If you're wondering about my running updates well....I'm coming back...slowly :(. I'm running about every third day. This morning I finally finished a workout...8 miles at half marathon-ish pace (7:18). At this point, I'm scared that I won't be able to complete my half marathon, but more likely it's just time to adjust my time expectations! That's life, right?
The Mystery Of The Hard Training Weight Gain...
During the past week, I've crossed trained, but have taken a big step back from training. For a few weeks before my injury, I'd been gaining weight like I owned a Ho Ho factory. A couple days ago, after not running for a week, I tiptoed onto the scale in fear. I was down 2 lbs. Great, but whhaatttt?
Why did I gain weight while running hard..and lose it when I stopped ?
Here's the story of the case of the running munchies:
1:30 PM. At work. Just ate lunch 30 minutes ago. And I'm hungry again.
I think to myself, "Whatever, dude, I'm a runner, I ran 10 miles - 6 tempo this morning, and I freaking deserve it. "
Then at some point, after eating like this for weeks I think:
Embarrassed, I look around at my coworkers and hope they don't hear my stomach growling. And then...I go get some Cheez-its. Delicious cheesy crackers!
Will they notice that I've been snacking all morning and have no intention of stopping?
I think to myself, "Whatever, dude, I'm a runner, I ran 10 miles - 6 tempo this morning, and I freaking deserve it. "
Then at some point, after eating like this for weeks I think:
OMG WHY R MY PANTS SO TIGHT!?!?!
So what is the right way to fuel on increased training...where you have energy but don't gain weight?
For me I can eat slightly more when I'm training more, but still need to be healthy and not think "increased mileage = increased cookies". I know...it kind of sucks...but it's not like a giant bag of snickerdoodles is the key to my half marathon PR. This is especially hard for me, because the longer and harder my workouts get the less I feel like cooking healthy after one. My life is so hard.
Here's what tends to work for me (not that I always follow this...clearly)
- Staying hydrated. I think that's key to decent performance in workouts / races. Not cookies.
- Whole food > Processed stuff. Yeah...I know....bars and gels are tasty, but I feel those should be more of a last resort rather than a go-to food.
- Have healthy and appetizing stuff ready to eat when I am done with a workout. Nothing healthy ready to eat = lots of post workout ice cream consumption.
- Protein. I could eat pasta and fro yo exclusively. But it never makes me feel as good as a normal meal with veggies and protein does.
- Getting a grip: An extra two miles = 200 cals = one small snack extra. Ie...not that much.
- Performance first. Sure, usually the best runners are not huge. But I've been passed by a billion people bigger than me. If you're gaining weight but still being healthy and having improved performance, ..go with it. No one's going to question those extra 5 pounds when you pass them in the last mile of your marathon.
Do you gain or lose weight during higher than usual training periods?
Have you found that your weight is correlated to your racing performance?
Happy Friiidddaaayyyy!
Here's what tends to work for me (not that I always follow this...clearly)
- Staying hydrated. I think that's key to decent performance in workouts / races. Not cookies.
- Whole food > Processed stuff. Yeah...I know....bars and gels are tasty, but I feel those should be more of a last resort rather than a go-to food.
- Have healthy and appetizing stuff ready to eat when I am done with a workout. Nothing healthy ready to eat = lots of post workout ice cream consumption.
- Protein. I could eat pasta and fro yo exclusively. But it never makes me feel as good as a normal meal with veggies and protein does.
- Getting a grip: An extra two miles = 200 cals = one small snack extra. Ie...not that much.
- Performance first. Sure, usually the best runners are not huge. But I've been passed by a billion people bigger than me. If you're gaining weight but still being healthy and having improved performance, ..go with it. No one's going to question those extra 5 pounds when you pass them in the last mile of your marathon.
Do you gain or lose weight during higher than usual training periods?
Have you found that your weight is correlated to your racing performance?
Happy Friiidddaaayyyy!
