July 2011
20 posts
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Reap What You Sow
I started talking about my weight loss in a very public manner at first to hold myself accountable. If I talked about it, and didn’t actually do it, a lot of people would know. Gradually it evolved into wanting to inspire others to get healthy and to be more active. My mission was to plant a seed in somebody, anybody. A desire for a different life because of something I did or said. Who knew...
“Don’t underestimate the things that I will do. There’s a fire...”
– Adele
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Tempo
Did a 6 mile tempo run today. 1 mile warm-up, 4 miles at 9:38, 1 mile cool down. I still hate tempo days, but I rocked out to old school Bizkit, Rage, and Lords of Acid which is just what my rage was aching for. I spent most of the run staring at an old tape mark on the wall while screaming ahhhhhhhhhh in my head. It was nice. No random thoughts today, just a total unplug. Sometimes I really need...
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Mrtyl for Your Hip Girdle →
Coach Jay’s Mrtyl routine. Essential pelvic strengthening exercises for distance runners. I try to do this at least once a week.
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“Give thanks to obstacles in life because they help us grow.”
“So much in life seems inflexible and unchangeable, and part of the joy of...”
– Nancy Anderson
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Angry Legs
I did my first 18 mile run today. That was my longest distance to date by 2 miles. I headed out to the Chains of Lakes early this morning. So early in fact, the trails were almost deserted and I got to see the mist rolling over Lake of the Isles. It was peaceful and beautiful. For the first time in at least a month, it was in the 60’s and cloudy and 6am. I was actually a little cold at the...
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“As a runner, no matter your level or mileage, you are, by definition, mentally...”
– Dimity McDowell
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Cloudy Thinking
I was supposed to do a 7 mile tempo run today. I bailed after just 2.5. I could not get my head in the right space. Usually jumbled angry thoughts push me into that killer zone where I’m unstoppable, not today. Today my inner monolgue seemed intent on reminding me what I loser I am. I hate that. I know it’s not true, but sometimes I just can’t shut it off. At least I managed to...
The Oval Ring of Death
Week 6 day 2 of my marathon training. Once again it was far to hot to run outside without spontaneously combusting, so I chose the indoor track. Torturous but necessary. Running indoors gives me a chance to let my mind wander more than usual. Today I was thinking about my legs. Most of my life they have been my least favorite body part. I used to dread the onset of summer because that meant...
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Asian Slaw
Salad:
1/2 Chinese cabbage, finely shredded
2 carrots, julienned
2 cups snow pea shoots, trimmed
1/2 cup peanuts, toasted and chopped
1 red bell pepper, julienned
5 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Dressing:
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
...
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My 6th week of marathon training has begun. I took two days off after my long run because of the heat (it’s 105 today). I was feeling pretty antsy to get in a run so I had to resort to the treadmill today. As you will learn, I am not a fan of the mill. But I sucked it up, cranked the tunes and pounded out a nice little 5k. My body feels strong today and that always puts me in a good mood!
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Built for Distance
Some of the clearest thinking happens during long training runs. When I am tired, I often remind myself that I was built for distance running not for speed. I will never win, but I will always finish. I like that. I want my life to be an ever evolving marathon never a sprint.
“And the day came when the risk it took to remain in a tight bud was greater than...”
