Well, this past weekend's Mini training series 10K went pretty well. Do you ever start counting your steps when you get tired towards the end of a run? Well, I do. Not sure HOW that's supposed to distract me, but in my twisted mind I feel like it does. Anyway, I got to that point in my 10K last weekend....for practically the whole last mile!!
I had my watch on to ensure that I ran between 8:30-9:00 min miles, and sure enough I crossed at 8:33 per mile! However, then I got home and checked my time 3 years ago when I didn't have a stop watch and hadn't run 3 marathons and didn't have an ipod, and I did it at 8:13 per mile! Darnit. I feel like I am stronger and leaner, but I think all the extra added fluff has taken away from...the true "breath" and vitality of running! Either that, or my dog has gotten slower. Either way, as much I'd like to not be so competitive, I have played sports my whole life and gotta keep that around somehow, so I do like to get fast running times. However, for my 23K this weekend (I'll be cheering on Aaron doing his 60K when I finish), I'm just going to focus on having fun and feeling good, and not on time....it's a pretty hilly race anyway.
Have a great weekend all! And good luck to you on this Friday the 13th!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Vitality, Race Day and WARM weather!!
This Saturday is the last day for Mini-marathon seeding...and it's going to be in the 60s!! I got a good feeling about this one. I'm doing the 10k mini-training series downtown this Saturday the 7th.
I wanted to note...I have been a runner for the last..oh...post-college years (12 yrs?!), but I hit a standstill after my "big disappointment" in the Chicago Marathon last fall and was pretty much "over" running for awhile. Maybe felt like some of you...thinking things like "ugh, I have to run again..." since I've tried to always sorta be training for something. Anyway, as I was telling Chris when I submitted my log last night, I have a renewed sense of confidence in my running. I can't totally pinpoint it, but I think it's because of the Project's variety of exercises partly, and mostly due to the nutrition I've been giving myself. Chris used the word "vitality" when referring to eating more vegetables, and I do think of that anytime I'm shoving my mouth full of spinach or broccoli. I think the smaller portions and the increase in "vital-icious" foods has helped increased my energy overall which has helped with my running.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week! I'll be thinking about you all in Chris's class while I'm running this Saturday!!
I wanted to note...I have been a runner for the last..oh...post-college years (12 yrs?!), but I hit a standstill after my "big disappointment" in the Chicago Marathon last fall and was pretty much "over" running for awhile. Maybe felt like some of you...thinking things like "ugh, I have to run again..." since I've tried to always sorta be training for something. Anyway, as I was telling Chris when I submitted my log last night, I have a renewed sense of confidence in my running. I can't totally pinpoint it, but I think it's because of the Project's variety of exercises partly, and mostly due to the nutrition I've been giving myself. Chris used the word "vitality" when referring to eating more vegetables, and I do think of that anytime I'm shoving my mouth full of spinach or broccoli. I think the smaller portions and the increase in "vital-icious" foods has helped increased my energy overall which has helped with my running.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week! I'll be thinking about you all in Chris's class while I'm running this Saturday!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Push-ups?!
I'm glad to see everyone else seems to feel the same way...Month 2 strength work is HARD!!! God I only WISH I could do all those push-ups. I think I'm going to decrease my weight down from 5lbs. to 3lbs. and concentrate on the reps (Chris - are you there? Ya think it's ok?!) At least no push-ups on the schedule for tonight! Yee hah! (i may eat those words tomorrow)
And those gosh darn, can't say "no" to them girl scouts...we are stocked with those delicious, $7, scrumptious girl scout cookies!! Oh well, the more I exercise that will power, the stronger I am!
And those gosh darn, can't say "no" to them girl scouts...we are stocked with those delicious, $7, scrumptious girl scout cookies!! Oh well, the more I exercise that will power, the stronger I am!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Go away sweet tooth!
Month 2 woo hoo! I am so far loving the monthly weigh-ins and body fat tests - close to 10 lbs. and 4% body fat gone already! However, as my mileage increases, so does that insatiable sweet tooth! Thank god for TCBY and their low-fat, low-cal frozen yogurt....still feel like I'm cheating, and feeding my desire which just makes it grow even more...come back will-power and go away sweet tooth!
I logged 17+ miles over the weekend and yesterday, so I am hoping that my day today of no aerobic conditioning will help battle the deadly sweet tooth. As I lift those weights tonight, I will imagine it pushing away out of my system. As Aaron says Arnold Swartzenegger (sp?) says when lifting weights..."I imagine my arms turning into mountains," I will imagine mine more as turning into rivers, flowing the sweet desire right outta my system.
Have a great week!! Still hoping to make it to Chris's Saturday class one of these days...
I logged 17+ miles over the weekend and yesterday, so I am hoping that my day today of no aerobic conditioning will help battle the deadly sweet tooth. As I lift those weights tonight, I will imagine it pushing away out of my system. As Aaron says Arnold Swartzenegger (sp?) says when lifting weights..."I imagine my arms turning into mountains," I will imagine mine more as turning into rivers, flowing the sweet desire right outta my system.
Have a great week!! Still hoping to make it to Chris's Saturday class one of these days...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spring Tease and Chi, Please!
We've got our windows open, left the coats in the closet, and only are wearing one layer for running! What great motivation!! Yesterday I rushed to get home by 5:00 to get a 6-mile run in with our dog, Koya, and man was it great (that's a pic of Koya to the right with her backpack, camping this fall)! The Monon was crowded with other people and dogs and my run was perfect!
One of the things I've been working on lately is something I read in Chi Running (a never-ending project since I'm not much of reader), but it says to keep you "chi" flowing during a run, you should make everything work equally as hard. Just like yin and yang. So...I've been keeping my focus on making sure my leg and arm cadence, as well as my breathing, are all in sync! If I'm breathing too hard and getting tired, I slow my cadence. If my shoulders get sore, I slow down my legs and breath, and so forth...try it, it's fun!
And the single most best thing about running...when you turn your tired breaths into power! When I first start running it seems like the breath is more of an effort (I am a "diagnosed" asthmatic, so this is also the hardest part for me), and when that turns into breath that matches my speed and I feel like keeping it going forever...AH I love it!!
Lovin warm weather! And I'll love it even more when we have flowers!!
By the way...we live right by the Monon close to 96th Street. If any of you want to go for an evening run, let me know!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Corn and Shrimp Chowder
This a deliciously tasty recipe! Makes 4 servings, 330 calories each and has little to no fat!
3/4 c water
1 small chopped onion
1/2 c chopped red bell pepper
1 can (15-17 oz) cream-style corn
1 pkg or can (16 oz) whole-kernel corn
1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evap Fat Free Milk
3 low sodium chicken bouillion cubes
1 pkg (8 oz) shrimp - thawed, cooked, peeled
Basil to taste
Bring 1/4 c water to boil in large saucepan. Add onion and bell pepper; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add remaining water, corn, creamed corn, evap milk and bouillion. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, 15 minutes or until heated through. Stir in shrimp; cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.
3/4 c water
1 small chopped onion
1/2 c chopped red bell pepper
1 can (15-17 oz) cream-style corn
1 pkg or can (16 oz) whole-kernel corn
1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evap Fat Free Milk
3 low sodium chicken bouillion cubes
1 pkg (8 oz) shrimp - thawed, cooked, peeled
Basil to taste
Bring 1/4 c water to boil in large saucepan. Add onion and bell pepper; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add remaining water, corn, creamed corn, evap milk and bouillion. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, 15 minutes or until heated through. Stir in shrimp; cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
My Blog
"Bad Girl for Life" - This is what I tell myself whenever I need to in order to get any "excuses" out of the way! It helps. It really helps when I think of the pain of it's origination. Yes, true physical pain, but more the emotional, ego kind. For me, it originated last October in Chicago when I was running my 3rd marathon on a beautiful day and flat course. Aaron (my husband) was there for encouragement. I was on my Personal Record pace and...then....all of a sudden my knee and my stomach hurt and I didn't want to run. I got my knee taped, I walked, I started texting Aaron...and then he had this to say: "Can't stop, won't stop, bad girl for life!" I finished the marathon running but I left my pride at the mile 10 marker.
But the phrase stuck with me and will be the title for my Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap blog! Hello fellow BTWG'ers...
This project has brought great rewards!! I realized the nutrition aspect was where really where I was lacking. Eating lesser portions and counting calories has really opened my eyes, and helped me gain energy! As Aaron alluded to in his blog, I love to cook! And I have always tried to keep it very healthy, but I've learned some great things:
- I am addicted to Bragg's Amino Acids and so is our cat, Titi! This a great salad dressing and replacement for soy sauce in cooking.
- More oil doesn't necessarily mean more taste! I started using more oils in cooking because I thought this made Aaron (an ultra-marathoner) more full! However, I've reduce the oils and increased the cooking spray, and our meals still taste great!
- Warm water with lemon is a good alternative to tea on cold days. Thanks to Rachael for helping me discover that! I like tea, but 1 or 2 cups is plenty for me per day!
- Carrots are great snacks!
- Almonds are very satisfying on cereal in the morning. And only 7 calories each.
Anyway, this has been the most enlightening portion for me since I do enjoy running and exercise. Although if you're one that doesn't, you can take Aaron's advice and sign up for a race to train for. I did! I am signed up for the Land Between the Lakes Trail Run in Western Kentucky on 3/14/2009. Check it out: www.wkrc.org
If you do sign up for a race (like the Mini) and you need a training plan, you can print up your own plan based on your individual needs at: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/0,7148,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html
I am glad I am a part of this group and I look forward to getting to know everybody better!
Peace Out,
Brook
But the phrase stuck with me and will be the title for my Project: Bridging the Wellness Gap blog! Hello fellow BTWG'ers...
This project has brought great rewards!! I realized the nutrition aspect was where really where I was lacking. Eating lesser portions and counting calories has really opened my eyes, and helped me gain energy! As Aaron alluded to in his blog, I love to cook! And I have always tried to keep it very healthy, but I've learned some great things:
- I am addicted to Bragg's Amino Acids and so is our cat, Titi! This a great salad dressing and replacement for soy sauce in cooking.
- More oil doesn't necessarily mean more taste! I started using more oils in cooking because I thought this made Aaron (an ultra-marathoner) more full! However, I've reduce the oils and increased the cooking spray, and our meals still taste great!
- Warm water with lemon is a good alternative to tea on cold days. Thanks to Rachael for helping me discover that! I like tea, but 1 or 2 cups is plenty for me per day!
- Carrots are great snacks!
- Almonds are very satisfying on cereal in the morning. And only 7 calories each.
Anyway, this has been the most enlightening portion for me since I do enjoy running and exercise. Although if you're one that doesn't, you can take Aaron's advice and sign up for a race to train for. I did! I am signed up for the Land Between the Lakes Trail Run in Western Kentucky on 3/14/2009. Check it out: www.wkrc.org
If you do sign up for a race (like the Mini) and you need a training plan, you can print up your own plan based on your individual needs at: http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/0,7148,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html
I am glad I am a part of this group and I look forward to getting to know everybody better!
Peace Out,
Brook
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