This morning, I woke up feeling so sore after yesterday’s Body Pump class. I don’t think there was a single muscle in my entire body that wasn’t sore. But, I’m training for a marathon, so I sucked it up and went out for a 4-mile run after breakfast.
For the past 6 weeks, I’ve pushed myself to get faster and stronger on each and every workout. Today, however, I gave my body a little break. It was tired, my muscles were sore, and my motivation wasn’t at its highest. I followed my Team In Training milage plan and took it easy.
I’m not going to lie, I struggled– both mentally and physically– to get through today’s run. I finished in 37:40 (9:25 pace), which isn’t a bad time at all, but it wasn’t a pretty run. I felt like crap at times, especially on the hills, but a few of my favorite exercise mantras from my blog buddies got me through it:
- You’re stronger than you think – Angela of Oh She Glows
- Running is a privilege – Jessica of A Fete For Food
- Exercise should make you strong, not thin – Katie of Sweet Tater
Saying these mantras over and over in my head really helped me keep moving today. I actually use them frequently during workouts– from Body Pump to hot yoga, not just running. It’s amazing what a little mental toughness can do for a workout. I swear, these mantras make all the difference sometimes.
When I returned from my run, I stretched, iced my hip, and showered. Then, it was time to bake. I’m tell ya, the baking urge strikes out of the blue for me! 😉 I also had a ripe banana and a quarter of a bag of chocolate chips on hand, which meant (a small batch of) Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. (I guess Kath’s post last night inspired me!)
I forgot how much I love these cookies.
Lunch
For lunch, I paired three Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies with leftover White Bean, Tuna, and Potato Salad.
And two pieces of homemade garlic bread.
Seriously, someone needs to take the Garlic Gold away from me. I cannot get enough of it! I just finished eating, but I already want more of it.
FYI: These are my “practice” cookies for Cookie Friday tomorrow! 
This meal was sooooo filling. I am stuffed.
Ahhhh! Our Team In Training fundraiser is tonight! I hope people come!!
P.S. For those of you who asked about Murphy’s vitamins, the bottle says: GlenHaven A2/N Nutrients. It’s actually a doggie skin supplement with Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids and antioxidants. Murphy does have nice skin. He must have read My Healthy Skin Routine post! 😉
Holy fudge those cookies looks awesome!
Sounds like that was a really intense Body Pump last night! You gotta kind of like post-workout soreness, though. It hurts so good 😛
Those cookies look great! Garlic gold sounds incredible, I must try that! Check out my new POST on how to save calories at sbux! I just baked some ICED PUMPKIN OATMEAL RAISIN cookies today. Post to come soon!
Yesterday, I went running for the first time in months and it was really tough! I think the mantras could have definitely helped me.
I have the urge to bake all the time!! The only problem…..I eat it all!! 🙂
We talked about mantras or “cues” all the time in sports psychology!! Instead of focusing on the great big picture of running x amount of miles, focus on a few little things you have control over!! And keep repeating those to yourself! Or another option that I use in running is, “Okay make run through this song!!” Then I’ll make it through it and the next one will start, and I’ll think, “Okay, you made it through the last one, this is a great song, let’s run through this one!” And before you know it, you’ve accomplished what you set out to do! 🙂
Focus and control are two of the biggest aspects to success!! 🙂 Control your emotions and thoughts by focusing on your cues and what you have control over! 😉
It’s never too early to get ready for cookie friday! 😀
I actually find it to be AWESOME that people even asked about Murphy’s vitamin regimin. That is so funny.
Baking strikes me out of the blue too – then I get mad when I have no ingredients.
I am constantly using Caitlin’s mantra…”Pain is temporary, quitting is forever”. But I’m going to have to pick up Angela’s “You’re Stronger than You Think”. That will really help keep me pumped!
I’m definitely making those cookies…..
I don’t know which looks better: the toast or the cookie! I could definitely go for both. 😉
I appreciate the honestly of this post so much. I have been working hard on my own running training and yesterday went out for a superbly sub-par run that just felt gross. Sometimes when you’re training and have a bad day, it can feel so isolating “why do people do this so easily when I seem to struggle.” Especially in the blog world, it is nice to hear that people have bad days too, especially when they are people who I think of as strong, fit, and awesome runners 🙂 You guys are doing so awesome with your training and fundraising, good luck with everything!!
great job! I really enjoy crossing workouts off my training schedule!
Running absolutely is a privilege – I’ve had a toe issue for about 18 months now and haven’t been able to do *any* form of exercse, let alone running. I’ve simply had to accept that that’s what my life is (and to be honest, it hasn’t been too hard to swap the gym for extra peanut butter brownies…)
cookies look so yum,..
Thanks so much for sharing those exercise mantras! They will definitely be useful when I am struggling through a tough workout or run. I have heard the mantra, “Exercise should make you strong, not thin” and it really resonates with me. Sometimes I feel as if people workout to try and acheive what, in their eyes, is the perfect body. I must admit I have been guilty of having that perspective myself, but that quote really makes me think about how working out is more than just for physical appearance it is to promote overall health and happiness. Thanks again for this post. It really got me thinking about how I should appreciate all of the runs and workouts my body allows me to complete rather than seeing working out as a way to make myself “look better.”
Great to see those mantras helped ya out there Tina!! It really is amazing how sometimes a little quote, song, or picture can fully motivate you to keep going. Tonight my pilates class got cancelled which I had been SO READY for! but since I was already at the gym and set on getting a little sweat on I got on the elliptical and just pushed it out as long as I could. I think the thought from lululemon motivates me the most : “sweat at least once a day”
I love those mantras! I once read that the main thing that helps people lost in the wilderness is a positive attitude/hope/something to live for. I can’t remember exactly, but basically thinking positive. Since then I always think about that when I am biking up HUGE hills or anything I find challenging (sometimes even holding out till lunch!)
It has really made a difference in how I do things. I think I am going to make a mental note of those mantras though, put em to use!
I loved that post, and your blog as a whole. You are most def one of my favorite pleacs to stop and pass some time. Thank you for all that you do.
I just got my first bottle of Garlic Gold gold nuggets the other day. I can’t wait to try it after hearing all these raves about it!!!
I find visualization works really well when working out too!
Those are some awesome mantras. I’ll have to work them into my rotation of things to think on while I run — I sometimes find myself making up my own profanity while running, so this will be a nice change of pace. Ha ha ha!
On my RoadID bracelet, I had the last line reserved for a motivational phrase. It says —
“Chipotle: It’s Waiting.”
‘Nuf said there, right? 😉