Healthy Tipping Point

Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 09:44 AM

NEW New Shoes + My Favorite Distance

My big end-of-summer 5K is this Saturday, and I’m gunning to set a Personal Record (my PR Is 23:46).  I really wanted to have fresh legs for the race, so I was planning to have my last run be on Wednesday.

But yesterday I received my new sneakers in the mail and was surprised to see they were the updated version of my usual Brooks Summon, Summon 2.    Whoops – Guess I ordered the wrong pair!  I’ve been such a space cadet lately – I also ordered the wrong knee sleeves!

I was left with quite the conundrum.  Do I run the 5K in a new style of sneakers?  Do I test them out beforehand and risk sore legs?  Do I suck up the blisters and run in my old shoes?!

I decided the best option would be to go a on short and slow 2.0 miler this morning.  My old shoes are totally shot so running in the Summon pair wasn’t really an option.  But… I am happy to report that I really like the updated Summon 2!  The toe box seems a little wider, which is nice because my feet tend to swell as I run.  Here’s to hoping they stand up to longer distances, too!

Pre-run snack was 1/2 a banana and PB:

And after, I had an oatmeal mess:

In the mix:

• 1/2 cup raw oatmeal
• Honey Greek yogurt
• A peach
• Raspberries
• Chia seeds

While running, I was thinking a lot about the upcoming race.  I really believe in the power of visualization.  The course is one I run on regularly, so I could definitely imagine myself tearing down the corner and crossing the finish line in time for a new PR.

I’m excited for this race, but my least favorite distance is a 5K! 

So far, I’ve run 28 races, including running races of all distances (except an ultramarathon – ahh!).  I’m not a huge fan of 5Ks because I feel so much pressure to go fast and the entire 3.1 miles is one, long painful sprint.

My first race was actually a 10K!  I remember thinking that I was going to “go big or go home.”    I like 10Ks because there is less pressure for me to sprint, sprint, sprint, but I still feel like I end up maintaining a very uncomfortable pace for 6.2 miles.

My FAVORITE distance is 15K.  I think it’s long enough so I can go slower (I love moderately paced runs), but the 9.3 distance is obviously very challenging.  I feel like I’m getting my “money’s worth” when I enter a 15K.  I really love 15Ks and wish they were more popular!

Half marathons are fun, too – but it’s starting to get a little TOO long for me to LOVE it.    Halves are really hard!  And of course, I’ve done one marathon and it wasn’t the BEST experience.  Hopefully, marathon #2 will be more enjoyable.

If you’ve run a variety of distances, what is your favorite distance to run?  What was the first race distance you completed?

Posted by: Caitlin 78 comments

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 09:18 PM

Yoga is Simple

Up dog, down dog.  Don’t you feel better now?  Because I sure do!

Finally bit the bullet and went to hot yoga today (not crazy-cardio hot yoga but relaxing hot yoga).  With marathon training in full swing, I NEED yoga in my life!  My legs have been aching more, and my back is begging for release.  Yoga calms my body, and it quiets my mind.

Thus… I’ve committed myself to a little personal yoga challenge (to practice regularly).  I’m not going to make it this grand blog challenge because honestly… it’s too much pressure that way.  Plus, I don’t want to be a bad group leader if I fall off the wagon. 

Life is complicated.  Yoga is simple.

Yoga was at an odd hour (12:30) so I ate lunch a little early.

The star of the show was a whole wheat hoagie with Moroccan hummus and sprouts.

Plus melon + olives.  I’ve been craving olives like nobody’s business lately.  Salt replacements, maybe?

Post-yoga snack was a classic Green Monster (1 cup almond milk, 2 cups raw spinach, 1/2 a banana).  Yes, these really taste good.  I promise.

And for dinner, I had to Google “how to boil eggs.”  I Twittered for some advice about the process and was immediately inundated with all these tips and tricks.  I just threw caution to the wind and it all worked out:  boil water, add eggs, remove after 15 minutes or so.  Drop in ice water and then peel.  Tada!

Finished product:

I had a spinach salad with polenta crotons, kidney beans, roasted zucchini, tomatoes, and two hard boiled eggs.

Polenta crotons are easy, too.  Buy the pre-made tubes (in the refrigerated section usually), slice, and roast at 375 for twenty minutes or so.  Can’t screw it up!

With toast on the side:

And for dessert, the Hus and I went to a Charlotte blogger meet-up at TCBY for some Fro-Yo in Emily and Casey’s honor.  They are moving to DC, and everyone is very sad to see them go!

My cup of chocolate, vanilla, and candy toppings.

Yoforia is still much, much better – just my opinion! 

Are you challenging yourself to reach a new healthy goal right now?  Do you prefer to announce all your goals to your friends and family or keep it quiet?

Posted by: Caitlin 82 comments

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