Too many cinnamon crumpets

Woke up this morning to "wintry mix" and I seriously considered doing my last long run before the "Get Lucky" half next week on the running machine. I had one cinnamon crumpet (like an english muffin) with butter and cinnamon sugar, and then took CB dog out. It was still "wintry mixing" outside so I ate another. A bit later I realized it was clear so I headed out the door for my run which was to be 14 miles with 5 x20 sec pickups last 2 miles, but because my hip flexor has been bugging me this week, I cut it to 11.11 miles in 1:38 . **No pain, but i can feel it when I walk. Maybe pissed it off by slipping on the icy pavement 9 times between Monday-Wednesday. Luckily, I didnt fall. Been using the TP ball to massage it.**



Eventually headed out the door when It seemed clear out, and felt the effects of eating dos cinnamon crumpets. FREAKING side stitch for like half the run. And while this run was meant to be an easy effort- so I have fresh legs for next Saturday, the side stitch definitely made me keep an easier than normal pace. And also the freaking ice field north of Oak st beach.  Then there was headwind on the way back. EXHAUSTING

Photo from last week's run with the Churro Dog. YAY for self timer!!






I bought some Pro Compression Shamrock Socks earlier this week and made the brilliant decision to wear them today. So glad I did, because now I probably wont wear them next week for the race because they seemed to rub my feet in all the wrong places. No blisters, but some "hot spots." I might give them one more chance this week- because the shoes I wore today- the Nike Pegasus Shield keep my feet very warm and sweaty because of the weather shield, my other shoes dont do that. (The socks are not lopsided, nor are my legs. I fixed the socks post photo, and pre run) 





I saw some more pancake ice in the harbor and since I usually dont run with music outside, I started getting consumed with my own thoughts- not necessarily a good thing sometimes.
I have an unhealthy relationship with food (in my opinion at least). I ate 2 crumpets this morning when I really only needed one. I have no filter when it comes to portion control. There is NO GOOD REASON to eat as much food as I usually do. Heck, most of the time I am not even that hungry, but end up feeling super freaking full afterwards because of over eating. After reading Kim's latest post, I really resonated with wanting to "EAT ALL THE FOODS."


I cant keep using "I'm training for a race" as an excuse for my poor choices in food consumption any more. It's not like I'm eating fast food or garbage like that- I actually eat fairly healthy- but could do a lot better.

With getting older, I've noticed my metabolism is not even close to what it was 15 years ago when I could "EAT ALL THE FOODS" and barely gain any weight.

The most disturbing/ eye opening thing I read recently was that consuming an extra 100 calories a day = weight gain of 10lbs a year. (3500 calories equals  1 pound) 100 calories is like a few cookies? YIKES. 

I made this Pizza Margherita last week and ate half of it. I really only needed about 1/4 of it (12" round pizza, FREAKING DELICIOUS btw)

Between all the un necessary food consumption plus beer/wine, Im starting to slowly gain weight. And even though my BMI is around 19.2 which is considered "healthy" almost underweight, I hate the way I look and feel. (I think BMI is a ridiculous way to measure if people are overweight/obese for many reasons). I feel way too heavy for my frame and feel sluggish.  I dont want to count calories (plus fat, protein, carbs), but may start just to see exactly what I am consuming daily so I have a better idea of what I need to fix.

It's firmly ingrained in my head that a meal needs a main protein + several sides. I need to remind myself that I do not need this to be happy and healthy. There's a healthy balance, and I need to find it. I do plan to start making more time (post next weeks race)  for strength training + core work + working out a little more than I already do now.Just not ready to change things up too much before the race.

Workout more, eat less/ eat better seems like a good way to start.  And I feel it's important to mention that it's not entirely my weight that I am concerned about, it's more about being leaner. I would like to have more muscle definition and less flab. I'm sure I could lose inches off my hips/belly and not lose too much weight. (but I also have no desire to work towards a 6 pack of abs or have the physique of a body builder, there's a happy medium somewhere in between and that's what I plan to find) 

In other news....

On my run today while cruising through Grant Park, I saw the banners for the Shamrock Shuffle. Im super excited to run this event for the 3rd year in a row!

Do you struggle with food?
- Indulging a little is more than fine in my book. I have no desire to turn a 180 and cut sugar/carbs/ whatever out of my food because I dont believe that is healthy. But I can definitely improve my current habits.

Who else is running "Get Lucky" next week?

Are you running Shamrock this year?




- xaar