Disgusting

Now, I know that I am far from being the world’s healthiest eater, but even I draw the line somewhere.   This morning as I am relaxing after a nice run and shower, reading some articles online, I stumbled across this disturbing new food at burger king.   The Pizza Burger 2,520 calories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!  Who eats this crap?  After reading the article and seeing the other high calorie foods, it became all too clear that we just DO NOT understand how food and exercise and weight work.

Just keep in mind, that as a 5’6″ 115 pound female, I burn approximately 90-100 calories per mile of running. (depending on my speed and terrain) So in an average 1 hour run, I burn 5-600 calories.

Lot’s of people think that running is a miracle workout.  They can run for 20 minutes and then go ahead and eat whatever they want.  (if it only worked like that!!) 200 calories is not a whole lot to work with. In fact, a 16 ounce Starbucks cafe latte is 190 calories.  Its far too easy to think we are burning off more than we are putting back in.

I challenge you this week.  Think realistically about your exercise and eating habits, and don’t go eating a pizza burger for lunch!

You Know You are a Runner When….

• your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, “When can I fit in my runs?”

• you have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile.

• you smirk when non-runners ask you, “So how long is this marathon?”

• you no longer make fun of fanny packs because your running belt looks very similar (although cooler) to one.

• you’re not embarrassed to wear spandex.
• you know where exactly one mile from your front door is (in any direction).

you have several drawers dedicated to running shirts.

your Facebook or Twitter updates frequently involve running.

you get jealous when you’re driving in your car and pass runners.

you spend more money on running clothes than work or casual clothes.

you frequently get asked, “When’s your next race?”

A Slow Morning

Yesterday I ran 7 miles.  I then decided it would be a good idea to go to step aerobics AND zumba.  I really wanted to try zumba since it isn’t usually offered at my gym.  (I loved it by the way)

This morning, I had a 6 mile run planned.  whew!  My body was tired.  I trudged along the  bike path in the humidity and ended up running 5.5 miles (I would have finished if I didn’t have an urgent toilet need)

So far, I’m up to 22.5 for the week.  A little behind due to tokyo, but I am sure I made up for it in walking and aerobics classes!

How was running for you this week?

Need to Run!

I went to Tokyo for the past few days.  While we walked a lot, I only got in a 30 minute run this morning.  It was a challenge to run through the winding streets around my friend’s apartment without getting lost.  I just went out for 15 minutes and headed back.  I’m looking forward to a nice long run tomorrow and/or saturday to get my mileage up for the week!

Audiobooks

Audiobooks have really changed my running.  When I find a good book, I can’t wait to get out and run, just so I can listen to the book.  Currently, I am about to finish, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  A-MAZ-ING!  I subscribe to audible.com, well audible.fr, and I get one book a month.  But- since my roommate is also a subscriber, it’s like we get 2 books a month!  I’ve lost count of how many books I have listened to this year, but I’m guessing somewhere around 15 or 20.

If running is hard for you, you lack motivation, you don’t have the time to read and run, or you need a little something to get you through the hot summer runs…. get some audiobooks!

Some of my favorites include:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• The Host
• Nice Girls don’t have Fangs
• Anne of Green Gables
• Troy High

Happy listening (and running)!

You can do it!

Get up and out!  take a walk, try to jog, ride your bike.  Do something!  You will feel so good after you finish.  Sure, you may be tired.  There are lots of excuses to sidetrack you.  But think about after you finish.  You will feel strong, accomplished, confident, and energetic.  Nowadays, more than ever, we need to change our attitudes.  We need to be active.  We weren’t created to sit around all day!  Take some “me” time and clear your mind on a walk.  Or maybe get a group of friends together and go for a jog!  Whatever you decide, you will feel good after you finish!

running for your life
benefits of running
more benefits

So why do you run?  Me, I love how I feel after I am done.  Sure, I am sweaty and hot and smelly and tired- but I feel great and motivated throughout my day!

Rainy Running

I have never been a fan of running in the rain.  I just take the morning rain as an excuse to go back to bed.  It has gotten much worse since February.  My 8th full marathon, turned into my 1st full marathon in the rain.  It rained for 4 hours of my 4:12 finish time.  It was cold. wet. rainy. miserable.  I ran in a poncho and put my nano and ID in a plastic bag and trudged along in the wet.  Eventually my fingers were so cold, that I couldn’t unzip my pocket to get my shotblocks out!  But I kept going.  and going and going.  The rain kept pouring down.   I was so happy to see the rain stop for my last 12 minutes.  I asked a volunteer to help rip off my poncho since my fingers were too cold.  I finished and headed into the changing area.  I couldn’t zip my sweater.  even 40 minutes after I finished, I couldn’t use my fingers.   A kind woman next to me offered to help me.

Ever since then, I avoid rain. Even if it isn’t cold outside, I still have bad memories of running in the rain and being so cold that I hurt.

Today was a rainy day.  I did get up and walk in my apartment while reading.  That must count for something, right?