Saturday, January 22, 2011

Kathy Week 56:

Good morning, Skinny Friends!

Today's weight...same as last week...135.
(But since the scale tipped up to 136 for a couple of mornings this week, I guess I'm not complaining.)

Ok, so the weight thing is boring. But I am very happy to say that I feel a little stronger in my running today than I did a week ago.

I ran 3 times again this week. Ran 1.2 miles each time, according to mapmyrun.com.
Instead of running to the nearby track (lots of rain this week = mushy muddy path), I ran on sidewalks to the nearby elementary school and back. It was nice to have streetlights in the evening.

Which brings me to a question: AM or PM?

What is the best time of day to run?

Haha - just asking that question, I know the answer:
Whenever you WILL run.

But I have been thinking about this. Some days, I run first thing in the morning. When I do that, I have more energy after I get home, and I seem to get more done during the day. Other days, I run in the evening. When I do that, I have more energy as I'm running; my form is better, I just feel like I'm a better runner, and I enjoy the running a little more.

Does anyone have any advice on this for me?

It was on one of those evenings that I was running this week, enjoying the feel of my body moving, thinking about becoming a runner this year, I decided: IT'S TIME TO SIGN UP FOR A RACE.

Yes, I did it! I signed up for a 5K race in April!
(I found it by going to this website and entering the info for location and type of race.)
After looking through the list on Running World's website, I thought that Running for Risa, on April 23, sounded just right for my first race. (Any of you Portland-area locals want to run it with me?)

Alex and Emily were right when they posted on The Skinny last year about this time and said that signing up for a race helps you stay motivated. So true! Now I feel like I have a motivation to prepare for the race. I need to keep running, adding a little to my distance each week, and I need to address my eating habits, which have backslid into some sloppy tendencies over the holidays.

Now that I've signed up for my very first 5K ever, here are my training goals:

1. Continue running 3x per week. This week I'll be running 1.5 miles on 3 different days.
2. Walk the running distance (1.5 miles...or more...) 2x per week.
3. Track my meals/calories on myfitnesspal.com again. Sigh. I wish I were perfect, and could eat just the right amounts of very healthy foods without having to track what I eat. But I'm not. At least not yet. So in the meantime, I'm just going to be very grateful for quick and easy tools that make it simple to behave myself.


Ok, Skinny Friends, I think that's all for today. I welcome your advice and encouragement, and I'm sending it right back atcha!

The days are getting longer, and spring will be here before we know it.

Whatever your goals are for health and fitness in 2011, you CAN do it!

3 comments:

MMW said...

here's an experiment that may help you.

my mom lost a lot of weight but couldn't get down past a threshold - similar to what you've been experiencing for several months. So then she totally CUT OUT all white foods except cauliflower - no potatoes, flour, sugar, etc. She made her meals 2/3 fruits and veggies and 1/3 OTHER (protein, pseudo-grains such as quinoa, etc.) and she LOST that last bit of weight.

Her belly/pooch was gone and she looks GREAT.

Just a suggestion.

alee said...

Hooray for you signing up for a race! I am jealous! Spring always seems like the perfect time of year to start running races :)

As for your question, I agree that there are pros and cons to running both in the morning and the evening, however I have found that for me it is best to do it first thing in the morning. Sure I don't have that spurt of energy that I get in the evening time, but it sure starts my day off right and gives me more energy and motivation throughout the day. Also, it is hard for me to begin a day now without some form of exercise...and if I leave it to the end of the day there are always a million other things that get in the way. Plus you have to allow your body time to cool down and come down from that running high, so you shouldn't be running closer than a few hours before bed anyway...ideally. (which then pulls in the question of eating before or after dinner, showering, etc.)

Good luck finding the best time that works for you...I agree that any time you are willing to go is great! :)

Katie Lewis said...

Thanks so much for the link to the race-finder website! I've been wanting to sign up for another 5K to run before we move. And I think I found one that'll be perfect. :)

We'd love to hear from you!

Want to write a guest post for The Skinny? E-mail Katie at kathleenann08 (at) gmail (dot) com.