You all know that my long run from this past weekend was 8 miles. Eight long, painful miles. I got semi-injured during this run on Sunday morning. My left knee started popping and it hurt to bend my leg while walking. (My knee is fine now, but I want to start running with a brace for a few weeks).
Eight miles on the treadmill means that there was a lot of time to think. Here are some of my realizations from this long run.
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I’m not running to lose weight. I played with the buttons on the treadmill and saw how many calories I was losing. I don’t remember the exact number, but when you’re running eight miles you lose a lot of calories. After seeing how many calories I was losing my first thought wasn’t “Awesome, I’m going to lose so much weight,” it was “I’m going to reallyhave to refuel after this one!” A different mindset then a few years ago.
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I need to foam roll more. As I was running, I started to feel pain in my knee and calf area. This made me realize that I need to really take care of my body and put in the time for muscle recovery! If I’m spending over an hour on the treadmill, there should be NO reason I’m not coming home to foam roll afterward.
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I can’t wait until my half marathon. It’s coming up very soon (Nov 18) and I know that the next month or so is going to fly by. There are so many things that I want to work on before race day. One being nutrition and figuring out what I can eat during my runs to keep my GI at bay.
(source) I miss weight training. As much as I love running, I can’t wait to scale back and do weight training. I know I was supposed to add some weights to my half marathon training, but honestly I haven’t been. By the time I’m done running, I either am rushing out the door or am just too exhausted to lift. I tried Live Fit Trainer earlier this year and ended up quitting about 2/3 of the way through. I hope to integrate these workout into my fitness plan for post-marathon.
I run because I want to, not because I have to. Sure, there are days when I’d rather just lay on the couch all day and watch TV, but I know that if I did that everyday, I wouldn’t be mentally and physically prepared for the half marathon in November. While on the treadmill last weekend, I realized that I do love to run, and that no one is making me go. I go because that’s my choice and I love spending my time doing it.
Talk to Me
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What have you realized lately while running?
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What is your favorite thing about running?
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How many runs per week are without any music or TV?
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hey girl! reaching out because i am running the philadelphia half marathon too! it is my first half marathon, and i am doing a ten week training plan from runners world. cant believe the race is only 6 weeks away! my farthest run has been 7 miles. i’ve run 7 miles the past two sundays. the first sunday, i struggled, but ran the fastest and farthest. this past sunday, i ran the 7 miles in a steady rain and over a bridge. i ran one minute slower per mile then the previous sunday, but felt as if i could have kept running farther and farther! such a cool feeling. good luck in the race on nov 18, maybe ill run into you! (no pun intended) love your blog!
xo
amanda
Hey Amanda! Thanks for visiting! How did you come across my blog?!
ahh philly is such a great race!! Foam rolling is definitely a great thing for all runners!
i can’t wait until my half! it’s going really exciting! and i agree. i love my foam roller!
My hat is off to you for not only running 8 miles, but for doing it on a treadmill!
If you want to get in some weight training, you might try one set training. One time through, you’re finished quickly, and some studies show that one set is just about as effective as multiple sets.
That’s a really good idea, Debbie. I’m going to have to try that one set thing.
These are all things I learned awhile back about running! Sometimes I miss running long distance, but then I remember all of this:)
Yeah, I love long distance running. More so than shorter races. When I go to the gym to do shorter runs, I always end up stopping early b.c. I’m bored. IDK, it’s weird.
I think number one is probably my favorite thing I’ve realized. You can definitely tell the difference. A person’s mind set if they’re running to lose weight: “Yes! I burned off (insert food here)!” Whereas I’m sitting there going, “YES!!! I can have extra wings at wing night tonight!” 😉 Good luck with the rest of your training!
Hi Amanda! It is such a crazy realization. It’s like “I’m not running to lose weight?!” but I’m with you on the extra food thing! I don’t eat wings, I’m a vegetarian… but I run so I can eat sweets like ice cream 🙂
Good luck with your training! I’m excited for you!
I’ve never tried foam rolling. I’m so late into the game 😉
Thanks Kierston. I love my foam roller. It hurts so good though!
I can very much connect with this. I’m not doing a ton of running right now, but I felt these same feelings before my first & only half marathon earlier this year.
I love training, but I do miss the flexibility of weight training. I know I could do both, but I feel guilty if I just go to the gym to lift and not run.
I really need to roll and stretch more … I’m starting to get some pain back in my foot. Not fun!!
Same as you — I’m now running for fun and not for weight loss. Isn’t it a revolutionary and liberating thought?! I still can’t quite wrap my mind around it sometimes. 😉
I’ve learned to not take myself so seriously all the time as well — something I’m SUPER guilty of most of the time. Since I’ve started running, and especially since I’ve started training with a group, I find that I’m laughing so much more and I’m not caught up in the speed/pace/time as much. But also that I’m taking things more lightly in other aspects of my life as well.
Ps. You might want to integrate some core work and one day of leg strength training (nothing intense, just get the muscles activated for 20-25min in one session) while you’re training to help avoid injury. Just a thought. 🙂
Those are some great ideas, Chelsie. I need to get back into weight training, and I know that I could take some time to do that!
I have not run or worked out much this week because hubs illness is acting up and was in the ER Monday. Now I’m kicking myself because I don’t have much to wrote about for fitness Friday. 🙂
No music because I have nothing to listen to it on. Not really my preference but it is what it is.
I think you inadvertantly answered a question I had on my mind about running/weight training. Thanks!
EEk the ER!? What happened?
Short explanation, he has a disabeling disease and it was acting up. I should just make up hospital room exercises so I have a back up plan when I’m there. Not sure if the nurses will think I’m weird or super awesome.
HOW are you so cute in that picture of you running? 🙂 I look ridiculous in running pictures! Love this post, by the way!
Haha, thanks Presley. But honestly that’s probably the only one I have. and I was barely running, I was just crossing the finish line.
I laugh it seems everything I do these days reminds me I need to foam roll more.
Im working my way…albeit slowly…to number five.
Miz, I can’t stress enough that foam rolling is super important. I’m guilty of not using it enough though!