Happy Thanksgiving.

In case you were wondering 'bout them 'taters . . .

 

I couldn't resist! 

Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 

 

Grain Brain challenge wrap-up.

 The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Grain Brain. Opinions expressed are entirely my own!

Four weeks ago, I started the Grain Brain Challenge and now I'm here to let you know how I fared.

But first, let me give you a little reminder of what Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, recommends for optimal brain health:

Good fats from eating olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, fish, grass-fed beef, goat cheese, and fish oils are fundamental for health, while carb-derived calories as one might get from things like bread, pasta, potatoes, below-ground veggies, fruit and fruit juices are things you want to avoid on a brain-healthy diet. -- Dr. David Perlmutter (via Facebook)

I started on the challenge 4 weeks ago, focusing on food, sleep, exercise and supplements, as laid out in the book.

For me, the challenge wasn't all that hard. I've been following a Paleo diet for a while now and the recommendations in Grain Brain are similar. There are differences, of course, but I didn't have to make the same sort of changes as someone who has been eating grains on the reg.

Basically, I stuck to eating lots of vegetables and high-quality protein and good fat.

Avocados! Such good fat.

I also experimented with . . . READ MORE -------> http://happyrunnergiveaways.blogspot.com/2013/11/grain-brain-challenge-wrap-up.html

Running Me.

Right now, I'm a month away from the banner day of the half marathon. A month and about 60 miles. Maybe not even.

In other words . . . I haven't run much since crossing the line with a new half marathon PR.

Oh, that was such an awesome day!

I knew it was coming. And yet, well, I've been feeling a little like I'm letting Running Me down. Resting Me is perfectly happy, of course. So is Cross-training Me. But Running Me? I'm not so sure.

Running Me is sick and tired of having days and days go by without a run. Of having potential running time taken up with blood-work and mammograms, or ruined by really, really crummy weather. Of having the Most Frustrating Injury EVER continue to flare up each week.

Running Me just wants to freaking run already!

Running Me, let me tell you something: I'm getting there.

Yesterday, I ran with Bridget and it was great. Five miles. Some twists, some turns, some hills, lots of chit-chat. It was just what I needed. I was sick on Saturday and still feeling blah and a run with a good friend was the perfect tonic.

We ran easy but at a good pace and we talked about tons of different things and before I knew it, the run was over. So, of course, we stood around after the run, talking about more stuff. It was good to catch up, and great to run.

Running Me was totally happy.

Thanks for the run, BG!

Hope you all had a good weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

October recap.

My mileage for October was down, just as I expected. Leading up to the half marathon, I had two taper weeks and then, after the half, I didn't run at all for a whole week. Since I started running again, I've taken it easy and haven't piled on too many miles.

I also had to take another extended rest -- of 4 days -- last week because my hip was troubling me. I have 0% interest in suffering through another injury-induced long layoff so I figured a short but extended rest would be exactly what I needed. And it was. After the 4 days off, my hip felt fine again. Here's how October looked for me.

October stats:

Running (miles): 67.2
Racing: 1 -- the Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon (and a new PR!)

My plan for November and December is to keep my weekly mileage consistent, but easy and down in the 16-20 mile range. I also plan to do a fair bit of cross training. I won't race in November but I hope to run most of the HMRCC Winter Series (free!) races that start up in December.

Happy November, everyone. Thanks for stopping by!