It’s hard to believe we are already a month into the new year. It’s seemed to fly by and yet drag, all at the same time. Since we are ending the month, the topic for Tuesdays on the Run is “rate your month of running.” Did you get an A? A C for effort? Or did you fall off the wagon completely? Join Patty, Marcia, and me as we discuss our month. (Thanks to Janelle for the topic idea. Anyone else got an idea? We’d love to hear it.)
Before I get to my running month, let me tell you a bit about my weekend. Saturday I got to spend the day with all other other Ragnar DC Ambassadors. It was a really fun time and I learned a lot about the company and the race. I also realized I’m completely sane when I’m compared to these other Ragnar addicts LOL. Maybe when I get done with hitting all the states running half marathons, I can work on doing all the Ragnars.
After the event, we hosted our annual holiday beer tasting. We tasted 25 different beers. There were some real winners and a few that I’m not sure who I’m going to pawn off the rest of the six pack on LOL. I pretty much flooded Untappd with my entries and earned a whole bunch of badges. (And lest you think that was a lot of beer, there were 13 of us tasting and we only opened one bottle of each beer.)
I also got an awesome #MustHaveBox in the mail from POPSUGAR. They sent me this box to try and the timing was perfect. All of this month’s items related to self-care and as you know from my Friday post, that’s been a focus around here. If you’d like to try a POPSUGAR box, use code SHOP5 to get $5 off your first box. I can’t wait to try out all the cool products from this month.
So, now let’s go back to running…
I posted my new training plan last week. I’ve already completely ignored it. I did manage a couple of good progression runs, rather than a tempo run and I did do part of the speed workout, but ran out of time to finish it. I’ve learned two things in this week: 1) the distances of the speed workouts are a lot longer than I realized because I need to do a warmup, slow running in between the speed intervals, and a cool down and 2) I really suck at running a comfortable hard pace – I’m either too slow or pushing too hard. Also? I have no confidence in my ability to hold a pace other than a slow one.
Overall, it’s been a pretty good month. I have gotten in some faster miles and I should hit 100 miles for the month of January. I didn’t have a double digit run planned for January and I didn’t do one, but I’m feeling like I failed a bit there. Thanks to the amazing weather, I was able to run most runs in the Lotta Breeze capri and a half zip, so that’s totally a win for January.
Grade: A-.
For February, I have a goal of sticking to the plan a little better, as well as trying to actually hit my goal paces. I run my long runs too slow (I’m using the Hansons plan) and my recovery runs too fast. I also have my first race of the year, a 5k, which is a distance I love to hate. Maybe we’ll even get a real snow at some point instead of just yesterday’s ornamental snow…
How about you? Did your January work out the way you hoped? What are your goals for February?
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Yes, I had a good January and met my goal for weekly mileage. In Feb I’d like to do 20 miles each week – we shall see how that goes! Nice job on a good month!
I keep seeing those pop sugar boxes. And you have a coupon code. I may have to try. I much prefer wine over beer, but I do love trying different craft beers.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…January ends with another memorable run!
Ugh, I already fell completely off the wagon. Not using it as an excuse but having winters between -4F and 15F has been brutal especially since I don’t have a treadmill. So I’ve had to improvise but it’s not the same, as I found out this week. ?
You had a great month! This mild weather is certainly conducive to adding up the miles. The lack of snow helps too. I’m happy with my month, running-wise. I’ve got one more run to do but it looks like I’ll hit 105 miles for the month. Plus there was that lululemon prize!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Cruise Control
Great job on your A month! I’m impressed you were able to run without layers. I’ve been here a week and feel like I need all the clothes to run here. lol
patty recently posted…Grading January 2017 | Tuesdays on the Run
AH so that could explain why there were so many Ragnar-related cars at the REI in Tysons! My running went a bit downhill when I started the Whole 30, but otherwise I was happy with my January running!
Stacey recently posted…February Goals
I had an ok month. I ran 85 miles which isn’t a lot but more than December. All my run are easy runs and I don’t even wear a watch. Such a slack. I am better when I have more races scheduled – they are my speed workouts.
I have no real goals for Feb besides probably adding longer runs because I have a half on March 5.
Darlene recently posted…January Recap (& TOTR)
I had some distractions in January, but I hope February is a better month. I know of one weekend I won’t be able to run on Saturday, so maybe I can get my run that Friday? Maybe, maybe not. Fridays aren’t the best days to get me running.
I gave myself an A for January.. I got all my long runs in, even when it was below zero around here. So over winter.
Ragnars are so much fun!
I haven’t logged into Untappd in quite some time..I love trying new beers but I’m definitely more of a wheat beer drinker and anti-IPA’s! I’m so excited to be doing my first Ragnar in June, I would love to go to all of the different locations around the country!
I hear you on pacing struggles…my tempo run was way too fast last week, it takes me a long time to get the right feel for paces.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Tunes Tuesday: Missy Elliott Appreciation!
At least you can still get out to run on ornamental snow. 🙂 That PopSugar box looks perfect for January!
Jessica S recently posted…Weekly Wrap-Up: Back in the saddle (finally!)
Yes, the roads were perfect and it was just pretty.
Although my January had me inside much more than I’d preferred, things did play our nicely. My miles were “average,” but for a much needed recovery month, they were perfect. I wish I had a taste for beer…there certainly are a lot of options out there 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Making the Grade and Back on Track
It’s always good to have a recovery month. I’m bad about taking them when I should vs when they just sort of happen LOL.
Great job this month! January is a tough month but it sounds like you still got in some good runs. Its great that you identified areas that you want to work on!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Month in Review: January 2017
We were very lucky to have a mild winter here so far, so I got lots of outdoor runs in.
annnd with the full coming in april I STILL ONLY GET A C.
Send help.
and caffeine 🙂
Carla recently posted…Fitness Wearable OBSESSIONS.
You got this! I know you can make it happen.
I am happy with my running but I need to step up my cross training game and quit being a slug! LOL! Your beer event sounds like so much fun!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…My January Report Card
I’m with you on the cross training – it’s the first thing to go when I get busy.