The long run ahead

Posted on February 26, 2015

My BFF is running her first half marathon, so I'm training along with her. Partly to support her and partly becasue we're busy people and that's a good time to spend together. This weekend is my longest run yet, 8 miles, I've come close but never actually run that far. A few years ago I couldn't run any miles, and honestly I was one of those people in high school with a permanent doctor's note to get out of running. So this run is uber intimidating mentally, added to the fact that she'll be away and I'll have to run it by myself, in 37 degree weather!

I find myself worrying on it, thinking about it, dreading it... wondering if I can do it...Perhaps when I finish it I'll reward myself with one of those bagels I said no to yesterday!

I've made some serious changes in my diet, focusing on upping my protein intake and reducing my carb intake. I'm trying to make carbs a side dish and not a meal. And water lots and lots of water. I've also made the fitness a priority, every day I will do something. I will make my acticity goal each day even if I have to do jumping jacks in the living room.

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FED UP

02/27/2015 10:33AM

I'm a runner too. An even later bloomer than you. I didn't start running until I was 53. I had always hated it. Once I started I grew to love it. My longest distance to date is a half marathon, so this is my advice. When I'm attempting a pr distance, I like to think of it in terms of time. I tell myself I'll run for an hour, or 90 minutes, or however long I think it will take. I find once I've run the time, I've either met or beat my pr distance. A potential mistake I see you making is not eating enough carbs. I understand why you're cutting down on carbs, but unfortunately your running will probably suffer. The good news is because you are a runner you can eat more carbs and still lose weight. Here's a link to a helpful article about carbs and running. http://www.livestrong.com/article/536766-how-much-protein-carbs-do-runners-need/ You've heard about carb loading before a long run. There's a reason for it, but you have to start carb loading a few days before to get optimum results.

Karen

I'm still eating carbs, I've just changed the quality of them and the focus of them. Being married to an Italian man having spaghetti as an entree is standard at least once a week. So instead I'll have pasta as the side, turkey meatballs for protein and the salad. It's about being cognizant of just how many carbs I'm ingesting which was oatmeal for breakfast and bread with lunch and spaghetti for dinner.

Katie

02/27/2015 2:45AM

Your story sounds quite similar to mine. I am currently trying to avoid today's run by delaying getting dressed. The more I think about it the more I'm convinced I won't be able to do it. I too am trying to eat more protein (really hard when you live with a vegetarian. All they eat is carbs?). Steak tonight as my treat!

Karen

Running is the most mental thing I've ever done, I know I'll be fine once I hit mile 2, because at that point I'm already a mile in what's another 7?

Katie

Yes, the battle is getting out of the door