Marathon Training and Weight Loss, Maybe Not

I've struggled with my weight most of my life. At 5' tall, there's not much room (height) for excess weight. About 3 years ago, I lost more than 20 pounds with Weight Watchers. Through the ups and downs in my weight, I was a runner. As I trained for the marathon, I thought I'd drop pounds without even trying. Not quite the case.

With my marathon a few days away, I'm realizing the benefits of the training, and that some of my beginning assumptions didn't result from the running.

First, I feel great. I've not only improved physically, but I feel healthier. My legs and butt feel like they've taken the brunt of my training - and have the most to show for it. I like the results.

It's my middle that needs the work - and that didn't see any improvement from training. Makes sense. I should have put more effort into my core work. (I'll remedy that over the long Minnesota winter.)

But what was difficult for me to balance this summer during my marathon training - was my calorie intake. I ate when I was hungry and tried to eat more protein than I've been used to. I didn't try to cut my calories because I was afraid that would be detrimental to my training. I did eat healthier than I did before training. Obviously with a few days until the marathon, I'm not going to start dieting now. But that's why I didn't lose weight this summer - I was expending a lot of energy and taking in a lot of energy. That's an equation for no weight loss. Plus - I do know that muscle weighs more than fat - and I did gain a bit of muscle :)

So - the end of marathon training means the beginning of more purposeful weight management with a goal to drop some weight and keep it off over the winter. I'll have to develop a workout plan and will try to keep running during the winter (not that easy in Minnesota in January). And I'll actively diet by falling back on my Weight Watcher's basics.

I'll tackle my new regimine just like I tackled marathon training - with a schedule and commitment. That's one other benefit from training - I know I can accomplish what I set my mind to... and that 80-90% of it is mental!

See the Foxes

Running opens up new experiences to most of us who are open to whatever may come. For me, this summer of marathon training has yielded a great harvest. Not only have I discovered what my body and mind and will are capable of, I've explored new parts of the Twin Cities and experienced nature in a wonderful and different way.

I love living in the Twin Cities. Usually my reasons have focused on the amazing availability of the arts and the standard of living that I enjoy. But the longer I live here, the more I've come to appreciate the great outdoors. Running has enhanced that appreciation for me.

I've explored the Lakes in Minneapolis in a more complete way, tackled White Bear Lake and discovered Woodlake Nature Center and trail running. Training for a marathon has meant that I'm outdoors much more than usual - so I'm seeing much more: birds from spring through fall, the budding and turning of trees, and wildlife. Last week, I had a run-in with nature that I won't soon forget.

I was running a 7.5 to 8 mile run through Woodlake when a little red fox trotted out of the woods and into my path, oblivious to my presence. Once it heard me and turned his small head over his shoulder to see me there and trotting along after him, he skitted along the trail and around the corner. I was stunned and pleasantly surprised by the encounter and couldn't wait to tell my nature-loving daughter. Then, as I rounded the next curve in the trail - there it was again! Stunned again, he scampered off - this time off the trail and back into the woods.

I wouldn't have seen the fox if it wasn't for my running. So whether you are a runner or not, take the time to notice the world around you and appreciate it. Start seeing the foxes.

Say It, Shout It, Show It

As runners, we’ve seen it before – people who put phrases or words on their clothing for all to see during a race. Some are funny others are meaningful – either in a broad sense or for the person themselves.

Even Runner’s World has a commentary about what they called the ”runner-as-billboard phenomenon.” Some people really get into it. Others don’t even know it’s an option. I think it personalizes a complete stranger you may run by (or who may run passed you!) and makes you think about something else while your struggling with your run and might even make you laugh along the way.

So, with our marathon just 11 days away, I’d like to start the conversation about the possibilities for our shirt verbiage. Of course, my sister Cecilia has her own brand of humor. She’ll have to comment on this post with some of her classics.

For consideration:

• Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.
• Do or do not, there is no try. By Yoda
• Just keep swimming, swimming… Dory on Finding Nemo
• I am a turtle.
• Me tortoise, you hare.
• Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.
• Who says girls aren’t tough?

Now a mantra is a little different. Or it could be the same thing as what you have on your shirt. This is something you say to yourself, out loud or not, that motivates you and keeps you going. When I ran my 20 mile run 2 weeks ago, my mantra was, “I am a turtle.” It was appropriate and made me laugh.

Some others include:

• I got this hill.
• One more mile.
• Be tough.

You can also occupy your mind with other exercises:

• Count your blessings.
• Write a story in your head.
• Repeat a song or sing out loud.
• Count or do mental math.
• Pray the rosary.
• Dedicate each mile to someone and pray for them.

So please comment on this post and share your ideas for shirt sayings, mantras and mind exercises….

Finding the Balance

Keeping balance in my life has always been important. as I work full-time and raise an active teenager on my own. I've had uber busy times before - like the years I was in grad school. Adding marathon training to the mix has made scheduling and balance even more important.

Recently I've had some super busy days that illustrate this. Monday I went from work to my daughter's volleyball game. From there I dropped her at dance class, changed into my running gear at church, ran a fast 4 miles as I raced against the clock to finish before dark and before the end of dance class. From there we went home and I finally got to relax at 9 p.m.

Today I was able to get a trail run in before volleyball practice was done - but it was a race from work to the trail. I'm not sure what the rest of the week holds regarding my running. But I need to fit a 12 mile run into a busy weekend.

Life is about the run right now. As with just about anything, maintaining balance enables you to get more done and accomplish things you never thought you could. Marathon training is one of those things to me. It's important and a priority this summer, even if at times it's taken over my life . Summer 2009 = training.

At the same time, running is just one part of who I am and only one of my priorities. I've realized this summer, more than ever, that life really can't be just about one thing - we have to allow ourselves to just be. That means it's ok to enjoy rest days and to make other prorities happen. For example - I really try to make all of my daughter's volleyball games. That means I don't even try to fit a run in on those days and I just let it go. Balance.

It will be nice to move on to the next goal and run just for fun. Regardless, there will be other commitments and goals to juggle and balance come October 4, 2009.

I am a Turtle

How do you log a 20 mile run, especially on a humid September morning? Like a turtle - slow and steady. That was our mantra as Sarah and I finished a 20 mile run as part of the Bear Water Run in White Bear Lake yesterday, September 12.

The morning started humid, but overcast. I had some nerves before we left the house which subsided as soon as we started running. Sarah and I fell into a nice pace - about an 11 minute mile. I kept reminding myself that I wasn't running this race - simply logging my long run for the week which happened to be 2o miles.

We ran the first half, the first lap around the lake, without stopping except to walk through the water stops every two miles. I was thrilled that Sarah was doing so well - because it was great to run with her. Running with someone and chatting along the way really does make the long running easier and actually makes the time pass easier too.

As we started the second half of the run, we could really feel the humidity. Sarah decided it was best for her body if she handled the second lap with her run-walk-running. I was enjoying the run with her, so I decided to stick with her. I've always added walks during my long runs, but nothing as set and scheduled as what Sarah does. So I've always been a believer - and I actually believe that I would not have finished the 20 mile when I did if I hadn't stayed with Sarah.

I think we have a plan for tackling the marathon - I'd like to try to run the first 13-15 with only walk breaks through the water stations. Then, for miles 15-25, do the 6-minute run, 2-minute walk method of Sarah's. Then - we run the last mile!

Being a turtle not only got me through this 20-mile run, it gave me more confidence about the 26.2 in three short weeks.

I am a turtle, a smart turtle - and proud of it!

One Month Left!

As amazing as it seems, the marathon is one short month away - 4 weeks, 30 short days! This is a reality check, and the realities are 1) either I've trained adequately so far or not, because 2) training is ramping down, and 3) there is an end in sight!

I"m not sure which reality I'm most focused on at the moment, but I think it would be that I can see the end of training. If I'm running about 3 times a week, that means I only have a dozen more runs, including just one more really long run which is the 20 miler next weekend. Whoa.... total reality check!

The ultimate reality check will be one month from today, October 4, 2009, when I actually run the marathon. It doesn't get any more real. Thirty days... here we go!