Category: Monthly Review

Tuesday Topics: My 2021 mid year review

Hello there and Happy Tuesday!  I took a week off from blogging.  I think this is the first time I miss all 3 linkups (Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday).  My mind went blank for Tuesday and Friday’s linkups and then on Sunday I started to write my post but then was busy with my niece who is visiting from Mexico, so no post from me.  But here I am and hopefully will not miss many more linkups.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

How is it that we are already in July?  These past 6 months have gone by fast.  So many words to describe it along with many emotions to go with it.  Regardless, it was a good 6 months.  Let me tell you all about it.

Mileage:  Total is 503.03 miles. My goal to run this year is 1,200 miles.  I had a feeling I was not going to meet my goal and was thinking of changing it to 1000 miles.  However, I told myself that if by June 30th I’ve run at least 600, then I would leave it.  Someone told me that my mileage could increase during the Summer.  Well, time to change that goal.

Highest Mileage Month:  118.12 in June.  May was the 2nd highest with 111.79 miles.

Peloton: In November I paused my membership and renewed it in February.  I don’t know exactly how many classes I took since February, but I have reached a few milestones.

I was actually surprised that I made it to 5K minutes.  At the rate I am going then for sure I will get to 10K by then end of the year.

Current Challenge:  My running streak.  Today is day #312.  

Current Shoes:  Since January 1 I’ve run in the Launch 5 and Brooks Levitate 1.  

2021 Running Goal:  My new goal is to run 1,000 miles.  I am at 50 percent done with it with 503.03 miles.

Pain/aches/injury:  All was going well.  I had my usual aches/soreness but nothing painful.  On Friday during my run (I realize it was already July) I had some pain on my lower left leg.  I ran/walked the rest of the way home.  I knew I was in trouble.  Once home I made an appointment with a sports doctor for Friday.   I know better than to check Google but I did anyway.  Looks like it could be achilles tendonitis but I’ll know for sure on Friday.  I did a short run/walk (20 minutes) on Saturday and it wasn’t painful.  I did the same on Sunday and Monday (30 minutes) with hardly any pain.  I plan to continue doing this till Friday but might increase the time to 45 minutes.  

What am I looking forward to the next 6 months?  To run all of the miles!  Haha, JK.  Hopefully I get good news on Friday and can continue running.  I will be happy with at least running/walking.  Getting out in the morning is good for me.  I need it.

I also want to continue my run streak.  The stubborn runner in me does not want to stop.  I am so close to one year.  It will be one year in August.  Will I continue after?  Who knows?  I would like to train for a half marathon or maybe a marathon.  Also, I would like to incorporate cross training and strength classes to my schedule.  We’ll see.

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: My favorite running costumes or outfits

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  What are some of your favorite running costumes or outfits?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am not a costume person.  Heck, I don’t even like to dress up for Halloween!  The only reason I do it is because of my students.  😀

I haven’t run many races in a costume.  I think the only time I’ve done it is when I ran the RunDisney races a few years ago.  And I wore the same two costumes.  Let’s check them out!

☑️ Minnie Mouse at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon

☑️ Sofia the First at the Walt Disney World Marathon

☑️ Minnie Mouse at the Walt Disney World Enchanted 10K

☑️ Sofia the First at the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon

Reading the posts and looking at the pictures made me realize how fun it was to run these races.  I didn’t realized how much I miss racing till now.  I miss the traveling, getting reading the night before, meeting up with friends, etc.

When I run at home my favorite outfit consist of a pair of Oiselle long rogas and a Oiselle top.  Pretty much anything from Oiselle.  My socks are either Balega UltraGlide or Smartwool Run Ultra Light Socks.  I don’t like them with too much cushion.  Also on my feet are a pair of Brooks Launch or Ghost.

Tuesday Topics

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Tuesday Topics: April 2021 Review

This week’s Tuesday Topic is a FREE topic.  Feel free to post any running related blog post.   Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I know April is not over yet.  We still have a few more days left.  Things are going well in the running department and I am trying to stay positive and taking it day by day in the work department.

I will use the same format from my last monthly review of October 2020.

At the end of April we’ll be 1/3 done with 2021.  Time is going by fast!

Mileage:  As of this morning I’ve run 87.54 miles.  There are 3 more days left in April and based on my schedule, I will run 8 miles in those 3 days.  I won’t make it to 100 miles but so far April will be my highest mileage month.  My highest mileage ever was 186.27 miles in July 2016.  

Highest Mileage Week:  24.61.  It was this past week and it took me 5:08:31 hours.  

Current Challenge:  My running streak.  Today is day #242.  Total miles is 668.55.  It is still going well and I am hoping to make it to one year.

Current Book:  None but I am waiting for “The Soul of a Woman” by Isabel Allende.  I need to check Wendy’s posts since she always has some great suggestions of books to read. 

Current Song:  No specific song but I am loving anything 80s.  

Current Shoes:  Brooks Launch 5 and Brooks Levitate 1.  I wanted to replace the Launch at the end of March, but sadly had about 200 miles in them due to low mileage in February.  I will hit 300 miles in May and will then add either the Launch 7 or Ghost 12.

2021 Running Goal:  My goal this year is to run 1,200 miles.  I am at 22% done with 264.58 miles.  I know last month I thought about changing my goal to 1,000 miles.  I will revisit again in June, since I plan to run more miles in the Summer, and make a decision.

What am I looking forward to next month?  Almost the end of the school year!  You knew I was going to say that, right?  Have I mentioned that my last day is June 9th?  😊

How is April going for you?

Tuesday Topics

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July 2017 in Review

I say this after every month but I cannot believe July is over.  We are halfway through the year!

Miles Ran/Last Month:  122.12/115.79.  I did 19 runs this month for a total of 24 hours, 32 minutes, and 13 seconds.  

July2017mileage

Last year I ran 186.27 miles in July which has been the most I’ve run in a month.

2016ChicagoMarathonRecap45

Highest Mileage Week:  38.09.  This was during the end of June and beginning of July and it took me 7 hours, 52 minutes, and 58 seconds.

Races Planned/Completed:  2/2.  I ran the Rock “n” Roll Chicago Half Marathon on July 16 after winning an entry from Erica.  Then I went to Alaska for The Great Alaskan Running Cruise where I ran a half marathon.  It was so much fun!  I got back Saturday afternoon and am still getting used to being back.  I have created a page specifically for this cruise and will be updating/adding posts about the trip soon.  <<I already wrote about my trip in Seattle.

Current Ache/Pain:  Still my knees.  Well more sore on the inside than the outside.  A few months ago I was diagnosed with knee bursitis.  I need to do a better job of doing my exercises to strengthen my glutes, legs, etc.

Current Challenge:  None.

Current Book:  I am a big fan of John Grisham.  I made a list of his books and would like to read all of them (I’ve already read a few of them).  I was reading The King of Torts but had to return it to the library because it was due and I couldn’t renew it, but I am hoping to resume reading it again.

The king of torts
Source: http://www.jgrisham.com/books/the-king-of-torts/

Current Song:  Despacito.  I remember that at first I did not like the song, but the more I heard it, the more I began to like it.  And yes I do like it with Justin Bieber.  🙂

Current Treat:  Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Coffee.

Next Race(s):  Lake Michigan Marathon on September 3.  I have not signed up for this race because I wanted to wait and see how I felt during my training.  Well, I missed about a week and a half when I was in Alaska so now I am going to get back to it.  Yesterday I had to run 12 miles and could only manage 4.  Today I did 5 and it was HARD!

Current Excitement:  I am sort of excited to go back to work.  School starts in 3 weeks (August 21) and the students start on August 23.  I plan to go the week before to start organizing and setting up my classroom.  This year I’m in a new room but teaching the same grade.  This is good because I get to set it up again differently than my previous classroom.  It should be interesting because my new room is a bit smaller than my previous one.

teacher back to work

Linking up with MarciaPatti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

May 2017 in Review

I cannot believe May is almost over.  Even more I cannot believe we are almost halfway through the year.  I have not done a monthly review in a long time so here is one for May.

Miles Ran/Last Month:  115.45/90.22.  I did 19 runs this month for a total of 23 hours, 21 minutes, and 41 seconds.  

Highest Mileage Week:  38.13.  This was during the second week this month and it took me 7 hours, 45 minutes, and 41 seconds.

Races Planned/Completed:  2/2.  The Cinco de Miler was for a friend to celebrate her getting a Master’s Degree in Counseling.  She did not attend commencement but instead asked her family and friends to run with her.  I also ran the Soldier Field 10 Mile which I signed up for back in November when it was $59.  I’ve run it in the past and have always enjoyed it.  This year was no exception.  The weather was perfect, plenty of parking and I felt great for most of the race.   

Current Ache/Pain:  Sometimes my knees hurt.  I need to do a better job of icing them.  On the positive side, my IT band does not hurt as much when I foam roll.

Current Challenge:  None.

Current Book:  None, but I need to get a copy of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck for book club next month.  Have you read that book?

Current Song:  Won’t Go Home Without You by Maroon 5.  I can listen to this all day.

Current Treat:  Cold Brew Coffee from Starbucks.     xSo good.

Next Race(s):  Utah Valley Half Marathon on June 10.

Current Excitement:  I am excited about my race in Utah.  I will be running with Holly, Marcia, Mary Beth, and Teresa and am looking forward to meeting them (I met Marcia in March 2015 at a race but have not seen her since that race).  My last half marathon was the Buffalo Half Marathon last year so it is time to do another one.  Also, in July I will be in Seattle for one day and then head out to Alaska for a running cruise in which I will also run a half marathon and cross off AK off my list for state #38.

Linking up with MarciaPatti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun