Deva by Definition

Vlogging Half Marathon Training: Week Seven

A few Things:

1. I definitely made a shout-out to my sister.

2. I got a couple text messages while making this video, and didn't realize the mic picked up the sound of my phone going off - that is the honking noise you hear twice in the video.

 

 

Half Marathon Training: Week Six

Just a Few things:

1. I definitely put a shout-out to Meghann for her awesome PR at her half marathon this weekend.

2. The post I reference in the video is this one, about how I am an athlete.

3. I sound shaky because I am cold. We keep our house on the chilly side and when filming this video, I was waiting for the space heater to warm up our living room!

Enjoy!

 

Vlogging Half Marathon Training: Week Five

A few things: 

1. This week was crazy. Really Crazy. 

2. I am really excited to run 9 miles on Saturday

 

Vlogging Half Marathon Training: Week Four

Just a few things:

1. I typically run in a pullover, tee, and tights.

2. My asthma was acting up today, so the video is a little shorter and more random than normal.

If you missed any previous videos and want to go back and look:

Vlogging Week One
Vlogging Week Two
Vlogging Week Three

As always, if you have any questions – please leave them in the comments!

Top 5: Foods While Half Marathon Training

All of the running involved in my half marathon training is making me hungry. On days I run, I often find myself looking to eat the contents of my refrigerator, and this has meant some higher grocery bills in an effort to satisfy my hungry runner's appetite. If you looked in my refrigerator and pantry right now, you would see a variety of foods intended to keep us both happy and full. Some of my favorite snacky foods are ones that are high protein, but I'm enjoying my cookies, granola bars and chocolate as well. That being said, here are my top five foods (and drinks) for keeping post-run hunger at bay.

1. Greek yogurt. I love Greek yogurt, especially Fage 2%. It's creamy, thick, and high in protein, and is delicious mixed with some cacao nibs, honey, and shredded wheat. I like to keep this on hand for breakfast, snacks, or as part of lunch. The combination of fat and protein definitely help keep me full and it's versatility (I love using it like sour cream), keeps me from getting bored!

2. Cottage Cheese. I tend to be hit-or-miss on cottage cheese. When I want it, I really want it, and when I don't, I really don't. Lately, I've been on a big cottage cheese, especially as a snack. I buy the lowfat kind and enjoy some whenever I feel like some cottage cheese. I like it plain, but I've also used it combined with or in place of ricotta in lasagna and stuffed shells!

3. Almonds. I used to keep almonds or walnuts on hand all the time, and stopped. I don't know why I did, because almonds are one of my favorite snacks whether I am training or not. One ounce is really portable, and a small handful holds me over when I get hungry between breakfast and lunch.

4. Mini Pretzels. I love pretzels. They're salty, crunchy, and fun to dip into melted cheese, peanut butter, and hummus. On days that I want something salty, pretzels are my first choice. Tortilla chips are my second. I love them!

5. Gatorade. I know it's not necessary, but as someone who sweats a lot while running, I find that having regular Gatorade or G2 available - especially while training - is essential. It helps to keep me hydrated, and I can definitely tell a difference after runs when I don't have some Gatorade, compared to when I do. My beverage of choice is water, but after a long or a particularly grueling run, I reach for Gatorade.

While I know the list is a little dairy-heavy, that's what I've been reaching for most since starting to train. Greek yogurt and cottage cheese help keep me satisfied after a run, without making me feel weighed down or sluggish. I reach for the others less often, but still frequently enough to include them on our weekly grocery list, where they weren't before.

What are some of your favorite snacks to help with post-workout hunger?

Vlogging the Half Marathon: Week Three

Just a few things:

1. I’m a little chatty in this video

2. I really like sleep!

Vlogging my Training: Week Two

No notes to add – but if you want me to talk about something specific, please let me know!

Motivation to Run In the Cold

At the end of December, it looked like winter was finally here to stay. The nights and days were getting colder, and I even had snow accumulate on my car one night while I was at work! At that time, between holiday commitments and everything else going on, I was struggling to find motivation to go running - or just to get to the gym and workout. The cold was almost too much, and the occasional rainy day was throwing off my mojo - I just was having trouble convincing myself that running in the cold was a good idea. I put a call out on Twitter for suggestions to motivate myself to get up, get out, and workout in the cold.

Then, the day before Christmas Eve, our internet died. This post has been in the works since then, and even though it was in the mid-fifties today, cold weather is returning, and I am going to need every ounce of motivation I can get to go and workout. I'm training for a race and I need to give it my all - even if it means training in <20 degree temperatures.

The answers I got on Twitter were great, and included these awesome responses:

@deva_defined Cute outfit, tweet about my workout (accountability), eat a light (non-sugary) breakfast 2 hours before & rock out on the way!

— Jessica Zirbes(@HealthNut_Blog) December 23, 2011

 

@deva_defined The reward of finishing my workout before work and freeing up my evening is often motivation enough for me to wake up EARLY.

— laurenpeters (@laurenpeters) December 23, 2011

 

@deva_defined Wear my sports bra to bed!!Helps with motivation!

— Lindsay Wright (@lindsays_list) December 23, 2011

 

@deva_defined for winter rain Nike storm fit jacket long sleeve or core gear. Shorts 40*+ tights/capris otherwise. Thin wool socks!

— We Run This (@WeRunThisDotOrg) December 22, 2011

I loved the idea of tweeting for accountability, as well as getting a warm but lightweight jacket and some thin wool socks, along with using the workout as the reward! While I am not one to wear my sports bra to bed (though I have done it in the past), I do have other ways of keeping my workout gear nearby so that I can get out of bed and go workout on a cold winter morning, as well as other motivators. Rachel recently wrote a post about motivating yourself to go workout and it has a lot of really good ideas.

My biggest motivator is The Boy and the alarm clock. When The Boy is trying to get me up to go running, I often remind me that even if it is set for me, the clock more often than not wakes The Boy up before I hear it. I don't want him to be up for no reason if he doesn't have to. I keep my workout gear in a pile on my nightstand, and in the morning, grab it, pull it all on, and curl up under the covers for a few minutes to warm it all up. We keep our house at 65 degrees overnight and when we are not home, and the vents on our second floor are kept closed to conserve energy - it can get CHILLY in our room overnight, and I like to be warm(er) before heading out to run. That helps ease the transition from our warmish house to the cold outdoors.

Knowing that I'll quickly warm back up once I get moving helps keep me running - instead of taking walking breaks. The routes I like to run have a lot of nice scenery along them, and there has been more than one day I have watched the sun rise while running home - it's a lovely picture, and one that helps keep me moving as well.

Of course, there are days when I don't want to go outside at all - where it's in the single digits outside, or in the teens with a single-digit wind chill. There are days when it is too icy to run outdoors, and it would be unsafe for me to go, and days where snow blankets the sidewalks, creating slick spots. Those days, I hop on my treadmill with some good music, or I head to the gym to run on one of their treadmills while watching a movie. I might do Yoga in the living room, or lift weights at the gym those days as well. Granted, when I need more sleep? I reschedule my workout. I would rather be well-rested than over-tired and crabby!

What are your biggest cold-weather workout motivators?

It’s a Vlog! Half-Marathon Training Thoughts

Just a few brief things:

1. I say really a lot in this video.

2. I’m not really that defensive about liking to sleep in. I was definitely a bit nervous!

3. Maggie’s tail makes an appearance a lot.

Please leave any questions in the comments! I hope to keep doing this throughout my training!

One cold, dark morning

This morning I rolled out of bed before the sun came up, and checked the outdoor temperature. It was in the mid-twenties, breezy, and the wind chill made it feel closer to twenty than thirty.

I was not going to be deterred, and pulled out my running tights, compression shirt, a pullover, and my hat and gloves. I was going running OUTSIDE today and couldn’t wait to get outside for three miles.

When I stepped outside it was frigid and still dark. I had on my reflective vest and was not running with music on – I wanted to be aware of my surroundings and visible. I was dressed warmly, and immediately set off for my run.

While I was out, I came across several other runners, all just as bundled up (and reflective) as I was, and all of whom waved hello to me as I passed them. While I attempted to maintain a fast pace, I ultimately ended up running about 5k in 37 minutes. I maintained a pretty steady 12 minute mile pace throughout my run, as I went my normal out and back loop.

The sun was coming up over the horizon as I ran the last few blocks to the house, and was bright in my front windows as I walked in my front door. I was pleased with my run – my steady pace and my choice to run outside. I was also pretty chilly and desperate for a coffee, so after stretching and showering, that’s exactly what I made.

I savored every sip of my fresh brew, enjoying being warm in my house, on my couch, and very pleased at my commitment to my run. Even if that run did take place on a cold, dark morning. It’s not every day you get to watch the sunrise while out for a run.