RoadWork....

I had learned and adopted this from a boxer I used to run with.... road work is like the foundation of the day, the foundation of training....

Roadwork was essentially created by the Warriors of Old... where these men would march at cadence for periods of time. Boxers adopted it.

Roadwork is marching or running slowly (at a cadence for a period of time or a distance).

I had been doing roadwork earlier in the year... either to start or to finish the day. A brisk walk after dinner or an early morning run... (Not to be confused with training).

And my overall mileage increased. And I actually felt better throughout the day or was able to rest at night.

I am not sure why I stopped roadwork... perhaps, fear about the overall training mileage during the week. I have decided to recommence roadwork... did an easy bout yesterday after the race, and I feel better-- like recovery will be faster.

This mornings road work was an easy 2-mile walk with my mom. It was relaxing and peaceful and fun! And I feel great. (although it is hot and ugly out there)

Pending the heat/air quality later, I might run an easy 5k. Roadwork is back. It is good for my peace of mind.

Be True To Me....

"Be true to yourself. Take care of yourself. Everything else will fall into place!!"

I love it!!! This was sent to me today....

Just a reminder to be true to me....

Why I compete....

Competition.

I was asked the other day why I compete.

The truth-- IT IS FUN!

The other truth-- I LIKE IT!

AND the reality it provides a marker or a litmus test for my fitness and the quality of my training.

Competition clearly shows my abilities. Competition clearly shows what I can and cannot do... I am putting myself to the test. I am demonstrating what I have been working so diligently for and I am putting my hard work to the test.

AND I learn from it.

Competition shows me my strengths and my weaknesses. Competition shows me where I need to spend more time in my training cycle..... those things I need to develop, refine and improve proficiencies....

Competition is why we train after all, isn't it?

Meltdown.....

This afternoon....... I. had. a. Meltdown.

I got on the scale this morning and the four pounds that were gone, are back..... I felt like the creature from a horror show was back to visit..... and I lost it. I got completely and utterly frustrated. I have NO IDEA WHAT CONCLUSION TO DRAW.

But it utterly sucked.

So, today...... after dealing with and food shopping.... and prepping for competition and training.... I took a Metabolic Typing Test.

It was interesting, but help me make some observations by the questions asked.... many of these surrounding eating, how I respond to the foods I eat, and how does it make me feel, any cravings I might have, as well as other interactions I have with food.

Conclusion of the test: I am a mixed metabolic type.

Well, there are some mornings I wake and am craving a cow with a side of chicken and other mornings, I am completely content with a bowl of fruit.

And there are some days, I could eat a piece of chicken and feel like a tub of lard. (They considered chicken a light meat).....

Generally speaking, I have been working to increase my fruit and vegetable intake. Not that I am opposed to eating meats, I can take it or leave it honestly. And the process just brought me back to the Paleo Diet (consisting of lean meats and seafood, fruits, veggies and nuts) and the fact that I am generally satisfied during the day with fruit and salad.

My drama surrounds training and figuring out eating...... b/c of the changes in needs pre and post training. My drama also surrounds the fact that I could eat or not eat.... and I have been conscientiously making a point to eat lunch around 1pm. (I set my alarm to it).

So, while the weight loss has not made me really happy during these first 14 days, I am definitely learning much about my relationship with self and my relationship with food. And in that, I am winning the battle. The rest should fall into play.

This week, I am going to hold myself more accountable to eating consistently and be aware of quality post-exercise.

I don't tend to over eat... but actually, tend to under eat and that is a problem.

The other problem arises from living in this house.... b/c there is no where to do what is necessary, b/c of the schematics and attitudes of the people with whom I reside. It is truly a challenge at times.... but cannot be addressed more than it has already. I will keep working on solutions... and creating different opportunities.

Diet Mountain Dew

I love an occasional Diet Mountain Dew..... maybe one a month or less. Sometimes, I am just in the mood for the cold swizzies and fizzies in my mouth.

Is it the best choice for me? Probably not, and I get that. I also know and understand all the BAD, BAD, BAD things related to soda... trust me, I could give the lecture.

I tweeted the other day.... after a hard training day, I want a diet mountain dew.

I get a response from a very 'fake' person...... ooooooh, don't do that, with a link from a doctor about all the negative and addictive affects of soda. OK?

My response.... was thanks for the deets, but let's have this conversation after you train like I am training.... The response.... Oh trust me I get it (clearly you don't), I have a MS in ex phys and I have logged over 20 years of training hours in fitness..... (again, you don't get it...by any stretch of the imagination, but go ahead and tell yourself you do)....

*Don't get me wrong, i am not saying people who go to the gym religiously and train aren't training hard.... but most people who are in a gym have no purpose or direction... and wouldn't know how to follow a training regimen or create one by any stretch of the imagination.... and yes, those who work with a personal trainer might be training harder, but honestly most personal trainers out there haven't a clue.*

I am training ultimately for a 70.3 mile and then a 140 mile race... Most endurance athletes I know have consumed soda at some point in their training... for the caffeine, and/or as I described the fizzies in the mouth... no other product comes close.

Granted, there are much better choices for nutrients and recovery and fueling......

I remember when a friend was training for her first marathon, she would crave a beer. Her coach told her that she was probably craving the carbohydrates... and she would actually have a sip or two and she would be satisfied. I could have given her a lecture on the bad, bad, bad.... but if her coach wasn't worried, why should I be.... instead, i was like, that makes sense.

As for me, well.... I rarely entertain what someone has to say when they jump in my face and scream BAD, BAD, BAD..... (note to self.... step back and earn someone's confidence/trust to be able to share).... and I am probably like yeah, I know as I have another swallow of the bad stuff.

And this person only knows me on twitter.

That said..... I will continue to enjoy an occasional Diet Mountain Dew. Most of the time, it is a swallow or two... and yes, I know it is BAD, BAD, BAD.... It has something I need at that moment.

Drinking and Eating enough....

This AM.... after training a client, I journeyed 30 miles (approx) from West Windsor to Middlesex, via the tow-path on the Delaware-Raritan Canal.....

I have done this ride many times. Today, was easier.... the weather was just as ugly as it could be... BUT, i was prepared. Before departing, I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with an apple juice.... and I had a half a liter of water. During the ride, I drank a half-liter of water with Amino-Vital mixed in... and my camel-back (70 oz) was full. I made a conscientious effort to drink two full swallows every ten minutes.

And.....

Considering I have a race on Sunday and that it is UGLY out there, I decided to just enjoy the ride. That is what I did.

Upon arriving home, my camel back was empty, the amino vital was completely drunk as well as an extra half-liter of water I had stashed in my pack. And I feel great.

I wonder if I have been drinking enough during my normal training rides... and how this is affecting my recovery.

My ride today, was actually faster.... i took some time to play, so I was out longer, but I arrived home within 10 minutes of the normal arrival time...

Conclusion: i was more efficient today.

I am now showered and hungry and I feel great!!!

hmmmmm, I might be onto something.

And so it begins....

This is what I have been working toward....

The games begin Sunday!!!