Monday, August 23, 2010

Here we go....

**BUILDING UP MILEAGE**

After 10 days off of running ... I'm back!  Today marks the kick off of my mileage re-building plan.

The plan is to start off slowly, not worry about pace, and continuously build up over a period of about 4 months until I'm running a half marathon distance again.    Every 4 weeks is a recovery week which I think will be very important.  Too often I'm push, push, push and don't schedule recovery weeks. 


I loved the feeling of being able to comfortably run those longer distances and can't wait to get back to it.  But I'm going to do it smartly this time.

This morning I did my first run of the plan ... 3 miles.  It was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!  And I ran before work too - crazy huh?!  I changed my Garmin so that it would NOT tell me pace or time.  All I want to think about right now is distance and just let my body run as it feels.

For the first time in a long while I also ran the whole distance without taking a break ... and I never felt like I needed one.  That tells me this is just what I need.

**ORGANIZATION**

Last week I rode my bike to work every day and it was great.  The only down side was packing lunch.  I only have a smallish pack on my bike and hate to carry a backpack.  I'd like to ride most of this week as well and think I may have found a way to have the best of both worlds (cycling & food from home).

This morning I packed my lunch for the entire week and brought it with me to work.  I'm fortunate to have a fridge, microwave & kettle at my disposal - pretty much for just myself.  So I can stock that little fridge full!

I brought with me:
  • 4 c. carrot sticks
  • 4 c. blanched broccoli
  • 1/2 c. homemade pueblo bean dip
  • 4 c. green & red grapes, mixed
  • 4 c. homemade navy bean soup
  • 3 turkey sausages (130 cal 5 g fat ... I can't wait!)
  • 750g container peach yoghurt
If I feel the need to supplement this at all it's easy enough to pack a small extra snack, or take a 1/2 mile walk to the grocery store on my lunch break.

Once a week I can bring my food in and then when I bring next week's food to work, I'll take last week's containers home.  I think even if I'm not riding my bike to work this would save me all kinds of time, money and temptation!  I already pack my lunch most days of the week, typically in a rush in the morning, but this is something I can do on Sunday and have it done.

I'm very excited with all these new plans on the go.  Kinda feel like a kid going back to school (well, maybe not my kids, but like little kids that still find it exciting).

Keep Active!

Heidi
♥♥♥♥♥

11 comments:

Marcelle said...

NOW thats the kind of runs I can relate to....lol...I just run :)

Thanks for the comment in my blog.
I know I can do it ~ have before and can again..its only 6lbs ~ so from today I am back tracking..went to gym and did elliptical for 30 mins and then weights for 35. I think I need to rest my foot as I might have hurt it running a while back and now it pains...at the moment any weird happening to me I relate to being diagnosed with MS...wish I never knew.
Will explain in my blog tomorrow the stumbling story...all I want to say is...DONT WORRY ABOUT ME...lol
Come visit and read tomorrow what I discovered.

Marcelle said...

~BTW I created a blog for my WW journey only
http://marcylosesweight.blogspot.com/
Its not private...so pop around there if u have time,but please keep coming to my Germany one as that will always be where my heart lies.

Marlene said...

Good luck re-building your mileage - sounds like you have a great plan in place!

LOVE the idea of bringing your lunches and snacks for the week to work all at once. I would, but we only have a tiny fridge and it's always full. :(

Syl said...

Have I rubbed off on you Heidi? I'm seeing a whole lot of pink here and loving very minute of it ;-)
Your plan sounds like a great one Heidi
oh and are you up for some shredding ????? I've got a crazy challenge going, that only I am insane enough to do LOL ;-)

Missy said...

Sounds like a great plan for eating healthy at work! I bring my lunch every morning...I should try to bring enough for the week from now on. See it that helps eliminate some of the chaos in the morning!

Good luck running! Glad it felt great today!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Nice build up to your mileage! A plan always helps get things done.

I love that you bike to work AND take in your lunch for the week. I can't bike (taking 2 kids would make that difficult, heehee) but I do take the majority of my food in one Monday so I am set for the week! I love the time I save!

Thanks for commenting on my post...did you hit all the giveaways...a few easy entries!

Nej said...

The organization is awesome! You have a plan, a solid, concrete, do-able plan. It's just great!!!

ajh said...

Nice planning and taking your lunches in ahead. It is hard work to do things we need to do. Good for you.

Fran said...

I'm excited for your plan too!

But can you help me? You take a recovery week every 4 weeks which I think is good. But I suppose you will be doing something else in that week. You run 3 weeks and then 1 week recovery?

I'm asking because lately I'm struggling with my runs and I never take recovery weeks and I've been thinking about it. I think I need to build in recovery weeks too in which there's no running but there will be cardio and strength.

I think taking a break for a week from running will improve my running in the end.

Your help is appreciated. Instead of leaving a comment you can also email me at frenchie35@xs4all.nl whatever works for you best.

thanks.

Fran said...

Back again :)

After reading your post I've been searching the internet and found out that recovery weeks are very good to improve your running and for your body. So I've decided to add recovery weeks to my training starting next week. Like you I'm going to run for 3 weeks and then take a recovery week.

But still your suggestions what to do in the recovery week are more than welcome.

xxx

99ToGo said...

Curious: how far is your trip to work? I think it's so great that you can and do bike to work :)

Are you opposed to putting a little granny basket on your bike?? :) Might look silly, but you'd have more cargo space!