Category Archives: nutrition

Getting going again!

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After pretty much a week off from running (still did walking around and some extra walking), I’ve gotten back into it with two runs in a row at the gym.

Yesterday was 4.4 miles – the plan for the weekend run was 4, so add in warm-up and cool-down and there you have it. Today was 3.94 miles in my own version of a pyramid run – 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0 and it was good. They both felt good which was a really nice feeling. Hooray!!

Yesterday as I was leaving, I asked about the personal training programs. I want to expand my horizons, and I especially want to work on toning up the upper body. It’s funny, on Saturday at running club, Blossom and I were talking – she ran a cold, wet, windy Houston the same day I ran the sweltering Disney – and both of us were saying how we generally like the lower portion of the body thanks to running, but the top half could use some work. As it turns out, there was a trainer there, so I was able to talk with him. He asked if there was someone I was interested in working with anyone in particular, but I really don’t know any of them. So I might as well start with him. Worst-case we don’t click and I change to work with someone else, right? Right. So… Friday I’ll go in and do my complimentary evaluation/session so he can get a feel for where I am, see if we need to work on any weaknesses, and get a plan set up to address those and work on toning and firming the upper body. Whee!! I’m excited to get started!!

In food stuff, I’m continuing to expand things. I found a recipe for “banana bread quinoa” that you make in the crock pot. It’s more of a pudding-like thing, but it tastes like banana bread. I used red quinoa – it’s what they had at Food Emporium the other night, and the bananas really couldn’t wait much longer – and I realized after the fact that I only put in half the brown sugar (totally my fault because I was doubling the recipe and I forgot that I lost all my 1 TBSP measuring spoons, so I have to use my 1/2 TBSP spoon and I only put 6 spoons in rather than the 12 I should have for a doubled recipe), but it’s good. :) And then my newest obsession are these fruit cups that Dole makes that have an oat topping you can pour on – I’ve only had the apple, but they are YUMMY!! Especially when you heat them up before putting on the topping. Totally obsessed!!

So things are all falling into place I think! Hooray!!

Catching up with everything…

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Foot…
The foot verdict as of Monday afternoon was that I have a mild low ankle/high foot sprain (basically if you flex your foot, you see those tendons or whatever that seem to come together at your ankle? That area.) Funnily enough, I did it before to my left foot by rolling over a pinecone. I’m taking Advil 3-4 times a day, icing at night and after working out (need to do that now actually…brb – ok, cold pack is tied on). I go back Monday for another check. Overall it seems to be doing better – I still have some little pain flares periodically, but they’re getting fewer and farther between, so I’m thinking they may be related to other tendons, etc. “helping” the sprained ones by working harder.

Gym…
With part of the foot advice being “take it easy” but knowing I need to do something to keep up my fitness, and also thinking ahead to when it gets colder and needing to get some temp-controlled (read: warm) runs in to prep for Disney, I decided to join Planet Fitness again. But at a new location that’s just opened up. It’s still the same subway stop (it’s actually only a few blocks from the one I used to belong to), but this one is brand new and really nice. Went Wednesday and did 50 minutes on the elliptical (45 workout, 5 cool-down). I’m going to like it I think.

Weight Watchers…
So far, it’s going well! I’ve got some great support with friends on ROTE, and they’re giving me some good advice. I dropped 5.6 pounds in the first week – don’t freak, I’m sure at least 3 of those were water from Chicago and traveling. Of course that meant I lost a point I could use. But I’m seeing that that’s how you get trained to eat better – you automatically add in lots of fruits and veggies that are 0 points to help fill up. My friend Brandi said that she’ll often have one low point protein (light string cheese or a hard boiled egg or something) with her fruit or veggies to help her feel full longer.

Getting back into it…
Signed up for the Prospect PArk Track Club 5M Turkey Trot which will (duh) be on Thanksgiving! It’s such a fun little race! I’m excited to do it again!! And as it’s on Thursday morning, I don’t have to worry about being scheduled at the store as it’s outside of my availability. :)

Went to Central Park this morning to try and get a run in. My goal was somewhere between 6 and 12 miles – my plan called for 12, but since I hadn’t really run since Chicago (elliptical once, but that’s not the same) I didn’t want to say I had to do all 12 and then fail. I’m happy to report that I got 8.71 miles in! My ITB started protesting at around Mile 7, so I walked my first run interval after that to rest it and see, and then when it started protesting again in the next run interval, I knew it was time to call it a run for today. On the extra positive side, I did all of my run intervals up to that point, even on the Harlem Hills!! BIG accomplishment for me!!

Other stuff…
* Yesterday I made the decision to do something I’ve been contemplating for a while – really ever since I knew they were opening up membership to whoever wanted to join rather than being nominated by someone in there as it was when I first heard about it. I joined Team Tough Chik for 2013!! I had been trying to decide if I was really tough enough to where I’d feel worthy of being a member, but after gutting it out in Chicago like I did, I definitely feel like I am! And the more I learn about the Team, the prouder I am to know that I belong!

* I am also exploring a new fitness/nutrition tracking site – slimkicker.com. You earn points for tracking things and/or participating in challenges, and you can post a picture of what you’ll reward yourself with when you level up. I’m still exploring it, and I don’t think I’ll be tracking my food since it’s in calories and I’m working in points now with WW (and having just paid to join that for three months, I really want to give it a shot), but the concept is intriguing. I’ll keep you posted, but definitely check it out!

* In fueling, I’m trying out Clif Shot Blocks as an alternative to so much gel. Today I tried their new chocolate cherry flavor, and they actually weren’t bad. I decided to try doing one on each of the first three walk intervals after I hit Mile 4 and that seemed to work well. Had I continued my run this morning, I would have done the same starting at Mile 9 (I figure I was about at Mile 5 when I finished the third one, so four miles would be up to Mile 9). I’ll be trying this strategy on my long runs for a few weeks and may use this strategy for Disney.

* Nike Women’s Half, DC! Like the one in San Fran, getting in will be via lottery. Unlike New York, you can enter the lottery as a group where there’s a code everyone puts on their entry and if one person with that code on their entry gets in, everyone with that code on their entry gets in! There’s a group of us from ROTE (and friends ) who are planning to enter. It’s $160, which is a lot for a half (more than Disney if you’re registering for Disney before the first price increase!), but you do get a Tiffany necklace at the end. (I’m really not that concerned about firefighters being the ones giving them out…unless they have a couple of female firefighters too… (insert innocent whistling face here).

* Speaking of Disney, they released a course preview with Bart Yasso this week. It’s not AS cool as the time-lapse course trip Chicago put out (that really is cool, and I’d love to see something like it from runDisney – especially since this course IS new from the previous 19 years. But in the meantime, here you go if you’re interested…

Aaaaand I think that’s about it for now! :) Thanks for reading!!

Let the taper begin!!

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For Chicago that is!

Today was my 20-miler, and I decided to try and treat it as close to race-day as possible in terms of pre-fueling, fueling during (with the exception of not having the professional Gatorade they will have on the course…but I’ll run with nuun anyway), and timing of it.

So I started last night by getting all hydrated and having pasta dinner – I found a restaurant with a menu pretty similar to the place where Team Breakthrough is having their pasta dinner and went there. Tried to get in bed early and get some sleep.

And then in something I don’t want to repeat, was awakened around 2:30am with calf cramps. No clue why. But they definitely had me nervous about the run.

Woke up around the time I expect I’ll be waking up to get to Aqua (Oh yes…I paid $10 for the CES Marathon Day VIP experience…it’s going to be so worth it!!). Ate and drank what I’m intending…though I think I won’t do it AS early on race day as I was a little hungry early on in the run based on eating closer to when I woke up. Walked to the subway and headed to the Hudson River to run alongside it.

Got started and everything easy and feeling good. Then around mile 9 or 10 my knees started randomly getting achy. I downed a salt packet even though I wasn’t sweating all that much as it was cooler and windy. Took a run interval or two as a walk interval, and then was feeling better! Kept going. I was able to finish strong – doing the final run intervals!! And honestly that hasn’t happened as much as it should have.

But I’m glad that I finished my last *major* long run strong!! I finished the 20.19 in 4:45, which, knowing my PR in the 10K, makes me really feel like on race day, with the rest that comes with the taper and the adrenaline I CAN go sub-6!! Visualizing it constantly!! 5:59:59 is going to be posted all over my apartment and wherever I can!!

Now to taper and get ready for marathon day!!

Chicago Marathon Week 8 Days 4, 5 and 6

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One would think I’d have more time to get this writing done during the summer since I’m only working one job. One would apparently be not quite right. LOL. Oops!

Thursday was XT and I opted to do an aerobics DVD. One day I need to do the whole thing which includes strength and core work. Thursday was just not that day. Maybe when it gets a little cooler so that even in my living room with the window unit I’m not drowning in sweat. We’ll see.

Friday was a short 40 minute easy run. Well, I opted to reset all my alarms for an hour later, which was a mistake. So hot out there already. You don’t realize what a difference the sun makes until you’re running with it on you. It was a slow 2.88 miles, but I got it done.

Today I was slated for 11 miles. And it was supposed to be HOT. I got off work last night at 11:15, and by the time I got home it was around 12:40. I wanted to be on the train by 4am, so I debated just staying up. But ultimately decided to “nap” and get up around 3. I was out the door by just before 4, and got on the G train fairly quickly. The issue with waiting comes with the A train. Even though there are TWO A train routes, in the wee hours those trains seem to come way less frequently than pretty much any other line.

When I got off the G to wait for the A, I was afraid that I was about to have a situation like last year where some guy was following me. I’m pretty sure he moved to be across from me on the G, and then he waited until almost the last minute to get off the G. He then walked sort of around where I was standing, so I casually walked down towards the other end of the platform where there were more people. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before he came down the platform – but he was walking pretty fast. Not coming at me, though, which made me wonder. The last time the guy wasn’t moving all that fast. I walked back down to the other end of the platform and remembered that the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station has a police presence in it, so I walked up the stairs and just stood where I could see the officers. Another G train came (and THIS is why the A being so long between trains is just bizarre…the train that everyone laughs at and only has one route has 2 (at least) trains stop before the train that has 2 routes further down has even one come?) and I debated getting on that and just running at Coney Island but ultimately decided to stay put. The guy hadn’t come back down to the end of the platform where I was (I could see from atop the stairs), so I waited at the bottom of the stairs knowing there were two cops outside of the office that I could run to and/or yell to if necessary. (I didn’t go to them immediately just because I wasn’t 100% sure he was following me like I had been last year – when I realized it ON the A train. I didn’t want to cause a fuss if there was no need for one.) Long story a little shorter, I never saw him again, so yay!

Got off at 14th St and headed towards the Hudson. Parts of the park were blocked off when I first got there, so I ran along the far outer edge of the bike path until it was open. Well, I say ran…it was very shuffly and slow because of the heat and humidity. I had Hammer gels in my pack and Nuun in my handheld. I stopped a couple of times to add water to the handheld, and about 2 hours in, I added a salt packet because I’m definitely a salty sweater. Still, as I got further into the second hour, I was feeling something like the beginning of cramps in my hammies and a little in my calves. Thankfully I carry a little money on me and double thankfully around Chelsea Piers there are drink machines and one of them is ALL PowerAde (there’s a Gatorade machine further down the path, but I needed something right then). I’m not normally a PowerAde fan, but it was like liquid manna from heaven today.

Ended up getting my miles done at a 14:32 pace, which isn’t that bad actually. It’s right in the middle of my prescribed LSR pace, so I’ll take it.

I’m debating yoga tomorrow since I made Tuesday a rest day. But we’ll see. The GF diet is going well so far. I’m finding that it’s forcing me to eat healthier – if only by virtue of the face that I can’t get anything from the vending machine at work. The more difficult part of the week has been giving up soda. I’ve done it successfully before – without craving it. The giving up TWO things in one week I think has made the giving up soda thing harder. Still, so far so good.

Happy training!

Training mileage: 117.89
Weight: 176

Shiny shiny!!!

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RunDisney finally released the medal for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler!

Isn’t it pretty?

The elevator moves, and as the right side of the picture shows, there are GLOW IN THE DARK features!!!!

I cannot wait to get that around my neck!!!

Of course, that’s a little ways away. Specifically it’s…

Woohoo!!!

Of course I have a few things before that!

Like the Clare Fund Run 10K tomorrow. I’m ready I think. I’ve got my route there plotted out – definitely a challenge considering the MTA is doing their usual fuckery with the trains on the weekends. I’m hoping I can do well in it. My PR is 1:14:57, which is a 12:05/mile pace – that’s from the Mini 10K last June, which was in Central Park and included Harlem Hills. My NYRR bib pace, which was set at the Japan Day Run (4 miler), is 11:16. If I can hit somewhere between those two, I’ll be extremely happy. Given that it’s a flat course on the boardwalk, I’m hopeful! (For reference, at Coogan’s 5K, which also included hills (oh did it include hills), my average pace was 11:54. I could definitely live with that.) I still try to be in the camp of “have fun and finish”, but I’d really like to be able to get into a timed corral for Tower of Terror (I doubt I’d be able to move up for Broad Street), and a sub-12 minute mile would definitely do it. So that’s what I’m shooting for.

My leg is feeling better today, and I’ve toyed with maybe doing a gentle run later on, but I’m leaning towards stretching, maybe some yoga…just chilling for another day and really giving it my all tomorrow. I’ll update you with what I end up doing.

I did go over to the More/Fitness Women’s Half expo for a little while today. I remembered from last year that it was a bit better than the expo for the NYC Half (skipped that one this year) – though it’s still minute compared to Disney’s. I managed to get some nice samples – a Jenny Craig snack bar, which I think I’ll have pre-race tomorrow; some Playtex Sport tampons (sorry boys…they’re a necessity…well, some form of protection is); a little recipe book for grapefruit stuff that looks YUMMY; some Aveno products; and a couple of NoGii bars, but I had to be careful with those as out of the 5 samples they had out of the adult bars, 3 of them contained peanuts. You’d think that if they’re going to worry about gluten allergies they’d worry about peanut allergies as well, but apparently not. Even the “Chocolate Caramel” has peanuts in it. Not cool NoGlii. Not cool. (Though the berry paleo bar was good I must admit.) I doubt I’ll spend money on them and put it into Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s pocket, but it was interesting to try. I dropped my name in some drawings – not that I’ll win, but it’s nice to try. And tried the wheel at SkirtSports – where I got $5 off any purchase today, which would have been awesome if I could have bought anything. Oh well.

Now it’s just chill-out time. :)

Happy running!!

Broad Street Week 2 Run 3…aka Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K

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I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of 5K *races*. I don’t mind walking 5Ks as I’ve done several times with my sister. But running them? I like that only slightly better than 10Ks. I’m more of a distance girl I’m finding.

But I have to say, Coogan’s is really one of my favorite races. It’s out and back, and the starting line is (or at least feels) slightly smaller than when races are in Central or Prospect Park so it takes a while to get across the line, and I’m far enough back that I’d barely started when the lead runners came flying by on the other side. But it’s also fun to see teammates as they pass. And this year it wasn’t raining! I could have done with a little more sun, but I’ll take it!

When I got up, I had a sunbutter and honey sandwich and diet Coke. And water. Then about 20 minutes before the start I sucked down a Hammer Gel Apple Cinnamon (thanks Kathy for the recommendation to try it after the GU debacle at Disney). YUM!!! I mean, as far as gels go! And I do think that the energy helped me.

They’d altered the starting and finishing spots slightly this year, but all the hills are still totally there. I did run up the first one and most of the second, then decided to walk the next one to conserve. There were a couple of places where I might have been able to push myself a little more, but I never totally slacked off…and I wanted to really finish strong.

If you’re a Front Runner, the corner at 190th in particular is fun as that’s where those not running the race gather (and then some members host a brunch in their apartment on that corner after the race) to cheer us all on. It’s always a boost to get cheered for, and especially when they’re calling your name.

When I hit the 3 mile mark, it just happened to be time for a run interval, so I started and kicked it into high gear as I got closer and closer to the finish line. Doing my strides really paid off because I sped up and felt awesome!! (I also remembered the lesson Andrea learned at Disney in January and didn’t turn my head one way or the other but just kept focused straight ahead. No tumbling across the line for me!!) My fastest pace came during that period – 4:35!!! I can’t do it long, but I can speed when I have to!

My finish time was 36:55 (11:55 average pace)! It wasn’t quite a PR, but I’m super proud of that finishing kick!! And to do that time with those hills after being a slug for a couple of weeks? I’ll most definitely take it!! (And I’m thinking it bodes well for what should be a pretty flat 10K in the Rockaways next month!!)

Now to rest and fully rehydrate!

BSR training mileage: 25.47

Plans and Goals!!

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I was doing some poking around on the runDisney Tower of Terror 10 Miler page for what their proof requirement is going to be. Proof of time is required for an estimated finish of 2:00:00 or less. And it has to be from a 10K or longer from AFTER July 1, 2011! That’s like, only 7 months ago. My best numbers put me at like 2:00:57 per the McMillan calculator, and that was the NYC Half last year, so it wouldn’t matter anyway.

I’ve got a 10K in April – the Rockapulco Spring 10K, which looks to be pretty flat as opposed to Central Park where my 10K PR was set. (Or maybe I’m just being very wishful in my thinking and basing it off of the fact that the Rockaways are BEACH. Per McMillan, I’d need a 1:11:37 10K to estimate a 2:00:00 10 miler. That may actually be doable…my 10K PR is 1:14:57, and that was on hills.

Of course I could just run 2:00:00 or better at Broad Street too… And the 10K is part of that training plan.

I want to be in one of the higher corrals for ToT – one that requires proof of time. And so my path is clear…

ROCK the training for Broad Street!!!

I’m going to use Higdon’s Novice 2 (but with the long run mileage from Intermediate 1 – which really doesn’t make a lot of difference) and keep my intervals. 3/1 or 3:30/1 seem to be working well. Since I’ve taken this week off – a cold, which though in my head tends to aggravate the airways and make me wheezy – so I should be good and rested. XT will be my Butt and Balance/Yoga Abs combination. And starting tomorrow, at least 5 of Coach Jenny’s Killer Caterpillars. If I can work my way up to more, so be it. But I think this combination will help make me stronger – and hopefully a bit faster, especially if I can buckle down and do as many of my runs as possible in Central or Prospect Park where I have to contend with hills.

And also? Buckle down with my focus on weight loss. But do it healthfully. No crash diets – watching calories, not overdoing it on splurge days. I’ve lost a bit, but this week in particular I’ve slid. I have managed to not go get ice cream tonight (seriously…this would not be as much of a problem if the bodega around the corner didn’t carry Ben & Jerry’s!) by having a little bread with nutella and a banana…and brushing my teeth immediately afterwards. But it’s been a big struggle. I know I’m not body hungry…I’m mouth hungry, which is dangerous.

I’ve been using My Fitness Pal, and I like it…but I’m wondering if doing Weight Watchers via meetings would be better. I think I need the accountability of that weigh-in thing where someone else is reading it so I can’t just say “Oh I’ll ignore this week’s numbers”, you know? I just have to figure out if there’s a meeting that would consistently work with my schedule (unless anyone knows if you have to go to the same meeting every week?) and make that decision. Hmm…

I do know I’m going to invest in a crockpot! My ROTE friends are always making the BEST sounding recipes (that work with WW as many of them are on it), and I think if I get one and make things, I can make good meals to be refrigerated and/or frozen. I know I’ve tried to do the soup thing before (oh yes, this blog is well after my adventure of learning that you don’t blend hot stuff…when I moved to NYC I was still finding dried bits of broccoli from that ill-fated soup attempt), but these are like…MEALS. So that’s something anyway.

So…training plan in the calendar and laid out in my head – all of it including the XT; crock pot decision made; 95% of the way to joining WW…

I’m feeling good about things. :D

Making some decisions

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So I’ve spent the past few days (between work, sleep, etc. – not exercising yet…I’ll do a light run tomorrow) thinking about what I want this next year to look like running-wise as well as other things. While this blog will remain primarily about my running, I’m trying to integrate more, so I’ll probably touch on some different things as well.

I got a training journal from Believe I Am and have started filling it out in terms of goals. I’ve selected three to focus on for the year.

First: Finally finish a novel and/or play that I’ve been working on.
I’ve got a couple of novels in various stages of development as well as maybe a quarter of a play. In training for the marathon (and teaching and working at Disney) I let myself get away from the creative side of me, and I want to get that back. I’m committing to a minimum of writing for an hour three times a week – and in some cases “writing” may be spent detailing a character to get to know that character better and/or research if necessary into something. If it means I need to fit another Gotham class into my schedule and budget, I’ll do my best to do it.

Second: Be more active socially.
And I mean both in the general sense of the word as well as in causes I believe in. It’s too easy to let myself get isolated and not get involved – either with causes or people. I want to stretch myself and make an effort. And if that results in finding someone to hang out with on a regular basis, so be it. A relationship isn’t the end goal here. Just putting myself out there and being more involved in life.

Third: Get myself to a healthy BMI.
To be at the top of the range for my height, I need to drop 40.2 more pounds. My thinking is I’d like to go a little lower, but I’ll get there and evaluate how I look and feel. Thing number one with this will be healthier eating – more fruits and veggies and less fried things and take out. Also related food-wise? Stop over-rewarding myself for runs. Yes I need to refuel, but I don’t need a big old treat every single time. In addition to my running, be much better about my XT. I’m still contemplating joining a yoga studio, but I think that starting Monday I’m going to (assuming I can find either my print out or the version online) do the 4-week training schedule for Bob Harper’s Inside Out series. Work on my strongs in places other than just my legs. Also be more consistent about stretching and strengthening my pelvic area.

So there we have it. Goals for the year laid out. :)

And then some other decisions… Like in terms of racing.

I’ve decided NYC is out. I have to draw a line somewhere, and the cost is just too much. There are plenty of other people who don’t think it’s too much and will continue doing it. That’s great for them. I have to go with what feels right to me. And for me, if I’m going to spend that kind of money on a race, I’d rather go somewhere fun and exciting. Your mileage may vary, and that’s fine. I just don’t feel strongly enough that I HAVE to do NYC that I’m willing to cross the maximum line I set, even for “only $2″.

I know I’d mentioned San Francisco. And I do want to do it. But not in 2012. Even though I’ve read that they are generous with the time limit, I would be heartbroken if this is the year they decide to get uber strict and I wasn’t able to knock off those 33 minutes (18 of moving time if I go by my Garmin, which I paused for potty breaks). I’d rather get a good solid year of training under my belt, see what that does at Disney 2013, and THEN do SF in 2013.

So it looks like it’ll be one marathon for me in 2012. And I’m ok with that. :)

So here’s the plan:
* For the next 4 weeks, start back with some light running and do Bob’s DVD series. Weekend runs will be in the 4-6 mile range.
* February 14, I will start using Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Half Marathon plan – with Coach Jenny’s 4/1 intervals – to train for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia in May. Registration opens in February for that and believe me I’ve got it marked on my calendar.
As part of that, I’ll be doing a 5K (slightly earlier than the plan says, but it’s one of my favorite races and it’s fun) on March 4 – Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks; and a 10K on April 14, the Rockapulco Spring 10K.

* May and June will be more of a focus on XT while maintaining a base until I will start training for Disney’s Tower of Terror 10 Mile race on July 10, again using Higdon’s Novice 2 HM with Jenny’s intervals (assuming I like it and it works). Again, I’ll be trying to find a 5K and 10K to fit in there somewhere. If I can’t, I’ll do “time trials” on my own. :)

* That will fishtail into my training for the Walt Disney World Marathon, January 13, 2013. 20th Anniversary bling, baby!!
Part of that training (again, Higdon Novice 2 Marathon with Jenny’s intervals) calls for a Half Marathon, and I’m about 99% decided on Philly in November. It’s not so horribly far to travel (and there are affordable options between train or decent, safe bus), usually some Front Runners do either the half or the full, and some ROTEars are considering it as well. I think there’s a 5K and/or a 10K or two in there as well…but I don’t have the plan right in front of me.

I do plan during June to run the NYRR Mini 10K and of course the Pride Run – so clearly running training will be going on, just not as formalized as for the other races.

I’m feeling good about my decisions and what I’m going to be working towards. I feel like working to get the 9 races I needed in for the now-not-happening NYC Marathon really wore me down and kept me from focusing as clearly as I should have on other specifics. I’m hoping that limiting the number of races this year will help me to focus more on not only mileage but also strengthening what needs to be strengthened and truly being at the best place I can for WDW 2013.

Forward ho!

Got a runner on your gift list?

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Tis the season after all!!! :)

I had a comment asking about suggestions for gifts for runners. Ok, this was specifically birthday, but since it is the season of giving, I figured I’d do a post on it. Keep in mind, these are things that I have wished for and would love to have. You (and/or your runner’s) mileage may vary.

And NO I am not asking any reader for gifts! I’m merely pointing out things that I am wishing for from my family and in those Secret Santa exchanges I am participating in!! As well as offering my thoughts and suggestions for any readers who have a runner in their life.

Things on my wishlist…

SHOES!
In my case Brooks Defyance 4 and Brooks Ravenna 2 to be specific – for me. But whatever shoes your runner wears would make a great present. Especially at this time of year there are many makes which are being updated so you might be able to get quite the deal on the model they’ve been using. As someone who had to change shoes when her former model (the Asics GT-2150) was updated to a model that simply didn’t work with her feet, I really wish I’d stocked up on the 2150 when I had the chance. Well, until I discovered Brooks and began running happy!

CLOTHING!
Specifically technical clothing that’s designed to wick sweat away from the body. In other words, NOT COTTON (well, unless it’s the newer stuff that’s engineered as a technical cotton…runDisney has a few shirts in this). Socks are great…running socks! If your runner is running in cold weather, gloves, a headband or hat, and a vest or running jacket (or if you’re feeling really generous a jacket that becomes a vest by zipping the arms off). And/or arm sleeves! I haven’t asked for any of these things specifically…I’m pretty set on that kind of gear at the moment.
What I have asked for is skirts!!
Lotta Breeze Capri from SkirtSports and RunningSkirts SubZero Skirt. I’ve got regular skirts pretty well covered at the moment, but I could use some with capris or tights since I do live in NYC. I’ve got one, and I’ve been making my own combining capris and skirts. Keeps my butt warm anyway.

FUEL!
GU ~ my favorite flavors are Peppermint Stick, Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Outrage and then in the Roctane formula Chocolate Raspberry.
Nuun hydration tabs. My faves Tri-Berry and Strawberry Lemonade.
Honey Stinger. This is a fairly new discovery for me. In the gels I’ve only had the chocolate and it was good – yeah, I wouldn’t have thought chocolate and honey go together either, but it’s good. But the real treasure here is the Honey Stinger Waffle. I’ve had the honey waffle and the vanilla waffle and am completely in love with them. Definitely high on my list – and for me about the only thing I’ve found I can comfortably run and chew at the same time.

MISCELLANEOUS
The Grid foam roller. I need a new one and am lusting after this one!!
BibFolio. My personal fave is Run With Your Heart.
Medal Displays. My personal fave is Believe.
Spirit of the Marathon. For me, the most inspirational movie regarding running. If I don’t get this one from Santa, I’m buying it myself for viewing on the way to Disney. And the night before. And possibly the morning of before getting on the bus since I may not sleep much at all.
Marathon Woman by Katherine Switzer. She’s definitely a hero of mine and it’s one book I’ll make an exception to my e-book-only rule.
BodyGlide. Enough said.
KT Tape. Again, enough said.

And IMHO the most important thing you could give a runner in your life:
RoadID. I have the interactive dogtag form but am definitely considering getting a bracelet form as well. This kind of thing can save your life. It’s saved the lives of relatives of friends. It can speak for you if you’re unable to speak for yourself. My sister has a friend whose father was at a conference and went running during a break. He had a heart attack and collapsed – and no one knew where he was. He was found – and no, RoadID wouldn’t have helped in actually locating him – and spent a couple of days in the hospital as a John Doe before people at the conference were able to put two and two together and track him down. If he had a Road ID (and had been wearing it), the doctors would have had immediate access to his medical history as well as his emergency contact information. He’s doing ok now, but it’s scary to think what could have happened. Seriously…get the runner in your life a RoadID!

I promise, tomorrow a review of my Garmin 210. Which was my Christmas present to me!

Food!

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Disclaimer: I’m by no means an expert. I’m just a regular girl trying to figure things out – at least what works for me.

Food’s always been a weakness of mine. I love it – unfortunately not always the stuff that’s good for me. My waistline (and stretch marks) shows it. I’ve worked really hard over the past year and a half and have consciously dropped around 30 pounds. It’s more since I moved up here in 2006…but I wasn’t keeping track to really know…but I’d say since then I’ve dropped at least 50-60 pounds.

I’m still about where I was last year, and I know that’s all me. On The Biggest Loser this week they were discussing how long it takes to re-train your brain, but how easy it is to UN-re-train it. And that’s so true. I’ll be great for a few weeks, keeping my eating pretty healthy (ok, some Lean Cuisines in there, which isn’t great, but there are times when I need convenience, and it’s better than some of the other options out there), not so much eating out, etc. And then I’ll get take-out. Or eat at a fast food place. And no matter how healthy I try to be with it (“Oh, it’s grass-fed beef! And organic cheese! And the fries are cooked in olive oil! It’s ‘healthy’ fast food!” – yes, I’ve justified several meals at Elevation Burger that way), it so easily pops me back into the habit of getting takeout or eating out.

Now, I get it. It’s a lifestyle change, and there needs to be wiggle room in there. And yes I have gotten better at making healthier choices. But the fact remains, it does reset my brain back to the previous mindset that makes it ok to do take-out or eat out more frequently. And for me, at least right now, it’s not. I need to be more careful.

Even with what I eat that’s not take-out. Example – if I get tortilla chips and make “nachos” with chili and cheese, even low-fat and measured to the ounce, that can set me off on a take-out or junkier foods run. (I purposely do not use “binge” because it’s not in one sitting but will be over days or weeks.)

So I’ve been evaluating things and looking at options. I know a lot of people swear by weight watchers, but I’d rather see nutrients, calories, percentages than operate off these nebulous “points”, so I’m sticking with MyFitnessPal.com for now. And while we’re on percentages, a podcast or two back on PacePerMile (check it out…it’s gotten a lot better lately) their nutritionist was talking about average ideal percentages for carbs, protein and fat. I figured I’d give that a shot and see how it worked – I can manually set things on MFP, so that’s cool. Only little problem was that the percentages (65, 25, 15) added up to more than 100% and MFP won’t let you do that. So I decided that to start I’m going to try 60, 25, 15 and see how it works.

So far it’s going well. I mean, have I gotten it perfect yet? No. I’ve been slightly over with fat (only by a high of 7, but since it’s really low anyway it’s not a deal killer). Slightly under with carbs and proteins. But I’m learning and I’m getting better. I may gradually increase the carbs and decrease the fat (not to below 10%…you need some fat to exist), but we’ll see.

I will say this… Even with just 2 days at a lower fat percentage I feel slightly leaner. I feel like I look slightly leaner. Maybe it’s all in my head. I mean, yes I’ve dropped a couple of pounds, but that’s likely mostly water as my body corrects itself from my bad eating of late. Still, I guess even if it’s mental, that mentality thing helps. I mean, I got carrots, bananas, and lettuce at Trader Joe’s just now in addition to oatmeal, almond milk, light cheese, and veggie sausage (another in the “I’m trying it” series).

So we’ll see what happens. :) I’m feeling good about this.

And in running fuels… GU definitely wins big time with their Peppermint Stick energy gel!! It’s not too sweet and not too hot. It is DELICIOUS!!! Wish it wasn’t just around seasonally. (Seriously, who decided that peppermint should be exclusively Christmas?? Thank goodness Starbucks keeps it around year-round!) I’ve heard rumors that one of the gel makers does a vanilla gingerbread, which sounds great as well…but I’ve not been able to find it. But I’m definitely stocking up on the Peppermint Stick GU! YUM!!!