Training has been sporatic. One day I'm doubting I can do this at all and the next day I'm feeling excited to cross the finish line. As my feelings go back and forth, so does my training. I always keep running. I do that because I love to, but how far I run depends on if I'm "training" or not. I always keep in mind the bigger picture - my love of running, how at peace it makes me feel, how it's cheaper than therapy, and how healthy it keeps me.
Some days I feel up for the challenge of something new and other days I just want to run a couple miles instead of pushing myself. For anyone reading, that's perfectly ok to feel like that. First and foremost should be the LOVE for this sport. Yes, it's a sport. Call it maintence, call it cardio, call it a discipline. Either way, it's a sport and if you do it and love it then you're an athlete. In fact, you don't even have to love it... but you will!
Athlete: n.
A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports.
I have 2 quotes in my bathroom that say
"If you have a body, you're an athlete."
"The more you run, the more you are a runner."
Some days, when I want to be mad at myself for not desiring to run 6 miles, but instead go out for only 2 or 3 miles... I remind myself that no matter what, I'm out there running and doing what I love.
So anyway...
Yesterday was 5 miles.
Today was cross-training with a 25-minue Shaun T ab workout.
Tomorrow's a long run of 7 miles. It'll be the farthest I've ever run. But only 2 more miles than what I did yesterday so I feel hopeful.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
A few of my favorite things...
Of course Jesus and my family win the titles in life, but today we'll be talking about material things. :o) And *no* I don't get paid for this lol
Peanut Butter!
In a packet nontheless. And organic. It's called Justin's Organic Peanut Butter Squeeze Pack. It rocks! As I type, my daughter is trying to steal the packet I'm using to reference the information. The kids love it, it's great for the glycemic-challenged athlete, or any person looking for a healthy organic protien boost at any time of the day. They come in Honey and Cinnamon flavored. All natural flavorings though. Actual honey and actual cinnamon. The cinnamon tastes like cinnamon peanut butter toast explosion without the extra carbs. I cannot rave enough about these! I'm looking VERY forward to using these on my long runs and during my races. I found these packets at Whole Foods in Towne Square. In the Peanut butter aisle by the baby needs/beauty sections.
Nutritional Info:
net wt. 32g (1.15oz)
Serv size - 1 packet
calories 180
fat cal 140
total fat 15g
sat fat 2g
trans fat 0
cholest. 0
sodium 65mg
total carb 8g
fiber 2g
sugars 2g
protien 7g
Gluten & dairy free! No hydrogenated oils.
Odwalla
Juices and Juice Blends. They are chock full of vitamins and nurtients. Each bottle tells you what percentages of that bottle is organic or from fruits. For instance, there are protien blends made with soy milk and so one of them says 76% organic ingredients and another says 91% organic ingredients, whereas the one I love the most (Red Rhapsody from the SuperFood collection) is a 100% juice/puree blend and so are the rest of the Super Food collection. Then they have smoothie blends, like Wholly Grain! that include grains and are made up of around 75% juice/puree. I can't say "ALL" but the majority of them are Gluten free! The sugars range around 20g+, but that is all from fruit usually. Some have the consistency of juice, some of a thick fruit puree, and the protien ones seem like the consistency of a protien shake. I've found these at Glaziers supermarket (cheapest), It's a Grind coffee shop and Whole Foods.
Glaziers
The new supermarket. Ok.. ok.. I know this isn't a one item thing. But I just HAVE to rave about this place. Today for less than $3, I bought a pack of already chopped up Kung Pao mix of veggies. Ready to be thrown in the pan and cooked up. It's amazing that I can pay the same amount I normally would for the vegetables they included and I don't have to do the work of cutting it all up! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm actually a really old fashioned girl. I peel and slice my own apples for apple pie, I make my own french fries, and I make my daughter's gluten free bread by hand. I like putting more work into things because I feel I get to put some more lovin' into it that way. But I'm also the mom of 3 kiddos with lots going on, and already chopped veggies can make the difference of how much time we get together around dinnertime. Glaziers also has THE best prices on fresh fruits and veggies. Right now bananas are 39cents/lb. Apples, oranges and pears are 2 lbs for 98cents. They have a section for organic produce and even bins of loose spinach and baby spring mixed greens so you can however much you want. Glaziers has also seemed to win over the love from men, with a huge selection of fresh seafood and delicious seedless watermelon pretty much year-round, which my husband goes crazy over.
Glaziers is at the corner of S.Durango and Warm Springs. They are family-owned, the owners walk the store every single day, the Mrs.G's brand items are from the wife's personal recipe box, and the owners are from the East Coast (Philly). So that automatically makes me a fan! Every week's flyer has coupons for FREE stuff. You will never see *no one* walking around. There constantly stockers out on the floor and you will be greeted throughout your visit with "Hello.Good afternoon! Are you finding what you need?" Also, as you check out, make sure to notice how the checker will walk the last bag around to put it in your cart. The service andp prices there are A+++++++!
That's about it for now :o)
Peanut Butter!
In a packet nontheless. And organic. It's called Justin's Organic Peanut Butter Squeeze Pack. It rocks! As I type, my daughter is trying to steal the packet I'm using to reference the information. The kids love it, it's great for the glycemic-challenged athlete, or any person looking for a healthy organic protien boost at any time of the day. They come in Honey and Cinnamon flavored. All natural flavorings though. Actual honey and actual cinnamon. The cinnamon tastes like cinnamon peanut butter toast explosion without the extra carbs. I cannot rave enough about these! I'm looking VERY forward to using these on my long runs and during my races. I found these packets at Whole Foods in Towne Square. In the Peanut butter aisle by the baby needs/beauty sections.
Nutritional Info:
net wt. 32g (1.15oz)
Serv size - 1 packet
calories 180
fat cal 140
total fat 15g
sat fat 2g
trans fat 0
cholest. 0
sodium 65mg
total carb 8g
fiber 2g
sugars 2g
protien 7g
Gluten & dairy free! No hydrogenated oils.
Odwalla
Juices and Juice Blends. They are chock full of vitamins and nurtients. Each bottle tells you what percentages of that bottle is organic or from fruits. For instance, there are protien blends made with soy milk and so one of them says 76% organic ingredients and another says 91% organic ingredients, whereas the one I love the most (Red Rhapsody from the SuperFood collection) is a 100% juice/puree blend and so are the rest of the Super Food collection. Then they have smoothie blends, like Wholly Grain! that include grains and are made up of around 75% juice/puree. I can't say "ALL" but the majority of them are Gluten free! The sugars range around 20g+, but that is all from fruit usually. Some have the consistency of juice, some of a thick fruit puree, and the protien ones seem like the consistency of a protien shake. I've found these at Glaziers supermarket (cheapest), It's a Grind coffee shop and Whole Foods.
Glaziers
The new supermarket. Ok.. ok.. I know this isn't a one item thing. But I just HAVE to rave about this place. Today for less than $3, I bought a pack of already chopped up Kung Pao mix of veggies. Ready to be thrown in the pan and cooked up. It's amazing that I can pay the same amount I normally would for the vegetables they included and I don't have to do the work of cutting it all up! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm actually a really old fashioned girl. I peel and slice my own apples for apple pie, I make my own french fries, and I make my daughter's gluten free bread by hand. I like putting more work into things because I feel I get to put some more lovin' into it that way. But I'm also the mom of 3 kiddos with lots going on, and already chopped veggies can make the difference of how much time we get together around dinnertime. Glaziers also has THE best prices on fresh fruits and veggies. Right now bananas are 39cents/lb. Apples, oranges and pears are 2 lbs for 98cents. They have a section for organic produce and even bins of loose spinach and baby spring mixed greens so you can however much you want. Glaziers has also seemed to win over the love from men, with a huge selection of fresh seafood and delicious seedless watermelon pretty much year-round, which my husband goes crazy over.
Glaziers is at the corner of S.Durango and Warm Springs. They are family-owned, the owners walk the store every single day, the Mrs.G's brand items are from the wife's personal recipe box, and the owners are from the East Coast (Philly). So that automatically makes me a fan! Every week's flyer has coupons for FREE stuff. You will never see *no one* walking around. There constantly stockers out on the floor and you will be greeted throughout your visit with "Hello.Good afternoon! Are you finding what you need?" Also, as you check out, make sure to notice how the checker will walk the last bag around to put it in your cart. The service andp prices there are A+++++++!
That's about it for now :o)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Bleh
Sucky run. I don't understand what's going on. I feel like there's so much against me. I have no idea what could be causing this. I feel nausea, my legs hurt, I'm bored. WTH?? Where's the excitment and joy I usually get from this? I want to just cry my eyes out. I feel so defeated and discouraged.
I've been doing some praying, soul searching, listing the wonderful feelings and results I've gotten from running, reminding myself the goals I have and how much I have accomplished. I'm hoping to wake up one morning and this was just a phase.
WOOSH go away yucky blahness!
I've been doing some praying, soul searching, listing the wonderful feelings and results I've gotten from running, reminding myself the goals I have and how much I have accomplished. I'm hoping to wake up one morning and this was just a phase.
WOOSH go away yucky blahness!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Planning Race Day
With 7 weeks to go, and lots of holidays mixed in that time, I figure it's definitely time for some race-day planning. Food and clothing mostly.
I have hypoglycemia. That means my blood sugar is normally too low, which makes me irritable, disoriented, nausea, and I get headaches. If I eat something with too high a glycemic index - like bananas, pasta, toast, bagels - my sugar levels spike too quickly which makes me feel sluggish, extremely tired, irritable, and again I can get headaches. So all this carb loading the night before and eating bagles and drinking coffee the morning of a race... it doesn't work for me. In fact, it will do the exact opposite of what other runners say it does for them.
Up until now, I have gotten away with... gasp.... not eating at all before a run. I go out on an empty stomach in the morning or after having not eaten for many hours. I don't like the heaviness in my stomach, don't want to cause cramps and most of all, I have been afraid to eat the wrong thing. For races I have just gone with nibbling on a granola bar, and for triathlons I have done PB sandwiches.
So now I'm on the hunt for a healthy, lightly filling food that won't leave me feeling hungry but also won't spike my blood sugar. If PB sandwiches do it on a 1.5 hour triathlon course, then I'm thinking it might do it for the 1/2 marathon too.
Anyone else hypoglycemic? What works for you??
Also, I've heard good things about mixing gel packets with water. Have any of you done that and what's your feedback?
I only have 6 more long runs to figure this out.
I have hypoglycemia. That means my blood sugar is normally too low, which makes me irritable, disoriented, nausea, and I get headaches. If I eat something with too high a glycemic index - like bananas, pasta, toast, bagels - my sugar levels spike too quickly which makes me feel sluggish, extremely tired, irritable, and again I can get headaches. So all this carb loading the night before and eating bagles and drinking coffee the morning of a race... it doesn't work for me. In fact, it will do the exact opposite of what other runners say it does for them.
Up until now, I have gotten away with... gasp.... not eating at all before a run. I go out on an empty stomach in the morning or after having not eaten for many hours. I don't like the heaviness in my stomach, don't want to cause cramps and most of all, I have been afraid to eat the wrong thing. For races I have just gone with nibbling on a granola bar, and for triathlons I have done PB sandwiches.
So now I'm on the hunt for a healthy, lightly filling food that won't leave me feeling hungry but also won't spike my blood sugar. If PB sandwiches do it on a 1.5 hour triathlon course, then I'm thinking it might do it for the 1/2 marathon too.
Anyone else hypoglycemic? What works for you??
Also, I've heard good things about mixing gel packets with water. Have any of you done that and what's your feedback?
I only have 6 more long runs to figure this out.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Day 30 - Half Marathon Training
It's been exactly one month of half marathon training! That includes half of it covered in a sinus and bronchial infection. So, naturally, I was a little nervous today. I was pickng up from where I should be, not from where I left off. I am able to do the distances and I don't want to lose precious time. The timing is exact leading up to the first of four races.
9am
4 miles
11:59/mile
total time - 47:58
It was really nice out today. It was November. Chilly but sunny.
I had a really rough run today. Within the first 1/2 mile, my legs were sore. I'm not sure what that's about. I figured it was that I just needed to warm up, but the rest of the run I felt like I just couldn't get them up. I felt like I was dragging the whole way. I felt mentally strong, but not physically. Eh, every run is different.
I had some muscle cramping... in my shoulder! Not in my legs, hips, calves, back... nope, it was my shoulder and neck. It moved down into my chest on the right side. It was bad enough that I ended up walking from about mile 2 to mile 3. Then I ran most of the way of the last mile to finish out as strongly as I could.
Lucky for me, I had a massage scheduled today! Thanks to my honey :o)
Overall, the run wasn't my best, but I did it and that's all that mattered today. Getting back out there on the road and proving to myself I can.
9am
4 miles
11:59/mile
total time - 47:58
It was really nice out today. It was November. Chilly but sunny.
I had a really rough run today. Within the first 1/2 mile, my legs were sore. I'm not sure what that's about. I figured it was that I just needed to warm up, but the rest of the run I felt like I just couldn't get them up. I felt like I was dragging the whole way. I felt mentally strong, but not physically. Eh, every run is different.
I had some muscle cramping... in my shoulder! Not in my legs, hips, calves, back... nope, it was my shoulder and neck. It moved down into my chest on the right side. It was bad enough that I ended up walking from about mile 2 to mile 3. Then I ran most of the way of the last mile to finish out as strongly as I could.
Lucky for me, I had a massage scheduled today! Thanks to my honey :o)
Overall, the run wasn't my best, but I did it and that's all that mattered today. Getting back out there on the road and proving to myself I can.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Revamped
Feeling great today! For the last 2 weeks, I've been hit really hard with a sinus infection. I tried running but ended up hacking the entire time. Finally it's gone!!!
My back in the meantime has been so neglected and got to the point I couldn't even bend over without uncomfortable pressure. That has never happened before. So now that the sinus infection is over, and I'm sooooo ready to get back into training, I figured a trip to the Chiropractor was in order. He's always so good to me :o)
Then, my rockin' hubby got me a giftcard and an already-made appointment for a massage for tomorrow! Gotta loooove that!
I'm going to jump into the training schedule from where I should be now. I'm not going backwards. This is the beauty of having started out simple and taking my time.
The plan says that this week I will be running
4m
4m
6m
I can totally do that...I hope. lol
oh P.S.
I forgot to mention that while stuck in a non-running state for the past 2 weeks, I took real notice to my eating habits, which have been relatively great. I am still a vegetarian, but not one that goes for the pasta instead. Being Italian, that's hard not to do! But I do really well. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains but limit the bread/carb intake. I eat to fuel my body, not to celebrate or deal with emotions. It's been a very life-changing year for me and the way I view eating habits.
Which brings me to my newest challenge. I always said I would never be the one to count calories... but alas, I'm counting calories. I have had the habit of writing down what I eat from years ago, but it became really hard to do with the more children I popped out. I admit, it's time consuming some days. However, I have found that if I write it down as I make my meal, then it doesn't really take much more time. So I have been doing this now for 2 weeks, keeping it down to 1200 if I'm not running or working out. I have now lost about 5 more pounds. I know that seems like a lot really fast, but this is how my body always works when I change something up. Then it levels out and slows down. I'm looking forward to seeing the resuslts of getting back to full-time training and cross-traning workouts. I'm excited really! I have set a goal to lose 1/2 a pound a week for 6 months. It will keep me motivated each week and give me that more immediate reward I need to keep going.
My back in the meantime has been so neglected and got to the point I couldn't even bend over without uncomfortable pressure. That has never happened before. So now that the sinus infection is over, and I'm sooooo ready to get back into training, I figured a trip to the Chiropractor was in order. He's always so good to me :o)
Then, my rockin' hubby got me a giftcard and an already-made appointment for a massage for tomorrow! Gotta loooove that!
I'm going to jump into the training schedule from where I should be now. I'm not going backwards. This is the beauty of having started out simple and taking my time.
The plan says that this week I will be running
4m
4m
6m
I can totally do that...I hope. lol
oh P.S.
I forgot to mention that while stuck in a non-running state for the past 2 weeks, I took real notice to my eating habits, which have been relatively great. I am still a vegetarian, but not one that goes for the pasta instead. Being Italian, that's hard not to do! But I do really well. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains but limit the bread/carb intake. I eat to fuel my body, not to celebrate or deal with emotions. It's been a very life-changing year for me and the way I view eating habits.
Which brings me to my newest challenge. I always said I would never be the one to count calories... but alas, I'm counting calories. I have had the habit of writing down what I eat from years ago, but it became really hard to do with the more children I popped out. I admit, it's time consuming some days. However, I have found that if I write it down as I make my meal, then it doesn't really take much more time. So I have been doing this now for 2 weeks, keeping it down to 1200 if I'm not running or working out. I have now lost about 5 more pounds. I know that seems like a lot really fast, but this is how my body always works when I change something up. Then it levels out and slows down. I'm looking forward to seeing the resuslts of getting back to full-time training and cross-traning workouts. I'm excited really! I have set a goal to lose 1/2 a pound a week for 6 months. It will keep me motivated each week and give me that more immediate reward I need to keep going.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)