Preface:
After running (pun intended) this blog for a few years, sometimes it is a bit tough to come up with topics to write about. Fortunately for me, Sara Kurth has published a massive list of potential blog topics that focuses on running (check out her blog here, ***).
WRITE ABOUT YOUR MOST FREQUENT REASONS FOR PROCRASTINATION OR COMMON EXCUSES FOR NOT RUNNING OR EATING RIGHT. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO OVERCOME THOSE EXCUSES?
After completing J&A Racing’s Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon, I guess that I have reached the end of my racing/training season.
I am a bit hesitant to say the end because I might randomly register for another race before the end of 2022. Since I’m pretty much at the end of my racing (well, running season), I thought this might be a great topic to buy some time.
I will admit that over the past two years, my running performance drastically has gone into the sh*tter. Especially when one sees that it took me 6+ hours to complete this year’s NYC Marathon. Yes, I know that it was hot as hell in NYC for the 1st Sunday in November, but it still was a crappy performance. Going forward, I really have to do some soul-searching to figure out how to improve during 2023 and beyond. Although I mentioned that I’ve reached the end of my racing/training season, my break will be short-lived. Why? I’ve already registered for the Newport News One City Marathon on March 4, 2023, and my training for this will begin on Dec. 1.
While this blog topic is great, my problem is not making the appropriate changes to become a better runner . . . or healthier in general. So I’ll try to list my reasons for not running or eating right and some of the things I hope to incorporate in correcting these issues.
Problem: Not waking up early enough to do my near-daily runs. The actual problem, staying up very late and watching crappy TV. I think that I’m just wired to stay up late. For as long as I can remember, I’ve never gone to bed before 11 pm . . . unless I was absolutely exhausted or had too many bottomless brunch cocktails.
Anticipated solution (in progress): I’ve already set various alarms to develop a weeknight schedule, which includes setting out workout clothes for the next morning, evening stretches, and getting to bed.
Problem: Lack of motivation for my runs
Anticipated solution: I have mentioned doing this in the past, but I would like to become more involved in the local running community. With this charge, I want to check out a few running groups during the months of December and January. The local November Project Va Beach had a RUNGO challenge over the summer. So I figure that this Rungo card will be a starting place to find (and maybe join) some running groups in the area. My only concern is that I’m more of a morning runner so I might have to go outside of my comfort zone for some of these running groups.
Problem: Overeating. Recently, I have been eating way too large portions. I’m not sure why, but I always seem to be in starvation mode . . . even when I’m not hungry or starving. I think part of this is due to being more sedentary in Virginia. Although I was overeating while living in NYC, I still had to walk to my destinations and/or to public transportation.
Anticipated solution: Starting tomorrow, I’m going to jump back on the intermittent fasting wagon by working my way from 12- to 16-hour fasting windows. Also, I am planning to start another cycle of Beachbody’s 21-day Fix.
This is a portion control eating plan where your portions are determined by your calorie requirements and if you want to lose, maintain, or gain weight. While this plan is not rocket science, the idea is to prepare your meals, avoid eating crap food, and obtain a wide range of nutrients.
Problem: Overeating, part 2. Or, rather, overdrinking. It’s no secret that I love a gin cocktail or 10. While I do not see myself as a complete lush who needs to take a seat in a local AA meeting, I do recognize that I tend to eat horribly when I drink.
Anticipated solution: I guess this could extend my food fast to booze. I’ve already come up with a short-term solution of not drinking for the rest of the week (in my defense I started this fast on Sunday). I will admit that since living in Va (and ultimately having to drive every day), I have not been drinking as much as I was in NYC. However, I still would like to reduce my booze intake. Wait, maybe I should do this AFTER the holidays because I do love spiked egg nog. One plan that I’m thinking about is having two glasses of water between my adult beverages. While I’ll enjoy a nice adult beverage or 10, I HATE the feeling of being ‘liquidity’, ie having my stomach feel like someone is transporting a large tank of water.
Problem: Late-night snacking (wow three eating/drinking issues in a row).
Anticipated solution: Prepare healthy late-night snacks and always have a bottle of seltzer water sitting ready.
Ok, all of these eating and snacking ‘problems’ are becoming problematic.
Problem: Becoming quickly disappointed with the lack of results.
Anticipated solution: I’ll need some help with this one
Problem: Boredom with running
Anticipated solution: Back when I started running, I would look forward to upcoming runs and races. Now, it’s becoming a bit more like a choice. For instance, let me do this 10 mile run so I can run this marathon in 3 months. While I have been doing various Beachbody on Demand HIIT programs to supplement my running, I still feel a sense of boredom with these workouts. Actually, I think it’s a combination of boredom and not seeing results, which probably is closely related to my crappy sleeping, eating, and boozing habits. This actually becomes a vicious cycle for me. Work out a lot -> Do not see any significant results -> Eat like an animal because what’s the point. . . Rinse and repeat. Going forward I would like to add swimming, biking, weight training, and my Beachbody stuff to my running regimen. Not, I’m not planning on doing all of these every day (or even every week). Perhaps, I can switch out swimming, biking, and weight training depending on the week.
Problem with the above anticipated solution: Doing too much at once and not getting anywhere.
Problem: General ignorance. I dunno why but before the pandemic, I used to read several resources about running and listen to various health-focused podcasts.
Anticipated solution: Easy one. Read more and stop listening to dumb podcasts about reality TV shows.
Like Konstrakta (Eurovision 2022 Serbian contestant) said in her song In Corpore Sano
