The Runner Within

Well, I finall took my nike+ ipod setup out on the open road and logged a 5k. I ran around my neighborhood, which ended up being surprisingly hilly. It didn’t compare to Coachman Park, but it gave me a run for my money (no pun intended). I didn’t run the whole way, which I was fine with. I haven’t been training regularly since I’ve been gearing up for finals, and, if my ipod setup was at all accurate, which I think it was, since I have gauged the area I ran at around 3 miles, then my pace was way down from what it normally is, which explains the huffing, puffing, and feelings of imminent doom. Additionally, after loading the data into NikePlus.com, I was proudly informed that my fasted 1-mile was a little under 10 minutes… lemme tell you, I have NEVER run a ten-minute mile before. I’m sure seasoned runners aren’t impressed, but I sure am, considering I was routinely the last person still on the track when we were forced to run the one and two mile distances in P.E. Here are the stats:

Distance: 3.11 mi (5k)
Time: 33:20
Pace: 10:42/mi
Previous Best: Iron Girl 5k, 38:26 at 12:24/mi

So, yay! Really, what it comes down to, however, is that I need to be able to modulate my running better so that I can run longer at a slower pace, rather than run at a faster pace and then have to walk. I guess on the treadmill, things are easier, because the machine regulates my pace for me. However, I doubt any marathons were ever run on the treadmill (not counting that crazy astronaut). Of course, I can never seem to run faster than a 12:15 pace on the treadmill, and that was for one mile, and I felt like I was going to die.

This brings me to my next topic…

Nutrition… and other concerns

I really have to try and muddle through this nutrition thing. I know that seems vague. What you eat to lose weight seems to be radically different than what you eat to train for distance running. I know this may seem obvious to those of you who are seasoned runners, but it’s causing a lot of confusion for me.

Obviously, as someone who has lost a significant amount of weight, I am used to eating a fairly calorie-restricted diet. However, I think I’m probably not getting enough calories to give my body the fuel it needs for longer runs. It’s just become a habit, I guess, to not eat too much. Also, I don’t eat a lot, but frequently, I’m not the healthiest eater. I’ll sometimes forgo a larger, healthy meal for a caloric cookie or some ice cream. *hides from the judgmental glares*

Really, though, I have a terrible sweet tooth, and red meat is often hard on my stomach, which makes for an unfortunate combination of not enough iron and too much sugar. I can start taking a vitamin for iron, and I bought some yogurts and other more healthful snacks, but, really, I guess it is just going to end up being trial and error that determines what I should eat and how much of it. I have some books, but as usual, they just quote the food pyramid to me, so I’ll just have to wing it I guess! Sugestions are welcome!