She Says: Running is Hard
Good Morning Everyone! I will announce the MojaMix contest winner later today. Until then, don’t forget to use HANGRYPANTS at checkout to get 10% off your order!
My gym membership expired Tuesday and it’s about that time to get training for my second half marathon in September, so I took to the street (err sidewalk) yesterday for a 5 mile run. Easy, right? Yeah, not so much. It was a small torture. Running is hard. I was slow and struggling the whole time, barely managing 10 minute miles. I guess there is work to be done! I can’t believe I ran 13 miles less than two months ago! Actually, I am not that surprised at how tough it was. I’ve run only a handful of times in the last month and I haven’t exactly been killing myself at the gym. I was taking it a little easy knowing this training time was coming again. I didn’t want to get burnt out on running. Also, I’ve been enjoying myself a little too much at all the summer parties. Move less + eat more = pants that are too tight and a sluggish runner. Like I said, there is work to be done!
I tried to stretch my legs as much as possible when I got home, knowing I would be sore this morning. I a happy to report I am not that sore. My calves are a wee bit tight. I was pretty hungry when I got home from the run so I had a quick dinner pretty early last night. I threw together a quick salad with a side of Trader Joe’s Pilaf.
Table of Salad Contents:
- Baby Spinach
- Raw Corn off the Cob
- Tomatoes
- Red Pepper
- Cucumber
- Dr. Prager’s
- Dijon + Apple Cider Vinegar
I followed this with a little dessert. Yes, this cereal is a dessert in my opinion.
Mark and I then took a walk to Cruise Night. What is Cruise Night? It is an evening of old men, with old cars standing around talking about their old cars. It was actually fun though. There was one old baby blue Beetle convertible that was v. adorable. Plus they were playing old music so Mark and I were able to pretend I was wearing a poodle skirt and he was a rebel with cigarettes rolled into his white T.
Walking made me want another snack when I got home, so I had my last PROBAR Fruition samples bar. I took a picture of it next to my phone for scale purposes.
See, snack size! This was Raspberry Orange. Usually I find cranberry paired with orange in bars, so this was a little different. I can’t say I tasted much orange though. I really enjoyed sampling these bars and don’t think I could choose a favorite. I liked Peach because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Peach flavored bar, but I also really liked the Blueberry because it was so fresh tasting. They will be in stores in August!
Well, at first I was a little nervous about my running experience, but I’ve decided to just look forward to the challenge of training instead. I know if I do the work, I will be fine. I mean obviously I can’t run as much or work as hard as I was when I was training all the timeThat would be both unrealistic and unhealthy. Now, however, I can get back on track by sticking to my schedule and not indulging quite so much in summer treats. I’ve been having lots of sweets in treats in the name of “I will not deprive myself.” Ya know what I’m saying?
It might seem unrelated, but I don’t think it is. When running a lot I need to eat more, but that doesn’t mean having a cupcake, lots of chips or ice cream at every party I go to, especially when those parties are weekly. I feel better and run better when I am fueled with good things. A belly full of quality bread + peanut butter is far different than a belly full of cupcakes in terms of running. And anyway, where is the balance in indulging at every special event? I think there is a fine line between deprivation, satisfaction and balance. I read Kath’s Squiggly Line Effect post and nodded along the whole time. Where is the balance if you enjoy cookies, chips or ice cream at every party or event you go to? I don’t think there is any. The balance that I strive to achieve that makes me the happiest means eating as well as possible most of the time and enjoying small treats along the way. I think lately my treats have been bigger and more frequent and for me that translates into tighter pants and harder running.
What does balance mean to you? What do you do when you’ve gotten a little off track?
I think starting my training schedule officially this weekend will really help a lot. I know I need good, quality fuel to help me run my best so it will probably help me balance out my healthy and treat choices a little better. And today I am going to that local running store to get fitted for sneakers, so that will definitely be motivating and exciting!!!!
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July 16th, 2009 at 8:07 am
i think balance is a tricky thing to achieve – not depriving yourself, indulging when you want, but also not indulging all the time. i think the point is that no one is ever perfect. there will be times when we have too many cupcakes, and times when we don’t have enough. just having an awareness of how i eat, exercise, and feel is enough for me. because if you’re devoted to a balanced life, that awareness makes it much simpler to evaluate where you are right now and make changes accordingly (if you need to). you demonstrated that exactly in this post!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:22 am
For me — and what I see for clients — balance means being in a place where you are as tuned in to your body’s real needs as possible.
Running IS hard, m’dear! xo
July 16th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I’ve been feeling the same way about running lately, too! we didn’t run for 2 weeks after our crazy trail run, and the past couple of runs I’ve had have been hard! But I’m looking for other races to sign up for so I can get back in the groove
and I agree with you about the balance and fueling with good food. it definitely makes a difference.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:40 am
AMEN! to everything!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am
What half are you doing in September? I may just have to copy you and sign up if it’s semi-local! Then we can have terrible runs together when you’re in Hoboken!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Hey there – I totally understand what you mean about balance and finding the middle between overindulging and depriving yourself. When I find that I’ve tipped too far towards the overindulgence side, I find it hard not to feel as if I have to avoid dinners out with friends or a drink here or there, but I have to remember that with balanced meals at home (most of the time), reduced portion sizes and real food instead of treat food, its ok to still do those fun things every now and then. Its hard to remember that its not all or nothing!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:50 am
“The balance that I strive to achieve that makes me the happiest means eating as well as possible most of the time and enjoying small treats along the way.”
Amen!
i totally agree. I go by the 90/10 rule. I eat healthy 90% of the time so that when I have the occasional treat, I can thoroughly enjoy it — no guilt!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I liked Kath’s rendition of the Squiggly Line Effect too! She explained it very well! For me balance is all about feeding your body with how you want it to perform, and never depriving yourself of treats–eat nothing, taste everything!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I feel the same about running! I haven’t been consistent about it since the Brooklyn half. Now whenever I get back out and run I’m thinking, how the heck did I do 13 miles?! I want to train for a marathon at some point soon but I can’t even fathom running that far right now!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Starting a new training plan is always mentally tough for me. At ten miles, I have no clue how I ever ran a marathon! I have to remind myself that four months of training will get me back to where I need to be.
I’m so bad at balance…I’m good until I come home from work (around or after midnight…I work the evening shift), at which point I will eat almost anything! I usually have some ice cream when I come home, which should be good enough…but then I’m still hungry so I eat TONS of crackers. Really need to work on that. In general, I eat healthy most of the time (outside of daily ice cream…oops!), so I can enjoy a meal out or a party. That being said, I don’t have BBQs lined up every weekend full of goodies! I honestly think that if you are mindful about eating, then sometimes you will eat more (summer parties, holidays) and other times you will eat less (March? What holiday is in March??). It balances out over time.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I also go by the 90/10 rule. During the holiday season I actually think ahead about all the social events/parties and plan which ones I will want to “splurge” at i.e. which ones will have truly wonderful food (like a relatives home made cookies) vs the grocery store cupcakes that people bring into work or bowls of chex mix set out at parties.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I’ve been having similar issues getting back into the swing of things with running. Every run over 3 miles has seemed like absolute torture. Didn’t running 10 miles (or 13 in your case crazy girl) right before the half seem so easy??
July 16th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Balance is very hard to achieve for me. If something is going really well then something else in my life is usually falling to the wayside. It’s a constant re-balancing for me!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I am so glad you posted this. I feel like unlike the rest of the world, I always get lazy in the summer with all the breaks and parties and put on weight. It’s actually much easier for me to be consistent with workouts and eating in the winter. I have been working out, too, but not hard. I think I was too strict at some points with my lifestyle and have now gotten too loose. Balance is hard for me, it seems. I know I need to work on finding a better balance of enjoying treats but not allll of them.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hey Heather, a few of us are emailing again because we have halfs coming up this fall too! Want to email?
I have learned that I need to stay pretty strict with my balance because otherwise I will feel like crap and I hate that! Most things like chips and what not are out for me. I can have a few (seriously like 4) and then I have to cut myself off because it feels so blicky. However I have the same approach to eating as you do, do the best I can most of the time and enjoy a few treats along the way. That makes me the happiest! So I choose treats that don’t make me feel awful and it’s win-win!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Balance is hard to find! When I’m dancing a lot, I need to eat more but it’s hard to perform well in classes and have enough energy if my diet isn’t solid. Balance to me means abiding by a 90/10 rule- 90% healthy, 10% fun…sometimes the balance tips, but life’s like that! My diet isn’t ‘clean’ but it’s not unhealthy overall and I’m still trying to find that middle ground between what makes me feel my best (and what is practicle!)
July 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
So there are already a couple “Amens,” but I’ll add in another. Amen!
I loved Kath’s Squiggly Line Effect. (Plus, “squiggly” is fun to say).
I definitely don’t like to feel deprived, but if I indulge in something EVERY time I go to a party or there is a treat at work, it makes me feel meh. For ME, I feel better about indulging (and I hate to say that word, but I just mean having foods I wouldn’t have on an everyday basis) if it’s not too often.
My idea of balance still isn’t perfect (will it ever be?!), but overall I like the 90%/10% rule. I just need to work on not eating the 10% all in ONE SITTING.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Isn’t it amazing how not running for such a short period of time can undo the months and months of hard work?!?!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Wow – I think this post was written for me. I totally agree with you about finding balance – it’s always a challenge. I LOVE running when I keep up with it, but, if I take a break, it’s always hard to get back into it.
LOVE the phone snack measurer too – that’s a nice sized bar!
Thanks for the Annie’s contest shoutout! Good luck!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I agree with you. An indulgence should only come along every once in a while, not every single weekend.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I’m a little off track right now. I was actually just thinking that this morning. My middle feels soft. Not noticeable in my clothes, but I notice it. Not cool. I know re-starting is the hardest part. But that’s life. Just get into it and it gets so much easier. We can do it!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:38 am
My belly is full of cupcakes. Also, I had my first gyro yesterday (chicken, of course) and wish I could have one everyday! That pita thing is amazing, and the tzatziki was to die for! Have you every heard of Opa!? It was in the mall and I loved the little, Greek man who explained what everything was, and how he makes the tzatziki. Good times.
That being said, you make me wonder about my own balance. Maybe I’ll think further about it and ponder if I am in a good balance for me. Hmmmmmm
July 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Ugh – I had a bad run this morning. My heart just wasn’t into it so I stopped! There’s always next time! Balance is tricky!! Since I eat relatively healthy 95% of the time, the other 5% I don’t let bother me. Of course there are days that I can over do it on one thing or another but I know that tomorrow will be different.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
What’s this “balance” thing you speak of?
I hope you find some hot kicks today!
July 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
to me, balance is having a little bit of everything i want in my life, without being overwhelmed with one thing in particular, or being too focused on a single issue. it’s doing what my intuition tells me to do, and feeling at peace with my life!
hope have a good thursday, love!
July 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I remember a marathoner once telling me that running isn’t supposed to be easy. I remind myself that when I’m trying to plow through a particularly hard run. I always feel a lot more accomplished when I finish a hard run
I like the squiggly line thing too. I find my eating tends to go up and down without even consciously trying. If I’m super hungry one day, I just go with it and eat lots. In all likelihood, I probably won’t be as hungry the next day, and it evens out. Same with eating sweets and stuff. If I OD on cake at a party, chances are I won’t have much of a sweet tooth the next day. I’ve gotten really good at not stressing about those things
July 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
i’m still figuring out the balance thing…i think the bigger thing for me is letting go of the guilt i feel when i’m feeling “off balance”….
i love raw corn too….
July 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I think balance for me is when I feel my best and am actually ENJOYING treats, not just eating them because they’re there and I think I should. I agree it’s hard (esp. in the summer) to strike a healthy one!
July 16th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I think some runs are just harder…and they make you realize how great the other runs are!
Balance is definitely finding that place where you can enjoy food both from the super healthy side and sometimes from the not so healthy but oh so yummy side. For me balance really came about when I stopped worrying all the time about food, I think that’s because I shifted my focus to including fruits and veggies rather than NOT including other things.
July 17th, 2009 at 1:02 am
Glad that you’re looking to your training in such a positive way! Some runs are harder than others (who knows why!), so I’m sure you’ll have a fast strong run soon enough
I haven’t ran in over 3 months, and I am NOT looking forward to when I finally hit the pavement again. Actually that’s a lie. I can’t WAIT to be back out there running, but am scared at how difficult it’s going to be compared to where I left off during marathon training!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I was checking out the PROBAR site and it seems like their bars are so high in calories – do they have snack and meal versions? What did you think of them?