Exercise myths - Abs

I love reading stuff like this. When you see myths debunked, it can really change your perspectives - particularly when we're talking about exercise. We all have something we think is tried and true and will get us real results, when in reality we're either wasting time or potentially injuring ourselves. This article highlights the 6 ab myths that are floating around in the exercise world. In case you're new to the blog, having a strong core is essential to being a good runner. To be honest I haven't been good about keeping up with the core exercises. I've been off and on about the push-up goal too, which is a great way to help build a stronger core. I was very tempted during my run yesterday to stop by the pull-up bar and see if I could squeeze one out though. I haven't worked on anything but running lately so I probably can't, but I'm beginning to get the urge to try again. :)

Running out of gas...

I seem to be having this problem a lot lately. I'm doing fine for about the first 20 minutes of a run, and then I begin to just run out of energy. I'm not hurting; I don't have any stitches or cramps, but I'm just out of fuel. I'm not sure if my sugars are off, but I have a feeling it has more to do with my electrolytes. I say this because I recently began drinking sports drinks since I've finally managed to consistently run more than 30 minutes with every outing. Today I meant to take my G2 with me but forgot it. During the run today, I just pooped out! I wanted to keep running, so I'd run as far as my little legs could take me and then walk a bit. Then I'd run some more. I got home and chugged my G2 because I was soooo thirsty. Lo and behold - my energy came back! I've read a couple articles that said even just a little sports drink mid-run can boost energy levels dramatically, and I have a feeling I was experiencing that effect. Long story short, I will have to invest in a small bottle to fit on my running pack for a little sports drink or just carry the darn bottle with me. I could not believe how much better I felt. Sometimes life's problems have such simple solutions!

Training session #1

It is so awesome to hang out with other runners, regardless of their achievements or skill level. The training group was divided up into three smaller groups - Walk/Run, Novice, and Intermediate. I chose to follow the intermediate schedule, which involved a 35 minute run this morning. I ended up being the last to finish by a couple minutes, but that was to be expected considering how the last few weeks have been mileage-wise. I felt really good the whole run, but my energy levels just pooped out on me in the last 10 minutes. Again, that was expected. I will continue training following the schedule the head coach gave us, so I should be up to speed next week. The coach that handled my group was really talkative, and she had great things to say. The emphasis for everyone is endurance, not speed. There were a couple people in my group who ran really fast...I'm not sure if they felt like it was a race or if they're just faster runners.

The best part is that my coach has a pace so steady that it really helps me avoid the most common of runner's problems - starting out too fast. I think she kept about an 11 minute mile pace, which is a tad faster than what I'm used to running but it's good to push myself.

The training groups meet at a running store in Sandy Springs called Phidippedes. Next week we have our first training seminar, so I'll have more to discuss then. I may buy a new pair of running shoes. I get 10% off all my purchases and since some of the employees are helping with the training they'll be able to determine which shoe is best for me. Yay!!

If you want to get serious about running, I highly recommend running with a coach. I know today was my first experience, but already I'm hooked. Real runners don't look down on you because you run slower than they do, or if you haven't completed a marathon yet. If you run, you're a runner. That's it. It's okay if you walk some of it. The camaraderie is worth it. :)

Spring has finally fully arrived!

Good God it took long enough for 80 degree F. weather to finally show up! Today's high is supposed to be somewhere around 85, which is amazing. For people who feel the need to sleep with blankets through the worst heatwaves in the summer, 85 feels like you're just beginning to thaw out. Here in the Atlanta area, it means everyone hits the parks big time. It also means that we sometimes break 100 degrees in the summer, but it's not often and even I'm dying in that kind of heat.

For me this year, it means I begin my official training for the Peachtree Road Race! Yay!!! I got my official intermediate training schedule today, and it actually doesn't look all that hard. We're supposed to run 35 minutes tomorrow morning, which ought to be fine. Even though I've been inconsistent the past few weeks, I ought to have a sufficeint mileage base already built up to handle it. I'll be able to give more details tomorrow once I've experienced our first training run. I'm giving two and a half months of sleeping in on Saturdays, but it will be well worth it.

Wish me luck!

Food Drunk

I coined that term several weeks ago to myself when I visited a new and now favorite local Irish pub called Durty Kelly's (no website yet, but here is their info on UrbanSpoon). I went nuts eating all the amazing food. I got pretty giddy and just couldn't stop! I was there with friends and it was the first time in a long time that Rex was able to come out and just hang out. He works lots of nights and weekends enforcing the law on the general Atlanta population. I've often thought back to that night because occasionally I will go a little overboard at a favorite restaurant with the food, particularly another restaurant owned by the same people who run Durty Kelly's - Slice Cafe. They have the most amazing desserts from a local bakery called Lulu's (you'd think this was a food blog, not a running blog!!). I think you can tell I love to eat, hence why I run. I am not the kind of girl who is going to subsist on nothing but salads and low-fat garbage (which by the way has a ton of sugar in it).

Anyhooooooooo....all of this was to alert you all to this great article I came across on MSNBC. It turns out that there is such a thing as food drunk! They didn't call it that, but the article talks about dopamine and how certain fat and sugar combinations can make the brain react just like alcoholics do around alcohol. No wonder I go nuts for cheesecake! Just thinking about it makes me drool. I disagree with only one comment in the whole article. "Retrain the brain to think, "I'll hate myself if I eat that," Kessler advises." I'm sorry - that kind of self-hate revolving around food is what gets people into eating disorders. Try to be positive!

So next time you're at your favorite restaurant or making your favorite comfort food at home, remember that maybe you're a hypereater too. Or if you're like me, you're getting ready to get food drunk ;-)