I'm having such a hard time wanting to run right now. The optimal time for me to go is before work at 7am. I always set my alarm for 6 to give me time to get dressed and drive to work, and I've even set out clothes the night before and packed my lunch and gotten ready. But this whole week I've just re set my alarm for 7 and gone to work and not ran. I've ran in the cold my whole life, so I'm not afraid of it. I actually really like the burning feel you get in your lungs when it's cold, and there's something really refreshing about a brisk, morning run. I like coming into the building with my nose running and my glasses fogging up. But, this week I've been awful. I wake up cold. And achy. And not even tired anymore. Yesterday, when I should've been getting my running gear on, I was reading facebook statuses on my phone in my cozy covers next to my snoring boyfriend. I promised myself all day at work that I'd go running after dinner and the kids were in bed, and while I was showering after all those things, I realized I had broken my promise, but it was too late to turn back. So another vicious cycle this morning, only I almost guarantee I won't run tonight, as it'll be near 11pm by the time I get home, and if I want to run tomorrow morning (and hopefully not start this cycle over), I need to go to sleep at a reasonable time. First world problems, I know.
The veganism is going grandly. I've had a few failed attempts at some recipes; I didn't cook the black beans long enough before mashing them into my tempeh burgers so they were flavorful but kinda crunchy, I'm really bad at putting enough salt in anything but that's an easy fix, and then the brownies. Somehow, somewhere, I measured something wrong. They were dubbed the "ass brownies." BUT there has been some amazingly delicious things- spaghetti, stuffed tomatoes with quinoa & spinach, cinnamon chocolate chip walnut cookies, roasted potatoes and other random things. I feel a lot better & my sister told me I looked like I had a healthy glow the other day. 2 more days & it hits a month of no meat, and mostly no animal products. Thanksgiving will be interesting, it's just Ryan & me.. no kids. I promised I wouldn't make a tofurkey and we're going to make everything from scratch (which is new to me!) except the vegan pumpkin pie I bought from Whole Foods.
I thought about running a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving but I don't think I'm going to.I'll probably just find a good trail to go on. A lot of runners do a streak from Thanksgiving to New Year's. I am highly considering. After all, last time I started a streak, the only thing that ended it was my breaking my foot. And then of course the most recent break.. I'm running on. Maybe that'll motivate me to get out of bed in the mornings.I ran my best and felt my best when I had a streak, I wonder how I'll feel and look with a streak along with healthy eating instead of grabbing a quarter pounder from Mickey D's after a race?
Speaking of Turkey Trots, my mom is doing one. She did the zombie race in October, and apparently is signed up for a 1/2 marathon in May, and she's doing the Crim next August. She's posting night time, bundled up, snowy running pics with her beau and updates of MapMyRun are now filling her newsfeed. Now, normally I'd be excited, as I should be I suppose, but I'm jealous. Not because she's running, but because I've been running since I was 12 years old and have begged her to run. I've ran at the track with her, I've given her a book (Running for Mortals- good read, by the way if anyone cares. And there's Marathoning For Mortals. Both are by John Bingham and the marathon one was what I read to help prepare for my first marathon back in '08 or '09 in Grand Rapids.) and I even signed her up for a running class that was like 6 weeks long of beginners and they all were going to run a race after. No, I didn't force her, she wanted to do this, but she always just backed out or said she couldn't because of different health things. I felt like when she met her boyfriend, he was so into running and she kept telling everyone about it and yadda yadda. And yea, she's talked about me and gone to some races, but I felt like it was "oh, you've ran marathons? or do GLR? Well HE does ULTRA marathons and runs for days without resting in between because he's driving!" (which is essentially what GLR feels like at times ha). And all of a sudden, I feel like those health things that kept hef from ever going with me, magically disappeared when she met him. Maybe I sound like a teenage brat who's jealous, and that's ok, I recognize it. I don't think mom reads this, and if she does, I've told her some of this; well in my passive way that I handle anything serious to me haha. But, I just wish I could've experienced this with her instead of her dropping the class, giving me back the book, or just saying she was not interested. Don't get me wrong, I AM happy she's found someone, and might possibly found some sort of joy in running, and I DO miss the long 10milers I'd run with her next to me on the bike sometimes. I'm just sad. or jealous. Or something.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
belly flu, continued veganism (mostly),fractured tootsies, and running routines..
This post will touch on pooping, puking, and other gross things. But hey.. runners share tmi way too often and this is my running blog after all.. :)
For some unknown reason, I got really sick the other day. I'm not a sick person.. I rarely throw up (even when I was pregnant,I only did once... and it was because I over ate). And I'm not really a cold-getter either. Either way, I was on the verge of death. (ok, probably not) On my way home from work, I had to pull over to get sick, and when I got home at 6pm, I slept until the next morning at 7am when I wrote an email to work saying I'd be out that day. Then I slept some more. When I woke up from my 24 hour nap, I decided to "run it off". I felt really good during my run, I felt like my natural speed was returning. But I felt like I was severely overheating and as soon as I stopped running, I was knocking at death's door again. I felt ok to eat dinner and went to bed happy with a happy belly.. but woke up at 1:30 freaking out sick again. I almost passed out twice in the bathroom and made Ryan come help me. (you know it's love when you're laying on the bathroom floor in fetal position with your pants down crying, right?) I sucked it up and came to work today, but I skipped my run (dun dun dun...) My legs always get crampy if I skip a run, and I feel like such a slacker even though I still feel like I'll probably die before my work day is over.
I've continued running on my fractured foot, obviously. The bruising is gone almost completely and I don't feel any pain unless I push hard on the fracture (which is a bump on my skin). Soooo.. no regrets. What's the cool kids say these days?? YOLO??? hahah I'm kidding.
I haven't had any meat since October 28th, and very little animal products. I own dairy free cheese, butter & mayo and read labels like crazy to avoid milk & eggs. I've lost 10 pounds since Halloween! That's quite a number considering I wasn't "huge" to begin with! I feel so good. It started off with health reasons, then I've read too much & watched too many documentaries, and now I feel like this giant animal activist. haha. I haven't tortured the rest of my family too bad, but after watching a documentary with me, Ryan (my meat enthusiast boyfriend), was saying things like " I could give up meat... I know it's bad for you. I want to eat healthier, but I love cheese.. but yea.. let's eat better!" So yay! that's a start. I made vegan pizza yesterday for me, and they all had regular cheese and pepperoni on theirs.. but Isabel had vegan cheese and didn't even know the difference. After she finished 2 pieces, I told her and she said I was disgusting haha. The only negative thing I've noticed is with all the fiber intake from the extra veggies, I have a weird digestive schedule that I'm just not quite used to! But, I've learned to try new things, and my taste buds have expanded greatly and it's only been 3 1/2 weeks or so!
I've always been a night/early evening runner, but with schedules changing, I've kinda transitioned to an early morning before work runner. I have to say I like it for the most part. I used to hate it because I am stiff when I first wake up, but I get up early, take a packed bag to work, run in A2, then shower and get ready at work. (the bathroom here is nicer than my home bathroom.. haha) With the 40minute drive to work or so (even less when it's that early because there's no rush hour traffic yet), I'm not stiff when I get here. And I usually venture off to the trails by the UofM hospitals and it's always beautiful and peaceful. There's something about morning winter/fall air in your lungs that makes you feel a little better.
For some unknown reason, I got really sick the other day. I'm not a sick person.. I rarely throw up (even when I was pregnant,I only did once... and it was because I over ate). And I'm not really a cold-getter either. Either way, I was on the verge of death. (ok, probably not) On my way home from work, I had to pull over to get sick, and when I got home at 6pm, I slept until the next morning at 7am when I wrote an email to work saying I'd be out that day. Then I slept some more. When I woke up from my 24 hour nap, I decided to "run it off". I felt really good during my run, I felt like my natural speed was returning. But I felt like I was severely overheating and as soon as I stopped running, I was knocking at death's door again. I felt ok to eat dinner and went to bed happy with a happy belly.. but woke up at 1:30 freaking out sick again. I almost passed out twice in the bathroom and made Ryan come help me. (you know it's love when you're laying on the bathroom floor in fetal position with your pants down crying, right?) I sucked it up and came to work today, but I skipped my run (dun dun dun...) My legs always get crampy if I skip a run, and I feel like such a slacker even though I still feel like I'll probably die before my work day is over.
I've continued running on my fractured foot, obviously. The bruising is gone almost completely and I don't feel any pain unless I push hard on the fracture (which is a bump on my skin). Soooo.. no regrets. What's the cool kids say these days?? YOLO??? hahah I'm kidding.
I haven't had any meat since October 28th, and very little animal products. I own dairy free cheese, butter & mayo and read labels like crazy to avoid milk & eggs. I've lost 10 pounds since Halloween! That's quite a number considering I wasn't "huge" to begin with! I feel so good. It started off with health reasons, then I've read too much & watched too many documentaries, and now I feel like this giant animal activist. haha. I haven't tortured the rest of my family too bad, but after watching a documentary with me, Ryan (my meat enthusiast boyfriend), was saying things like " I could give up meat... I know it's bad for you. I want to eat healthier, but I love cheese.. but yea.. let's eat better!" So yay! that's a start. I made vegan pizza yesterday for me, and they all had regular cheese and pepperoni on theirs.. but Isabel had vegan cheese and didn't even know the difference. After she finished 2 pieces, I told her and she said I was disgusting haha. The only negative thing I've noticed is with all the fiber intake from the extra veggies, I have a weird digestive schedule that I'm just not quite used to! But, I've learned to try new things, and my taste buds have expanded greatly and it's only been 3 1/2 weeks or so!
I've always been a night/early evening runner, but with schedules changing, I've kinda transitioned to an early morning before work runner. I have to say I like it for the most part. I used to hate it because I am stiff when I first wake up, but I get up early, take a packed bag to work, run in A2, then shower and get ready at work. (the bathroom here is nicer than my home bathroom.. haha) With the 40minute drive to work or so (even less when it's that early because there's no rush hour traffic yet), I'm not stiff when I get here. And I usually venture off to the trails by the UofM hospitals and it's always beautiful and peaceful. There's something about morning winter/fall air in your lungs that makes you feel a little better.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
A is for Rebel.
Sunday, I broke my foot. Spooky coincidence that it was the 3 year anniversary from my original foot break. When I tripped and looked down at the immediate bruising and swelling, I freaked out because I thought I re broke the same spot from before. I went to Urgent Care (and had a ridiculous co pay because I'm in between insurances for TWO WEEKS, and had to use my secondary insurance. Why couldn't it have fallen on the other 50 weeks this year?) The doctor confirmed a break, but it was a very small crack next to the old one and not through any joints. He told me to take a boot, crutches and tried giving me a pain shot. He wrote a Rx for Naproxen and tried to give me a doctor's note so work could park me closer than the parking garage a mile away. I didn't take any of it and the Rx is still sitting on my passenger seat. I went running today. Stupid.. probably. I don't feel it, and my brain needs running. I know there's long term effects possibly, I know everyone thinks I'm insane. It's actually just the side of my big toe, and like I said, no complete break, not through the joint. Lots of people have ran on broken toes. My whole foot is a giant bruise, but the only time I ever feel it is if I push on it, or I'm completely barefoot and cold. (I already had cold sensitivity in my foot from 3 year's ago's break). I think the point of this post was that, I'm fine, and I had a great run this morning. Broken foot & all.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Youth Running
This isn't JUST about my super star 7 year old, I swear.
I post a lot about Isabel running with me. It's probably my favorite thing in the universe. She ran her first "race" when she was 2, It was a hundred meter dash with a bunch of little kids and they all got ribbons at the end. She was SO excited.
We didn't plan on it that day, I just wanted to run the 5k. She didn't even have tennis shoes on.
Since she's been born, she's been with me while I've ran. I had a jogging stroller that she was pushed in until she was big enough to jog along with me. Then she'd go to the track with me and we'd run til she wanted to stop, usually only doing 2 loops. She did the 1/4 Teddy Bear Trot every year at the Crim ( I think 3x?) And she always did the kiddy dashes if they were available. She thought everyone ran, after all mom's friends were all runners, and even daddy went to the track with us. When she turned 5, she asked if she could do the "adult race" at the Crim, so I signed her up for the mile. I always run with her during her races, and this was no different.
Then the next year, she asked if she could do the 5k. She was only 6, but she had a lot of miles (for a 6 year old) under her belt, and she was starting to understand how to not go out too fast, how to drink during a run, and she just simply loved running. So this year, at the Crim, I signed her up for the 5k, and ran it with her after I ran my 10mile. She did amazing. And since then has ran 3 more 5ks.
Anyway, this leads me to the topic of other kid runners. Runners World magazine recently posted an article about a 5 year old who is about to run a half marathon. And they posted an article about a 6 year old who just did. Over the years, I've gotten a lot of slack about people thinking I'm pushing her too hard or forcing her to run, which is far from the case. We play games when we run and we run what she wants to. Her favorite is trails, and she loves rain & snow. We like to look at plants and squirrels and whatever else we come across.BUT, even though I'm not forcing her and she's enjoying herself, running is still tough sometimes! She gets cramps, gets out of breath, her legs get fatigued, etc. There's no way I'd let her run a half marathon. I don't want to be one of those people who have questioned my judgment with her, but I feel like it's just a little much. Most longer races have age restrictions of 16-18 & up, and for good reason I feel. Their joints and bones are still developing. Regular ADULT marathoners who do long distances on a regular basis, have come down with serious heart issues (not all the time, but it still happens), but I can't imagine that 3 hours of continued running (what seems to be an average time for a 6 year old 1/2 marathoner) isn't all that great on a developing child's body. Not to mention.. when I run for long distances, and I'd liek to think of myself as a "seasoned runner", I get moody sometimes because I'm tired. The whole run isn't miserable, but any runner will tell you that it's not all beautiful. I can't imagine the agony of being 6 and completing 10 miles and knowing I still had a 5k to go. It's mentally exhausting!
Maybe I'm being judgmental like all those people were to me. But here's the link.
http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/5-year-old-to-run-half-marathon-on-saturday?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-News-_-SixYearOldHalf
I post a lot about Isabel running with me. It's probably my favorite thing in the universe. She ran her first "race" when she was 2, It was a hundred meter dash with a bunch of little kids and they all got ribbons at the end. She was SO excited.
Since she's been born, she's been with me while I've ran. I had a jogging stroller that she was pushed in until she was big enough to jog along with me. Then she'd go to the track with me and we'd run til she wanted to stop, usually only doing 2 loops. She did the 1/4 Teddy Bear Trot every year at the Crim ( I think 3x?) And she always did the kiddy dashes if they were available. She thought everyone ran, after all mom's friends were all runners, and even daddy went to the track with us. When she turned 5, she asked if she could do the "adult race" at the Crim, so I signed her up for the mile. I always run with her during her races, and this was no different.
Maybe I'm being judgmental like all those people were to me. But here's the link.
http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/5-year-old-to-run-half-marathon-on-saturday?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-News-_-SixYearOldHalf
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Plant based running, a super star 7 year old, cross training, and a marathon comeback
Ok. I always come back after some time and post in this blog how long it's been since I've posted or ran a race or what have you. So I won't waste my breath and sound like a broken record. :)
I haven't posted in here since January 2012, it is now November 2013. A lot has changed. I stepped away from racing for a while; I haven't competitively ran since before my last post. I had a lot of reproductive health problems and had to be on bed rest, then just got lazy for a while. I gained some weight, and as I've touched on before in posts, I'm very sensitive when it comes to my figure. I'm still small, I wear a size 3 (a little tight for a bit, but still a 3 haha), and my chest gained a cup size. To me that's a big deal. I won't dwell on that a whole lot in this post, but from 2011 to 2013, I gained over 25lbs. And I'm still "small" to the average person. Just not "my" small.
Anyway, to step away from the weight subject, I moved from Clio (my hometown for my entire life) to Ann Arbor. I absolutely love it. Do you realize how many trails are here?! And how many other cool places there are to run? I feel like everyone's a runner here, and even though there's a million more people in this city as compared to Clio, everyone's way more accepting to pedestrians. I've always enjoyed trails, but from where I'm from, there really wasn't a whole lot. And I struggle seeing with my depth perception, so I've always been nervous. And of course there was that time I broke my foot in a trail race. So yea, always been a little leery when it comes to trail running. A2 has really helped me come out of that shell. I've enjoyed more trail runs than road runs, and it's a different kind of runner's high than I've ever experienced.
Which leads me to the next topic: Isabel now runs on the trails with me! My super star 7 year old is getting more and more amazing in her running life. She's now completed 4 5ks, her best time at a recent Zombie Run in Traverse City of 27:36. That's an 8:54/mi pace for a seven year old! A seven year old who runs 2x a week tops, for fun! Last week when we went to Ann Arbor to trail run, we did an easy 3, and stopped and looked at leaves, played on the swings, and raced up hills. Running, in her eyes, although sometimes tiring, is purely fun with mom. And I love that. She was a few feet ahead of me on the trail, in her cute little running pants, and running tech shirt, with her cute little hat, running over the bright orange leaves, and she kept putting her arms up in the air every time we'd go down hill and she'd go "WOOOO!" It almost always makes my eyes water with joy, and she doesn't even understand how much these moments mean to me. Racing used to be my main reason to run, but I think these runs with Isabel might be my main reason.
To tread back onto the weight topic for a moment, I was struggling really bad when I first moved down here. It was the biggest I had been besides after having Isabel, and I was super depressed. So, I wanted to do something besides running, something that'd help me get in great shape. I did the Beach Body Insanity workout. it's a 63 day program and I did 45 ish days. The second month is a lot harder on my hips than I can handle. I don't feel like I wimped out, even though I only made it 3/4 of the way, and it actually greatly improved my cardio and breathing. I was really impressed, and Shaun T really helped motivate me during the videos.
A few weeks ago, I had a dream I was vegan and I woke up curious. After reading about health benefits, talking to my doctor (who I've regularly seen for the last 2 years about those health issues I mentioned earlier) and letting my family know I am doing this, I have completely cut out meat & fish from my diet, eggs, milk & cheese almost completely (it's taking a little more effort than the cold turkey approach-no pun intended- I used with meat, but I'm getting there), and haven't eaten almost any processed foods. While I will admit to the slip up of boxed mac & cheese for comfort food one time, and a cheese & cracker snack, my diet is not considered vegan. But it's very much thought about, and I feel SO much better. I've even lost weight! I started out eating this way for feeling better purposes, but the more I read (I bought a book called No Meat Athlete- a book about running on a plant based diet), the more it doesn't even appeal to me. Dairy, eggs, sugar & meat just seem repulsive. I couldn't convince myself to even have a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats last night because we didn't have almond milk in the fridge, just skim. I even got the bowl out and thougth about it, but I just couldn't without feeling nauseated. And this morning, on my way to work, I got the same protein bar from the gas station I've gotten the last 3 years.. and it was gross to me. I've learned to love almonds and veggies and fruits and I'm learning to try new foods. I made chili 2 nights ago with soy "beef". I even got my boyfriend to eat it. I actually think he liked it better than I did, and although it wasn't gross, I am just not used to the texture. But this is about experimenting and getting healthy, and it's kinda fun! (especially the weight loss part :p )
Annnd last but not least, the come back marathon. I have decided to do the Ann Arbor marathon in June. I sometimes need to announce things like this so I stick to my guns and train properly. I am excited! I even think I got Bonnie, my high school running parther, to join in with me. I plan to do a few races before, ones that are about me, not just Isabel. Time to get serious! And that makes me happy.
I haven't posted in here since January 2012, it is now November 2013. A lot has changed. I stepped away from racing for a while; I haven't competitively ran since before my last post. I had a lot of reproductive health problems and had to be on bed rest, then just got lazy for a while. I gained some weight, and as I've touched on before in posts, I'm very sensitive when it comes to my figure. I'm still small, I wear a size 3 (a little tight for a bit, but still a 3 haha), and my chest gained a cup size. To me that's a big deal. I won't dwell on that a whole lot in this post, but from 2011 to 2013, I gained over 25lbs. And I'm still "small" to the average person. Just not "my" small.
Anyway, to step away from the weight subject, I moved from Clio (my hometown for my entire life) to Ann Arbor. I absolutely love it. Do you realize how many trails are here?! And how many other cool places there are to run? I feel like everyone's a runner here, and even though there's a million more people in this city as compared to Clio, everyone's way more accepting to pedestrians. I've always enjoyed trails, but from where I'm from, there really wasn't a whole lot. And I struggle seeing with my depth perception, so I've always been nervous. And of course there was that time I broke my foot in a trail race. So yea, always been a little leery when it comes to trail running. A2 has really helped me come out of that shell. I've enjoyed more trail runs than road runs, and it's a different kind of runner's high than I've ever experienced.
Which leads me to the next topic: Isabel now runs on the trails with me! My super star 7 year old is getting more and more amazing in her running life. She's now completed 4 5ks, her best time at a recent Zombie Run in Traverse City of 27:36. That's an 8:54/mi pace for a seven year old! A seven year old who runs 2x a week tops, for fun! Last week when we went to Ann Arbor to trail run, we did an easy 3, and stopped and looked at leaves, played on the swings, and raced up hills. Running, in her eyes, although sometimes tiring, is purely fun with mom. And I love that. She was a few feet ahead of me on the trail, in her cute little running pants, and running tech shirt, with her cute little hat, running over the bright orange leaves, and she kept putting her arms up in the air every time we'd go down hill and she'd go "WOOOO!" It almost always makes my eyes water with joy, and she doesn't even understand how much these moments mean to me. Racing used to be my main reason to run, but I think these runs with Isabel might be my main reason.
To tread back onto the weight topic for a moment, I was struggling really bad when I first moved down here. It was the biggest I had been besides after having Isabel, and I was super depressed. So, I wanted to do something besides running, something that'd help me get in great shape. I did the Beach Body Insanity workout. it's a 63 day program and I did 45 ish days. The second month is a lot harder on my hips than I can handle. I don't feel like I wimped out, even though I only made it 3/4 of the way, and it actually greatly improved my cardio and breathing. I was really impressed, and Shaun T really helped motivate me during the videos.
A few weeks ago, I had a dream I was vegan and I woke up curious. After reading about health benefits, talking to my doctor (who I've regularly seen for the last 2 years about those health issues I mentioned earlier) and letting my family know I am doing this, I have completely cut out meat & fish from my diet, eggs, milk & cheese almost completely (it's taking a little more effort than the cold turkey approach-no pun intended- I used with meat, but I'm getting there), and haven't eaten almost any processed foods. While I will admit to the slip up of boxed mac & cheese for comfort food one time, and a cheese & cracker snack, my diet is not considered vegan. But it's very much thought about, and I feel SO much better. I've even lost weight! I started out eating this way for feeling better purposes, but the more I read (I bought a book called No Meat Athlete- a book about running on a plant based diet), the more it doesn't even appeal to me. Dairy, eggs, sugar & meat just seem repulsive. I couldn't convince myself to even have a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats last night because we didn't have almond milk in the fridge, just skim. I even got the bowl out and thougth about it, but I just couldn't without feeling nauseated. And this morning, on my way to work, I got the same protein bar from the gas station I've gotten the last 3 years.. and it was gross to me. I've learned to love almonds and veggies and fruits and I'm learning to try new foods. I made chili 2 nights ago with soy "beef". I even got my boyfriend to eat it. I actually think he liked it better than I did, and although it wasn't gross, I am just not used to the texture. But this is about experimenting and getting healthy, and it's kinda fun! (especially the weight loss part :p )
Annnd last but not least, the come back marathon. I have decided to do the Ann Arbor marathon in June. I sometimes need to announce things like this so I stick to my guns and train properly. I am excited! I even think I got Bonnie, my high school running parther, to join in with me. I plan to do a few races before, ones that are about me, not just Isabel. Time to get serious! And that makes me happy.
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