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So I can run and chew at the same time

Yup, just realized that this morning.  I couldn’t seem to focus on my running and chew at the same time.  is it just me or do I have some type of deficiency :/

That’s all really had nothing much to post about today. oh and it started raining while I was out raining and you would think it would make move faster but nope… kept on slowly moving along.

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Why are Kenyan runners so fast……

EDIT:First off I guess I should include a disclaimer. The podcast is a bit graphic and talks about FGM and male circumcision. And it does not really answer the question as to why kenyans are fast runners

So first off I am a podcast runner. Which just means I would rather run to a podcast than to music. it just lets me zone out and not even remember that I am running. My top three faves are

  1. Radiolab
  2. Wait Wait don’t tell me
  3. Car Talk. YESSS I listen to click and clack the tappet brothers. Before you raise an eyebrow, I just want to remind you they have won a Peabody.

Anyways the whole point being Radiolab is something I listen to every time there is a new podcast. It comes out WNYC.

Last night I listened to this podcast trying to figure out why Kenyan runners have dominated long distant running. And Its not just all Kenyans, because as a Kenyan myself, I SUCK!!!! It is specific to the Kalenjin tribe who live in the Rift Valley. Well we know its not climate because I actually live in the same town as all the runners who win marathons and as I mentioned earlier I SUCK!!!

Anyways they come down to the fact that some cultural practices that reward the ability to withstand pain.  There is a point at which when your body just gives up and it is those people who can push past that whose pain threshold is higher than most than can run 4 minute miles for 26 miles.

The statistics are staggering and it’s a really interesting podcast and I would encourage all to listen. Especially those who love to run.

Here is a link to the podcast. Or you can get it on iTunes.

http://www.radiolab.org/story/runners/

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Taking it one day at a time

 

It’s not the end of the world. So today I didn’t work out or I didn’t eat well, tomorrow is still another day to make it work.

My new goal is for my weight to go down. To become healthy and most importantly to ran longer and faster.

If I have done something good for my body then it has been a good day.

 

My goal for this week is to track every single morsel that enters my mouth. I used to be very good at this. I think at one point I have a run of over 200 days logging into my fitnesspal. And those were the days when I was most successful.

So, one goal this week. No need to make it more complicated than it has to be.

 

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There is something about running after it rains.

 

So first of, Happy birthday to me. And I celebrated this morning by running a 5 Miler. I think being older has made me wiser. Look at all the great decisions I have made. I woke up at 5:30 am today and it was raining. First thought was YAY! great excuse not to go run. So I rolled over and back to sleep I went. woke up 20 minutes later and the rain had stopped and here is were the older and wiser comes in. I put on my clothes and went out for 5 miles. Yay! to being older.

It was such a great run. there is something about running after it rains that makes you feel like mother nature is on your side. there is a nice cool breeze that seems to push you faster and cool you down at the same time. everything seems greener and the smell of the wet earth rejuvenates.

on a different note I need more Nike friends to compete with. So if you use Nike running to track your runs please let me know. we can be buddies 🙂

I made a food plan for the week. I’ll post that later after I food prep and take pics.

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It’s the first of the month ergo challenge time

My goal is to defeat the demon that keeps me from finishing this 30 day challenges. I am going to really try and keep myself accountable and finish it this time. i think I should motivate myself with a little reward after. if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

I got this from the 30-Day challenge website. they have challenges for everything. check it out http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/classes/30-day-abs-challenge/

I also started my Run everyday November challlenge. Im still recovering from my Half marathon so I just walked 4.5 miles this morning.

since its the first of the month I also weighed in at a saddening 181.0 lbs. This just makes me want to cry since i was doing so well last year. My goal is to get to 175  by the end of the month. I think giving myself small goals is the way to go. this was I am  not putting too much pressure on myself. Still haven’t decided wether i will be weighing in weekly or at the end of the month.

Today i have a meeting with my gym instructor. we are going to come up with a full body strength workout session that I can do 3 times a week. I also have my friday kickboxing classes that are MURDER.  So there is my fitness plan for the month. Now if I can only get my eating in check i think this month might just be killer. especially since it’s my birthday month.  which is 3 days away… :O getting older.

 

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MY Half- MArathon Recap

Yup!!! I did it all 21KMS/31.1mi

I should probably start with the obligatory apology: Sorry I have been away for eons but school has been a B.  The good news is that I have still been running and have even been averaging 100 mi a month.

I was running the Nairobi Stanchart marathon on Sunday and thought I should share it with you amazing guys.

The week before the marathon I was a mess. I was suffering from a case of the nerveees and major self-doubt.

But the morning of I was feeling a little better about myself. I got to the start at around 6:50 and was there in time for the start of the 42KM tricycle race and 21KM wheelchair race. I mean RESPECT to those guys. Can you imagine peddling one of these for 42Km or propelling a wheelchair for 21KMS?  This is the stuff that really shows us what the human spirit can do.

starting point

 

amputees doing the full marathon tri cycle race!! WOW

 

I was super excited about the start of the 42KM. I mean this is Nairobi Kenya so what are the odds that there are a few famous runners around. I did not manage to snap any but these guys are a work of art. Their bodies are something else. No ounce of fat and nothing but muscles on their legs and their strides are long and rhythmic. I could watch these guys forever.

starting point before countdown

off they went

 

I mean Wilson Kipsand just broke a new record last month running at 2:03:23 and if that number isn’t impressive enough for you just go out to your local track and try run a lap in 70 seconds. Then do it again 105 times. Yes!!!!!! That’s how fucking nuts it is.

Anyways I was a screaming nuut case when the elite runners set off and I knew in about 30 minutes it would be time for the 21KM guys to set off. I was pumped and full of energy.

Waiting for the start

Waiting for the start

Me an my little brother before the race

Me an my little brother before the race

 

There is something about the adrenaline rush you get when you are about to do something that majority of the people think is nuts.  I was really on a natural high and my fist mile was a complete breeze and so was the next 5 miles.

When I hit the 6-7 miles I was seriously hitting a bit of a struggle I made the mistake that I was afraid of the most. I STARTED TOO FAST. I mean I have read enough articles and run enough to know that that starting too fast is the worst thing one can do. I was clearing 2 minutes off my training mile time. So my last half was a complete struggle and I thought I would get a better time but I clocked in a 2:41 and I am super duper excited that I did it in less than 3 hrs.

The last mile was the longest of my life. I was seriously thinking I should get into the struggle bus. But there was no way I could live with myself I had given up so quick to the finish line.

this was me the last mile

this was me the last mile

I know now I am not ready for a FULL. I mean the last time I did a Full DNF at 30 KM. I need to seriously work on my weight loss if a full is anywhere in my future. So now I have set myself a type of deadline. If I can have lost 20KG by the time the next Stanchart marathon comes around, I will register for the full. The weight loss however is not the only condition. I need to maintain at least 120 miles a month until the said time.  but for now I will celebrate my Half- Marathon accomplishment  and enjoy my medal.

YAY medalsss :) :)

YAY medalsss 🙂 🙂

I really miss blogging on a regular basis. Im thinking about making November a blog everyday challenge just so I can get back into the grove of things. I might have to make it more journal like and not focus only on vegetarianism and running. maybe I could start gossiping about my friends :/