I still don't really know what to call this genre of posts on my efforts to become more healthy and fit. (I'll label them all with Running Around and Eating Good for now. Hey, if you've got something better, let me know.)
So a few runs ago, I reached a new goal that I'm sorta proud of.
I ran my best time in a long time (probably since last summer) and reached a goal.
Now, don't guess too loftily about what it was, but it is a personal best and I'm proud of it. I covered 3.1 miles (so, a 5k) in 37 minutes. Part of what constituted that was my longest time running without stopping for a walking break (which is now 5 minutes). I'm a little sore, and I can feel it in my body. And maybe it's just me, but I think I can see a teeny tiny difference too, which is always a nice pat on the back after working hard. I think there were a few things that helped me accomplish this though, and I want to share them in case they can help you too.
For instance, watching people on Biggest Loser type programs and seeing them overcome challenges a lot larger than mine (and see results!) is very motivational and inspiring to me.
I had wanted to cover 3.1 miles in under 45 minutes and it just wasn't happening at the pace I had been running, and that was okay. It got a little better sometimes, but when I pushed myself last time and did my 5 minute stretch (after my 3 minute stretch followed by a 90 second walking break, mind you), it happened and I met the goal. And it felt good. I don't think goals should be the goal. It should be enjoyable. But goals should still be there because meeting them can be really enjoyable.
For me, having apps that track almost anything you could want tracked for a run is very helpful. My favorite is called WalkTracker. Every 5 minutes I can (optionally) get an audio update on how far I've gone, my pace, calories burned, average mph, average minutes/mile and on and on. At the end of the run it has a recap and you can visit your history to look at past workout summaries, route maps, splits, speed/pace graphs and what not. All in all, it's been instrumental in helping me keep track of runs and encouraging me to keep getting better.
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What's Next
As far as my next progress point to aim for, I'm going to look for 3.1 in 35 minutes.
As far as eating well, I haven't addressed it much in this post. Last week a family I was babysitting for gave me dinner- it was sweet potato and kale chowder. And it was really good! Foods like that inspire me to find healthy foods and go crazy making them taste the best they can- and remind me that it is actually possible. This week I'd like to find and try at least one new, healthy meal recipe. I'll let you know
So a few runs ago, I reached a new goal that I'm sorta proud of.
I ran my best time in a long time (probably since last summer) and reached a goal.
Now, don't guess too loftily about what it was, but it is a personal best and I'm proud of it. I covered 3.1 miles (so, a 5k) in 37 minutes. Part of what constituted that was my longest time running without stopping for a walking break (which is now 5 minutes). I'm a little sore, and I can feel it in my body. And maybe it's just me, but I think I can see a teeny tiny difference too, which is always a nice pat on the back after working hard. I think there were a few things that helped me accomplish this though, and I want to share them in case they can help you too.
Get comfy.
For me this includes: good shoes, clothes that aren't going to do strange things when I start moving a lot, my hair out of my face, and enough food and water in my system to keep me from getting weak or cramped. It also means that my form while I'm running is comfortable. I don't know if it's the same with everyone but sometimes my legs start cramping if I don't remind myself to relax, that I've got a ways to go and that there's no rush. I have to focus on not tensing up and instead just going at a pace that doesn't hurt and then I'm usually set.
Be inspired.
I know for me, it takes a little bit of a mental pep rally to go running sometimes. Not because I really don't want to go running, but because I'm naturally inclined to laziness and most of the time, if I don't decide to do it, I don't just miraculously find myself out for a run. Sometimes, reading about other people's workouts or exercise goals helps me want to set and attain my own. It reminds me that I'm not the only one sweating and sometimes cramping. There are other people too, and they're doing it because it's good for them.For instance, watching people on Biggest Loser type programs and seeing them overcome challenges a lot larger than mine (and see results!) is very motivational and inspiring to me.
Keep track.
Usually, I'm not someone you can find talking about goals. It's not so much how I think about getting things done, but with exercise, it can be really nice to see your progress and be proud as you put down your best time yet. I guess it's not so much goals that help me, but rather keeping track of what I'm doing and always trying to do just a little bit better, which eventually fulfills the goals. I had wanted to cover 3.1 miles in under 45 minutes and it just wasn't happening at the pace I had been running, and that was okay. It got a little better sometimes, but when I pushed myself last time and did my 5 minute stretch (after my 3 minute stretch followed by a 90 second walking break, mind you), it happened and I met the goal. And it felt good. I don't think goals should be the goal. It should be enjoyable. But goals should still be there because meeting them can be really enjoyable.
For me, having apps that track almost anything you could want tracked for a run is very helpful. My favorite is called WalkTracker. Every 5 minutes I can (optionally) get an audio update on how far I've gone, my pace, calories burned, average mph, average minutes/mile and on and on. At the end of the run it has a recap and you can visit your history to look at past workout summaries, route maps, splits, speed/pace graphs and what not. All in all, it's been instrumental in helping me keep track of runs and encouraging me to keep getting better.
___________________________
What's Next
As far as my next progress point to aim for, I'm going to look for 3.1 in 35 minutes.
As far as eating well, I haven't addressed it much in this post. Last week a family I was babysitting for gave me dinner- it was sweet potato and kale chowder. And it was really good! Foods like that inspire me to find healthy foods and go crazy making them taste the best they can- and remind me that it is actually possible. This week I'd like to find and try at least one new, healthy meal recipe. I'll let you know