Just like the sentiment in that Pink song, sometimes we need to find a reason to fall back in love with things we once enjoyed. For me, lately, it’s been about running. It’s not that I’ve completely fallen out of love with running, but perhaps the intense training aspect had lost its sparkle. However, the arrival of pleasant, fall-like weather has been the perfect reason to reignite that passion and learn to love running again, maybe in a slightly different way. There’s something freeing about racing occasionally, when the mood strikes, and focusing energy on other aspects of life.
Just give me a reason,
Just a little bit’s enough,
Just a second we’re not broken, just bent,
And we can learn to love again
August was quite demanding, filled with developing a 20-minute yoga routine for filming – which, surprisingly, turned out to be more challenging than anticipated! Alongside that, keeping up with coursework and starting to prepare for the final Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) test kept me busy.
They say the harder you work for something, the sweeter the reward, and I’m hoping that rings true here.
Scheduled Runs
I keep thinking about researching fall half marathons, but time seems to be constantly slipping away. It might turn out to be a year with just one half marathon. If that’s the case, there’s no pressure to adhere to a strict training schedule.
Grade Earned: B
Recording My Runs
I was consistently logging my runs until the very end of August. Then, I completely dropped the ball on recording runs (and even my usual gratitude journaling). But that’s just life sometimes! It’s about getting back on track.
Grade Earned: B
Dynamic Warm-up
This was a mixed bag. Sometimes I was diligent, sometimes not. I know it won’t be long before the weather turns cold, and I’ll be forced to do those warm-ups indoors. Perhaps the colder weather will enforce more consistency.
Grade Earned: B
Foam Rolling
I didn’t foam roll as frequently in August as I did in July, but I maintained a decent routine. I definitely notice and miss it when I skip it. Foam rolling remains a crucial part of my recovery and injury prevention.
Grade Earned: A
Nutrition
My long-term nutrition goal is to reach a point where I can maintain my weight without constant monitoring or meticulous tracking of everything I eat. I’ve been off tracking for a few months now, and my weight has remained stable. Nutrition has been generally good, although we did eat out more this summer than usual. However, we also haven’t traveled in a long time, which might explain why maintaining my weight has been easier. The balance of eating out versus staying in likely evened things out.
Grade Earned: B+
Support
- Massage? Still on hold. It’s something I need to prioritize for self-care and muscle recovery, but haven’t scheduled it in yet.
- Chiropractor Appointment? Yes, and apparently, it was a good thing I went. Regular chiropractic care is important for overall well-being, especially for runners.
- Do I need a hair appointment? Even though I know my layers really need a trim, I’m actually enjoying my longer braid. Practicality versus style, a common dilemma!
Grade Earned: B+
Cross-Training
Similar to last month, yoga has been consistent – and yes, it’s easy to skip even when you’re learning about it! Strength training has also been pretty consistent. Pilates, however, has taken a backseat, even though I genuinely enjoy it. The question looms: what will happen when I actually start teaching yoga classes? Finding the balance will be interesting. Stay tuned!
Grade Earned: A
August 2019 Overall… gets a B+. Highlights include one trail race, some hiking, maintaining my weight, and staying injury-free. A solid month of activity and balance.
August Goals Review: (Covered in the sections above)
September Goals:
Looking ahead to September, my goals are shaping up to be:
- Explore Fall Half Marathons! Prehab exercises, while still important and done occasionally, are now more of a background habit. With no current injuries (knock on wood!), it’s time to shift focus to race planning. This might be a year of focusing on just one half marathon, or perhaps I’ll find a race that truly motivates me. Maybe race planning will be a good post-graduation focus as a break from studying.
- Strength train 2-3 times per week. This remains a constant goal. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, which is detrimental to overall health and fitness. Consistent strength training is crucial to combat this.
- Work up to 8 miles, maybe 9? There’s a 15k race I usually participate in during November. While I could probably complete it even with 7-mile long runs, properly prepping my body is important. My body performs best when adequately prepared for the demands of a race.
- Practice teaching yoga – and find a studio for teaching/subbing. I have numerous yoga-related goals. I definitely need significantly more practice teaching, although I also need some downtime after my test and graduation to recharge.
- Foam roll almost daily. Continuing to use my Lauren Roxburgh foam rolling techniques, along with regular pre-run foam rolling, for ongoing muscle health and recovery.
- Continue intuitive eating – unless weight starts to increase. Winter is approaching, a time when many people, including myself, tend to gain weight if not mindful of eating habits. Intuitive eating helps maintain balance, but awareness is key.
- Meal plan on weekends! This goal remains until it becomes a consistent habit again. I’ve started looking at recipes and planning meals in my head, but without writing them down, I struggle to remember and execute the plans. Putting it on paper is the next step.
- A race? At some point? Races are still plentiful this time of year. I just need to explore options and see what appeals to me and fits into my schedule. The joy of running is often amplified by having a race to train for, even if it’s just one.
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup.
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