WORKOUT -
Ran outside -
10.0 miles/1:22
hills and just plain hard
I don’t know what the deal was today, but this run was just a strugfest all around.
A COUPLE MORE LINKS
***Women’s Running just featured me as part of their Blogger on the Run series; if you don’t want to read my dorkiness, check out some of the other bloggers here. You might find a new running blog to love.
***CLICK Espresso Protein Drink is having a giveaway on Instagram right now – enter to win because there’s going to be 25 winners!
***The winner of the Onnit giveaway is #282 Megan from A Better Year to a Better Life. Please email me at sr@skinnyrunner.com your mailing address.
DEEP THOUGHTS WHILE RUNNING…
This is what I was thinking about while running this morning: how good (healthy) choices beget good ones and bad (unhealthy) ones build on bad ones. Mind blowing stuff, I know.
For example, say you do an early morning killer Crossfit or strength training workout. Most likely you aren’t going to want to immediately hit the drive-through and order a big ‘ol processed fast food breakfast because you don’t want to “undo” all the hard work you’ve just done.
Or say you take a really meditative night yoga class. You don’t want to come home and start screaming at your husband for leaving the dishes in the sink and obviously he doesn’t respect you and isn’t the man you once married (not speaking from experience here… only because I don’t do yoga), because you want to keep that peaceful centered feeling going.
A good choice invokes another one. For me, after a run it’s a little easier to make healthy food choices, and after a mind-clearing sweat, it’s a lot easier to let the little non-important life stuff go.
And likewise, an unhealthier choice easily builds on an unhealthy one…
It’s Super Bowl Sunday, a national holiday where you’re required to do the end zone dance of shoving your piehole full of fried food while washing it down with tasty beverages for multiple hours. That Monday early morning spin class is a heck of a lot easier to skip when your hair still smells like nacho cheese, chicken wings and regret.
I’m not saying it’s bad to splurge or enjoy yourself; heck, the only reason I run a marathon on Super Bowl Sunday is to eat afterwards, but I just think it’s interesting that, at least for me, one “good” choice (whatever it may be) be really encourages me to make the next good one and when I’m making less healthy choices, it becomes easier and easier to keep making them…
Haven’t foam rolled my tight hips in 3 days, ehhh, what’s another three more? Been staying up really late watching TV and skimping on sleep? Yeah, but there’s a great lineup on tonight so maybe tomorrow…
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{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
I kinda want to decorate a pizza like that now. Who thinks of this stuff??
Ramblings of a Suburban Mom
You are so funny. Nobody wants to go to spin class smelling like nacho cheese and regret!
I have to agree with you, to a point. Yes, I eat well after my long run because I want to refuel my body and give it what it needs to recover. That night though? My thoughts are…”I ran 18 miles this morning, what the hell is 4 beers and half a bag of pretzels?”
Same here…brekkies and lunches = good, healthy stuff but some tea time and dinner = I’m entitled to splurge a little right? Since I ran *** km this morning. Psst…I finished 15.42km of hills this morning – I foresee a nice huge dinner or maybe dinner and a dessert!
Congrats on being named the Blogger on the Run! That’s an awesome honor! And I hear you on the foam rolling…I tend to put off doing it, and my hips and calves scream at me later when I don’t.
I won’t lie. That pizza looks good. I’d run a marathon on super bowl sunday too so I could eat that. But it’s definitely easier to continue eating healthy once you’re on a good track. They say it only takes 3 days to make a habit. That could go either way…
Great post (and congrats to you!). Once you learn that discipline and moderation, you become encouraged to keep it up.
But as others have said, I do “run to eat”…after I’ve enjoyed a really long run I will help myself to wine and cheese/crackers later that evening.
Surf City, here we come!
Great article! Reading about your running accomplishments has definitely inspired me to make my own running goals. I’m hoping to sign up and train for the RnR San Diego marathon this year (that is if my IT band stops giving me issues). I just completed my sixth half last Saturday and am ready to step it up!
I have to say that I tried to run once after a night of wings. It was awful. Everything smelled like chicken fat. Never again.
The Kidless Kronicles
I am the same way! It is so much easier to make a bed food choice after skipping a run.
I can only be healthy for about 3 days in a row. Then I can always find some way to justify “being bad.” Wine is always calling my name…always seems a reason to celebrate with food. Thank goodness I’ve been running since middle school. I’m still not a runner…but I run…it’s kept me from being totally unhealthy and as big as a house!!
Probably one of my favorite posts you’ve written! It’s honestly so true and I think it’s one reason why I LOVE my morning workouts – it gets me on the “healthy train” right away and keeps it going all day long.
I completely agree with you that it’s only easier to make a good choice after you make a good choice. I never leave the gym or come back for a run and stuff my face with a cheeseburger. In fact, it actually sounds disgusting after a run. Usually after a workout, my body craves veggies and fruits. Salads always sound best after a workout.
Congrats on being feature. You really deserve it.
I NEEDED this post this week. A week of wicked stress has resulted in the “who cares?” mentality.
Thanks for the kick in the pants.
I have been following you forever and just want you to know I think you are awesome! I love this thought…and totally agree with you. I have noticed it in my life…start eating brownies for dinner….keep eating brownies for dinner;) I also keep thinking about your run 30 miles on your 30th birthday, that was amazing! And that you did it on treadmill…with no music! I want to be more like you! I am currently working on my 3rd marathon, and have ran for the last 20 years because I love it!
Girl youve been running way longer than I have so kudos to you for your dedication!
When I first started running I made the bad choices. Now that I’ve been running a while and changed my diet for the better. I can’t stomach them. Guess it worked out in my favor!
Great perspective! I will have to try and build upon good choices and see how it goes!
I sorta agree with you but it just depends on how hungry I am. Tonight for example I ran before dinner and was so hungry I stopped the treadmill at 3 miles instead of the intended 4. Then I went home and made pancakes and bacon for dinner and if I could run as fast as I scarfed down two pancakes and 3 pieces of bacon I would be the fastest woman alive.
I’m always starving after a run and a salad just doesn’t cut it. I’ve been known to eat Mexican food, hotdogs and pizza after races. I still am in the wonderful “eat whatever you want” metabolism phase of life though. I try to get myself to eat better just because I know my time is coming.
I can’t believe Burger King does not put gravy on its breakfast biscuits! WTF? Or maybe that’s a “hold the gravy – I just did crossfit” order
Agree about the good begetting good thing. For sure.
Hahaha sorry still laughing at the Jessica Simpson picture. I kinda love her anyway
I think making proper food choices is such a process. To be honest, I am just always hungry, so it is hard to always stay on the straight and narrow. Regardless, I am getting better, more educated and more patient. As for Super Bowl Sunday, I don’t have that much willpower. My friends are not remotely as health conscious as I am!
Love this, and it’s so true. So many of my non-runner friends don’t understand why a 20 mile run doesn’t translate to immediately wanting to shove a pizza, plate of nachos, and a dozen wings down my throat. The truth always is that I eat worse on days I don’t work out at all!
awesome feature! Though I read it as saying that your Yorkie’s name is Jesus, which made me smile (Hay-sus of course, in my head)
In my twisted mind making a good choice makes me think I “earned” a bad choice…like, “Hey, I just ran 20 miles, time to eat nachos and watch two episodes of Bones”. I’ve done that. I felt sick later. Bad, bad choices.
it’s so true. my mom always says, “the less u do, the less u wanna do.” just sorta applies to when people veg all day, u feel tired and lethargic. i like to run first thing when i wake up, i feel better the rest of the day…even on days i have to run later in the day i feel more tired pre-run. well, unless the run was a killer one…lol.
I need to become a reformed night owl. I need to be a morning workout person … this would help my choices all day long.
You had me google search the definition of beget (’cause I also wanted to know how to properly pronounce it.). Why you making me work, SR?
Good thoughts! And oh so true.
I iz trying to be all smart. and thinking of baguettes.
I wish I was always making better choices, I tend to make the opposite ones, (ie I just ran 2 miles I can eat pizza..yeah I need help)
So true, that’s why I like to run in the AM and get my day started on the right foot. We are having people over for the SB…and oh so much delicious pizza. Hello long run!
I wonder if J. Simps knows what “begets” means. I’d still be her friend if she di’int. My guess is that she’d choose to have chicken of the sea instead of fried chicken after a workout, and she’d thank God for putting chickens on earth.
Congrats on the article! So exciting!
I never thought about your deep thought before… for me it’s like I go for a long run so I feel like it’s ok to eat bad stuff afterwards. I cancel it out on purpose haha.
Just read your feature in Women’s Running – CONGRATS! that’s such a nice honor. You’re doing great things!
Oh my gosh- I totally agree. It’s a roller coaster over here with decisions. Congrats on your Blogger on the Run!!!!! Woot!
That’s why I love early morning workouts. Imagine going to the gym after you’ve hit up Micky D’s drive thru for lunch! Ew! Not that I go there, not even for the coffee. Congrats on the feature! You’re famous!
I don’t know, after a long run, I do love a good butter-slathered omelet to refuel
I definitely agree. That’s why I like working out after work. I make better choices and usually the night time is my heavy snacking time so that’s when I need the extra incentive.
This is so true, I was just thinking this same thing earlier this week. You just don’t want most of that other “bad” stuff when you are doing so much good for your body. It is so much easier to make excuses and unhealthy choices when you haven’t done anything to fuel your mind or your body. Thanks for this post! Totally have done the dishes thing…fail. LOL!
So very true, could not agree more. Have fun on Sunday, I am sad to miss it – one of my favorite races ; (
Right on, SR! Thanks for the not-so-gentle reminders. I will be spending a little quality time with the foam roller tonight in your honor
I love this philosophy & it is so true in my own life. If I workout, there is a 90% chance I’m going to eat well too. If I blow it off & stay at home, I usually make ridiculous choices in the kitchen too. They definitely go hand in hand.
We’re really trying to clean up our Super Bowl eating this year. I’m making everything at home instead of ordering it out and I’m not going to booze because Monday morning hangovers are for college kids, not middle school teachers.
For me this is sooo on the money. I’m usually on one side or the other. I wish it was easier to eat the pizza and then jump right back into the healthy choices. Absolutely love your blog and can tell your faith influences your whole outlook. You’re very inspiring and not just for your running!
Thanks kenzie! Its a great compliment.
I really agree with this. Once you get off track, it can become like a runaway train. I always remind myself it only takes a few days to get back, just do one thing & it will lead to the next.
In the dark, cold winter it’s hard to wake up early, but once it gets nice out it becomes so much easier & then you get into a groove.
Congrats on the Women’s Running love! In the article you said you like to be in marathon shape all the time to run on a whim. I think that is amazing
How do you do it? I mean what’s the longest run you do in between marathons (which seem like a monthly activity for you) I love the marathon and would love to keep in marathon shape after LA (number 3 for me in the 3 yrs I’ve been running) Thanks and hope to see you in March!
I totally agree. I’m always tempted to go out after my longer distances races and have a free for all, but I often find myself opting for something a little healthier than I thought I would.
I agree with you on the good begets good thing, but I also take issue with your whole ‘running a marathon to indulge on Superbowl Sunday’ thing. Healthy living is all about big picture – you work out for 2 hours a day and refuel with salads after marathons. I think you could even GASP! take the day off on Superbowl Sunday and enjoy some fried food. You have a lot of girls that apparently look up to you and a statement like that isn’t really healthy. Even though the ‘marathon’ thing might have been sarcastic (which I’m not sure it was?) – I’m sure you still plan to run a ton of miles so you can allow yourself to eat “bad” food. Not a great message to put out there.
This is why I’m really wary to ever talk about food on here because inevitably someone will say how I am so unhealthy, have an eating disorder, etc.
My marathon running has absolutely nothing to do with what sort of food is being prepared later on in the day; that was simply a joke. If that was true, I would only run 1 marathon a year on Superbowl Sunday instead of 15 a year. I joke a lot on here and am sarcasic in general and I’ve disclaimed that many, many times.
On a separate note, with our nation dealing with an obesity epidemic, why do we immediately vilify people who are dedicated to healthy living? I love running and am blessed to participate in a sport i REALLY enjoy, I eat healthy most of the time and also indulge (hello, cream cheese frosting, prosecco and candy), I’m incredibly content with my life and since I started the blog over four years ago, my weight has stayed at a normal, healthy range for my height (130-134).
I in no way want to promote any sort of unhealthy thinking on here and if you took it that way, my apologies, but thats certainly not what I meant.
Great post and so true. The yoga part made me laugh because I’m not going to lie…guilty on that account every now and then. I am the same way with food after a work out though. After a good sweating sesh I don’t want to stuff my face with bad foods…well except candy, that’s where I usually fail, but you have to splurge every now and then right!?
Good luck in your marathon this weekend, you’ll do great!
I don’t want to live in a world where a long run isn’t followed by a big dinner and decadent dessert. Honestly these comments depressed me a little bit. I’ll be chowing down on the nachos on fried food come Sunday and Monday morning the only regret I’ll have is that I’m not independently wealthy and have to go to work, same as every week. I eat fairly healthy most of the time, and life is way to short to beat myself up over eating a brownie. Sounds miserable.
Whoops, I’ll also regret that typo – *nachos AND fried food.
I don’t think anyone is saying to beat yourself up over brownie. Life is too preciously short for that sort of crap.
My point was simply that choices easily become habits so if for a week I decide to skop my run, on the eighth day it’s going to be a lot easier to skip it again.
I definitely agree with that part of your post, and your clarification (which I appreciate). I was thinking more of the vibe I got from the comments, or maybe I’m just overwhelmed with the “healthy superbowl Sunday ideas!” stuff on Facebook and Twitter. I just feel bad for people who seem to stress so much about food – the SuperBowl is only once a year, live it up! Go Ravens!
Totally needed this yesterday! Helped keep me from doing too much splurging in the evening after I splurged at lunch with a giant chocolate chip cookie. I totally agree with you on good choices invoking other good choices though. Thanks for keeping me honest and heading toward the good stuff.
I guess Danielle hasn’t been reading this blog very long to understand SR – plus it’s not SR’s job to put a good “message” out there – it’s her own blog and she can write whatever she wants, and also indulge however she wants during Superbowl Sunday. Plus, she was serious about running a marathon that day.
Yes ma’am i am! Surf City Marathon, here I come.
Finally they featured a real runner! I have to admit I stopped reading Women’s Running because at least half if not more, of the Bloggers on the Run they featured barely run. It’s so annoying. I’m pretty sure when they chose some of those people they were looking at page views, rather than whether or not they actually run on a regular basis.
Sidenote, that pizza actually looks kind of good to me at the moment. I must be really hungry!
Totally agree with you that good choices lead to more good choices. The challenging part is getting into the habit of making those good choices consistently and having it become a part of your daily life.
Bad choice now. . . I want that pizza!!!! And I am going to splurge on SuperBowl Sunday when I cheer for my RAVENS!
Just wanna say I’m happy to find another runner that doesn’t do yoga! Thought I was the only one. I love the blog, so inspirational!
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