If I’m going to be 100% honest, August went nowhere near as I would have liked when it came to my fitness. Not only did we have our week long family vacation to Disney World, but while we were there both little man and I got sick. Then earlier this week little man got sick again, resulting in having to keep him home from daycare for part of the week. I also returned to work, which further limited my time for working out. In short: there were a lot of distractions this month and it was very difficult to keep my focus on my fitness goals.
Even with how difficult it was for me to keep up with my fitness goals last month, seeing how much fun little man had while we were at Disney World made up for it.
Just as I acknowledged last month, fitness is only a part of my life. While it is important, spending time with my husband and our son is even more important. Life is about balance, and I’m doing my best to find the best balance. You may have noticed last month that I had to cut back on blogging, from three days a week to only once or twice per week. While this isn’t my preference, its the right choice for me right now. I’ll continue to reevaluate this on a regular basis, especially as I get back into the school year routine, in order to figure out what’s best for my family.
All I can ask of myself is that I do the best that I can. And that’s exactly what I did in August given everything that I faced.
1. Run, walk, and elliptical at least 85 miles.
Grade: C+
My monthly mileage total was 65.9 miles, a far cry from my goal of 85 miles. While this was significantly lower than my July total, and I’m not happy with my outcome for the month, the reality is that I did the best that I could last month.
2. Strength train at least three times per week.
Grade: B
I met this goal one week last month, which is the first time in months that I’ve met my weekly strength training goal. The other weeks my strength training ranged anywhere from zero to two times.
3. Keep up with training while on vacation.
Grade: C
While my initial instinct is to give myself an F for this goal, I couldn’t control myself or little man getting sick. I did complete two of my planned runs prior to getting sick, including a beautiful sunrise run around the Seven Seas Lagoon.
I was treated to an absolutely beautiful sunrise over the Seven Seas Lagoon one morning while we were at Disney World.
Hopefully September will be a better month on the fitness front. With my next half marathon only two weeks away, and another two races in early November, its critical that I keep my focus on keeping my running up and staying strong with regular strength training.
1. Run, walk, and elliptical at least 85 miles.
Since I didn’t meet this goal last month I want to attempt this mileage goal again. Hopefully my second attempt will be more successful than the first one was.
2. Strength train at least three times per week.
I proved to myself one week last month that this can be done, so its time to see through that I can do this on a regular basis.
3. Find balance in my life.
I have a lot of things competing for my attention – work, life at home, blogging, friends, the list goes on. I’ve never been great at managing stress or finding balance. With the start of a new school year, which means added stress, I want to make a better attempt at balancing everything in my life.
QOTD: What are your goals for September?
I’m linking up with Ange and Carmyy for the Monthly Goals linkup. Be sure to check out their posts as well.
My summer got quite busy in July and early August, and running wasn’t a priority. I still ran, but if I was tired, or wanted to do something else, I took a break. Good luck with school, and training, and I hope Little Man feels better. All those daycare germs, and it’s not even fall yet 😦
I know, it frustrates me that he’s already sick and he’s only been back at daycare for two weeks.
That’s always so rough, having to care for a sick little one while still trying to find time for your fitness goals. Glad you were still able to get in some workouts, though, here and there! Hopefully, September will be better and your little one is feeling better 😀
I hope so too.
It’s good that you realize that fitness is just part of your life! Hey, if you are happy with yourself than it shouldn’t matter if you miss even a whole month of runs! You are in good enough shape that I don’t think you’re gonna go downhill! I hope you are having a great school year so far Kathryn! Hope little man is feeling better!
Thanks Meranda. The first day with students is on Tuesday and I’m hoping that it goes well.
Awe I’m so sorry little man is sick again. I hope September goes a little smoother for you all.
Thanks Nicole.
Whew! I don’t know how your moms do it…I can only imagine how challenging it is to find balance. I think it’s awesome that you were able to accomplish what you did 🙂
Its definitely a challenge.
It’s so hard to balance it all. When my husband was away I had way more time to blog but now that he is home, it’s the first thing to go. With two young kids, they are my priority as well, then my health (running etc.). All the best this September, my goal is to get my ankle better and avoid injury.
My little man is definitely my priority, even if it means sacrificing time to work out.
As my girls are getting older we can now be active together which is so much fun!
The hardest part about motherhood, for me, was finding balance. It was so important to me to be able to keep running- that was my me time and my stress reliever. There were times when I got up at 4 am to get those runs in before my husband left for work. Then I got the boys up, got all of us ready, dropped them off at day care, and went to work. I felt so accomplished by the time I got to work. I also needed a nap by about 2! LOL! But you do what you can. Hang in there and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Thanks for the support, Wendy. I too find my time to run a huge source of stress relief, as well as my time for me. Hopefully it won’t be as difficult this month as it was in August to find the time to work out.
I think you did great despite everything you had going on. If you figure out how to balance training, family and work please let me know. August was challenging for me to and I just can’t do it all, so I do what I can, here’s hoping for a more balanced September.
Balancing everything is definitely a huge challenge. I think its something that most moms struggle with.
Family first is right! Sounds like a great family month other than being a little sick- you will get those miles in soon 🙂
I agree, family first.
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Balance is always a challenge for me too. I still think you did a great job in August despite being sick and going on vacation. Your little guy with Mickey…love! Such a great photo! I haven’t been blogging as much either, it’s all about priorities.
Absolutely!
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