july goals

So here we are. More than halfway through 2016. How did that happen?

Things didn’t go quite as I planned or hoped. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t disappointing. but I’ve also had time to grow stronger and explore options the than running.

1. Increase weekly mileage.

This is kind of a no-brainer. With Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia coming up in September, I need to start pushing those numbers. I am not setting a pace goal for this half, however. This one is going to be about running in a new city with a friend and crossing the finish line. I’m really not sure how my stamina and strength is going to shake out, so I’m trying to handle this one with zero pressure.

If I can consistently hit more than 15 miles per week, I will consider it a win.

2. Incorporate more yoga.

I mean, this is a given. Yoga has not only been bringing me extreme joy, but confidence, and I need that in spades. It’s been tricky fitting it into my schedule, and I’ve been kind of lax about doing it at home via youtube videos. My plan is one organized class per week, and then supplement it with a video at home.

3. Register for that dang duathlon.

So I haven’t really talked much about what’s going on with my triathlon. I have hit a bit of a support wall, and I’ve had a hard time working my way around it. What it comes down to is that I am going to sit on the tri for one more year, until I can manage the ocean swim. Thanks to my (literally) bloody leg, rough waters and storms, and the sea lice, I just haven’t been able to get myself out in the surf, and therefore am not strong enough to be remotely successful in any of the remaining ocean swim tris this season. HOWEVER. There are a few duathlon options available, and since I can bike and run pretty effectively, I think it will be a fair, temporary compromise.

I plan to test myself on a closed bike trail in the next week or so to see where my pace is at when I’m not interrupted by traffic, intersections and stop signs/lights. If it feels right, I’m clicking on the “register” button.

4. Get down with speed work, on foot and on bike.

I have been letting my speed work slide in every way. Part of it was being cautious when coming back from injury and part of it was basic laziness. It happens to the best of us. However, in order to run (or ride) faster, you have to run (or ride) faster. So there it is.

I’ve back-burnered some of my pace goals until I feel a little more confident, but dedicating one of my three regular run to speedwork (or adding in a dedicated speed day) is the ticket here. It’s the brutal middle of summer: no time like the present!

And it goes without saying that it’s the same for the bike. Due to storms, work, and little man’s illness, I haven’t been out on Francine the Bike. I need to start stepping it up if I hope to hang during the duathlon.

5. Stay consistent with 30 Day Challenges

I’ve been holding strong with my plank, squat, arm and thigh challenges. They are good for me and for my overall strength, and I can only hope that, in time, those improvements are going to pay off in my running.

Nothing too incredibly new, but now I’ve put them out there so I have more accountability. We’ll check in next month to see how I did! Have a great holiday weekend, if you’re celebrating!

What are your goals for July?