Cravings, Intervals, and Inspiration

What a week!  I conquered quite a few "firsts" this week.  I stuck to the Whole 30 diet for the entire week (minus a small handful of M&Ms one day), packed a healthy lunch daily, made my first smoothies, and conquered a raging craving for pizza.  I'm loving the new Paleo recipes that I've been trying, and I'm amazed at how much better food tastes.  I can literally feel my taste buds changing, and something as simple as a handful of almonds or an apple with cinnamon is absolutely delicious.  The hubby and I were even able to go out to dinner last night and find entrees to order that fit the plan.  I had a grilled tilapia fillet with shrimp and scallops, and a side of mixed veggies.  It was so filling that I didn't feel like I missed out on anything.  I was tempted to order a margarita (it was a Mexican restaurant after all!) but I stood my ground and just drank water.

Even on the day that I caved and ate M&Ms, I had what I consider to be a "first".  I stopped after that handful.  I didn't keep eating an entire bag.  I didn't use it as an excuse to eat more crap later.  I said enough is enough, and I went home to cook a healthy dinner.  I have NEVER been able to do that before.  I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day, and it has really stuck with me.

So true, right?

Another first was an interval workout that I tried yesterday at the gym.  I ran one minute at a 9:30 pace (which for me is really fast) and then walked one minute at a 15:00/mile pace.  I alternated between those paces 10 times.  Man, was that challenging!  Afterwards, I ran at a comfortable 11:00/mile pace while watching the Olympic Marathon trials.  Talk about inspiring!  I have been following Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher (who are sponsored by Nike) for the past year.  They are such incredible women.  I actually started crying watching them take 1st and 3rd.  And yes, I was at the gym.  I don't know what it is about competitions like that, but they just move me.  I had to pretend to wipe sweat off my face while I was running.  Slightly embarrassing.

I'm going to hold on to that inspiration to motivate me to run 8 miles today.  If they can kick ass while running 26.2 miles, I can handle 8.

Whole 30 Challenge

I'm so ready for this!  Today is Day #1 of the Whole 30 Challenge.  I did this once before and felt amazing, but I didn't stick "exactly" to the plan.  This time I think it will be much easier because my husband is participating with me.  We are also taking part in a healthy 90 day challenge with some friends.  The Whole 30 will be a great way to get us started.


Basically, this plan challenges you to "clean up" what you've been eating and get back to REAL, WHOLESOME food.  No additives.  No preservatives.  No long lists of ingredients.  Just delicious, fresh food.  We will be eating lean meats, fish, seafood, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, some beans, sweet potatoes, and plenty of herbs and spices for flavor.  What we won't be eating are processed foods, grains, dairy, alcohol, or any forms of sugar.  


Is this difficult?  Of course.  It's called a challenge for a reason.  But with proper planning and a bit of willpower, it is achievable.  And I know that with my hubby's support, we can definitely accomplish our goal.  


How does this play into my training?  I know it will make me feel lighter and healthier, but I also know that with less carbs and sugar, I may feel a little tired in the first week or two.  I will make sure that I eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep my energy level up, and I also plan to eat some quick fuel choices (Sport Beans or Shot Blox) during my long runs.  Obviously I realize that these don't fit the "plan", but I guess that will be my only cheat.  I'm not going to run 8 miles with a bag of raspberries in my pocket.  Sorry.


I weighed myself this morning as a starting point, but I love that the Whole 30 is not focused on simply weight loss.  They actually encourage you to NOT weigh yourself during the process.  I'm curious to see my weight at the end, but I'm more excited about how this will make me feel.


If you are interested in trying the Whole 30 Challenge yourself, check it out here.

Seven!

I ran 7.2 miles today!  That's officially the farthest I have ever run!  It was probably one of the slowest and sloppiest runs in the history of mankind, but I don't even care.  I freakin' did it!

Now I'm going to go collapse on the couch and watch some football because I'm exhausted...

But not before including a movie quote that popped in my head during my run:

"[I'm] trying this new fad called uh, jogging.  I believe it's jogging or yogging. It might be a soft ' j '.  I'm not sure but apparently you just run for an extended period of time.  It's supposed to be wild."

Quick Fuel

Now that I'm running more often, and for farther distances, I decided I needed to try some quick energy options that I could consume before, during, or after a run.  Most of the time I run first thing after waking up (whether that's at 4am or 9am) and I don't feel like eating breakfast before working out.  I can't, however, run on a completely empty stomach either.  I tried the Jelly Belly Sport Beans because, let's face it, jelly beans just sound fun and delicious.

My verdict?

They have a fruity but slightly odd taste if I eat them before working out, but during or after a run they taste like juicy heaven in my mouth.  I'm sure by that point my body is craving energy from carbs and needed electrolytes, which is why they seem so delightful.  I usually eat just one pack (100 calories, 19g sugar) and that seems to keep the shakiness away that I used to feel.  I've tried the Fruit Punch and Lemon Lime flavors, and so far Lemon Lime is my favorite.


Next up to try: Clif Shot Bloks

Lessons Learned

So the past couple weeks have been tough on my training schedule.  I was swamped with work and also traveled 18 hours round trip in my car to visit my family.  They live near the Pennsylvania/New York border, south of Buffalo, and man was it cold!  While up there I planned to run outside for my long run of 5 miles, until it decided to snow and cover the roads with a nice slippery sheet of ice.  My running shoes have zero traction, so I had to run inside on a treadmill instead.  Ugh.  I made it 3 miles  and almost died of boredom.  After that I said a little prayer of "thank you" for the fact that I live in southeast Virginia, where the coldest it's been lately has been maybe 40 degrees.  I had a great time visiting my family, but when I returned, I had lots of work and 22 very anxious fourth graders waiting for me.  Once we got out for winter break, I proceeded to sleep 12 hours straight from sheer exhaustion.  I think my body was trying to tell me something.  


I didn't run again until this past Saturday, when I went a little over 4 miles.  The main problem?  My iPod lied to me.  I got the new little iPod Nano (so cute!) as an early Christmas present from my hubby, and I never calibrated it beyond entering my height and weight.  I found out my mistake when I returned to my house.  It said that I ran 4.9 miles and I was pretty happy with that.  But part of me felt this nagging suspicion that I didn't run quite that far.  I hopped in my car to drive around and check the mileage, and sure enough, I only ran 4.2 miles.  Wamp wamp.  I learned my lesson though, and I will definitely be calibrating the darn thing before I use it again.  After that run, my knees hurt SO BAD, and I knew it was because I didn't run at all last week.  Another lesson learned.  I realized that I'm going to have to stick to my training schedule if I'm going to pull this race off.  


I started the week off right by taking my dog for a walk on Sunday to stretch mine and his legs.  Yesterday I took a rest day since my knees were still sore, and this morning I met a friend to go for a run outside.  We started out on our 2 mile course, and after about 5 minutes a nice, cool rain started coming down.  It actually felt really refreshing!  We ran from a local high school down to a river dock, which was neat to see, even on a stormy day.  At the end of our run, we ran into another friend who was walking her dog, so it was nice to stop and chat for a bit.  My legs felt much better today, and I plan to go for a 3 mile run tomorrow.  


I will stick to my schedule, and I WILL run 7 miles THIS SATURDAY.  Sounds scary, but I know after those first couple miles I will find my stride.  




My mantra: I can do this, and I will.  

A Run With History

I returned to the Yorktown Victory Center today for another run.  It was about 40 degrees and a bit windy, but the sun was shining and the water on the York River was bright blue and glistening.  I stopped to take a few pics during my run, and I also walked around a bit afterwards to take some more.  It's become my favorite training spot, because I love running amongst the historic sights.  It keeps my mind focused elsewhere besides the throbbing pain in my legs.  All in all, I felt good while running, and I completed 4.2 miles.  Very pleased!  Here are some of the sights/views I enjoyed while passing through:

Yorktown Victory Monument - Commemorates the victory over the British in the concluding battle of the Revolutionary War.

Part of the running path near the York River

View of Riverwalk Landing from the pier

Nelson House - Home of Thomas Nelson, the Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, Commanding Officer of the Virginia Militia, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

And then there's just me!

Very happy I met my goal of 4 miles for the day!

So not cool, PF

Planet Fitness apparently had the brilliant idea to create "Free Pizza Mondays" on the first Monday of every month.  I've never experienced this marketing ploy before, and let me tell you, I never will again!  Do you know how difficult it is to keep running on a treadmill when the delicious scent of piping-hot pizza is wafting through the air?!?!  I couldn't decide if it made me hungry or slighting nauseated.  Then, when I went into the locker room to grab my bag, a woman was CHOWING DOWN on 3 pieces!  Sooooo not helpful!  I literally ran, grabbed my things, slammed the locker shut, and power walked to the front door, where I had to pass the 20 or so boxes full of forbidden goodness.  Cruelty, I tell you!  I tried to remind myself that I was going home to make some delicious, home-made beef stew...

But really. Beef Stew?  Come on.