Monday, February 28, 2011

Fitness Challenge Report Card: February 2011

Interested in joining the Fitness Challenge? Please visit the Sign Up post for more information, including the challenge rules. You may leave a comment there or on this post if you'd like to join. Be sure to include your fitness miles* goal in your comment.

*NOTE: One fitness challenge mile = 1 mile walked or run for fitness OR a 15 minute increment of other exercise for fitness such as cardiovascular or strength training exercises.


So how did everyone do with their fitness challenge miles* this month?

I set my goal for 100 fitness miles and came in at 96.1 miles. I spent most of my workout hours in spin class and strength training, followed by boot camp and kickboxing. I knew meeting my goal this month was going to be a challenge because February is a short month and I knew ahead of time that I was going to miss a few days in the beginning of the month. Yet I ended up coming much, much closer to my goal than I expected, so I'm still pretty pleased.

I'm even more pleased to be ending the month on really high note because I ran a 5K Race [3.1 miles] yesterday and ran my all time personal best! :D

Almost at the finish line.
I hadn't spotted my husband yet, otherwise I would have smiled. :)
Not only did I meet my fitness goal to run a 5K in 31 minutes, but I had seconds to spare!!!!

Jan. 1, 2010 5K    Race results: 34:51 11:19 min/mile pace

Feb. 27, 2011 5K Race results: 30:44.60 9:54 min/mile pace

Wooooooo!!!!!

That's over four minutes off my time from last year! I'm SO thrilled with this time. As if it isn't obvious, right? ;) I totally surprised myself yesterday. I set that 5K in 31 minutes goal and hoped I would come close, but didn't think I'd quite make it because I haven't run better than an average 10:17 min/mile pace before.
But I DID it!  

I'm looking for the official race results.
I'm anxious to know if I broke a 10:00 min mile pace!
Yesterday I ran an average pace of 9:54 minutes per mile!

Thank you to those of you who cheered me on yesterday when I posted about the race on twitter and facebook. I appreciate your support and enthusiasm. :)

This race was originally scheduled for January 1, 2011 but had been cancelled and rescheduled twice since due to snow and ice conditions. I'm so glad it finally took place yesterday and the weather was perfect. Overcast, but temperatures were upwards of 50 F [10 C].

I'm going to set my fitness challenge goal at 100 fitness miles again for March. :)

How did you do with your fitness challenge goal for February?

Did you have trouble meeting your goal?

If so, what were some of your obstacles?
Time? Motivation? Illness?

I hope you all join me again for March! :)
Please include your new fitness miles goal in the comments.

Thank you all for participating. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.

Exercising minds want to know....


Do you own a jump rope?



[*Playstation Move workout]

16 comments:

  1. Congrats on the 5k!
    I've been slacking on exercise. Between the weather and a cold, ugh. But I'm getting back into it tonight.

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  2. Thanks, Linda!
    Exercising in the winter can be tough. I was sick on and off in February last year and barely exercised, too. I'm glad to hear you're hitting the workout routine tonight! Zumba?

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  3. Way to go!!
    I've barely gotten off the couch, as well. Between the different illnesses I've been miserable.
    I'm glad to hear that you're feeling well & able to exercise!

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  4. Thanks, Gina!
    Oh, no! You guys are still on and off sick over there? February is such a tough month, isn't it?
    Let's hope March brings better health. :)
    When do the boys start soccer outdoors again?

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  5. Christine, you are so totally an inspiration!

    Me, I'm still short of my goal--but again, new month, will keep aiming!

    My problem right now is, more than anything, changing schedules. Getting up at 3:30am on day and at 6:00 the next, with work days ranging from eight to twelve hours, really screws with the rest of your life!

    However, here's hoping--I may have a relatively set schedule sometime in March, which will allow me to establish an exercise routing. (Wish me luck)

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  6. Thanks for visiting my site! :)

    Wow, you have accomplished a lot this month! I think it is a great idea to have a fitness goal for a whole month. You have done a fantastic job with your goals and should be so proud of yourself! I know I am always so excited when I have beat a previous time or am able to do something better or faster or more eaily than I once was able to. That's awesome!

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  7. Wow! Congrats!! you got so much done this month! Best of luck for the next!

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  8. LOL, you're so cute, Christine! Smiling at the camera!!

    And good job on the personal best time!! That's awesome!! :)

    Go Christine, go!

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  9. Congrats, Christine! Well done!

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog. And congrats on your 5K! Are you aware of these awesome fitblog community here at http://fitblogchats.com

    Regards,
    Kiran
    http://kirantarun.com

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  11. You did an amazing and wonderful thing! Not only did you participate in the race, but you improved your time while doing so! You Are AWESOME!
    As for my fitness challenge miles? I managed 78 for February, under my goal of 80. But, between illness and family stuff, not too bad I guess.
    I'll strive for 80 this month and hope to (for once) surpass it.
    And yes, I own a jump rope. *g*

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  12. Congrats on the fitness miles and the great 5 km time! You're my inspiration!

    And yes, I do own a jump rope. I just haven't taken it out of the packet... *blushes*

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  13. Thanks for all the cheers, everyone! I think the running high from Sunday is finally wearing off. ^_^

    azteclady, having an inconsistent work schedule is definitely a challenge. Are you off on the weekends? If so, maybe you can promise yourself to exercise both days no matter what. Good luck for March! :)

    Caity, thanks for the return visit! :)
    And thank you for the workout kudos! I'm still amazed at how you can make a challenge for yourself and it can eventually transform into a norm. For example, I used to think it was awesome when I got to the gym four days a week (which is way more awesome than three, two, one or zero times...). Now my norm is six or seven times a week!
    I hope you're having a great week! :)

    Alex, thank you! ^_^

    nath, why wouldn't I smile? I wouldn't want you to think I wasn't having fun running now, would I? ~_^

    Thanks, Jace! :D

    Kiran, thank you for stopping by and for the 5K congrats. Thank you, also, for the heads up on the fitblog chats! I'm definitely going to join in on the twitter chats. :)

    Thank you, Brandy! I am over the moon over my race. Although now I'm not so sure I want to do another 5K for fear of not doing as well. LOL! Silly, me.

    You own a jump rope!! Do you use it?
    I have one somewhere around here, but haven't seen it since the construction. I may have to buy a new one.

    orannia, thanks, luv. :D
    LOL re: not taking the jump rope out of the packet!! That's so me. I bought swim goggles last October and only just opened them a week ago. Oh well, better late than never, right?

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  14. Actually, I work both days over the weekends, and my days off can be Monday and Wednesday or Wednesday and Friday--and occasionally, only one of the two.

    But (says she hopefully) there is a chance I'll get at least set days, if not set hours, starting on March. We'll see.

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  15. Awesome job on the race & reaching your goal!

    I did 58 fitness miles in February. It should have been more but between the short month and really bad PMS induced backache had me taking a few days off.

    I'm setting my March goal for 60 and with some luck I'll be able to reach and pass it.

    Technically, I don't own a jump rope but I know my kids have a few. :)

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  16. That is awesome! Four Whole Minutes is AMAZING! :-) Just shows that all the work you've been doing this past year has paid off and will continue to pay off if you keep it up!

    I do own a jump rope...I don't use it often but I have one. :-P

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