February Goals Recap & March Goals

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I've been avoiding writing this post as I'm not super impressed with how February went....

February:

1. Get up earlier.
This isn't happening, but as it turns out I think I am more productive at night anyway. I need to find a way to balance the two. We get up at 7:00am every morning anyway, why is it I need to get up so much earlier again?

2. Strength Training
I've successfully integrate P90x into my running routine and overall I'm feeling a lot stronger. However, this week everything will be on hold until I get my foot issue sorted out.

3. Read at least 3 books.
I only read 2: Labor Day and Thirteen Reasons Why. I think that short month really got to me!

4. Run 180km.
I really liked the idea of having a mileage goal, but unfortunately with nearly a week with no running due to the stomach flu I didn't meet my goal. I'll be retrying this one.

March:

1. Drink more water.
I neglect to drink enough water often and I always feel better when I do. My goal will be 2.2L every day.

2. Find some new methods for preventing injuries.
Particularly applicable at the moment but definitely beneficial long term.

3. Run 180km.
I want to do this one again but it really is dependent on my current foot situation, so we will see how things go at the Dr.'s and after the marathon.

4. Try at least 4 new recipes.
I've been stuck in the same old routine for a while and I want to mix it up with our family dinners.

What are your goals for March?

Strength Training

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First off, I'm sorry for the silence over the last few days, I've just been busy with life.

In other news, I started a new strength training program last week as per my February goals, and so far, it is going great. Essentially, I'm doing P90x, I'm just not doing the FULL program. I need it to compliment running and not take away from it. When I did CrossFit last year, my biggest complaint was that I was so wrecked, tired, and sore all of the time, there was no time or energy left for running.

So here's what I've managed since last Thursday:

Chest & Back
Ab Ripper
Plyometrics
Yoga X
Arms & Shoulders
Legs & Back

I like all of the workouts, though they are a bit long when you add a run in too. Unfortunately, I went a little too far with Ab Ripper and was way too sore by Sunday for my long run. I think I may have pulled my hip flexor.

I looked up all sorts of interesting stretches for your hips on Saturday night, hoping that I would feel better Sunday morning.

Since then, I've been a bit more careful to only push myself just enough, but not to the point where my form falls apart. Another complaint I had with CrossFit was that though there was support and a lot of instruction on form sometimes the spirit of competition takes over and that's when my form fell apart. Though, I still think CrossFit is a great workout and honestly if I could afford it, I'd probably still be doing it, it's not very convenient, and it's probably better that I focus on my running.

Anyways, I'm already feeling stronger and the scale is moving very slowly as well. Though, weight loss isn't the goal, I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds. I'm roughly 10 pounds away from my goal weight which I got down to last June and then gained most of it back after the marathon...


Have you done p90x? What did you think? How do you balance strength training with running?

January Goals Recap & February Goals

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As per this post, I'm updating my goals for February and recapping how January went...


January Recap:

Post about goals for January...
Yay done!

Run at least 4x week, preferably 5x.
I've been sticking to the 4 but so far not 5x per week.

Discover what I'd like to be different about marathon training this time around.
I fixed some of the chafing issues I've had and bought a REAL sports bra (see this post).  I also worked on some pacing problems and after only a month of training, I'm right back at my race pace as per my half marathon last weekend!

Get up earlier.
I have to admit this, so far, is a total disaster. I've been reading endless tips from friends and other blogs on how to accomplish this and I haven't really improved. So, I'm taking drastic action. See below.


February:

Get up earlier. 
I'm continuing this one. Get ready... I will be getting up at 6:00AM every single day in February, ugh I'm going to regret this one tomorrow... But I need to do something to kickstart my body into getting used to it.

Strength Training.
You may remember me doing CrossFit last Spring/Summer and though I really loved it and it worked, I felt sore almost all the time and it really interfered with my running. This time around, I wanted to find something I can do at home, so yesterday I started P90x. I will not be doing it every day but preferably 4x per week to compliment running. More on this soon.

Read at least 3 books.
Here's what I'm reading in 2014, check it out and see what's up next!

Run 180km
This shouldn't be an issue with all the marathon training but I like the idea of setting monthly mileage goals to keep me accountable. I'll finish off January at about 130km including one entire week of being sick.

Do you have any February goals? Got any tips to help me achieve mine?