The "Get to"

This week's training was the bright spot in my week. I've been really trying to psych myself up for my runs, to get excited about training. For awhile I think I'd really gotten myself in the mindset of "have" to run instead of "get to" run. I used to only run because it was the only way to eat and drink what I wanted to (see: college). Now, I'm not necessarily seeing any physical results of the running so I'm trying to make the runs their own ends. Profound, I know.  Lets talk about this week's runs

This Week's Training

Best Week yet

Mon: Walk 3 min, Run/Walk 5 min/3 Min 5 times for a total of 43 minutes. Didn't stretch
Tues: Took Ellie for a long walk around the park for 2 miles
Weds: 3 min walk then some running, did sets of 1/10 sprint/run/walk 4 times for 3.3 miles
Thurs: Tournament night so 3 matches - exhausted afterwards!!
Fri: Rest
Sat: 4 miles @11:26 min/mi, negative split. Quick stretch and protein shake after
Sun: Rest

Overall Great week in training. I accidentally shorted myself Saturday and only did a 4 mile long run instead of 5. As it turned out, I didn't have enough time for another mile anyway, but I made up for it with a 2 mile walk that night. My back is a little sore today - whether that's from running or the house cleaning I did today I don't know. Mopping is a killer. Looking forward to continuing next week!

Totals: 14.69 miles, 2:53:07, 1,377 calories

This Week's Nutrition

The week's plan was to push a big breakfast. I had mixed results. Some days I was too full to eat lunch from just a cup of whole grain cereal. I'm just not sure my stomach is awake enough early to eat a big breakfast. Still stalled this week on the weight loss front - no progress. I've also been experiencing a lot of negative side effects of the gastroparesis. I'm starting to get super frustrated, but hopefully it will pass. Going to work this week on adding more watermelon in - though in smaller portions! I went a bit nuts after my run Wednesday and at like 16oz of it. My stomach wasn't thrilled.

Next Week

• I'm looking forward to a little 'vacation' at work - all of the prosecutors go to their conference starting Wednesday so court dockets are light. I definitely need this reprieve from the constant stress that is my work life
• Prosecutors conference means the hubby will be out of town for three days. That means that Ellie & I are all on our own. Am I a bad wife if I say i'm looking forward to some solo time with the pup? 
• I'm going to keep pushing the "get to" - I want to take advantage of every opportunity to move, run, and improve myself. I'm lucky to be physically healthy and able to run. I'm not always great about remembering that!

                                      

Do you ever feel like you take running for granted?

How do you deal with plateaus in your nutrition or weight-loss journey?

Happy running!

Hitting Restart

This week marked the last week of Couch to 5K and the first week of training for the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon. My midweek run was a little "ugh" but I'm really excited to be training again. I have a totally different feeling about this cycle than I did the doomed 2014 Flying Pig Half in May. So here's how it went:

This Week's Training:

Not Too Shabby!

Mon: 5 min warm up, 3 miles @ 11:52. First time doing 3 miles straight since April, I think!

Tues: Walk around the neighborhood with the pup. My calves were surprisingly sore and cramp

Weds: 5 min walk, 3 miles @ 11:08. Serious calf issues in this run and had to walk several times

Thur: Volleyball. Great workout this week - much more movement

Fri: Rest

Sat: 3 min walk, 4 miles (12:02, 11:48, 11:49, 11:04), followed by stretching & protein shake

Sun: Rest and a 1 mile walk 

Totals: 12.84 miles, 2:48:54, 1,441 Calories

This week's Nutrition:

Nutrition went mostly uncharted this week, i'm sad to say. I didn't even bother to step on the scale. It was the week we ladies loathe and my emotions were so off the wall that I knew I couldn't handle a weight gain. Sometimes, you have to know when to say when. I did switch my breakfast plans. I'm trying to go with a bigger breakfast and ensure that I"m taking most of my calories in the morning. Bigger breakfast and several healthy snacks in the afternoon with a lighter dinner. We'll see. I've been craving fruit. After we got back from our "long" run Saturday all I wanted in the world was Watermelon. I bought a half of one and cut it up. It's mostly water, right? Apples and Bananas are really hard for me to eat. They have all that fiber and nutrients and dense stuff that makes them really good for you. Watermelon is mostly water, right? We'll see how it goes!

Next Week

• Real weekly training begins! I'm excited for my run tomorrow morning. While I'm "following" the training plan, I really want my body to guide me here - weekly mileage goals are just that; goals. 
• Keep pushing the big breakfasts. I got some of my favorite cereal and fruit smoothie that I like in hopes of encouraging the trent. 
• STRETCH

Hubz & I before our 4 miler on Saturday

What do you like to eat after you run? Do you crave anything?

Are you a big breakfast eater? Always been like that, or did you have to train yourself?

Progress is Progress

Another good week under my belt. The weather got hot again but not so much so that it was unbearable outside. The week wasn't quite as hectic work-wise, though some of my days were super long. For some reason I feel like making all of my runs for two straight weeks feels like a huge accomplishment so I'm going to celebrate it accordingly!

This Week's Training

Gotta do something about those pesky "zero" days!

Monday: 5 min walk, 2.75 miles @ 11:15 min/mi on the treadmill. Good stretch after & some planks
Tuesday: 45 minutes of yoga on the back porch including 3 sun salutations on each leg - oy!
Wednesday: 5 min walk, 2.75 @ 11:18 min/mi. 2:45 min walk and stretching
Thursday: Volleyball  - we won 2/3 but I didn't feel like I got much of a workout.
Friday: Rest day - legs and back were sore from yoga/volleyball
Saturday: 5 Min Walk, 2.75 mile run @ 11:09 with stretching in Click!Mocha after
Sunday: Rest day - though I did some gardening which was great for the upper body!

Totals: 9.38, 1:51:15, 1,179 Calories

This Week's Nutrition

Courtesy of Fitbit

I felt a lot better this week about what I was eating and the choices I was making. Somehow, the scale says I still gained a little. Wednesday I set out to eating small meals every 2 hours. That's the recommended strategy for people with Gastroparesis. Less food = easier digestion and no feelings of super fullness. I failed on the first try. I set my fitbit to vibrate every 2 hours during the workday. This is how it went:

8:00 a.m. - Green monster smoothie & coffee

10:00 a.m. - reach for my fruit buddy & realize it's in my fridge in the office

12:00 p.m. - time for lunch, but i'm still in court

1:50 p.m.  - Finally eat lunch. Hummus & 2 soft flour tortillas

3:00 p.m.  - Luna Protein Bar. Well, half. These things make me super full

5:30 p.m. - Run

8:00 p.m. - after getting home and showering it's 8:00 p.m. before I can eat my dinner

Thursday wasn't much better and Friday I missed lunch entirely. For the 4th straight friday I was in court from 8:30 to 3:00 p.m. vomit. This is exactly why Amanda @ Run to The Finish intrigued me with her blog post today. 

Check out the post here 

Extreme stress & weight gain both seem to be a huge part of my life! Doing some more research to see what's out there on this. 

Next Week

• Last week of the Couch to 5K program! It's working in perfectly with the start of my training plan for the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon. I've tweaked it a little bit but I think it's going to be a good one. I'll post it up here so you can get an idea of what we're up to
• Get a better handle on timed eating - my stomach can't really be trusted to know when I'm hungry. If my sugar/glucose levels spike/drop my mood does the same and the eating just continues. This week I want to be diligent about charting my calories & the times I take them in. Hopefully it'll help me even things out
• Also, I got sunburnt this weekend at a super awesome ridiculous girls-only pool party my boss throws. It was well worth it, but wearing a sports bra is un-fun right now - yikes!

What are some of your favorite mid-day snacks?

What are some markers of success you use in your training? Meeting mileage goals, pace goals, marking training runs off of your calendar?