You Are Not A Number.

It is so easy to define myself with a number…my weight, income, paces, etc…When they are good, I’m happy with myself.  When they’re not, I beat myself up.  I noticed yesterday that I was feeling like a loser for not wanting to “race” Chicago.  So, I decided to type out a few of my thoughts…

Weight. Runners tend to be a little obsessive and type A about everything.  It’s easy to obsess over weight. I don’t own a scale anymore, because it was too easy to focus over one pound here and one pound there.  I realized that the number was determining my mood.  Now, I just use my clothes to keep me in line.  If they’re snug…eat less cupcakes.

Salary. I’m blessed to not have to work but sometimes my ego misses my career. Walking away from my job was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.  (In my past life I was a creative director for a music publishing company.) Sometimes it’s a blow to my ego when I tell people that I don’t work…as if my worth is tied to an income.

Race Times. I can’t tell you how people have asked me about my goal for Chicago. Answer: enjoy the race, do my best, and have fun. I’ve heard plenty of runner say that they’re afraid to run a race just for fun because others might judge their finish time. What?!! Running is supposed to be fun!

Age.  Today we are celebrating my husband’s 40th Birthday!  He looks and feels like he’s 30.  I used to think 40 was so old, but we’re just getting started!

Social Media. How many followers, friends, stalkers(I kid) do you have?  Do you ever feel down when nobody likes a post, picture, or status update?

Don’t get me wrong, I love data. It pushes me to be better. Maybe just extend some courtesy and grace to those around you. Don’t ask someone’s weight, paces, salary, etc… If they want to share it with you, they will. I hope this doesn’t come across like a soapbox moment…it’s just a reminder that we are not our numbers.

On to the fun stuff…
My Perch is getting into the fall spirit.

Perch Blend Soy Cafe au Lait

I had an awesome taper run.

Please let these legs show up on race day! LOVE this Oiselle tank…fly!

I actually had to slow my roll, and this turtle was the perfect reminder.

When I made this Vegetarian Tortilla Soup a couple of weeks ago, I froze some for later. I heated it up for dinner tonight.

And the hubs surprised me with dessert!

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we define ourselves by our numbers!  Have you experienced any of the same feelings?

How’s your training going?  Where are you at…taper, peak weeks?

#choosejoy

Socially Unacceptable Things Runners Do & My Last Hard Workout

Wednesday:

Crepe and coffee at The Perch for breakfast!

Beautiful sunrise…

Today’s workout called for…
2 mile warmup
10 miles at 8-8:10 pace

2 mile cool down

I gave myself permission to just do my best. My body is tired and heavy and I didn’t want to overdo it this close to Chicago.
I ended up having a strong run!  Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy, but I did it.
I just kept telling myself that this was the last time I have to do this for a while.

I normally do two runs on Wednesday, but because I’m being a good taperer (is that even a word?!!) I went to the gym and did a little TRX and light lifting.

Here is a list of 45 Insanely Effective TRX Exercises.

And in honor of World Vegetarian Day, I made these Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps for dinner!  Recipe coming soon 🙂

Lastly, here’s a funny list from Run Haven…

Socially Unacceptable Things Runners Do

1.  Blowing snot rockets. This habit has become so ingrained in my actions that I’ve caught myself doing it when I’m NOT running. It’s just second nature.

2.  Peeing in the woods or other outdoor locations. I don’t think there are many races at which I put up with porta-potty lines. And if I’m trail running and have to pee, well, I’m not waiting until I get home. Heck, I’ve even taught my daughter the fine art of peeing outside.

3.  Changing clothes in public. When I finish a run and the weather is extremely hot or cold, one of the first things I do is get out of those sweaty clothes. If I finish at a location that isn’t home, I don’t think twice about whipping off my wet shirt and changing into a dry one, right next to my car. It’s pretty much a given post-race.

4.  Not changing clothes. Conversely, there have been more than a few times when I’ve stayed in my post-run clothing for a couple of hours before getting around to taking a shower. I walk in from a run, walk back out to take the kids somewhere, or start right in on some writing, and well…it’s a while before I finally get cleaned up. Good thing I’m a freelancer!

5.  Chatting openly about bodily functions. These functions include peeing, pooping, farting and the like. Let’s just admit it- running can sometimes do a number on the GI system. I’ve compared notes on all of the above bodily functions with more than a few runners before. The funny, the embarrassing and the “what works for you,” sometimes creeps into running conversations, doesn’t it?

6.  Inhaling vast quantities of food in public. Ever finish up a long run or race and just have to eat, no matter what’s available? I know my friends and I can do a number on a good burger, fries and beer after a marathon. You’d better not get between us and that food, either!Those are just a few of the not-so-socially acceptable acts I’ve pulled off over the years. What about you? Can you add to the list?

Are you a vegetarian?  Or do you do Meatless Monday?

Are you guilty of the above list?  I am, except for #1.  If I was able to blow a snot rocket, I would.

#choosejoy

I Passed My RRCA Coaching Exam!!!!!!!!

Wednesday

The Perch breakfast date.

Soy cafe au lait and an apple butter crepe!

With a crepe in my belly and temps in the 50’s…I had a great run!
10 miles with 6×20 sec surges

With a surprise new 10k time. Totally unexpected.

I worked on my RRCA exam for part of the afternoon. 100 questions and it’s no joke.  Luckily they let you work on it at your leisure and save your answers as you  go.

Orangetheory Fitness with Corrie. I’m the dork that wears orange to OTF.

There was a Run Happy theme to today’s clothing:)

Thursday
Breakfast Club.

We were supposed to run 6 miles, but I messed up and we ran 7. Then they humored me with pic. My friends are the best!

Supa Dupa Fly in my new Oiselle tee!

I finished and passed my RRCA exam!!!
It may have taken me 4 hours and 17 minutes, but I got a 92%!!!!!

 

How is everyone’s training going for the Fall races?  Are you in taper mode yet?

For the RRCA coaches out there, did the exam take you this long?

#choosejoy

Pumped Up with Hump Day Humor

Hump Day Humor!

Last night I had the treat of meeting up with these beautiful ladies for dinner at Moto.

My husband wanted to document that I was wearing heels. Note to self: Put on real clothes more often.

Dinner was wonderful.  Baby lettuces.

House made burrata with panzanella.

And trust me on this one…the most incredible blueberry lasagna with wild mushrooms and blueberry balsamic.

I started today with a Perch date and a run.

I went afterward to get my B12 shot.  I get one monthly.  As a vegetarian/often vegan, my B12 levels get low.  Read more about B12 injections HERE.

SO…I always do my long run with a training group on Saturday mornings.  However, this Saturday I will be in RRCA class.  I’ll be doing my 23 miler tomorrow sans group.  I’m trying to mimic my Friday night routine on Wednesday night and it feels so strange.

Pasta dinner which really looks more like cheese dinner.  Browned cheese is the best.

And because my brain doesn’t work at 4am…everything is prepped.

This list, from FitSugar, to pump you up for a workout was just what I needed!
1.  The super early alarm goes off.

2.  You absentmindedly get your morning carbs in.

3.  You give yourself a good pep talk.

4.  You put in your headphones and blast that music.

5.  But you get a little too excited.

6.  So you start to give up again.

7.  Luckily your workout buddies motivate you.

8.  And you finally get into your groove.

9.  Once you’re finished, you feel so accomplished.

10.  So you celebrate your workout victory!

Have you ever moved your long run up? How did it go?
What do you eat the night before your long run?
How often do you wear “real clothes” vs. running clothes?

#choosejoy

Steady State

Coffee date to start the day.

Oiselle flystyle.

I broke in my new Saucony Kinvara 5’s. I have loved this shoe so much.  Today’s workout called for a 10 mile Steady State Run with my goal pace being between 8:00-8:10 pace.

The hot wind felt like Mother Nature turned on her hairdryer.  2 more sleeps until the cold front reaches TN!!!!!!!!!!!! (Can you feel my excitement?!)

From Runner’s World on Steady State Running…

After warming up for 20-30 minutes, run the workout at a continuous marathon effort. This intensity is somewhere between an easy run and a tempo run. Most runners run the steady state run too hard. It’s designed to be an aerobic workout, not a heavy breathing workout, and to fatigue you with the duration of the run, not the speed. Cool down for 20-30 minutes to make the total run last 90 minutes to 2 hours. Start with 3-4 miles at steady state pace and build to 8-10 miles by adding 2 miles to the steady state run each week. Psychologically, the steady state run develops the mental toughness to stay engaged in the half marathon as you reach the later miles.

Post run juice…yummo!

I did a quick change and headed to Orange Theory for some cross training.

I even biked (thanks to some inspiration from The Hungry Runner Girl)!  Excuse my craptastic action shot.

For lunch, I picked up a giant green smoothie and vegan raw protein bar from The Juice Bar.

My t-shirt du jour…thank you Fleet Feet Nashville!

And, I ended the day with a 5 mile 2nd run with the hubs:)

Both of these found me today.

It’s like the universe is trying to tell me something;)

Style Blueprint sent out a blog today about 10 Tips To Help You Kick Procrastination.

The 2 tips that work best for me are:

1) Use a planner

2) Reward yourself! (Although, I’m learning that my rewards shouldn’t always be food.)

Are you a procrastinator? Which tips work best for you?
Do you do juice cleanses? Are you able to run on those days?

#choosejoy