What's wrong with you?

I was brushing my teeth this morning and a girl in my hall asked what I was doing up so early. I told her that I had a long run and it's better to do it in the morning because it takes a long time, get it out of the way etc. and I am in training for a half marathon. The response?

What's wrong with you? Not in a mean way, she's very sweet. However the question was in my head through the whole run. Not just for me, but for all runners. What is wrong with us? Why do we do what we do?

Today on my run I had to stop to go to the bathroom twice, my shin hurt, my stomach hurt, I had a coughing fit, the wind almost blew me away and I ran through all of it. And had an amazing run.

Today I set a new PDR! There were so many times on this run I thought I wasn't going to finish. I even told myself to only do seven. At the exact moment the number hit eleven Lady Gaga blasting into my ears told me "I was born to be brave" and I burst into tears.

That is what's "wrong" with me. That is why I run.

Plus it makes me feel like this

I'm cool

Before I left I had a clif bar (standard) and then because my stomach was feeling odd dairy was not appealing so I had two waffles with cashew butter, cream cheese, banana, honey and cinnamon.

My cashew butter is disappearing too quickly for my liking. It's like someone has just been eating with a spoon at night or something... weird.

Have an awesome Saturday!

Peace!

Caitlin

Why do you run?

Or for non-runners, what do you do to give you that same feeling?

Gettin' Schooled

HAPPY APRIL EVERYONE! Now, I would really appreciate if it would start actually feeling like spring, it's getting there but not fast enough!

This is actually my last full month of school for the semester... yikes, and next year I'll be a junior.. MAJOR YIKES! Yesterday I registered for the classes I will be taking next semester. I realized that I've never really talked about my major on the blog although it is very relevant!

I came to school planning on majoring in theatre directing and english, as you might be able to tell, my passions have changed. I still do have an english minor which I absolutely love being able to do.

What I really want to major in? Exercise science and physiology. The problem? My school doesn't have a program, but it didn't seem worth transferring because I like my school. I know what I want to do after college,or me it was just a matter of finding something that could get me there.

What I am majoring in is Health and Society with a focus in fitness and nutrition. Most health and society majors have an interest in global and public health and infectious disease which is just not really my style.

I feel so luck to have been able to tweak the major to my passions. I am including psychology, nutrition and sociology. Instead of an internship I am being allowed to become a certified lifestyle and weight management counselor. I also plan on becoming certified as a group fitness instructor before I graduate.

I feel that having this major and these two certifications will allow me to enter the health and wellness industry right out of college someway in some capacity. I would love to be able to help people physically and mentally because I have struggled and overcome both.

Next semester I am taking Chemistry 117, Intro to Psychology, Global health and creative writing. Plus I already know that in the spring I will take nutrition, can't wait!

Workout

This morning I did a modified version of my Cardio/Strength circut. Instead of the ET I ran a mile, I don't normally run on Friday but I have 11 planed tomorrow and wanted to make it an even 20 for the week. I also added an extra round of weights.

For breakfast I used the rest of my cottage cheese (which expired yesterday =/) mixed with pumpkin, peanut flour, wheat chex, pumpkin pie spice and honey.

Does anyone else make there yogurt or cottage cheese mess in the container if your using the rest or is it just me?

Have a great Friday!

Peace!

Caitlin

What did you or are you majoring in?

Still looking for Q's for a Q and A vlog!

I. AM. SO. HAPPY.

This is how I went to bed... and woke up. It's a good feeling. O, why you ask? This from the Washington Post sums it up!

Sweet Revenge: Cavaliers take down LeBron James, Miami Heat 102-90

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By Associated Press, Tuesday, March 29, 10:14 PM

CLEVELAND — In an unbearable season of losses, Cleveland got the win it wanted most.

The Cavaliers took down LeBron James.

Clearly it's learn things about Caitlin week so here's another thing about me.. I LOVE sports. I am a die hard Cleveland sports fan, The Indians, The Browns and THE CAVS! Which means seeing this "person" Turns me into this x100000000

Thus I am happy! Too happy, I actually cried with happiness last night, that's how much I love my city and my teams and I am not ashamed.

Two other things making me happy things morning

Running my best 5 mile time EVER outside on a weekday morning

Followed by 25 minutes of lifting

And chocolate overnight chia pudding oats in almost empty nut butter jar!

Last night:Oats, skim milk, chia seeds, stevia and chocolate protein powder= A texture like mousse/pudding

This morning, simply an entire banana and cinnamon, tasted like a banana Resse's cup!

I'm predicting a good hump day!

Peace!

Caitlin

Do you watch professional sports? If you're a Heat fan... sorry I'm not sorry

Reaching Out

Past Tips

Separation is Key

Recovery Tip 2: Reach out to others

You may have noticed that I have recently been mentioning friends more, posting later and actually going out on the weekend. For the first time in many months I have somewhat of a social life.

A major part of eating disorders is self isolation. Your ED convinces you this is for many reasons. You're better than everyone else, you only need your ED, you really want to be alone..blah blah blah.

The main reasons I have been reaching out to people is because I was sick of being alone. That fact in itself shows progress towards recovery. In addition the people I have been reaching to are those who I feel I can tell about what I am going through because you cannot fully recover without support. It is a great distraction from your ED voice and can make you remember what is really important.

I used to love to go out on the weekend. I loved being with people most of the time. My ED had convinced me that I no longer liked people but of course... it was a lie. I have been having a great time reconnecting with people and making new friends.

For lunch put together some fun fajita type things (scientific term). I got corn tortillas at the store today so i topped each with laughing cow, a bunch of chili-lime white bean dip, veggies and salsa. I had grapes on the side which were so appealing for whatever reason.

DELICIOUS

Per usual for me my appetite has not been on point all day. I got a little hungry for a snack so I mixed up PB2 and jelly sauce with some pretzels

Hi, I'm Caitlin and I'm boring addicted to omelets. Veggie om-nom with mango, toast with smart balance, fruit spread and PB... come on you know me.

I feel my appetite slightly returning, I'll probably get in a dense snack soon... I'm going out again tonight =)

Peace!

Caitlin

Tell me about your best friend!

It's Just a Flesh Wound

Sorry for the late post! I was up until 3... (read what not to do the night before a long run) however even with just 5 hours of sleep somehow magically

Huzzah! Double digits!!

I'm actually not sure about my splits, I know I started pretty fast, middle was slow and the end was in the middle but alot of things distracted me from my garmin... such as exactly at mile 4

When all of a sudden I wasn't running but lying on the sidewalk =) oops. It was my first running fall though so I felt cool (I'm not weird). I didn't know whether to keep going or not but I decided to try and then ended up finishing! I also had to run back to campus to pee around mile 5... and my iPod died, and it started snowing.

I'm just as surprised as you are to hear myself say it was actually a great run!

I did have a cliff bar before and for a quick refuel

Parfait in an almost empty PB jar! nut butter straight up has been my bedtime snack of choice recently so I'm gaining a good amount of parfair and oat worthy jars

Yogurt, quakers oat squares, banana, honey, cinnamon, PB= Perfection

Off to grocery and homework land!

Peace!

Caitlin

Do you normally stay up late? I used to all of the time but now I NEVER do, I did have a great time though =)

Have you ever fallen on a run? Are you clumsy in general? People will tell you (and they're right) that I am the clumsiest person ever, I'm shocked this is my first running fall.

Show those Pearly Whites

Things that made me smile this week

1) Born this Way.... I have listened to it 82938103985920885 times

2)Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread, which is now gone =P

3) Super fun earrings, my accessory of choice for the week

4) My new poster

5) Actually spending a little time with new friends

6) Rocking straight hair which I have not done in a very long time!

7) Almost empty nut butter jars for overnight oats!

Last night: Oats, milk, yogurt, chocolate protein powder, stevia and cinnamon

This morning: banana and craisins

Plus the rest of naturally more... sad face it's gone!

Have and AMAZING Friday beautiful people!

Peace!

Caitlin

What made you smile this week?

*If you are a Beloit student and you happen to be reading this, please let me know!*

Core Strength

Some of you commented on the time that I held plank for yesterday morning. First off, thanks... you guys make me blush =). Second because I love strength training as much as I love running I thought we could talk this morning about core strength.

What is your "core"?

Surprisingly, not just that six pack that your after! It includes 12 muscles in your abdomen.

Plus your mid and lower back. Some people include glutes and upper quad muscles as well.

Importance of a strong core

Having strong core muscles can help in your daily life. They will improve posture and balance which can help with anything from running to tying your shoes. Having strong back muscles will also help to reduce and prevent low back pain which many people suffer from.

How to Work it

There are A TON of great core exercises you can do, pilates and yoga being at the top of my list. 45 minutes to and hour of either=45 minutes to an hour of core work.

Another great thing for core is to use props.

Resistance bands are an awesome added challenge.

My favorite way:

Lie on your back with your legs straight out. Wrap the band around the bottom of both feet and hold one end in each hand, make sure it's pulled tight! Raise your legs slowly engaging your lower abs, when you can no longer feel your abs engaged lower slowly leaving an inch between your heels and the ground.

Find more great resistance band workouts here!

Medicine balls are diverse and add a weight element to your work.

My favorite way:

Start with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Come to a squat position with your back against a wall. Hold the medicine ball with both hands in front of your chest. Twist at a good tempo from side to side touching the wall with the med ball on each side.

Find more great med ball workouts here!

This is my secret. The bosu dome. I LOVE this thing. You can use it for core work specifically but incorporating it in any way to your workout will strengthen you core because it will require you to balance. I use it for core, squats, push ups, even cardio. Jogging up and down on it or using this instead of the floor for mountain climbers is killer!

For instance, this morning I did on the dome

Crunches x 20

Single leg Stretch x 15 each side

Full sit up x 15

Twisting crunches x20 each side

Crunches x20

Flip dome over

Push ups x15

Slow mountain climber x12

Push ups x12

slow mountain climber x 8

push ups x 8

Hold high plank with hands on dome until fail

This is just one example, I change it up all of the time depending on how I feel!

Also this morning I had a protein bar, ran 4 miles in 38 minutes, walked for 5 minutes and did some weights for about 20 minutes (and then the core work)

Easy delicious breakfast

Whole grain toasted waffles, one cream cheese and fruit spread on PB and fruit spread and very ripe mango slices (of course I eat the skin!)

And as part of Project New Nutrition, PerMa sent me this!

I started it last night... it is amazing. If you are struggling with and ED at all you must pick up this book, I'll be reviewing it and sharing tips as I go!

Peace!

Caitlin

Tell me about your core workouts!

How to Not Start Your Week

Realize you forgot to take your birth control all weekend because you are experiencing an unexpected visit from a certain aunt.

Experience a potential new running injury. 2.25 miles into my 3 mile run my left shin was screaming. I think it's the transition form sand to pavement, Don't worry, foam roll action had already ensued.

Fart out loud while lifting weights in front of the cute weight room attendant... it happened, I'm trying to let it go.

Come back to your room to this  

Forgot I put that in the freezer yesterday...

How TO start your week

Take Heather's advice and put chia seed in your overnight oats

Last night mixed oats, chias, cherry extract, stevia, chocolate protein powder and stevia

This morning topped with a banana, salty cashews, more milk and salt<-- key to deliciousness! Cinnamon was of course added too.

These may have been the greatest overnight oats ever, I might have a hard time going back to the yogurt variety.

Peace!

Caitlin

How were the first few hours of your week?

How I Jam

Recently my workout music had not been doing it for me. In fact there have been a few time where I've biked for an hour with no entertainment... painful. The other day I splurged (just a little) on iTunes and got some new tunes. I made a new playlist and it totally powered me through my run this morning!

In a running song I look for:

A good beat: Ke$ha does a great job with this

Motivation: 'Till I Collapse, Heart of a Champion and Lose Yourself are my favorites.

Something fun: Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga... enough said

Snackage

Triscuts, banana and dark chocolate dreams plus the rest of the banana

un-pictured apple and a few almonds

Dinner was my take on Carrie's lucious bowl! Do you read her blog? She's amazing!

Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli and yellow pepper topped with a vegan boca. I made a sauce out of tomato sauce, hummus, red pepper flakes and garlic salt all mixed with some water and microwaved, it turned out really well! The sprinkled it all with nooch.

For grain contribution I had a brown rice wrap with a little fruit spread on the side, straight off my desk... all class.

Peace!

Caitlin

What do you look for in workout music?

What's top on your playlist right now? Born this way! I know I'm not alone!

The Stages of the Long Run

Mile 1-10:00 <-- "nice day, your up, do what you can"

Mile 2-9:51 <--"Do I seriously have to do this for seven more miles?"

MIle 3- 9:34<-- "I love to run! Who would ever not want to run?"

Mile 4-9:56<-- Same as above

Mile 5- 9:40<-- "Everything hurts... running is bullshit"

Mile 6- 10:07<--"Why am I doing this? This is so stupid!"

Mile 7- 10:42 <-- "I hate this but at this point I may as well finish but it's probably gonna hurt"

Mile 8- 9:59<-- "I"M GOING TO FINISH!"

Mile 9-10:00 <-- "I'M GOING TO FINISH AND SING OUT LOUD!"

I Love to run.

Pre-Run, new favorite flavor

Post run, yogurt, Spelt Flakes, oats, banana, craisins, barney butter, cinnamon, honey.

Peace!

Caitlin

What are your running stages?