Happy Saturday 🙂
Everyone was up bright and early this morning! My alarm went off at 6 am and my parents were already up since my mom is traveling out west this weekend for work. Having other people awake in the house with the lights on made waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday a little more bearable. I tied up my sneakers, had a piece of bread with almond butter and a glass of gatorade and then was out the door!
The weather was actually incredibly nice this morning. I ran along the water all the way down to the air force base and back and the whole time, despite the crazy humidity, there was a nice breeze. Unfortunately though, I sort of misjudged the distance and thought it was 3 miles to the base and 3 miles back, when it really was 2 1/2 miles there and back, getting me back home exactly at 5 miles….not the 6 I had planned for. I was going to do another loop around but then my Garmin died on me! So, total, I did 5 miles in 50 minutes, which was exactly my goal pace.
I used to be so strict with my running and not take any walk breaks at all and I was pondering this as I trucked along this morning, thinking 13.1 miles is SO much further than I ever anticipated! A little break here and there never hurt anyone and I find that when I take a minute or two to walk after every mile or so, I can actually run faster and stronger. I don’t think I was ever meant to be one of those runners that can pound out 10 miles at a 8:30 pace with no breaks. Ouch. Plus, it saves my shins which I am currently icing:
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
August 8, 2009 at 10:11 amCongrats on the awesome run! And that breakfast does look delicious, despite not being able to finish it. 😉
SO neat about the live stream at the Summit! What a great idea!
sirenjess
August 8, 2009 at 10:12 amHi Jenna, don’t beat yourself up for walking. Doing a run/walk is perfectly fine especially since you do have shin splints. Just enjoy your run.
I just wanted to tell you that you’re gonna want to start doing some hill training. I just ran the San Francisco marathon and I seriously trained for those hills. I’m not familiar with where you live so I don’t know where you could practice for them unless you do them on a treadmill, but it’s not the same. I haven’t run the Nike one but I know others who have and they have warned me that the hills are worse than San Fran marathon. So just a heads up.
cj
August 8, 2009 at 10:12 amI love your approach to running. It’s that kind of approach that keeps running fun and your body healthy. Have a great day Jenna!
Simone
August 8, 2009 at 10:25 amSo excited for the live summit streaming. I really wanted to go but couldn’t afford the travel costs so this makes me a very happy girl. I have really bad shin splints too so I know what you mean by needing to do the walk/run combo thing. Definitely helps the shins post workout!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs)
August 8, 2009 at 10:28 amOlympic runner Jeff Galloway has been advocating walking breaks during runs for years, and he’s totally onto something. I used to really resist it but I think it’s helping me stay injury-free and in love with running.
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
August 8, 2009 at 10:34 amGlad you had a good run!
Have a nice day!
Rachel
August 8, 2009 at 10:35 amHi Jenna!
I’ve been feeling some discomfort in my shins lately as I’ve been upping my mileage and hill training. And I’m one of those runners who hates to take any sort of slow down that will break my pace (I even sprint if I can see that I can make the “WALK”, just to avoid running on the spot as the cars fly by at an intersection). Now I know not listening to my body is only going to hinder my training – but what’s the best way to make this walk/run thing work?
Kind of sounds like a silly question, but do you just walk for a bit when you think your body(/shins) needs it? But what about those of us who have always pushed through the pain?
Thanks so much! And great idea about streaming the Summit – looking forward to it 🙂
Raya
August 8, 2009 at 10:36 amI am exactly the same way after a run or hard workout these days as far as not eating. All I want is water water water!! I think it’s the heat, Florida is just so HOT in the summer!
Raya @ RayaRuns.com
Gillian
August 8, 2009 at 10:36 amI do walk breaks allllll the time especially during races. When they are handing out the water I slow down and walk and drink my water or gatorade. If I keep running when I do this I gulp it down then get cramps – this gives me a minute to hydrate properly and give my legs a little break!
Christina MINDFUL LIVING
August 8, 2009 at 10:41 amno worries you are allowed to walk if that is what gets you through! just the fact that you are running/walking at all is something to be proud of!
Maria
August 8, 2009 at 10:51 amYay, I’m so glad to hear there will be live streaming! I wanted to be there and that will be the next best thing 🙂
Yep, there’s no need to be strict on yourself (I’m like that too, so totally understand!) when running. Taking walks is just fine!
Megan (Runner's Kitchen)
August 8, 2009 at 10:54 amI sometimes talk walk breaks and my PR for the 1/2 marathon is 1:36 (7:20 pace). Listening to your body is ALWAYS the right decision 🙂 Congrats on starting the weekend off with a run and have a GREAT saturday!
Emily Eats
August 8, 2009 at 11:12 amGreat news that you’re streaming the summit! I’ll be watching you from England 🙂
Janessa
August 8, 2009 at 11:20 amI’m not a regular coffee drinker, but an occasional cup is really nice. Especially when it’s made for you by loved ones.
kay (eating machine)
August 8, 2009 at 11:20 amThat breakfast looks fab! I’m craving some berries now…
Emily @ The Experimentarian
August 8, 2009 at 11:22 amRunning always kills my appetite no matter what the weather. Hate that! Good luck with your training. I just signed up for my first 10k, so I am training right there with you (for about half the distance 🙂 )
Matt (No Meat Athlete)
August 8, 2009 at 11:33 amHey Jenna, glad you’re run went well, even though it didn’t go quite as planned. But there’s no reason to let your Garmin dying stop you from doing that extra loop! It’s about the running, not the timing or the mileage or anything with a number!
Walk breaks are great, especially with your shin history. Taking a minute to walk after every mile or every 5 minutes or whatever works best for you is actually very common. Jeff Galloway, the guy best known for promoting it, says it has actually helped tons of people BREAK 3 HOURS in marathons! I couldn’t believe that when I read it!
Anyway, I don’t do walk breaks now that my shin problems aren’t an issue, but my wife still swears by them. Good luck with your training, I’m looking forward to hearing how walk breaks help you.
Sharon
August 8, 2009 at 11:54 amHi Jenna,
Curious as to where you got your nutrition consultant certificate certification from? Was it an online course? I work in the medical field, and I think it might be helpful to have some more formal nutrition training, but I’m interested in an online certificate rather than a full blow bachelor’s or master’s degree, since I already have both of those! thanks
Susan
August 8, 2009 at 12:20 pmBah, I hate it when my planned distances are shorter than I thought! Still a great run though. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking short walk breaks. I too find I can run faster and longer with them. Oddly, my pace slows waaay down when I run straight out and it actually takes me longer to complete distances!
Angela
August 8, 2009 at 12:29 pmMMM! I’ll take the other half of that breakfast!
katey
August 8, 2009 at 12:40 pmIm like the complete opposite of you! Im STARVING after I workout! Hahaha- hope that ice helped!
Angela
August 8, 2009 at 1:20 pmAwesome run girlie! I agree with you- I don’t have much of an appetite after long runs in the heat. Just water water water!
Megan
August 8, 2009 at 1:29 pmWhat a great run! I know what you mean about not having an appetite after a workout like that in the heat. It is definitely the heat that messes everything up! I love living in the south but I can’t wait for fall.
Your breakfast looks good, even if you couldn’t finish it all! And I am glad to hear you enjoyed your cup of coffee…I commend you for not having to drink it every morning. I don’t know if I have the strength, haha.
MarathonVal
August 8, 2009 at 2:01 pmDon’t worry about the walk breaks – many of my runner friends have trained for marathons using Jeff Galloway’s walk/run method and have actually improved their time 🙂
Rebecca
August 8, 2009 at 2:17 pmI’m never hungry after I exercise either. It’s weird. You’d think that it would be the opposite. I like tea AND coffee. I just crave caffeine really.
Darcie
August 8, 2009 at 2:29 pmI never really understood how anyone could be hungry after running. I always feel slightly nauseated once I’m done. Not really in a bad way, just one that makes food sound like the worst possible idea. Is this how you feel or are you simply not hungry? How do you force yourself to eat afterward? I know I should but… eeeeeechhhh…
Christie @ Quit Your Diet
August 8, 2009 at 2:31 pmSo excited about the live stream of the summit!
JB
August 8, 2009 at 2:40 pma little break here and there DEFINITELY never hurt anyone. and i miss ezekiel cereal now! i used to have it all the time! by the way, i’m always cold too. i’m actually freezing right now. haha. 🙂
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 8, 2009 at 2:45 pmI lived/ran in San Francisco on the top of Nob Hill, every approach is a steep hill, which get used to but it does take practice. A friend who runs the SF Marathon annually was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a year ago and still ran it this year and finished in good time. So inspirational. I tried to look at the Nike site course map to see what % is hills and which ones…but got an error message. Did find this from Chic Runner about their Nike SF 1/2 marathon experience…looks fun! http://chicrunner.com/?p=353
KZ
August 8, 2009 at 3:10 pmWhen I trained for my marathon, I rarely had an appetite afterwards right after my long runs so I drank lots of smoothies to recharge. Try adding some avocado slices to your green monsters for an extra burst of healthy fats and yogurt for protein. A few hours later the hunger would kick in and I usually go for eggs and toast spread with nut butters or avocados. Good luck with your training! Don’t forget rest and vino breaks 🙂
Sana
August 8, 2009 at 4:00 pmLOL on the ice packs, I need to get one for my back, however laying on a bag of peas does not feel good.
lola
August 8, 2009 at 6:31 pmHey Jenna!! i just have one question, have you noticed any changes now that you’re drinking coffee again?
I’m drinking coffee and eating pastrys every morning right now, but i’m back to school on monday and i’m back on the wagon!
jenna
August 8, 2009 at 8:45 pmlola,
No because honestly I drink a cup, like, every blue moon. I don’t have it every day…maybe once every few weeks!
lola
August 8, 2009 at 6:32 pmOh and by the way, i vote for the blue dress!
Nicole
August 8, 2009 at 7:20 pmMmm…coffee. There’s nothing wrong with having a cup every once in a while!
Sarah
August 8, 2009 at 7:38 pmGreat work! My husband and I run marathons and this last one we did the whole modified Galloway for training and the run after I hurt my achilles midway into training. We run a mile and walk a minute. I have never recovered from runs so quickly and felt so good. Our times actually improved as well! And I felt good enough after the 4th of July run to let my kids walk us all over Portland that afternoon!! Keep up the great work! I love reading your blog and I am wishing positive energy and caring to you during these tough months.
shelley
August 8, 2009 at 8:15 pmaw I’m sure you’ll get your appetite back in a few days. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Madelin @ What is for breakfast?
August 8, 2009 at 8:20 pmLooking forward to the live stream since I all the way over here in Oz 🙁
Pam (Highway to Health)
August 8, 2009 at 9:21 pmI’m feeling the same way about my 13.1 miles. A little intimidated! Just stay positive and you can do it. A little walking never hurt anyone!
TorontoGirloutWest
August 9, 2009 at 11:05 amI’m with you on taking breaks. Slowly I’ve started to realize that’s the way to go. Mostly because I have knee/leg issues and if I push through it’s excruciating but if I stop and take a break then I’m pretty good to go! 🙂
Katy
August 9, 2009 at 11:37 amThe blog world is such a wonderful thing … you have no idea how much I needed to read this! I’ve been bummed since my last run, since I THOUGHT I was doing 8 miles, but when I got back, I realized it was only 7.5. Such a small difference, I know, but I almost wanted to go back and do the last .5! So, thanks for sharing this. I also run at about a 10:00/mile, which is slow … but so much faster than my 0:00/mile pace that I used to clock while sitting on the couch.
See you at HLS in less than a week!
Kristilyn
August 10, 2009 at 10:28 amThat’s funny … lately I haven’t been able to stomach breakfast, either. Maybe it’s a summer thing because I loved my oats in the winter, but couldn’t have more than a few spoonfuls when I made them last week! Eggs on the other hand … they’re a year round food for me!
Good for you for taking a walk break! I find it definitely helps. 🙂
K