7.2 miles @ 8:51 average and 65 miles for the week!
My niece joined me for a 20-minute strength Peloton workout in the garage afterward, and we found some butter in the kid’s car while we were out there. Nothing like a summer drive on our street while munching on butter.
The other day I was thinking about how my brain used to work regarding calories and running. Easy runs, workouts, races, everything… it all worked the same. How can I burn the most calories during this run and take in the least calories during and after? It used to be alllll about the calorie burn. This resulted in feeling terrible during many races/long runs and injuries galore. Being on empty took out a lot of the fun from running and led to many VERY positive split races and time away from running because of injuries.
There was no way my body could keep up with having a period/working reproductive system because I was under-fueling my body.
When Lauren and I were running Boston a few months ago, we talked afterward about our fueling that day.
Between how we fueled the morning of the race, during the 26.2 miles, and afterward, we took in a lot of calories. We were not in a deficit! Those calories helped me to feel better than ever during a marathon and never hit the wall. I now am trying to figure out how to be more efficient with my running and burn fewer calories so I don’t get close to feeling depleted. I want to take in as many calories as I can throughout the runs to give my body the energy it needs, along with getting in what it needs for the rest of the day.
It’s been quite the shift in my brain, and it’s made running way more fun for me and has helped me become a lot faster. I also can’t imagine starting a run now without eating something before I start, and I used to do all my runs fasted and then skip breakfast (I couldn’t do that if someone paid me now!). I have found that I run much faster with these changes and feel much healthier.
PS I am not saying there is one right way to be when it comes to how to think about calories; I’m just saying that this shift has been a great and healthy one for me.
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Calories and you… What do you think about them? Has your perspective of them and your running changed at all? Thoughts?
How do you feel about yoga? How often do you do it?
#1 thing you do to help with your recovery?
What was a great part about your weekend?
21 comments
Lee
I eat to run and run to eat. I love to run and I love to eat so I must do both in order to be happy. I don’t pay much attention to how much I eat. I make a big effort to eat healthy foods so that when I eat pizza, doughnuts, and candy, my body doesn’t feel like crap. I also drink a lot. I don’t want to be dehydrated.
I do some yoga but as part of stretching after a workout. I don’t do yoga as a workout.
The best part of my weekend is that I’m on vacation. I will be on vacation until Monday!
The Hungry Runner Girl
‘I must do both in order to be happy.’ AMEN to that! If I am grumpy it’s probably because I haven’t done one of those things (or because I need more sleep). I think you have the perfect mix and drinking a lot of water is everything. Happy vacation!!! Keep enjoying every second. Thanks Lee!
Janine
Good morning, Janae! Funny about the butter in the kids’ car – my sister used to eat butter when she was a toddler. We had to hide it from her!
I don’t really think too much about calories anymore. I did when I was younger though. It crosses my mind now when I know I overindulge, but I don’t use workouts as a “punishment” or to balance the scale so to speak. It’s great that your attitude toward calories and fueling your body has taken such a positive shift. It’s good for you and also for Brooke and Skye especially as they begin their own journeys of learning about and supporting their bodies :o)
I love, love, love yoga and try to do it several times a week. On occasion, I can do it daily, but life has a way of interrupting those stretches Haha. Yoga is actually a big part of my recovery and staying injury free.
Best part of the weekend was an impromptu gathering of friends at a local brewery that had an awesome food truck and live music! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Janae and that your week is off to a great start!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Bahaha I love that you had to hide the butter from your sister… butter is so good but just not plain:). I love where you are with food/calories. Thank goodness for these changes, it makes life so much better. You are inspiring me to do more yoga, thank you. SO happy you guys were able to get together over the weekend. Sounds like a blast. Thanks Janine, you too!
avery
Yes to fueling the best way possible! I get in a bad rhythm of not eating anything before I run and just not feeling super hungry after–so I eat a little something but am ravenous hours later–so I feel like I am constantly working on that.
I’ve had to keep a food diary recently due to some internal body stuff (for the doctor to figure out) and it’s incredibly stressful. Being a runner and athlete and seeing what you eat in a day can be totally triggering in a weird way…I used to count calories to a t, but haven’t done it in a few year and it’s such freedom. But keeping a diary is for the birds. Hopefully this it the last week the doctor has me do it.
Happy Monday! Thanks for being you and sharing yourself with us.
The Hungry Runner Girl
It is hard to fight that feeling right after of not being hungry but you are doing great getting in something! I really hope this is the last week that you have to keep the diary, that would be very stressful for me too. I like to just not even think about it. I hope everything is okay and that you and your doctor are able to figure things out asap. Thanks Avery, have a beautiful day!
Gretchen
Best part of the weekend was that we got a motorcycle! I can’t drive it myself but I would love to get a little scooter like yours. Dan is great riding it though so I like going on the back while he drives. So much fun!
I love doing yoga. I try to do it 2 times a week and I think it’s made a huge difference! One of my best friends is a yoga instructor so she’s got me back into the routine of doing it regularly. Love it! My favorite instructors on Peloton are Aditi and Chelsea if you’re looking to try some out on there :)
The Hungry Runner Girl
AHHHHHH MOTORCYCLE! Oh that is so fun. I seriously love riding around with Andrew, it makes a simple errand so much fun. I’m happy for you and Dan! Twice a week… I need to be like you. I will totally check out Aditi and Chelsea, thank you. Have the best day.
mikaela
The best part of my weekend was that I completed my very first half marathon! In fact it was actually a half marathon trail race!! It was probably one of the hardest things I have done but it was sooo amazing!! I loved every moment of it!
The Hungry Runner Girl
MIKAELA! Oh my goodness. Congratulations! And it was on the trails, you are SO so strong. Keep me updated about what is next for you. Happy recovering!
John
Mikaela – congrats on your first half! I can imagine 13 trail miles would be tough, nice job!
Mariah
I try to do yoga once a week- I’ve been doing a free class here on Sundays, it’s on the waterfront in Baltimore and it’s amazing!
#1 thing I do for recovery is sleep. As a runner, I feel like I sleep a lot more than other adults I know haha. But it helps!
warren footz
okay, eating butter?…..um, okay
love yoga, and I don’t do it enough. I hate stretching or warming up, but if I’m in a class you have to….I’ve tried virtual but not the same
I never count calories, I just make sure I stick to eating well. As long as I do, I find I never over eat, and yeah, sometimes you cheat….then you feel guilty and say never again
I’ve very bad at not realizing I’ve been over doing it….so recovery is some times just forced….I need to remind myself to hydrate afterwards always……I’ve fainted after runs because I hadn’t……and yes, sometimes it’s a 7-11 and a slurpee.
Wendy
This is such a good post! I too, used to think about calories all the time. Now, I rarely do. I still have a hard time eating before early runs, but have gotten so much better at fueling my body to be healthy.
Butter in the car… Ha ha ha. That’s hilarious!!
Definitely the best part of the weekend was the wedding! It was a perfect and beautiful evening. I can’t wait for my sis-in-law’s next weekend!
Have a wonderful Monday 😊
Rachel
I went to undergrad at a school on the beach – so calorie counting was an unfortunate “cool kid” thing. I mean everyone was always “bikini ready!” I specifically remember there was a book we were all obsessed over, targeted to the college aged girl, and the authors even came to campus for a book tour. It was awful advice, like breakfast was “Eat a strawberry, are you still hungry? You can have one more then wait for lunch.” But once I started taking running seriously, I quickly realized calories were not evil and pitched the book!
Best part of my weekend – winning my age group at a local 4.5 miler night race! It’s very hilly, hot and humid, but so much fun.
I really love yoga but I am bad at finding the time to do it. I think number one thing that helps my recovery the most is my massage gun. I can use it while reading emails for work and not feel like it’s hard to make time for it.
Happy Monday!
John
Rachel – winning your age group is awesome, very nice!
The Hungry Runner Girl
RACHEL! CONGRATS on winning your age group, that is so so awesome! I love that you threw that book away and I hope everyone else did too:). Massage guns are one of the best inventions ever. Thanks friend, you too!
Amy S
Hi Janae! I’ve learned so much over the years about how to fuel correctly and that not all calories are the same. I’m much happier and healthier now!
I think sleep is still the best recovery tool there is. Well maybe tied with eating healthy and nutritious and enough food.
Happy Monday!
Alicia
So I may not be running, but I recently started swimming multiple mornings a week. I am trying to figure out my eating around that. I used to be the person who had to eat immediately upon waking up, but slowly over the last couple years, I got used to weight lifting at 5am without eating beforehand. This means I have been swimming at 5:30am without food also. In the past I haven’t had a consistent cycle so I’m trying to be aware of how much I’m swimming and proper fueling. I make a smoothie the night before and usually drink it after my swim, but I have been trying to have a little bit of it when I wake up so I don’t have an entirely empty stomach. I used to do this when I was powerlifting back in 2018, have half of my smoothie before and half after, so that’s what I’m going for. I also started baking my favorite almond butter muffins for an easy breakfast on the go since I go right from the gym to work now. The other thing I recently changed was adding a liquid IV to my water bottle for the mornings I work out. I’ve noticed I don’t seem to get as hungry if I have an electrolyte drink with my workout. I’m still testing out what works but I think partial smoothie before swim and then finishing smoothie and having a muffin after help.
Since I moved back to the Philadelphia suburbs 2 months ago, I have been going to more yoga classes. I actually took my 200 hour vinyasa teacher training in this area back in 2014/2015 and love the yoga community around here. With having multiple yoga teacher friends, it has encouraged me to practice more. I have been going to classes about 2x a week and then I try to do some stretching and yoga at home a couple nights as well. Again with swimming more, I have noticed my upper body (shoulders and neck) getting sore and encouraging me to stretch more for recovery. I feel like I always need more but doing what I can.
Erika
love your sunday dress!
Alyssa
Calories…used to know the calorie count of almost everything. Didn’t necessarily “count” them, but was very aware of them. I’ve definitely let that go with time. Although it can be handy at times to have that knowledge. I’m keeping a food log right now for 3 days for an appt and it can be triggering for me, but I did a lot better today just eating normal and recording it. Plus honesty is best for these things right?!
Yoga=I LOVE it! Yoga with Adriene is my absolute fave. Used to do it daily, but now that I’m pregnant and sick and tired, it’s more like twice a week (or less)
Best part of the weekend was getting two cribs for our nursery! Plus a changing table/dresser, and my mom made curtains. Getting there! Oh also I went swimming! That seems to be a much better exercise for me lately, walking is hard and running is impossible. (24 weeks with twins)