Last two days, epic fail on the running front. I am taking my training for the one of my favorite races, the Millburn 4-Miler, very seriously....at least until two days ago. Perhaps I was overtraining? Perhaps I was undertraining? Perhaps under the weather? I don't know, but I had some bad runs. Thursday - approaching heat stroke (from dehydration and crazy-humidity) and Wednesday, even worse. So, today.
My physical therapist had me doing sprints and hill work this morning, and I went for a wonderful and quite successful 4.4 miles at 8:05 pace (average pace). Felt good, even with the profound humidity. So, lesson learned, bad runs must be felt to experience good runs. So true. The training continues.
So does everyone find food plans easier or more difficult during the Summer months? Is it harder with the kids home? Less of a routine? Or is it easier because you are less busy, and have more time for exercise, meal planning and food shopping? Is it easier because the weather is usually pretty nice, and you can walk or run outdoors? For me, I feel freer and always get the exercise in when possible (or even impossible), but scheduling has always been a challenge to me...and I have a hard time actually committing to a routine (which I have expressed many times in my blog). The most important things to keep in a routine to maintain your nutritional balance as well as your training balance is....
1) plan meals at least grossly (you don't have to be terribly specific, but I plan Monday some guidelines so I can do my shopping have meals in the house.
2) food records for those of you who are on the weight loss trail
3) exercise records....I cannot state how terrific and informative it is to have a training journal. I went back to see what I was doing before my hip injury, and saw the crazy distance and crazy speed, and lack of rest. I learn from every single week of entries I do, and can plan as I go forward. The same goes for food records. If you don't know where you've been, how do yo know where you're going?
4) FIND some plan that works for you in the realm of exercise. I got a facebook message from a lovely woman I went to high school with. She is really a doll, and appreciates any and all weight and exercise-related suggestions I have. Her feedback caused me to put #4 on this list - that she found that working out in a gym dance class is what works for her. She spends an hour dancing, and thatshe can do. Some people are not natural runners. I get that. I know for me it's a passion, but most people loathe it. I still am hoping someday my weight loss friend tries to run a half mile, and add it TO her dance routine, but alas, I'm so happy for her losing weight and finding the joy in exercise. Bravo S...bravo.
Don't ask why I'm putting this picture here. I just love it. I have these chairs, and am considering a re-appholstery project (done by someone else since THIS is not in my skill set).
I am in search of a book on how to cut my 5K time. My goal this year is get back to my 21 minute 5K, and then I will work on getting into 20. I really want, in my June 5K, to aspire to the 22 min...but right now I'm just grateful that I am finishing my runs inspired and not in chronic pain. Makes me smile that I can even post this. I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. OUCH!
This weekend I want to do many things, in addition to being inundated with sports. First, pickup my client orders, and then do some down-home decorating. I want to order some canvases of the kids for above their beds - HUGE ones....HUGE MEGA BIG canvas photos. Of course the boy child will have runnning, but haven't yet decided what photos to select for the girl child - perhaps baseball, perhaps snow boarding or skiing or even just her on the trampoline. I think I'll go for that. So what decor ideas do you have for me? I have my decorator coming this week for my mid-century inspired family room...but outside of that, I need more ideas. Thanks for visiting today...I'm off to shop canvas! xoxo
Good luck with your upcoming 4 mile!
I like the new banner. I love mid century design, space age or more Scandinavian?
Posted by: Scott | May 21, 2011 at 10:05 AM