Monday, August 1, 2011

July Rewind

Hauling booty in the Main Street Mile!
How fast was July?!  I can't believe it's August already... only 55 more days until Marathon Day!  Reflecting back on a month always provides me with good perspective.  I haven't done a Rewind the past few months, and it shows in my state of mind.  


MILES OF TRIALS
July miles: 140
Longest run:  20.25
Races: Firecracker 5000 (recap)
  July 4 finished in 28:06
Main Street Mile (recap)
  July 8 finished in 7:24
Chicago Beach Palooza (recap)
  July 30 - no idea on finish time.


IT'S NOT FAT, IT'S FUEL
Monthly weight loss:  +9.2 lbs  (o'crap!)
YTD weight loss: -7.5 lbs
This is my biggest FAIL of the month, er summer.  Perhaps that's why I haven't done a monthly rewind in awhile.  Despite the highest monthly mileage of my life, I've managed to gain nearly 10 pounds.  WTH!?  Our summer schedule has been so crazy busy that we're grabbing dinner on the fly more often than not... which means unhealthy calories!  Despite the heat of summer, I'm not hydrating with water appropriately.  And the chocolate cravings have been through the roof!  I'm really starting to notice the weight gain in my daily running pace...  Research shows that a runner gets two seconds faster per mile for every pound they lose.  I've got to get myself reeled in here...



MIND OVER MILES
Books I'm reading... I love to read before bed each night.  Unfortunately, I haven't completed much this summer.  Either I'm late to bed or zonk out after just a couple pages!  Check out my past book reviews here.  Here's the two books I'm currently working on...
"Mile Markers" by Kristin Armstrong

"First Marathons: Personal Encounters with the 26.2 Mile Monster" by Gail Waesche Kislevitz


ROCK ON!!
Song downloads this month...
Not much new on the ipod this month... I really need some new songs.  Suggestions?  In an odd twist, I've logged a lot of miles this month with NO music.



QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you  yourself have altered"  ~Nelson Mandela

MONTHLY CONFESSION
The heat totally got the best of me this month.  In one week, I skipped both cross-trains and one run.  Yikes!  But I'm okay with a slack week every now and then, as long as I come back strong the following week (and I did with 42 miles!)


AUGUST ASPIRATIONS
• Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon (August 14) just enjoy the run.  No time goal.
• Monthly miles goal: 143
• Weight loss goal: -12 lbs
• My Big Girl turns 5 this month & starts Kindergarten.  Try to keep the emotions and tears in check!
• Spin Challenge:  Be a Spinstar by hitting 10 Spin classes.  Are you in on the Challenge yet??  Check it out HERE.
Join here!

Thanks for following my running rambles here.  
Your support and encouragement really mean a lot!  
xoxo

10 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a fantastic July. The weight gain is tough - especially in the summer. I'm working on that right now, too! I have no doubt you'll turn it around.

    Cheering you on!

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

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  2. Two seconds per mile? For my 10 lbs, that's 4 minutes for a half. Cr@p.
    Good month for you...summer is tough.

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  3. July was so hard - here's to onward and upward in August!

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  4. Ooooh starting kindergarten....Stay strong Mom!!! Way to rock the mileage!!! I'm certain that you can reach your weight loss goal...you have pin pointed exactly how you gained. Awesome month Jess!!!

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  5. I think July sucked us all dry this summer! I have a girl turning 5 and going to kindergarten as well this year.

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  6. I think July sucked us all dry this summer! I also have a soon to be 5 year old girl heading to kindergarten. God help me!

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  7. I wouldn't worry about the weight thing too much. I have heard from a lot of runners that it is hard to maintain weight, let alone lose during marathon training.

    I am so very impressed with your July mileage. Mine was about half that - including my 20 miler. OUCH! Can you say vacation?

    Oh and I totally wanted you along for my 20 miler! I didn't take any wrong turns this time and the trails were just as beautiful as last time! (A litte warmer though!)

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  8. Congrats on your awesome month! That's a lot of miles, lady! How is Mile Markers so far? I read Kristin's blog all the time, and I've thought about buying the book!

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  9. Have fun at the Rock & Roll race!! I've heard it is a blast.

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