ALL of the key points and 10 questions to ask yourself while running.

Our Thanksgiving celebration hit all of the key points—>  turkey, pie, a movie and some good ol’ fashioned quality time together.  Brooke will get home Friday morning and I’m already looking forward to decorating the house for Christmas with her!

We started off the evening with Kneaders and I went with the turkey/avocado/bacon salad with focaccia bread.  I probably should have attempted to make a turkey at home or something like that for our celebration but when you are tapering for a marathon you are supposed to be lazy in all aspects of life right?!

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Brooke opted for the grilled cheese sandwich and she had a few bites of my turkey.  

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After dinner we really got down to business and picked out pie for dessert.  

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 You just cannot go wrong with chocolate cream pie.

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Tuesday’s are the cheap day at our theater which worked out perfectly for our T-day partying.  

The Peanuts Movie.  Took me back.  

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Buying a movie mug was probably one of my best decisions in 2014.  You have to admit, there is just something about the big coke machines with 1,000,000 different options.  

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We did get in a little decorating with this felt tree from Target… if you have a kiddo around 3 you should try this out with them.  Brooke loved it.

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The usual ‘night before she leaves snuggling until way too late’ thing. 

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Have I ever told you that I have a few questions that I ask myself during most solo runs?  Something I love about running is that it allows us time to think clearly and evaluate things without distractions.  Many times the answers to these questions that I think about while running are different from the previous days but I thought I would share some of the things floating around my head while running.  Whenever I am running on the treadmill I have even MORE time to ask/ponder these questions.

PS I don’t ask these questions to myself quite so formally but I more just think about the general ideas.

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1.  What is the purpose of this run physically?  This question helps me to remind myself that I am trying to either recover, build strength/speed or increase my endurance.  When I remind myself of the purpose of the run it helps me to stick to the paces that I am supposed to do even if I feel like doing something differently.  Knowing the specific purpose of the run helps you to keep going when it gets hard or slow down when you want to go faster.

2.  What is the purpose of this run mentally?  What can I work on mentally during the run to help life in general—>  i.e. visualizing success in my next race, working on anxiety and overcoming worries, stress relief from a specific problem, an hour of fun and being carefree???  The list goes on and on but I love spending a bit of time to work on my mental health during the run too!

3.  What am I going to do when it hurts on race day?  I try to think of different coping mechanisms I can use to help me on race day or during the hard workouts to help me to keep going—>  aka a lot of mantras.  

4.  Where am I at with my running goals?  I think about this one a lot while on the treadmill because it helps me to keep going when I want to quit because usually (we all have off days) my goals trump pushing the stop button.  I like to think about the things that I can do to help me get there and to get excited about future races.  

5.  How is my form?  Do I have chicken arms (my elbows swing out a little too wide naturally) right now or am I running efficiently?  What little thing can I do right now to fix my form?

6.  To go along with the above question… how is my cadence (steps per minute)?  I usually have a slower than desired cadence which I think is partly to blame for my shin splints so I am always asking myself where I am at in hopes to improve.  The goal is to land directly underneath the body rather than overstriding.  

7.  How have I improved?  I think we all probably struggle at times with comparison and wishing we were better in all aspects of life.  A lot of times I compare myself to past times/other runners and that brings me down.  BUT if I spend time during a run thinking about how I’ve grown and the improvements that I have had then there is a lot less time to think any negative thoughts.  

8.  I spend a lot of time thinking about my different relationships/my people because really isn’t that why we are all here?

9.  Am I having at least a little bit of fun because if I’m not… I’m doing this whole thing wrong because I enjoy running and choose to do it each day.  

10.  The most important and thought provoking question—>  WHAT AM I GOING TO HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?!

I want this right this second:

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What are some of the questions that you ask yourself while running?

What are you having for breakfast today?

Your opinion—>  best type of pie?

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62 comments

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Love these questions because I’ve been lacking in motivation for about a week and need to refocus! I just had chicken chorizo with plantains, spinach and eggs for breakfast. And favorite pie is apple!

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Lately, I’ve been asking myself, ‘Am I crazy for actually running today?’

Breakfast is oatmeal, I’m trying this new thing called healthy.

And pie is peanut butter pie but I’m doing healthy so no peanut butter pie…

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I have the craziest thoughts while running and I would say my mind goes there on my more serious runs because I’m so focused. On my maintenance or recovery runs my mind wanders a lot more to the most random things of this world.

Best type of pie: chocolate fudge or all pie

I know you’re going to miss Brooke so much, but I hope you still have a great Thanksgiving until she gets back!

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Best type of pie – cherry. My mom uses real cherries from my grandmas tree, not just the can of cherry pie filling.

I usually ask myself if I’m running for a purpose or if these are junk miles. But even if they are junk miles then I have to ask myself if they are preparing me mentally for my goals. I think all runs have a purpose, even if that purpose is to just get me out of a grumpy mood!

I love that you and Brooke celebrated early! It looks like a fun day! :)

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I go through a very similar set of questions/thoughts during runs, but for long runs I like to give myself a prompt at the beginning so I have something to think about that helps me zone out for a little bit. Sometimes I’ll ask myself “if money were no object, what business/nonprofit would you start?” :D

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I need that waffle!!

I definitely think a lot about relationships and the people in my life while I’m running. One question I often ask myself: What’s a little pain now in the grand scheme of things? I know those tough workouts that hurt only last a little chunk of my life and will benefit me later.

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I always ask myself -How bad do I want this goal??and what pace am I going? (horrible pacer..haha)

Breakfast was oj, raisins, and 2 bowls of oatmeal with milk & honey.

I love apple pie………..especially the crust.

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I love that you have just as many thoughts as me during your runs. I really do try to make sure that I continue to love every step and being thankful for the health to be able to do it. I try to pray, but then I get distracted haha! I end up with lots of thoughts of to do lists, and friends that I want to spend time with!

Today’s breakfast is my usual…WAFFLES!!! WOOHOO!

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Best type of pie: pumpkin with whip cream. The whip cream to pumpkin ratio must be 2:1
Breakfast was my standard oatmeal, banana, with a scoop of peanut butter.

This makes me sooooo excited to eat, eat, eat tomorrow!

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Happy Thanksgiving! I am just eating a Greek yogurt for breakfast because I’m preparing myself for what’s about to go down tonight and tomorrow, haha. My favorite pie would probably be pumpkin!!

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I ask myself different things depending on the type of run. My last race was flatter than I have ever experienced so I was focusing a lot on my pace, and then focusing on whatever awesome scenery is around me (found myself appreciating how green grass was, lol).

Breakfast was a veggie omelette! Omelettes are always my go-to if I have enough time. Pancakes are saved for post-long runs!

That chocolate pie looks delicious. Any kind of chocolate pie is what’s up. Personal favorite has been French Silk :)

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Apple crumb is my fave!
I just had blueberry blintzes and some Greek yogurt for breakfast. Trying to shake up my boring dry waffle habit.
I usually solve problems when I run. Whether it be logistics for an upcoming race or how I will execute an assignment for work (I’m a graphic designer).
I never ask questions though. :)

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I loved those questions! I’m going to start incorporating them into my runs.

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Cherry pie is my favorite!

The only question I ask myself about my runs on my runs is, “How much longer till I’m done?!” Oops…

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I always ask myself if my pace/effort is appropriate for the purpose of the run. That keeps my easy runs truly easy!
My favorite pie is apple pie.
Breakfast will be oats with fruit & chia seeds after my run.

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Best pie is chocolate cream pie! Followed by apple pie :)

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That pie looks absolutely amazing! Glad you and Brooke had a nice celebration together!

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My favorite pie is peach pie! Yum.
These are some great questions and I thank about very similar things when it comes to my running. Running also allows me time to problem solve and think different situations out whether that be personally or professionally. Sometimes I find myself thinking about clients and different ways I can approach therapy with them. It helps a lot!
Thinking of you this Thanksgiving! Its tough to be away from your kiddo. Looks like you had a special celebration!

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I always ask myself why I am doing what I’m doing and that usually gets me through the rough runs/workouts (especially my strength workouts. I never want to do those). I also ask myself how I would feel if I wasn’t able to run. It’s usually in those times that runners want to run the most.
This morning I had some coffee and banana bread!
My favorite type of pie is whip cream with some pumpkin and pie crust ;)

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i’m not much of a sweet person so anything too sugary or creamy is out for me, but i love a healthy, hearty apple pie with lots of apples and cinnamon and a crumbly top!

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I’m actually not a big pie person. I like the crust of pie and I like cake LOL. That being said my favorite pie wold be something like a Boston cream pie. I’ve had a couple of pies at diners that are basically just all whipped cream. Those were okay. ;)

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Pie. I love all pie. Except for pecan, because nuts don’t belong in desserts and pumpkin. Because pumpkin just makes me think ew. But I love cream pies and peach pie and lemon pie, banana pie,chocolate pie, strawberry pie… Basically any other kind of pie. I’m really excited about it.

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If I need distracted while I am running I ask myself “what would I say to [family/friend/whoever] if they were with me right now?” Most of my family lives a few states away and I don’t get to see them too often so it makes me feel a bit closer to them. I also make myself focus on one person per mile and switch when my watch beeps.

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Breakfast is ancient grains cheerios and milk, plus some coffee cake (gotta celebrate the day before a holiday!). My favorite pie is any kind with graham cracker crust- I don’t care for regular pie crust. I love pie filling, just not the actual crust.

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Blueberry pie for the win!

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I ran in 1F yesterday, so I was definitely thinking something along the lines of “I can’t feel my toes” and “What am I doing?”…but then I think of being stuck on the Dreadmill for an hour and I quickly change my mind :) At least it’s a beautiful time of year to run here – the snow glints in the dark and I got look at Xmas lights weaving through streets.

Breakfast: Blueberry smoothie, homemade cranberry muffin & green tea.

Pie…don’t eat pies. More of a cake girl! But I’d probably say Lemon Meringue or some kind of berry pie.

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1F? You rock, Jenni!

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I love this list of questions! I want to copy them down and tape them on my treadmill since that’s where I have the most time to ponder life’s great questions, haha. Something I try to ask myself when running is am I smiling and would that help right now? I’m all about the mental tricks for a better run and that’s been my most successful over time. Fake it until I really am smiling, I swear it works.
Breakfast is eggs, feta, mushrooms, spinach scrambled together and coffee. My fave.

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Sometimes I ask myself while running, what do you wish weren’t so? I know it sounds sort of depressing, but sometimes I obsess about things that I cannot control, so stating them during my run at least acknowledges it so I can better let it go.

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I love all the things to think about during running. They are all so true. ESPECIALLY the breakfast one!! haha I am always thinking about my next meal when I am eating my current one #fatgirlproblems

Have a great thanksgiving!

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I check in on my form, my breathing and how I feel. I work out issues that are bugging me or plan things that need to get done. I usually get blog or newsletter thoughts when I’m running as well.

Breakfast was oatmeal with pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, almonds and a drizzle of real maple syrup (I like the real deal, not pancake syrup).

I like most fruit pie filling but I don’t like pie crust (except the cookie or graham cracker kinds). My favorite would be Kentucky Derby Pie because it tastes just like a big warm chocolate chip cookie.

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Looks like you had a great pre-Thanksgiving celebration with Brooke! I had a great breakfast the other day at a local cafe. I had a “make your own” omelette with tons of veggies and a side of home fries. So good!

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Brookes smile always makes me smile hahaha!
I think I’ve gone through all those questions on those long runs! Gotta “talk” to someone!
Breakfast was buckwheat with espresso almond butter and cocoa stevia syrup and a huge bosc pear, and energy bites!
Best pie is pumpkin hands down!

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Nine times out of ten my mind just checks out while I’m running where I’ll be thinking about relationships, solving problems, etc. and then all of a sudden I’ve run 10 miles and be like, where did the time go? Once in a while I’ll gear up and run hard and for those runs I always channel my angst. I have a LOT of that, so it works out well. Ha!

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When I run I think about relationships, blog ideas, work, etc. Always gives me a better perspective on things. Best pie is pecan! And have to go with oatmeal and hodgepodge harvest mix from WF every morning- it’s the best! Happy Thanksgiving!

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When I run during races I pray for people for a mile long. I think back at how much each person means to me and pray that they are happy and content with life. During normal runs my mind is all over the place!

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i ask myself some of those too. (not as many as you, but my runs are shorter, so less time ;) )

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i love movie theaters that have those endless option coke machines, even better if they have an icee machine then i can make cherry sprite with cherry icee! trust me, its delicious. When I run I think about how my feet feel, how my breathing is, but mostly its random thoughts that pop into my head. ive had some great ideas on my runs most of which leave my head

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I haven’t worked out for a while due to my sciatic attacking up in a fierce sort of way but whenever I do workout the same question comes into my head……

What am I going to have to eat after this workout?

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When I run, I usually try to process whatever problem or issue I’m dealing with in my life more than anything. I find myself asking, “Will this matter in a week/month/year? If not, why I am I worrying about it right right now?” That helps me keep things in perspective. Running is great therapy!

For breakfast this morning, we made pumpkin rolls from Trader Joe’s! They were amazing!

I’m not a big pie person (I’m all about cake), but when I eat it, I tend to go for the cream pies (banana, chocolate, etc.)

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These are all brilliant. I’m going to try to be more active with these types of questions on my runs. I do a lot of it but there’s rhythm to my thoughts. sometimes I feel like Dug from UP lol I love 7.. I find myself not reflecting on how far I’ve come and but how far I have to go and sometimes that’s not good because I push myself too much and get injured or my negative build on each other. Gotta stick with #7 more often. I run a lot by myself so I have a lot of reflecting time! 9 is awesome too. Before I would be like i have to be skinny i have to be skinny and physical reason are not fun when you’re running again you’re beating yourself up. Now i think this is awesome and endorphins make me happpy! lol

also I always think about what I’m going to eat afterward lol I had a running friend who would be like how can you think about food right now. I’m like dude that’s why we do this lol for delicious meals! lol loved this post!

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Breakfast today was grilled sausage rolls and cinnamon rolls. The guys at work cooked breakfast. :) I must go get that felt tree today!! I was going to make something similar but buying it is so much easier!

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I don’t ask myself many questions whilst running, but it’s such a good idea to, thank you! Will definitely help me focus more on my training and goals.
As for my favourite pie – I love hot pies more than cold ones (but I think that might be because I’m English – we don’t really do cold pies over here). Plain old apple pie with custard is definitely my go-to dessert.

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Oh my god. I want that waffle so bad!!

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I ran my second marathon this past weekend, and while it wasn’t so much in question form, I kept checking in with myself to make sure I was having fun, enjoying every moment, and smiling! :)

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The form thing is huge for me, especially when I start getting tired. I have a deal with myself. It doesn’t matter how fast I am going as long as if there were a race photographer stationed around the corner, that it would be a PERFECT race photo. :)

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Love those questions you ask yourself… definitely gives me some ideas of things I should be working on during my runs! Mental toughness is hard for me, so I love the idea of practicing it on all my runs – even the easy ones! Have a great Thanksgiving, although looks like you already had a really fun celebration with Brooke!

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Excellent questions, I especially love 8 and 9. :)

Just wanted to respond to #3: ‘What am I going to do when it hurts on race day?’….Go in to your marathon knowing that eventually, the pain WILL come. Maybe midway, more often a little bit later but it will come… so expect it, and don’t be afraid of it. Your body is working hard, that’s all. I kind of embrace and celebrate it.

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Great questions, I’ve probably thought about all of those while running. Especially “Am I actually enjoying this right now?” Thankfully, the answer this week has typically been “YEAH I am.”

I’m actually eating breakfast right now… at 1:30pm. Oatmeal, fruit, coffee, and almond milk. I can’t eat anything else in a day until I’ve eaten breakfast food.

The best type of pie is a close match between pumpkin and key lime… I guess it depends on the time of year.

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Pecan Pie is hands down the best pie!

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When do you decide that you should not run? Do you still run when you are sick, have joint pain, a fever, a cold, etc.?

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Great post! I often “check out” mentally during most of my runs, and this is a great reminder to tune in to get the most out of each run. Of course, there are some days where checking out is just what is needed!

Breakfast was multi-grain toast w/ chunky almond butter, and coffee. And 2nd breakfast was Strawberry Chobani Zero with more almonds. Yum.

Pie- all of them, basically. Blueberry. Apple. Pecan is my absolute favorite but it is a little too sickly sweet for me these days, the way most people make it. Sweet Potato. Pumpkin. Key Lime.

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I’m not a fan of pie, not even pumpkin pie and I love pumpkin. Happy Thanksgiving!

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My favorite pie is either a pumpkin pie or chocolate cream pie. I can’t decide because they’re both so good!

Breakfast today was a bagel sandwich and it was delish!

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Blackberry pie!!!!

Followed by pumpkin or squash pie.

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When I run I visualize (or daydream lets be honest). I think a lot about the future and the positive things that could happen. If I dwell too much on the running, I find I get fatigued.

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Apple pie ALL THE WAY! Yum! Not all apple pies are created equal and we’ve finally convinced my mom she is no baker so my family brings a pecan pie (my husband’s favorite) a pumpkin cheesecake (a crowd pleaser) and a Marie Calendar Dutch Apple Pie…. Mmmmmm…

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I think it is awesome you and Brooke still made a point of celebrating Thanksgiving, though it is not on the actual day. The date is arbitrary, but the family means everything. <3

While I am running, I pick out something I see and I create a story around it. Most of the time, I pick a person around me, and I try to create a background for them. Where did they come from? I think of their career, their love life, the current problem they are trying to solve. I guess it is the writer in me, but if I get really enveloped in a story I’ve created, the run simply flies by!

Best type of pie…. chocolate silk. ;) I don't even know if that is actually pie, but I love it all the same.
Hope you’re having a great Wednesday Janae!

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I love apple pie….put cheddar cheese on top and stick it in the microwave to melt the cheese…so good! Anyone else do this?

Happy Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful day with your family!

Great questions…I think of those more when I’m not running. It seems like I have random thoughts about whatever is going on whenever I run.

xo

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On slower runs I usually jump straight to the issue of what I am having for breakfast and spend at least 20 minutes going over all the possibilities and really nailing down the details. Then by the time I actually get home I am generally too hungry to bother with the elaborate plan I came up with and just inhale whatever I can get my hands on first! Some might see it as a waste of time but it makes me happy and my runs fly by so I really don’t feel the need to stop this habit anytime soon! I will also check in with myself about how my form and cadence are through out the run as well. My cadence is also slower than would be ideal so I have to keep reminding myself to pick it up. It always drops again but I’m hoping the more I do it the more it will become natural for me. On speed days I focus a lot more on form / cadence and generally just trying not to throw up! I am naturally a very slow runner and speed days (my version of..so still really slow by anyone else’s standard) kill me!!

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I definitely do my best thinking when running. I don’t I ask myself questions per se, but do a lot of planning. Which outfits to wear when, what to cook, what to shop for, gift ideas, etc.

I prefer cake and pastries over pie, perhaps because I did not grow up eating pie in Europe. Neither with celebrating Thanksgiving but I do my best to whip up a nice traditional dinner now that I live in America. ;)

Have a wonderful holiday and I hope time flies for you so you will soon have Brooke in your arms again.

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The question I kept asking myself today is why did I eat icecream before my intervals…it seemed like such a good idea when I was eating it…

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I love reading your articles!

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