Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
OK, so running is good cardio, torches calories, yada yada. Great workout. But why race? Why pay money to drag yourself down to an 8 am start time for a race you don't have a chance in heck to actually win?! The free T-shirt?
I enjoy running just for the sake of running (wait did I just say that?), but I find running for training is entirely different for me. My focus is shifted, and I think shifted in a good way.
When I run for training I am not focusing on calories burned, yet I am still torching calories. I have a tendency to over-focus (obsess) about weight loss. Having other goals to focus on is much healthier for me I believe. I get my focus off of just the weight loss and have new goals for my running. I want to run faster, or longer, or both depending on the race. My workouts take on a whole new purpose. I think it's good mentally for me. I am still accomplishing the same thing, burning calories, but my focus shifts and it is refreshing somehow to me.
If you have never ran a race you will probably surprise yourself by the sense of accomplishment you will have at the end. Showing ourselves that we are capable of more than we let ourselves believe is invaluable in my opinion.
If you had told me in high school that I would run a 5k, let alone a marathon, I would have laughed in your face. I was queen of the I am not a runner club. But finishing that first 5k was amazing and wonderful and something I will always treasure. It boosted my confidence in my running ability and made me want to keep reaching. Did I win? Heck no, I've never come anything close and quite possibly never will. That's not what it's about to me. I did it. I accomplished it. I amazed myself. I set a goal previously unheard of in my life and accomplished it. And, yes, that is an awesome feeling.
Running to race stretches me, causes me to really looked at the self-imposed limits I have. Until I have very few connected to running now. Yes our bodies do limit us in running, but with work most of those limits can be blown off. It's the mental limits I struggle with.
Never thought I could run a 5k, but I did. Never thought I was capable of running a marathon, check, did that too. Never thought I could run a 5k in less than 35 minutes, will be checking that off this weekend. Races cause me to break out of my self-imposed limitations and see what I can really do, not just what I think I can do. I accomplish one goal in a race and set another one, look toward another race. What will it be after this weekend's 5k? Not sure yet, but I know now that it will be something. A new race. A new goal.
Plus, races are just fun! I enjoy races. The excitement in the air. The encouraging attitude of the running community. The new places to run. The new people to run with. It has become something I look forward to and just plain enjoy. I'm excited to see if the race T-shirt is cute or just plain ugly. Look forward to digging into the race bag and seeing if there's any good swag. Can't wait to see what my race number will be. Look forward to a new finishing time and if there's a medal..woo hoo. I have never won an age group award...hmmm, new goal?
So, yes I have definitely caught the racing bug. And I think that is a good thing in my life. I see myself racing for a very long time.
Have you ran/walked a race yet?
I am just a blogger, not a doctor or any sort of professional. What you read here are my personal experiences and opinions. Of course, always consult your doctor before trying a diet, or new workout program.
I enjoy running just for the sake of running (wait did I just say that?), but I find running for training is entirely different for me. My focus is shifted, and I think shifted in a good way.
When I run for training I am not focusing on calories burned, yet I am still torching calories. I have a tendency to over-focus (obsess) about weight loss. Having other goals to focus on is much healthier for me I believe. I get my focus off of just the weight loss and have new goals for my running. I want to run faster, or longer, or both depending on the race. My workouts take on a whole new purpose. I think it's good mentally for me. I am still accomplishing the same thing, burning calories, but my focus shifts and it is refreshing somehow to me.
If you have never ran a race you will probably surprise yourself by the sense of accomplishment you will have at the end. Showing ourselves that we are capable of more than we let ourselves believe is invaluable in my opinion.
If you had told me in high school that I would run a 5k, let alone a marathon, I would have laughed in your face. I was queen of the I am not a runner club. But finishing that first 5k was amazing and wonderful and something I will always treasure. It boosted my confidence in my running ability and made me want to keep reaching. Did I win? Heck no, I've never come anything close and quite possibly never will. That's not what it's about to me. I did it. I accomplished it. I amazed myself. I set a goal previously unheard of in my life and accomplished it. And, yes, that is an awesome feeling.
Running to race stretches me, causes me to really looked at the self-imposed limits I have. Until I have very few connected to running now. Yes our bodies do limit us in running, but with work most of those limits can be blown off. It's the mental limits I struggle with.
Never thought I could run a 5k, but I did. Never thought I was capable of running a marathon, check, did that too. Never thought I could run a 5k in less than 35 minutes, will be checking that off this weekend. Races cause me to break out of my self-imposed limitations and see what I can really do, not just what I think I can do. I accomplish one goal in a race and set another one, look toward another race. What will it be after this weekend's 5k? Not sure yet, but I know now that it will be something. A new race. A new goal.
Plus, races are just fun! I enjoy races. The excitement in the air. The encouraging attitude of the running community. The new places to run. The new people to run with. It has become something I look forward to and just plain enjoy. I'm excited to see if the race T-shirt is cute or just plain ugly. Look forward to digging into the race bag and seeing if there's any good swag. Can't wait to see what my race number will be. Look forward to a new finishing time and if there's a medal..woo hoo. I have never won an age group award...hmmm, new goal?
So, yes I have definitely caught the racing bug. And I think that is a good thing in my life. I see myself racing for a very long time.
Have you ran/walked a race yet?
I am just a blogger, not a doctor or any sort of professional. What you read here are my personal experiences and opinions. Of course, always consult your doctor before trying a diet, or new workout program.
I haven't YET, but I am signed up for a 5K in June... so I am looking forward to the experience.
ReplyDeleteMay 8th, 2010. Less than a month. my first 5k.
ReplyDeleteI finished my first 5k last year and I was the last one in... but I did it. And it was one of the best experiences ever. The next time I was again one of the last, but I improved my time.... I love the idea that I'm not racing others but myself and my time. Next life goal, run a 5k... it's gonna happen
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a 5k in 2 weeks and my goal is to run at least 1/2 of it! It's a small 5k in the town where my parent's live, but I'm pretty psyched about it. It's also prep for the 5k I'll be doing next week that's much bigger with a lot more hills!
ReplyDeleteMy goal after running 1/2 of one is to run a full one then move up to a 10k and one day a marathon!
I've run 2 half marathons(finished one..broke my foot during the other) and a 5k..
ReplyDeleteI don't really like to race.. I'm too competitive and I like running ot be fun! I'm running this marathon for me! I have no time goals on myself at all!
Is it really a race if you're not chasing someone? I also dislike the attitude of "Did I win? Heck no!" because you certainly kicked your own @$$ to not only start the run but to actually finish it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so beyond huge because most people wouldn't be able to do it up. :-)
Girl....races are ADDICTIVE! I have just recently stopped racing as much because of laziness as well as just forgetting to sign up on time; however, I have continued to run! Hey...how come I didn't know that you are a fellow marathoner! Go girl!
ReplyDeleteI've though about C25K. I've thought about it a whole bunch. I'm still chicken.
ReplyDeleteAnd I admire everyone who is brave enough to do it. You are an example.
Good luck Cassie and Seth! I am sure you'll rock those races.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, you'll totally do it!
Go Em go!
Abby, good for you. I think racing for just us is the best way sometimes.
Ron, you are so right.
Corletta, yes races are so addictive! LOL, I thought everyone knew I'd run a marathon, hubby says I talk about it a lot ;)
PF--someday!
Hey. I think it's a better hobby than movie watching, or star gazing, or wine tasting, or cake decorating, or channel surfing.
ReplyDeleteAt least from the perspective of someone trying to get healthy. Besides, who doesn't like a goal to chase.
Go Kat!
I'll mebbe run a race someday. Right now I'm pretty entertained with meeting my own goals.
I just did my second race and I LOVED it!! Just found your blog and I plan on reading it often!
ReplyDeleteI've only just started the C25K program, but I'm definitely excited to do my first race - I'm already on the lookout for one to sign up for!
ReplyDelete