Tempo Run and My Current Food Obsession

Today was a tempo run, which is basically a warmup, a slightly faster than usual run of 3 miles, and then a cool down. It went well! I felt super strong, and I can really tell the running program is working. AND, I burned 822 calories! Not too shabby! Combined with my hilly walk to and from school, and I burned some killer cals today.

As for food, I am currently obsessed with pico de gallo. I am sure most of you have heard of it, but if not, it's basically a fresh, chunky salsa. It's got tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and some garlic or green onion as well... depends on who makes it. We have this awesome Mexican grocer in Pittsburgh so I picked some up there. Yesterday, I mixed it in with some hummus (my favorite brand is Sabra... you have to try it!) and dipped carrots in it. Today I topped an avocado with some pico and ate it with whole grain pita chips. It seriously makes everything taste better! I love it!

Rest Day!

Ahhh, the beloved (or dreaded depending on who you are) rest day! I'm loving it! It's been a busy week already with tons of work, and I just need a break. A break from pressure, a break from stress, and a break from working out! I definitely still have work to do, but I'm thinking about it in a different way. I'll do it. It'll get done. End of story, no pressure.... just do it! The last two days I've felt pressure to get in my workouts, and I did, but as I mentioned I just felt sluggish yesterday. So that's why I've decided that today I will rest!

So many workout fiends hate the dreaded rest day. Why? Because you aren't burning any calories that day? Because you have to eat less if you want to lose weight? Because rest is for the weak??? Who cares??? I know that might sound crass, but really... what is one day? It's a day to unwind, relax, and let your body (and mind) recover. You need it! So do it! If you don't, you'll break down later from going too hard, trying to do too much. Not good! So, please, give yourself a break! Take a rest!

I am, and I couldn't be happier...

Sluggish runs

So today was one of those days where you just want to stay in bed and sleep. It's only Tuesday, but I've already had a busy week at school and it doesn't look like it's going to let up till Thursday night. I reluctantly rolled out of bed at 7 and checked on the weather. Sub-freezing... awesome. Tired, freezing run! Luckily my friend was planning to run with me (still working on convincing her to run the whole race!), so I had no excuse. If I gave up, she would have to go alone! Also luckily for us, it was a slow 3 miler. Phew! I managed to get in 3.25 miles in just about the pace I was supposed to... 10:49 instead of 11:04. Gotta keep working on my pacing!

The rest of the day is bound to be exhausting and chaotic... non-stop class and meetings until 9:30 PM. I caved and had some free pizza for lunch, but I also burned 688 calories in my workout, so I think I'll be fine. I packed up plenty of snacks and a sandwich, so that will be my food for the rest of the day.

Happy Tuesday all! Keep it healthy!

On to week 6...

Week 5 ended very well with a long run on Saturday and yoga on Sunday. The long run was COLD! It was 14 degrees out, but I just bundled up and went out and did it! That felt like a serious accomplishment. I ran a total of 9 miles! Nice! That was 1840 calories! A friend of mine has been running with me, and I think now that we've gotten up to some higher mileage, she's thinking of running the marathon with me. Yay!! It's so fun to have someone to train with!

On Sunday, I wasn't sore at all because I've still been good about doing my stretching. I did a 25 minute Rodney Yee Power Yoga for Flexibility workout. It's my favorite! It stretches my legs out better than anything I could ever do on my own, and I get pretty warm because it's just a constant flow.

Today will be a cardio kickboxing workout and then it's back to running tomorrow! Have a health Monday!

Food Journaling

I am proud to report that I am almost at a full 2 weeks of food journaling. That might not sound like a big accomplishment to the really diligent people out there, but this is a huge accomplishment for me. I tend to fall off the wagon on the weekends and estimate instead of journaling. But this past weekend, I was completely honest and I tracked everything I put in my mouth. This is especially important on those days when I burn 1700 calories running! Like I've mentioned before, when I ran the New Jersey Marathon in 2005, I gained weight. And no, it wasn't because I got more muscular! It was because I ate burritos, ice cream, wings, fries, etc. I felt entitled, and let's be honest. No one is entitled to eat that. It's poison! I've come a long way in 5 years, and I'm determined to make this a healthy marathon training season. These two weeks are a big step toward that! I'm definitely one to splurge here and there, but within reason, I think that's great! I even had a brownie yesterday. :) It was yummy! I can tell the journaling and running is working though. I'm feeling more toned, fit, and tight. Love it!

Today's workout is going to be one of the Phase 1 Insanity workouts. I'm thinking some plyo will be fun and good for me. I did my weighted workout yesterday. My long run (9 miles) is on Saturday and then I'll do some yoga on Sunday.

Happy workouts!

I am loving this!

I just got back from my speed workout, and I am just loving this!!! I have never felt so fit in my life (well, at least with respect to running). It is so fun! Today's run included:

Short jog to warm up (which I did between my apartment and the track at school)

1 mile at 9 min/mile pace

1/2 mile recovery jog

repeat

Slow jog/walk home

The best part about it is that it felt awesome! It was FREEZING but I pushed through it, I stayed on pace, I felt good, and I recovered easily when I got home. This training program is working so well! My only run left for the week is a 9 miler this weekend. I still have to throw in some yoga and some weight training, and then I'll be all set.

I hope everyone else is doing well with their workouts! Thanks for the kind words! :) Almost 5 weeks of training down... time flies!

Week 5 Begins!

Today was the first workout of week 5 out of 18 for my marathon training. Today's run was a slow 3 miler (supposed to be 11:04 minutes per mile according to my training plan). The weather is a little odd in PGH today. It was pretty warm, very humid, and very cloudy. It looks like the skies are going to open up and pour down on us! It did rain a ton yesterday, and now we have a flood warning. I decided to be like the rest of the crazy runners here and go out in shorts. I guess that's what happens when it's 50 degrees and you've become accustomed to 25 degrees!

The distance today was only 3 miles, and I finished up at ~10:30 pace. It's so hard to control your speed! I naturally run around a 9:30 min mile lately, so that is what feels "slow/easy" to me. When I push myself, I'm sure I get into the 8's, and trying to go at 11 feels practically like a walk! Now, here's a good thing about this... I used to run an 11 minute mile and that was my normal pace! So I've definitely gotten more in shape over the last 5 years (I did my first marathon 5 years ago). Woo hoo P90X and INSANITY! I truly attribute it to those programs.

The other thing that I've noticed is that running takes a tremendous amount of core strength. I remember from my first marathon that my lower back was really sore in the beginning of training because my core was just to weak to handle all the long distance running. Guess what!?!? It happened again! I think I was slacking on the ab and lower back work! I've added this little cycle a few days a week and it's really helped me to eliminate back pain:

Regular Crunches

Crunches with Legs in the Air

Bicycle Crunches

Superman

Lower Back Leg/Arm Extensions

That last one is the exercise where you start on all fours, and you extend your left arm and right leg, then crunch them together and repeat. Then of course you switch to the other side. Much harder than it looks or sounds!

Enjoy your workouts! Have a healthy Monday!