This week for Tuesdays on the Run, I’m taking inspiration from Janelle, one of my favorite bloggers, and giving myself a “report card” assigning a grade(s) to running (and whatever else) for January. You’re invited to do the same, but keep your eyes on your own paper. Just kidding.
For me this is going to be a little tricky, since A) I’m still rehabbing a pesky hamstring injury and B)I’m taking a runbattical…that’s an “off-season” from running where running is a side dish rather than the entree, in case you were wondering.
Running…….N/A
After thinking long and hard about this, I’m taking the not applicable route here. The fact of the matter is I am still running, just not fast (at all) and the mileage is low (57 miles for the month), but that’s intentional so do I really deserve a low grade? The answer is no I do not.
Keep swimming….. B
I wanted to get back in the pool after avoiding it for most of the fall and in January I did just that. Last week I even added in a second swim. But my swims have been short (under 30 minutes, can you blame me?) so I do not deserve top marks. But still a solid effort in my book.
Crosstrain…..A+
Yes I’m totally patting myself on the back here. I am making the most of my running off-season as well as giving my hamstring ample time to heal by pursuing other fitness avenues. Not only have I added a weekly Crossfit workout and hit up the pool, but I found a spin class I love, and it hurts. So. Good. You may be wondering what all this biking and swimming are about. If you guessed triathlon. you’d be right. I’ll be dipping my toes back in that water in May. Help me Jesus.
Clean up diet…….A
I’m pretty much a broken record when it comes to wanting to dropping 10 pounds. When I came back from our winter vacay, I buckled down. Hard. I like to call it my Cut the Crap diet (CTC) for short. The handfuls of cereal, a chip or 16 here a spoonful of mac n cheese there. The stuff that doesn’t really count until you add it up and it totally does count? I ditched all of it. Given I was just so stellar on eating, one might suspect I was successful on the weightloss front. If you did, you’d be wrong.
Weightloss…….F
Riddle me this: How does one eat unprocessed, nutrient-dense food, journal every morsel as it enters one’s mouth, never exceed one’s daily goal calorie allotment, most days coming in well under it and still barely nudge the scale in the desired direction? Stay tuned, because I’ve been keeping something from you, and it’s time to come clean.
Fun……A
Because I don’t want to end this post like a debbie downer, the fact that I enjoyed a blogger meet-up this month, one where the sun actually made a very rare appearance, is definitely grounds for an A in the fun department. Because running friends and sunny days are the best.
How does your January “report card” look? Where did you do well? Where did you fall short?
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I’m pretty proud of my running this month. While it’s been kind of in the “base building” mode (like you I imagine) I’m feeling good about my paces and stepping out of my comfort zone! That said, I’ve been working on my weight this winter and I think some of the efforts I’ve been making are helping the run paces to get faster. I’m intrigued about your situation!
I don’t think it’s bad to rate yourself for running exactly how you set out to — you’re sticking to the plan! I’m giving myself a B+ on the running. I skipped a workout and have sometimes not followed the workout schedule. But I have also stepped out of my comfort zone and tried actual trail running (Waterfall Glen) last weekend and have plans to go to Palos this weekend! I’m happy that my paces are pretty fast (not on trail!) and I think some of that’s due to the focus on weight loss and nutritional cleansing that I’ve been having lately. I’m curious to hear what your news is though… I hope everything is OK!
I have only run once or twice a month in January. I have been doing many other things though… swimming once a week and lots of weight training. I felt so burned out after 2 marathons last year. Really. Although I am signed up for 2 races in Feb, I am just going to enjoy them. I have lost weight while working with Amanda Tress. Her programs are amazing. High expectations and she holds you accountable. I have said good bye to a big chunk of my belly fat.
How much fun meeting up with Kim !
My month was filled with college things. College things. Skiing. Visit from my mom. More college things.
It was a good month.
I love your CTC Diet…I need to do this so bad. A little bit here, a little bite there is not getting me to my goals.
Isn’t it hard to rate the month when you’re not really “training”? I had the same issue. Even though I knew I did well with cross training and such, I still felt like I couldn’t give myself an A with the running not being where I would like. I think you had a great month…it was well balanced with lots of different activities and fun with friends!
Oh no — don’t tell me you have a thyroid problem? I can actually think of all sorts of reasons the scale wouldn’t budge (like not eating enough) but it sounds like it’s not that).
57 miles may not be much, but it’s not running! I say you deserve an A because you’re listening to your body & doing the wise thing.
Sunshine + running + blogger meetup = A+! Do you realize that you’re lucky to live in an area people actually WANT to come to? No one ever comes here!
To me it looks like you had a pretty good month! Don’t be too hard on yourself! Cutting out the craft can be super hard! I am always working on that. I think I had a + in terms of running. Or maybe A-. I did 20+ miles each week but only one longish run.
Love the report idea and I will work on mine today . 3 miles still to get in this morning and it is 41 degrees- can you tell I’m procrastinating? Spill the beans, I hate the scale! I think you look fabulous! XXOO
I started out the month good with my eating habits but fell a bit short towards the end. Too many temptations with my girlfriends and happy hour outings. Is it that you didn’t lose weight, but gained muscle so pants fit better???
I think you had a great month! You should definitely give yourself an A for running.
Hope everything’s ok on the health front…
I’d give myself an A on running–I did that lululemon/strava challenge, an A on fun, an A on cross-training, a B on nutrition, but a big fat F on mental toughness. What a rough month, emotionally. Thank goodness for my friends and family. The good news is that I’m feeling better thanks to adjustments in the steroids and my diet. Guess you already know what I’m writing about tomorrow and Friday! LOL!
Judging from your photos, you look great. I say forget the scale.
My runs and races are ok. Worksouts besides running are an D (not an F because I play tennis.) .
Your humor and candor always crack me up 😉 I’d give our blogging meet-up an A+ also 😉 It better happen again 😉
Looks like a good month to me! And, I think you should give yourself an A for running – you’re doing the smart thing to bring that hammy along slowly.
I seriously need a CTC diet of my own – the afternoon grazing has gotten out of hand!
Thanks for the link-up 🙂
I think it’s so interesting to see the mindset of a runner. I like the N/A approach- lol.
The report is such a fantastic idea! I will definitely give this a try, as well!! Thanks for the link-up Marcia! Have a great week!
I take runbatticals too, so no worries there. I’d still say 57 miles is a pretty good much, especially with a wonky hamstring.
This month was a rough start back into running after having my baby. I hope that it’ll start getting “easy” again. But that’s a long way away.
I love the report card style! i might do this later in the week. January is a good month to focus on cross training. As for clean eating and no budge on the scale- that’s so frustrating. Sometimes with my clients it takes several weeks before their body fully adjusts and starts to move… also the timing of meals can make a difference (ie, eating first thing to kick start metabolism) but for endurance athletes, sometimes our bodies want to hold onto a little extra because we are so often in a state of stress.
Well I am intrigued as to what you are keeping from us! Did you figure out why the scale isn’t budging despite what sounds like you doing all the right things? Are you gaining muscle??,
Grades are for loooooossers ;D
I have no progress to speak of, other than getting to do my first run, and it was amazing, and then doing my second run and pulling my hamstring DOH loooool
Even in your non-running focused month you ran more miles than I did, so I think you did a great job! Weight loss is so confusing…I’ll never understand it!
I feel so special to be considered one of your favorite bloggers <3
I didn’t get much running in this month either, but did run a marathon so the not running was intentional. I can definitely understand it being hard to grade yourself. Weight loss is so tricky – congrats on getting your diet cleaned up.
Cannot wait to read what you have to say about food/weight etc!
Yay for feeling good and eating well. Big yay for triathlon training, wow. That would be such a cool experience. The whole thing that got me running in the first place, about four years ago, was a thing called “Iron Goat” which is a tri spread over a whole month, ha. Just something to get moving. It worked! I got hooked on running and more.
Happy February, friend! I’ll be following along!
my workouts are sucking but I am trying to stay positive!
I miss you!!!
Jan was an A! I ran 30 miles, I swam once and I lost weight! Overall I am happy 🙂 Keep kicking butt! Can’t wait to see what Feb brings 🙂
You had a lot of linkers for this weeks TOTR!!! It goes to show this topic is on a lot of our minds. I’m curious about your secret your keeping lol.
A few pounds found it’s way around my hips as well, Like why couldn’t it go to my boobs, really???
Wow! Nice job with your cross training!! Your runbattical sounds like it’s treating you well.