Running Around All Crazy Like
Well, against all odds and against everything I thought I knew about myself, I have actually stuck with this running thing. Who knew I was so determined and athletic? (Determined athletes still groan and moan when they roll out of bed at 6:00am for a work out, right?) I continue to impress myself, and I think that’s important. We should do something every day that impresses us. It’s how we grow.
The thing that I am loving about running is how it has become so much more a part of my life than just an exercise routine. It has changed the way I make decisions (remember “Yes or No?“), it has changed what I eat, how I view myself, choices I make for my family, and even how often I say yes to things. Showing myself that I can do something that I never thought I could do before has really empowered me as a person, not just as a runner.
Here are a few thoughts I’ve had lately on my fitness and health routines:
1. I now understand why runners run in the streets instead of on the sidewalks. Streets are much wider, smoother, and have less curves and obstacles. I don’t have to run around parked cars or sprinklers or cracks in the pavement when I’m on the street. Although, I will admit that I’m not great at sharing the roadway. I start running around 5:45 or 6:00am before there is any traffic on the road, which means that by the time I finish around 7:00 or 7:30, I’m already in my zone and not paying attention to the cars. So, if you’re running on the sidewalks, step out into the road for a change and see how great it is. And if you’re driving along, cursing at the runners in the street like I used to do (“That’s what they make sidewalks for, moron!”), cut them some slack. It is hard to remember to share the roadways when you’re panting and close to certain death.
2. I bought a wristband. Like, the 80’s kind. I wear a hat to keep my hair in place and to keep sweat from pouring all over my face when I run, but I still get sweat all down my face and neck. So, I bought I sweatband to give me something to wipe it away with as I run. I feel slightly grossed out by this, but mostly I just feel very hard core. I’m waiting for Sarah to get back in town and tell me how much of a loser I truly look like. No one else will tell me the truth.
3. I am officially, actually, definitely running the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February. I will probably finish last. And they might have to carry my off on a stretcher. And I will most likely cry at some point in the run. But I’m doing it, dammit! If for no other reason than to say that I have done it. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m really doing it mostly so that I can put one of those “13.1” stickers on the back of my car. The other half of my motivation is to give me an excuse to stay at a Disney resort. We visited the new “Art of Animation” resort for dinner with friends the other night and it was pretty spectacular. Bean thought we were actually in Radiator Springs. So did I.
4. I am drinking smoothies now every morning for breakfast. It’s changed my life. I keep posting pictures of them on Instagram (my user name is MarriageConfessions!), and people keep asking me for my “recipe.” I don’t really follow one, but I can tell you what I put into mine. First, I bag up freezer bags full of cut up fruit and then I freeze those. This makes it quicker for me when I’m making a smoothie in the mornings because I can just dump the bag into the blender instead of having to cut up fruit each time. It also eliminates the need for ice in my drink, which I don’t really like because it waters down my smoothie. In my freezer packs I put four or five large strawberries, a handful of blueberries, half an apple, a whole banana, and a handful of pineapple chunks. (By the way, I have recently discovered whole pineapples in my grocery store’s produce section and it is awesome! It’s about $3 a pineapple and so healthy! Cheaper than buying the pre-cut stuff from the deli and much better for you than the canned stuff. I buy one a week, cut it into chunks and keep it in Tupperware in my fridge all week. Yummy!)
I empty my fruit baggie into the blender and then add 1/2 cup to a full cup of strawberry Greek yogurt, two handfuls of spinach, a big leaf of kale (which I found at my Target Grocery store for 99 cents a bundle – more than enough for a week of smoothies), and a scoop of vanilla flavored whey protein powder (which I got at Whole Foods for $12 for a giant canister). While it is blending, I add in just a bit of orange juice to get everything churning in the blender. If you are hesitant about adding the spinach and kale, don’t be. The spinach seriously does not change the taste at ALL. I’ve mixed it with several different types of smoothies so far and it hasn’t altered the taste of anything. The kale doesn’t change the taste either, though I do have to say that it does add a very fine grit to the smoothie. It isn’t terrible, but it’s noticeable. I put up with it though because kale is supposed to be so good for you. I’ve also added green pepper to my smoothies on occasion. That does change the taste a bit, but not as much as you would think. I add half a small green pepper when I do it.
If you’re hesitant about experimenting with smoothies, my advice would be to start with what you know you will like – mostly fruit. Then, gradually add things to it. I started with plain fruit and yogurt smoothies, then switched to Greek yogurt, then added spinach, then kale, then protein powder, and then the green pepper. I’ve sort of worked my way up, and now I’m thinking about experimenting with mostly vegetables next time instead of mostly fruit. We’ll see how adventurous I feel. If you’re looking for real smoothie recipes, try Pinterest or simply Googling “green smoothie recipes.” There are a ton out there that are probably more nutritious than mine. But I feel like anything I do is better than nothing!
5. When I start my day with a run and a smoothie, it’s hard to make bad choices that day. I find myself making better choices about the rest of my food all day. And on days when my ONLY good meal is that smoothie, I at least know that even if I ate like crap, I ran off a few of those empty calories and I still got a couple servings of fruit and vegetables.
6. I stopped singing while I run, which was kind of sad. But I’ve found that on my long run days (anywhere from 5-6 miles now), I can run farther without the wasted breath on singing. So sad.
7. In lieu of singing, I have revamped my playlist. I have tinkered with it over the past couple months to get it where the music matches where I am in my run. So, those songs that really get me moving now come on right when I start to get tired in my runs. It’s pretty awesome, and I love it! This is my favorite playlist, but I don’t let myself listen to it at any other time other than running, so it’s like a little treat when I get to go for a run – fun music, too! Here’s what’s on my playlist in my current order. I’ve put a little * beside the songs that really get me moving when I’m tired:
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Cast of Glee)
What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction)**
Springsteen (Eric Church)
Sweet Caroline (Cast of Glee)
How Great Thou Art (Carrie Underwood)**
Somebody to Love (Cast of Glee)
Fat Bottomed Girls (Queen)
I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)**
Good Girl (Carried Underwood)
So What (Pink)**
SexyBack (Justin Timberlake)
The Sweet Escape (Gwen Stefani)
Rosa Parks (Outkast)**
Back in Black (AC/DC)
8. I don’t own a scale, so I’m not sure exactly how much weight I have lost, but the last time I was at my sister’s house I got on her scale and I was down almost 10 pounds since February. I don’t know that I’ve lost any more weight since then. It doesn’t feel like it. But what I do notice are my clothes fitting differently, and that makes me feel good. I get comments occasionally about how skinny I look in pictures, but I think I should clear that up. I’m not skinny by any stretch. I don’t think I ever will be. It’s just not my body type. But I think I’m getting more comfortable with how to dress myself in this new post-baby body. I wear things a little more fitted than I used to and I’m finding that that actual has a slimming effect (though, there’s a fine line between “fitted” and “tight”). I’m also wearing simpler colors and prints, which seems to help the skinny illusion, too. I’m discovering that looking your best is not necessarily all about body shape, but more about what you do with your body shape. No matter how much I run or how healthy I eat, I will always be pear shaped. But I can dress myself to give the illusion that I am a skinny pear!
9. No matter how often I run or how far I build up my distances, the first mile is always a doozey for me. Every single time I run, I think through the entire first mile, “I can’t do this today. I just can’t do this.” But then I hit the second mile and I realize that I actually CAN do this. Mile three is my favorite because I hit my runner’s high and I start to make silent plans in my head for all the marathons I will run later in life. Mile four is a complete downer and I start to have suicidal thoughts. Or, at the very least, angry thoughts about Jeff Galloway. Mile five is kind of scary because I can’t feel my legs any more and I have to periodically look down to make sure I’m actually still running. And the two times I’ve hit the sixth mile, I’m hit another runner’s high that I think is mostly induced from the fact that I’m so happy to still be alive. Sort of a survivor high.
10. It is hella hot here right now. I run early in the morning or late in the evening, but it might as well be noon because it is so stinking hot. The humidity is what’s so terrible. It feels like I’m running with an electric blanket around me. Twice I have gotten halfway through my run and then had to walk home because of the heat. Once I was three miles from home and had to walk back. Talk about a total walk of shame… But it was better than the alternative, which was sitting down in the middle of the sidewalk and calling Chris to come get me.
That’s about it on the fitness front. I’m certainly not the healthiest person I know, but I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been and that’s enough for me!
31 Comments
Andrea in SC
I loooove this post!!! I’ve been a runner for a little over 2 years, and I totally identify with everything you’ve said about your running/fitness/eating journey. Thanks for the new playlist ideas! 🙂 I started making smoothies recently too and am super interested to know how you like adding veggies. My first half marathon is in October, and I just want to finish. Well, finish AND be able to put that 13.1 sticker on my car! 😀 Keep it up, girl!!!!!
Jessica
you are inspiring me to keep up my running! I’m going to try out your playlist. I do think running is the best way to get in your exercises – it is a “no excuse” type of work out – – and I do the same thing…always threaten to stop during the first mile!
Kat
You are amazing- my gosh I would give anything for it to be hot here so I can run outside, Winter in the South of Australia hits hard and fast and I hibernate into the gym! Wanna swap?? I love smoothies for breakfast- I add rolled oats to mine to fill me up a bit longer 🙂
Katherine
I did the princess half this year and it’s incredible! You will love it, you won’t die, you won’t be last, and you will be inspired by all the other runners! I use http://www.jog.fm to find songs that fit my running pace, I found it helps me keep from running too fast and feeling like I’ll die 🙂
Leslie
Every time I read about how much you are running, I am very impressed. I think it is great you are still going full on during this crazy hot and humid weather.Keep it up! You are an inspiration to us.
Sommer
Nothing wrong with running a half marathon for the 13.1 sticker!!!! And thanks for sharing your playlist, I am always looking for new ideas!
Nancy
Does your blender juice? If it does, try pear and celery juice–soooo good!; otherwise, I highly recommending investing in a juicer. (The kale won’t be gritty, for example.)
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewife
I totally would call Brad and have him pick me up if I was 3 miles away and too hot to be running… but if I were to back that thought up… I’ve never run 3 miles in my life! One day… one day I just might do it though.
JenniferLO
What a great post!! Thank you so much. I am just starting to walk/jog and have big plans of hoping to fall in love with it! I really hope it happens! You have been a huge inspiration! Keep it up!
Staci
Keep rocking it, girl! You should be super-proud and I can totally relate to the skinny pear comment. It doesn’t matter what I do; my bottom half will never be on the cover of Victoria’s Secret. Keep up the great work!
laurenbtrain
You will do awesome in your half marathon! The distance is a great distance. I always run in the roads too and have to constantly dodge cars. Do you have a Road ID? Google it if you dont! They are like $25 and go onto your running shoe. You can put whatever info on there you want (I have my name, two emergency contacts and phone numbers and my allergies) and it lives on my shoe. No fear if the car hits me now! My little Road ID will tell the folks who to call!! 🙂
Jen @ Ginger Guide
Awesome!! Keep it up, Katie! Love the smoothie idea. I’ve been reluctant to add veggies to mine but if you swear you can’t taste the spinach, I’ll trust you and give it a shot. I’ve started giving these to Sullivan on days when he’s extra picky. He thinks it’s fun to drink dinner from a straw and I feel better knowing he’s getting at least something good for him other than goldfish.
Mary @ My Life in Scotland
I’ve been wanting to get into running for a long time, but I’m seriously overweight. I know it would be a struggle.
When I met my husband I was getting up at 5:30am and running 3 miles. I was just getting into it and it felt awesome. I totally felt the runner’s high. But, then we got married and moved to Scotland 3 days later and I started gaining weight. I just need to do!!
I love smoothies. I need to start making them each morning. My sister’s make green smoothies and say they are awesome!
Ali @ Super Mario Twins
This post is so motivational! I feel like if you can manage to take care of yourself while raising two kids, working full time, blogging and keeping your marriage/house together then anyone can! You really are a super hero and I hope that you realize how much of a role model you are to your readers, like me. This post might just be the kick in the pants I need to get myself on the right track. I’ve been running periodically, but have been giving in to lots of not-so-good summer indulgences and maybe smoothies would do the trick for me to start my day on the right foot. Keep up the great work, mama!
Santina
Make sure you are taking the stem out of the middle of the kale. Also, I find that if I blend the cale and spinash first with a little juice and then add the fruit the grittiness factor is almost completely gone 🙂 keep up the good work!
Santina
*kale (hey, its early 😉
Kelly H
So proud of you Katie, you are a fitness inspiration 🙂 I love green smoothies too. They really do make me want to eat better as the day goes on. Suggestion, if you are going to try doing mainly veggies you may want to try juicing so that the texture is better. Also, I read my husband (also a runner) #9 and he died laughing. He said, “good I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like that since that is usually how my runs go too”. Thanks for sharing with us and keep up the great work!
Alaina
You are an inspiration! I’ve just started run-walking, and I’ms lowly getting addicted. Of course, I’m only on the treadmill because it’s 100 degrees in Indiana but still. I may need to try the smoothie thing…that sounds so good! And healthy!
Christine
What I love most about your blog is your sense of humor, down-to-earthness (you never seem to be putting on a show or trying to impress any of us, even though LOTS of people are reading!), and the fact you write about a myriad of topics. I’ve followed a few blogs over the years and have lost interest in many. I respect that those with children cover lots of children and house-related topics, but it can get old. After awhile, you already know exactly what to expect before you visit a blog and read a post! Not with yours. You have covered such a wide range of topics, you really have no idea what the next post will hold. And I love that! We get to read about your family, household tips, fitness, nutrition, faith, friends, and pets! Keep up the entertaining work 🙂
Andrea
I will see you at the Princess Half! If you’re in last place, I will be right behind you!
Nikki
I love the smoothie idea! I’m unable to work out for at least a month, but I think if I at least start the day off with a nice smoothie, I can feel better about that. Needless to say it’s driving me nuts, but maybe making little changes will take the sting out of it!
Meredith
I think I say this every time but you are a Rockstar! And strangely enough, I also started making fruit smoothies with protein powder about a week ago. So delicious. And the good part about the heat is that once it cools off into Fall and Winter you’ll be SUPER fast.
Lissa
I can totally see a difference in the pictures you post and keep kicking myself for not sticking with running too! Of course, this week, when I was ready to start up again, I’ve got the worst head cold and terrible sinus headaches 🙁
So, how long do the smoothies fill you up for? Really the only reason I have tried them yet is b/c I like to eat, and I’m not sure it’ll hold me over long enough 🙂
Lori @ I Can Grow People
I get up at 5:45 to run at 6am and there is already traffic on the roads here. Sidewalks are spotty in my part of town so I started running on roads early on in my training. The roads are so hilly/twisty/turny here that running on the shoulder is scary! I’ve invested in some reflective gear, but I feel like I should be in head-to-toe fluorescent yellow to be safe!
Chloe
Exercise has a great physcological effect! I would just say that for other people maybe over weight that don’t put too much fruit in your smoothie because fruit is packed with sugar. Also add oats like someone else suggested. 🙂
Julie
You are such a detail oriented person, so when I don’t see RoadID on this list, I feel like you might not have one. Get one. For your family. http://www.roadid.com/Common/Default.aspx
Sarah
such an inspiring post!!! me and my cousin have been training for a 1/2 marathon too:) we hope to run for World Vision in December. Good luck!!!! and you do look very skinny!
Angie
I love this! I might have to experiment with smoothies more…right now I am just greek yogurt & fruit.
PS – I LOVE when you write running posts – it makes me want to RUN! After almost 3 weeks of not running (hot, tired, excuse, excuse, etc) I read your post yesterday & actually pulled myself out of bed this morning for a run! THANK YOU!
Abbie
Great post Katie! While I don’t run you have motivated me to start walking more and to try and lose my extra weight.
I mentioned your blog in my post today. http://welcometoaday.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-11-share-5-of-your-favorite-blogs.html
Mallory
Great post, Katie. Do you run with a water bottle? I have recently tried running, but I can’t get very far without my water, and it is so annoying to have to carry it.
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