Musings and a personal challenge...

So, now that the race season is over, I have commited to *resting* as much as I am able...which frankly isn't much. I feel good NOW, sans some knee issues I have due to the fact(I believe) I have slacked off on my PT. Well, I need something to do, something to focus on and I promised myself I wouldn't run over 10m for 2mo (except for the Frosty First Fat-Ass 50k I am putting on)...so I came up with a plan. But first, my musings...

I have been toying with the idea of going back to raw. Problem is, whenever I read into it again I start to resist it...I think I really do not want that *extremeist* lifestyle...I know that sounds contradictory due to the type of running I do but really, I am not THAT extreme in my running, just in the types of races I do, which compared to some, is a drop in the bucket :)

So, back to raw...I enjoy it, I know I benefit from it and it works for me for the most part but...I just don't *want* it 100%. I can see myself doing 75% and being totally ok with that. The problem I see with people doing 100% raw vegan is they get so locked into a way of being that it dictates EVERYTHING they do...almost to the point of being cult-like. That and the fact they become SO *clean* that living in today's not-so-clean society becomes dangerous. Now unless you are going to move to some remote island that is free of polution, bacteria, etc it doesn't seem practical, imo, to do this. Now, I know there are people who CAN do it in this society, and that is awesome but I really believe it is the exception to the rule...as I read more people are struggling with trying to stay raw...why is it so hard for them? Why is it so hard period? Seems to me that when peope choose a certian lifestyle they want to live it should be something that balances them. We struggle when we are out of balance. We also struggle when something is new, which is understandable. But when that struggle continues...you have to wonder what's up.

There are a plethora of reasons, from food addictions to allergies to illness that can make it more difficult to alter ones diet and I get and accept that.  I have certianly had my fair share of struggles with allergies, and illness for that matter, that have made being solely raw more complicated that I wanted it to be. Now, more than anything I simply want balance in my life...and I also want to listen to what my body needs, as opposed to what *I* want. I have tried VERY hard to raise my children to have a healthy relationship with food, to honor their *cravings* to listen to what they need and to understand what kinds of foods are better choices. I think I have done ok, as at least Max and Lilly are pretty good when it comes to making choices as far as what and how much to eat. Jeffrey has trouble, but part of that is being on the Spectrum I think wires him differently...I am willing to be he isn't the only ASD kid who would live on starch and cheese... :) It is a struggle to get fruits and veggies into him, which worries me some, but he does eat heathy starch and cheese and will eas SOME veggies so...eh, we do the best we can.

So, my goal is to eat more balanced. Not that I don't have a good diet, as for the most part I do. But, I want to let go of the notion that I need to eat a certian way, to live by a label that defines me as I am not a label. I'm not going to go all carnivorous on y'all, but whether I am vegetarian/vegan/raw or some combo of all three because that's what works...so be it. I think it is SO much more important to be a conscious consumer than to label oneself...KNOW what you are putting in your body and where it came from. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients do you REALLY want to eat it?

My personal challenge to myself involves running of course :) but also diet. My goal, starting today 12/8 is to run 8m a day for 88 days. I can run more,(not more than 10 until the end of Jan.) but not less. I can break it up any way I want but at the end of the day it needs to total 8m. Several reasons for doing this...I want to raise my *baseline* for running...right now 6.5m is what I would consider my baseline, meaning at any given time I can go out and crank out 6.5m with no issue. I want to raise that to 8-10m a day by late next Spring. I also want to make sure that at the very least I am drinking one green smoothie a day. There was a time that it was a non-issue bc I DID drink at least one a day but now...not so much. I want to get back into that habbit as it is a good one, one I benefit from greatly :)
I am also getting back into PT and some strength training that I let slip...hoping to gain some overall strength, lower my BF and increase lean muscle mass(without losing any more weight).  My weight got a little low for a while, and though the woman part of me was all HEY check it out! The logical part of me was more of a HELL NO bend. I know where my weight needs to stay in order to run the way I do. To lose weight would not be wise...particularly when I lose so much during races.(which is a hydration issue, but still...) Plus, I already have no butt, lol, so I don't want to start looking all gaunt. Not a good look. :)

That's the goal and plan for now...oh, and maybe to write more than once a month so I don't go on and on ad nauseum...if you made it to this point, cookies for you! (gf and vegan...lol)