My Plan

The Fitness

I am currently training for the Chicago marathon, so most of my workouts consist of running.  I run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, with speed drills on Tuesday, and do a long run on Saturdays (I am following Hal Higdon’s beginner training plan)

On the days I don’t run, I try to get in a minimum of 30 minutes activity, and I usually take 1-2 full rest days each week.  Other activity includes walking my dogs, elliptical trainer, step and cycle classes, and weight training. 

My body has gotten so used to the running that I am looking forward to the race being over so I can ramp up my workouts a bit more.  Goals for after the race include:

• Four days of weight training per week (M/Th: chest, triceps, shoulders, quads; T/F: back, biceps, hams, abs)
• Keep running 2 short runs per week, and play with intensity, working on high intensity intervals and hill work.  Keep one long run on the weekends to stay in shape for future races.
• Spinning class once per week
• Step class once per week
• Elliptical once per week 30-60 minutes

The Food

I have struggled with yo-yo dieting for years, and have struggled to find that balance with food.  The day after my last half-marathon in April 2008, I started the South Beach Diet.  I followed this plan religiously for 8 months straight, only to be undone by the holidays :)  I found that my body really enjoyed eating this way.  I even lost 21 pounds, going from 156 to 135; however, since November 2008, I have put back on about 10 of those pounds due to way too much junk added back into my diet!  While I was hard-core south beach for 8 months, I have come to understand that I can’t live my life without ever eating a doughnut again, and realize that there is room for everything in moderation in a healthy lifestyle.

I currently am trying to eat 1600-1800 calories a day until I reach my goal weight range of 125-130 pounds.  This was the weight I was at when I first got married and started running, and where I truly felt my best.  My meals on a daily basis consist of:

• Breakfast: Usually an oatmeal variation w/either turkey sausage or egg whites.  Sometimes a green smoothie.
• Snack #1: I have this during my plan period at school, so it’s something portable.  Choice of: raw almonds, string cheese, yogurt, tomatoes, triscuits.
• Lunch: Caesar salad w/chicken or turkey, fruit, carrots and maybe a sf jello cup.
• Snack #2: Usually this comes before my evening work-out.  Either a Fuji apple w/natural peanut butter or a Clif Bar.
• Dinner:  I love to cook!  This is always some combination of lean protein, whole wheat pasta or brown rice, and veggies.  And some kind of dessert!  We also love to go out to eat, so this varies. 

I am a creature of habit, so my meals don’t usually change for the most part :)  I am working right now on my nighttime chocolate cravings, one choice at a time!

Feel free to email me with any questions at runner611@gmail.com.  I have a lot of great recipes that I will try to post periodically.  Also, if you are interested in the South Beach eating principles, I recommend checking out these message boards, where I found a lot of support and good tips.