I have been meaning to write this blog for weeks, as I am at another juncture with my running (currently barely running) schedule. Last year after completing the Mississauga Half Marathon in May I took my typical summer off from running, as I cannot run in the heat. It's the Newfie in me I suppose :)
Usually fall rolls around and I get back in the swing of running. This year that did not happen. As a single mom I am finding it difficult to make time when I do not have my kids. I am busy with life and work, but really that is nothing new. I recognize that like everything, running is a matter of priority and I just haven't been making it one. I even have fancy new running gear! So what's the problem?
As I weigh in I am 8 pounds heavier than I was last year at this time. It's all muscle. I work so very hard for my strength improvements- why am I always losing weight when I run? It must be a simple calories in and calories out break down. If I am unable to keep up with caloric demands of long distance running, what I am losing to keep it up?
Running my first half marathon was a great program for burning the last 5 pounds of visceral fat from my first pregnancy. Running long distances after my second pregnancy served the same purpose. After my separation it helped me with my stress. Now I question how it is serving me- my stress is manageable and I have no body fat to burn, only muscle to lose apparently. It takes a tremendous amount of time which I do not have and I am unmotivated to pursue it in any competitive way right now.
My plan for 2013 is to return to a fitness runner program. I will wait for more temperate weather and cross train on the stationary bike in the meantime. I would like to run 6-10K 3x week this year as the cardio component to my fitness program. I would like to run the Mississauga 10K and possibly the Half Marathon. I think I could train up in 6 weeks or so, so we'll see if I can keep up with my clients who are already training for it. I think I am happy with my strategy for 2013. I really want to bring running back into my life; it's just a matter of evaluating how I can do that it a comprehensive and sensible way that motivates me and contributes to my very hard earned improvements.
As I weigh in I am 8 pounds heavier than I was last year at this time. It's all muscle. I work so very hard for my strength improvements- why am I always losing weight when I run? It must be a simple calories in and calories out break down. If I am unable to keep up with caloric demands of long distance running, what I am losing to keep it up?
Running my first half marathon was a great program for burning the last 5 pounds of visceral fat from my first pregnancy. Running long distances after my second pregnancy served the same purpose. After my separation it helped me with my stress. Now I question how it is serving me- my stress is manageable and I have no body fat to burn, only muscle to lose apparently. It takes a tremendous amount of time which I do not have and I am unmotivated to pursue it in any competitive way right now.
My plan for 2013 is to return to a fitness runner program. I will wait for more temperate weather and cross train on the stationary bike in the meantime. I would like to run 6-10K 3x week this year as the cardio component to my fitness program. I would like to run the Mississauga 10K and possibly the Half Marathon. I think I could train up in 6 weeks or so, so we'll see if I can keep up with my clients who are already training for it. I think I am happy with my strategy for 2013. I really want to bring running back into my life; it's just a matter of evaluating how I can do that it a comprehensive and sensible way that motivates me and contributes to my very hard earned improvements.
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