18 Miles and Tri Clinic in Between!

What a day!
I spent the majority of the day working out! I met a fab gal to run with this morning and we hammered out 7 miles, then headed to the gym for a spinning class, followed by swim drills, then back on the road for another 10 plus miles! Whew!
I have yet to find the best recovery foods. My stomach, ever since going vegan, is very touchy on what it will tolerate during and after a run. Suggestions?
I did find an energy food yesterday and tried those in between. They are called Simbree energy bites (I have the almond pistachio). I think they taste great and my stomach was fine when I ate them after class and before the run #2.
My run went a little slower than usual but it seemed best since the added training in between was more than I am used to. Love my new shoes. My IT band had been really tight so I went to the local running store and they hooked me up with Lunarglides (love the name and color!) and a pair of Saucony Guides. The Lunarglides got me through the miles today (bless them) and no pain!
I saw someone in class with Bondi Bands! I am going to order some TODAY! I think it is a sign that they are everywhere I look!
I am recovering slowly. Have my compression socks on (love them) and the man helped me stretch real good. I am going to stretch again before bed (early one tonight!).
Excited for the Madison Marathon...I just hope the sister is healed and ready to run with me!

New Days are a Comin'

Went to my first Tri clinic today and am amazed that when one is given the feedback and proper instruction on things like form and speed...one can do amazing things!
I joined this 8 week training program because this is my first Triathlon and I am a runner. Not a swimmer, not a biker. A runner.
A runner will run, most times, before doing any other form of exercise. At least I do. Maybe that's why I am also becoming more injury-prone?
So- I feel like I can swim now. The bike thing- eh. I need some cushion shorts and maybe I will feel better about that part.

Interesting conversation followed class today. I had asked when I should run my long runs now with the tri clinic being on Sundays. Keep running them Saturdays or run them the same day as the tri clinic?
What is your mileage?
My last long, long run was 16 miles?
What???

So- to make a long conversation shorter I came home with the impression that I should only be running 13-15 miles on my long runs. I have run my last three marathons peaking at 20 miles, then tapering.
I am looking for more information on this, since all the training plans I have seen consist of long runs gradually increasing to 20-22 miles (with recovery weeks splashed here and there) then a taper before the race.

Any thoughts on this one??

So Much to Know!

I feel like I have a pretty good handle on eating Vegan. The hardest part for me has been explaining to people why I am choosing to eliminate certain things from my diet. When I mention Food Inc. as one of my inspirations many people make the statement "I like to eat and am afraid that movie will make me not want to eat what I like."
My response: "You should watch it BECAUSE you eat!"
I am making progress with my sister who has recently purchased chicken with no antibiotics or growth hormones. Baby steps...
I just finished 'The Omnivore's Dilemma. I loved it! I made small changes to my already limited diet while reading this book. The section on organic foods was a real eye opener.Definately a suggested reading.
I am now on the prowl for safe make-up...Vegan foundation if you will.
Suggestions are welcome!
Had an 8 mile long run in prep for my marathon in May. It went suprisingly well after two days totally off. My body had some adjustments to make last week to this new way of eating. I was absolutely exhausted and nauseated most of Thursday and Friday. I slept over twelve hours Friday night into Saturday...I guess it was my body's way of saying "Whoah!". This week I have been vigilant about taking my multi and changing my running days so that they are not on the same day as my kickboxing. Stay tuned for that change's effects!
I have been truly inspired by the upcoming Olympic games and feel myself pushing a little harder through weight training and running a little quicker on the treadmill (snow, snow, snow!). I just wish that there was a tv station that continuosly played "behind the scenes" with athletes, training videos of well-known runners, etc. That would be so inspirational!
Stay warm and try to look at the sunny side if you, like me, are in those places where snow has seemed to take over!

Being a Runner and Being a Vegan

One of my most recent endeavors involved becoming a vegan. Why? Because if I am going to recycle, educate myself on living a lifestyle that helps to sustain the planet, and preach about the waste, pollution, energy consumption, and the disregard people have for the demise of our planet...well, then I should probably not be staring at a steak in front of me, knowing the path that steak took to get to my plate and the effects its path on the earth. And because I would never eat my cat, so why eat any other animal?
So, here I sit, with The Kind Diet in hand, on my way to becoming a "Superhero" (in every sense of the word). In case you have no idea what The Kind Diet is, I encourage you to check out the website www.thekindlife.com and get to know Ms. Alicia, buy the book and bask in the knowledge she offers.
I consider myself to be pretty aware of what is taking its toll on this planet and what we can do to lessen our carbon footprints but feel like I still learned a lot from just the first few chapters in her book....plus the recipes sound delightful!
As a runner, and training for another marathon, I feel like I need to be very careful about what I put in my body. So, in addition to The Kind Diet I also follow Thrive in 30. Through Brendan Brazier's "lessons" I am learning how a vegan lifestyle is the leading factor in a healthy, energy heightened, performance enhancing, endurance-based lifestyle.
I didn't create this blog to dwell on any particular topic...I have many ideas, hobbies, interests, and goals and through this blog I plan to share, inspire, educate, learn, reach, plan, and create. Welcome!