Weighed Down…or not??
*Disclaimer* Weight-related post, I am not nutritionist, just trying to figure out what works for me as I aim to be a competitive runner. It may seem a little OCD, but I think every runner thinks about it, as much as they may not want to admit it!
This is what I am currently feeling about the issue.
So I have been a little down about nutrition as I have gained 4 pounds since Boston (!!) I have been eating like I am still running 90 miles a week! And I am feeling it. Matt, bless his heart, says that I look exactly the same, but I have been feeling 'weighed down' (or would it be weighted?) Here is a sample of what I ate yesterday:
Coffee w/ vanilla creamer (I know not the best for you, but soooo good!)
*Recovery run 7 miles*
16 oz Post-run recovery drink- spinach, carrot juice, rice milk, protein powder, almond butter, banana
Breakfast- 2 pieces of rice toast, one with organic strawberry preserves, one with 1 tbs. almond butter. coffee. powerade zero.
Lunch- Yam, quinoa, grape tomatoes. Yogurt with fresh mango and strawberries, 10-12 almonds.
Snack- Fruit smoothie (homemade)- yogurt, berries, kiwi, banana, oj. Can of FRS.
Snack- Matt surprised me with a tall Starbucks skim milk coffee Frappucino as it was 1/2 off for their happy hour. Told myself it would count for dessert!
*Pfitzinger weight/core routine*
Dinner- BIG salad-organic greens and spinach, quinoa, grape tomatoes, avocado, feta cheese, 1 egg, balsamic vinaigrette.
So maybe the quantity of everything is too much. I also tend to go a little crazy on the weekend, especially with empty calories (i.e. wine and fro-yo!) I will keep logging and see what happens. Anyone have any advice/input?
But... just as I was getting down on myself, I had an AWESOME workout this morning. I think it was a breakthrough for me. I had 10 miles, I did 2 miles slloowww with Tank, then the rest I did on my own and averaged about a 6:34 pace for the 8 miles, 6:49 all together. I felt SO good. It just felt really natural, not labored at all. So maybe I was fueled so well from the abundance of food I ate yesterday? Maybe the extra weight is new muscle? I have never had a training run that was so fast but at the same time felt so easy. Yay! I can really tell that the shorter 5k/10k speedwork that coach is having me do is paying off as well. My legs had awesome turnover this morning.
Anyways, enough of my blabbering. Doing some altitude training in the mountains this weekend, so I will post some pics!
Runningly Yours,



May 13th, 2010 - 10:45
http://www.sportsscientists.com/2010/05/sub-27-10km-limit-exclusive-club.html
Here’s an interesting article about racer weight for the 10k. I’ve noticed that there seem to be quite a few bigger runners that are way better than you’d expect by their size. I don’t think it means gaining weight will make you faster, but it makes me stress less about the pounds (which is probably just as important). Although to be fair, I’m also often tempted to rationalize why a piece of chocolate cake or bowl of ice cream is going to make me faster =)
May 14th, 2010 - 06:56
Girl I feel ya! This has been an issue for me as well but since my mileage is so low right now I am trying to remind myself that my body will work itself out on its own. I learned from Racing Weight that I eat all the right things…just too much of it. The diet examples of the elite runners was eye opening to say the least. Have you seen Lauren Fleshmans blog? She talks about her diet every now and then and I’ve learned a little from it. Check it out. I think my problem is that I love to cook. So I’ll bake muffins for my kids and take a bite, I’ll cook my husbands favorite dinner, and take a bite, pack his lunch, take a bite…all day long…whoops!
May 18th, 2010 - 07:50
Love the magazine picture!!! That is the coolest thing ever! I can’t wait to see you on Runner’s world!!
I just ordered Racing Weight so I can’t wait to check it out. I love the honesty in your posts!
May 19th, 2010 - 20:12
I too have put on a few lb’s since Boston. I’m not too worried about it though since I know my training is much less intense and less mileage than before. SO… I’m just going to enjoy this time and embrace my extra rolls while it lasts. ahhhh….