I am really struggling with winter running this year.
However, truthfully, this happens every year, but the last few years were a little different. Last winter, all I wanted to do was to be able to run pain-free, the year before that it wasn’t a very cold winter, and three winters ago I was just a few months postpartum, so I wasn’t doing much running and even baby steps were huge accomplishments with a newborn!
It has been so hard not to compare myself to two years ago when things seemed to be clicking along so well. I was just a year postpartum, but I was hitting a lot of hard workouts and feeling really well. This year my legs feel sluggish all the time and any fast paces on the treadmill feel impossible.
I was really beating myself up after this attempted progressively-faster workout on the treadmill yesterday morning that I had to cut short.
1 mile @ 8:30
1 mile @ 8:00
2 miles @ 7:30
2 miles @ 7:15
2 miles @ 6:45
I wanted to do 1 mile @ 6:30 pace, 0.5 mile @ 6:15, and then a 0.5 cool-down, but I could barely hang on to that 6:45 pace.
I went home moping about my failed workout, complaining to Craig. He reminded me that I am more fit than I was last year, and I always struggle with running during the winter. We laid out a plan of attack for the next few months, and he made me feel much better about my current state with running. I’ve always said he is my assistant coach.
I am not over being motivated by new clothes to go for a run! I got this new jacket from Lululemon and a pair of fleece-lined tights, and they definitely motivated me to get out the door for some early morning chilly runs!
jacket | tights | shoes (similar) | neck warmer
If you have never kept track of your workouts (even if your workouts involve several forms of exercise!), I’d highlight recommend picking up a training log/journal. I love keeping track with pen and paper and being able to easily flip through a book to look back at past years and previous workouts. Sometimes it is motivating, sometimes it is demoralizing, but I have been keeping track for over 10 years and have all of my log books stacked together that I reference frequently. This Compete Training Journal is one of my favorites, and I’ve also had the Believe Training Journal.
I’ve been making this smoothie most days–especially after a workout.
Banana Almond Butter Protein Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 banana
1 scoop collagen peptides
1 scoop Vega vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 teaspoon chia seeds
handful of ice
Nutrition stats: 388 calories | 28g carbs | 12g fat | 40g protein
Blend together in a high-speed powered blender. We’ve been using this Vitamix for 4 years pretty much every day and love it!
After posting about this high protein smoothie, my coach share this article with me that actually says your body can only absorb so much protein at once. I had no idea! I guess I need to cut back on the protein a little bit in this smoothie.
I love what Beautycounter has done for my skin. I feel so confident in a “naked” face without any makeup. In the past I’ve dealt with blemishes, dry skin, oily skin, and redness, but I finally love how healthy my skin feels and looks. All with safe, non-toxic skin care products.
One of Cullen’s Christmas gifts was a new big boy bed! My father-in-law built it for him, and Craig and my dad stained it. It looks so nice, and he will be able to use for many years.
Cullen and I got our hair cut (and I got mine colored) last week, and he looks like such a little man!
I am loving this cold shoulder cable-knit sweater I picked up recently. Maybe a cold shoulder sweater in the winter is a little crazy here, but I don’t care.
