A Running Girl's Blog

Most runners have had a bad run (at least that is what it says on the internet)… the run that is the total opposite of the runner’s high. I had one yesterday and sadly, it wasn’t even a long run. It was only an 8 miler… I had a great one on Tuesday and headed out with my hubby today so he could get his miles in for the week as well. 

Heading through the neighborhood toward the Santa Fe Trail, I was feeling pretty good. 

I cruised through the first three miles and instead the typical, “I am warmed up and in the zone feeling,” I hit the wall – yeah I hit the wall at mile 3.  To be fair, as soon as we left the neighborhood and started to head north, a head wind greeted us with a ferocity that literally took my breath away.  Another mile or so and I was sucking-wind literally.  I didn’t even attempt the steeper hills … slowing to a jog/walk until the road flattened out again.  I kept thinking that once I changed direction, the wind would work in my favor but apparently they were pretty variable yesterday with the only relief a 2 mile stretch on the Santa Fe Trail heading south.  But instead of being able to enjoy the tail wind, I was scared to death by a snake… slithering its happy self across the trail – ugh.  Heart rate thoroughly thru the roof now, I managed to finish the run from hell.  I came home, drank my Mix 1… logged this lousy run and looked forward to a better running day. Some days are better than others: I am going to blame it on the wind and the snake!

My sister was in NYC recently and sent me a picture of a donut covered in nuts with the caption “Sonal’s biggest nightmare.”  Funny joke – I have an irrational fear of donuts and I have recently developed a severe allergy to most nuts (more on that later).  Anyway what struck me about the picture was that the calories for the donut were included on the sign… pretty cool. 

 Then just today, I saw an article on msnbc.com – Menu calorie counts can alter food choices.  NYC law requires all chain restaurants to include a calorie count for all menu items and apparently this has been an eye-opener for many previously unaware Americans.  The article says many consumers are unhappy because now they can’t enjoy their favorites … that’s kind of funny.  I watch my calories. Generally speaking, I know what I eat, I know what I burn.  I know that the muffin pictured below would provide me with enough calories to run about 7 miles… yeah, that makes you think, 7 miles for one muffin

I think we should be aware of what we’re eating.  Most food has nutritional labeling… it makes sense that food offered by restaurants would have the same info.  I think a carb/fat count next to that calorie number would be helpful as well.  The article says that menu labeling laws are growing across the country and if the health care reform bill passes, restaurants with at least 20 locations throughout the country will have to post calories on menus; and provide other nutritional information as well.  This information would be helpful to those who want to use it – like me.  When I get a snack from a restaurant, I make an educated guess as to the fat/calories that I am eating. For those consumers who aren’t aware or interested in the info, they can ignore it – they probably don’t pay much attention to nutritional labels either.  For those who are irritated because now they gotta know – well…

I know a lot of women who don’t lift weights because they don’t want to bulk up or look like a man.   I am not a fitness professional, but I can probably find several studies documenting the benefits of weight lifting for women – maybe another day.  What I do know is that I lift weights… and I haven’t bulked up.   I think most of us gals are safe from the Madonna effect:

Seriously… what does she do?  I don’t want to look like this but I can’t help but be awed…impressed by the significant amount of work it must take Madonna to look like a she-Hulk!  And she is 50 years old – amazing….even if it’s a bit creepy.

Kelly Ripa is another celeb who makes no secret about her work out routine which includes weight training:

Ok so she is a beauty regardless –but who wouldn’t want those arms??

I would rather run in the rain … even snow than on a treadmill or as many fellow runners dub it “the dreadmill.”  Don’t get me wrong treadmills have their purpose – sometimes it is impossible to hit the road or trail.   I don’t advise running in icy conditions or during lightening storms … so to stay on track, you can rely on the treadmill.  And I will admit that I find it a little easier to use the treadmill than the road for speed and interval work.  

 Other than speed work, there is one exception to my dread of the treadmill…. the Woodway.   Check it out: WOODWAY Treadmills the World’s Finest Treadmill

There is one coveted Woodway treadmill at the gym where I work out.   It is often occupied by a runner who is not going to get off without getting in several miles… I recognize these runners…if I see one of them walking in at the same time as me, I make a mad dash for that treadmill trying to beat her to it – and vice versa I am sure :-)  I don’t know how to explain it –  but this treadmill is amazing.  It is like running on a cloud – no impact on the joints, smooth, bouncy…  It is really a comfortable run and as such, it’s clearly not going to mimic race conditions so it’s still preferable to hit the road.  But the luxury of running on the Woodway is pretty tempting – especially when I am a little low on motivation.