Ragnar

My husband and I are training to run a Ragnar relay race here in DC/MD.  I'm excited, but running on a 'team' kinda stresses me out a bit.  I don't want to let my team down - and to be honest - I'm a bit intimidated by some of them, especially by their speed.  I just looked up my average pace when I ran the SLC half marathon back in 2009 and it was about 12 minutes per mile.  I ran 4 miles this evening and my pace is about the same.  I would love to figure out a way to train to gain a faster pace/speed, but more than that - I would love to lose weight.  Since having a baby about a year ago - I'm back into those size 12 pants.  I have a closet full of 10's and 8's and would love to get back into them.  I've decided to turn back to this blog to talk about each day and report to you how I've done.  Ragnar is September 23rd and 24th which means I have about 10 weeks.  Matt and I are plan on running a 1/2 marathon in Florida about 4 weeks after Ragnar.  I'm excited that we are doing this together because in the past it always seemed like when I was into running Matt wasn't and when Matt was into running I wasn't.  Ha!  Finally, we are in this together.  So, here's my 10-week plan that I've come up with.  I found this weight loss program on runners world and I'm going to put it to the test.

Losing weight while running/training.

Weight loss Plan (Food):

1. Calorie total each day:  1780 (assuming that I burn 300).
2.  Small meals – 3 types of food in each, ‘bucket’ such as fruits and vegetables, grains, and protein like low-fat dairy and lean meats. 
3. 55-65 percent of the calories should be from carbs (whole-grain breads, fruites); 10 to 15 percent from protein (chicken, beans); and 20 to 30 percent from unsaturated fats (olive oil, walnuts).
4. Track calories – calorieking.com and round to the nearest 50
5. Post a calorie list on fridge for the 20 foods you eat most often.

Training Plan (Exercise):

1. Run 4 or 5 days a week
2. Once a week do a tempo run to burn calorie burn.  Slow down for long runs (at least 30 minutes) so body uses fat, not carbs, for energy.
3. Log stats with Garmin for a sense of accomplishments.
4. Go to kick boxing each Wednesday
5. Do core strengthening with exercise ball 3 days a week.

 Here's to a better ME!