A Day Off?

Today I took a day off from running. And it wasn’t a “scheduled” day off, which I do have now and again. I was actually supposed to get up and log 9 miles today, which I had full intent on doing because really at this point in my marathon training, 9 miles is chump change. That’s an easy run! So why didn’t I do it? Well that’s the thing. I don’t know!!!

Maybe it was the raging thunder and lightning storm outside (I run outside only…I’m not a treadmill girl and I’m certainly not attempting 9 miles on one); Maybe it was that I ran 16 miles last Sunday, did a full-body workout Monday, ran 5 miles with speedwork on Tuesday, another full-body workout Wednesday…so today my body is just tired. Or perhaps I’m just coming up with excuses to not run, which is really hard for me to admit because normally a workout is my top priority. Which would explain the guilt I’m having RIGHT. THIS. MOMENT.

So I ask you – fellow marathon runners and trainees – is it OK to skip a run? The trainer in me says my body needs a rest day now and again. The runner in me thinks I’m a wuss right about now. What do YOU think?

The one source of comfort I do have going for me is knowing I’ve got an 18-miler in store for myself this weekend. So, um, I’m just gonna take that justification and run with it!

Once Upon A Time There Was A Girl…

…And she chose to run a marathon. That marathon would be in Pocatello, Idaho…in likely 90 degree weather on the 5th day of September, 2009. Why did she choose to run her first-ever marathon in the heat of the summer in Pocatello, Idaho, of all places? Because if she’s going to do something, it better be big and it better be bold.

And there better be a Buddy’s Garlic Salad and Carmello at the end…

Support Your Local Psychotic Fitness Friend: Me!

Seriously…I need all the encouragement I can get…

For info on the race and to check out the map if you’re familiar with the area (or if you’re interested in running the marathon yourself – Yay You!), go to: http://www.pocatellomarathon.com/

Good news for runners!

Okay so maybe you’re not a runner, but then this news may give you incentive to become one! Yesterday was Day 1 on my marathon training schedule so I ran 4 miles and it felt GREAT! My hips were a bit tight after passing mile 3 (my usual “leisurely” jog distance), but it was GORGEOUS outside on the green belt and the Boise River was amazing to watch in the morning sun. Definitely felt lucky to live where I live and have the legs to get me my 4 miles worth of greenbelt love!

Another way I feel lucky is because I just found out recently that endurance athletes (i.e.: runners and cyclists) have a higher resting metabolism than their unfit counterparts (couch potatoes). While I don’t often think about burning calories as a competition, I love knowing that my RMR (resting metabolic rate) is kicking some serious “A” right about now while I sit here typing this in my office! In the particular study where this metabolic revelation took place, “endurance athletes” were defined as those who ran or conducted their endurance activity for four or more hours a week. Not quite there yet? Here’s your motivation! If you’d like to read more, check it out here!