February a solid month for running

Posted on by Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)
February
The last day of the month was also Waffle Cone Wednesday at TCBY. After hitting 100 miles for the month, I enjoyed this cone. (Vanessa Junkin photo)

February seemed to be a pretty warm month. I had a great month of running, hitting a mileage milestone for the month and participating in my first race of the year.

  1. I ran 100.03 miles. In order to reach my goal of 2,018 kilometers for the year — a little more than 1,250 miles — I’ll need to run more than 100 miles a month. So on Monday, when I saw I was at 88.03 miles for February, I figured I would try to get to that mark. I ran six miles on Tuesday and six on Wednesday, both days adding onto the Eastern Shore Running Club group run. With some longer marathon training runs in March and April, it shouldn’t be hard to pass 100 in those months. I’m glad I made it to 100 in February.
  2. I did one race. I ran my first race of 2018 — the Maryland-District of Columbia RRCA 10 Mile Club Challenge. I loved having the opportunity to represent the Eastern Shore Running Club with friends. It was a well-organized race with a fun environment, and the hills were really a challenge for me. I was sore that day and the two days after.
  3. I ran in one unique location. Since I do most of my runs in Salisbury, I like switching it up with a run in a different location when I can. In early February, my friend Veronica and I ran in Rehoboth Beach, heading up the Gordon’s Pond trail and surrounding areas.
  4. I learned to start tracking my water again. I had taken a break from tracking my water consistently, sort of because I wasn’t really doing that well with it. However, during a run in February, I started to feel dehydrated and struggled on a humid run. After that, I made a point to drink more water and use Nuun when I need it, and that has been helpful.
  5. I didn’t work out at the gym at all. This sets my average-of-five-times-per-month goal back. One day I went to the gym expecting to do a class, and it was canceled, and that was the only time I went. I’m already doing better in March, because I went to a class on the first day of the month.
  6. I went to yoga three times. I’m glad I have been able to keep that more consistent. On Presidents Day, when I was off, I went to the 5:30 p.m. class instead of the 7 p.m. class, and enjoyed challenging myself a little bit more. I enjoy both classes, but the 5:30 is for all levels, and the 7 p.m. is gentle. I may try to mix it up some between those two.
  7. I got to run with the 11:30 Club. On that same day, I got in a run with the 11:30 Club since I didn’t have to worry about getting my run, a shower and lunch in on my lunch break. Although I couldn’t hang with the group’s pace too long, I had a great run and was able to push myself. I’ve been trying to do that more recently.
  8. I’ve been going to the Tim Kennard training runs. I have also enjoyed the Tim Kennard River Run training runs, and went to those on Sundays each week, aside from when I had my race. These are at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, leaving from the start line on Salisbury University’s campus. I was also able to push my pace with a friend at one of those runs.

I would consider February a successful running month! I’m looking forward to seeing how I do in my March races and training.

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