Marathons+Moderation Guest Post #17

Hi everyone! I’m Kali and I blog over at finishing firsts. I write about running, marathon training and living in Cleveland, Ohio. I am a certified personal trainer and have been a runner for two and a half years and started road racing two years ago. I’m really excited to be a part of Ashley’s Marathons+Moderation series!

I ran my first (and so far only) marathon in Columbus last October. After 18 weeks of training, I crossed the finish line in 4:30:31.

One of the first things I said to my friend and my dad at the finish was, “oh my God, I sucked.” I struggled through miles 15-26 and finished a half hour after my goal.

While I was training for the race, my whole life was about the marathon. I changed around my work availability, never hung out with my friends, didn’t drink a drop of alcohol, watched everything I ate and basically just didn’t have any fun while I was training.

I was completely miserable.

I had no idea what the words moderation and balance meant. My life was all about running and the disappointment in my performance definitely affected other areas of my life, like work and my then-relationship.

I immediately signed up for a second marathon in the spring, in Cleveland. My disappointment and lack of desire to train that I picked up after Columbus plus the crappy winter weather made marathon training the second time around even more miserable than the first. Six weeks before the race, I dropped down and ran the half marathon again.

About a month before the half, I realized something: running is supposed to be fun. It’s not my job, I don’t get paid to do it and my life is about so much more than the time on the clock or the pace on my watch. I’m a runner, but I’m also a personal trainer, friend, girlfriend, daughter, sister, etc. Why was I taking it so seriously?

In the following weeks, I learned to just let it go and start having fun. And it definitely showed. I ran one half marathon in Columbus the weekend before Cleveland in May and though I didn’t PR either race, I did run two of the best and most consistent half marathons of my career.

And when I started training for the upcoming Chicago marathon in July, I kept that same “it’s just running” attitude and so far, it’s definitely paid off. I’ve given myself time to hang out with my friends, not miss out on social events and even enjoyed some fall beers and desserts 🙂 I’ve enjoyed all of my long runs, been extremely consistent and I’m feeling very confident in myself and my abilities going into this race. I’ve even made a great group of running friends.

I’m not sure what October 9 is going to hold for me, but I can guarantee one thing: I’m going to have a good day running 26.2 in Chicago. As long as I’m having fun and doing my thing, I won’t be disappointed. 

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Fall Breakfast Ideas: Office Edition

Each day, I’m bound to read about a delicious and beautiful breakfast creation that another blogger enjoyed. Cooked carefully over the stove top with care or warmed in the oven, many of these are not feasible on a daily basis if you eat breakfast at the office.

Some people think I’m crazy to eat both breakfast and lunch at work each day but for me it, it is really the only option. If I want to have time to enjoy a solid hour workout, shower, get dressed, and make the commute to work than I can’t spend even fifteen minutes enjoying breakfast at my kitchen table. Waking up at 5:15 is plenty early for me, thank you very much.

Instead, I’ve challenged myself to give my regular breakfasts a Fall face lift since I’ve grown tired of my normal breakfasts. The past few months have been one long repeated track of banana oats or Greek yogurt “messes.”

IMG_4195Last week’s refreshing Fall weather left me craving warm and flavorful goodness. So far I’ve only come up with two twists on the classic but would love to hear your suggestions for office breakfast upgrades as well! IMG_4641 (640x478)

Crunchy Cinnamon Oats

1/2 cup Quaker or Irish Oats

1/8 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1 sliced banana

1/2 cup to 1 cup water or milk to reach desired thickness

1 Tsp cinnamon

1 Tsp nutmeg

1 drizzle agave or sugar free syrup

Combine first six ingredients and mix thoroughly, ensuring that all oats are moist. Drizzle agave or syrup over the oat mixture. Heat in microwave for 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to ensure the oats don’t bubble over.  Enjoy!

IMG_4500 Cinnamon Pumpkin Oats

1/2 cup Quaker or Irish Oats

1/8 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/4 to 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 to 1/2 cup water or milk to reach desired thickness

1 Tsp cinnamon

1 Tsp nutmeg

1 drizzle agave or sugar free syrup

Combine first six ingredients and mix thoroughly, ensuring that all oats are moist. Drizzle agave or syrup over the oat mixture. Heat in microwave for 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to ensure the oats don’t bubble over.  While these aren’t very photogenic they are very tasty!

Question: Do your breakfast choices change with the season? If so, what is your favorite Fall breakfast creation that can be prepared at the office?

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