Gansett Running Festival... I would do it again, with company

So my ill prepared 10k went better than expected. (Mind over matter)

We crossed the start line at 9:35 am so I am using my time minus 5 minutes.  That gives me a finish time of of 1:10:31.

A whahoo is in orderd... Whahoo! I wasn't concentrating on the time the entire run.  There was a bit of a last minute change with the event officials and they changed where the start line was so I am not sure exactly how accurate the markers for the 10K was, but my focus most of the time was getting to the second lap, the finish line and most importantly staying hydrated.  I have said before I don't like to stop at the water stations, but when it is 80 plus degrees I made it a priority and I sipped that water even if it meant walking a bit (not going to lie, it was a welcomed break.) Plus I hate causing myself to choke, and it is inevitable.

I also didn't carry my phone for the first time in a while, I just knew that between the heat and the distance I would get fed up easily.  I think this is a sign that the GPS watch is necessary.

I started out strong, the course was a loop around the campus once for the 5Kers and twice for the 10Kers I didn't think I would like it but once I (finally) made it to the second lap it was kind of nice knowing how much more there would be. They had us run past up the most annoying hill 3 times, I visited Stonehill back in  early 20s when I knew people going to school there and I didn't remember steep hills, but I am here to tell you one exists.

What goes up must come down, so when I was coming down the hill to start my second lap I was able to pass this couple that had managed to run the entire thing up to that point.  I spent most of the race up to the half way point behind them marveling at their ability to just keep going. Since I had already fallen short of "running" the whole thing I was truly impressed and a bit disappointed with myself. I couldn't help but comment on how great I thought they were.  Although, then my social anxiety kicked in and I realized now that I made that comment I could potentially keep their pace for the rest of the race and did they really want me running with them?  Would we become besties and find lots of things to talk about while we all commiserate over the heat? No, instead I made it more or less awkward and sped past them.  I had a second wind knowing that there were less than 3 miles to go.  That last lap felt pretty good!

I made that last/third effort to make it up the hill and and rounded the corner to the finish line where some very unflattering pictures were taken of me. I like to envision myself like this:

When in reality, I looked like this... 

The best thing about crossing the finish line other than being done, was Yasso, the frozen yogurt bar people had a truck with FREE Samples.  I love free things! I honed in on the coconut flavor and hobbled ran away. I was alone, Gavin had better things to do that day, like sleep, and didn't make the ride 45 minutes south to watch me jaunt past him 3 times in the course of an hour and not be able to have even one beer.  They only had beer for runners, because giving beer to the most dehydrated group makes the most sense. I snagged a water bottle and all the snacks and juice I could carry and wondered back to my car. Second favorite freebie, Kind (maker of organic nutrition bars) makes the most amazing coconut almond bar! (I think you can tell I like coconut by now)

So with the goal to be more like the couple I saw I quickly signed up for 10K number 2.  Here I come Bridge and Back 10K in my neighboring town of Salem, MA! This time even if Gavin doesn't want to get up for the 8am start time he can meet me at 9:30 for some breakfast.  

Clean Eating... well within reason

Workout: TM 2.3 miles / 25 minutes (sad face)

After the the week of the 4th (the past 2 months) I have come to the conclusion that i have been on a see-food and drink diet. It really has to stop! It has made me feel so sick to eat and drink whatever I want or maybe was just in front of my face (will power is not a strength of mine). I have paid the price for indulging in all things yummy and I am taking a break.

I made a self proclamation on Monday to eat as much whole and unprocessed food as possible.  So far so good, it might have just been bloat, but i am already down 2+ lbs in 3 days. Eating for fuel and not for excess is making my stomach sooo much happier. I am not going to keep from eating things that I want, but I think there needs to be some sort of portion control included. Knowing how all of that made my stomach feel and feeling so much better without it makes me want it less...

Tomorrow is an elliptical day.

I will leave you with some happy thoughts!

 We spent a day on the Vineyard this past weekend with friends. I miss the Vineyard already! 

I think this should still count as whole food... I can see the cows the milk comes from!

Can I get an Owners Manual for this body?

Gavin has always had his protein shakes after a workout but now he has moved into the world of Mark Wahlberg's line of body building nutrition, Marked. After a few trips to GNC it got me thinking if there is some energy booster to take pre-workout to help with endurance. Now as I am sure there is something that gives you a little extra kick, there isn't anything that is going to transform my body into Kara Goucher's overnight.  Not that I expect to become an Olympic Marathoner, or that I am even striving for that, but it will only come with training and hard work to make myself stronger and faster. To be honest if I could just get a sub 10 minute mile on a long run I would loose my mind with joy.

That doesn't mean I should figure out nutrition and what works best for my pre-workout snack/breakfast. Everything I read, has a main message with a lot of suggestions, there really isn't a one size fits all solution. It is a matter of trial and error.

From all the things that I have read breakfast is important. As far as working out, you have the potential to burn more calories if you don't eat anything, but you also can't workout as hard or for as long.  From my own personal experience and obsession with food, I workout better with a small snack anywhere between 30-90 minutes before a workout. I like working out in the morning and really only have so much time to get ready and get to work. I need something quick and not too filling but packed with the nutrients to get me through over an hour of high intensity cardio, alright so at some point I will be doing over an hour.

I had a Trader Joe's yogurt smoothie and fiber granola bar and it seemed to do the trick. I can definitely feel a difference when I am not putting the right things in my body, not that it always stops me from putting the wrong things in there... because things that lack in nutrition, are so stinking delicious.

I would like to go on the record and say this was a party in my mouth.

After a completely unnecessary and long break from the gym I started going back to the gym in January. I know, I know, but with the exception of me declaring that 2013 is the year of the half, I am really not a resolution type of person. I think I actually started for a few days in December. I was just kind of fed up with having my belly rolling over my jeans and not having any of my pants fit. Winter and holidays don't do a body good. Oh My... I had a point... and I wonder why my readership is low.

When I was out of shape, it was almost more easy to feel when I was not getting the proper nutrition. Within the past few weeks, my runs have been all I could ask for. My boredom and my body haven't been getting the best of me. Now if only I could get the gym earlier so I am not late for work and could get the mileage in.

Workout: 4.35 miles / 47 minutes TM