Is It Really That Hard To Wave?

This past week we had beautiful weather, so naturally there were many more runners out than usual. My pet peeve is when a runner passing by doesn't wave! I can't stand it! Maybe I'm just a geek who likes to wave to everyone, but I feel that if you are out running and you see another runner, it's rude if you don't wave. I don't know what's wrong with the people who live around me, but more often than not, they don't wave. Not only do they not wave, but they don't even acknowledge that I'm running on the same road.

 Is anyone else bothered by this?  I guess I think of the wave as a little acknowledgment, like, "Hey, you're a runner...I'm a runner too. Have a good run."  Okay, I sound a little crazy, I guess. It's just a wave.  What do all you other runners think? Do you wave at other runners on the road?  Maybe you're the type of runner I'm complaining about?

Here's last week's training log:
 I slowly eased back into my workout schedule and I'm feeling much better after that nasty sinus infection.
Mon -5 mile easy run outdoors in am, 5min butt workout (yes, it was five minutes, but intense!), 20min walk
Tues - 20min elliptical, Walk 1 mile on treadmill, 30min weights-upper body
Wed -5 mile hard run outdoors
Thurs -3 mile interval run on treadmill. Half mile speed intervals.
Fri - 30 min weights -upper body, 10 min core strength
Sat -Easy 60 min run outside.
Sun -Rest

I ordered a pair of compression socks last week. I can't wait to try them out. I've used compression sleeves in the past, but never the full sock. I'll report back on how I like them.

~Coach Genie


Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevensnodgrass/4715478483/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Taking It Easy

"In my dreams I am a Kenyan"

It's been quite awhile since my last post. I have been sick over the past two weeks. I had a sinus infection, got antibiotics, felt better & all the while, pushed through with the workouts. I should have been resting because about 1 week later, I was running a 102 fever. As I was lying in bed, shivering with the fever, I said to myself, "That's it! You need to start listening to your body!" So, now I'm on antibiotics again and feeling better.

 I really have been trying to be a little less harsh on myself. I couldn't run last week and instead of feeling guilty or upset about it, I actually enjoyed the variety of some different workouts. My week looked like this:

Mon - 30min walk, 30min strength -legs
Tues - 30min strength-upper body, playing w/my kids outdoors (yea, I count that too!)
Wed - 30min elliptical, strength -core, house cleaning (It all counts!)
Thurs -30min walk/run (outside of Walmart, while waiting for my script to be filled :)
Fri -    40min strength-upper body
Sat -   5 mile run with a friend
Sun -  Rest

This morning I had a great 5 mile run before the sun came up. It's finally warming up enough that I don't freeze to death. I love Spring! This week, I'll try to run again Wed., Thurs., and Sat. I'm also going to try a "Brazilian Butt" workout from Fitness Magazine later today. I'll let you know how it goes. (The last time I did a leg workout, I couldn't sit down for a week!)

Have a fit week!

Genie

Diets Overwhelming??

Do you find all the hype for different diets nowadays a bit overwhelming? I know I do. Just type "diets" into Google and about a million different things will come up. Vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, beer diet (no, seriously, that really was in the results from Google!), etc. So, what should the everyday, average person, wanting to lose weight or just eat healthier do? Here are my thoughts/suggestions:

1. Research your different options. If you want to try eating vegan (or any other kind of diet), then go for it! See how it makes you feel. Determine if it's something you could stick with.

2. Steer clear of fads. Stick to what's tried & true (more fruits & veggies, lean meats, whole grains) because they are just that: tried & true.

3. Don't "diet". Just make changes that will work for you; things that you know you can stick with. For example, skip the mayo on your sandwich or start drinking your coffee without sugar. After awhile you won't even like it with sugar! Use sliced strawberries in place of jelly on pb&j's. I know, I did it. All the little changes add up!

4. Check out the Super Tracker for more tools. Create a profile, keep track of the foods you eat and log your workouts. I think it's a great site!

What little choices do you make each day to be healthier? I'd love to hear some other ideas!



Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/f-oxymoron/5350584347/

A Runner's Neurosis

For the past three weeks, or so, I have been fighting a cold and feeling sick for awhile. I've still been working out and running everyday, pushing through. This week, it got the best of me. I came down with a horrible sinus infection that kept me from my workouts for about five days (I've since gotten antibiotics and now I'm feeling better).

 This is is what I noticed while I was sick: The first few days of missing workouts, I felt guilty. Sort of like I was going to instantly become fat (Does anyone else experience this kind of self-punishment? Or am I just messed up?) In addition to this, I wanted to eat constantly. Maybe that was my body's way of trying to fight the infection. I don't know. By the last few days, I didn't feel guilty about missing the workouts anymore. It was almost like I had gotten past those feelings and just didn't care. By last night I was feeling much better and couldn't wait to start fresh. This morning, I went for a run, felt great, and everything in the world is right to me again :)

I never really feel guilty when I eat some ice cream or french fries, but I do feel like I punish myself when I miss a workout. I'm sure in addition to eating disorders, there are exercise disorders. I'm not to any extreme, but I realize in a world with so much pressure about body image, I have to keep myself in check. Not only for myself, but to set an example for my daughter.

Do you have any mental battles with yourself? How do you handle it?

Genie

You Might Be a Runner If:

The other day, my toenail on my big toe completely came off ( I know, really gross).The one on the other foot is soon to follow. But, they had been completely black since the Marine Corps Marathon back in October and I knew it was coming. Why am I telling you all this gross stuff about my feet? Because it got me thinking about other things that runners accept as completely normal. Losing toenails is one of them. What else? Oh, things like using the bathroom in the woods, throwing up after a great race, being able to eat while running, feeling naked without a sports watch...the list can go on and on. Check out the site below for a list of more, #'s 4 and 8 are definitely me!

You Might Be A Runner If..

Please comment! You might be a runner if...


That's not my toe! I have no nail! You didn't think I'd take a pic of my own ugly toe, did you?
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan4th/5551936218/sizes/s/in/photostream/