The Best Part of My Day
“Every day may not be good. But there is something good in every day.”
Last night gave me one of those moments. You know, the ones where something happens, something very small or simple, but it takes away all the crap and negativity that was built up in the hours before it.
I got home around 6 after a rough, frustrating day. Topping it off, it had been insanely windy all day so I had wrote off the option of an outdoor run to unwind and burn off some stress. Strangely tho, the wind had died down to the point it didn’t feel so bad by the time I got home. That, plus the energy-filled, excited fur ones waiting for me at home, I decided there was no way I was going to the gym for a treadmill run. I dressed and got organized for a typical “two dogs, two jogs” evening (Burton and Blitz are both very strong, fast dogs and have different levels of endurance, so I take them for separate runs).
Nothing better than an evening run with this lil dude.
Burton and I were about halfway into our 10k run, which was going really well despite some still-strong wind gusts. As we turned a corner to head west down a rare tree-lined running path near our neighborhood, I had the moment. The sun was huge, shining so intensely on us in the clear evening sky, I had to squint. It lit up the grass and the tress, making their colors almost surreal-looking. The wind seemed to pause and all I could hear was the light sounds of my breathing. At that moment, I realized this was the best part of the day. Just me and my favorite running pal doing what we both love to do. My head felt clear, my body relaxed, yet my legs felt so light that I was cruising at a sub-7 minute/mile pace. All the bullshit and frustrations of the day seemed to disappear, and I felt calm and happy.
I often tell people running saved my life. And it did, for several reasons. Today was a reminder how it still does that and how important it is to, not just my physical health, my mental well-being too.
Don’t worry, things weren’t all pie-in-the-sky, wonderfully perfect. About a mile later, Burton got distracted by another dog (seriously, every.single.dog.he.sees – it’s maddening!) and nearly tripped and tangled me in the leash. This caused a nifty chain reaction of me stumbling and doing some less-than-graceful moves on one of the busiest streets by our neighborhood. So, that was awesome too.
When was the last time you had one of those moments? Post a comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
For-Profit Races are Charitable Organizations Too
“The result of charity is often beyond calculation”
When I worked in the obstacle racing industry, we got a lot of questions about our races:
“How long is the race?”
“What should I wear?”
“How hard are the obstacles?”
“Will there be a lot of mud?”
“Can I run with a group?”
Pretty typical. Then there were the inevitable ones based on the million-dollar (or in our case, $50- to $80-dollar) question:
“How much does it cost?”
“What do I get for that fee?”
“That’s way too expensive, I’m not participating if it costs that much!”
(Notice that last one isn’t actually a question – I’ll explain that soon…)
Then came the ones that could get really tough:
“How much of the fee goes to the charity?”
“Why doesn’t my entire entry fee go to the charity?”
“I won’t support your race because 100% of entry fees don’t go to the charity!”
PR & Marketing Director by day – event team/construction/set-up at every race!
Things often escalated from questions to angry statements. On the one hand, I get it; A) people want to know they’re getting good value for their money and B) they want to support charities (races have become synonymous with charitable giving). But on the other, I think people forget that when he or she signs up for a race, it’s no different than going to a movie or going out to dinner. You’re paying for a service. From a business.
True, a lot of races out there are strictly non-profit and put on solely to raise money for a charity or cause. They’re also run by volunteers and larger organizations that are financially supported on their own, allowing them to donate all race fees to a charity. And that’s great. But why the anger and judgment towards for-profit race companies? Is it because so many races involve a charitable component that it’s sort of become the expectation all races support charities? You don’t expect the movie theater owner to give all ticket proceeds to charity. You wouldn’t boycott a local restaurant because the owners don’t donate 100% of food sales to charity. So why should a race company be expected to give its profits to a charity?
After pulling off a successful event, we didn’t stop – time to teardown & plan the next one.
I’ve seen it in my years as a participant in the racing world but I really understood it when I worked for a race event company. Our team put in so much hard work, physical labor, sweat and passion into executing each and every race we held. And that was just the race itself. Our small team put that same dedication into the business of creating these events, from our race director sourcing port-a-potty companies to our IT manager making sure online registration process was smooth and easy for customers to our volunteer coordinator pulling together hundreds of people to help our small team pull off these events to the world-class level our runners deserved. Everyone wore multiple hats and put in a ton of hours to provide an experience to customers.
For-profit race companies aren’t greedy companies trying to take all of your money and run (pun intended). They’re businesses providing a service. With real people who work real hours and deserve to earn real salaries, bonuses, PTO and health benefits. It takes a lot of time and energy, people and planning, supplies and money to put on races, whether a 10k or triathlon, an obstacle race, mud run or color run – every race. This goes way beyond the cost of your finisher’s shirt and medal.
We didn’t pay pros to model on our signs – that’s just me & our course director.
Beyond providing us with a form of entertainment, race companies give us even more than that – encouragement, a sense of achievement and health. Training for a race gives us a reason to push ourselves in the gym and show up every day, especially the tough ones where we’re just not feeling it. Finishing a race makes us feel amazing about ourselves. And the cycle of doing another race and another keeps us motivated to stay physically healthy. If that’s not charitable and helping the greater good, I don’t know what is.
Think about that next time you register for a race and are tempted to balk at the $60 race fee. You’re paying for more than a shirt, you’re paying for an experience.
I write this as I’m about to run a local race on Saturday. The Fargo Mini Marathon is a race I try to do every year and put on by GoFarEvents, a local race company in Fargo that puts on a ton of great running events, from 5ks to marathons to youth runs. I love all the opportunities the GoFarEvents team brings to the community and they put on fantastic events – plus, the company does plenty of charitable work and donates a lot to the community (much of that is done “behind the scenes” tho so most people don’t see it). So I’m always thrilled to support and participate in its events. Side note, I’m hoping for a PR in the half marathon and just to enjoy the 5k afterward!
Do you agree with my point of view? Are there local races you love to support because of the good they bring the community? Or are you one who feels races should completely support charitable organizations? Leave a comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
Three Races, Two Places, One That Made A Difference
“You think I’m crazy because of how much I run? Trust me, if I didn’t run this much, that’s when you’d see crazy.”
Since my last blog, less than a week ago, I’ve run three races. I also had a big change in plans for one of those races that ended up being two.
Now that I’ve confused everyone with so many numbers, I’ll explain. My week in races:
Thursday – CCRI 5k
There’s a local organization in the Fargo-Moorhead area called CCRI, which serves those in the community with disabilities. An annual event CCRI puts on is the Superhero 5k. It’s a chance for adults and children to participate in the event, some who just need a little help and encouragement along the way. Others tho are physically unable to walk or run and need extra help to take part.
Team Reese at the finish line.
A friend of mine volunteers for CCRI and I mentioned I would of course sign up for the race to support the group – and because I love a good fall race. He asked if I would be interested in pushing a wheelchair while I ran too. Without hesitation, I said yes. How great would that be, to support the cause AND share the fun of racing a 5k with someone who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do it. Nevermind I had never pushed a wheelchair for an entire race, even if I had to jog or walk, I would get that person across the finish line.
It was an incredible experience. The wheelchair runners were organized by a group called Ainsley’s Angles, a national group that just started a chapter in the Red River valley. Each wheelchair participant was assigned two Ainsley’s Angels runners (so we could trade off pushing – it’s hard work, especially turns); my teammate and I got to help a boy named Reese, who was excited from the minute I met him. All throughout the course, fellow runners were cheering for Reese. When we pushed him across the finish line and the crowd cheered for him even louder, I was beaming. It was so fun to see all the support for every participant. Something I hope to be able to do again.
Saturday – Dick Beardsley 10k
I had originally planned to race the Roger Maris 10k on Saturday. However, I found out the race was actually being held on Friday, not Saturday as in years past. I had already committed to the CCRI race on Thursday and volunteering for the Roger Maris fundraiser event on Friday. Between that and other plans for the weekend, it wasn’t in the cards to make the logistics work.
Good news though, I’d still be able to support Roger Maris through volunteering and I could now race the Dick Beardsley 10k on Saturday morning and run the 5k later that morning (it sounded like a great idea when I was registering in my pjs). I had participated in the DB run a few times in the past, so I was happy to race it again and support another good, local race.
It turned out to be a great race. I ran the 10k in 43:56 (my second best 10k time ever). I ended up taking second overall for women and the best part was it was a great race between myself, and the third and fourth place finisher. The girl who took third was on my tail the entire time; it was great, she really pushed me to keep up the pace. The fourth place finisher started out in second but ran out of steam around mile 4 – we chatted a little during and after the race, and she was so nice. The winner blew us all away. In her time of 38 and change, she blew away most of the guys too. I’ve raced her before and she’s awesome, just ridiculously fast. #respect
After the race, I stretched out and watched the half marathon finishers start to roll in. I quickly realized there was a slight flaw in my plan to run two races the same morning. I finished the 10k around 8:30 a.m. The 5k didn’t start until 11. That left me a solid 2+ hours to hang out in my sweaty race clothes which got riper and smellier as the time passed. Also, it was a chilly morning; great for racing, not so great when all the sweat dries and chills the body. I was shivering most of the time up until it was time to run again.
Saturday – Dick Beardsley 5k
Time to run again – that’s right, I signed up for another race that day. Okay, no problem, I got this. I met two guys at the start line who noticed I was also wearing the special bib, for the people who had already run a race earlier that day. We joked that we were glad to not be the only ones who thought this was a good idea! All joking aside, I was excited for another race. I was understandably a little fatigued from the hard run earlier that morning but I was well-conditioned enough I could handle three more miles. I figured, why not try to run fast too? So I did. Although I couldn’t keep up the same pace as earlier in the 10k, my legs felt really heavy and it had warmed up quite a bit, I still finished in third place overall (first place age group!) in a respectable time of 23:11. The best part was, I was in second place the first two miles then just got smoked by an 11-year-old girl in the last mile. I wanted to give her a high five and tell her how awesome she was for running #LikeAGirl but she burned by me too damn fast.
A big medal for a big day of racing.
My parents were waiting at the finish line to congratulate me and, in addition to my 10k and 5k finisher medals, I got a special medal for running “The Beardsley Duo.” It’s ginormous and just might make my Run Like A Girl medal holder fall right off the wall. All in all, I’d for sure do the two-a-day race thing again. It was a really fun morning, full of what I love – racing! And, I got to enjoy a nice relaxing day at the lake after capped off with my post-race staple: a Jimmy John’s veggie sub.
Now time to gear up for the Fargo Mini-Marathon in October. A perfect time to run a half marathon and get the most out of the fall season and fall racing that I love so much.
Have you ever run multiple races in a week – or even the same day? If not, would you go for it? Comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
Why Your Body Type Matters – Ectomorph, Endomorph, Mesomorph
“You’re damned if you’re too thin, you’re damned if you’re too heavy. So just say fuck it and be what’s natural for you.”
Ectomorph. Endomorph. Mesomorph. Are you familiar with these words? If not, and you’re looking to better understand your response to workouts and eating, you should read on. If you are and you’re looking to better understand your response to workout and eating habits, I welcome you to also read on.
Ectomorph, Endomorph and Mesomorph are the three common categories of natural body types. Without going into a long-winded speech to explain each, think of it in this most simple way: An Ectomorph is a naturally lean body type; an Endomorph a naturally heavier or thick body type, a Mesomorph, more in the middle – think broader shoulders and narrower waist or even somewhat of an hourglass figure.
Beyond giving you insight into your natural body type, identifying the one in which you most predominantly fit can help you to better understand workouts and eating.
Different sizes, shapes, heights – but, fun fact, we’re all runners.
I’ll use myself as an example. I was recently doing some research to find benchmarks for what a woman my height and weight should be able to squat, deadlift, bench press, those types of things. What I ended up doing was getting a bit off track and researching more about body types and how they affect performance.
I found out things like Endomorphs (especially taller, leggier ones) have a harder time putting up bigger squat numbers.
I also found out Ectomorphs should lift heavier weights with fewer reps for best results. These are things I admit, I didn’t really know, but helped open my eyes to how much more than genetics factors into athletic performance and nutrient, body type itself does too.
I’m an Endomorph. I have a naturally thicker, more muscular build. I have an out-of-control appetite (always have, even before I was a runner) and have always struggled to lose weight or have a slimmer appearance. After college, when I really started to take control of my health, lose some excess weight and become fitter, I had a very hard time with where my body was heading. No matter how much I ran and how little I ate, I never could quite achieve that “thin” body I so badly wanted.
I always assumed I was doing something wrong but, taking a few steps back from it (and speaking to trusted fitness experts like my pal, JoeFitness) I began to understand that everyone’s body is programmed to be a certain way, a certain shape, a certain build. You can fight it to an extent but it’s going to be that – a fight. So, if that’s the route you want to go, you have to decide how much and what sacrifices you’re willing to make.
As an Endomorph, I’m not someone who can have that slim, lean look without major sacrifice. I would have to give up lifting, do nothing but steady cardio and drastically reduce my calorie intake. It has taken me several years, horrible bouts with crash dieting and periods of cardio upon cardio upon cardio to finally come to terms with this – and, more importantly, truly be okay with it.
I don’t mind that, in order to achieve peak racing performance, I have to push my workouts hard and my body has to be thicker and more muscular; I can’t get away with being a “lean” runner while also racking up the distance and mile times I want.
Now that I’ve gotten older and my goals are different, I no longer curse my Endomorph body type – I embrace it. This body type, though some days I know it works against me (Endomorphs aren’t known for their stellar endurance), helps me perform like the athlete I want to be. I’m strong. I’m fast. I’m capable of major bouts of endurance – I just have to work harder for it.
But, on the flip side, lifting heavy weights works well for me. My big legs and butt help me to run both run sub-7 minute miles for speed training, as well as average just over an 8-minute mile for a full marathon. And my metabolism and muscle mass really helps out the constant need for food. So I’d say this Endomorph thing is working out pretty well.
Do you train to fight your natural body type or have you embraced it and used it to your advantage? Or, are you planning to look further into your own body type and how if affects your workouts, nutrition and goals? Comment or connect with me at @lindsayinreallife on Instagram or @LindsayIRL on Twitter.
Gluten-Free – It’s Not A Diet, It’s How Some People Don’t Die
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Last week, something happened to my friend, Hannah that infuriated me. Hannah has Celiac disease, which means she’s allergic to gluten. Upon visiting one of her favorite restaurants, one that offers completely gluten-free options, she was left feeling shamed and angry.
Had I been there with her, my big mouth may have gone loose and words would have flown. Bad words. I may have been banned from said establishment for life but it would have totally been worth it.
Two members of this restaurant’s staff were beyond rude. Not realizing Hannah had just ordered a gluten-free sandwich, their comments ranged from the unnecessary, “Ugh, this person who needs gluten-free food is so annoying,” to the uneducated, “It’s not like this diet does anything,” to the downright dangerous, “Oh, I guess I better change my gloves now, “ (laden with sarcasm).
Not only did these two employees make complete asses of themselves, they disrespected a customer and their employer. A company that touts itself as a provider of gluten-free food has a major responsibility to uphold that. One, people on gluten-free diets deserve it and two, people who need gluten-free diets could get horribly sick from eating contaminated food. Think of a child with a peanut allergy who, maybe doesn’t even eat peanuts, but eats food prepared in the same area as peanuts. Celiac sufferers have that same degree of sensitivity to gluten.
This brings me to a slight problem I have with gluten-free diets – not people who have Celiac disease and who’s lives depend on eating this way, but people who think gluten-free is the hippest new weight loss diet like low-carb or low-fat. And they just have to jump on the bandwagon.
What the world has come to…gluten-free cherries.
I have nothing against people who choose a gluten-free lifestyle for personal reasons. I mean, come on, I’m a vegetarian. Not because meat makes me sick or I’m allergic to it; I just don’t like it and I choose not to eat it. What I have a problem with is people who have no clue what gluten even is and, therefore, have de-sensitized people to its actual significance.
The people who insist they need it (and really don’t) and have made it an annoying request that almost always results in an eye roll from the server. The people who have contributed to it being nothing more than a buzzword, a marketing term food companies can use to jack up prices, and make themselves seem “healthier.”
That image of cherries? That’s real. I didn’t Photoshop that. I’ve also seen proud “gluten-free” packaging on products like milk and eggs.
To understand my frustration, here’s a little lesson: Gluten is a combo of two proteins; it essentially acts as a “glue” that holds together products like wheat bread, rye crackers and flour tortillas.
As a rule of thumb, it’s typically found in more carb-rich foods and, also, barley-based beers (which is partly why gluten-free and cider beers have become so popular). So, will cutting it out of your diet lead to weight loss? It could. Now, does gluten sound like something you’d find in beef jerky or fruit?
Educate yourselves, people. If you need or choose to be on a gluten-free diet, know what it is and where it’s found. Don’t let yourself to be up-charged for gluten-free rice cakes and coffee. Don’t pay more for gluten-free versions of breads, cupcakes, and cookies unless you have Celiac disease and can’t live without them (I’ve read research that cautions people who don’t have Celiac disease to avoid these types of foods, as they’re processed differently and not necessarily good for you). And please don’t call it a diet.
Finally, for the love of all things good, if you work in a food establishment that proudly promotes gluten-free options, please learn why that’s important. Understand that not everyone is trying out “the new gluten-free diet” – know that some people will legitimately get sick if they eat it. Respect that and treat them like a small child with a peanut allergy. You wouldn’t roll your eyes at a kid with a peanut allergy – would you?
How many of you live a gluten-free lifestyle? Is it due to Celiac disease or for personal reasons? The comments are yours so please use them.
Connect with me @lindsayinreallife on Instagram or @LindsayIRL on Twitter, or subscribe to this blog and receive every new post right to your inbox.
Let’s Be Honest About the 21-Day Fix – It’s Bullshit
“I’ve been on a few diets because I can’t get enough to eat with just one”
What’s up with this 21-day fix craze? I’ve been seeing tons of social media posts about it, people showing their meals and accountability to the 21-day fix plan, which apparently promises to teach portion control and jumpstart your healthy eating plan.
Pretty much!
Let’s get right to it here, I’m calling BS on this program and others like it. First, I hate that concept of “jumpstarting” a healthy anything – it implies going from zero to 100 in an instant. Healthy is a lifestyle; if you haven’t been living one, it’s not something you can change all at once and expect to sustain.
Second, the name itself just screams fad diet and easy “fix” (intentional?). Fad diets are just that – fads. Like crimped hair and fingerless gloves, society realizes they’re bogus, they go away and everyone who took part is like, “WTF was I thinking?” And a program that touts “lose 15 pounds in 21 days!” is a huge red flag. Healthy, sustainable weight loss is typically one, maybe two pounds per week; even less for a small person. Rapid weight loss means you’re losing some muscle too. But I guess trying to sell anything in the health and fitness world with the headline, “Lose weight slowly, without sacrificing muscle mass, and maintain over time with sensible eating and exercise!” isn’t sexy or appealing.
Always one to be open-minded, I welcome someone to explain this program to me. Like really explain it. Because I think I’m missing something big as to how this is A) teaching sustainable, healthy eating habits for the long term and B) allowing the body proper fuel for any sort of athletic performance in the short term. I wasn’t able to find out exactly how many calories a person eats or what exactly is the basis of the food plan; I assume that’s only revealed after the credit card is swiped. Based on the photos I’ve seen and the research I’ve done, I’m baffled as to how someone could eat the type of “meals” (I wouldn’t call 8 cucumber slices, 10 carrots, 5 rice cakes and 2 hardboiled eggs a meal but that’s just me) on this plan. For every meal. For 21 days.
And for how I acted…being hangry is no way to be.
Have you ever heard the word hangry? I’d be hella hangry if I tried to survive just one day on this “eating” plan (again, words seem to get thrown around pretty loosely with this program). Aside from being hangry, I’ve tried to wrap my head around how anyone could gut through a tough workout on this diet. I’ve had days where I’m so busy, I don’t take time to eat enough or properly during the day. And guess what happens? My workouts that evening suck. If I’m running, I feel like I’m slogging through the miles, no chance of any speedwork happening; if I’m lifting, I feel like I can barely rep my normal weights, let alone push myself hard enough to fatigue. No performance enhancements either way.
Speaking of that, I do believe there’s also a workout plan included in this program? I don’t know how intense a workout it is, if it requires endurance or heavy lifting, or if it’s actually mean to push a person to become fitter. But with an eating plan that’s primarily focused on cutting calories drastically, a typical person can’t expect to make any true fitness gains. The two just don’t add up.
Then there’s the aftermath. I’m having a hard enough time fathoming the 21 days – so, what happens after? If the name is any indication, you certainly aren’t expected to continue eating tiny portions of unsatisfying food and shakes beyond the final day of hell. Or, are you supposed to continue?
Maybe you’re so delirious from not eating, you’ve forgotten about food at this point. Maybe you’re supposed to not miss that thick layer of peanut butter on your toast (really, is that any way to live?) or enjoying more than 4 ounces of wine per day (the program boasts that you can drink wine – 4 whole ounces of it!). Maybe you get used to toting around fun, brightly colored boxes and ensuring anything you eat can fit into one.
Or maybe, and what really happens, is you remember how delightful it is to dine out without having a panic attack. How enjoyable life is eating real meals and treating yourself here and there. How much better workouts are when you’re properly fueled. And then you go back to eating like a normal person. In addition to the pics I’ve seen of people’s accountability meals, I’ve also seen a few of what people eat after they complete their 21 days – an entire pizza, ice cream, beers, basically a binge-fest. Good lessons being learned.
That brings me to the real problem I have with this. How is this truly helping us, as smart, capable adults? Have we become that out of touch with our own biological cues (eat when you’re hungry, stop when you no longer are) and simple common sense (come on, you know an entire plate full of pasta is excessive, do you really need a properly-portioned container to confirm that)? Are we really so impatient and desperate for a quick fix that we’re wiling to shell out more than $100 for a few pieces of tupperwear and a generic, one-size-fits-all exercise plan because we simply can’t take the time to figure out on our own what works best for us, each individual – with individual genetics, triggers, metabolism and priorities?
Do I look perfect in a bikini? Of course not. These moments are what drive me.
I do understand everyone’s goals and lifestyle aspirations are different. Just because my goals are to run faster and lift heavier doesn’t mean you want that. My lifestyle aspirations include not having to force all my food to fit into containers and enjoying a couple cold beers on a Saturday afternoon – that doesn’t mean everyone else is looking for that. I don’t want to be skinny; some people do. I’m happy having a little bit of a gut and thighs that can barely be contained by normal pants if it means not having to fight an uphill battle against my genetics. I love feeling strong at the gym and being able to lift heavier weights than some of the guys there (doesn’t happen often but it does happen). I love being able to say, “I’m not fast ‘for a girl’ – I’m just fast.” and back it up with my performance.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t all pay attention to what we eat and do our best to make good choices most of the time. I’m very conscious of what I eat; I realize when I’m making the right choice and when I’m making a splurge choice. I understand a splurge isn’t the end of the world, it just means I need to be strict going forward to balance it out. I know what a cup of pasta looks like, a serving of vegetables, protein and ice cream. I understand taking the time for a healthy breakfast every morning helps me avoid the tempting doughnuts in the office cafeteria. I’ve learned what I need to do, what works best for me to be balanced and successful.
I didn’t learn all this by reading one generic pamphlet and dropping a lot of cash on containers that are essentially just measuring cups. I learned by making a choice to educate myself, to track my food and understand what foods are going to help me achieve my goals. Every day, I pay attention to portions and serving sizes. I’m focused on being conscious, yet not obsessive.
I’m not gonna lie, it hasn’t taken me 21 days to get to this point – it has taken me years. I know, I know, that’s not sexy and appealing to most people. But a true, sustainable lifestyle can’t be made in 21 days. It just can’t. It has to be a long-term commitment. It’s all about balance, 365 days a year. Not a quick – or, sorry, 21 day – fix.
It’s like qualifying for the Boston Marathon; it didn’t take me just those few hours on race day to do that. Or a few weeks of regular running. Or even a few months of hard training. It look me years to achieve that goal. Failed attempts. Frustrations. Setbacks. Hard work. But, in the end, I did it. A healthy lifestyle is nothing different.
Am I being unfair to the 21-day fix? Is there something with the program I’m missing that truly promotes a healthy, balance approach to eating and quality exercise? Please comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
Natural Grocers Comes to Fargo!
“Skip the diet and just eat healthy”
It’s finally here – Natural Grocers in Fargo!
Healthy eating is tough to define as a one-size-fits-all concept. Everyone’s body and genetics are different, and everyone’s goals are different. But there are some pretty basic principles all should follow like: Eat less processed foods and eat more fruits, veggies, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Drink less soda and high-sugar drinks, drink more water. That type of stuff.
If you’re still unsure and you live in Fargo, you’re in luck! Natural Grocers is now open. I had the opportunity to attend a special sneak peek luncheon today with my pal, Mallory aka: @kjsfitmomma on Instagram. Side note, if you don’t know about her go to her website. Read her story (or the note I wrote her). If you’re having a day where feel like you’re not making progress, feel like it’s too hard to eat right or are just being a whiny bitch, get inspired by her and man/woman up!
Okay, back to Natural Grocers. This is unlike any grocery store I’ve ever been to, certainly unlike anything we currently have in Fargo. Beyond a huge variety of good, healthy food, it offers organic food (if you’re into that), gluten-free food (if you have Celiac disease), and a ridiculously large variety of vitamins, supplements, and health and beauty products.
Here are the highlights from my visit today:
Protein – oh, so much protein!
1. NG’s mission is to offer products that are safe and healthy – as such, there’s a list of foods, supplements and health care items they refuse to carry (that could potentially eat into profits or limit clientele – you’ve gotta respect that commitment!)
2. Healthy cooking and informative seminars offered weekly in-store
3. Opportunities for certified employees to conduct demos and seminars in the community
4. Store employs a Credentialed Nutrition Health Coach
5. Employees receive above-average pay, great discounts and more unique perks
6. Fundraising drives are held that benefit local food banks and other non-profits
7. When you bring reusable bags, $.05 for every bag is donated to our local food bank
8. And – the big one – Affordable prices! (Mallory and I both did some comparisons with a few other local stores to confirm this.)
Not until after I devoured most of it did I think to capture a pic of this delightful meal.
The only negative I could come up with? There was a pretty limited selection of fresh, grab-and-go type foods for lunch. That being said, I found a Greek-inspired lunch box of Dolmas, falafel bites, mini pitas and hummus. It was so good, I ate more than half before it dawned on me to take a pic of it.
If you go, keep in mind that the store’s commitment to green practices extends to bags – as in, bags aren’t offered. You must bring your own (and you should!) but if you do forget, there are recycled boxes you can use to haul your stuff. And, trust me, you’re gonna make a haul when you go!
Fargoans, feel free to comment or tweet me any questions about this exciting new store!! @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter
Enough of The Dad Bod and Body Image Crap
“Are there any guys out there who are just normal?!”
Presenting…The Dad Bod. Apparently.
The damn Dad Bod. I swore I wasn’t going to blog about something so stupid. I figured the rest of the world would realize how stupid it is and it would just go away quickly. But it hasn’t. It’s more popular than ever. The headline and photo of Jon Hamm (who apparently is the new poster boy for this trend) on the front page of the local Fargo-Moorhead newspaper last Thursday just reinforced that nonsense. So, here we go.
Here’s my problem with the Dad Bod and all the attention it’s getting – it’s normal. It’s not a phenomenon or some new fad of what’s the ideal male body type. It’s what normal guys look like. Guys who work, then make time to work out a normal amount. Guys who eat a normal amount and type of food. Guys who consume a normal amount of drinks (which, as we all know from experience, can be a lot on the weekends). Guys with normal genetics and metabolism. Just normal dudes being normal dudes – and now there’s a stupid trend the masses are trying to associate with it.
Do you know what’s not normal? Guys with 24/7 washboard abs and zero jiggle to any part of their bodies. Guys who eat only chicken and steamed broccoli, then get the rest of their calories from shakes and supplements. Guys who don’t allow themselves to enjoy a few cold ones with their buddies. Guys who take gym selfies and film themselves working out, and every one of their social media posts revolve around how awesome they were at the gym that day. Guys who can’t talk about anything other than what kind of protein they take and how much they squat. And you know they’re judging the shit out of you for not being as perfect as them.
That’s not normal. And, really, is that the type of person you’re most commonly surrounded with? Maybe I’m the one who’s out of touch with reality but that’s sure as hell not my normal.
Let’s be honest – Leo could wear a potato sack dress and it would be considered a hot new trend.
It seems Leo DiCaprio sparked this Dad Bod phenomenon after a picture of him was taken on vacation. I doubt Leo was trying to start a new trend or morph his body type into this desirable Dad Bod look. Guess what probably happened? Leo took some time off work and took a vacation. He probably started eating normally vs. eating for a specific role, maybe skipping a few workouts but still getting them in for the most part. That’s right people, it appears Leo’s just living life. Being normal. As amazing as Jake Gyllenhall looks in his new movie, what he had to go through to get that body isn’t normal. Reports I’ve read state he was working out hard 8-hours a day (with professional trainers and programs) and sticking to a very strict diet (likely put together by a professional dietician or sports nutrition expert). Normal people don’t do that.
Prior to the front-page article about the Dad Bod in last week’s paper (BTW, thanks Forum. Way to feed into the stereotype that there’s no “real” news to report Fargo, ND) it actually came up in conversation with my future brother-in-law and his buddies. We were settling in to watch the hockey game with a bunch of pizzas. Winding down a day of hanging out at the lake, playing yard games and enjoying beers. Somehow the Dad Bod came up in conversation and they joked how they were ahead of the trend, how they loved it (forget the fact none of them are actually dads, that didn’t even factor in). All normal guys. Guys who work hard, then make time to the gym and work out hard. Guys who eat and drink a normal amount. Guys who have fun and don’t judge how their friends look without a shirt on.
Not to burst their bubble, but I wouldn’t call them trendsetters. I wonder if they know that they’re just normal? Either way, I’m grateful they are so that I don’t feel like I can’t be myself around them – beer gut, bikini and all. Which brings me to the female angle of all this. I’ve seen a few articles bashing the Dad Bod for the sexist and unfair message it sends. Don’t worry, I’m not going to do that.
Basically, I don’t care what the Dad Bod means for women’s body perceptions. If women feel offended that it’s okay for a guy to have a normal body but they need to look like Barbie, that’s something they have to come to terms with. Me, I’m not waiting around for the “Mom Bod” (or some other equally-appropriate name that defines a girl, mom or not, who’s not a size zero) to be okay.
Okay so she’s not heavy – but I love my strong “Mom Bod”
For it to be cool to be fit, yet also have thighs that touch and an ass that pops out of a bathing suit. (I enjoy speedwork runs and leg days so, yep, I have a big butt and thighs.)
For it to be okay to have a little gut from enjoying a few drinks and not eating perfect all the time. (I’m guilty of both.)
For it to be acceptable to wear a bikini and not have a flat stomach. (I do. It gets hot at the lake. I’m not going to wear capris and baggy t-shirts all summer.)
I don’t care about all those things. Sure I have days where I feel insecure like everyone else but I’m pretty much just being who I am, trying to rock the body I have. And I’m not vain enough to expect anyone to spend enough time and energy focusing on me and my flaws.
What do you think of the Dad Bod? Will all the hype die down? Will it help shift realistic body images for men and women? Or do you not give a damn one way or the other? No matter your view, I want to hear it! Comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311.
My Dream To Run – Well, First Qualify For – The Boston Marathon
“Dream big and dare to fail”
Dare to fail. What a concept. How often do we avoid trying things, not because we’re afraid of the challenge but because we’re afraid to fail? This could have been true of my dream to run the Boston Marathon – well, not so much running the race, qualifying for it.
For those who don’t know, the Boston Marathon isn’t one of those races a person just signs up for and gets to run. Everyone who wants to run this prestigious marathon (unless you’re a celebrity, wealthy or have some inside info I don’t know about) has to first qualify to earn a spot. I’m not sure when I decided I really wanted to run the Boston Marathon but about three years ago is when I remember starting my quest to qualify.
Two years ago, I made my first attempt to qualify at the 2013 Fargo Marathon. I didn’t change up my training or nutrition from years past and it was hot and humid on race day.
The outcome: I failed.
Last year, I attempted again at the 2014 Fargo Marathon. I focused more on speed work but didn’t change much else with my training, nor did I change my nutrition. I ran the best and hardest marathon of my life, enjoyed it and improved my previous PR by several minutes.
The outcome: I still failed.
That moment you realize you just qualified for the Boston Marathon.
This year, I attempted a third time at last Saturday’s Fargo Marathon. I pushed my speed work runs and my long run schedule, and made overall tweaks to my training plan. I committed to leg workouts every week – heavy leg workouts. I cleaned up my nutrition and focused on quality foods and supplements that would support my training and properly fuel my body. I sought out more outside advice from reliable sources and did more research on my own. I practiced my running strategy for marathon day with every longer run throughout my training.
The outcome: I succeeded.
On Saturday, I achieved my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon in a time of 3:30:49 (a sub-3:35 race is what my age group needs to qualify). I’ve struggled to sum up the feelings and emotion in a blog entry. I always assumed, if I ever did qualify, I’d know exactly how to describe it. Easiest blog I’d ever write! Not so much. Sure, words like ecstatic, proud, relieved and happy came to mind but I could go on with words forever.
I decided, rather than talk about how I feel now that I’ve achieved my goal, I’d use my journey to a BQ as an example. An example of how you can’t let fear get in the way of trying to achieve something big. I don’t mean that to sound like a really lame After-School-Special and I know it does. But I’m being serious!
Was it a dream to think I could ever qualify for this race? Absolutely. If you had asked me seven years ago, after I finished my first full marathon in something like 4:18 and change, I would have laughed and said that was never something I could do – but I’d still love to run another marathon.
This guy – he always believed I’d succeed. #lucky
When I decided to go for the BQ, for the third year in a row, was I afraid I would fail a third time in a row? I was terrified. I’ve never been so nervous for a run. But I wanted it so bad and, when I thought about not doing it at the start of my training this year, something inside me told me I had to. That it was worth it to try again. When I failed the first time, I learned. And I got better. When I failed the second time, I learned. And I got better. Even if I failed a third time, chances are I would learn something. And I would get better. Part of it came down to my determined attitude. The other half, a simple cost/benefit analysis. The outcome of succeeding would be the best thing and the outcome of failing? Well, it wouldn’t be the worst thing!
What dream have you gone after, knowing you could fail? Or (and you can be honest!), what dream have you held back from chasing because you were afraid to fail? Post a comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311. Then, face your fears and try! After all, what’s the worst thing that could happen?
Countdown to Race Day – What To Do Before The Marathon
“The waiting is the hardest part”
…or a half marathon, 10k, 5k, 1 mile, relay…(this applies to any race of any size so, all runners, read on!). To my fellow runner friends in, near and coming to Fargo, the countdown is on – only one week until the Fargo Marathon! I don’t know about y’all but I can’t wait. I’m mentally psyched and physically primed, neurotic and emotionally unstable. So, yep, sounds like a typical week before a marathon.
The week before a race, whether a first or fifth, full marathon or 10k, is always tough. All the weeks, months, even years of hard training, come down to one day. Actually, one morning. Actually, just a few hours or less. It’s a lot of pressure mixed with anticipation and nerves, capped off with adrenaline – oh it’s so great! I can’t wait for next Saturday.
If you’re like me and all the emotions make you high strung and edgy in the days leading up to the race, or it’s your first race and you need a little help getting ready, I’ve put together a week’s worth of racing to-dos. Yes, this is partially to distract you and keep you busy but a lot of this stuff is really useful and you’ll be glad you did it. Here’s your race week countdown:
Get it ready today & enjoy all week.
Sunday – Food Prep
Today, do your shopping and food prep for the week. Not only do you want to stock up on all the foods you’re familiar with, you know sit well with you and give you energy, you might want to make selections based on the weather forecast. For example, if it’s going to be hot and humid on race day, buy a few extra salty food options to eat throughout the week. It will help you retain water and ward off race-day dehydration.
Taking care of your shopping and prep on Sunday gives you one less thing to worry about during the busy week, and sets you up to stick to your nutrition plan through race morning.
Monday – Toenails
Today, trim your toenails. Not too short but a good trim. Trust me. Do it
.
Tuesday – Check And Plan
Today, go online and review all the location details of the race so you have a clear idea of where everything is happening. This includes where to pick up your packet, where the start line and finish line are, and where to park. You’ll also want to figure out the best route to get to the course and alternate routes to account for heavy traffic on major roads. Find out if and where the bathrooms will be on race day. Also, find out if there’s a bag drop or if you need to leave stuff in your car (that will determine what you bring with to the race).
You can also check out the course map – or don’t if you like to be surprised.
Wednesday – Shopping
Today, go buy stuff (if you need it). Band-aids, BodyGlide, sunscreen, gum, anything you might need for race day. By now, you should have a good idea of what the weather is going to be like so, if need be, now is also your last chance to shop for any new clothes you might need. Why today? If you do buy something new, it’s risky to wear anything for the first time on race day. You just never know how things will move with you, where they’ll rub and what could be a major chafing hazard. The upside of shopping today: if you must get something new, you at least have the opportunity try it out tonight or tomorrow during your final low-mileage run.
One thing I wouldn’t recommend buying this close to race day: shoes. But, like I always say, different strokes for different folks. One year, my friend Jason bought a new pair of shoes the day before we ran a half marathon. And he wore them for the race. And – he claims – he had no discomfort at all. So if you’re “that” guy, go ahead and sport those new kicks straight out the box.
Pasta – giving runners an excuse to carb load for years.
Thursday – The Big Meal
Today, eat your biggest dinner. What that dinner is, that’s your call. Everyone’s eating plan is different and I’m not here to tell you that you should be eating certain foods. Some people carb-load. Others believe in fat-loading. Some don’t care what they eat at all. But it’s still usually a good idea to have your biggest meal on Thursday night. That gives your stomach time to settle and fully digest so you don’t feel heavy on race day.
Friday – Stuff And Rest
Today, organize your stuff, then rest. Pick up your race packet. It will have your bib, chip, important info about race day and of course some goodies to enjoy. If packet pickup is at the same location as the race start and/or end, bonus, as you get a chance to navigate the area before the chaos of race morning.
Before you head to bed, lay out everything you need for the next morning. In addition to your bib and chip, your watch, outfit, chapstick – even your shoes. Have it all ready to go so you don’t have to think about anything except getting to the start line.
Also, set three alarms. Yes, three. Set three alarms. I’ve referenced it before and it’s worth repeating – let’s not forget what happened in the Hot Tub episode of Seinfeld: Elaine hosts marathon runner, Jean Paul, before the New York City Marathon. After Jean-Paul overslept at the Olympics and missed the marathon, Jerry is overly concerned it will happen again and takes every precaution he feels necessary. Because Kramer lives next door, you know shenanigans of course ensue, and Jean-Paul oversleeps again. Don’t let that happen to you.
And speaking of don’ts, don’t worry if you can’t sleep. With all the nerves, excitement and anticipation, most runners don’t sleep well the night before a race.
Saturday – Kick Some Ass
‘Nuff said.
Good luck to everyone running in the Fargo Marathon this weekend! It’s a great race with awesome volunteers and the best spectators so enjoy it. And be sure to celebrate after.
If you have questions – or some good tips of your own – about how to get through pre-race week, please comment below or tweet me @runlikeagirl311.