Primeval Runs Wild

[sicil]

Update:

 

It's Friday, a rest day, and also a day off of work. How do I spend it? Eating bacon, trying on old clothes, discussing finances with the husband and probably retrieving my wallet from my sister's house later. I should be cleaning, especially since the next couple of days are going to be busy. I do not want to clean anything. That's something to work on...

 

I've completed my workouts, logging, and meditating this week, but I've been a slow slug about it. I've been giving myself a lot of lip about running in the morning, and angry birds is like pulling teeth. My workweek, tho successful, has been affected in the same way. Steve's midweek e-mail about motivation did help, but what I really need is to get the zest back. I have no idea how that's going to happen. Coffee and a donut? A trip to the beach? A trip in general? Hmmm.... We are going to Seattle this weekend, maybe it will solve my sluggish problem.

 

One thing that's working well is the daily timed meditation option. Turns out, the key to getting it done is to do it early in the day, and specifically as close as possible to my workout. I'm glad something is working

 

That's hilarious! We're going to Seattle in a few weeks as well. Try out Theo if you're in the neighbourhood. I find I usually lose my 'zest' for things every few months, too. Getting out of your area is a great way to get a fresh perspective.

[The Borg Queen]

Theo chocolate would definitely add some zest, ftw. No one has to tell me twice to eat more chocolate. I'll do it on my own, and twice, lol.

[The Borg Queen]

and just to make it a wee bit more interesting, you have to also post the image/voice/thought that popped into your head and made you break the highest count. I find mine are ...weird ..for lack of a better word

 

Good idea! That would be very interesting, i like it

[CB3]

Update:

 

It's Friday, a rest day, and also a day off of work. How do I spend it? Eating bacon, trying on old clothes, discussing finances with the husband and probably retrieving my wallet from my sister's house later. I should be cleaning, especially since the next couple of days are going to be busy. I do not want to clean anything. That's something to work on...

 

I've completed my workouts, logging, and meditating this week, but I've been a slow slug about it. I've been giving myself a lot of lip about running in the morning, and angry birds is like pulling teeth. My workweek, tho successful, has been affected in the same way. Steve's midweek e-mail about motivation did help, but what I really need is to get the zest back. I have no idea how that's going to happen. Coffee and a donut? A trip to the beach? A trip in general? Hmmm.... We are going to Seattle this weekend, maybe it will solve my sluggish problem.

 

One thing that's working well is the daily timed meditation option. Turns out, the key to getting it done is to do it early in the day, and specifically as close as possible to my workout. I'm glad something is working

It's awesome that you are finding something that works great for you!! As for the feeling sluggish, maybe its just a phase (or hormones) give it a week, keep pushing yourself through the much and then see how you feel. Just my advice.....if you do it, the zest will come!

 

Seattle is beautiful this time of year, I am totally jealous!! It will be nice to get away for a bit. You'll have to update us and let us know how it goes!!

Keep up the great work and you will prevail (oh, yes, you will prevail!!)

[The Borg Queen]

Thanks, Cb3 Maybe it is horomones....

 

I just ran 10 miles!  It's the longest I've ever run! Immediate observations:

• I got really thirsty. I need to figure out how to run with water
• Stomach cramps at mile 8! I stopped in the path and walked a bit, until the cramping subsided, and slowed down after that, but I was pretty surprised. I never get cramps
• Running on a path with loads of other runners and cyclists is a lot of fun. I'll do it again.
• I got to the path at around 8:30 am, which seemed to be a good time to start. I got a little toasty toward the end, but not too bad

I spent some quality time stretching afterwards, which I hope will ease some soreness later. Looking forward to the next runs!

[The Borg Queen]

I would also like to add that I had this weird anxiety dream last night where I was at the race, and they blew the whistle, but I couldn't run because I lost one of my shoes on the trip over. Also, someone had stollen my other pair of backup shoes. I decided to try barefoot running but only made it a mile before it started pouring rain from the sky, and the path became a mud bath, and I had to hide in the bushes because the cops were coming... anyway, pretty weird dream. Lol.

[L'irlandaise]

Them barefoot-runner-hunting police are the WORST!

 

Hope the sluggish feeling is passing, although I like CB3 and sicil's approach to it: sometimes we don't know what our bodies or the lower depths of our brains are up to and sometimes we just have to ride it out. I'm envying you for the trip to Seattle though.

 

You're getting there, running girl, and with style.

[CakeBanisher]

First, I have to say congrats on your 10 mile run!  Consider me impressed!  I sometimes have weird dreams about something if it's been on my mind all day, even if it's associated with something positive (in your case your run?).  I'm not really sure why...either way, hope the level of weird in your dreams decides to dial back a bit  And yeah, as far as motivation, or lack thereof, goes...I wish there were some magic solution.  Sadly, I do not have one.  So I'll just echo what everyone else has said.  I think you've been doing a great job of rocking your challenge, so keep it up!

[The Borg Queen]

@ l'irlandaise: Thanks. You're right, if I'm feeling sluggish and can't pinpoint a cause, it really can be anything! Waiting it out is a good strategy.

 

@ Cake: Yeah, pretty weird dream (among many). I don't know what to think...

 

WEEK 3 RESULTS

 

Goal 1: Running

 

I ran 3 days last week, as planned. For the "long run," I ran 10 miles, which was super fun.

 

I missed a day of stretching, so no "+" this week.

 

Grade:A+/ A+ / A

 

Goal 2: Bodyweights

 

I completed 2 days of Angry Birds, as planned. Notes: 3 stars on Level 5 plank, what what! Also: I'm up to 14 r of pushups. I know that doesn't sound impressive, but not long ago I was only doing 10, so... I'm getting better!

 

Grade: A/ A /A

 

Goal 3: Food Tracking

 

I tracked food using MFP every day last week.

 

Notes: Dairy continues to sink its sharp talons into my eating habits. I've decided to give in to eating small amounts of dairy, as long as it isn't the MAIN COURSe in a meal. No fondue for primeval, but a little blue cheese on a salad isn't going to kill me. I was avoiding dairy in the first place because I'm somewhat sensitive to it, but if I'm eating it in small quantities and with other food the effects are minimized. I'll see how it goes and if it starts bothering me, I'll give it the axe like I did with the other foods.

 

Grade: A/ A / A

 

Goal 4: Meditation

 

I made it through 7 x 10 minute sessions of meditation. The book, Everyday Meditation, is leading me through chakra meditations, which is an interesting way to go. Whether or not I believe in chakras, I think the chakra meditation methods lend to a strong sense of body awareness where other methods are lacking.

 

Grade: A/ B / A

 

Overall grade: A/ A- / A

 

 

So, despite my complaints of motivation problems, I still got it (nearly) all done.

 

Seattle was awesome. It might have been exactly what I need to get the fun back. I should try to get away more often...

[sicil]

Holy crap with the 10 miles! I can't even dream of running that long! (I think I'd get bored.) I'm going to Seattle in mid September! Looking forward to it also!

[bgvanbur]

Congrats another great week and hitting double digit miles.

 

As for water, I personally don't carry any (even with my longest run of 18 miles).  If you are hydrated before and exercise without water (this include strength training and such too) than your body will need less water during a run.  I always have water ready in my car (48 ounces worth, more than enough for what I run now but extra in case I need to clean off some mud or what not).  I will have to tackle this issue at some point too since obviously there will be a limit on how far I can run without water especially in the warmer months.

[rogaecia]

Congrats on your awesome Week 3, Primeval! Seattle is super awesome and one of my favorite destinations here in the PNW. Where did you stay? 

Do you have any favorite hangouts in Seattle? I would like to make it up there soon and go to the SAM. 

I hope you have an equally awesome week at your feet

[CB3]

Great Job, Primeval!! and the running, 10 miles is not a small feat. Way to go!!

 

Glad your trip did you good. sometimes getting away from it all is just what one needs to recharge their batteries. I have never had fondue, you an eat that as a main course? 

 

Great job on your goals so far!

[TankGrrl]

Woah, 10 miles. That's awesome!

You make it all sound so easy

[The Borg Queen]

Holy crap with the 10 miles! I can't even dream of running that long! (I think I'd get bored.) I'm going to Seattle in mid September! Looking forward to it also!

I don't really get bored running. I think it helps to be outside, and to run in different places. It's like taking a walk or hike, but faster. Also, running seems to be something for me that satisfies some need, and that helps

 

 

Congrats another great week and hitting double digit miles.

 

As for water, I personally don't carry any (even with my longest run of 18 miles).  If you are hydrated before and exercise without water (this include strength training and such too) than your body will need less water during a run.  I always have water ready in my car (48 ounces worth, more than enough for what I run now but extra in case I need to clean off some mud or what not).  I will have to tackle this issue at some point too since obviously there will be a limit on how far I can run without water especially in the warmer months.

 

Interesting idea, it would be great to train myself to not need water on long runs. Also, what you describe doing is amazing! You are amazing.

 

 

 

Congrats on your awesome Week 3, Primeval! Seattle is super awesome and one of my favorite destinations here in the PNW. Where did you stay? 

Do you have any favorite hangouts in Seattle? I would like to make it up there soon and go to the SAM. 

I hope you have an equally awesome week at your feet

Everything was booked in seattle because of a game, so we ended up staying in tacoma holiday inn, which was kind of awesome in itself. This time we were hanging out at the world famous seattle hempfest. It was great!

 

 

 

Great Job, Primeval!! and the running, 10 miles is not a small feat. Way to go!!

 

Glad your trip did you good. sometimes getting away from it all is just what one needs to recharge their batteries. I have never had fondue, you an eat that as a main course? 

 

Great job on your goals so far!

 

I have no idea if fondue is supposed to be a main course, but in my experience with fondue parties it always turns out that way. It's not my favorite thing, you aren't missing much. And thanks for the encouragement

 

 

Woah, 10 miles. That's awesome!

You make it all sound so easy

Hahaha i wouldnt call it easy, and thank you

[The Borg Queen]

I need to cut it out with the dairy, and I'm not kidding around this time. Today I definitely overdid it, and I wont go in to detail but let's agree to call it not pretty. No more dairy for this primeval. 

 

Part of the reason that the paleo diet works well for me is that I am really bad at eating in moderation. For example, eating wheat and refined sugar in moderation for me automatically leads to 12 donuts and 4 blackberry handpies a day. Eating paleo eliminates the need for a certain type of self restraint- the type I suck at- and enables me to use the type of self restraint that I AM really, really good at. That is, the type where I cut out entire food groups that make me sick. I blame it on over a decade of practicing veganism and hard science. Eating paleo just feels like the right thing to do.

 

On that note, I hearby foresake dairy!  I'm doing it for realz. Please hold me to it!

[starbon]

onward on the march against dairy ! (says me while drinking a quarter gallon milk a day lol)

 

and about the 10 mile run -       

 

I'm about      after just a mile so kudos to you ! I'm beginning to think this is something of a lady thing - running for so long. I mean most ladies who I know run, run for INSANELY long distances. Great going though ! 

[sicil]

Held! I think your hardest part will be ice cream...

[CB3]

I need to cut it out with the dairy, and I'm not kidding around this time. Today I definitely overdid it, and I wont go in to detail but let's agree to call it not pretty. No more dairy for this primeval. 

 

Part of the reason that the paleo diet works well for me is that I am really bad at eating in moderation. For example, eating wheat and refined sugar in moderation for me automatically leads to 12 donuts and 4 blackberry handpies a day. Eating paleo eliminates the need for a certain type of self restraint- the type I suck at- and enables me to use the type of self restraint that I AM really, really good at. That is, the type where I cut out entire food groups that make me sick. I blame it on over a decade of practicing veganism and hard science. Eating paleo just feels like the right thing to do.

 

On that note, I hearby foresake dairy!  I'm doing it for realz. Please hold me to it!

OK, No more Kidding around. Time to CUT IT OUT!!! And we will ALL hold you to it!!

 

I, too love that part of eating Paleo. I detest restricting myself and counting calories or anything else for that matter!!  Great going girl for realizing that in yourself. As GI joe would say "And knowing is half the battle" which is very, very true!! How did you go from being a vegan to paleo?? that is quite the jump!

 

More power to you, Primeval!  You will prevail! oh, yes, you will prevail!

[The Borg Queen]

@ starbon: Thanks for the kudos. Or should we say... grok rocks?! I think both men and women run long distances. It could just be my perception, tho

 

@ sicil: No More Ice Cream!!!! Only homemade paleo versions. Frozen banana dipped in carob, what have you. That's it.

 

@ CB3: Thanks for your support! It was a weird journey from vegan to paleo, as you might imagine. I was vegan forever, and then a friend of mine basically told me I was fat and needed to go on a diet, so I did some research and soul searching and realized: 1. The guilt over eating animals was gone and 2. Paleo is kind of like where the vegan diet dies and goes to heaven. That was four years ago. Since then, I've tried and failed at a few attempts at atkins, non-paleo gluten free, and "moderation," and have discovered over time that the paleo diet works best for me.

 

-------------

 

Update:

 

The dairy thing is going well. I haven't consumed dairy since my tirade. No steps, just going cold turkey. Success!

 

I've done all the food logging, angry bird-ing, meditating, and running that I wanted to this week, so far. Success!

 

I completed the mini-challenge. Success!

 

On Saturday, I'm running the same awesome 10 mi route that I did last week, but I'm going to do it backwards! (I don't mean running backwards, I mean doing the route in reverse... you know what I mean!) I haven't decided if I will attempt to carry water. Because I'm running it in reverse, I will have consistent access to water during the last 3-4 miles, which might be the right time to have it. I may not need to carry, but I may want to practice carrying anyway...

 

Also, I will be cooking a feast the next couple of days for a big picnic potluck happening on Sunday, which I'm very excited about. On the menu: chicken salad, slow cooked sweet potato/apple, either kale chips or kale salad (or both!), and my very own paleo chocolate fudge from scratch. If you have any favorite foods to bring on a picnic, I would love to hear about them!

[sicil]

Toss some kind of baked squash or yam into that salad. Tres yum!

[starbon]

no...its only women i see breezing past on the long distances...which come to think of it is a bit weird cus the male anatomy is designed for efficient running (i;m talking about all the weight being packed SOLELY in the middle lol ). Guy's are all in the weight room doing bicep curls xD

 

annyhoo, keep up the good work ! run with the wind

[The Borg Queen]

Toss some kind of baked squash or yam into that salad. Tres yum!

My friend made this for me once. Tres yum is right!

 

@ starbon: Hah! You are so funny. Much appreciated.

 

----------------

I just got back from my second 10 mile run! I am thankful to have this thread to be accountable to, because otherwise I would have certainly put it off. All the bragging I do here actually pays off, so don't mind if I do.

 

Observations from the run:

• Johnny depp. I saw him. If not the man in the flesh, I saw a pretty good doppelganger. I nearly crashed into a lady while staring.
• This 10 mi run was about a million times easier than last weeks 10 mi run. I certainly had enough juice at the end to keep going, which is a good sign since I'm aiming for 13.1
• Water and thirst were a non issue. It was quite a bit cooler today than it was last week, and I think that helped. I think in the future, I need to leave earlier on the hot days. 8:30 am is not early enough. Try, 6 am. Since it was cool today, I left at 10:45 am, and it worked pretty well.
• I really had to pee, but there were no restrooms in sight so I had to jump off a cliff into the bushes to get it done. Probably way nicer than a public restroom would have been, anyway, and it added a touch of adventure to the run.
• I timed myself. The whole run took me 105 minutes, which means I'm running about a 10 minute mile. Not bad...

I skipped meditation yesterday, which means I just need to get one more 10-minute session in to earn a "B" for the week. I should go do that now.

[rogaecia]

hell yeah, sister! I chuckled loudly to myself when I read that you went in a bush to relieve your bladder. Hahah! You are my hero for many reasons. Way to go on your time. Keep on kicking butt!

[L'irlandaise]

Ace girl. I think you can do the dairy-free diet - you have the alternatives already planned. And I love the wild running - you are turning into your avatar,you know.