August 13, 2013

Whiner

It seems like just yesterday I was writing about how much I dread my Tuesday runs--intervals! Today was no different. I think I was being exceptionally whiny, and after going over all the excuses in my head, I finally just decided to get it done.

I almost always do my intervals on the treadmill, because it's easy to control the pace and keep it very consistent. I finished watching Orange is the New Black a few days ago, and I just wasn't motivated to get on the treadmill. I started watching Weeds yesterday, and thought it was okay, but it wasn't one of those shows that made me think, "Ohmygod, I have to watch MORE!" Anyway, after much heming and hawing around, I finally decided to run my intervals outside.

On the schedule today was a 1 mile warm-up, then 4 x 1200 with 400 recovery (which means 3/4 mile fast running, then 1/4 mile slow to recover; repeat for a total of 4 times). According to the Hansons' Marathon Method book (which I finally bought yesterday), I should run my 1200's at a 7:26/mi pace. I knew I could do that pace on the treadmill, but I had serious doubts about doing it outside.

As I ran my warm-up mile, I kept seeing my pace in the 10:00's, and it felt pretty tough on my super tired legs, which made me even more doubtful of reaching my pace on the intervals. As soon as my Garmin beeped the signal, I started running hard. I glanced at my watch a few times, and saw that my pace was 6:50-ish, so I thought I'd better slow down.

That fast pace didn't last long. I dropped down to where it should be, around 7:20-7:30, and was struggling very hard to keep it there. The sun was out (it had been cloudy when I left the house) and I was miserably hot. I don't care what the thermometer said, it really felt like it was 100 degrees ;)  I was so irritated at the heat, and I knew there was no way I could do three more intervals like this, so I just decided to finish it out and then I could choose to turn around and go home.

As soon as I heard the beep to drop to a recovery pace, I thought, "Fuck this. I quit. I'm going to just jog home from here." (I could hear Jerry in my head, teasing me: "Someone call the waaaaambulance for Katie!" hahaha). I had hit a 7:26/mi pace on the nose, but I knew I couldn't do another like that. I had already set my watch up for intervals, which meant it would beep in 1/4 mile to signal me to run hard again. As I was running slowly, I thought about the Hansons' book. I read that if you can't finish your intervals, you're probably doing them at too fast of a pace. Logically, I knew that. But the pace was based off of my most recent half-marathon, so I felt like I should be able to do it.

Since I was nearly two miles from home as it was, I decided to just run the next interval when it beeped, only I would try to keep my pace under 8:00/mi, rather than aiming for 7:26/mi. That worked really well! An 8:00/mi pace is tough, but I didn't feel like I was going to die. I knew I could maintain that for at least 3/4 of a mile. I finished that interval at a 7:47/mi pace.

I'd already completed two intervals, and with a little detour, I could fit in two more and complete the workout. As much as I wanted to quit, I knew I could finish it out if I did it at the slower pace. So I did. It was really hard, but I stuck it out, and I think I may have shouted a "Woo hoo!" when I heard the final beep of my watch, letting me know the workout was over.


I was completely shocked when I saw how many calories I'd burned: 527!! Normally, I burn about 80-85 per mile max. My excitement was short-lived, however, because when I got undressed, I realized I'd forgotten to wear the chest strap for my heart rate monitor ;)

Tomorrow is a rest day, and my legs are definitely looking forward to it. I'm not looking forward to my weigh-in, however. I ate SO well all week long, not going over my PointsPlus, but today, I just got into an "I don't care" mindset. I didn't binge, but I snacked all day (mostly on almonds, but also Twizzlers).

Sometimes I just get so sick of having to measure out everything I eat. I know that I have to do it (I've tried "mindful eating" lots of times, and it just causes me to binge). Through tons of trial and error, I know that measuring and counting (whether it's PointsPlus or calories) is the best way for ME to maintain/lose weight. But sometimes I just get fed up with it, and wish I could eat like a "normal" person. Anyway, I know my weight will be up tomorrow, but I also know if I get right back to measuring and counting, it'll come right back off.



Last week, I got a surprise package in the mail from Special K (I had done a couple of reviews for their products before). They sent me some hot cereal cups and some bars, both part of a new "Nourish" product line, to sample. They didn't ask me to write a review or anything, but after tasting them, I decided to write about them for Taste Test Tuesday (mainly because I really ended up liking the bars!)


The hot cereal (which looked like just oatmeal to me, but it's a blend of oats, barley, wheat, and quinoa) sounded really good. You just mix it with hot water and let it steep for a couple of minutes. It comes with toppings that you stir in (nuts and dried fruit). I was hugely disappointed when I saw how tiny the portion was, though:

This is the Cranberry Almond flavor
It was probably less than 1/2 cup after cooking and mixing, which looked very tiny in the cup. The flavor was good, but I still prefer to make my own oatmeal and stir in my own combinations of flavors. However, these would be really great for someone on the go; you could just grab one (and a spoon) to take with you, and all you need to make it is hot water.

I loved the bars, though! I wish I'd taken pictures, but when I ate them, I hadn't been planning to write a review, so I didn't think to take a picture. The first one I ate was Lemon Twist flavor, and it was so good! I love lemon bars (meaning dessert), and these were a similar flavor, but with a chewier oatmeal-like texture. I can't wait to see them on the shelves at Kroger, because I'm going to buy some more of those. The Dark Chocolate Nut bar was really good as well. I haven't tried the Cranberry Almond one yet.


The winner of the giveaway for a $50 virtual gift card to Words to Sweat By is lucky #13:


Congratulations pennpalrunner! Please send me an e-mail ASAP to SlimKatie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com so that I can give your info to Dana at Words to Sweat By. Have fun shopping! :)

14 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I read your post tonight. I was feeling bad that I had munched this evening without measuring things out. Sometimes i just hate to count and measure; I just want to eat. But I also know everything goes better weight-wise if i measure and count. So it was good to read that others feel the same. Thank you!

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  2. You should watch Alphas on Netflixs. Sucks you in from the very beginning. :)

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  3. I've had a lot of days lately where I am not caring. My weight is up because of it. I get it down, then it goes back up. *SIGH* One day I'll get it together. That portion does look tiny, but it looks tasty!

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  4. I have a coupon for the Special K hot cups but I haven't found them yet. I love the quaker medley cups, but they're SO expensive!

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    1. I love oatmeal cups but I only get them when they are on sale...I like when stop n shop has them on sale 10 for 10!!!

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  5. I agree. I get tired of counting too and have not done so this summer and it shows. But at least you run every day. That is my goal, to begin running like you. Thanks for inspiring me daily:)

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  6. What did you think of the end of Orange is the new Black?!! Wowza!!

    (IamSue89)

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  7. I think it is great you didn't quit. I went to the track yesterday too and realized that I can't go to the track anymore....it is just too easy to give up. I wanted to do 5k and at the 2 mile mark I was tired and sore so when that lap brought me by my car I left. If I was running somewhere in my neighborhood I would have had to run or at least walk home. I go to the track because of shin splints but they hurt anyway so why bother.....

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  8. If you're looking for a new show for motivation, try Friday Night Lights. It sucks you in—even if you hate football! Best show I've ever watched...your runs will pass in a flash. :)

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    1. Oh....Friday Night Lights. LOVED that show!!!

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  9. That was nice of Special K to send you their new products. After I see something new advertised, if I want to try it, I have a devil of a time finding it in the store, for weeks around here anyway. I read somebody (Hungry Girl?) talking about how great the new WW brownies are, and they sound delicious. I'm not even sure where they would be in the grocery store, but I keep looking.

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  10. Hello-I've never commented before but your feelings about binging and wanting to eat like a "normal" person ring so true to me. Before your blog I never knew what to call this type of eating, not anorexia not bulemia but definately an unhealthy relationship with food. Thank you for helping me realize I am not crazy for having these food tendencies. Also, I seconf Friday Night Lights in Netflix. I'm not a football fan but it helped me train for my marathon last November!

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  11. Congratulations on making it through your run and I think that what you describe is what everyone goes through. I struggle with wanting to feel "normal" all the time, and it's comforting to know that I am in the same boat as many, many other people in the world who can't eat "normally." Whatever that is. I try my best to remind myself that for me... my struggle/addiction/"abnormality" if you will is battling with eating. Others struggle with smoking, alcohol, gambling, shopping, or anything like that. Others struggle with those things but they don't tempt me. I struggle with food. Try to remind yourself of that too... it's hard in the moment, I know!

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  12. I'm so impressed with your run! I can't imagine running that fast! And the way you stuck with it--that was truly the most impressive part! I would've called the waaambulance. ;) (Jerry is too funny.)

    I say that a lot too...I want to eat like a "normal" person. But I wonder if there is such a thing??

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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