On Saturday I ran as far as I ever have run for any reason, at anytime for anything. 10.65 miles to be exact. I have a longer run this Saturday. WOW! First, I never thought I could do any of this. Second, my last 3 runs have been TERRIBLE!! They hurt, a lot. But as most anyone who runs will tell you, base runs are like money in the bank. They are always there when you need them. And in 3 weeks I'll be using some of those savings!!
Fortunately for me, my wife has also decided to take this journey with me (she's in better shape than me, which is kind of annoying) and she talked me off the ledge during my last long run. I was done mentally. I couldn't do it, I wasn't ready, my feet hurt, the sun was in my eyes, you get the picture. She calmly reminded me to slow down, walk a bit, collect myself and start running again. Thank you for that, because it worked, although it still hurt, I finished the run.
For an inexperienced runner I believe a training partner(s) is essential. For experienced runners is certainly nothing less than beneficial. Accountability, motivation, and support all rolled into one handy package. The fact of the matter is 13.1 miles is far. And I need all the help I can get. I have never run a 5K in sub 30 minutes. What business do I have running a half marathon? Well, 10 weeks ago, NONE. But, now there has been progress made. I can go run 5 miles anytime right now. Unheard of for me 2 months ago. I can also eat like pretty much anything I want right now and not see it on the scale. I do, however, feel it when running. Bad food equals bad performance plain and simple. To believe otherwise is foolish. Athletes are made not only in their training, but in their kitchens as well. Gotta have both to see the drastic improvements. I've lost only 5 pounds during this escapade. I should have lost more, but my eating has been far from perfect. I'll take the 5 lbs!! Besides my clothes fit better.
So, if you are reading this, and you can't see your shoes (Shibes!) and you want to, just start moving. Motion is the potion. Be consistent, with at least 3 times a week of exercise. Get a training partner, and before you know you'll wonder what happened to the old you. Yeah you'll have bad days, they come and go, but in the end you'll feel better and in fact be better. Hey, if a balding (ok so I'm most of the way there), overweight, 40 something, white can do it so can you!!
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You're so right. While there are certainly better foods and better nutritional options, especially for runners and athletes, when it comes down to it, it's a simple mathematical formula (weight loss). More calories expended than taken in = weight loss. No matter how you eat the calories (standing on your head), when you eat them (late at night..Google Scholar this, it's interesting to read about this debunked myth) or what you eat (100 calories of spinach vs 100 calories of chocolate, is still 100 calories, without going into carbs/sugar/nutritional benefits/deficits, etc).
ReplyDeleteWhew! I typed more than I planned!
About.com has a great nutritional calculator for determining roughly how many calories and individual needs in a day. Check it out here:
http://nutrition.about.com/od/changeyourdiet/a/calguide.htm