Sidetracked

I've been feeling a little off lately, and CRAVING carbohydrates, and all the wrong ones,like cookies, sugary cereal, chocolate cake, candy, etc... It was suggested to me that my glycogen levels were depleted since my activity levels have gone up. It makes perfect sense. I've been eating as if I were adhering to a regular round of Body For Life instead of marathon training. For marathon training I need more carbs, but more of the right carbs. I should already be doing this because I marathon trained last year... DUH! I need to start carb loading a few days before a LSD (long slow distance) run. That being said, I made a huge pot of brown rice to have on hand for the next several days, and I need to stock up on steel cut oats.

Today was supposed to be my LSD run at the lake but it didn't happen. Thursdays work so well for my LSD runs because the lake is not that busy and there's not as many bike riders, skate boarders, walkers, dogs, small children, etc., to dodge. Oh well. I guess running with the masses on the weekends will prepare me for running with the masses at the marathon on on June 4th. I am back-up daycare for my 2 1/2 year old grandson, he has a cold and conjunctivitis (pink eye) so I spent the day with him. I thought I could fit in some Tae Bo during nap time but that didn't pan out, either. I ended up making phone calls.

Now that it is quiet and I have time to myself, I think I'll go do upper body circuits.

Peace

23:57

Reality Check:
I really needed that full day of rest that I took yesterday... It has made all the difference. I did things like read the paper, leaf through home improvement magazines, and stayed in my jammies all day...

Things that went right:
*I'm so jazzed right now because I'm very much back on track with my "casusal" running times. I ran my 2.5 miles in the neighborhood in 23:57. That's about a whole minute less than the last time I ran it. Not being in pain makes such a huge difference!
*I changed my schedule this week because it's going to rain tomorrow, so today was my run and tomorrow will be weights.

Things that need improvement:
*Shoes, AGAIN, but in the somewhat distant future. I must be the grim reaper of running shoe styles... I received a friendly little e-mail from Road Runner Sprots announcing that they're discontinuing the Asics I just bought and "hurry up, stock up and save 10%". I'm sort of back to square one, but at least I don't *need* a new pair of shoes right now. I'm still alternating with my Nikes, so the Asics will take me throught the marathon in June.
*Look at new light fixtures for the "new" master bedroom.
*Figure out new running routes in the new 'hood.

Blustery Day...

We've been blessed with a few days of gorgeous Spring-like weather, and now it's back to rain and drizzle...

With the arrival of Spring, arrives flowers on the "orchid" tree at the "new" house. I'm not sure what type of tree it is, as it's probably not really an orchid, but it produces a beautiful show of pinks, fuchsias and purples...

Same old same old...

Not much happening in the way of fitness and change.

Reality check:
I've maintained my same weight for over the past month. The good news is I haven't gained any weight, but the bad news is I haven't made any real fitness progress with muscle tone, weight, and performance. Some of this "maintaining" has to do with my arm and hip pain, and not giving a full out effort like I need. The other part of it is not eating clean when I should. Sure, my focus has been in other places, but I should have more control over my fitness goals. My fitness goal for this year is/was to marathon train without losing a ton of muscle tone like last year. I was also a good 10 pounds heavier AFTER last year's marathon...

Things that went right:
*I did my 2.5 mile run around the neighborhood, sub 25 minutes! It has been a while since I've seen that! I couldn't find my stopwatch so I used the clock on my cell phone. I'm trying to get a little faster where I can, without killing myself.
*No pain.
*The new shoes are working great! Now, I need to find them on sale somewhere...

Things that need improvement:
*Find my stopwatch. I think I saw the little guy with it.
*Sift through a bazillion old photos and slides at the "new" old house. It will be interesting but tedious.
*Try out some different electrolyte options just to see what else is out there and if those will agree with my system.

Peace.