January Running: starting the New Year on the right (and left) foot

[GLC1968]

Oak - that's funny! I always wonder what other runners are thinking of me when I'm running at a speed that is clearly a challenge for me!

Today was an amazing run. I did 8 miles, which is my favorite route anyway, but on top of that, it was a spectacular day for running. Mid 40's, dry, bright sun, no wind... such a joy! I also stuffed my face full of food yesterday, so I my glycogen stores were well topped off and I could totally feel it. I was strong all the way to the end and I had to make myself stop running (even then, it was at 8.2 miles!). I need to file this feeling away for all the runs yet to come that I'm sure will totally suck.

[yellow]

GLC, I think you nailed one of the fundamental issues a lot of women have with running (and other activities that require a high energy expenditure): they don't eat enough. It's a struggle to figure out how much to eat to fuel running and reconcile that with whatever programming each of us has in our head (and even harder if one is trying to lose weight). I am very sensitive to trying to keep my weight at a maintenance level, but I will often not eat enough. I'm getting better about eating foods with good fat and not freaking out; for years I ate too little fat of any kind. And there is no doubt that I run much stronger when I've had several days of good, balanced eating. Most importantly, in the fall I discovered that I run really, really strong the day after moderate red wine consumption. It was not a one-time experience!

Hubs and I ran out on the island in the Great Salt Lake today (Antelope Island). Conditions were sketchy but manageable; lots of old snow, ice, and some mud and it looked like the bison have been having parties on the trails (big bison foot holes everywhere). It was slow going, which was good. I don't need to be running fast these days. We saw a huge herd of pronghorn, probably 70-80 animals. Very beautiful. And we saw a grand total of one other person on the trail. I love running out there.

[VeganBikeChick]

Had a beautiful 3 mi run today outdoors. I've finally discovered that instead of all-out stopping when it gets too tough, I can just slow down & plod along. It doesn't have to be full-bore or not at all. I think I live up to being an Aries in that respect

[GLC1968]

GLC, I think you nailed one of the fundamental issues a lot of women have with running (and other activities that require a high energy expenditure): they don't eat enough. It's a struggle to figure out how much to eat to fuel running and reconcile that with whatever programming each of us has in our head (and even harder if one is trying to lose weight). I am very sensitive to trying to keep my weight at a maintenance level, but I will often not eat enough. I'm getting better about eating foods with good fat and not freaking out; for years I ate too little fat of any kind. And there is no doubt that I run much stronger when I've had several days of good, balanced eating. Most importantly, in the fall I discovered that I run really, really strong the day after moderate red wine consumption. It was not a one-time experience!

Yellow - I know exactly what you mean. Over the past 6 months, I've been diligently tracking my food, eating an incredibly nutritious and well balanced diet and being very, very consistent about it. BUT, I've spent a lot of that time in a deficit (intentionally as I'm working on losing weight). I've all but (temporarily) given up on recreational biking because I just don't have the energy stores to recover after a hard effort (like a hill). But running hasn't been too much trouble, mostly because I just don't run very hard. That said, I have now done two longer runs that have come after a day or two of really over-eating both calories and carbohydrates and the difference in my ability to stay strong for extended periods is remarkable. I'm really looking forward to the point where I'll be happy to maintain my weight (and eat more!)...for performance.