Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gliding.

You know that feeling you have when you run strong up and over a hill that normally kicks your butt, and you're gliding through a flat patch and that easy downhill is within sight?

I had that feeling through my whole run tonight and it was marvelous.

I attribute my good run to how I ate today. Lately, I've been trying to eat more of the good stuff (fruits, veggies, lean protein, low-fat dairy, etc.) and less of the not-so-good stuff (mountains of jellybeans, scoops of melted cheese, assorted junk food, etc.). I've also been trying to eat a little more regularly, with smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. Today, I had success. I started the day with a bowl of mini-wheats, had a mid-morning snack of almonds, a lunch of leftover veggie soup and a mid-afternoon snack of half a cinnamon-raisin bagel. In the morning I drank coffee and then switched over to water.

By the time I headed out for my run I was neither hungry nor thirsty. Nor was I crampy from chomping on some last minute dried cranberries or some such thing before I headed out.

Eating has such an impact on running. When I eat well, I run well. Most of the time, that is. Sometimes there are other issues but, for the most part, it is true: Eat well, run well.

So, I'll continue to strive to eat better and hope that by doing so, my running will improve. Now, I will not become some kind of strict health-food-only maniac. I will still eat ice cream. I will still have a cocktail now and then, and French fries, nachos, burgers and all that. But, I will make most of what I eat the healthy, good stuff. Runs like today's run have made me a believer!

7 comments:

J said...

Glad that the run went well. I know what you mean about other things affecting the run but its great when everything works out and eating well makes you run well!

tfh said...

I love those runs! And it's great that you can actually feel a connection between your healthy eating and your run-- I find that's the best kind of motivation. I too have been trying to eat more frequently and it definitely makes a (positive) difference in my energy levels.

Marcy said...

YAY! Sounds like a lovely run!

I know it, when I eat well my running is well. So why can't I do it? GAH!

Aron said...

sounds like an amazing run!!! i am really good about my eating but wow can i tell if i have eaten something bad!

Aileen said...

Now that's a post that sums up my eating habits too! Well...mostly anyway. Good work!

Steve Stenzel said...

YAY for the gliding!!! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Days when everything come together are wonderful. Way to eat healthy too. Keep working at it.

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