My Answer to Question of the Week: Chocolate Caramel Bars

May 4, 2009 By 8 Comments

This morning I wondered what question of the week I should throw out there.

Then I stopped and had my mid-run snack: A granola bar. I wished it were a caramel chocolate power bar, but alas, none were stocked in the cabinet.

Which made me think this: I love long distance running. How else could I eat a chocolate caramel bar for breakfast?

So, my question of the week: Three reasons you love to run!

My answers:

  • I eat everything I want. And I mean everything. I love long distance running because I can eat what I want when I want it without worrying about calories. The only thing I have to worry about: how will it sit in my belly during the next morning’s run.
  • Energy. It wastes mine. I have an abundance of unused energy that must be filtered out somehow, someway. Running does it. It gets rid of my antsies!
  • Sensations. I love the way running feels. I love the smells I smell early morning, like rain on the grass or fresh flowers blooming. I love seeing deer and lakes and waterfalls and the ocean when I’m running. I love early morning sunrises. The sensations of running itself, the sweat and heat, the heart pounding, the sweat, I just love it all.

When I run, I feel alive.

What three things do you love about running?

RR: 8.5 miles today in the dark. Start my swimming tomorrow, can’t wait!

Filed Under: Long Distance Running, May 2009, Question of the Week Tagged With: ,

Food or Gels?

April 6, 2009 By 6 Comments

So I have been a food eater on my long runs. Anything over 12 miles, and around mile 7 I begin munching on something – usually a power bar, though in my first marathon I ate goldfish like they were going out of style (and then wouldn’t eat them for months after!)

Now I have a new strategy: Begin eating at mile 7 and make the power bar last for quite a few miles. If I eat too much too quickly my run suffers; if I don’t eat at all, my stomach feels empty.

I’ve tried gels, but don’t find they stick with me. Though they give me energy, I need something in my belly for the long haul.

So today’s question is this: When doing the distance, do you prefer to eat something or use a gel? And why? Also, at what mile do you begin?

No run today, just core and arms. Yesterday I did an easy 4 after Saturday’s 12. My legs felt good but tired. Still battling my weight. Today the scale dropped down so I’m 4 pounds lighter than i need to be. I ate everything in sightthe last two days, too, and when I say everything, I mean everything! If this doesn’t fix itself soon I’ll have to count calories, which I hate to do. I never carry through with it, it’s time consuming, and I just don’t have the extra minutes in the day!

Giveaway! Yes, we haven’t done this – I was so tired last week I didn’t come online, so today since my daughter is off for spring break she will be picking the winner of the core giveaway and I will post the results tomorrow. Good luck!

Happy Running!

Filed Under: April 2009, Question of the Week Tagged With:

This Week’s Question: Why Did You Start Running?

January 18, 2009 By 2 Comments

So I thought it would be fun to post a new question each week that would allow runners to discuss a variety of things that do (or perhaps don’t!) have to do with running!

So here goes this week’s question: Why did you start running in the first place?!

Here’s the requirement: Tell us a story! It can be a short paragraph or several longer ones. Tell us why you started running. I’ll go first!

Filed Under: Question of the Week Tagged With: ,