June Goal Check-in and 5 More for July

Happy Holiday Monday, everyone!

It is crazy to believe that we are already into the summer, but I am determined to soak up every bit of it! Right now, I am most likely on a beach or running the trails; soaking up, indeed!

The beginning of every month is also a time to check in on how I am doing with my monthly goals!

How did I do?

1. Keep the ball rolling with therapy and make yoga regular part of my workout routine. 

Well..I bought the one month pass to the yoga studio and used it a grand total of 2 times. Queen Street Yoga is a cute and happening studio right around the corner from my office, but I found I was just too busy to make it. I am giving myself a C because I was AWESOME at stretching, icing and foam rolling after my long runs, so that is almost like yoga…

2. Get some sleep.

This is the first time that I actually made progress on this goal. The nights that I was only able to get 5-6 hours, I tried to find space for a nap in my afternoons. I have felt significantly more rested this month. Fingers crossed that it all pays off on race days.

3. Complete an Under Armour challenge a day.

If it wouldn’t be for that silly qualifier of “a day”, I would have done better, but I have not been able to upload as many challenges as I was hoping. Again – due to that whole not having time thing..
I have filmed some videos for it and will be putting them up in the next week.

4. Increase my trail training and start running with more local trail runners. 

I have increased my running and have started ramping it up for my fall marathon, but I have done mostly back road running. I have reached out to more trail friends and actually July is full of trail training so it is coming a month late.

5. Keep the reading happening. 

Totally. I have been loving the extra time to read, with my surgery and the longer days. Here are a few books that I read this month:

This book has was an amazing read. It is a true story that covers the story of 26 men who attempted to cross the Mexican border into southern California. Only 12 made it out alive. Not a comfortable read; I found myself cringing, but it did make me want to run the Copper Canyon Ultra in Mexico someday. Absolutely recommend.

I loved the Life of Pi story, so when I saw this book recently, I scooped it up and blazed through it. A fast, beautifully written read that is full of mental gymnastics. It is a fictional autobiography of a young writer and traveller who wakes and finds his gender changed overnight.

[I feel I need to add: if you ever want a borrow a book I have read, I own them and would be more than happy to lend them to you!]

Ok. On to July.

1. Drink more water!

Despite getting a new hydration pack this past week, I still need to increase my water. I am aiming for 4 L a day and since I broke my favourite water bottle, I am planning on buying a new one. I have no idea what it is, but if I like my water bottle – I drink more water.

2. Have a stride analysis. 

After searching high and low, I have FINALLY found someone who will hook me up to a treadmill and properly analyse my running gait. After that, I am planning on booking in with a specialist who is able to make the adjustments I need. Race PRs, here I come!

3. Read this book: 

I have finally ordered it and am looking forward to improving my training tactics.

4. Focus on Megan’s wedding. 

That’s right! One of my favourite little misses is become a Mrs this month and I get an absolutely fabulous new sibling out of the deal. 🙂

She is having a beach themed wedding and I am looking forward to the last month of prepping, primping, adjusting, speech writing and organizing before the big day at the end of the month!

5. Begin marathon training | Follow a log. 

I am the worst runner for just running when I feel like, for as long as I want. Although the enjoyment factor is high, the strategy is low. I am planning on doing some longer races this fall, including the Scotiabank marathon in Toronto.

Although I can do high milage, my goal is to run a Boston qualifying time, so I will need to be disciplined with putting in the regular miles and not just hammering them all out on the weekend which has been the trend this summer thus far.

And that’s a wrap. I am headed out to go get started on my goals.

 

I want to know:
What are your goals for July?
What did you do for the long weekend?