The Comparison Trap

I think I have fallen into the comparison trap. I read several blogs. Okay, like twenty. I love them. Lately though, I have been struggling with eating enough and it is obvious (to others) and me that I am not eating enough. Honestly, I think that is why I am starting to see myself with running injuries. There has to be a link. Therefore, of course, I am going to step up my game. I am not increasing my breakfast amount, but I am increasing my lunch and my snackage. I am not much of a snacker, but I know that I need to be eating more plus some to gain weight. My goal is to gain five pounds before my race, which is May 29th. Knock on wood. I hope I can run it. You guys can hold me accountable.

Anyway, I do compare myself to others who blog what they eat. I guess I just assume that they only eat a salad for lunch I can too. I need more than that! I’m insane for thinking that I can fuel my body with a salad and loaded veggies. I see their portion sizes that don’t even cover the plate while my dinner overflows off the plate. I eat like two pieces of fish plus rice and veggies. I see other blogs who only eat a tortilla with humus and carrots. That’s their meal. Oh, and an apple on the side with a dab of peanut butter. That’s their dessert. My dessert is too much ice cream and maybe cake. Am I wrong? Am I eating too much? No. I am not eating enough. I need more protein and food in general since I have been lifting. Lifting weights uses more muscles thus burning more calories. I should be gaining weight, not losing.

I just feel as if some bloggers don’t eat enough. Oatmeal for breakfast… fine. Salad for lunch… that’s questionable. A 100 calorie bagel with humus for dinner… uh, no. Am I the only person who sees this on other blogs too?

Some blogs have been doing WIAW or whatever and I’m either like, “They eat a lot. That’s good. I should too.” or “They had a salad for lunch and dinner. Why do I eat so much?” I feel guilty, which led me to a low weight again.

During cross-country season, I weighed about the same as I did and possibly a pound less yet I was eating more. I had a pre workout snack, I ate a proper lunch, and I had a huge dinner. I didn’t eat dessert at the time. I don’t know why I assumed that I could back off on eating once cross-country ended when I’m still working out the same and more.

I don’t want to name names, but I feel like Hungryrunnergirl is the only person who actually eats!

How many calories should I be eating? I don’t know the exact amount, but I do workout for an hour and half and I can eat whatever I burned plus… what? Like, 1500 calories more? I don’t know. I should be in the 2000 range. Now this question isn’t for comparison, but how many calories do you suppose you eat a day? What is your biggest meal of the day? Are you snacker?

I’m just curious and also, with your answers, I won’t feel shame for eating a lot. I should consider myself lucky to be able to eat whatever I damn well please. I just want to run and not hurt!

By the way, my knee is not bothering me. It’s like behind my knee that hurts. It’s somewhat my upper calf area. I think maybe last Friday I was babying my foot too much so it effed up my knee area. Either that or it’s my Vibrams strengthening my legs extremely.

On a brighter note…
Monday I met Kara Goucher! She did a Q&A and a book signing. She sold out of her books though so I didn’t get a book signed up, but I will since i signed a list that guarantees me a book with her autograph. The Q&A was awesome. She had great answers. It’s amazing that she lives in NW Portland not too far from me.

This week went by fairly fast. After my breakdown on Thursday, I went to the gym on Friday and my legs felt like lead. I couldn’t run. It’s scaring me because I want to run that race on 29th. I have the endurance. I know I do. I just want to run without soreness and pain. Monday I ran for an hour then I was going to go another 30 minutes and my knee was area was like, “Hell no. You limp back to the gym.” Gosh damnit.

I will remain positive though.

On an even brighter note…
Here is what I am loving this week:
1. Fashion Police – Joan Rivers speaks the truth.

2. Khloe and Lamar – Why is Khloe always talking in that baby voice?

3.  Anything that contains lemon or poppy-seed. Get in my belly please.

4. Sauerkraut – I will eat it straight up. I don’t care. Judge me. 

5. Tori Spelling’s book Stori Telling – Why did I pick this up? I don’t even know. 

6. Rory Culkin – I will not apologize, but I find him so attractive.

7. The Originals with Emeril – My new favorite show. It’s so interesting and has a lot of interesting facts. Go watch it. 

 What are you loving this week?
Do you fall into the comparison trap?
Ever had a ITB – iliotibial band syndrome – injury?
Any eating/running/injury advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you, bffz. 

No honorable eats today, but stay tuned for tomorrow.

Catch Up

Hello, hello! Is it odd that I missed blogging? I feel like such a terrible blogger though. I don’t know how you guys blog daily.

Where to begin? Well, first off, I got a puppy! He’s a German short-haired pointer meaning he will be a future running dog for me when I hit the trails.

I originally wanted a Vizsla since I know they are basically the number one running dog, but my family (my mom and brother) decided they wanted a pointer because it was way cuter. Whatever. Either way he is so cute. We – I – named him Dean after Dean Karnazes. He better be a runner. According to Runner’s World, German short-haired pointers are good for long, steady runs (ten miles), going fast, and running on trails. I tried to walk him the other day and he started to cry so I turned around. We walked for about five minutes. I’m sure he’ll find his calling soon.

I have been trying to get photos of my other billion animals, yet I only got three photos.
 

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As for running, it’s been going very well. Knock on wood. I have been trying to strengthen my feet and legs by wearing my Vibrams every day. I finally had the guts to wear them at school. Everyone kept saying, “Christy, those are such cool shoes! I want a pair. Are they comfortable? They look weird. What do you do with them?” As if people at school don’t think I am freak already, I’ll just add toe shoes to the mix.

Monday: I set out to run three – five miles and I ran eight or so. My foot was just a little sore, but not painful.

Tuesday: I did six hill repeats with a 15-minute warm up and I think a 15minute cool down. All together, I did about seven miles.

Wednesday: I went easy with a plan of doing five miles or so. I think I did nine miles in one hour and five minutes. I feel like a slug. In March I ran a 10k in one hour and two minutes.
Thursday: My foot was really sore so I stuck with the elliptical and weights. I ran about a mile in addition, but I didn’t really feel like running anymore so I went back to the elliptical.
Friday: I covered over nine miles in about one hour and seven minutes. I did something to my right knee while running because it gave out a few times. Then, I had a realization if I didn’t favor my right foot and just ran, my knee felt okay. I didn’t really have any foot pain either.  My ankle was hurting, but maybe that’s because my shoes were too tight. Any ideas?

A guy took a picture of me running too. I’m famous now.

One of my goals for April was to take running slow and build my endurance again, yet I barely did that. I probably went too quickly in adding mileage, but it was excruciating or anything. Wearing my Vibrams for just walking around is something I am still going to continue with because I notice they help a lot. My legs are tender from wearing them, which for me is a good thing. My foot’s pain has decreased too since I got my new shoes. It’s great. I hope I don’t jinx myself.

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In April, I gave myself four goals that included start swimming, listen to my body, take running up again slowly, and cycle more. I realized that giving myself goals each month is almost silly. I give myself goals constantly. Each week I think of something I want to achieve and I aim for it. Giving myself monthly goals is pointless for me. I don’t think I am going to type out what I want to achieve for May. Mostly I just want to run more, run farther, run faster, and do well in my trail race.

However, I did cycle more in the month of April. I cycled to the store, mail office, and my tanning salon. Yeah, I tan. Yeah, it is most likely terrible for me, but I look better with a tan. Anyway, I somewhat listened to my body. I became more conscious of my hunger and pains then acted accordingly. I did not swim more. I will when school ends though since my gym now offers swimming lessons. I can swim. I just don’t know all the fancy strokes and what not about it. I can doggy paddle and that’s about it.

Speaking of the gym, why am I overly modest when it comes to changing in the women’s locker room? Women get completely butt naked and try to have a conversation with me. I find it so odd. I don’t even know where to look when they’re asking me questions. It’s so awkward. Perhaps I’m too modest. That’s a lie. I’m a runner. I have peed in public during the day, barely behind a bush. I also do snot rockets while running and picked wedgies. I’m just not going naked and then asking my friend about the weather.

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On a final note, I plan on meeting Kara Goucher Monday since she is doing a book signing. I plan to become BFF’s with Kara and then skip to Coldstone with her. I have coupons.

That’s all that I remember that I was dying to share. I bet I left out some juicy stuff like how I wrote Coldstone because I was pissed off at  them and now I get free ice cream. Wanna hear that?

Honorable eats: 

Sweet potato

Any goals for May?

Are you modest at the gym? Any strange gym stories? 

Bipolar Running

Thank you for the blog suggestions. I really want people to not only read my blog, but also like and enjoy what I have to say. Thanks again. I’m still open to any suggestions for my blog.

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Okay, on to business.

I have picked up running again because, honestly, my foot has been feeling better. It’s sore at times(not painful), but I’m sure that is to be expected after getting off an injury. My feet aren’t used to running as they were months ago. In addition, I think my feet are bit more sore because I switched my shoes to minimalist shoes and I have been running ever so slightly in my amazing Vibrams.

I do love my new shoes though! They feel remarkable. I swear I am never running in Nike shoes again. I strongly believe that they messed up my foot. Not entirely though since I was running excessively, but still. Too much cushioning in your running shoe is impractical. Why ruin running with shoes that destroy the natural state of the foot and how it runs? The more cushioning, the more you are taking away from the foot’s natural state.

I am still not running the way I want to right now. I want to be running a full hour, but I am so afraid to. I’m afraid that I will be re-injured or see how much I am sweating while running then convince myself that I suck at running now. None of it is true. I am still runner. I get asked daily at the gym if I’m a runner. (I guess I look like one.) I know I can run an hour even if it is on the treadmill. As soon as the weather brightens up, I will be running outside again.

I still love running. I wish I could do it all the time and I wish that my stupid injury never happened. No sense in wishing though. I think getting my injury was helpful in a way because I discovered new things and learned that I need to listen to my body when it wants a break from running miles. I discovered I love water aerobics, spin class, and lifting. I discovered I can still be fit and in shape without running constantly.

With that said, I need to get my ass running more because I entered a trail race that is a 20k (12 miles). Am I excited? Hell yeah. Do I think I can do it when it’s only a month away? Yes. Do I think it will be my best race ever? Probably not. I’m just getting back into running and no way can I expect myself to nail this race. First off, I never done a trail race before. I am so pumped though. I just want run now.

Any help in creating a 20k training program? I think I can do it with just logging in some miles and hills, but I need more than that. If you know anyone or any site that can help me create a training program, drop me a note.

I will officially start training on Monday, which will give me 28 days to train. I think I can do it. I really do. I really just need to be confident in myself. I took barely a full month off from running due to my foot injury and I continued working out that whole time. I may not be the same runner I was in February, but I absolutely have new strengths as a runner.

I am really bipolar about this whole running issue. Can’t you tell?

I don’t want to bore you guys with my running problems so I stole this survey from http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/.

Clothing style:  I call it the ‘lazy bum who doesn’t care about much’ look.
Nail polish color: Neon colors.
Make up item: Mascara.
Stores: Vans, Zuimez, PacSun.
Sport: Basketball is my favorite.
Clothing item: Running shorts. Hah.
Shape: Circle.
Number: 3.
Sports team: Chicago all the way.
Color: Purple.
Breakfast item: Eggs.
Type of music: Alternative. Dare I say I started listening to country? Who am I?
Song: Currently anything by Adele.
TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
TV channel: NBC, Food Network, Comedy Central.
Magazine: Runner’s World.
Hair style: Straight.
Hair length: Long. Very long.
Shoe type: Vans slip ons. I might as well Velcro shoes.
Animal: Cats and dogs.
Transportation: A car, but I bike too.
School subject: How about no.
Talk show: Does Chelsea Handler count?
Fruit: Apples.
Vegetable: Brussels sprouts.
Vacation spot: I don’t know! Anywhere tropical.
Book: Harry Potter series.
Eye color: Green.
Hair color: Blonde.
Hobby: Running, reading, complaining.
Flower: Tulips.
Sound: …of music.
Holiday: Christmas.
Scent: Vanilla.
Culture food:  Italian and Mexican.
Restaurant: I suppose this little German restaurant by my house.
Month: Summer months.

Honorable Eats:

Chocolate cakes
Sauerkraut on rye (I’m addicted to sauerkraut now)
 Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
Caramel Vanilla bean cake
 Dutch apple pie
 

Fried eggs + brussels + hashbrowns + broccoli + mushrooms

Are you training for a race?
- “The worst thing you can give a runner midrace is false hope. What causes you to tense up is the unexpected; but as long as you know what you’re in for, you can relax and chip away at the job.”

If you been sidelined from running, how did you regain your confidence in running again?

Show n Tell

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you’re celebrating with lots of chocolate.

I started my Easter day with a workout. Of course. Who am I to take a rest day? However, I ran. I ran for 45 minutes in these…

and twenty-two minutes in these…

No, your eyes do no deceit you. These are Vibrams and they felt amazing on my feet! They felt better than the other new pair I got, which are pretty sweet regardless.

I finished my run on the dreadmill with 30 minutes on the elliptical. I love the fact that I can run again. I just feel so slow. I range from 7 – 7:30 minute miles. Before my injury, I was around just 7-minute miles and less. I also feel like I lost my running endurance. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I leave the gym covered in sweat. Maybe it’s because I’m exercising inside and not outside in 40 degree weather. I don’t know why I’m insane either. I covered seven plus miles though. I’m getting back on track again.

Obviously, I’m off balanced because I was worried about going out to brunch today. I never eat breakfast or lunch out. I always have my weekend meals planned so if I go off the plan it freaks me out. I barely ate breakfast. I had a banana. Then after I worked out, I had a peach Chobani yogurt and a pear. Despite my worry, brunch was incredible. My mom, brother, and I went to a little cafe where I got a dungeness crab omelette. I was starving that I ate the toast, hashbrowns, and sauce that came with it. I’m sure I’ll be starving later despite all that I ate. I don’t know why I worry about it so much.

Anyway, you guys should give me a pat on the back for getting dressed this week. I dressed like a lazy bum 4/7 days. It’s a start, right?

Oh, yes. How could I forget? NO BRACES ANYMORE!

Enough photos of me. I don’t want to make you guys jealous. Rightttt…

I bought Tina Fey’s new book and it is hilarious.

Go check it out if you’re a fan of her or 30 Rock. 30 Rock, by the way, is my favorite show. I don’t want it to end.

Even though today was gloomy and rainy, Friday and Saturday were gorgeous. It got to 69 degrees yesterday.

Well, I hope you guys enjoy your Easter. Go crazy and take a two-hour nap if you ever feel so inclined. Hold on. Let’s not forget my honorable eats…

Crab cakes + broccoli + mushrooms

Banana cake from New Seasons (I went back for seconds)

Coffee cake 

Cat fish + corn + rice + Brussels 

How are you enjoying your Easter?

What shoes do you run in?

Any suggestions on how to survive the treadmill?

Don’t Even Get Me Started

It’s no surprise that I love magazines.

I have subscriptions to Runner’s World, Women’s Health, Fitness, Health, and Shape. Then, occasionally I buy Self and Oxygen. Sounds like a waste of money, yeah? Maybe, but I don’t care.

I recently picked up the newest issue of Self Magazine since Gwyneth Paltrow was on the cover with smokin’ abs.

I mostly love every article in Self, yet lately their ‘meal plans’ have been irritating me. Their idea of a snack is an apple – no problem there – and four almonds. Four almonds? If you go over, you had better get your fat ass on the treadmill. Lunch was a peanut butter sandwich with (yes count ‘em) ten baby carrots. I guess I just find it silly to put such a limit like that on carrots or something healthy like a vegetable when I eat a pile of brussels sprouts with my two fish fillets, corn, and rice. I know these magazines are for women who generally want to drop a few pounds, but eating over ten carrots isn’t going to make you gain weight.

People at my school are normally alarmed at how much I eat. Half of them think I don’t eat actually so I’m lying, yet they are shocked that I can put away so much food. Women can eat over the range of 1200 – 1500 calories? With exercise, I can easily eat more than that. Even on days I take it ‘easy’ (let’s face it, I don’t do that), I can eat. I eat dessert every night if I want it. Ice cream is my food staple. According to these ‘fitness’ magazines though, I should be wider than a school bus. I suppose I am just breaking the rules of how women should eat and exercise. Don’t even get me started on women getting ‘toned’ and lifting weights.

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Yesterday I ran. Yes! Today I ran. Woohoo! I only ran for ten minutes today and it was on the oh so fun treadmill and without shoes. I ran in my socks. I realized that I am a huge heel striker on my right foot, which is my injured foot. I hope to change that when I get some Vibrams over the weekend, hopefully. My fingers are crossed. Just to clarify, my whole foot isn’t injured. I only get pain in my big toe or on the left side of my right foot. I have started icing again and soaking my foot in Epsom salt. Supposedly Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Maybe it’s helping. I don’t know. Maybe I should do some foot stretches though to make my foot stronger…? Any tips?

I am torn between getting a pair of Vibrams or these: http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22877W/0/Womens/Barefoot-Pace-Glove?dimensions=0

I still think I am going to go with the Vibrams.

Now onto to some honorable eats:

White bean spinach salad with onions and an egg

This was Heaven

P.S.

I got my braces off yesterday! I would show a picture, but I’m going to wait until I don’t look like a lazy bum realizing that they have this thing called makeup and jeans.

Do any fitness magazines irritate you with their health tips and articles?

Who else hates the evil treadmill?
-I just want to run outside forever and ever and ever. Damn foot. FYI, I ran outside yesterday and the hard surface bothered my foot.

“Strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities.”  -W. E. B. Du Bois

I Just Wanna Race!

Maybe it is because of the hoopla over the Boston Marathon or just the fact that I haven’t run in almost a month, but I just want to race. I love racing! It feeds my competitive drive. There is nothing like lining up at the starting line and feeling that rush of nerves. Then the gun pops and you blast off.

My last race was the Shamrock Run 15k. It was my first long distant race outside of cross-country and not to beep my own horn or anything, but I did really well. I finished in an hour and won this…

I got this for being first in my age group.

I miss racing and training for something. I’m thinking I am going to sign up for a trail race too when I feel confident in my running again. That’s a lie. I am going to sign up for any race I want when I feel like I can run without any tenderness. Which reminds me, I ran yesterday and today.

Lululemon had a running expo last night and it started with a short run. My foot didn’t hurt, but I can feel it – whatever it is – in my big toe. At the running event, I won a Lululemon key holder and got some neat free stuff. I love that store despite the fact that I can’t afford it. On the short run I ran with two people who run ultras. The woman has done 26 ultras and she brought all her belt buckles. God. I was so jealous. I wish I could just be her friend and we could run all the time. I’m weird. It’s okay.

Anyway, I ran today for 45 minutes on the treadmill even though I told myself to run for twenty and to wait until the 21st to pick up running again. Again, my big toe doesn’t cause me pain, but I can feel a little twinge when I do run. Right now my foot feels alright since I iced it, but if it hurts tomorrow, I am definitely not running. If you know anything about foot injuries, feel free to offer me some guidance. I could use it.

But really now. How could I not run when I got new gear?

More like semi fast because I could only run 8 minute miles today

Also, how could I not run when three people keep ask me if I am runner because I look like one? I feel like a loser saying, “I run, but not now since I’m an idiot who is injured so…”

As for this weekend, I was productive. I cleaned my car, bought my mom an Easter gift, the whole house, walked the dogs, went to see Scream 4, grocery shopped, and obviously fitted in spin classes. I tried Indian food for the first time and was not impressed. Then I began looking into minimalist shoes a bit more. I talked my mom into getting me a pair, possibly even Vibrams. However, if I get a pair of barefoot running shoes, where should I start? What brand? Any recommendations?

To wrap this up, I am glad last week is over! I was extremely stressed and didn’t get dressed for, like, a week. By dressed I mean I didn’t wear jeans.

I did do my hair one day though. Like the Playboy bunnies on my phone? So classy.

Honorable eats:

Cinnamon raisin bread pudding

Asparagus frittata

Coconut cake

Do you like racing?

Do you like dressing like a lazy bum like me? (Thankfully I go to an all girl school.)

Oh the Stars

I’m sorry for my absence. It’s safe to say that I am a person that never gets stressed out. It takes a lot for me to worry about a situation or to even cry. This week, however, has been entirely stressful with piles of homework and a scholarship application due tomorrow. Also, my senioritis has kicked in to about full blast.

I’m feeling less stressed now though. My application is done and my homework is finished. Not that much longer until I graduate. Whew.

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Like any American, I read the tabloids. Apparently I believe Charlie Sheen affects my day to day life because I have to pick up those gossip magazines any time I am in the store just to get my quick fix of Lindsay Lohan or what Katie Holmes is wearing this week. As for the Royal Wedding, can it just happen already? I’m sick of those beautiful people and their beautiful accents.

Any time the tabloids feature a celebrity workout and diet, I pick it up. I don’t know why I care, but I do and I find it genuinely interesting how they stay fit. (FYI, I am not on a diet or looking to lose weight. I just like reading celebrities’ diets.) Granted, some probably don’t eat, but for the most some are actually rather healthy.

I adore Cameron Diaz’s body mostly because she is tall. I’m only 5’2. I also really admire her arms.

Katy Perry claims she stays fit by, of course, working out. Additionally, Katy Perry has everything in moderation and indulges every now and then (like we all should).

Okay. I have a confession. I am obsessed with Kardashian family, especially Kim. Kim has one voluptuous body and she is absolutely gorgeous.

“I never aspired to be a size zero. Although one time I tried on a dress with a size-8 label when I thought I was a size 4. It turned out it was a UK size 8, so actually it was my normal size. But it made me think, “Why do I even care?” I couldn’t care less if it said 14. It’s just a number. ”

Then there is the lovely Anna Paquin from True Blood, which is one of my favorite shows.

“Anna is a very easy going, fun person to be around,” says the True Blood star’s long-time trainer Clay Burwell, owner of High Performance NYC gym. “She is also an incredible athlete who can run ten miles a day, box for over an hour and then do Pilates – all before 11 AM. She truly loves exercise, and to her, it’s just fun.” 

 I am also a huge fan of Emma Roberts. I recently read her interview in Women’s Health and was just really impressed.

“Sexy when I was younger always meant boobs, and I’ve never had boobs in my life, so I always felt that sexy was out of the question for me,” the Scream 4 star tells Seventeen‘s May issue. “I used to really want to be that kind of voluptuous girl, and I’ve just kind of embraced that I’m not.”

And obviously I appreciate any celebrity that runs…

Yeah, Scarlett Johansson is wearing Vibrams

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Thank goodness it’s almost Friday. I have some plans for the weekend too. My mom is going out of town (holla party at my place) so Saturday night I will be seeing Scream 4 with some friends. I see frozen yogurt and thai food in my future. Then, Sunday I am going to a running expo/meeting at Lululemon. I’m nervous since they are doing a short run and I don’t want to run if I hurt at all. My foot for the most part has been feeling better and not so painful. Maybe like a 3/10.

Now on to some honorable eats. Sorry for the crappy cell phone photos.

Ice cream + cottage cheese + cereal + apple cake

Are you obsessed with celebrities like me?
Any favorite celebrities?  

How do you de-stress?

Goals, Books, and Barefoot Running

This weekend has gone by fast. Too fast and I feel like I got nothing done. I haven’t even done my homework yet.

Friday night I went to a concert and was out until midnight, but I was up and at it at seven Saturday morning. I went to a spin class at nine then did the rowing machine for ten minutes and the elliptical for twenty minutes or so.

The rowing machine is a great for cross training. You work your arms, shoulders, back, core, legs, hips, and torso. Really, you are working every major muscle group. There are so many benefits for runners and cyclists who use the rowing machine.

Saturday I decided to go to the bookstore because I wanted to buy the book Natural Running since I want to get into barefoot running. I need to do more research before I go out and buy a pair of barefoot running shoes. Long story short, I bought Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners and Born to Run.

Next week my gym is having a seminar on chi running and barefoot running. I’m super excited because I want more facts. I’ve been looking at barefoot running shoes.

So far, I am leaning towards Vibrams. I have been reading they actually help with foot injuries. Oh, and good news! My foot is starting to feel better. I’m still going to take another week off though. Just in case.

As well as hitting up the bookstore, I went to Whole Foods where I found Jimmy Fallon’s new ice cream and free samples galore. Can I just live in Whole Foods? I love that place. I spent an hour just walking around drooling over everything I wanted.

Today’s workout: one hour of a weights class, 45 minutes cycling, and 10 minutes on the elliptical.

I decided I want to create some goals for April. I believe it’s very important to set goals and that an individual should always be working towards something, whether it can be achieved in a month or a year.

1. Start swimming! I e-mailed the triathlon coach at my gym and he is willing to let me try out the master swim class for a few days to see my potential. I want to do a triathlon in the future so I need to improve my swimming skills.

2. Listen to my body. If you read ‘my story’, you know I struggle from a past eating disorder. I do not count calories for the most part, but they are unconsciously on my mind. I know I can eat 2000+ calories a day and I’m petite (5’3). I work out intensely so I need to let myself eat when I’m hungry and even when I’m not just to get in those calories. I have to fuel my body correctly and I shouldn’t worry about eating three bowls of cereal after dinner if I’m still hungry.

3. Take running up again slowly. I don’t know when I am going to begin running again because I want my injury to be fully healed before I go pounding the pavement. However, when I do run again, I will only allow myself to go so far. I cannot just knock out 14 miles and expect to be alright. This also goes with listening to my body. If my foot starts to hurt, I need to stop running and take a break.

4. Cycle more. I already do bike outdoors and in, but I want to bike more and drive less. I want to bike to the grocery store or the mall instead of driving. However, this is going to be tricky since my mother (yes, I’m 18) lets me ride my bike to certain places only if I haven’t exercised intensely already. It’s all due to the past and how I can sometimes over exercise.

Honorable eats:

Toffee bread pudding

Sweet & salty

What are your thoughts on barefoot running? Have you read Born to Run or Natural Running?

Do you have any goals for the month of April?