In a very good mood

Just back from a lovely run in the sun with friend Jane.  We have decided to attend the "To Quiet Inflammation" diet this coming weekend that continues for 5 weeks.  Here is where I hope to drop a pound of fat or two over the next 6 weeks and of course quiet inflammation in the body.

Plucking away at the running schedule.  I had a very good 15 miler last week.  It did seem like a long way.  I am doing what I can when I can.  It does take some will power to continuously pound the streets so sometimes I just call it a walk and get the distance in that way.  I am heading in to a recovery week so that feels like a treat.  A solid 9 miler this weekend is the goal. 

Thankful for my friend Sherry who ran a couple of strides with me yesterday and really elevated my mood.  I felt like I was doing something worthwhile for myself and my friend and for my children who watch me run around their soccer field.  Last night I watched the footage of the first female runner to take part in the Boston Marathon in the 1970s and how she was told to get of the course and pushed aside by the race organizer.  How great it was she stood her ground and showed the nation that women can in fact run 26.2 miles!  Running is empowering.  It's a wonderful freedom and I am so grateful to have it in my life. 

Beginning of week 5

Opted for some cross training today instead of a run in the sun.  Went for ski date with husband which was amazing and then an indoor 20 min bike ride with neighbor Rosie.  By doing that it means I drop a run this week on the schedule.  I think it is a wise move as it wakes up other parts of the body which is good for the brain. 

My long run at 6am last week went extremely well.  I do have to thank co-runners Sam and Hilary for making it is so enjoyable.  I ran a 13 miler in a good pace on no grains apart from the GU I dissolve whilst on the run.  As I was running I had this feeling like I had an oil change and my filters cleaned.  It must be the diet which I am enjoying very much.  No poundage has been lost like one might think would happen from not eating all those carbs but I am a big portion eater so no surprise there for me. 

I am thinking I would like to take a pound of fat off as this would help with the speed.  I'll have to give this some more focus to see how I can achieve this goal when March arrives.

What lays ahead is a busy week of running with no way to catch up on that run I missed today. 

Playing catch-up

3 weeks of training gone by and I am almost there with what is expected from this training program.  Due to that cold in week 1 I have been slowly playing catch-up.  Some of the run days I have had to exchange for walks as the long run takes it out of me each week.  Managed a great 11 last week on a flat course and tomorrow I aim for a 9 with tired legs already.  Rest day Sunday which is nice to look forward to.

This Wednesday is the start of Lent and I usually give up something for 40 days every year for a challenge.   I think it will have to be bars of chocolate as my blood tests came back this week showing that my blood sugars are elevated.  Yes, I do pile the stuff in.   I will allow drinking chocolate as those are rare and if I make them at home I use 100% cocoa powder without added sugar.  I have noticed since being on my paleo diet that I am eating more dried fruits especially dates as they feel like a dessert but they are packed with sugar and probably super high on the G. Index.  Cutting down on sugar is probably the hardest thing to do for me. 

Also, started cross-training this week.  Two stints on the bike indoor trainer - 15 mins a piece, very light and two visits to the park for 20 minute body workout with friends.  Let's hope I hold up for tomorrow's steady pace run!  To bed early.