Eating and Breathing though training

-Every step toward your dream today is a step from your regret tomorrow-

Dr. Steve Maraboli

Lately, I have been trying to change my running and fitness outlook in order to be a stronger and faster runner.

The first thing that I have radically changed is the way I eat. My good friend, Kelly Strogen is a nutritionist (you can find her work and her blog here. Most health care plans cover several visits to a nutritionist). Currently, I am calculating what I eat to try to maintain the proper amount of whole grains, fruits, veggies, dairy, protein. I’m also involved in a program through the blogger Sherrie-Scaglione Castellano, who promotes a more green diet and was named the best health food blogger in Be Well Philly.  With Food and Love is a great resource for recipes and wellness. While I ate some pizza (about 3 slices) on Sunday night, I’m working to feel better in my body to run better.

While I enjoy practicing and teaching yoga, as well as recreational swimming (which I do 1-2 times a week), I noticed that I could be utilizing my breath more when I run. When I first starting practicing yoga, I realized that when poses became too difficult, I forgot to breathe. I use my breath to deepen poses in yoga now and help me move through the practice more calmly. Running for me should be like my meditation. Budd Coates’ book, Running on Air, is inspiring to help me breathe and focus on running.

So, will this help me November 1st for the Monumental Indianapolis Marathon? Each day is a new journey, and a step toward the right direction.

My green smoothie snack (for two)

1 apple sliced

1 plum sliced

1 banana

1 cup regular unsweetened almond milk

1 cup water

1 tablespoon hemp seed

2-4 handfuls of kale and spinach leaves

6 ounces Kefir (I like Lifeway’s Strawberry)

Fall Running Trail...Beautiful!          

Me and Sean after 20 miles!            

Jackpot celebrates his first birthday in the mountains!