Hello Monday-after-Christmas-Monday! Doesn’t feel much like a Monday to me since the kids are home and I’m prepping to go away for 3 days on Wednesday already. I’m promising myself to chill on the packing insanity and go with the flow.
Of course that won’t happen – we rented a house with friends which means we have to pack not only clothes and necessities, but food, which makes packing a little more challenging. At least we’re past the days of baby food and diapers – please don’t try to take me back there!
But more about all that, I’m sure, later this week. For today, I’ll quickly recap my week of workouts and then tell you about my running goals for 2016.
Running & Yoga Recap 12/21 – 12/27
Monday – No running (took Diana to early doc appt.) and 20 mins yoga.
Tuesday – 5 miles easy (9:30 avg.) – this week I noticed my easy runs were slower than previous weeks although I ran the same route. Can’t really figure out a good reason why, except that mentally I’m lacking running motivation and just want to keep things really easy. No time for yoga today!
Wednesday – 5 miles easy (9:20 avg.) plus 30 minutes yoga total body workout.
Thursday – 5 miles easy (9:03 avg.) plus 33 minute yoga total body workout (different one, same instructor.) I was sore the next day after this!
Friday – Merry Christmas! I got in 5 easy miles (9:15 avg.) before my kids got up to see what Santa brought them.
It was mostly a lot of chocolate (not the dark kind) plus lots of glitter putty, and a few useful items like water bottles and underwear. Santa seems to bring them all the things that I either don’t allow or put off buying for a year.
I also did this vinyasa flow with core focus, and once again was sore the day after.
Saturday – 10 miles (yay!) that felt good, relaxing, plus the weather was great (a bit windy but upper 40s) I wasn’t by any means itching to get out and run in the morning, but felt good after I ran.
Later I did this 30 minute creative flow, and by creative I think they meant odd and strangely difficult because I wasn’t loving it or feeling the flow! It was someone covering for Lesley Fightmaster and perhaps she just wasn’t a good fit for me.
Sunday – Rest day and a little stretching.
Running Goals 2016
Since I’ve been lacking motivation to run and feeling like I need a break, yet I’m signed up for races (Boston Marathon!) I’ve been giving some careful thought to what my goals are for the year how I want to approach my training.
Goal 1 – Forget about pace and time
This won’t be easy for me, I can’t lie, but it has to happen! It has to happen because thinking about time and pace put too much pressure on me lately, and not the “good” motivating pressure I felt a few years ago.
I’m in an odd place where I no longer care if I improve my times – I’m proud of the ones I’ve achieved and it just doesn’t mean a whole lot to me now – yet, I struggle with feeling that I should want to improve my times. So, I feel that making it an actual goal to forget about my pace will make it feel “more okay” to do just that.
Goal 2 – Train for Boston on 30-40 miles per week
My past marathon training plans involved 40-50+ miles per week, and right now that’s just too much running for me given life circumstances, other goals, motivation, etc. I’m going to create a training plan for myself that will get me to comfortably cover the marathon distance, while keeping my mileage down at a level that doesn’t intimidate me or stress me out.
Goal 3 – Run 2 5ks – each with one of my girls
Last year’s Mother’s Day 5k with Emily was so special and so much fun, I want to do the same thing this year, except run one with Diana as well. Emily is a bit too competitive for us to all run together!
Goal 4 – Train for and run a fall half marathon
I don’t think I’ve ever specifically trained for a half marathon, and I want the experience of doing just that! My concern with this though, is that time and pace will become a factor again. I think after the spring I’ll have to reevaluate how I feel about that, but I still want a fall half to be in the plan.
Goal 5 – Vary my running workouts throughout the week
This is not about doing “workouts” really, but rather getting more creative with my runs a few times per week so I go out with a plan, rather than either winging it or having a standard tempo run planned. Meredith is great at coming up with fun, non-intimidating running workouts, so she’ll be my inspiration for this goal!
Goal 6 – Keep yoga in my life alongside running
I feel the healthiest, physically and mentally, when I have time for yoga in my schedule. Yoga has also seemed to help keep me running without pain or injury, so it’s something I want to continue to prioritize, even if it has to be short at-home practices. Every little bit seems to make a positive difference! My yoga home practice guide continues to be great inspiration – plus I update it as I find great videos!
Stay tuned for a post on my blogging goals for 2016 – the tougher subject for me right now!
What’s your #1 running/fitness goal for 2016?
What area of life do your biggest goals fall right now – fitness & health, family, career?
The Cookie ChRUNicles says
December 28, 2015 at 6:39 amAwww, I am so honored that you like my creative little running workouts. Thank you, means a lot to me:: ) Maybe I will come up with some new ones! It seems you and I both are running slower this week, I have now decided it has to be the weather over lack of motivation. Or maybe it’s the weather causing lack of motivation? Hopefully we figure something out for the half in a few weeks lol. You will have to let me know which half you pick for the fall, maybe I can do it too. I am going to recommend the Great South Bay half in October.
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:27 amNot sure it’s the weather since I still ran pretty slow (not quite but close!) and it was colder. It felt better though and I am missing running in those mid 30s temps which are my favorite. If you’re doing that half I might have to join!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
December 28, 2015 at 6:43 amI like your goal of not focusing on time/pace. I have been avoiding goals for 2016 because I don’t want to put any pressure on myself in areas where I am not currently motivated! I am thinking about just carrying over my goals from last year but modifying them. I do want to at least write a post about it though so I have something to look back on throughout the year- I found that really helpful this past year!
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:28 amThat’s exactly how I feel about not wanting to pressure myself. It’s just not worth it when my heart isn’t there – no point, right?
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
December 28, 2015 at 7:18 amVery realistic goals. I can’t believe you’ve never trained for a half marathon! I love halts. You still get the race high without a huge training commitment. Goals for me are mainly around career and health.
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:30 amI know, it’s strange but I always ran half marathons leading up to a full so I never focused my training on one specifically. I think after Boston I’ll be in need of no 18+ mile runs for quite a while!
Happy Fit Mama (@happyfitmama) says
December 28, 2015 at 7:25 amI’ve got goals on the brain but I’m kinda of afraid of going there. I’m in a good place right now post injury but I’m worried about jumping back into training for anything. Will things flare up?!?! And YAY for yoga! It really became a bigger part of my life this year too. I feel the best when I can get in at least 4 days of yoga a week. It just makes me feel more…me!
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:31 amThat’s exactly how I feel with yoga, it’s very centering and grounding plus physically it helps keep my aging muscles looser! And there’s so much fear coming back from injury, I totally get that.
SuzLyfe says
December 28, 2015 at 8:33 amThese are great goals, and I like the balance of them. My only real goal at this point is just to get back to a point where I might be able to have some. I just want to be able to walk comfortably. I guess my hope is just to get to the point that I might be able to train for a spring half (I think Boston is gone, as of this past week, unfortunately) and get back to yoga. I am going to have a lot of work to do!
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:33 amThere is really no need to rush the healing or push yourself to train! There’s enough going on in general life without the pressure to get back into running!
Tina@GottaRunNow says
December 28, 2015 at 8:53 amRunning 5K’s with your girls – fun goals! Maybe I’ll run 2016 miles this year.
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:34 amBringing my kids into running is fun for all of us 🙂 Funny but I’ve never actually counted the miles I run in a year!
margaretmolteni says
December 28, 2015 at 9:15 amI love your goals, Michele and you always ask such great questions at the end! I need to keep doing yoga, but I get really discouraged because I am SO bad at it. Did it come naturally to you? I feel like every class I go to, I’m the token runner who can’t do any of the poses due to tight hips or zero flexibility elsewhere and I haven’t found videos that I like specifically for runners at home.
My biggest goal in 2016 is to break 1:30 in the half and then I think a lot of my goals will be geared towards relationships with my family and friends and some for blogging!
Michele says
December 28, 2015 at 9:35 amThe questions – must be the therapist in me coming out lol 🙂
Yoga did sort of come naturally for me because I did gymnastics in high school, although there was a TON of work to be done since I was in full on running mode and very tight when I started. Even getting back to it now is hard, I’m nowhere near where I was last spring.
cottercrunch says
December 28, 2015 at 9:29 amno pace goals relieve a lot of pressure! which make it fun!! enjoy and i love your goals. Happy packing! sounds like a fun trip
emjoseph94 says
December 28, 2015 at 9:38 amI completely understand (and relate to) feeling like you should want to improve your times. When everyone in their mother is ALWAYS gunning for a PR (whether they admit it or not) it’s hard to admit and follow through with just running for enjoyment. I also hope to make yoga a priority in the new year because it makes for stronger running. But I guess I should be able to run first!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:53 pmSo true! I definitely went through a long phase of truly wanting to improve times, but, at least for now I’ve moved onto other things. Running just for enjoyment (or doing anything just for the love of it) is tough when we get mixed messages.
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
December 28, 2015 at 9:46 amI think for 2016 my biggest goals are going to be in life..I’m getting married and trying to save up for a house. I’m also going to be training for 2 full marathons and a few halfs, so it’s going to be a crazy year! Love the goal of not training for a pace!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:54 pmLol, I’m feeling stressed out for you just hearing about it! But seriously, what a great year of adventures ahead of you – it’s a great time!
renaissancerunnergirl says
December 28, 2015 at 9:47 amI want to focus not on time, but on distances and building up my mileage to 30-40/week to train for NYCM from the current 25 or so I’m at, without getting injured. Seems like a big enough goal for one year to me, but I also want to incorporate more yoga and other cross training like barre, and mix up the running workouts as well. We shall see what 2016 brings!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:56 pmI think that’s a wonderful and attainable running goal! And I really love how yoga has balanced my body and mind (when I keep up with it, that is!) I think it’s an awesome complement to running.
AmandaM says
December 28, 2015 at 10:08 amI love halves and that is my running focus this year. By fall of 2016 I’d love to (A goal) break 1:30 or (B) PR (break 1:33) . I am WELL away from that now and I’ll be lucky to FINISH 13.1 miles at Fred Lebow 🙂 I’m not lacking working-out motivation but the dark early runs aren’t appealing for me these days. I’m reverting to my winter gym-rat tendencies!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:56 pmOkay I am totally right there with you for Fred Lebow – I’ll be just running 10 up until then and that will be the first week of my marathon training!
jillconyers says
December 28, 2015 at 10:21 amThe only goals I have finalized are blogging and to complete the yoga teacher training that starts in Jan. I’ll probably keep the handstand goal. #determined I’m still thinking about the others.
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:57 pmI’m hoping a YTT is in my future – not this year but at some point. Definitely keep that handstand goal!
Hayley says
December 28, 2015 at 10:47 amLove the goal to run races with your kids!! That’s so cute 🙂 My fitness-type goal for the year is to stick with yoga as well. I go in and out of practicing it but always am so much happier when it’s a regular part of my week!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 5:59 pmI feel the same about yoga – it’s just so good for me mentally and helps balance out the tightness that results from running and general life stress!
Christine says
December 28, 2015 at 12:11 pmLove your goals. I’ve been thinking about running goals but am a little nervous about thinking about them too hard. Like you, I’m focusing on not worrying about pace and time and run for me as well as keep my workouts varied. I’m excited for you and 2016!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:01 pmI feel like I’m hearing the same from so many people wanting to take the focus away from pace. Varying workouts and prioritizing self care is always a great goal to go into the new year with 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
December 28, 2015 at 12:19 pmThose all sound like fabulous goals!! I don’t have any fitness ones this year, nor any real goals at all. I’m still thinking though, just for some life inspiration going into the new year 😉
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:02 pmI don’t believe formal goals are necessary at all, and for some of us, just going with what comes is the best we can do 🙂
Margaret @ Simple Fit Foodie says
December 28, 2015 at 12:40 pmLove these goals. I also love it when yoga is in my life. I’ve gotta make sure I always make time for it because like you said I feel better both physically and mentally!
My main 2016 goal is to train and beat my previous half marathon time. My last half I could have trained better for I think so we’ll see how it goes this time around!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:03 pmGood luck with your training! When we set our minds to it and our heart’s in it – it will happen!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
December 28, 2015 at 1:11 pmI really like your goal of not setting a pace/time to run by. I want to try more organically for my 2016 marathon; sometimes our bodies surprise us when we remove the pressure of a set pace, but it also just makes running more enjoyable!
A lot of my 2016 goals are focused on life and career, especially growing the blog and my coaching business. And we’re itching to buy our first condo or house, which is a big and exciting goal!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:05 pmI’m sort of past the point of hoping my body might surprise me! I know it won’t, and that’s totally fine if I get to enjoy my life more. And I’m right there with you with blog/coaching stuff – biggest thing on my mind right now. And buying your first home is sure to be an adventure!
Sam @ See Sam Run says
December 28, 2015 at 1:28 pmGreat goals! I love how you’re going to try to not focus on pace/time so much. I feel like so many of us do it and it sucks the joy out of running when it doesn’t happen. I’ll admit I have a time goal for this year, but I feel it’s attainable if I just gradually nip away at it throughout the year. I also am focusing a lot on my upcoming transition to a career and allowing myself to be flexible with job prospects – except for location. I AM going to Maryland no matter what!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:08 pmAttainable time goals can be so motivating and exciting to work toward – I know that feeling and it’s incredible when you work hard and get there! And I think knowing exactly where you want to be is a great thing 🙂
suzysuzyheather says
December 28, 2015 at 1:51 pmGlad you had such a great Christmas! Your running goals sound perfectly healthy and fun and balanced to me. My running goal was to break 3 hours but now my only running goal is to well… run. HA! I did 8 miles yesterday, and so far so good. It actually feels better to run than it does to sit down or bend over. Backs are finicky things!
Michele says
December 29, 2015 at 6:10 pmUgh, things do change with goals when injury comes into play! 8 miles feeling good definitely sounds promising though – healing vibes to your back!
txa1265 says
December 30, 2015 at 11:40 amLove all the comments as well 🙂
Great set of goals – and I know they will be challenging, especially cutting yourself a break! I love the idea of setting yourself free from time & pace goals, but know since you’re focused and competitive it will be hard! The goal to let go of goals? Good luck!
I really hope you get to do 5ks with both girls this year! So rewarding! I was so happy to do two charity runs with my wife Lisa this year. Because of joints and arthritis she can’t really run much, but in May we did a run/walk 5K, and December she walked and I ran and it was a blast since we started together and I got to cheer her across the finish. I hope for more of those in 2016 – so much more important than hitting a time!
Happy New Year and have a fun trip!
Michele says
January 2, 2016 at 4:58 pmThanks! We had a great trip – I knew we would once I could relax and disconnect!
Dawn says
December 30, 2015 at 5:49 pmI like your approach to running this year! I hope it works the way you want it to. My fitness goals include getting the spartan race trifecta, getting a 100 pound clean PR at crossfit, and possibly running a 1/2 marathon.
Michele says
January 2, 2016 at 5:09 pmThank you! Your fitness goals sound inspiring and pretty awesome to me, good luck!