Finding the Motivation

Today I did something I haven't done in two months.

I read Runner's World online.

To say I haven't been running puts it mildly. I haven't been doing ANYTHING.

But something I read on John "The Penguin" Bingham's blog got to me. I decided I'd post his blog (with the appropriate link), and the reply I added. I think it kinda sums it up.

Job 1: Get over my cold.
Job 2: Get running again.

Take care,
Karina
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Finding the Right Distance
"Ask the Penguin" Blog
John "The Penguin" Bingham
Runner's World, Feb. 6, 2009

Dear John,
I am 42, female, and a runner/gym enthusiast. I tried for many years to run a marathon but kept getting hurt during training. Then I decided to join running groups to help me train properly. The first time I trained with a group, in 2006, I made it to the fifth month of training but developed knee pain. Day of the marathon, I started hurting at the 6-mile mark, so I cut my race in half.

The second year of training with another running group was better. I finished five months of training without incident. But on the day of the marathon, I started cramping at mile 17. The rest of the way was very painful, with me unable to move at times and in tears.

I was tired of not finishing anything, so I just grit my teeth and kept going. I ended up finishing the race an hour over my goal with both hams, quads, and calves cramping.

After training for two marathons two years back to back, I had difficulty maintaining fitness. It seems that after I run these races, my body just bonks. Three weeks post-race, I can hardly catch my breath running just one mile, depression sets in, my resting heart rate is elevated, and I just do not have any energy. This lasts seven to 11 months. I am scared now to train for another marathon.

I have just now recovered from one of these post-marathon "bonks" a year after I ran. Needless to say, I have gained weight and lost fitness. I tried several times to get back to running, but the desire and energy were just not there. I want to get fit again. Can you help me out? - Eileen

Hi, Eileen. Thanks for writing. Some of what you’re describing is fairly typical. There is a “post marathon syndrome” in which we are mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. I’ve run 45 marathons. I’ve had the exact sensation of trying to run a week or so later and wondering how in the world I ever ran 26.2 miles and how in the world did I get so out of shape so quickly.

So, as uncomfortable as you may feel, it’s not something to worry about.

Marathons have become what one writer described as “the great urban Everest.” They seem to have become the standard by which contemporary runners judge themselves. It’s unfortunate, really, because there are so many other great distances that might suit many runners better than the marathon.

The question you need to answer for yourself is, what’s your ideal race distance? What is the distance that you can enjoy both training for, and participating in? Maybe you’re a 5-K runner. You like the full-on, go-for-broke, go-hard-and-hang-on feeling that you get in a 5-K. Maybe you’re a 10-K runner. You like the artistry of finding the razor-edge between too fast and too slow.

I’ve found that I really like the half-marathon distance. It’s far enough that someone like me, who is terminally slow, can feel like we’ve accomplished something special, but no so far that I put too much stress on my body, mind, and soul.

So, find your own joy. Find the distance that gives you that joy and focus on it. My guess is that you’ll be a happier, healthier runner if you do.

Waddle on,
John

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Runner’s World columnist
Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.

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My reply: (dated Feb. 25, 2009, 5:05:24 p.m.)

I too am 42 and female...LOL there's a lot of us...and I haven't run since last December. We made a move to California from Maine which ended up being a mistake, but we're trying to deal with it...meanwhile, the upheaval of living five months out of a suitcase then the actual unpacking in December when we got a house put running dead last. Now I cannot drag myself out the door.

Prior to the move I had completed my first 20-mile run in four hours, and felt fabulous during and after. I know I can do it. So why aren't I? I would imagine some form of depression or sadness is part of it (from this horrendous relocation), stress (the daily threat of my husband losing his teaching job due to CA politics), tiredness (I have a history of anemia...but I didn't think of that as a potential cause of it), and anxiety (two houses in two states and the worry over upkeep and paying my taxes).

I know if I run, I'll run the chaos out of my brain and it will give me energy, clarity and focus...so why am I not doing it? I'm blessed because I've always run injury-free--probably because I'm also slow (and proud of it). So why can't I get out there??

Anyway, the point of this long ramble is that Eileen, you're not alone, each of us has our own running battle to fight from time to time, but in the end, running is worth it. Your email reminded me of that. I forgot how much I loved to run and that, truly, the only thing holding me back is my head. Even my toddler isn't an impediment: I've been running with her since she was 4 months old.

I would agree that you should play around and find your distance. I found that I love long distances--I can go for a couple hours and be happy as a lark--but I cannot stand 5Ks because I'm so slow and the race is over too fast. I always said that I may not be fast, but I can plod on forever.

Anyway, you can do it--and I know I can also. Time for us both to get out there and take our first baby steps! Good luck!

Posted by: Karina | Feb 25, 2009 5:05:24 PM

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Truly a good answer to myself. Now I just need to listen, and learn.

As John says, Waddle on, my friends!

The Dangers of Tiredness to Your Weight-Loss Efforts

Today is a difficult day.

It's Monday, the day after a lovely Father's Day Weekend. We had a great time, going for long walks at the beach and playing in the ocean both days. Despite dinner out at a great pizza place in Dover, NH (Weeksie's), I managed to stay within my caloric limitations that I set for myself--I'll explain further in another blog, but I try to keep between 1800-2000 calories, especially since I continue to breastfeed.

Before anyone freaks out about my losing weight while breastfeeding--yes, it's OK! I have my doctor's full knowledge and support! I am just not to lose too fast. More on that in a later post.

Anyway, last night Kent got frustrated at the fact that there are two more days left of school and the house is something of a wreck. I'm afraid that's my fault. As a stay-at-home Mom (officially, now, since I quit my teaching job last week--again, more in a later blog), I should really be staying on top of this. However, Kara gets bored quickly doing the same thing over and over, so we take long walks in her jogging stroller and, of course, that helps me get fit as well. We all win.

Except for the house.

OK it isn't awful, it's not dirty, but it's cluttered. Or it was, rather. Last night Kent went on a cleaning tear and decided to straighten up the library downstairs. Not to be outdone, once Kara and Maddy were asleep, I tackled the upstairs.

Three hours later, the house looked fabulous and it was 1 a.m.! Eek!

Why do we always try to declutter at 10 p.m. on a Sunday?

Normally, I'd have convinced Kara to take an early nap and napped with her, but this morning I went for breakfast with Allen and Annie, two dear friends of mine. Annie is my former partner teacher from 5th and then later 8th grade, and Allen was our teacher's aide in 5th. We liked to say we fought over him! (He liked that too!)

Anyway, once we all went in different directions professionally (me to a different middle school "team" and he to a different school), we decided to meet periodically for breakfast to catch up. Today was just such a meeting, since my now-former school district's year ended last Friday.

Naturally, being early risers, they wanted to meet at 8:30. I would probably have chosen 10:30, personally, just because I'm a night owl, but I'll do 8:30 for them!

Do the math. Go to bed at 1 a.m., up at 7 a.m., plus two feedings in the middle of the night, and I got fewer than 6 hours of sleep.

Tiredness is absolutely DEADLY to weight-loss efforts, and I am fighting today to stick within the caloric limits!

My problem is that when I'm tired, like most people, I start "grazing". This was probably half the problem I faced for seventeen years as a plus-sized woman--when I was tired, I would eat for energy. It is absolutely compounded by the fact that I have hypoglycemia, or "low blood sugar", as diagnosed during a 5-hour glucose tolerance test at my local hospital.

What that means is that when I eat sugary or starchy foods, as is true for most of the population, my blood sugar would spike, then drop. So why did I eat them? It's what my body craved. Unfortunately, in my case, my blood sugar would spike, then drop below fasting levels, leaving me more hungry and tired than I was initially. That would set up a rollercoaster effect that had me eating all day long, usually the worst things for me.

Another reason this is so bad for anyone trying to lose weight and get healthy is that every time your body sends out insulin, it's telling your body that, "Hey, there's plenty of energy to be had. Go ahead and store this stuff as fat against a future shortage!"

Had I known that ONE fact, I would have probably tried to eat very differently over the past seventeen years. However, I didn't know, and so I continued my fatigue-eat-crash-eat-crash-eat pattern, day after day, for years, until last April I hit 259 pounds, my all-time high.

I am aware of what I'm doing now, which makes it understandable, but not easier. My body is craving food right now in the WORST way! I have eaten enough for the morning and lunch, and I am choosing to avoid eating anything else for now. I tried to get a good balance of carbs and protein (whole-grain bread and yogurt, a few green olives, and a small piece of dark chocolate), so that my blood sugar won't spike and send me into overload, but that doesn't make the tiredness go away. The temptation to eat to boost my energy is unbelievably strong!

I have attached a link to an article that explains this a bit. It's from OnHealth.com.

Meanwhile, I will continue to battle through my fatigue.

The temptation is to skip my workout today, which consists of 30 minutes on an elliptical trainer at 80% heart rate (for me, that's 143 beats per minute), and 45 minutes of strength training on weight machines, starting at an easy weight for 15 reps, then going progressively heavier for 12 then 8 reps each. I finish with stretching. However, much as I know I want to skip it, because I'm "so tired", I will go--I have been there, done that, and know that as soon as I'm into the workout I'll perk up, and afterward I will feel so much more energy.

Therein lies the paradox. Only by expending a lot of energy will I regain mine!

I should take a nap, but Kara just woke up from hers, so that's out. I will deal with it for another hour, when I can pick up Kent and Maddy from school and hand Kara over for a couple hours.

Then I will finally get to kick this tiredness to the curb!

Tonight's goal: not to eat too much, and to go to bed at a reasonable time. Naturally there is an interview with Princess Diana's boys and Matt Lauer tonight, at around 10 pm I think, but I will tape it instead.

Sleep is more important. I don't want to repeat this tomorrow.

Have a great day, be well, and get out there and move!

Yours in Health,
Karina

LINK: http://www.onhealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56540


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Disclaimer: Look, I'm not a doctor. However, I am a teacher certified in both California and Maine to teach science curriculum, including the human body (and health/nutrition) to kids in grades K-8. This blog is my attempt to wade through the current thinking on weight loss, and to present it in a way that makes sense to everyone. As a woman who is successfully recovering from obesity herself, I feel it's even more important to help others understand what I did to lose the weight; what worked, what didn't, and what the struggle has been like as I went from morbid obesity to fitness. It doesn't mean that I have all the answers, however. If you want to lose weight, by all means, read my blog--I think I can provide some help and clarity. BUT, please know that I am NOT a medical expert, and you should most definitely consult with your own doctor or family physician before undertaking any weight loss efforts yourself. Weight loss is a personal journey. I'm making mine visible to the world, but each of us has to take our own steps with our own doctor's guidance; please make sure you check in with yours before you try to do anything I have done. Good luck and God bless!