August...Pass or Fail?

August 2018.....pass or fail?

It's hard to believe August is coming to a close and September is almost here. Ugh. Have I mentioned that I don't want my summer to end? Lots of fun and interesting fitness went down this month. I sweated more in August than I think I have all year, but it was all in good fun.

Anyways, here's how the month of August played out...


Running:PASS
First and foremost, let's chat about running. It's no secret that running is my sport of choice, and lots of running took place in August. Currently, as this post goes live, I'm at 98 miles. I still have a #5at5 on tap for mid-week.  If my speedwork goes off as planned, that will add an extra 2-3 miles as well. In other words, the odds are ever in my favor for passing the century mark by month's end. Even though I don't thrive on reaching 100 miles each month (ha! totally NOT a priority for this gal), it is a nice achievement when it does happen. I have not passed the century mark for monthly miles since the spring of 2017, so it's been a while.

Rise, shine and running in the early hours

Walking:PASS
Oh, goodness, have I been walking! Currently, I'm at 82 miles of walking, and on target to walk another 10-15 before August comes to a close. What can I say? I love walking! It's a great cardio workout on my non-running days (and I also do it on my running days as well). It works a lot of extra muscles that running doesn't, so it's a win-win.

runners can walk, too

Speedwork:PASS
Holy cow, have I been getting into speedwork. It's been exciting to see negative splits on some of my hill repeats and intervals. There was one week, though, when I took a pass on speedwork because I was feeling a bit worn down. I was rewarded with an (almost) effortless 14-mile long run a couple days later. Coincidence? Probably not...listening to one's body usually will serve you well.

you  know you're getting fast when the image is blurred...right?

HIIT workouts:PASS
My newest obsession has been weekly HIIT workouts. I have always been pretty active on my non-running days, but this past winter, I started doing weekly HIIT work while training for the Fight For Air Climb. Obviously, those workouts all involved various stair climbing drills with some strength moves mixed in (as well as random burpees and push-ups). In recent months, though, I have upped the intensity and it's been a fun ride. All of my August HIIT workouts happened outside...so the sweat equity was compounded in the summer heat. My energy feels phenomenal, my "soft" waist is firmer, my legs are more toned and my weight is down a few pounds. HIIT workouts? They've been good to me.

Happy to be HIIT'ing on a regular basis

Sweat equity:(extra credit)

Let's just say the month of August has been a hot and humid one. Trust me, that is NOT a complaint...but I have been glistening and glowing (and, often times, dripping) all over the place as I've attempted to take a few selfies with sweaty fingers. First world probs, right?

All aglow by the dawn's early light

Full disclosure:FAILS

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, it hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns. If we were to talk about yoga and my consistency in practicing...FAIL. Adequate sleep...FAIL. Eating clean and green daily...FAIL. I'm not perfect nor do I pretend to be.

what you see is what you get

Anyways, I am quite content with how August played out for me. Probably the one and only regret is not finding a race to do this month. I know...first world probs (again). Monthly racing is not a necessary requirement, but the races are an effective gauge as to how all of my training is progressing.

How was your August? Any big goals met? Specific training for a fall race? Got a favorite fitness endeavor you did in August?

**I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Marc and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner

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