Run Log: January 2015

Cheryl & I have a thing..."Abs by April" is what we're calling it & we've been planking everyday (and sending each other our times) since Christmas.  I think I've missed one day...but I've been really good about keeping this up.  As long as I have accountability, I don't quit.  It's when it's on my own, I'll stop.  (That doesn't speak very highly of my character...but I have to be honest) so the following four pictures are of my times.  (they go left to right in each collage)  My shortest time was day four at 1:25 & my longest time was day 31 at 4:00.  Haven't hit that mark again, but it's rather interesting to see the pattern of growth.  I find the days I run, I don't plank as long as the rest day (which just makes sense)  As hard as plank is, it is getting 'easier' to hit the 1:30 mark.  But planking is HARD, no matter what.

So, I know this only has tiny bit to do with running, but we traded in my Yukon & the Jeep to get a more reliable car for JB to drive.  (a little incident with the brakes led Mike to convince me it was time ~ so now we have two car payments...but that's not the story)
I was SO very SAD to leave my Yukon at Classic Hyundai.  The weirdest thing was leaving my 13.1 & my 26.2 stickers.  Those really meant something to me.

 But on to running for the month.  Five weeks into training for CLE ~ and I'm still fighting my left calf muscle.  The pain kinda wanders & after my 8 miler today, it actually feels better than it did all day yesterday.  I've ordered some compression sleeves & I'm making a point to STRETCH my hamstring & ROLL my IT band (which I should be doing anyway)  I can't say it hurts.  It's just that I'm aware of my calf muscle & that's annoying.  There is some shin pain when I run, but it's about a 2 on the pain scale.  This too shall pass.  But, you know me, it's a stress fracture or the muscle is detaching from the bone or there's a spot of dead muscle in there...I annoy myself with all that could be wrong with me.

Run Club is going strong.  We are up to SIX members & one who wants to be on the email list for when she's ready.  I made Kelly take this usie because it was about 15 degrees this day...we are BEASTS.  The weather has been cold and snowy & we've made Square's Acres our mile track.
This January I've run in 70 degree sunshine in Florida and 15 degrees in Ohio.  I've also taken to the treadmill when It's been icy & rainy.  This January has seen it all!

January Totals:

119.63 miles for the month
119.63 miles for the year 

64.76 miles in my Gortex Ghosts ~ SO GLAD I bought these.  Today the snow was slushy & there were puddles...and my feet were DRY

157.17 miles in my pink Brooks Glycerin 12.  They are so pretty

Training for:  The Cleveland Marathon on May 17, 2015  ~ Signed up for the 20 mile drop April 12, 2015.

My WEIGHT:  Even though I reminded myself to get on the scale first thing this morning... I forgot.  So I weighed myself after my 8 mile run...137.6 ~ UGH ~ kinda glad I didn't check that out first thing this morning. But to actually lower that number, I'd have to watch my diet more closely.  I'm in training people; I can't be limiting my fuel.

Some interesting facts:

Longest run this month: 10.01 ~ as per my training, I've cut back on the mileage some. (and that's when I have a muscle issue?! UGH)

Favorite place to run this month: would have to be the two runs we took in Florida.  Not too often do you get to run in warmth in the middle of winter.
# of bags of Candy Cane Kisses left in my cabinet: There is one GIANT bag and the bag I just bought for 50% off at Target today.  And there's ONE piece in the candy dish.  {I also think I bought another small bag at Giant Eagle...but I'm not going to check just now}
# of books I read this month: Three
Monthly mileage record: 155.46 ~ August 2013!  WOW
Highest mileage ever-at-one-time:  26.2 ~ October 13, 2013 ~ Northern Ohio Marathon

PR's:
5K: 22:30 (Run For the Grapes 9/28/14}
10K: 50:13 {Run for the Hills 6/22/14}
10-miler: 1:21:29 (Hermes Cleveland 10-miler 4/28/12)
half-marathon: 1:44:58 (Northern Ohio Half Marathon 10/12/14)
marathon: 4:01:04 (Northern Ohio Marathon 10/13/2013)