January is finally coming to an end. Was it the unusually cold weather that made it seem to last forever? The surge of the omicron variant? The realization that we are approaching year three of the coronavirus pandemic and don’t dare hope the end is in sight?
I’ll add a short run tomorrow.
The end of January means it’s time to get together for coffee next weekend! Join us for the Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up on Friday and we’ll get February off to a fun start.
Wrapping Up January
My Peloton activity calendar—
coming up on 100 weeks, and then 2 years!
🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Running: I ran 16 days in January, with 5 Scooby runs and 11 treadmill runs, for a total of 85 miles. My Achilles continues to feel better but also continues to keep me in check. It gave me a scare this week, so I backed off on my treadmill miles, continued to be vigilant with stretching, and limited my “long” run to 6 miles.
🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️
Cycling: In January I rode my bike outside once, but did a lot of pedaling on my IC4 in my basement, with indoor rides on 15 days. I tackled seven of Hannah Frankson’s 15 minute interval classes, one 15 minute tabata class, and a few music-themed rides.
🏋️♀️🏋️♀️🏋️♀️
Strength: I continued my daily strength streak, doing at least a 10 minute core or barre class to start my day, but usually doing 20-40 minutes of strength classes.
🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️
Stretching: I was really good about stretching, and took time to stretch after almost every run and ride. Christine has a 5 minute post-ride stretch class I do several times a week because it spends 2 whole minutes on calves. Even when I don’t take that class I do those stretches.
🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️
Yoga: Yoga? I’m debating canceling my Corepower Yoga subscription, but kind of want that $20 monthly fee to nag at me. I did one Corepower class and several Peloton yoga classes in January.
Weekly Wrap
My achilles gave me a scare on Monday, so I heeded its warning and cut back on my treadmill miles. Yesterday I realized that keeping my treadmill at 1% incline might be aggravating it. I’m frustrated that the smart decision to lower it to 0.5% or even 0% is hampered by thoughts that I won’t be as strong a runner if I make the incline easier. I really am my own worst enemy. Not to mention that I can’t be a runner at all if my Achilles is angry.
I tried to adopt a new evening routine with a short yoga class while my husband takes Scooby out for his after-dinner walk. As much as I find it hard to choose a 30 min (or longer) yoga class, I find the 20 min classes feel too short. I’m going to keep trying to do an evening yoga class a few days a week.
Monday: Core + 3.65 Scooby Miles + Lower Body Strength
After a frigid weekend, it was in the upper 20s on Monday, so I took Scooby out for a run and then did a 30 min glutes + legs workout.
Tuesday: Core + Upper Body Strength + 30 min Ride
This was a fun ride with a playlist highlighting ladies of hip hop.
Wednesday: Full Body Strength + 3.5 Treadmill Miles
I chose a short music-themed run, but should have known that no Jess Sims class is easy. This one wasn’t too bad until the last song, and then I just ignored her cues to keep increasing the pace.
Thursday: Core + Barre + Peloton Ride
I figured out how to get English captions on the German rides, and gave Cliff’s Bowie ride a try. He talked a lot but I was able to tune it out since I didn’t really understand him. Camilla’s ride wasn’t the steady climb I was hoping for—she cues a lot of cadence pushes which I don’t enjoy, but I didn’t quit.
That’s my favorite stretch class on top.
Friday: 6.5 Scooby Miles
I accidentally turned off my alarm and slept until my husband’s went off at 6. When I saw it was in the 30s and I didn’t have any early work meetings, I decided to do my “long” run. I warmed up with an old strength for runners class and then took Scooby out. It was nearly light when we started at 6:45, and I enjoyed being outside in daylight for a change!
Saturday: Full Body Strength + 3.5 Treadmill Miles
It felt odd not doing a long workout on Saturday, but I know it was the right decision. I basically did the workout I had planned for Friday.
With a “feels like” temperature of 11F and a thin glaze of snow(?) on the sidewalks, I know I made the right choice to run outside on Friday!
Sunday: Core + Upper Body + Peloton Rides
Peloton has a new Eminem artist series. I took Robin’s 20 min core class this morning, and plan to hop on Denis’s 30 min ride this afternoon. In the meantime, Jenn Sherman’s Motown ride was a fun way to start my day.
I’m also joining Cari for her 300th Peloton strength class this morning!
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
How are you wrapping up January?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I notice the sudden and significant incline changes on the Peloton runs and I ignore them because I know they are a recipe for injury, for this flatlander anyway. Wow I can’t even imagine an outdoor bike ride here this month. We’re so cold and have had lingering ice and snow all month. I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon.
The one day we rode outside it was really warm — in the 60s! The next day we got 8” of snow.
I bookmnarked the Motown ride yesterday. I have A LOT of indoor cycling to catch-up on, LOL.I have not tried any of the running classes yet…not sure I’d like them. I’m doing plenty ofother classes, so I don’t think I’m missing out on much. I”m glad there’s such a nice variety of everything!
There are so many great rides! If you search the Artist Series collections you’ll find many more.
I was surprised when I got hooked on the outdoor classes. I think with the pandemic it was nice to have someone chatting at me during a run.
I’ve hear different things about the treadmill incline- some people say you have to put it at 1% to get the same effort you’d be getting outside, but some people don’t agree with that. I say, put it at 0%- keeping your achilles happy is the most important thing. It won’t make that much of a difference in your fitness- you’re still running.
I might check out that stretch class just to see the calf stretches! i’m also working on that area.
Keeping my Achilles happy really is the most important thing. I need to keep my eyes on that prize, and be grateful for the pain-free running I can do.
Ok, so that’s weird, because I recently heard (somewhere) that having the 1 percent incline is actually better for your Achilles. That said, i ran on my old mill for years with no incline. It truly didn’t seem to hurt my running.
I really love my restorative classes on the evening after a run, but they do take a lot of time to set up! But it’s nice to just really relax in the evening.
Interesting. I think some variety is probably good for it, but the bottom line is that if I think it’s aggravating it, I shouldn’t do it! Duh.
You’re listening to your body; that’s the most important thing!
I don’t worry about adding incline to my TM runs since there are so few times I run on the TM anyway. I agree with what Jenny said–I don’t think keeping it flat is going to lessen your running workout at all. Better to protect that tendon!
Way to go on your Peloton streak! I also love to see those blue dots everyday. I will check out that Christine stretch. I also credit stretching to my feeling good. See you for coffee next week!
I hope you don’t make your Achilles angry.
Otherwise you had a good week and running and workouts.
I hope February is warmer.
I really can’t afford to make it angry! Been there, done that, don’t need a re-run.
Yes.Be careful.
I don’t usually use the incline on my treadmill unless my coach specifically puts hills in. I feel that running on the treadmill is challenging enough so no reason to make it harder 🙂 I hope the Achilles eventually goes away completely.
Great job on your Peloton schedule! I should add more barre in, it’s so good for runners.
LOL, you’re right about the treadmill being hard enough as it is! Honestly, I was really hopeful about my Achilles until Monday. Luckily it’s been quiet the rest of the week.
I really like the 10 min barre classes before a run. Easy on the joints, but wake up the glutes. 😉
Definitely not worth it to aggravate your Achilles – honestly I usually ignore the incline cues cause my hip is not having it!
I’ve bookmarked that Motown ride, and am trying to work up the nerve for Robin’s 20 min. core class LOL
Looks like a great week!
Your hip and my Achilles — we need to listen to them!
Robin’s core was serious. She had breaks — but I needed every one!
If it makes you feel any better about it, I’m always at 0 incline unless there is some sort of hill workout, which is pretty rare! I’m also just fine with 10:00 min miles on my treadmill when I’d be running 9:30 outside. It’s good enough for me that I’m still running!
Interesting. I think I’ve always gone faster on the treadmill — which maybe another reason my Achilles complains.
What a great January, Coco! So close to the 100 week streak!
I think I would ditch the Corepower Yoga subscription. It’s not that you’re not doing any yoga at all, you are doing the Peloton Yoga classes.
Those USD 20 add up to USD 240 – that’s a nice dinner out with hubby. Or even two dinner nights. 🙂
Awesome!
I really struggle getting up when it’s cold. We have to be up early because A leaves for school at 6:45, but dang. It’s rough.
Scooby looks like he’s loving it.
January has no doubt felt like the longest month ever, but I bet that February will go by quickly.
I always keep the incline on my treadmill (at home and OTF) at a minimum of 1%. I’m not really sure if it makes any sort of difference but it’s just habit at this point. But I don’t always do all of the crazy inclines that instructors call out in class because I have noticed that it aggravates my lower back.
If you feel like you don’t get as good of a run on your treadmill as outside AND you think the incline might be aggravating your Achilles, try picking up the speed slightly over increasing the incline. If you don’t want to try that, I’d suggest keeping at the same speed, but with 0% incline. It’s better to be slightly “less fit” than injured.
Grrat job on all your Peloton workouts. I’m loving my Peloton this winter. I do rides but have been enjoying my tread alot. Not sure if we are following each other but I am Lacers02. It is always fun to see friends working out when you log on.