M...is for mental fitness and milestones

For the next chapter of my A-Z blogging challenge, I am up to M - half way done, yay!

This post aligned well with a couple things I've been pondering lately.

Mental Fitness.  This comes in all sorts of forms.  Lately, I've been battling two elements of this.  I'm frequently running alone - not all the time, thanks to my MRTT group ladies, but a lot more than I'd like.  Solo runs are hard for me, especially given that lately I've had to achieve some personal records on them.  I'm constantly battling the voice in my head that says I can give up or comes up with excuses why I don't have to or shouldn't run that day.  "It's too hot" or "I can stop now, I'll make it up another day".  Things like this run through my mind a lot on runs.  I do a pretty good time battling my way through it, but not always.  It's always easier when I have someone else to run with me - makes me feel accountable, like it's a challenge. 

As I press on in my running and target even farther runs and faster times, I have a feeling I will need to start finding others to run with more often so I will hold true and do it.  Anyone want to run? Let me know!

Anyone else have the same issue?  How do you overcome it? What are your tips?

The second mental challenge I'm having is probably a less healthy habit I'd really like to break.  I've gotten into the bad habit of letting myself over eat or indulge in things I shouldn't when I have a decent or good run.  "Hey, I burned 500 calories or so on my run.  I can totally have one of those Belgian Chocolate Truffle Brownies that's approximately 400 calories".  Then it continues the rest of the night as I try to "refuel" I justify with myself.  I'm all for eating healthy and practicing the 80/20 rule - it's OK to indulge some of the time - but not after every.single.run.  It's getting to be a bit of a problem. 

The picture says so, so it must be true right?  Oh please be true! That would be heaven!

Okay, so wait...two images?  It's gotta be true.  Chocolate before running and chocolate after running, I can totally do that. Not sure it will help my goal though. I'm willing to try.

While I met my goal weight of 119 pounds, I've actually started to creep back up.  I'm running around 120 or 121 lately...not too bad.  And surprisingly despite my increased running it is definitely not muscle weight.  I would love to think I can meet my stretch goal of 115 or lower my body fat percentage to somewhere in the 20-21% range, but eating too much unhealthy stuff after runs...not going to help me get there.  I need to be better, fitter at that.

I think my big issue is I'm really not sure of the best way to fuel up before long runs and to refuel/recover after runs.  I need to look into this more. 

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for that? Books? etc?

Milestones.  On a lighter, more positive note, I think it's important to try and focus on hitting milestones to keep running fresh.

I looked this up in the dictionary to make sure I was using the word correctly.  Courtesy of dictionary.com:

1. a stone functioning as a milepost.

2. a significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, or the like of a person, nation, etc.

I'm referring more to definition two here.  Significant event or stage in the progress or development part in particular.  When it comes to my running, I'm pretty new to this, so I've been able to pretty frequently hit new milestones in distance or pace.  I imagine at some point it will take longer to hit these and much more work...but as long as I've got some new milestone in mind, I have a goal to work towards and that motivates me (another good M word for another day). Whether its a distance, a pace, or even a quantity of races...anything can be a milestone.  Set a goal and reach the milestone.

What milestone are you looking to achieve soon?

~A

My First 10k

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words.  I'll leave this post at that.

A picture of my iPod from this morning's run:

~A

PS - The bottom line about burning almost 600 calories is missing.  So I'm off to go and indulge and refuel for the afternoon.

Another little thing...Summer

Summer is winding down.  I'm trying to breath in every little, last breath of it I can to store up until next year.  Enjoying the sun on my skin, the beautiful smell in the air, the nice weather....so much about summer is magical.  I really love it.

I'm taking the time to notice all the beautiful flowers on my walks and runs.  Mother nature at her finest.

Some other little things about Summer that are just wonderful:
- Fresh watermelon
- Sweet corn on the cob, fresh picked
- Strawberries from the garden
- Okra
- Did you notice my top ones were all fruit and veggies? Go me!
- Flowers
- Lightening bugs
- Beautiful starry nights
- Cool summer nights where you can open the windows

What are your favorite things about summer?

Prepping for my first virtual race AKA my first 10k

So I am irrationally nervous about my Barking Mad About Breast Cancer 10K race.  I'm actually planning to run it tomorrow 8/15 instead of 8/16 due to the weather and mostly due to my schedule.  I have some time blocked on my calendar tomorrow and I'm hoping to get to work early.

I'm planning to run the first five miles.  After that, well, we will see.  Five miles is my personal distance record. 10K = 6.2 miles so that's a hefty increase. If I have to walk part of it, I'm okay with that.  Just as long as my total is at least 6.2 miles since it's a great cause.

I'm not really quite sure how to prep the day before a race.  I always think I need to eat a bunch to prep, but I'm not really sure exactly what - protein? carbs?  So I end up doing random stuff.  Tonight I'm trying to do extra protein.  I'm in desperate need to go grocery shopping, but I'm planning to do a protein smoothie in the morning (strawberries, kale, peanut butter, milk?) and hope for the best.

What do you do the prepare for a big race or workout?  The night before? Morning of?  Give me some tips!

I'm also thinking I might bring a small water bottle with me on this one.  I have never run with water though and I tend to forget the small stuff in the morning so we'll see.  I really wish someone was running this with me, but it's just me.  You'll hold me accountable right?  I can't wait to get my first medal (bling) though.  That will be awesome I think.

Since I need some inspiration, here's a couple to share.

My plan for tomorrow:

Good one since this is a race for a good cause:

Love this one. Great for everyone:

That's enough for now I think.

Think of me in the morning.  Send me some love.  I'll try to post an update tomorrow...even if it's a quick I did it...or I failed miserably.  I kid, I kid.  Even if I don't do it, at least I will have tried and I'll do it in two runs instead of one.

~A

Virtual Races

So I've discovered a new goal...Running bling.  I heard some of the other MRTT ladies talking about Running Bling - aka medals you get for doing some races, so now I'm determined to get some.

I saw a couple upcoming virtual races that are for a good cause and conveniently have bling, so I'm in.

Here are a couple I signed up for:

Barking Mad About Breast Cancer Virtual 10K

It's a 10K run - August 16 targeted date that you do on your own and this one the proceeds go to the Susan B Komen foundation.  This should be a good challenge for me.  I can run 5 miles...and it's in my August goals to do so.  I figure even if I run the first five and walk the last I'm good to go.

Bling:

Books From Bug Virtual Half Marathon
Virtual half marathon sponsored by BooksFromBug.org. Between August 15, 2012 and August 31, 2012 get 13.1 miles completed in either a series of walks/runs or all at once. 

Definitely won't be all at once for me, but I'm game. :) Bling available.  No picture so it's a teaser.

The Great Cupcake Race Virtual 5k/10k
This is a 5K or 10K run on or about September 8, 2012.  Proceeds will benefit TNT (Team in Training).  It includes bling as well, but no image yet.  Another teaser.  Can't wait to see what it is!!

So that's a few items brewing in my world lately.  Looks like I'm going to be a busy girl!

~A

L...is for Live, Laugh, Love

For the next segment of my A-Z blogging challenge I get to do L.  This was a pretty easy one for me due to the quote above that I, well, Love.

Live.  Live in the moment.  I'm sometimes guilty of focusing too much on the future and the what ifs and the what is next.  I'm getting better though, especially since becomming a mom I think.  Running also helps.  It gets me outside, reconnects me with nature.  I often have the opportunity on runs to see mother nature in her glory - wildlife, foliage, and beautiful landscapes.  Some of the little things we often overlook.
One of my favorite things is to get down to my daughter's level and view life her way.  The beautiful colors in a bubble, the warm feeling of jumping in a puddle on a summer day, or the vibrant colors of sidewalk chalk.  Small stuff.  Live life in the moment.  Enjoy the sunset.

Either way, don't get too stressed or busy or bogged down by the mundane to live your life.

Laugh.  Laugh often.  Find humor in small things.  Laughing is way better than crying anyways right? 

I love to laugh.  Sometimes I laugh to keep from crying when I'm very stressed out.  Most of the time however, me and my weird sense of humor are attempting to make other people smile so I'm laughing with someone.

I love this from Wikipedia:
Laughter has also been shown to have beneficial effects on various other aspects of biochemistry. For example, laughter has been shown to lead to reductions in stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. When laughing the brain also releases endorphins that can relieve some physical pain.^[15] Laughter also boosts the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system.^[16]

Laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes of rowing or 15 minutes of bike riding.^[17]

Sounds good to me - pun intended.

Remember this video that went viral earlier this year?  Awesome.

Love. Love deeply. Love what you do.  Make sure you have something in your life that you love to do.  Find what you are passionate about and then do it.  That in my opinion is what life is all about.

L. Live. Laugh. Love.

~A

My August Goals

So after setting and reaching my July goals and feeling great about it (giving myself a gold star sticker for that thank you very much), I decided that I would continue and set some goals for August.
1) After hitting my one mile per day average in July I am thinking that perhaps I will increase it a notch and target an average of 1.25 miles per day. I am already behind on this though after vacation, so I have some catching up to do.

1.25 x 31 = 38.75

2) Complete another 5 mile run. I originally was going to target hitting 5 in August but I pushed myself at the end of July and did it. It was a little too much at once and it took me a while to recover. I would like to do it again later in the month perhaps though...the right, slow way.

3) Sign up for another 5k. I am eyeing a couple...just need to decide the right one.  I like to have someone else run races with me...I should get over that fear...not yet though.

I think that is good for now.  I might be pushing myself a bit too far if I lay out anymore goals.

~A

A little thing...from the Little

To continue on my Little Things topic...

My latest Little Thing...is when my Little tells me she loves me.  Lately I've been trying to get her to watch this cute show "Guess how much I love you" and so lately every now and then, she'll lean over and say, "Mommy, guess how much I love you?".  She doesn't really get it, but that doesn't stop the butterflies in my stomach.

Leibster Awards - Pay it Forward, Pay it Back

Leibster Awards

The Liebster Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers

(A quick check revealed that I'm up to 6...from my previous 4 - woot!)

I was tagged by Courtney at So Many Miles, So Little Time - she's a fellow Moms Run This Town Chapter Leader. You should check her out!

(shhh,I also cut and paste this from her and she cut and paste from someone else)

The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Rules for receiving this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Then answer the questions the tagger sent for them, plus create 11 questions for the people they’ve tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Notify the people you have tagged.

5. No tag backs.

11 Random Things About Me

1. I was born and spent a good part of my childhood in Oklahoma.  Am I the only person from Oklahoma you know?  I am for many people. :)

2. I've played a ton of sports throughout my life.  Basketball for close to fifteen years, soccer, softball, track and field, and tennis for a short time.  I also loved volleyball, but never played on a team.  I was captain of my highschool basketball team.

3. I love really stupid Sy Fy B movies.  Sharktopus, I'm there.  Piranaconda - Saw it.  I frequently set my DVR to Sy Fy on Saturday nights at 9 PM to catch the latest movie.

4. I can be a bit ADD about things and am a control freak about certain things (if you couldn't tell)

5. I have two tattoos.

6. I LOVE board games.  Haven't played in a while, but I love them.

7.  Sometimes I consider going vegetarian or paleo for a while but I don't think I can give up some of the foods required.  Nor do I think the hubs would be happy for either choice.

8.  I bite my nails. :( It's a horrible habit.  I wish I could stop, but I've done it so long I don't even know how to.  Every attempt to stop has failed miserably.

9. I don't drink.  I haven't had a drink of alcohol in more than three years.  I made the decision to not drink any longer when I realized I didn't enjoy it and I don't really look back.  I do find it humorous how much it bothers other people though that I do not drink.

10.  I LOVE popcorn.  For years I probably ate a bag every night. I know microwave popcorn is awful for you, so I try to do air popped now.  But sometimes...oh year.

11. Doing things I've never done before scares the daylights out of me.  I'm trying to challenge myself at this and am doing ok I think...but it's still pretty bad.  It's everything...even small stuff.  Driving somewhere I've never been, doing something I've never done...I don't really know where this comes from.

11 Questions from So Many Miles, So Little Time:

1. Have you ever been on a blind date?

I think I went on a couple in high school.  Can't really remember anything shocking from any of them though - it was always a group type of situation, never one on one.

2. If you could be any of the Fresh Beat Band members, who would you be and why? (If you don't know who the FBB is then you are WAY to cool for my blog.)

Ummm, I know of the FBB, but not individual members.  My little is still too young.

3. Are you a righty or a lefty?

Righty for most stuff, although I do some sports lefty.

4. Do you have a pre-race routine and if so what is it?

Being that I've only done one race, that's a no.  I'm hoping it will be have a smoothie 2-3 hours before hand and a coffee afterwards.

5. Have you ever stopped to ummm, go number one in the woods on a long run?

Ummm, nope.  My longest ever was 5 miles, so no need yet.  We'll see when I get longer distances.

6. Can you ice skate?

I have in the past...probably can, but not very well.

7. What is your chosen profession?

Marketing.  I currently work in electronic marketing - Web site, Social Media, Sales Integration best practices...Great stuff.

8. What is one of your favorite non-running blogs?

Free Range Kids.

9. Have you ever been to Las Vegas, and if so did you do something that should stay in Vegas?

Yes...I can't tell you that.

10. Please share the answer to # 9! (if you haven't been to Vegas would you go?)

Honestly, probably nothing dramatic...ha ha.

 

11. What is your favorite book or book series?

I recently read The Hunger Games.  Really liked that series.  Can't think of anything better as an answer.

11 Questions for you to answer from Tales of an Unfit Mommy:

1. What's the longest distance you've ever run?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. White, milk, or dark chocolate?

4. If you were a flavor of Ben & Jerry's, what would you be?

5. What's your favorite vacation place?

6. What's your favorite room in your house?

7. What's your cooking specialty? (the recipe you make the best or others request from you)

8. What's something on your bucket list?

9.  What's your favorite outdoor activity?

10. What's the last movie you watched?

11.  Suggest a song for my workout playlist.

Bloggers I'm tagging to nominate/challege:
Irma @ Moms Run San Jose
Molly @ Moms Run Lancaster
Nicole @ Centralia Moms Run This Town
Crystal @ The Domestic Warrior
Jamie @ Thrifty Veggie Mama
Dani & Pam @ Fit Moms Full Plates
Sarah & Katey @ Simply Mommies
Melissa @ Life in the Valley of the Sun

I'll tag a few more after I get some more volunteers hopefully.  Let me know if you want tagged!

K...is for....

Wow...I'm really struggling with this next edition of my A-Z blogging challenge.  K.  I googled...Didn't help.  I can't fault google, I've never had issues before...but K words for Fitness and Healthy.  Tough one.

Here's the only things that come to mind.

Kale.  One of my new favorite foods.  After hearing from a coworker that his wife and him eat almost four pounds of kale a week by putting it in smoothies, I had to try.  And try I did.  It's awesome.  I remember reading somewhere that kale really helps clean the gunk out of your digestive track and I'll buy it.  I've felt great after I tried doing this and I'm glad I stuck with it. 

I have kale in my garden this year.  It's been pretty easy to grow thankfully and I think I'll definitely try it again in the future.  I grew a dwarf variety this year, I'll probably go regular next year...we will see though.

Another Kale recipe I've really been wanting to try is kale chips.  I've heard they are awesome, but that you either love them or hate them.  I think I'll love them, I just need to wait to make them until its a bit cooler.

My Kale Smoothie Recipe:
- 1 Banana
- Several strawberries
- Kale (to your taste preference...start with a small amount and work your way up)
- Low fat milk

Put them in a blender and blend until smooth.  Mmm, mmm good.  Sometimes I add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter for some protein boost.  Oh yeah, good stuff.  I'm still working up kale wise, so I only add a couple leaves.  My smoothies are far from green...but I'll get there.  Either way, it's a nice dose of veggies I wasn't getting before hand.  Give it a try.

Do you use kale in anyway?  Share your recipes!

Kids.  I'm hugely interested in kids health if you didn't know.  Being that I have the little, I'm focused a lot on trying to get her to eat well and have a positive body image despite some of the awful trends and imagery we see today.  I spend a lot of time teaching her good eating habits by modeling good behavior myself.  I also do a combination of giving veggies and hiding some for extra nutrition.  The little drinks my kale smoothies as a matter of fact!

I am also interested in making sure she's very fit and active.  We dance, we have fun.  I try to take her outside as much as possible.  I still feel like we watch entirely too much television, but sometimes I need a break.  One of my favorite books/blogs is Free Range Kids.  It talks a lot about ways we can make our children have a childhood more like ours where they are outside a lot and getting to do more things, instead of living sheltered lives.  I'm a big supporter of this.  G is still a little too young for many of the things they talk about, but I'm always looking for ways to help her be more free range.

Being the mom of a little girl, I'm also really concerned with body image.  With the obesity rates on the rise and eating disorders also increasingly more common, I'm trying to do everything I can to teach my little healthy habits and to like herself for who she is.  It's definitely tough though.  My biggest thing is to never criticize my body in front of her and to praise her healthy choices.  We don't tell her to watch what she's eating, we just encourage her to make healthy choices so she can grow up healthy and strong - not big and strong or to stay skinny.  Her happiness and health are extremely important to me and I want to do everything I can to set her up for success.  That's my hope anyways - we'll see how that goes!

What types of things do you do with your littles to encourage a healthy lifestyle?

So those are my K's.  Kind of weak...but I got something in there.

~A