changing it up

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Kelly

Is it me, or is blogging just not that fun anymore? Sometimes I find myself getting more annoyed with the blog/social media world (why yes, you are qualified to give nutrition advice if you post pictures of your meals, call yourself a “healthy living blogger” or take a one day nutrition course, or hey, why not just talk about things because you got them for free) than anything else. I mostly blog because I like talking about running and food and sometimes nutrition (which I would be qualified to give advice about), and read other blogs because they inspire, motivate and/or make me laugh.

Maybe I need to overhaul my Google Reader, or maybe I’m just a little cranky (<– probably both).

Anyways, I don’t feel much like blogging right now but I’m going to anyways because I did something really weird yesterday:

IMG_2503

1:00 p.m.

I ran in the afternoon!

I know. Living on the edge over here. My intestines are still an absolute hot mess, and I woke up Wednesday morning with zero desire to run. That never happens. Since I had the day off work and class wasn’t until 6:45 p.m., I decided to let my stomach settle and see if a run later in the day would be more agreeable. I haven’t run in a non-early morning hour probably in a good 4-5 years (at least), so this was pretty much uncharted territory. It was strange going about my day without having started it with a run, which usually makes me cranky, but knowing I would still get to run later, which was nice to look forward to.

I set out around 1:00 p.m. after a light lunch around noon, and at first was a little apprehensive. What are all of these people doing outside?? The pre-dawn hours, obviously, are a bit quieter in the city. But as I got going the run felt pretty good, I had a ton of energy and didn’t hate the bright sunny skies. Perhaps there is an afternoon runner lurking within this strict morning person?

The most exciting part of the run is that I had no GI issues whatsoever, which may have been a small miracle on its own. I’ve been making tweaks to my diet as well, but maybe changing around my run times a bit may be necessary until whatever is going on inside my gut decides to heal (sorry I’m not sorry for the TMI).

One thing I admire about some of my other runner friends is their flexibility to run “whenever” – I never thought I could do it or was never willing to do it because of my OMG MUST START THE DAY WITH A RUN EARLY OR ELSE mentality. I am most definitely not a flexible person (well, only literally), and even though it seems small, this whole running at a different time thing is a big deal for me. If I can be flexible in my running life, hopefully it’ll translate to other aspects of my extremely rigid, Type A to the max currently making me crazy life. One can hope, right?

Questions: Tell me some new blogs to read? Are you flexible with your run times or strictly a morning/afternoon/evening runner? Favorite time to run?

This entry was posted in marathon training, Ponderings, Running and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • Ali

    Overhaul your Google Reader! Seriously. I did a major cleanse recently and I’m so much happier. You don’t even realize how toxic some of the stuff you’re reading is until you ditch it for good.

    I’m sorry to hear your stomach is giving you troubles. I know our issues are probably very different, but when I’m super sick, I can’t run in the morning and usually have much better luck in the afternoon as well when things are slightly more settled.

    Take good care of yourself and happy “anytime” running!

    • MealsforMiles

      Definitely overhauling it! And, afternoon runs are so much easier (well, I’m 2 for 2, so…), even though I know your issues are more severe than mine – I never forget that and am amazed at how you deal with it all. Take good care of yourself too, friend!

  • runningseal

    Get rid of blogs from your google reader!!! It was the best decision ever..there are still more that should go. If you are interested I can privately send you some of my favorites but you prob already know them.

    Also it’s not just you. I’m pretty sick of a lot of social media and question why I care when I should be doing more productive things.

    Yay for afternoon running!!:)

    • MealsforMiles

      Yes! I’ve love for you to send me some of your favorites, I’m sure I will like them as you are a good judge of such things, I think :)

      yayy afternoon running! haha, never thought I’d say that

  • Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons

    Definitely overhaul your Google Reader! Sometimes I get carried away following new blogs and then realize I don’t like them very much…but feel compelled to look at them if they’re there.

    I like running in the afternoon best, especially in the colder months, but with my work schedule, early mornings are often the only option.

    P.S. I think I saw you in CP running in the early morning two days ago! :)

    • MealsforMiles

      Oh perhaps! I was wearing a white shirt…. black tights? Probably huffing and puffing, and maybe grunting? :)

  • embenton

    I hear you on the reader overhaul! When I first started blogging and was looking for new material to read, a friend sent me a list of suggested reads and they were ALL the kind of “healthy living” ones I now stay away from! Haha. I’m behind the times and don’t even use Google reader. The blogs I have on my “favorite blogs” page are pretty much the only ones I read regularly.

    And I hear you on blogging sometimes not being fun. It especially hasn’t been fun for me when I’ve been injured since I don’t have much to say beyond complaining.

    Feel better soon!

    • MealsforMiles

      thanks dude! And, not a bad idea to just get rid of Reader all together! When I first started blogging I didn’t even know what it was…

  • http://twitter.com/CandyCrazedRun Anne@CandyCrazedRun

    Wohoooo! Awesome for you changing it up in the run time! I’m te exact same way with early am runs, but honestly if I could be more flexible I could be more of a “normal person” haha

    Speaking of “normal people” that is exactly why I blog.
    My regular friends don’t want I hear me blab about running and eating 24/7, so really take for their benefit :)

  • http://www.enlightenedrunner.com/ Abby

    I did a “clean up” in my reader yesterday! I found some new blogs (mainly food ones) and also posted about a few new ones that I added to my blog roll. Anyways, how do you like your Wave Riders? I just got myself a pair the other day (the red ones too!) I usually run in the evening, after work, but only because it’s a faster way to get to the train vs. taking the bus. However, I prefer morning runs.

    • MealsforMiles

      Love the Wave Riders! They are nice and light but still pretty cushioned, and I like the heel. They have such a unique fit I think people either really like or hate. I am a fan!

  • http://twitter.com/thismouseruns Jen Schramm

    A lot of the blogs out there are annoying me as well – I am tired of “paleo this that” “Oiselle Oiselle Oiselle” or a really interesting post that devolves into “this was sponsored by NatureMade.” Don’t get me started on the “qualified” nutrition advice from the IIN people…NOT RD’s NO NO NO! I used to like some of these blogs until they started telling me what to buy: NO. My runningwarehouse discount does me just fine, thank you very much! And yes, everyone needs carbs to run far and fast…even if their bioindividuality profile (is that a word- my computer does not think so) says no. Gah. Thanks for the space to rant!

    • MealsforMiles

      haha, rant away any time! And, I am not sure that is a word??? What the hell does that mean??? +1000 to this whole comment :)

  • Kimra

    I’ve found that most of the bloggers I like are blogging less and less — but that I appreciate a good post from them even more now. The Google Reader overhaul might be a good call.

    And I’m glad the afternoon run worked for you — and impressed at the flexibility, which I know can be tough. I always get nervous about running at night because who even knows what’s going to happen with what I ate during the day … but I’ve actually found that when I’m doing it regularly, my stomach will adjust some to the schedule.

    • MealsforMiles

      oh yes! I totally agree – I had no idea what my stomach would do with food in it, but figured it couldn’t be worse than what it was doing with no food in it (again, sorry for the TMI)… so far so good, though!

  • http://www.susanruns.com/ Susan – Nurse on the Run

    I can’t decide if I’m jealous of people who aren’t involved in social media. On one hand, it takes up a lot of time and what are we really doing?? On the other hand, I’ve met AMAZING people through social media (including you!) and have had some great opportunities. I’ve traveled to places I never would have before because I knew people from social media. (See also: Maybe not safe. It’s been fine.)

    I think the key to social media is using it to make yourself better, not to just hate read or read what you don’t enjoy. Taking blogs out of your reader is a great idea, but only if it’s not mine! :)

    Afternoon runs are great and I’m glad it worked out for you and your intestines! I have to be flexible with my runs because of my schedule, but being on jury duty right now makes me wish I had your drive to wake up in the morning and go….I’m so not a morning person, and it’s showing. :/

  • Jess

    I hear you about the blogging fatigue—I spend a lot of time rolling my eyes. I’ve been spending more time on sites like Hellogiggles, the Hairpin, and Role/Reboot. Too many posts out there about paleo bread & whatnot right now to keep me interested. Maybe I’m just jealous because I can’t have almond meal?

    Congrats on changing it up with your afternoon run! I totally did that today–I usually need to be up & out as soon as my eyes open, but I waited until almost noon to go take a long-ass walk through the park. It was awesome!

  • http://runthelongroad.com/ RunTheLongRoad

    i cannot stand when people give out running advice that is flat out wrong! i get soooo fired up! i can imagine you feel the same way about nutrition advice. i weed out my google reader like every other month. right now, i’m sick of the “inspirational” posts. you know, like every f-ing thing in their lives is coming up roses. and every post is OMGso inspirational. stop. just please stop.

    last week, i lived on the edge too. i ran at lunch and actually enjoyed it! who knew?!?!

  • Pingback: training recap, stupid long run tricks | Meals for Miles