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May 19, 2024

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever.   :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years.  This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :) 


Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life.   To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs.  To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner.  To enjoy running more and more with every passing year. 

Personal:

Baby boomer generation.  Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's.  Started running seriously in 2002.  Low-carb runner since January 2010. 

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather.  I don't believe in "junk miles."  I am an optimist.  I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.  

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are."  -- Joan Benoit Samuelson 


Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles: 891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles: 23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles: 965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles: 198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles: 104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles: 536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles: 16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles: 219.53
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.830.002.000.008.83

55F, partly cloudy, humid.  Lactate threshold/Tempo run: 4 E + 2 T + remainder moderate.

Yesterday afternoon, as our mercury climbed to 80F, the thunderheads that had been predicted for Eastern Washington were camped just beyond the mountains near my house.  So close!  It was beautiful, but I wanted them to scoot just a teensy bit farther west to cool us off.  This morning's run was quite pleasant, but still a bit warm with the humid air.

An observation about weight.  I was bringing in some purchases from my car, including a 20 pound jug of cat litter. Since my right arm is still sore from scything (see yesterday's post), I had the goofy but practical idea of putting the thing on my head, like an African woman.  I set it on its side and held on to the handle.  That worked nicely, but as I carried it up the 10 steps from the garage, through the house, and down the 14 steps to my basement, I thought to myself, "this is what it would be like to be 20 pounds overweight."  Difficult!! And I couldn't imagine trying to run with those extra 20 pounds.  I like my weight all right, so it's hard to get worked up about losing the 5-10 pounds I probably should lose -- but how much lighter would that feel as a runner? Something to think about.

Brooks ST3 Miles: 8.83
Comments
From Metcalf Running on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:42:16 from 63.240.133.93

Nice run today... and interesting observation about weight. DH and I have been trying to help each other out with loosing a few of the extra pounds we would like to shed, and I keep thinking to myself it will help the way I feel when I'm running.

From Carolyn in Colorado on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:02:18 from 198.241.217.15

I guess we're all trying to loose a few pounds, but isn't it nice that it's just 5-10 pounds and not 50 or 100?

I don't know if you ever watch The Biggest Loser, but often later in the season they have the contestants put on fat suits or carry weights equivalent to what they've lost to that point and do some kind of physical challenge. It's really tough.

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:04:53 from 67.171.56.164

Hear, hear! (on 5 rather than 50, lol)

From Bonnie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:42:27 from 75.164.111.39

As much as I hate to say it (because I am a strong advocate about people not obsessing about weight) - it makes a big difference in running. The elite athletes are not skinny because they run so much - they spend a lot of time keeping their weight down so they can run faster. That said, as with everything else, moderation is the key, because if you get too low it can be a detriment. I have always run better when I am below the "recommended" weight for my height.

Although, Sno I thought you were the PERFECT weight just as you were when I saw you in Eugene...

From Snoqualmie Ridge Runner on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:54:59 from 67.171.56.220

Love to see that speed work! Have you talked to Sean about specific workouts yet?

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 15:27:11 from 67.171.56.164

Bonnie, Thanks so much. I like my weight too so it's more of a "casual" goal. Even if I just stay the same as the years go on I'll be breaking the typical pattern.

Jeff, I don't have any immediate plans to do any coaching with Sean, though I sometimes think about it. Money-wise, it's a fantastic deal. For those of you wondering what this is all about, the director of our new running club, Sean Sundwall (link on my Favorites), is offering club members his coaching services for $15 per month.

From april27 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 15:36:26 from 143.43.10.62

I love on the biggest loser how they make them wear fat suits! I think it is so weird to see them back at their start out weight! I think it is also a great reminder to them of how they don't want to go back.

Sno- I don't have a scale at home b/c when I did I would obsess! I would weigh my self once a week and I would naturally go up or down a pound. 2 years ago I finally got to a good weight but then kept losing and I think I was 138 (i'm 5'9) I felt soooo sickly. Now I'm at a comfy weight which ranges between 140 and 147...I would love to lose 5 lbs but I think I would feel lousy! Hey maybe I dropped below my comfy weight this week and that is why I have felt so yuck!

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 17:03:12 from 67.171.56.164

I personally think a full size mirror in the bathroom is more useful than a scale. Sometimes brutal. ;)

5'9" - that's tall in my book! Better to eat for health than for weight loss.

From Bonnie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 17:06:48 from 128.196.228.134

Ouch -- no way would let a full-size mirror anywhere near my bathroom ... sorry Sno, I struggle with poor body image as it is.

5'9" is cool tall April!

Eating for health and not weightloss is my motto too! Great minds!

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 17:08:42 from 67.171.56.164

LOL! Oh comon Bonnie! You're long and lean! Just ask Dean.

"My baby likes me just the way that I am.." (song)

From auntieem on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 18:44:10 from 67.182.145.8

So I think its true about weight and running faster. Trouble is, I don't really want to get skinnier! I think that if you eat well, and exercise enough (somewhat obsessively, even), whatever weight happens is the right one. And we probably shouldn't mess around with that too much. We are all supposed to look different.

I'm 5'10" and I have no idea what I weigh, but its a lot because I'm solid and tall!

From april27 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 21:53:09 from 99.188.251.180

Oops Bonnie--I lied...I want to be 5'9" I"m really 5' 8" LOL

Oh and I like to go with how my clothes feel...if they feel tight I need to either run more or eat less. LOL

From JD on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 22:06:54 from 32.178.74.189

I would like to "weigh in" on this discussion. I dropped 25 pds over the first nine months that I started running again (193 pds down to 168). And I've been stuck at my current weight for the last 8 months. No matter how much I run, I can't seem to lose more weight. I think 168 is healthy for 6 ft. tall, but I would like to lose more and run faster. I've tried eating less, but I end up just feeling weak during the runs. I wrongly assumed that running 50 - 70 miles a week would take more weight off...

From Bonnie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 23:02:00 from 75.164.110.212

JD -- I have never found that miles alone are enough to keep my weight down (and this is more true the older I get). But, I think too many times we associate losing weight with too much of a change. If you really feel like to want to lose more weight you have to be willing to take a time to do it, and make lifestyle changes rather than see quick weight differences. Don't try to make big changes, make small ones that add up over a period of months not weeks.

For instance, I rarely snack, unless it is a "planned" snack - I eat as many fruit and veggies as I want, but no other snacks. I eat at very specific times ... I don't feel I skimp, but I have pretty regimented portion control, in general (I do splurge occasionally, but only after I am at my optimal weight). I eat 3 meals during the week, and I just pay attention to how much I eat and what it is (calories-wise), it isn't that I don't eat things that aren't high calories, I am just conscience of it when I do (therefore I rarely do). On the weekends I usually only eat two meals because my breakfast meals are larger and seem to "last" longer. Mainly though I just pay attention (and don't snack). I have it is the easiest way for me to keep my weight down without actually "dieting".

I really believe that snacks are one of the biggest culprits to weight-loss (that and too big of portions). If each snack is about 300 calories (which would be great as most snacks are much more than this) over the course of 7 days that is 2100 calories (almost a full days worth of calories for me).

If you feel weak then you aren't getting what you need, but it could be WHAT you are eating not that you aren't eating enough.

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 23:38:21 from 67.171.56.164

Great advice, Bonnie. I know that when I pay attention to the occasional article that says "eat many small meals" I totally lose control and aliens from planet binge take over my body.

My weight control tip is to replace the "white" thing on your dinner plate (rice, potato, bread, whatever) with fruit. More nutrition, better quality carb.

JD, I think you can get off the plateau if you really want to!

From JD on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 11:45:14 from 64.65.159.206

Thanks for the advice Bonnie and Sno. I undoubtedly snack, a lot, probably too much. When I was in my twenties, I could eat all I wanted, exercised very little, and had trouble getting my weight over 160 pds. Different story now that I'm in my mid forties. I do tend to procrastinate, and still haven't really fully committed to the diet changes that I know will benefit me in the long run (pun intended). Definitely need to focus on more fresh fruit and veggies.

From Bonnie on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 11:51:07 from 75.164.110.212

We all have that experience as we age JD ... My main point was make "small" changes (give up one tiny snack) they will make a big difference over the long haul and doesn't make it seem like a "diet" or any much out of the ordinary ... no big deal!

The main thing is for you to feel comfortable with yourself ... don't worry about anyone else.

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