Sunday, January 20, 2013

One Down Without A Frown

Who doesn't love a good rhyming title? I am a big big fan. What else am I fan of? Koala bear fights, yes (YouTube that!). King Cakes, yes. The movie Taken, yes. I also love me some marathon training! I completed week one this afternoon, and considering I have been under the weather, I came out strong all week. I love having something specific and big to work towards because I have added motivation on a daily basis. Now I am not just running, I am running for a reason. My mileage this week hasn't been amazing, but it wasn't supposed to be. I did some cross training and extra miles here and there, but I do wish I didn't have to travel to Cleveland again on Friday because I would have liked one more day at the gym. I will just have to make up for it next week.

Since my miles were down, I have had some extra time to kill. Here is one of my recent exploits:


Yeah, I am super good at Angry Birds, and I am not sorry about it. I don't really want to say how much time I have spent on this, and my other most recent addiction, Temple Run 2 - are you kidding?! So addicting.


Basically, I am a waste of space over long weekends, but at least I still got out for my miles. I also blew my diet out of the water, but that is what happens when you are around non-runners all the time. I need to work on the whole will-power thing.

I also need to work on explaining/helping others by talking about my weight-lifting. I usually just say what I worked on, and I don't go into detail. This coming week I promise I will go into my workouts with a teaching mindset and then report back to you. I think my work at the gym is going to give me a huge edge come the spring. This coming week I am going to really hit my chest and back because I am really starting to like how it looks and feels. I am also going to destroy my core in a good way: stay tuned.

Finally, I also want to feature some of my followers in the coming days/weeks. I want to pose a few questions to ponder, and then you can email me what you thought of. From there, I may take your responses and throw them right here to help others. I am also going to answer these questions, so it will really be helpful I think. Here you go:

What is the most important lesson you have learned since first becoming a runner and what is the biggest newbie mistake you made?

What is your primary motivation/inspiration for your healthy lifestyle? Have you always been this way or did you have to make a drastic change?

What do you think you most need to work on with your running or fitness?

What kinds of issues do you come across with non-runners? Do you have a lot of non-runners in your life and how do they take your habit?

Would you say running and fitness defines you? If not, how big of a role does it play? Can you be too into running?

If I have more ideas, I will throw them up, but you can email me at mrfrancko@gmail.com. I am looking forward to hearing from you. I won't hesitate to link you up and shout you out! I love promoting fellow bloggers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

17 comments:

  1. I agree that it feels great to be running for a specific goal versus just running. I have to have a race for the motivation to do structured running workouts. I need to work on will power too. I have been saying this for years. Maybe 2013 is the year I will succeed??

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    1. I hope you do! Just too many delicious temptations out there!

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  2. One of the things I know would help me is having a running buddy. I'm really happy that one of my friends will be in torn to run with me on the weekends so I'll get to share my long runs with her. :)

    Being around non-runners is hard and especially those don't eat healthy or exercise. Before I used to live with a few friends who lived the typical student lifestyle- pizza, pepsi, cake, no exercise, watch TV. I kind of felt into that trap too although to a small extent. I felt like I was always judged when I cooked or went for morning runs :(

    I wouldn't say that I do running to be healthy per say- it's more something that I enjoy because it's very much meditative ^^ It keeps me sane during stressful times!

    Being in the health/ science field I've just always been into healthy living. I don't even remember how it all started, I think I was just fascinated with anything that had to do with the human body. I really got into nutrition when I was about 13ish, I just thought it was sooo cool! As for swimming I started it because I got free lessons from the government so my parents were like why not?

    The other thing I guess is that I technically spent my childhood in Europe and very few people in my city had a car. So you walked everywhere or took public transit... There was no junk food and food came fresh from the bazaar or my grandma's little farm. The relationship with food is much different back there. Sure there were people who were a bit overweight but I don't think I've met a truly obese person until I came to Canada.

    Yeah... I guess I was just raised into the whole healthy living mentality...

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    1. I bet the Europe thing is a pretty big influence because the American way of life is definitely anything but healthy. It is very easy to fall into bad habits when you have to go out of your way to follow good ones.

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  3. Brilliant questions - very cool post!

    I think one of the biggest thing I've learned that I didn't take seriously as a newbie is how important it is to have a training plan to avoid injury.

    Can't wait to hear what everyone has to say!

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    1. So true, and the longer we run, the better our plans become.

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  4. Most important thing I've learned as a runner/marathoner in training - yes, DO have a plan but most of all more than anything is...to listen to your body! Doing just that alone will save you from being sidelined and prevent injury. Stretch, and take the preventative measures you need to take to stay healthy. Rest days = crucial and make you a stronger runner.

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    1. I am definitely learning to appreciate rest days because for a long time I don't think I took enough. I am making very conscious efforts to stay healthy.

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  5. When I am training, I am the most focused. I feel lost when I don't have a goal. lol
    Great job on completing week one!

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    1. Focus is key! I am loving knowing I am moving in the right direction.

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  6. I have learned to just be me while running. I am not a fast runner but I enjoy it so that is all that matters. I can run a mile faster than I can walk it so that makes me a runner, right? I run to stay active and healthy, not to win the race.

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    1. I really like that philosophy! I have had to learn that being 29 and at the old part of my age group. I will, however, be trying to smoke some people once I hit 30 this summer! Haha

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  7. Week one "in the books" - YAY!

    Running and Fitness are a "part" of my definition - but to say that is the ONLY thing that defines me "nah". I am a mom, employee, friend, daughter, all first - but running and fitness, play into those roles too. Luckily I have a great support system with my "habit". They cheer me on and are proud of my accomplishments.

    I need to work on really learning to eat "clean". I love running but I also love eating - so I need to find a healthy balance there. 2013 I am working on this...

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    1. I think eating well is harder than going out and putting in work for sure. I try to stay as balanced as I can on a daily basis, but I don't stay great all the time. I am so proud of those people that really stick to a diet, and still maintain their fitness, but I have locked that down yet.

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  8. I've learned not to be afraid of trying new things and finding whatever exercise you love -- there is something for everyone! I became more interested in a healthy diet a few years ago, and have slowly integrated or changed aspects of my daily eating over time. It is hard to make these big changes overnight sometimes. Mine & my husband's running habit has turned a few of our friends into runners! We try to get friends to do various athletic activities with us often -- not just running, but also biking or weightlifting, ect.

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    1. Part of being fit is hoping that I rub off on others! My friends, family and myself aren't getting any younger! I know I got my dad back into running, so that was a huge win or me.

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