Whenever I have a training plan I like to just look at the week that I am in and that is all. It stresses me out to look too far ahead (luckily, my coach just sends over three weeks at a time so I am not seeing what I will be doing in the upcoming months). I am a worrier to the extreme (thanks mom for that fun little habit;) and so focusing on where I am now and not 10 weeks down the road is the best thing for me to do.
For example—> if you are training for a marathon and at your current fitness level 10 miles is currently really hard for you, I see no point looking ahead on your plan to your 20 miler or 22 miler and stressing out about it. I like to just get to work and do the mileage and speed that my plan tells me to do during the current week and not worry about my peak mileage/speed weeks until I am there. Over time we will gradually build up our speed and strength so that when we do get to those harder weeks we are prepared, not scared!
Our bodies are incredible at adapting to running and getting stronger. Week after week of working hard (and resting hard) will get us to those paces/distances that don’t seem possible in the beginning! Don’t stress, you will build up to those ‘hard’ runs that seem impossible when you first start training so just focus on your workouts a day or a week at a time.
This quote probably doesn’t have anything to do with this topic but I repeat it to myself 45 times a day—> ‘Progress, not perfection.’
PS it really is fun to look back on training plans to the beginning and see how far you’ve come!
———————————————————————-
-Anytime Brooke is with her cousins she is extremely happy.
–This recipe though. I need to make this now.
-I love Snapchat (I know, I am 28 years old) and I always love getting Megan’s snaps. It brings me so much joy to hear about my friend’s (in real life and on the internet) runs and workouts especially when there is some speed involved.
-I just like to send out videos of me singing Bruno Mars songs. Let me know if you want me to post one on the blog because I spend a lot of time on these high quality films;)
-During Brooke’s post-nap Pictionary game Brooke totally guessed my ‘mama running on a treadmill’ drawing. I was proud of my drawing and she was proud of her guessing abilities.
-Okay, this dinner probably doesn’t look good but it tasted amazing. A base of scrambled eggs with roasted butternut squash (olive oil and garlic salt baked at 400 degrees for 40 minutes) on top. Bread and butter on the side.
-A much needed catch-up with my girls.
-Trying to not consume quite as much sugar as I normally do and topped my froyo with some fruit rather than every piece of candy in the store like usual.
-Reading Gina’s book and loving it. She is the greatest.
-Starting her young on the garmin.
-Off to do a tempo! I hope your Thursday is off to a great start!
————————————————————————–
What is your workout for today?! I’d love to hear!
Quote that you have been thinking about/loving lately?
Reading anything good lately?
Do you look ahead on your training plan or take it week by week?
107 comments
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
That’s a pretty good idea to only look at 3 weeks at a time, although being the control freak that I am I’m not sure I could handle it! I did a fartlek run this morning inspired by your post the other day actually :)
Sarah @ KS Runner
I have a rest day today, which is good since I have a really long day at work!
I’ve been reading Beach Music, which is really good. It’s also really long, so its taking a long time to get through!
I look at the whole plan right at the beginning when I load it into my calendar, then I don’t think about what’s past the current week. I actually get kind of excited about the 20+ mile runs, so they don’t intimidate me much anymore.
Zoe
Janae that video made me smile!!! I love it.
I totally agree about not looking ahead. Self doubt can be very destructive and I try to live in the now especially when I’m following a long term plan like for studying or finances (ie, I don’t stress about saving xx dollars if I know I’m saving a fraction each paycheck).
My workout today was an early city yoga class with my buddy who is just getting into it! We did some amazing core stuff… I’m gonna be feeling it later. Gotta love working out before your brain knows what’s happening!
My quote- “I am witness.” I want to be better about being present and especially being a steward for the joyful things and happy moments in my life. There will/may be sad ones in the future but that shouldn’t spoil what’s happening right now.
Molly
Amy Poehler’s “Good for you, not for me.” It acknowledges someone’s comment or advice but shuts them down on pushing their ideals onto you!
Easy example. “Crossfit is the best workout! You need to be doing it!” The yogi can respond with, “Good for you…not for me.” Conversation done.
Sanaz @ runforcake
You’re obsession with sweet potatoes is adorable. You need to start baking your own chips.
I am Wayyy too type A not to look ahead when training. It’s s bit scary and a bit exciting to see the progression. I can understand why some people don’t think its a good idea and try to take it week by week but I just need to know! :)
Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom
I look at 2 weeks at a time on my training log. No more, no less!!
I also have random quotes going through my head but when I am running I always think of Philippians 4:13….I doubt myself and this helps me know I can do it!
Today I am strength training! I will probably warm up/cool down with an easy mile for it though.
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
Today was an easy 4 mile run on the treadmill. Tomorrow is my first double-digit run of 2015 and thankfully the weather will be nice enough to run outside!
I like ro look at the whole plan at the start but focus just on what needs to be done this week and on what I did last week for motivation. I get so tempted to lool ahead but you are so right that training is about progress.
Currently reading books on the science of cooking and baking and books on running!
Kristina @ Blog About Running
I don’t like to look at my training plan too far in advance either! I like just getting a month at a time. If I had seen 17 or 20 miles on my marathon training plan last fall when I was still only doing 12-13 mile long runs my anxiety would have shot through the roof!
My favorite motivational quote as been “stronger than yesterday” for a couple months now. It’s short enough to repeat over and over when necessary! :)
Jen@milesandblessings
I look ahead…but I am also that type of person who flips to the end of a book and peaks :)…
video of Brooke = pure cuteness!!!!
Awesome book I am reading now = The Hardest Peace
Middleaged Runner
I definitely take it one week at a time. Since I’m heading into marathon number 7 (or 8? hmmmm can’t remember) it’s not like I don’t know what is coming but I prefer the one day at a time approach!
I have a “rest” day today due to a super busy work day and an upper respiratory bug that I have been fighting with (gross…)
Caroline @ The Little Things Blog
I have a long bike ride on schedule for today. I’m thinking I’ll watch a movie while on my trainer!
Brenda @ Don't Lose the Trail
I’ve been reading nonstop lately because I haven’t been working since I got back from Boston and have been largely sidelined due to injury. I’ve been on a Joan Didion kick!
Rachel Runs Music City
I’ve been known to run in circles with my Garmin too! But for real, she’s adorable.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com }
Lol I’m pretty sure I pant like Brooke does while running.
I don’t do snapchat, but I’m obsessed with yik yak, which I’m pretty sure I’m 20 years too old for.
sally @ sweat out the small stuff
Today is a 5 mile tempo.
I just wrote a little inspirational quote on my IG yesterday. It’s something I’ve been struggling with. Has to do with fears and vulnerability.
“Never let your fear of being too vulnerable hold you back. You can only embrace life and love if you are “all-in”.
I only look ahead on my training plan if I have a planned vacation so I can see how I’ll fit in my long run. Today I know 5 miles will be hard because my body is still recovering from injury. I’m trying to accept that and not stress that I’ll be up to 20 miles in a couple of months. Yikes!
Jillian
I’m guilty of looking at the whole thing. I can’t help it… I like to anticipate (it’s probably not good for me or for anyone though).
I’m reading It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell (the Can You Stay for Dinner? blogger) and loving it.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Gina’s book is awesome. I already finished it! I love butternut squash with eggs. I make a breakfast bake with spinach, roasted butternut squash and nutmeg, it’s the bomb! One of my most popular recipes! http://skinnyfitalicious.com/butternut-squash-spinach-breakfast-bake/
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures
I am totally with you on not looking ahead. I just need to arrange this week, and not worry about the challenges on my training plan ahead! I am starting to get really nervous about those hills in Boston. I don’t have many hills where I live, and I’ve got a feeling the Boston course is going to eat me alive!! I’ve been trying to throw in a little bit of incline/decline at the end of each treadmill run to help out. I got my 7 miles done for the day this morning :)
Emily @ Sweet Summer Smiles
I’m a worrier too! I wish there was a pill that could take the worries away :) Love the video of Brooke running and checking the Garmin!
Brynn
Reading Yes, Please and it’s hilarious!
Courtney
Thank you for the pep talk! After a 2014 plagued with injuries I’m back on a training plan and have reasonably-challenging goals. I went into last night’s group track workout (5 x 1000m) knowing my V02 max was lower and kept to a tempo that was right for me right now, not the tempo I will have 4 weeks from now.
I’m reading David Epstein’s The Sports Gene. Very interesting!
Laura
Put down your running shoes and froyo.. and READ:
Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante.
The Hungry Runner Girl
I can’t wait! Thank you!!!!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine
I try not to look ahead at my training plan, but I like to know when I have my longest runs and when I have a cut back week! Today I did a 4 mile run with some hill repeats and running drills. I have slacked big time on those things lately and I am hoping they help me get ready to start training again!
Annie R
Just finished 6 miles on the treadmill!Tomorrow is my rest day and I am so so ready for it.
My main mantra when I’m running is “the faster you run the sooner you’re done.” While I haven’t been doing much speed work lately (my new cross training adventures have left my body aching for days afterward) it helps me push through the last mile or so of a hard run!
I’m currently reading “My Life on the Run” by Yasso. AND I LOVE IT! It’s so good. He seems like such a funny great guy. I borrowed the book from my boyfriend, who had it autographed and made out to him and he’s never even read it! I was personally offended. I’m thinking about keeping it and just trying to change the name on the inscription. :)
I’ve never really minded looking ahead on a training plan. But I stress pretty hard over races themselves, and that can start months in advance!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
Pure Barre and 6 easy miles done for today!
Susan
I had an awesome 10K run this morning! Chilly for sure but the fresh air is good for my soul. I have a few quotes that go through my head but “what would you do if you weren’t afraid” keeps me grounded and moving forward–taking chances and trusting.
Nona @ RunningHigh
I always take it week by week. Thinking ahead freaks me out too. I’m halfway through “Into Thin Air” and it’s great!
Sam @ The Running Graduate
Oh my goodness that video of Brooke is too adorable! She’s going to grow up to be just like you!
My workout today is a few hours of skiing followed by a 3 mile tempo run. It should be interesting after being on my legs all week!
Erica
Here’s a quote I refer to when I look ahead.
“Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from trying to control it.”
Love ya friend. Xoxo
The Hungry Runner Girl
How did you know that quote is exactly what I needed to hear today! PS I need your address, I have something for you! LOVE YOU!
Linda @ The Fitty
I tend to get blisters on my feet when I run. Any advice?
Katie@LifesNextBigStep
I think this is a good method to use for pretty much anything – life in general :) Looking too far out and setting expectations for what is to come can be fairly disheartening, especially if you anticipate great things (like I do) :) I need to use this when I’m planning my comeback after B2 arrives…just plan a couple of weeks and not focus on anything further out than that.
Marissa @ Run Riss Run
Today was a nice easy 5 miles, with a couple of 1 min. speed rounds thrown in. The hubs was not feeling it this morning, so the min. speed rounds let me run ahead of him and get the speed I wanted and then after a minute, I turned back and jogged with him.
I just finished “The Husband’s Secret” and it was a page turner!
I totally get what you mean about not looking ahead while training, it was very overwhelming for my first marathon. It doesn’t seem to bother me as much with 1/2 marathons, but whew those 22/23 milers are intimidating!
Faith VanderMolen
This is my day off but I still think I’m going to go to the gym and walk on the treadmill while I watch TV or leisurely ride the bike while I read. Just something to get me out of the house!
I’m also reading a book I think you mentioned a while back: The Violets of March. It’s so perfect for helping me wind down and sleep at night!
Brittnee
I take my training plan week by week. I try to pencil in long run distances a couple weeks out, but everything else I just take it as it comes. It can be really stressful looking at 16-18 week marathon training plan. Workout today was boot camp this morning, and 5-6 easy miles after work, still have to dodge some ice so I take it nice and slow :)
I ‘m a Snapchat addict also:)
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
That’s so smart to not overwhelm yourself by looking ahead.
My favorite quote right now is “No one expects you to be superman — if they did, you would have been born with a cape and tights.” Just a reminder that we’re only human!
Chloe
Today is a speed workout – 5×200 meter repeats with slow 2 mile warm up and cool down! Not until tonight either because I go with a group – I am a morning runners, so it’s always a little bit of an extra mental struggle on night workout days, oh mannnn!
I also tell myself “progress, not perfection”! It’s such a good one :) Also, found this recently on pinterest and sent to several friends “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for” – Epicurus
I am reading the book “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides…It’s really good, but I’m going slowly with it. I recently read “Where’d you go, Bernadette?” which is hilarious and a much speedier read – would totally recommend both depending on your interests!
Um, your sweet potatoes and butternut squash both look amazing! I made spaghetti squash this week (something I’ve had a couple times and love but have to wait for it to be on sale!!). Have you made that before?? So goooood. I have to try your recipes!
I actually am not following a specific plan at the moment. My next definite race is not until a half in May.
Oh, and I love snapchat too :) it’s so fun! And seeing your friends’ faces versus just a text is the best!
Keep up the awesome blogging !
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog
Brooke’s hair so so full and beautiful! Also, you’re nuts – that dinner looks SO GOOD. I think I’ll be doing some version of breakfast for dinner tonight too!
I was late in getting snapchat, but now I’m addicted too!
Lynn
Brooke has the hair of a 5 year old! It’s adorable and crazy!
Ashley Rader
My favorite quote this week (cuz I have a new one every week) is:
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for”
The Hungry Runner Girl
Love that quote! Thank you so much for sharing!
AmandaM
I’m reading an awesome, funny book right now called Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky. It is by someone who has worked a long time in the hotel industry. Gives the insider scoop! Lots of stuff we probably don’t WANT to know. Ha!
Kristen @ Glitter and Dust
I am a planner and rely on having a schedule ahead of time. At the beginning of each week I plan out my workouts in my head and visualize when I will get them done. This helps me tremendously to manage my time well and complete all of my workouts.
Today I am heading to the pool this morning and then have a trainer ride with a friend this afternoon.
If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.
Kristen
Today is a rest day:-) Even better ’cause I’m going out for Mexican food with girlfriends- no men & no kids!
I only like to read ahead about a week. I have some favorite exercises and least favorites so if I’ve got a least-favorite heavy (read lunges and front squats) workout I like to read ahead so I can look forward to one that is more fun (read deadlifts and side planks).
I’ve been reading the Mike Bowditch mysteries by Paul Doiron. He really captures the side of Maine that isn’t the wealthy southern coasts. I just finished the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness and I’m sad that it’s over.
jessica
I like to look ahead. I can’t help it. I’m such an impatient person. Lol. You mentioned a coach… where is everyone finding their coaches.??
Amanda @ Slimplify Life
Quote = “I can do hard things” (thanks to you) and “You can do anything for one mile” and then I tell myself that again the next mile :).
8 miles this morning with my BFF, the treadmill. If the temps could get a little warmer, that’d be really great….like, yesterday.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out
I love HIIT it! Great book!!
Flower
Today’s workout was 8 easy miles. Done.
Favorite Quote lately: “I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.” -Dr. Who
Yeah, I’m a nerd.
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job
The most I have run is a half and when I started training for it I was already comfortably running btw 6-9 miles, so looking ahead didn’t really freak me out. I think if I did do a marathon then it might be daunting to look ahead at those longer runs, but from experience I know that I can build up to those. That makes it not as scary I guess.
Valerie
“Let me know if you want me to post one on the blog because I spend a lot of time on these high quality films;) ”
Fave blog line.
Hannah
I definitely have to check out the whole plan. When I ran a marathon last year I needed to know what I was getting into. I loved obsessing over what was coming in the future. I also do the same with races. I have to know the course. Do you like to know the course, I curious as I thought they were both similar desires. Thanks for the great post!
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl
I am the exact opposite re: marathon training schedules. I love looking ahead because it gets me excited to see how much stronger I’ll be in a few weeks… :)
Chelsea @ runner's table
I’m doing a short, easy run today- and trying to find something that approaches FLAT in SLC…easier said than done.
I actually enjoy looking ahead in my training plans, but it can be stressful…especially when I think about finding the time and energy for really high mileage weeks!
Kelly
I just started Week 2 of Jillian’s Ripped in 30. HOLY MOLY ITS INTENSE. Level 1 is a cakewalk in comparison.
I’m reading Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie about his time serving in the Pacific Theater in WWII. Its actually quite good.
Julie @ A Better Life with Burgers
Happy Thursday! I love your passion for running and find it so inspiring. And i definitely inherited the worry gene from my mom too! Hopefully you won’t pass it on to Brooke…but you probably will. We women are worriers. It’s ok.
Have a great day!
Bethany
lol snapchat is sooo entertaining!
Jennifer
Today: run and breakfast with friends…then weights!
Just finished Amy Poehlers book…so funny!
I try not to look ahead and just take it one week at a time:)
Randi
Today is continued taper for me so lots of foam rolling and stretching. I’ll probably do an easy 2 miles or so just to get some blood flowing.
While running I like “Surprise Yourself” and “Stick with it”. For inspiration I have this quote written on my bathroom mirror: “Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic.”
Not reading anything except obsessively checking the weather and googling “what to do 2 days before your first marathon” and “what foods best to eat for carb loading” and other such non sense ;-)
I really like looking at my whole training plan because for some weird reason its really motivating and inspiring knowing that I will get to and accomplish 20 mile runs! I do however, use your advise and stay in each mile and not dwell on how many I have left :)
Have a great day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FIRST MARATHON!! Please let me know how it goes!
Megan D
I will make those sweet potatoes for our next GNI since you aren’t eating treats as much. Then we will both get to try them. *winning Plus, I showed them to Ross yesterday and he said that I should use them as a form of punishment because they look so gross #rude And your dinner looks freakin fantastic. I think I will make it for dinner next week and listen to everyone else complain about it #dontcare #bestmomaward #goestome
I went to bootcamp this morning. Let’s just say after yesterday’s leg workout and then the fartlek run – ya..I was tired.
I probably tell myself ‘Progress not perfection’ a bajillion times a day. It is such a good quote. It helps me to try and be better, but not get down on myself.
Oh and that snap video of you singing Bruno is probably one of my favorites of all time….and there have been some good ones. Your snaps always make me happy :)
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
Today is a rest day for me, but tomorrow I’m doing a Jillian Michaels workout.
Brooks is pretty cute running around in circles.
Kris @ Canadian Girl Runs.
My workout this morning was a short 35 minute arm strength workout. I am teaching an hour of spin tonight so I had to save my legs for that ;)
Carson
I also hate looking ahead.
Today I am taking it to the indoor track.
1 mile warm up
8x400m @5k pace
1 mile cool down
I will probably also do a little bit of upper body weight training.
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts
This week is the first time I’ve been able to run in over a month!! I’m so happy to be back at it but man does it sucks losing so much stamina. I’m just taking it one run at a time and reminding myself that my body is recovering from being so ill and still not a 100%!!
Loving this quote at the moment “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle”. Reminds me that my journey is my journey, no one else’s and that the most important thing is doing things at my own pace!
Pam
Love the recipe! I only like sweet potatoes if they are on the savory side. I put them in my scrambled eggs fairly regularly. My bf slices them up into fries and drizzles w olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bakes. AMAZING.
Asmika @ EsquireOnTheRun
Have I mentioned how cute your kiddo is??
I look at the whole training plan so I can accommodate for my schedule. Between full time work and school, I need to be as organized as I can!
Courtney! @ Redefining Athlete
Not so much a quote exactly, but I’ve been loving One Republic’s “I Lived”. Makes me want to run really fast and then go on vacation forever.
Laur
I love the fact she is a mini you. lol
Kimberly
I love your site!! I’ve found it recently and been stalking a your back posts for a few days. Love your video at the end. Your daughter is the cutest!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thanks so much Kimberly! I hope you are having an amazing day!
Natalie
Running in the pool today for 1 hour with interval work.
Just finished Big Little Lies By Liane Moriarty – so good! Crazy! Reese Witherspoon bought the rights for the movie – should be very interesting.
I take my training plans week by week – I can’t think about 5 weeks from now :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Teaching BODYPUMP tonight, so that will do as my workout. And you and Brooke make the cutest little team. :)
Brooke@runningonchange
I ran six miles on the treadmill at work! It was a slow six miles, I had a hard time waking up, but it was really nice. Now I have work for nine hours and I have already taken 12000 steps!
Suzy
“The Art of Asking” by Amanda Palmer!!!
Kathy McElhaney
8 mile trail run. Over 900 feet elevation gain in 4 miles and my legs felt strong!
I’m reading “The Genesis Record” by Dr. Henry M. Morris. It’s a study on the book of Genesis – so fascinating.
I try not to look too far ahead. What really helped me while training for my last marathon was going back and reading blog posts from previous marathon training, especially when I had an off day/week.
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse
Brooke is seriously the cutest ever! The quote that I have absolutely been loving is by Elder Holland, it says “Don’t you give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” :)
kristin | W [H] A T C H
yes! progress, not perfection.
Ali
Butternut squash (or any squash) with eggs is one of my favorite combinations, so I think your dinner looked fantastic in spite of what you said.
Also Brooke is adorable!
chelsea @ the new wifestyle
something that i always tell myself when i’m running or working out (or doing tough things in general) is “it’s not supposed to be comfortable, it’s supposed to move you forward!”
Jane @ 50statecanuck
Why are you reading a book with “weight loss” written on the cover?? Makes me sad…and worry.
One of my fav quotes: Be yourself; everyone else is taken.
I too avoid looking at my full training plan – for the same reasons…and I stop enjoying the successes of the current week.
Emily
Today I did a 3 mile tempo… Your post came at the perfect time! I finally hit my tempo times after 2 weeks of running 10 seconds too slow per mile… But during the run, I kept thinking, “How am I going to do 7 miles of this pace at the end of my training cycle?” Thanks for the reminder to be happy with today and move forward slowly. Love reading your blog
The Hungry Runner Girl
WAY TO GO girl! Yep, keep focusing on where you are right now. Congrats on hitting your tempo times, that is awesome!
gina (fitnessista)
thank you so much for the book shout out! love you.
ps i’m adding you on snapchat right now hahah
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner
I am totally like you and just see things one week at a time. Honestly three weeks is even to far in advance for me! Haha. I have also been wanting to check out her book. I keep hearing great reviews.
Bonnie p
I feel novice here. Did 4.2 km on a track in 25 minutes. I’m 47 and I use snap chat everyday
The Hungry Runner Girl
That is an AWESOME RUN! Way to go. Love hearing from other snap chatters:) Have a great day Bonnie!
Sheena
Alright lady, what’s your Snapchat because anything involving bruno mars just makes me day! :)
Briana
I share your sweet potato obsession — yum!
I’m almost done Amy Poehler’s book Yes Please and it’s awesome. Empowering, funny, and easy to read. The perfect break from the other book I’m currently reading – Anna Karenina (also good, just looooooong).
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan
Today was supposed to be a tempo run, but I only got through my warm up and 1 mile @ tempo before I had to stop. I did something to my ankle earlier in the week and it does NOT want to run.
I do a quick skim of my training plan, but I try not to look too far ahead, it gets intimidating.
Katie Did What
That little video of Brooke running is SO CUTE!!! Start ’em young! ;)
xo
Amy @ Life to the Full
Just ran 3 miles on the treadmill watching my last Christmas special :) I suppose it’s time to pack those away now…
I just got the book “Growing Up Social” in the mail today and am excited to start reading it! It’s about raising kids in a screen-driven world… definitely relevant after seeing how much my toddler already loves computer screens and smart phones :s
Snapchat actually looks pretty fun but I’m so out-of-date that I have a flip phone still!
Julie
This quote: People are usually tired and scared; not mean. Babies can’t, of course, tell us what is wrong with them. We have to guess—and what’s striking is how generous we are in our interpretation of what is going on…We are constantly aware of just how much the workings of hunger, a tricky digestive tract or a lack of sleep may affect human character. How helpful it would be if we were more often able to apply a similar method of interpretation around adults. How kind we would be if we could look beneath the surface behavior—the unpleasantness, viciousness and desperate grumpiness—and see that what could really be going on is just confusion, fear and exhaustion.
I’m dizzy watching her spin. How do kids do it?!?
Kristin
My four year old daughter LOVED the video of Brooke running. My daughter does the same thing but around our coffee table! Have you seen the kid’s leapfrog fitness watch? It’s cute. It tells you when to run and different physical activities for kids. My daughter got one for Christmas and she loves doing ‘races’
Alisha @ Real Girl Running
This morning I did strength training, with a 10 minutes plyometric circuit at the end. I love finishing a workout with some jumps!
I have planned out my next 6 months of training (although I think I’ll be changing it once I decide on the races I want to run this year), but I don’t look too much further ahead than a week at a time.
Monika
“Always go past the line” >>> our coach would tell us this during weight training in the summers back in high school and it always stuck with me (it was when we were doing suicides and he wanted us to go past the line rather than barely hitting the line if that makes sense). I feel like this quote can be applied to absolutely everything in life. He was definitely the most motivational coach ever!
wendy
definitely just look at the week I’m in!
I also did your fartlek workout today (not as fast as you–I’m a lot older
Doni
I’m reading a great book right now called, “Turn Right at Machu Picchu”. It’s a non-fiction story about a rather unprepared guy (the author) trying to retrace Henry Bingham III’s trek throughout Peru when he “discovered” Machu Picchu.
Nikki@will run for pizza
Ya know what. That is a good idea to NOT look ahead to far. Because last year during marathon training, I did exactly what you said – I worried about all the future long runs before I was even CLOSE to them. But like you said, by the time you get to those 20 milers, you are ready for them so there really is no sense thinking about them early on. I’m going to have to work on not thinking about them. Maybe if I don’t write them in my planner that far ahead…only put like 2 weeks worth of runs in my planner…
Elle @ The Clean Project
Today is a rest day. I can’t wait to run tomorrow in the 50! degree weather!
Liv @ Healthy Liv
I’ve never had butternut squash and I’m not a fan of regular yellow squash, but the butternut kind actually looks delicious roasted! Should I try it?!
Tedi @ Running With Infertility
I’m getting ready to run the St. George half marathon (one of the best that I have run – probably just as pretty as the St. George Marathon), so today was a rest day for me… And I’m not feeling 100% so today was extra restful! Even took a 3 hour nap when I got home from work! ahhh
I just finished listening to “Across the Universe” By Beth Revis. I am currently reading “To Draw Closer to God”, and “Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters”.
Tonya
wow – three weeks!
2 of my friends are coached by Randy Ashley who gives only one week at a time.
I think I would die! I have to look weeks and months into the future to determine if I am motivated enough (and if not to motivate myself).
Loved loved loved the BBQ baked potato with coke slaw on the side.
I made mine with BBQ chicken as I had two big pieces of chicken leftover from Tuesday night’s dinner, and it was DeeLish! My husband devoured his faster than I could sit down to the table.
Now I will HAVE to try Hasselback potatoes this weekend. Chopsticks at the ready!
Kay
Mmm, that Hasselback potato looks awesome!
Alaina M. @ The Simple Peach
I know what you mean about not looking ahead on a training plan. Sometimes that can be such a downer other times though I look at it as ” in __ many weeks I will be able to run x miles if I stick to the plan”.
I too share your obsession for sweet potatoes!
After tomorrow I will be 3 weeks into my marathon training plan. I run several races over the next couple months including the Hot Chocolate 15K, Disney Princess Half and RnR Music City half. Happy Running!
Kim
Brooke is ADORABLE!! And I am loving your hair dark!!
Jenn
What kind of coaching do you use? Online ?