This Is Only A Test

As I am sitting on the couch tonight with a sore throat and a slight fever I have a few thoughts that I would like to share.  As we all know I am still relatively new (5 months) to this lifestyle of fitness and healthy eating.  I decided that I would forego the run I had planned to do tonight to rest and make sure that I stay healthy.  This seems like it should be an easy decision to make right?  However, due to my past, this was increasingly difficult for me to do as it came time to go.  I seem to have traded one addiction-cigarettes, for another-running.  I also have the anxiety and dread that I will fall back into old habits and just not go tomorrow when I am feeling better.  I know that this is irrational fear in my head, however it is still a difficult thing for me.  I do NOT like to fail.

That being said, before this lifestyle change I experienced sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, and bouts of stomach bugs on almost a monthly basis.  That is what I have playing over and over again in my head as motivation to keep moving forward and not slip back.  I have pretty much gone months now without any serious infections.

A quote I want to share, that I first read in the book The Secret...

"A man is but the product of his thoughts.  What he thinks, he becomes."--Mahatma Gandhi

This has made me think of the negative thoughts that I have put in my head for years.  I have worked hard to adjust how I think and give myself positive affirmations.  I am not 100% and today is definitely a test on my positive thoughts.  But it is only a test and and I intend to pass it.  

I am stronger than I give myself credit for.

Canalway Classic 5K was yesterday!  My official finish time 36:24.  My goal was under 45 minutes so I was extremely excited with my time.  As I turned my last corner I saw Eric, my husband, waiting for me.  He finished up the last 200 yards or so to the finish line with me, encouraging me all the way.  Then as I crossed the finish, I was greeted with a high five and hug from my cousin Greg.  What an awesome feeling!  I felt on top of the world at that moment.  The emotions of beating the goal I had set for myself by so much made me realize that I sometimes grossly underestimate myself and my abilities.  This is something that I really need to work on in my workouts.  I am far faster and stronger than I give myself credit for and I tend to skate through workouts without pushing myself.  Don't get me wrong here, I am not saying that pushing to the point of injury or vomit is the right thing to do.  What I am saying is that there is an energy that I got from seeing the crowd and the faces of people that believe in me and I should always have that energy and drive.  I think that the 5K was exactly what I needed to be able to help push myself to the next level in my training.

I also accomplished 16.78 miles this week towards my 300 miles.  I am now in the 270s to finish. 

Today I will be going to pick out some new running/workout gear with the money from my birthday.  I never thought that I would be so excited to buy workout gear over a new pair of heels with my extra money.  It's crazy to me how much my life has changed since April!

Check out the "FOOD!" tab for this week's recipe from a blog that I love called "He and She Eat Clean"  It is Italian Stallion Chicken in the crockpot.  I like the easy throw it in and go recipes that allow me to be able to get in a workout or even blog while cooking!

Saving time with audiobooks while running!

Day 8 of the 300 Miles or Die race, I am down to 279.94 miles left to run!  I have been able to log in 11.66 miles so far this week.  I use an app on my iPhone called Map My Fitness. (available on iTunes for $2.99)  This app gives me distance via GPS, time, pace, and elevation.  Then it saves your workout for you.  This app allows you to track walking, jogging, interval training, and biking.  My favorite part of this app, there is a setting for voice notifications.  I have mine set for every 10 minutes to tell me the time, pace, and distance.  This helps me stay focused during my runs and allows me to have a tracking place to see my progress week over week.

Another thing I have fallen in love with while running is audiobooks and podcasts.  I download a book or podcast and then can listen as I run!  This is AWESOME!!  I just finished "Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It" by Gary Taubes AGAIN.  I am hoping that it sinks in a little more the second time around.  This is the book I read before I started following the Paleo diet.  It has a ton of research and information on why the Paleo or Primal lifestyle works and the health benefits of cutting the out sugar and grains.  If you are thinking about Paleo/Primal I recommend reading or listening to this book!  You will not be sorry.  Here's the link to the site I use for my audiobooks-http://www.audible.com/  

Here's a picture of the trails that I have been running lately.  I have been trying the different trailheads of the Ohio Erie Canal Tow Path.  The majority of the trails are crushed stone and easier for me than road running.  I get nervous with all the traffic.

A Mantra Works

"I am a runner."  This is my new mantra.  I have been saying this to myself for 3 days now.  I went for a long run Saturday at a very slow pace.  (Long run for me was 5.3 miles) I repeated this mantra to myself throughout the run.  I was surprised today when I went out for my run and felt so good.  I think my positive self talk is working!  So my total for the week was 8.4 miles towards my 300 by December 31.

My birthday is this week and for my birthday my husband, Eric and I will be celebrating by running in a 5K in Navarre, Ohio.  This was per my request.  He is so supportive of me and my running and health goals.  I am realizing how lucky I really am to have this kind of support every single day.  He is my "live in motivator".  He asks me about my progress and actually cares about me meeting my goals and helps me stay focused and figure out what I need to do next.

As for the cucumber noodle salad...fabulous!  It is spicy and sweet, a perfect side dish in the summer time.  Cucumbers seem to be a crop that is doing well around this area as I am finding them on sale every where.  I even have co workers giving them away because they have so many.

A tip for the day.  I went to Chipotle tonight.  Usually this doesn't seem like a "diet friendly" idea.  However, I found a way to make it work for me.  I got a salad no rice bowl, and then loaded it up with salsa, chicken, and guacamole (this is healthy fat).  The salad comes with a tomato based spicy dressing to top it off.

Small Set Backs Enlighten Me

The last two days I have been plagued with charlie horses and cramping in my feet and calves.  This horrid cramping has kept me up at night.  I have taken 2 rest days to stretch, ice, and heal.  My husband Eric, gave me stretches to do that he used when he was running/training for a 1/2 marathon and was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis.  I guess I have pushed it a little harder than I need to.

This has been an eye opener to how I function sans sleep and exercise.  NOT VERY WELL!  I have found that both of these things have become very important for my daily life running smoothly.  I noticed a significant change in my mood and attitude.  My response to normal daily stresses was not what I have become used to.  I was irritated and on the verge of tears both days.  

Although this did allow me extra time to sit and be on my favorite new website Pinterest.  I have a new pin board called Paleo.  If you are a follower of me, many of my recipes are pinned to that board.  However for those of you not currently using that website I have added a new recipe to the blog.  This week I will be trying cold sesame cucumber noodles.  

TIP:  Eric and I cook the majority of our food/meals for the entire week on the weekends.  We have become organized and planned with our food.  We each choose what we will be making and add the ingredients needed to a shopping list.  We do all of our grocery shopping at one time.  This frees up many hours during our work week.  

I will be back to running tomorrow since the stretching and ice has been working for me.  I am hoping that this minor set back allows me to be even more focused.  

Only 296.87 miles to go!

It's a race!  300 miles by December 31st started today.  Even though my feet are sore from yesterday's sprints I pushed through a 3.13 mile run tonight.  I actually feel better since my run.  I am really enjoying my time being out in nature on the Ohio Erie Canal Tow Path.  Some of the areas are beautiful!  I was able to see 3 deer tonight and a bunch of chipmunks scurrying across the path in front of me.  I am finding that running outdoors rather than a treadmill is the key to me running.  I HATE the treadmill!  I have decided that this winter I will be investing in cold weather gear so I can continue my outdoor running.  However, I am hoping that that is a long way off.

For dinner I had a Chili Lime Chicken Burger (you can find this recipe under the recipe tab).  I am getting more creative with my diet and food options.  I am finding that I am enjoying things with a little spice.  Instead of a bun, I put my burger between 2 slices of tomato with some mashed avocado and spinach.  DELISH!  Then I just cut the rest of the tomato into chunks and ate that as a side.  

Another little recipe that my husband tried last night...BACONADO!  A little side note...I cannot cook bacon correctly.  I am not really sure what the problem is?!  The end result is always either undercooked and in the trash or burned to bits.  So I don't get to eat bacon (at least not burned, but good bacon) unless my husband makes it.  So this recipe is an avocado sliced and the pit removed and add bacon.  That is it.  A yummy healthy fat to add into any diet.  I highly recommend it if you are a fan of bacon and avocado.  The two together are amazing.