January Recap & February Yoga Challenge

It’s hard to believe we are already one month into 2016.  So here’s a quick recap of what happened in January & what’s coming up in February for me.

January was a relatively quite month for us, we kicked off 2016 here in San Diego and only had one road-trip runcation to Phoenix for the Coldwater Rumble.

Running – 122 miles (just shy of my 125 monthly goal to get to 1,500)
31 days of strength training
2 races – SD Trail Marathon & Coldwater Rumble – recap coming
2 trips to Phoenix (one for work, one to run :))
2 weeks of being sick
1 trip to Mount Laguna to find snow

Last month Sean & I started incorporating a strength training routine into our daily schedule.  This routine is pretty simple and we modify it based on what we have going on (races, being sick, etc) it’s really been helping us both with our running.

The nice thing about this routine is that you can make it as hard or easy as you would like.

Pushups – 5 sets (I’m up to 50 total which is huge for me since I could barely do 5 when we started)
Bicycles – 200 or more
Scissor Legs &/or Flutter kicks – 100 each
Squats – 5 sets (again I do about 50 they make my knee hurt)
Lunges – 5 sets (again I do 50ish these too make my knee hurt)
Plank – 3 minutes minimum including 30/60 sec of side plank (each side)

I plan to keep it going past the challenge end date of Feb 14.  And this month I will be adding in yoga to my daily schedule.

To kick off my February Yoga Challenge (this is my own personal challenge to do at least a short yoga routine every day in February) I’m joining Fit Approach and Prana for the #pranaSpringStyle #PoseofTheDay Challenge from Feb 1 – 5.

Want to join in?  Here’s what we’ll be working on this week.

Feb 1: Let’s get a little WILD for Monday! Drop a Wild Thing for today’s #poseoftheday and the first day of #prAnastyle!

Feb 2: It’s #transformationtuesday! For today’s #sweatpink and #prAnastyle #poseoftheday, show us what you’re working on in your practice! Bust out some blocks and straps, grab a spotter or a wall. It’s about the journey, not the destination, right? 😉 Full pigeon or dancer tip: use a strap to make the overhead bind!

AND / OR: There’s always a way to modify a posture! Working on #handstand? Grab a wall for L-pose! It’s a great way to build core and shoulder strength, and to get used to the feeling of having your hips up over your shoulders.

Feb 3: Rock out your favorite standing balance pose today! It can be anything that challenges your balance on one leg, so don’t hesitate to get creative and, as always, have fun!

Feb 4: Today we’re working on expanding through the spine even as we’re strength-building and staying grounded in a lunge. Option 1: Crescent Lunge with a backbend.

AND/OR: Option 2: Reverse Warrior. Keep sinking down into your lunge even as you are arching through your side body behind you! Ground down to lift up!

Feb 5: For the LAST day of the #sweatpink #poseoftheday challenge, show us what your favorite #restorative posture is! Child’s Pose, Savasana, Legs Up the Wall… Enjoy and relax!

Use the following hashtags each day: #sweatpink #poseoftheday #flexandflow #stopdropandyoga #yogaeverydamnday #prAnastyle #prAnaspringstyle and tag @fitapproach @prAna

February is going to be a busy month for us with a lot of travel, the LA Marathon, Marathon Olympic Trials, Gasparilla Half Marathon and of course lots and lots of running.

Lots of running, traveling, yoga & strength training coming up in February!  Have a great month!