Sunday, October 25, 2009

Race Reflections

It’s been one week and I thought about my 5K race  a lot today.  Ironically, the weather this morning was as crappy as it was last Saturday, so I think that brought up some of my thoughts!  I was replaying the race in my mind again and trying to figure out what I could do to be better next time.  Yes, I think I just said…next time!  Oh no!  But, the more I think about it the more I see that I have to try it again.  I can’t got down like that with my first race – LOL! 

Seriously though, it’s not about competing with others.  I’m not a competitive person at all.  I would classify myself more like “everybody’s cheerleader”!  It’s more about how to be better for myself.  There are lots of things that went wrong and thinking it over, I realize that the main thing is that I did not train as hard as I should have.  I kinda took the attitude that if I ran 3.1 miles once, I can do it over again, no problem.  And yes, that is true mentally, but physically, I think my body needed much more practice than I was giving it.  I primarily backed off due to my hip.  I was concerned that training may damage it so that I would have to bag out of the race altogether.  So I backed off, but that ended up hurting me in the end because I realize that my legs weren’t ready.

Another thing I need to learn is how to manage the racing jitters.  I was so nervous when the start gun went off  and that threw my whole breathing pattern out of whack.  I was unable to focus at all.  Even my music did not help.  And my head was so filled with nerves and doubts that emotions took over causing me to really lose it!  I’m not quite sure what to do to help with the jitters, but I did do some research on training for a 5K.  I found some good articles on Runnersworld and Cool Running, so I think I’m going to try out the program and see if I can get myself to run stronger and faster!  I would love any additional tips from my runner blog friends, so please feel free to leave a comment or email me!

Well, that being said, I took the day off from exercise today –LOL!  So much for training, right?!  Seriously, I am planning on starting tomorrow!  I’m a bit apprehensive due to my bouts of dizziness, but my plan is ,as long as it’s not acting up, I’ll get in a run.  Today, I was still experiencing a little dizziness, so I just puttered around the house which was kinda nice!

I wasn’t especially hungry for breakfast and couldn’t figure out what I wanted.  I finally decided a smoothie sounded right.  Not any smoothie…a BLUE MONSTER!  Green monsters have been all the rage, but I’m going blue…

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Loved it!

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For lunch I made a ginormous salad…

  • lots of romaine
  • diced ham
  • 1 lite string cheese, chopped
  • 1 hard boiled egg white
  • 1/2 cup pinto beans
  • 1 hummus filled egg white (filled with Trader Joe’s Chipotle Pepper Hummus)
  • Kraft Light Three Cheese Ranch Dressing

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and some tuscan crackers topped with asiago spread (from our Anniversary basket)…

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I tried another Zevia this afternoon…

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I didn’t like this flavor, so I tried another…

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It was definitely better.  So far, I’ve only liked 2 of the flavors.  I think my affinity for diet soda has really diminished though. 

I felt like munching this afternoon, so I pulled out the Cheez-its!  I made sure to “control” myself…slightly, by putting them in a bowl instead of having my face in the bag :)  My cup overfloweth…

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Dinner was random.  We were all in relax mode, so I just reheated some turkey meatballs for sandwiches and sliced up sweet potatoes for fries.  I went bunless but layered on the cheeeeese…

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And ended the flop- around day with chocolate…

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Running is definitely on the agenda tomorrow ;)

ONE GOOD THING:  While I was relaxing, I went through some magazines and pulled out some great new recipes to try this week.

Have a great day!!

16 comments:

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

I love your attitude! I think reflecting is so important and something we often don't do...

Love your blue monster!

Enjoy your Sunday! :)

Manderz said...

My advice is to find a bigger race. The race you ran looked very small. Your time was very respectable and if you were in a larger race there would be no way you would have finished last! I finished my first 5k in 39:02 and I was not last - there were 6000 racers!

Unknown said...

Adding hummus to the egg whites to make "deviled eggs" is a GREAT idea!

Those meatballs look SO GOOD! I want them for breakfast! lol

I hear that running races is addictive, but Im SO not a runner- actually hurts my back- but YOU GO GIRL!! :)

MadScientist said...

add 1 TB of unsweetened cocoa powder to green monsters--MUD. Amazing.

OldGoogleAccount said...

Never forget that you did that run! You're were kind of up against it with the hip issue and weather etc but you did it. And good for you for wanting to do it again.

Hummus filled egg whites? Brilliant!

Chari said...

The jitters get better as you run more races. Do you have a friend that will train with you?

Twincerely,Olga said...

everything looks so good!I am glad I found you!You have a great attitude! 5k's are all I do now!running on the treadmill at times helps me to improve my pace! Just keep your goal to always do your best so don't be nervous!Please stop by!

Twincerely,Olga said...

I just saw you do W.W I am a lifetime here! The program totally Rocks!

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

i love your reflections. you have a great outlook on your race/races in general. cant wait to see what recipes you try!

m i c h e l l e said...

Great attitude Marisa! I agree with Manderz comment about finding a bigger race :-)

Your blue monster looked great as did the rest of your eats!

Miz said...

Im with TJ and hoping I get addicted.

and you know me.
I always think a rest day is a good idea.

Sign me:

Itsa BoutThe LongHaul

COL said...

Run, Forest, Run!! I'll try to help w/the gym training, although I may not ever be the pavement runner I'd like to!

Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice) said...

I love your Blue Monster! Bravo for blueberries!

I picked up Zevia at Whole Foods the other day and put it right back on the shelf when I read the nutrition facts. I'm not a huge fan of drinking carbs! But, I guess it's a better alternative to other soft drinks.

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I think you did great! You should be proud of yourself. I plan on running my first 5k on Thanksgiving and I know it will be tough and I might be VERY slow but all that matters to me is that I finish!

A Daunting Tale of Scale Warfare said...

I bought the Chocolate Crisps from TJ's...yeah those can never be in my house again lol. So blasted good! I wound up eating a stack a day out of the package. I'm very proud of you and your will power!

Amanda said...

I agree with Manderz. Try a bigger race. Do you live near a big city? Look for runs in that area. And they are so much fun b/c there are so many people! I wish I lived near you, we could do one together! Come to Chicago! lol

Btw, your reflections sounded great! Very true to a first run. I ran my first run with someone and it was theirs too, so I had a buddy. You will get over first run jitters as you do more of them.

That blue smoothie looked great. I'm still a little weary of adding spinach to it. I know you said you don't taste it...I just can't get myself to do it yet!