February is usually my least favorite month of the year but this year the record warmth made it so much more bearable. I also made some big changes to my workouts this month in the hopes of getting a kick start on the early triathlon season. I like the idea of giving myself a February report card of sorts for the month. So lets take a look and see how it went down.
February Report Card
Running
I intentionally cut my running back this month to 2 days a week for 2 reasons. One, I was still dealing with some Plantar Fasciitus flare ups and wanted to see if I could knock it out before more intense tri training starts. Secondly, I was hoping to drop a few holiday pounds and and could burn more calories by doing longer cardio sessions vs shorter runs. It was not easy to miss group runs with my favorite running buddies but I have to say, my foot is feeling much better. I stuck to my 2 times a week running the whole month so I am going to give myself an A.
Biking
February usually means boring indoor bike rides but this year I was actually able to get outside on my bike 3 times. I don’t think that’s ever happened in February. I have also been doing longer bike rides on the spin bike and really getting a great foundation in place. I am giving myself a B because I need to work on the intensity of my rides more. There is also a local Saturday morning ride I know I would benefit from but I am too afraid to join. That’s my goal this month.
Swimming
I had swimming 2x a week on my plan this month and I completed all of them. Right now I am building my endurance and will start adding in some speed drills next month. Grade A.
Cardio + Strength
I have been on a higher cardio and endurance building plan this month with cardio everyday and strength training 2x a week. I completed all of the workouts on my plan. I have been slacking a bit on stretching and rolling so I am giving myself a B here. I know better than to skip my stretching.
Fun & Fashion
Trying to do more social stuff! Last week a bunch of us went to Muse Paintbar. I am so not artsy but was able to pull off this fun painting. We thought the Cherry Blossom theme was perfect for our running group. It was great have Coco along with us too. Don’t miss our Ultimate Coffee Date link up tomorrow.
When it’s winter one day and summer the next, it’s hard to figure out what to wear. I am thankful to Fit Approach and Prana for sending over these great Lizbeth Capri for me to try out. They are the perfect weight and oh so comfy for spring. Shop your spring look with Prana (use S4P17CMR for 15% off).
Tell me-how was your Fitness February? Hope to see you for the Ultimate Coffee Date tomorrow!
Linking up
I’ve completed my goals for February. Losing weight, trying new style of clothing, visit Quebec… It was a great month for me.
Sounds like it was! Hope March is just as great for you
You are amazing and you are doing really a great job. All activities are really very, very important for a healthy and fit life. Please Keep posting.
Looks like a great month! I agree that February was much easier to tolerate with the warmer weather. Great job following your training plan of less running and high cardio…I hope its been helpful for your foot!
I hope it pays off in the “long run”
Love you in that outfit! It was so warm and lovely here, and then the temps dropped, but at least we didn’t get snow. Then again, I would rather snow than rain. It’s a tough life lol
Have a great weekend, Deborah!
I know it’s cold again! And thanks loving the pants
I loved my Lizbeth capris too! I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can wear them again!
I know it got cold again!
You’ve had a great month. Is that the Conte’s ride your scared of? You look great in those capris!
Yes I am scared of the conte’s ride! Maybe you can come do it with me sometime? Then yoga after!
It looks like you had an awesome month. You’re right, the weather made a huge difference in February!
February was all about me getting back on track with a fitness routine and I am happy to say I did succeed. I feel good going into half marathon training!
That is the best feeling ever!
Super cute outfit!
That is a whole lot of cardio. I miss my swimming. It’s so hard to squeeze in (when you’re not using it to actually train for something). Or on days when winter returns — like today, with single digits overnight.
Sounds like a really good month. Glad to hear the foot is feeling better!
It is hard to squeeze in swimming it takes a lot more time and effort. I try to go right after spin class so I am already at the gym
I think you nailed February!!! What a great month. I want to do one of those paint classes– I need to recruit some friends.
It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be!
Great job on getting all the workouts in. I’m still a slacker when it comes to foam rolling and strength training.
I feel so much better when I take the time to foam roll
Deb you spanked February and I think you are looking especially fit! Love those capris!
You are so sweet thanks! I am seeing some changes so I am listening to my trainer and pushing through
You were busy! Live the cherry blossom painting….I’d be all over that! Hoping to link up for coffee… I’m on vacation with limited time LOL (first world probs for sure)
But great problems to have enjoy your vacay!!
Seems like a great month! It sounds like the new fitness plan for February worked out well. That pain class sounds like a lot of fun too. I’ve been wanting to try something like that but just haven’t had the chance yet.
The paint classes are so much fun hope you have a chance to check it out
Yay for outdoor biking in Feb! Way to get your goals this month!!!
I now does not get better than biking in February
You look very chic in that Prana outfit! I’d say you had a great month! Joining the bike club would make me a little nervous too- go for it! See you in the morning!
Thanks! I am hoping to work my way up to it
It’s hard for me too to figure out what to wear with the temp swings in Boulder. Now that we’re through February, March and April can be whoppers with snow. I’ve been told February teases you into thinking spring’s coming, then Mother Nature has other ideas. I have all workout gear available, and won’t put away the tights and capris until I know it’s staying warm.
March came in like a lion as they say with freezing temps!
Your paintings are so pretty!! I love wine and paint nite. Mostly the paint part even though I get all nervous before we start that I might screw it up. 🙂
My PF is starting to bug me, too. I have an appt for ART but not until March 15th. Hopefully it doesn’t get worse before then.
PF is the worst seriously! Something else I have been doing is using the heating pad first thing in the morning before I run I think it helps too.
I like this little check in. Looks like February was a great month!
It was pretty good thanks!
You should sign up for the Saturday bike ride! I bet once you get going, you will realize this fear was a silly thing keeping you from participating sooner.
You are right I totally should! Thanks for the encouragement
You did great! I love your painting!
It was lots of fun
Sounds like you had a great month! I am getting back on track finally with my training. Hoping to join you for “coffee” tomorrow 🙂
fabulous see you there!
That Prana outfit looks amazing on you! Love your hair as well 🙂
You are so sweet thanks so much!
OOH your hair is great! I like that last picture of you! 🙂 I love group paint nights. I have done several, and even though I am NOT artistic, I always leave with a really nice painting, full of confidence!
I am so not artistic at all! Thanks for the hair 🙂
You had a great month! WTG!
I’ve been trying so hard to get into a bike/swim routine.
I really like to do them back to back
The weather in February definitely made running easier!
Glad your PF healed up and all you needed was a little time.
It really did and thanks I think I am almost rid of it
This is super cute!! Looks like you’re having an awesome month 🙂
It was pretty good thanks!
Congrats on a job well done 🙂
Feb is not my fav month, but we actually had good weather this year 🙂
I hurt my back so was out for 2 weeks! Def glad to be back in the saddle!!
We did and it made a huge difference. Hope your back is feeling better
Nice job on achieving your running goals. How great to be able to actually bike outside, it really is better than indoor biking.
I’ve always wanted to try that painting night event thing. Just think I’m not going to get a great piece of art. LOL!
My February went pretty well. I’d give myself a B on my running and cross-training workouts. About to really kick it into gear though in March!
The painting was fun and actually not as hard as I had imagined it would be. Yes let’s kick it into high gear for March!
What a variety of workouts! Guess it’s what to expect when you’re training for a triathlon. I hope your PF calms down before your heavy training rolls in. I’m curious – what’s stopping you from joining a group bike ride?
So it’s silly, I usually ride on a bike trail that is closed to traffic. This ride goes through neighborhood streets and I am kind of scared of the cars.
I have the same fear. When I trained for a sprint triathlon almost a decade ago, I rode my bike on bike/pedestrian only trails.
I know it’s really intimidating with the cars on the roads
Great job on the tri training! Wasn’t it great that we actually had the opportunity to get out on the road in FEBRUARY! Crazy for these parts!
Yes crazy indeed but very nice! When is your first race?
I’ve already done 3 short ones – 2 5Ks and a 10K in the last couple weeks. My next two half marathons are April and May.
Can’t wait to read about them! Good luck with your training
February was a month of little running bUT lots of other activities, which was great. I love February as it’s usually peak winter – great for skiing and snowshoeing.
It is a great month to mix it up with other activities
You had a wonderful month! So glad you were able to fit in everything you wanted.
February was ok on this end. I would have liked to have some more cross training in there, but that’s just not how it worked out. March will be better.
It seemed like you had a really busy month with lots of races. Hard to fit it all in isn’t it?!
Sounds like a really good report card to me! I’m happy to hear that your PF is behaving a little better.
Cutting back on the running definitely helped. I now need to figure out how to add it back in without aggravating it
You had a great month, Deborah. The warm weather definitely helped me to stay motivated too, and I also surprised myself with how well I did with meeting my February goals. Can Spring come back now?!?
I know spring teased us for sure!
Looks like you had a great month, way to keep it up!
Thanks so much!
Such a fit February! Loving those prAna pants on you. 🙂
Thanks so much they are really comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them more