So after a few weeks of absence from blogging, i must admit that winter in Buffalo has been getting me down. Don't get me wrong, I love it here- I actually enjoy the cold, and the snow, but the mere fact of the complete lack of sunlight for the past month is just really ruining my mojo. (It's a Vitamin D thing... come on Buffalo, give us a break, it's for our health!)
On top of the freezing temperatures (today it was a balmy -4 degrees, and that's Fahrenheit, folks), coming out of training and into the real work in my job involves longer and more exhausting days, more responsibility, and more stress. All of these combined, really do make an even stronger case for continuing my training, but due to my abhorrence for the treadmill, as well as my love for my new bed- it's been difficult. I've been forcing myself to do 12-15 miles a week just to stay in running shape, but the training plan I so calculatingly laid out back in October has admittedly fallen by the wayside for the past few weeks. January in Buffalo is just not the best time or place to find your motivation.
On another, related note, just finished an incredibly good book called In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. The book really made it clear and simple the pitfalls and downfalls of the Western diet, lead by the commercialization and industrialization of processed foods. I would suggest it to anyone, who is interested in nutrition; even if you will never give up on Kraft Mac & Cheese, it still may shed some light on other things about food that many people may not even realize. In short, it's a great read, and definitely made an impact as far as what I'm willing to fuel my body with.... most of the time. Sorry, Mr. Pollan but you're absolutely not going to stop me from eating Pepperidge Farm cookies every now and again. They're just too damn good.
Partially due to the book, and partially due to the fact that I simply love to cook & bake, I've taken to baking my own bread (remarkably easy, and so much better for you). Bread is one of those foods which just drives me nuts to check out in the store. I made bread today. Took me about ten minutes (then obviously the wait time to rise, and then to bake... during which I did laundry & cleaned), and had a grand total of five ingredients. Bread in the store? I'm not exactly sure what ferrous sulfate is, but I doubt that it's necessary to the composition of the loaf.
So I guess the blog moves on, and I hereby solemnly state that I will do my best to update more. Simply because the writing is cathartic for me and allows me to share (even if with just myself) what is going on. Struggles and setbacks. When it comes down to it, I have a marathon to run in four months, and I'd better get my ass in gear. In a way that I can tolerate. Which for now... running when I can, and cross training when it's blizzarding or mid-frostbite-warning. And eating real food when I can, and mostly doing what is best for me and makes me feel healthy.
Hailing from a ten-mile run that just beat the crap out of me, the longest run I've had in over a month....
Cheers.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The first setback.
It's been awhile since I've written. The holiday season has a unique ability to put me in a depressed and lethargic mood. While I was fairly successful at making sure I ran at least 3-4 times a week, I certainly scaled back my mileage and my effort during the holiday season in exchange for numerous days of party food and adult beverages. By the time New Years Day rolled around I felt like I'd been run over by a truck and put out with the garbage, a stark change from the energetic, motivated girl three weeks prior.
It's funny how motivation can be so hard to find in a time when all you want to do is be home yet you are stuck in the frigid NY winter. My friends have done a remarkable job at keeping me sane, but I credit the weird lull in my training to a simple change in routine. I've read it over and over in magazines and books, but all runners will say that running fits into your life when youre life is something that can be planned, and followed as a routine (for the most part). Holiday season is too unpredictable at work (long hours, incredibly busy days, no time to eat properly), and in my personal life (no family, lots of holiday parties, new years, everyone's got extra time off, restaurant meals, etc.). It literally became impossible for me to uphold the same routine that I'd been living for the past three months. And it caught up with me because my system was damn near incapable of handling the change.
Glad to say I think I have settled back into the routine, I do get to visit home in a few short weeks, which I am looking forward to; and the mad dash that is the Christmas season is over. Now it's time to settle into the restaurant I'm running, settle into the marathon I'm running, and go back to going to bed early five nights a week. It's a give and take I guess, I certainly love going out with friends, staying up late, and everything that comes with it- but I think it belongs in life in the same way as anything else that can become an addiction: in moderation.
As far as the running goes, I bought new running shoes which make a huge world of difference. The tendonitis in my ankle has all but subsided, and in general my legs and feet feel better while running. Now I'm just working on getting back into the groove after a few weeks of laziness. And this may be the first year where I wasnt a complete bum over the holidays, at least I dragged myself to the gym 4 days a week for the past few weeks, but if I am gonna run a marathon in 4 months (yikes)... I will have to do a lot better than that.
It's funny how motivation can be so hard to find in a time when all you want to do is be home yet you are stuck in the frigid NY winter. My friends have done a remarkable job at keeping me sane, but I credit the weird lull in my training to a simple change in routine. I've read it over and over in magazines and books, but all runners will say that running fits into your life when youre life is something that can be planned, and followed as a routine (for the most part). Holiday season is too unpredictable at work (long hours, incredibly busy days, no time to eat properly), and in my personal life (no family, lots of holiday parties, new years, everyone's got extra time off, restaurant meals, etc.). It literally became impossible for me to uphold the same routine that I'd been living for the past three months. And it caught up with me because my system was damn near incapable of handling the change.
Glad to say I think I have settled back into the routine, I do get to visit home in a few short weeks, which I am looking forward to; and the mad dash that is the Christmas season is over. Now it's time to settle into the restaurant I'm running, settle into the marathon I'm running, and go back to going to bed early five nights a week. It's a give and take I guess, I certainly love going out with friends, staying up late, and everything that comes with it- but I think it belongs in life in the same way as anything else that can become an addiction: in moderation.
As far as the running goes, I bought new running shoes which make a huge world of difference. The tendonitis in my ankle has all but subsided, and in general my legs and feet feel better while running. Now I'm just working on getting back into the groove after a few weeks of laziness. And this may be the first year where I wasnt a complete bum over the holidays, at least I dragged myself to the gym 4 days a week for the past few weeks, but if I am gonna run a marathon in 4 months (yikes)... I will have to do a lot better than that.
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