster Way to Fat Loss program (affiliate link, which means I get a commission if you purchase). I can tell I’ve gotten a lot stronger (I actually need some heavier weights) and my balance has definitely improved – I no longer fall over when I’m doing the Bulgarian Split Squats. Now I just need to be able to say the same about the Single Leg Deadlifts. Right now I count it a win when I only tip over a couple of times each set.
Cross Training: A
All in all, February was a pretty good month. The weather was mostly temperate, with only a few really cold days. There was more rain than I wanted, but we needed it. I still got in several tank top runs, which is not exactly the norm here in February. Things start picking up in March – I have the ZOOMA 10K and then 17.75. I’m looking at a couple of options in April for races and then in May I have the Frederick Running Festival half marathon. In June, I get to visit the Mothership (AKA Skirt Sports) and run a 5K with one of my BFFs. Then, on the opposite end of the spectrum, my Ragnar for this year is Ragnar Pennsylvania – but I’m running it on an Ultra team! Gulp.
The rest of the year’s schedule is still squishy with a trip to Australia and New Zealand (with hopefully a race in there), a trip to Wisconsin (of course), and possibly a trip to Arizona. If the schedule allows, I will also be working and running at ZOOMA Cape Cod, ZOOMA Great Lakes, and ZOOMA Florida! (Who wants to join me? My code ERIKA2017 still gets you 10% off! And I create the codes, so one of these days I’ll actually update mine LOL).
Whoosh, maybe I should appreciate how calm February has been…
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Great job on the cross training. That’s a great way to to keep injuries away. I didn’t know Ragnar had a race in Pennsylvania. I’ll have to look that one up.
Yep, I think it’s only a couple of years old. It looks pretty hilly, so I’m a bit nervous for the hills and the distance.
Glad you are still enjoying your program and getting stronger! February is definitely a weird month. Its hard to get in as many miles as usual when there are a few less days!
I know. I thought about not finishing 100 miles, but I was so close I kind of had to do it.
Doesn’t really sound like any ugly in there, but geez, just reading that makes me feel tired. Really tired. Well, I feel tired anyway, but I don’t know how you do all that.
I’m a good juggler LOL.
Wow – life sounds busy for you! But way to go getting in that cross training. I need to make more time for that!
I had to give up 6 days a week of running, but so far it seems like a healthy trade off.
I think you had a fantastic month!!! Love that you are doing strength training. I’m looking forward to working with you on Zooma!
It’s going to be fun and I can’t wait to see everyone there.
Oh yay! I’ll see you at Zooma Great Lakes. We are corralling a bunch of bloggers and former bloggers for that one. Looks like a solid short month!
Woohoo! I still need to circle back to you on that – after Texas LOL.
Congrats on the cross training!!! It’s my biggest goal this year. I’ll have to look into that same program you’re doing. Balance is always an issue for me!
It’s not cheap but it’s been a body changer for me. I’m down about 10 pounds and lots of inches and I managed to build muscle too.
Oh, how I envy you and your “tank top runs,” especially since you get to do most of them outside 😉 Alas, I ‘d probably miss the erratic Iowa weather if I lived elsewhere…or maybe not LOL
It’s not usually tank top weather in February here. But I’ll take it when I can get it. Today it was in the 30s when I was supposed to run.
I loved the strength training part of FWTFL! It was just what my body needed and now I wouldn’t skip it for anything. Sounds like you have a great month in the books. I hope you reach 100 miles!
Are you the one who kept doing it while marathon training? How many miles a week/ how many runs per week do you manage with it?
Sounds like a great month to me. I love how you rate ‘Life’! I’m not sure I can even give myself a B+ for Life for the month. It’s been hectic, to say the least! I really need to improve my cross training this year.
My life is always crazy, but somehow I always manage the must do’s.
Nice work on the cross-training!! I struggle with balance on those single leg deadlifts, too. I think it’s practically mandatory. lol Your form looks great on those split squats. Those are so hard!! And you got 90 miles for this month? Daaannnnggg, I didn’t even get to 70! I’d say your running grade should be higher than a C. 🙂
I did manage to pull out 100 miles. I’m beginning to think I need to just let that go though.
February has seemed like a long month, and yet, 3 fewer days. This is actually the earliest I’ve gotten my federal taxes done, and I mailed them yesterday. Hello refund! I haven’t mailed my state forms yet, but I’m getting $1 back. yay?
We are still waiting for some forms we need and we use an accountant, so I have no idea if I owe or not yet.
I’m so impressed with all your cross training!
Thanks!
Sounds like a super busy schedule! It’s great that you’ve gotten so much cross-training done – that’s one of my goals for March…so needed!
It’s a little crazy sometimes, but I like being busy.
I want some tank top weather too! Great job on your cross training. That is where I am not doing so good this year.
It keeps going back and forth here. This week is colder than it should be. I can’t keep up…
You do look a lot stronger! As you know I am a huge fan of strength training. I would not say that 100 miles is slacking off on running 🙂
I do feel stronger, but my long distance running is definitely suffering right now.
I ran Zooma Texas 4-5 years ago. I live in FLAT FLAT Houston and the Zooma TX race location is in the “hill country” of TX. True story: my friend and I were laughing so hard at the HILLS and HILLS and MORE HILLS as we drove the route we had tears rolling off our chins! It’s a great race though. I just wish I had fueled better during the race – I totally bonked during mile 11 (when it finally got flat.)
Yeah, I’ve heard it’s going to be hilly – although the course has changed a bit to take out a few of the hills. But I’m hunning the 10K, just to be safe.
So cool that you are working for ZOOMA and get to go to all the races! Although that really is a lot extra plus a FT job and blogging! I always thought that in an alternative universe I would have been an awesome race director (or more likely some other behind the scenes person who helps organize races).
Thankfully (I think) I work several part time jobs, which gives me more flexibility. (It also means no paid leave, so there are some downsides…)
Congrats on a great month! February was short but it seemed to always have so much going on! I fell just under 100 miles for the month too. Congrats on the ZOOMA job, sounds like a lot of fun! I’m very envious of your Australia/New Zealand trip!
The ZOOMA job is a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to race weekend this weekend. I’m also looking forward to Australia and New Zealand, but dreading the long flights.