Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Challenge, Tuesday Intervals and Lunch

Amanda at RunToTheFinish who is the master of challenges has done it again with the 3 Changes Challenge.  I am very excited about this but had a hard time narrowing it down to three things I wanted to change in the 30 days this challenge spans.  Here are my three -

1. Stop eating Candy (ex. Starbursts and Skittles - which I actually have a full stash left over from Valentine's Day in my closet)
2. Make an effort to connect with friends (ex. call or meet for coffee)
3. Get rid of clothes that do not fit anymore (including running, working and play clothes)

So far (just one day in) I have not eaten any candy; I have contacted an old friend from high school who is living in my city, but I have not gone through any clothes YET!  You can still sign up for the challenge just follow the link above!

Moving on to yesterday's workout!  I was catching up on my Runners' World this past weekend and came across an article with these workouts attached: 


Since I will be running a 5k in less than two weeks I thought it would be a good idea to run the 5k workout (its small but its says 12x400m at 5k race pace with a two minute recovery jog)!  I am not sure what my 5k pace is really, my PR pace is a little under a 7 minute/mile pace so I just went with it.

I started at a 6:49 pace with 1% incline and timed myself to see what my actual 400m times were.  They centered around 1:38-1:42 depending on how fast I could get the treadmill to speed up.  It definitely was a long workout but I never really struggled with the pace.  The last few 400m my legs were getting tired but I held on to finish it up.  I really want to do this workout on the track outside to see how it compares.

I did get confused a few times and couldn't remember if I had rested for the full two minutes.  After the 6th 400m I think I may have only rested for a minute before speeding up again.  I really should have brought some paper and a pen to help me keep track!

And now on to my lunch!  I bring so much stuff and just wanted to share a picture of everything that I eat!  My co-workers make fun of me because I bring so many things to eat but I am hungry!!

Banana, orange, carrots, cheetos, peanut/walnut mix, chocolate covered pretzels, ham and cheese sandwich, oreos, and my two snacks - kashi peanut peanut butter bar and Stonyfield super smoothie - both of which I am trying for the first time this week!  Now I can't wait for lunch!!

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy those runs!!

22 comments:

Marlene said...

That is a nice looking lunch! Yummy! My co-workers tease me for eating non-stop. Hey, runners need to eat a lot! :)

Great job on the 5K pace workout!

I also like your goals for Amanda's challenge! Good job so far.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the workouts, I might try the half marathon cause I'm training for my first at the moment and I keep getting my pacing all wrong!!

Jess said...

I always bring a ton of food into work too. Between breakfast, lunch and snacks, it's a little ridiculous.

Laura said...

My work 'lunchbag' is getting ridiculous.
I love Amanda's new challenge!

Anonymous said...

what a great workout! i get confused too when it comes to rest, my brain can only concentrate on so much at once and although i pride myself on being a fabulous multitasker when i'm doing intervals i can only do that one thing ha

teacherwoman said...

Your 3 changes sound great and you are off to a great start as well!

I too bring a lot of things to work, especially since I never know how hungry I will be or what I will be hungry for. Sometimes I chuckle when I pull thing after thing out of my lunch bag and my coworkers are just munching on a sandwich or warmed up pasta. lol.

Indi said...

Totally have the same issue with lunch. I think some of the guys east less than I do. What to do...we get hungry!

RunningLaur said...

I do the same thing with lunch - I always feel like I'm packing for a cross country trip when I take lunch into work. :)

Unknown said...

I do that with lunch, too! Yours looks yummy! :)

Amber said...

Haha when I'm training I bring SO MANY containers to work. It's ridiculous. Lol

Christy Ashley said...

Haha my co-workers look at me like I'm ridiculous because I bring a ton of food to work too! Lol!

Keep it up with the running! I'm going for my first 8-miler this weekend!

Jamie said...

When I was in an office I was the same way with lunch. Nice job on the speedy workout!

I Run for Fun said...

Great speedwork. You definitely earned that lunch. I work from home, and tend to eat so much, I need to stock up every few days.

No Longer Using said...

love the 3 changes idea! i have actually been doing a lot of this, but no really with the intention. but cleaning out my closet was DEF a recent highlight (and a good excuse to go shopping!!!!).

5k soon!!!!!!!!!!!!! looks like you're on pace for 6:45?????? rock it!

RunToTheFinish said...

I love and adore my friends, but I'm horrible about calling them. I am really working on this too!!

mmm I want your lunch too

Lisa's Yarns said...

Good work on the goals! At my last job, this one guy had the ultimate candy drawer. I ate so so so much candy. Then i gave it up for Lent, and since then i have barely eaten any candy. Granted I no longer work at that job, so I don't have the daily temptation, but still. i haven't caved and bought any candy for myself. :)

I am glad i am not the only one who brings a bunch of stuff for lunch. I am the same way. I always have a morning snack, a couple things for lunch, and then an afternoon snack. My co-workers tease me about it, but oh well! I just get so hungry & like having snacks!

akjenniekt said...

That's funny, I just read that article last night and was planning to use it as my workout tonight (I also have a 5K coming up- my first). I really like RW:), always some good articles. Good job on keeping up with your changes.

The Laminator said...

Awesome changes! I like your 5K workout! Looking good for a new 5K PR!

Badgergirl said...

Looks like a tasty lunch! And great changes for the challenge!

EndorphinBuzz said...

Forget paper and a pen, find a treadmill you can program your workout into. With the effort of running, I always forget what I'm supposed to do.

That looks like a fantastic lunch.

Nicole said...

Your lunch looks so yummy!!! :)

I need to stop eating candy too!

Rachael said...

Hey! I'm new to your blog :)

It's nice to see a blogger who actually EATS a good sized lunch. I mean, for a person who is athletic...you need food to fuel your body!