Happy Wednesday! How is it that this is my last monthly goals post for 2017? That’s just so crazy to me! November was a decent month. I was able to get in some nice mid-distance runs (6 and 7 miles), started a new kickboxing class at my gym, and got back into a pretty good workout routine. Right now I just want to maintain my current fitness levels, especially if I need to start training for a spring marathon next month (gasp)!
First, let’s take a look at my goals from November:
Continue meal prepping all month
This one kind of got away from me, lol. I started off strong and then Thanksgiving happened. Then I was away for business last week so I didn’t need to prep any meals (we ordered out for all the meals). But I’m happy to say that I’m back on track this week. Meal prepping is going to be a constant monthly goal for me moving forward until I really get into a groove with it.
Grade: C
Aim for 10,000 steps daily
It was difficult for me to get in 10,000 steps daily on days that I didn’t run. Having an office job, it’s hard to get in a good amount of steps during the day. That being said, I did average 10,000 steps a day each week because sometimes I went over (or way over) the daily goal.
I also had to send back my Garmin Vivofit tracker I purchased in October. I discovered issues with it last month. It wasn’t tracking all of my steps, wouldn’t count all of the flights of stairs I would climb everyday and it was only holding a charge for 2-3 days at a time. I probably just got a bad device, but I was happy that they took it back and gave me a refund. My parents got me a Fitbit Alta HR as an early Christmas gift. I got it on Monday and so far so good!
Grade: B+
Pick my next marathon
So I’ve made some progress on this, but still haven’t made my decision. Work was super busy last month so I didn’t have as much free time in the evenings to research races. However, I will pick a race either this week or next week 🙂
Grade: C
Here are my goals for December:
Get in at least one double-digit run
My last double digit run was in October. I’m actually okay with that as I needed some time to recover after the marathon and then I need to ease back into running. I think this month will be good for at least one 10 mile run, maybe two if I’m feeling up to it!
Start planning my 2018 racing schedule
While I have two races on the calendar for 2018, I would like to plan a few more so that I can get a sense of what my travel and training will look like for next year, or at least the first half of next year. I’ll also probably start to book travel to get the best rates.
Finish a running book
I have a handful of running books that I’ve started to read, but never finish. It’s a bad habit that I need to break. Therefore I will finish at least one of those books this month!
Do you set monthly goals? If so, do you have any goals for December?
I’m linking up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama and Nicole from FitFul Focus for Wild Workout Wednesday.
I’m also linking up with Rachel from Running on Happy, Lora from Crazy Running Girl and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
I find it so hard to get in a decent number of steps on days that I don’t run! I always walk 2 blocks to and from my car, and I stand at my desk most of the day, but I still end up with like 5,000 steps. I guess it all evens out when there are a few days of going way beyond 10,000 steps!
It’s hard with an office job, that’s for sure. Even when I try to get up every hour to walk around the floor, I still don’t get in a bunch of steps lol
I walk 5-6 miles at work each day, so the days that are hard for me to get my steps in are weekends where I just stay home and lift! But like you said, it all evens out.
Definitely! I’m okay as long as it all evens out at the end of the week 🙂
Meal prepping is challenging this time of the year for sure!
Definitely! I didn’t do any meal prep for this week either because I took the day off work for Friday and I have my company holiday party on Thursday night. I’ve been doing soup and salad for lunch and dinner which luckily doesn’t require a lot of prep, lol
These are great goals for a busy month. I need to start planning my 2018 races. I’m not sure if I’m up for a marathon. So far I just have a half in February. Maybe (maybe) I’ll think about the full at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll this year. Maybe.
I’m not sure if I’ll do more marathons after next year so this might be my last hurrah!
I did RnR San Diego in 2016 and I loved it!
Meal prep continues to be a challenge for me…I’m sure you’ll turn things around in December! I’m still dealing with TG leftovers, sigh…
Your goals for the month are great. I need to get more detailed on my 2018 plan too, though I did finally pick a marathon. I look forward to hearing what you choose! 🙂
I feel like meal prep will forever be a challenge for me. I don’t mind cooking, but I’m just not that creative lol.
Can’t wait to hear what marathon you pick next! Once I’m looking forward to picking some fun destination races this year!
How fun! Destination races are the best 🙂
The crockpot is my secret weapon for meal planning in the winter. About once per week I make way too much soup and then eat the leftovers for lunch. This week I made the cold fighter chicken stew (can’t remember the official recipe title) from Run Fast, Eat Slow. My husband said it’s the best soup he’s ever had. Anyway, my meal prep tip is to keep it simple and save variety for the weekends. 🙂
Great idea on the crockpot. I have one but I need to use it more!
I also have the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook so I’ll definitely look to that for more creative recipes this winter!
I know all about sitting at a desk…ugh, I am lucky to 4,000 steps on normal work day.
I have the same goal as you – try to get a least a few double digits runs in!
I usually try to make a goal of at least 70 miles each month unless, like last month, my body just demanded more recovery. I only ran 57 miles in Nov.
Hopefully you will enjoy the fitbit!
I know I didnt run nearly as many miles as I should have in November – hopefully I can run more this month!
I’m going to try to walk to get lunch a few days a week this month to help with my daily steps!
I’ve got a great running book for this month’s book club (it will be on the blog a week from Friday). Life’s Too Short to Go So F8cking Slow by Susan Lacke is probably my favorite book club book! It’s a quick read but it’s funny and sad and relateable… I highly recommend it!
Ohh I absolutely love that title – I may have to pick up that book!
I want to build out my 2018 calendar, too!
I’m going to try to spend some time this month doing that!
I need to hear your list of what you’re choosing between for your races. I finally decided I’m going to tackle my first 50K in June. Could be the dumbest decision ever, but who’s keeping track?
Ohh a 50K?! You’re amazing girl!
I have a few things in the works for 2018…some are actually registered for, too LOL You probably know I always focus on monthly goals, and they usually vary each month. My main focus right now is streaking, and streaking with caution so I don’t start 2018 injured.
Good luck with your run streak this month!
LOL on the goal to finish a running book! I have a non-running book that is taking forever to get through. I’m enjoying it, it’s just loooong. Your other goals are great!
It’s so crazy because I literally have 3 books I need to finish!
Next year, I’m going to do monthly goals. I’m kind of looking forward to it, so we’ll see how that goes. I challenged myself in Oct to get in 10k steps every day and was successful! I dropped that challenge in Nov because I was training for a half. I was going to try it again in Dec but just wasn’t feeling it, so I haven’t been sweating getting far less than 10k a day. I am doing the RW Run Streak, which is my primary focus right now, I guess. 🙂
Good luck with your December goals!
I like monthly goals because it helps keep me on track throughout the year.
That’s awesome that you are doing the streak! I wish I could do it but my knees would hate me!
Cannot wait to hear what marathon you pick. There are so many great ones that it is hard to decide. I wish I could beam you down here this weekend and give you my Kiawah half bib. (instead i deferred to next year)
Yeah there are so many options which is making the choice difficult lol
These are all great goals! Meal prep is one of mine too, but I have not been doing a good job at it!!
Great goals to have. Meal prepping always goes right out the window for me. Let me know your secrets once you master it!
Thanks so much Andrea. I hope that I can master food prep one day!
You and Marcia are on a tear with the food prepping! Such a healthy habit. I haven’t gotten there myself, but I wish you all the luck with it. This has to be the hardest month for it, but persevere!
Marcia is so much better than me – I take tips from her!
I’m excited to hear which race you choose for your next marathon. I have no doubt that you’ll be well trained for it, whichever race it is that you choose to run.
Thanks so much Kathryn!