Happy New Year’s Eve! It’s time for the last monthly recap of 2016.
MONTH RECAP: December
Total running: 292
Workouts: December was one of my strongest months of training this year! I’m happy to end the year on a good note.
2 mi. WU, 8 X 800 (3:02, 3:05, 3:05, 3:03, 3:06, 3:09, 3:11, 3:19), 1 mi. CD
2 mi. WU, 12 X 400 hill repeats, 2 mi. CD
2 mi. WU, 3 X 2 mile (6:19, 6:20, 6:18, 6:20, 6:16, 6:18), 1.5 mi. CD
2 mi. WU, 5 X 1 mile (6:11, 6:11, 6:07, 6:03, 6:00), 2 mi. CD
2 mi. WU, 5 mi. LT tempo (6:22, 6:22, 6:22, 6:22, 6:18), 2 mi. CD
15 mi. moderate pace LR (7:33 avg.)
2 mi. WU, 5 X 600 (2:09, 2:10, 2:09, 2:12, 2:12), 5 X 400 (1:24, 1:27, 1:27, 1:28, 1:28), 1.5 mi. CD
2 mi. WU, 5 mi. wave tempo (6:27, 6:25, 6:27, 6:25, 6:27), 2 mi. CD
Races: Only one race this month … the Baton Rouge Beach Half Marathon.
Favorite Race: By default this goes to the BRB Half. Honestly though, this was not one of my favorite races. I’m sure the fact that it was rainy and windy doesn’t help my evaluation of enjoyment factor. Weather conditions aside, I don’t think I would necessarily do this race again. There are just too many races that I really do like to re-run ones that are just “meh.”
Longest run: My longest run of the month was 15 miles. I think that will pretty much be my max distance LR for half marathon training. However, I did run 26 miles in one day this month, crewing for Rebecca’s 50 miler!
Shortest run: 3 miles.
Favorite run: My favorite run this month was the first run of the month when I was in Birmingham. It was so beautiful up there and I really enjoyed running on a few trails. A little change of scenery can do the mind and body wonders!
Rest days: … crickets …
Other: One of my goals for the new year is to make strength training a regular part of my weekly routine. I got a jump on that in December. I figured if I went ahead and started creating the “habit,” it might have a better chance of sticking. I went to two Body Pump classes and I really enjoyed them. Rebecca, Jessica and I also started doing group sessions with a trainer (personal training, but much cheaper :)) and we did that twice a week for the last two weeks of the month. Adding strength training into the mix has been a nice change so far. We are all really enjoying the group sessions. Gotta get ‘dem gainz.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about ringing in the New Year! I am hopeful that 2017 will be a good one!
I used to BodyPump and it made a BIG difference in my running. Also, it made a difference in the shape of my body and I kinda liked that… I felt like my belly was a little flatter, and my booty a little rounder. Truthfully, I got bored with it and stopped because the class always follows the same format and I just needed a break. Then, I got the knee injury and just have not been back (I went 3 days before I got hurt because I was going to start back!). I want to start back soon but not with all the resolutioners in the gym so maybe in a few weeks. I am still doing the PT exercises for my knee and that’s about it for strength training for me right now.
Agreed with you on “meh” races. We have a ton of races here and also races are pricey. It’s not worth spending the money and time to run a mediocre race to me.
You ran a ton of miles and a lot of great workouts! Congrats on all of them and the 15 mile long run- I think your training is setting you up for a solid goal half marathon!
I totally agree that Body Pump can get a little old. I used to go in college all the time and now (10+ years later!), it’s still the exact same, except for the music. Lol. The personal training has been really nice because he varies our workouts every time and we are constantly switching activities during the workout, since there are 3 of us. I hope that adding strength is going to beneficial overall to my running. That’s definitely the goal! I’m glad to hear that it made a difference for you!
I like that bodypump is consistent but that’s why I have to take periodic breaks from it, too.
I used to BodyPump and it made a BIG difference in my running. Also, it made a difference in the shape of my body and I kinda liked that… I felt like my belly was a little flatter, and my booty a little rounder. Truthfully, I got bored with it and stopped because the class always follows the same format and I just needed a break. Then, I got the knee injury and just have not been back (I went 3 days before I got hurt because I was going to start back!). I want to start back soon but not with all the resolutioners in the gym so maybe in a few weeks. I am still doing the PT exercises for my knee and that’s about it for strength training for me right now.
Agreed with you on “meh” races. We have a ton of races here and also races are pricey. It’s not worth spending the money and time to run a mediocre race to me.
You ran a ton of miles and a lot of great workouts! Congrats on all of them and the 15 mile long run- I think your training is setting you up for a solid goal half marathon!
I totally agree that Body Pump can get a little old. I used to go in college all the time and now (10+ years later!), it’s still the exact same, except for the music. Lol. The personal training has been really nice because he varies our workouts every time and we are constantly switching activities during the workout, since there are 3 of us. I hope that adding strength is going to beneficial overall to my running. That’s definitely the goal! I’m glad to hear that it made a difference for you!
I like that bodypump is consistent but that’s why I have to take periodic breaks from it, too.
That’s one super solid month right there. Your workouts are so impressive and I sense a huge fitness gain due to your consistency. Those miles repeats. WOW!
That’s one super solid month right there. Your workouts are so impressive and I sense a huge fitness gain due to your consistency. Those miles repeats. WOW!
You definitely had another great month! I am bad with strength training and would love to start. Aso, I need to do more yoga and stretching and maybe this hip pain will go away, right? 😉
You definitely had another great month! I am bad with strength training and would love to start. Aso, I need to do more yoga and stretching and maybe this hip pain will go away, right? 😉