Running for Pennies

7/13 meals and workout

Meal 1: Kashi Go Lean Honey & Cinnamon Oatmeal, hardboiled egg, English Breakfast tea
Snack: Banana
Meal 2: Leftover tilapia, tri-color chickpea salad on spinach leaves, plum
Snack: Large handful of blackberries and Kashi chewy granola bar
Meal 3: Kashi Mexicali black bean pizza, small spinach salad w/carrots & sprouts, small handful of blackberries

Workout:
Week 4/Day 1 of Onehundredpushups
Stretch
Run: ~3.6 miles at 36.29 minutes = 10.08 minute mile
Stretch

Knee Status: Wore the strap. My knee was a bit sore starting off, but after getting into a comfortable stride the soreness went away.

When I got home from work yesterday evening it was still too warm for me to run outside. So I took a 20 minute nap. Got changed and did my pushups for the day. At around 7pm, I decided to head out. I walked for about 3 minutes to warm-up.

My goal for yesterday’s run was to pace myself. Last Monday’s run was a disaster. I don’t run outside all that much, which is crazy being the weather has been so great! The hardest part for me when running outside is setting a comfortable pace. I almost always start out way too fast. That’s what happened last Monday, 4 minutes into my run I was already breathing heavily. I ran/walked and only ended up running for 22 minutes. I had no energy to go farther. Very frustrating!

Yesterday I focused on starting out at a somewhat slower pace. I ran the first loop in about 17 minutes. The second loop, I ran and walked at a 4:1 ratio. I found my stride feeling stronger and my breathing more controlled. I got the idea of run/walk from reading other blogs and them referencing the Galloway Method. The idea is to run/walk at the beginning and middle of your run and then as needed towards the end.

For some, having to walk during a run may seem like a failure. In the past, I’ve been hard on myself if I had to stop and walk when it wasn’t in the plan. But after more and more reading, I’m learning that walking is a valuable tool in your training for any type of race and achieving your personal goals. I’ve only just started testing out this method, time will tell. I can say that I felt GREAT after my run last night!

Almost forgot…while I was running I noticed lots of pennies on the ground. It took A LOT of restraint not to stop and pick them up. You may laugh and say “they are only pennies, forget about them!” NO WAY! I am always finding money (coins mostly) on the ground and I almost always pick them up no matter if they are heads or tails up (no superstitions for me). Every American coin says “In God We Trust,” and I do my best not to pass up anything that has something to do with God! I didn’t come up with this concept myself; I heard/read about a man who gave this reasoning. I thought it was a fabulous concept! I also heard somewhere that money found is left by a family member or friend that has passed. Whether, it’s true or not, I don’t care! It makes me feel good and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside during my run last night knowing I had two “cheerleaders.” Now I just need to remember to bring something to carry my treasures in! Happy Running!