What’s the best way to get back into running?
Register for a 5K.
I was registered before I left for Italy and was nervous about racing one week after returning. Rightfully so – this was a HARD 3.14 miles. I haven’t been running because my knee is iffy and the top of my foot has started hurting. I’m also just out of the habit.
Sunday at noon I laced up and headed to the park for the AIDS Walk and 5K. It was a 1p start, but they were having some sort of issues and we didn’t start until after 1:15p. Did I mention that it hit 80 degrees yesterday?
We started uphill in the heat. I was sunburned from the long wait (sunscreen is smart, even if it is October). Official times aren’t posted yet but I didn’t PR. I crossed the line at 24:39… so I’m thinking my official time is around 24:30.
That’s not a terrible time. What is terrible is how hard it was for me to get that time… and the fact that I’m supposed to run 7 miles of a Marathon relay in 2 weeks, followed by a Half on Thanksgiving. Time to end vacation mode and get little more disciplined about running!
Post-run I participated in the AIDS Walk portion of the event. It was really neat to see so many people come together for a great cause.
Adjusting to the cleanse this time has been much easier this time! When I did it last year, I was tired and had a headache for the first few days. This year I’m not missing meat at all and am enjoying the challenge of eating vegan on the cleanse. The hardest part was not being about to enjoy a beer in the sunshine this weekend! 🙂
Saturday night, over-whelmed by disappointing football outcomes, I watched Forks Over Knives. It definitely has me thinking. The health benefits of a plant-based diet are undeniable.
While I’m not sure I could go the rest of my life without any animal products, I am going to make more of an effort to limit my intake. On day 11 of the cleanse I’m supposed to add a serving of chicken or fish each day; however, I have decided to add tofu and tempeh instead.
Eating clean does make a difference. I feel much better today than I did the last day in Italy after our shared 2 kilos of beef (not to mention the gelato, wine, etc.)!
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t regret it (that steak was incredible). The trip was amazing and I love delicious food. That isn’t something I can sustain.
Over the past 10 days my plant-based diet I have been able to keep my energy up while working an insane number of hours, traveling all week, and not getting as much sleep as I should have. Cheers to plants.
Like I said, I am really struggling to get back into the swing of things workout-wise. My muscles feel incredibly tight and I’m out of the habit. A massage is in order! I need to get back to writing out my weekly workout plan. Having it in writing makes a big difference for me.
I am making an effort. The intensity level isn’t where I’d like it and I’m struggling to run… but half the battle is getting out the door. That, I have done.
Workout Recap (10/10-10/16)
- Monday – 100 push-ups
- Tuesday – P90X Ab Ripper X
- Wednesday – Bike-Elliptical-Treadmill 30 min intervals, Legs, 100 push-ups
- Thursday – Tris/Chest, 6 min plank sequence
- Friday – 30 mins elliptical, 10 mins Bike, 100 push-ups
- Saturday – P90X Kempo, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
- Sunday – 5K AIDS Run, 5K AIDS Walk, Yoga for Runners
***
Italy recap again tomorrow! And a recipe – I made some tastiness this weekend. 🙂
Have you seen Forks over Knives? What did you think?
What was the best part about your weekend?
You did great for having been away for a while! You work so hard when you are running so I know you will be set for the relay and the half!!
It always amazes me how quickly running gets difficult when you don’t do it for a while. But, at the same time, it always comes back pretty quickly too so I think you’ll be fine for your races.
I eat a lot of eggs. I think that would be the hardest part for me if I were to go vegan.
Eggs are hard to go without. It really limits breakfast options!
Forks over Knives has been on my Netflix list for weeks! I hope I get it soon.
Good job on the 5k! I mean, I know it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, but as you said, that’s still a good time!
I rented mine on iTunes (recent discovery). Love the instant gratification. 🙂
I REALLY want to see that movie!
I agree w/ u that the benefits of a plant-based diet are undeniable.
I still eat yogurt and cheese but most of my meals are vegan!
Can’t wait to read more about your trip! =)
I’m certain it will be no time before you’re crushing these races again and setting new PR’s. You can’t help it, it’s just the way you are. Perfect. 😀
No, I have not seen it – yet.
Best part of my weekend was actually taking a day off from work and cheering on Kristy and Lindsay during the North Face Endurance Challenge.
Forks over Knives? I haven’t even heard about that..is it a movie? Hmm…might have to get downloaded for the big trip! I’ll look into it.
I’m not worried about your running ability….you are a ROCK STAR and we all know it!
xoxo from Trinidad
It’s a documentary. I think it is a must-see, at least for anyone who’s the least big health conscious!
I loved that documentary! It really got me thinking about all the foods I was putting in my body!
I’m right there with you. After the half marathon this weekend, and the food fest…I’m feeling a little pathetic. Makes me want to sign up for a full marathon and a month long cleanse. lol. Congrats on the 5k!
LOL! I do that sometimes… registering for races at midnight is my M.O. 🙂
This weekend I’m running my first 5K since I had my knee surgery and I’m totally antsy. Glad you are feeling good with the cleanse. I’ve cut out some of my meat intake but I definitely couldn’t cut out the sunday afternoon sunshiney beers- nice work!
Good luck!!!
Cheers to plants! You’ll be back in the grove before you know it!
I think your doing great considering you have had so long off! Not many people come home off their jollies and run a 5k! So well done love!! 🙂 And I know you will have found your super fit, super fast stride again in no time! I completely know how you feel though, I have been sidelined for 2 weeks now with a foot injury and it STILL isn’t healed! :/ Cannot wait to get back into exercise but also dreading those first few sessions! I think yoga is in order, ease me back in gently!! 🙂 And finally (sorry about this essay of a comment!!) dying to see forks over knives it’s actually downloading as I type this! Finally! I have been sneaking a lot of meat back into my diet recently so I could do with a little reminder of why I stopped eating it in the first place!
Thanks, Hayley!!! So glad you are healing – I’m sure your rockstar self will be back at it in no time. 🙂
Three yays for you and me.
Yay for getting back into running and for me finding a fellow runner.
Yay for you doing P90x and for me finding another p90x-er.
And Yay for plant eating and for me finding another clean eater.
I have not seen Forks over Knives but will add it to the list. My husband and I are trying to do the opposite of the trend: instead of going meatless one day a week, we are trying to do meat just one time a week. So far, so good. 🙂
I love documentaries but haven’t seen this one yet – I’ll be adding it to the list! I just started a mini cleanse (no coffee/sugar and lots of veggies & fruit) My head hurts already! Awesome job on the 5K!
Wow you did so well after that time off! It is pretty nuts how fast you can get out of shape when it comes to running, but getting back in shape doesn’t take too long at all! And you have those other races to look forward to 🙂
That’s not a bad time considering your recent vacation! I did the Half marathon in May (got hooked on running after doing a 9k Sydney Harbour Bridge Run in Spe 2010). It was great and I had so much energy for 4 days after I couldn’t sleep. Now I have signed up for a 1km ocean swim!! Yikes big time on this one. Good luck in your run!
PS very much considering going vego for 5 days a week. My Mum has gone pecetarian and feel way better now!
A ocean swim?! I am super impressed – I can barely tread water. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Funny…my friend just recommended Forks Over Knives to me. I just finished reading Eating Animals and that was eye-opening, to say the least. I’ve gone on a vegetarian for the month of October quest and I haven’t missed meat at all. Cheese and other dairy? I would l miss those things. Good luck getting back into the swing of things!
I watched Forks Over Knives a month or so ago and loved it! I think it makes a lot of sense, but I can also see how for some people the principles would be harder to implement. I think making small, sustainable changes is key!
Well done for getting back into running , though do be careful with the soreness! Running as sport/fun has done a lot of damage to several people in my life, so please take care!
I don’t think FOK has been to Australia yet; I’ll keep an eye out!
SO glad you’ve gotten back into the swing of things! It’s amazing how wonderful clean eating makes you feel. So excited to hear about your half marathon around thanksgiving, although I’m a huge proponent of weight lifting, I’ve been contemplating trying my first half marathon in addition! I’ll be following 🙂