I always feel like December gets lost in the mix. Like the long lost month of training posts. But December was a great month, running-wise. I’m running more than I ever have in my life, and I’m healthy.
Miles Run: 385
Range of Paces: 5:46-18:48 (track miles to trail miles)
Workouts: 9
Thoughts:
People ask me: why are you running so much? Quite simply because I can. I don’t have an in-person job right now, so I have the flexibility to do so. This time is something I haven’t had in years, but I also know it’s limited. So with the opportunity, I have taken it. Plus, without racing, I’m able to be more consistent with training. I’m not building up and tapering for races. I miss racing, but I’m taking advantage of being able to run consistently.
I never thought I would run above 300 miles in a month again, especially the same year as I broke my foot. The timing has worked out well.
Track Workouts:
I’ve been trying to get to the track once a week and doing standard and simple workouts like 400s or 800s. I find that just getting to the track is a big step for me, and I don’t need to complicate things more. I like simple workouts, so I’ve found things like 12X400s work well for me to build speed (and they have). I feel myself getting faster, and even my easy runs are much faster than they once were.
Tempos/Hard Efforts:
I ran several harder efforts, including a 19:31 5k on the track and a 19:43 5k on the roads. I also ran a 1:08 10 mile tempo. All of these are faster than I did in most of 2019 and all of 2020. Like racing, I don’t ever go into them with a specific time goal but see what I can do for the day. I push myself as hard as I can for the day.
Trails:
One thing that I believe has kept me healthy while allowing me to do volume are the trails. Trail runners say this all of the time, but there are many days I run on the trails and log anywhere between 10-20 minute miles. They are hike runs, but miles never the less. They are a lot less stressful on my body than even 9-minute miles on the roads.
What is in store for January?
I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I am building fitness (for what or when who knows), and I’m looking forward to running fast when the time comes.
My New Years Resolution is to do strength training 3X a week. It’s something I’ve consistently said I’ll do but haven’t or even half-assed it.
Posts from the Month:
Best Running Shoes and Best Running Gear of 2020
Shoe Reviews:
Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 Shoe Review
Nike Alphafly NEXT% Shoe Review
Saucony Freedom 3 Shoe Review
Nike Tempo Next% Shoe Review
Gear Review:
Runners Love Yoga Gear Review
Four Sigmatic Protein Powder Review
Oofos Boots Review
Nuun Review
Liquid I.V. Review
Vital Performance Sleep Review
Bose Sport Earbuds Review
Vertiball Back Massager Review
Personal:
Taking my First Glider Lesson
I started believing then I started achieving
Baking:
Three Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Getting Out of My Comfort Zone and Baking a Red Velvet Cake
Questions for you:
How was your month of December?
Do you have any goals for January?
My resolution is to do strength training at least 1x a week! (instead of 1x a month, whomp whomp). But 2x would be better. I would ideally like to do body weight exercises after a run, but I never, ever do it. I did exercise of some sort almost every day in December, so here’s to hoping I at least keep that up!
I’m the same way. I always say “I’ll do this after I run” but I almost never do. I’ve found doing it a later time (sometimes I schedule it for my lunch at 1 pm or whatever) has been super helpful for me to actually get it done.