this tastes like...garbage!

I'm on a medication right now that I have to take for 90 days and one of the side effects that can happen is loss of taste. Well, I started noticing something a little "off" a few weeks ago. Things weren't necessarily bad at this point but obviously heading in that direction. The fruit I have been eating began to taste odd. It's hard to describe....

As of late

What's been happening?? I have a 20k race scheduled for Saturday and the weather looks questionable so I am betting on the fact that the trails will be muddy and I'm going to get drenched. I've been sticking with mostly Body Pump and Spinning since I'm pretty burnt out on running right now from training for the Mega.

My Ode to Spin and other fun workouts

I've pretty much been obsessed with spin for about a month now. I used to supplement my running with elliptical workouts but switched it up with spin class. The great thing about this indoor cycling class is the fact that everyone can do this. I've seen people in my classes as young as 14 and as old as 70.I should point out that your class experience will depend on your instructor. I have been in classes with instructors who have horrible music and no energy. Ugh. The class drags. I really like three of my current instructors and try not to attend the classes of the other ones. I usually bike about 26 miles per class. I am loving it!

So, this picture here:

Arms a Blazin

Ever been to a Body Pump class? Love it! Bodypump is a full-body workout; a mix of aerobic exercise and weight training. During a 1 hour (or 45 minute) class you will target all your major muscle groups using a barbell, bench and weights. All movement is choreographed to a music track which is especially designed for the classes.

Megatransect 2012 Recap

I completed the 26+ (I clocked 29.44 miles) Megatransect in Central PA on September 29, 2012. Check out this topographic map:

Salt! Friend or Foe?

Salt. Friend or Foe? I've been experimenting with lowering my sodium intake quite significantly since sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure/ hypertension. Last Summer, when I was training for the Rochester Marathon, I just kept my sodium intake normal and didn't really think much about it. I think I started this reduced sodium diet around February while also in the midst of increasing mileage and beginning to train for the Mega. The result; is not what I had expected at all. It seems now, that any salt intake immediately results in water weight, bloat and retention that just doesn't go away. I honestly think a low sodium diet and marathon training is not working for me. I'm slowly starting to go back to my normal salt intake and get my body back to being able to process the salt and not bloat me up like a whale. The combination of glycogen storage in my muscles after long runs, bloat from sodium and tired legs is making for one grumpy runner. There is nothing worse than running 40 miles a week and gaining 4lbs of flab, which seems to just love hanging out on my face and abs. Joy! Retention, in any form, is not comfortable. I've increased my sodium intake a little this past week alone and I've already noticed a difference. My sausage fingers are gone!

Why I Love Running

Ah Sweet, Sweet Serenity. Running, to me, is like a meditation. Most of the time, I am thinking about all sorts of weird things (i distinctly remember itemizing all the things I would do with my 205 million dollar lottery winnings during my run on Sunday) and sometimes, there's literally nothing going on upstairs. Both are fine. I'm running, on average, around 128 miles a month right now. That's a lot of meditation. Chemically, I am addicted to the endorphins released in my brain while running (Hello Runners High!) and physically, running is the only thing that feels like a true work out. (Sorry Elliptical, things just aren't working out...haha) I do, however, supplement with the Elliptical during the week. My reasoning is simple:

1. I feel that I'm saving my joints a little bit by doing some of my mileage on the Elliptical and then, years and years down the line, when I am still running, my knees, ankles, hips will still cooperate.
2. Running shoes are damn expensive! Again, I'm cheap. I'm stretching my dollar just a little bit by supplementing with the Elliptical and lengthening the life of my shoes.
3. Sometimes it's nice to hop onto the Elliptical and watch a show while I work out. (even if it's Jersey Shore...)

I still feel like I'm cheating on running but running will just have to understand. Variety is the spice of life.