Post Run Munchies

Never have I felt so in need of food after a run. I guess I ate pretty light and pretty healthy today. I ran 5 miles at the gym, lifted a few free weights, did some death sit ups (where you balance on your butt and extend the arms and legs out simultaneously and then pull them back in) and afterward guzzled a bunch of water and decided to treat myself to sorbet (which turned into gelato) but I didn't eat too much of the bad stuff, especially since I need to eat right during my training. And then it hit me. I needed protein STAT. So I ran downstairs and cooked up some chicken, mixed it with some leftover rice and stir fry veggies all in about a 5 minute prep time and I must have finished that plate in 3 minutes. Anyway, this hasn't happened to me before and I thought it was kind of funny/shows me that I need to pay more attention to what I eat and how I'm eating before/after runs--especially after so that I can recover.

The run tonight was a really positive run. I've been feeling quite down lately and was having a serious case of cabin fever and having negative thoughts. I let it get to me and slept sooo much over the past few days to pass time. I had no motivation. Today I woke up at 2pm because I had insomnia 'til 4am, but then I was like, you know what? screw this. I'm being productive with my day. And I was. And on the treadmill (I was dreading the treadmill today), I kept thinking about why I run and thinking about how good I felt, I got lost in my music and the rhythm of my run. I kept thinking about my goals--running goals and goals for life in general--goals for the coming semester included. At mile 4 I was having a tough time with side stitches, but I pushed myself through the last mile, including several sets of sprints. I feel so much better after I run--I sleep better, I worry less, I'm proud of myself. It's intense how much running has such positive effects on my life. I like how it pushes me to get better too and these next few months will be the ultimate test--the true test of my willpower.

Tomorrow is my first day of training. I'm going to be doing a mixture of yoga and pilates to fulfill my strength training requirement for the day. Here goes nothin'.