Today I had a goal to run 8 miles. I woke up this morning feeling a bit cruddy, so I adjusted my goal to run 5 miles and see how I feel. The weather here in Houston is awesome currently. As I headed out, the temps were in the low 50s. After a summer of record weather: most days in the 100s, highest temperatures, no rain, to name a few; these cooler temps which wouldn't feel that cold in years past but this morning it felt cold to me. I don't know if it was because I was feeling cruddy, or just not use to the temps for so long but I was feeling the cold this morning, so I waited a bit before going out when I had planned to. Another goal, running by 8.
So, for those keeping track, that's two goals today alone: 8 miles, and running by 8. I didn't make either goal, I adjusted them. I ended up getting to my run around 10:20 and ran around 6.4 miles. So, I guess I technically made the adjusted goal of run 5 miles and see how I felt. At mile 5 I was feeling a bit tight in the legs so knew I should push past it too much further, but I also was in the back of the trails when that happened so running back was the only option I had.
As disappointing as not running 8 miles should have been since I didn't make that goal, it was one of the most enjoyable runs I've ever had. For me, this means more than reaching any goal, original or adjusted. It's documented quite well how much I'm not a fan of running. So any time I have an enjoyable run, I think that trumps any goals I have. And since this was the most enjoyable this counts as a good run. And I will take it.
This brings up the question. Should goals be flexible? I mean, I didn't reach my goals as I wanted, but still feel great about the run. I didn't make the 8 miles which means I'm behind on the training I am trying to accomplish, but does that much? Will next weeks run goal (10 miles) be achievable because I had a good run this week even though it was 1.6 miles short? I guess I will find out next week!
Why all this talk about goals now? I came across a revelation recently. I set myself a goal for the month of October to not eat out at a restaurant all month. Now, I didn't reach that goal because I did eat out a couple of times, but much less than I normally do, which had a surprising effect on my bank account. So, even though I didn't reach the goal, I had positive results. This has got me to thinking that I really need to start creating myself more proper goals. I always say "my goal is whatever" and although I say that, I don't actually make it happen. I once saw a sign that said "Goals are dreams with a plan."
Time to start planning out my dreams and turning them into goals.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Addictions and Distractions
Yes. I know. I need to be better at writing up here. But, I have really bad excuses for not doing it. "Tomorrow" "Nothing good to write." "blah blah blah."
Anyways.
So, the last couple weeks I've been in training for work. Basically 8 hour days in front of a computer in a hot conference room. Sitting around eating bad foods and coming out totally unenergized. So, I have not ridden my bike. I have not ran since last Wednesday. I did partake in some Dragon Boat races on Saturday though. So I have not been a complete slug. I was suppose to run 4 miles Monday, but did not as I was suppose to head to Clear Lake for a birthday celebration, but did not because traffic was horrible. So instead, went for a burger and beer.
Yesterday I was suppose to run 4 miles, to make up for the four missed on Monday, but got out of training zombiefied and so, I didn't.
I've been eating like crap because it is free food and well, free food when you are low on money is a good thing! This week I have been making better choices (no chips, extra fruit cups) but I still find myself buying and eating sugar loaded pies, cakes, what have you with out thinking about it until after the fact. This is something I continuously fight with. I keep trying to find that zone that I was in several years ago when I did not have any sugar related items for a couple of years, but it continuously eludes me.
I keep trying to get on the Paleo Diet which I have done before for a couple of months and had great success with it, but then I fell off that fairly hard and just haven't been able to get back on there. Right now, the hard part is because of these distractions at work of free meals. But luckily for me they end this week and I can get back into a schedule next week that I'm familiar with for work outs and eating.
The title is "Addictions and Distractions" and I have discovered they go hand in hand. My addiction to sugar is amplified by distractions to being healthy. The less active I am and the poorer my food choices are, the more I crave the sugary, chocolaty foods. Right now my distractions in life are this this training for work. It will end soon and I can better refocus myself against the addictions again. I will also attempt to get back on the Paleo wagon again once I have time to start cooking and getting things ready. I have always been trying to do it cold turkey. Cutting out the dairy, grains and other processed foods all at once, but this time I am thinking about doing it in sections. Cut out dairy first, then grains, then processed foods (or some order of the three.)
Right now I have been doing "enough" to maintain my weight, which is not a good thing, as if I cut out the extra calories I mindlessly consume (damn you chocolate fudge pies!) I would probably drop weight very fast, with the running I am doing.
Speaking of running. That has been going not too bad all things considered. I have been fairly good at being consistent with it (up until the last two weeks) and so my distances and speeds have improved quite a bit. I have been happy with it and am looking forward to getting back into it so I can continue to improve. The running goal right now is to get up to 15 miles for two long runs, then I can ease off and reintroduce resistance training. I feel this will help me maintain the distance and speed and also rebuild some lost muscle mass, which will in turn help me burn more fat in a healthy manner. Plus, 15 miles has always been my goal distance to have at a moments notice. "Want to go run a 25k this weekend?" Sure! I can do that without thinking! So, we shall see how that goes over the next month as I'm about that far away from getting there!
Until next time (hopefully much sooner than last time!)
Anyways.
So, the last couple weeks I've been in training for work. Basically 8 hour days in front of a computer in a hot conference room. Sitting around eating bad foods and coming out totally unenergized. So, I have not ridden my bike. I have not ran since last Wednesday. I did partake in some Dragon Boat races on Saturday though. So I have not been a complete slug. I was suppose to run 4 miles Monday, but did not as I was suppose to head to Clear Lake for a birthday celebration, but did not because traffic was horrible. So instead, went for a burger and beer.
Yesterday I was suppose to run 4 miles, to make up for the four missed on Monday, but got out of training zombiefied and so, I didn't.
I've been eating like crap because it is free food and well, free food when you are low on money is a good thing! This week I have been making better choices (no chips, extra fruit cups) but I still find myself buying and eating sugar loaded pies, cakes, what have you with out thinking about it until after the fact. This is something I continuously fight with. I keep trying to find that zone that I was in several years ago when I did not have any sugar related items for a couple of years, but it continuously eludes me.
I keep trying to get on the Paleo Diet which I have done before for a couple of months and had great success with it, but then I fell off that fairly hard and just haven't been able to get back on there. Right now, the hard part is because of these distractions at work of free meals. But luckily for me they end this week and I can get back into a schedule next week that I'm familiar with for work outs and eating.
The title is "Addictions and Distractions" and I have discovered they go hand in hand. My addiction to sugar is amplified by distractions to being healthy. The less active I am and the poorer my food choices are, the more I crave the sugary, chocolaty foods. Right now my distractions in life are this this training for work. It will end soon and I can better refocus myself against the addictions again. I will also attempt to get back on the Paleo wagon again once I have time to start cooking and getting things ready. I have always been trying to do it cold turkey. Cutting out the dairy, grains and other processed foods all at once, but this time I am thinking about doing it in sections. Cut out dairy first, then grains, then processed foods (or some order of the three.)
Right now I have been doing "enough" to maintain my weight, which is not a good thing, as if I cut out the extra calories I mindlessly consume (damn you chocolate fudge pies!) I would probably drop weight very fast, with the running I am doing.
Speaking of running. That has been going not too bad all things considered. I have been fairly good at being consistent with it (up until the last two weeks) and so my distances and speeds have improved quite a bit. I have been happy with it and am looking forward to getting back into it so I can continue to improve. The running goal right now is to get up to 15 miles for two long runs, then I can ease off and reintroduce resistance training. I feel this will help me maintain the distance and speed and also rebuild some lost muscle mass, which will in turn help me burn more fat in a healthy manner. Plus, 15 miles has always been my goal distance to have at a moments notice. "Want to go run a 25k this weekend?" Sure! I can do that without thinking! So, we shall see how that goes over the next month as I'm about that far away from getting there!
Until next time (hopefully much sooner than last time!)
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