I had a super fun filled weekend, but now it’s time to get back to the real world – and real training. I have a full marathon scheduled in 62 days. Sure, that seems like a good ways away, but I want to PR so I need to take training a little more seriously then I have for the past 2 races 
This morning I pulled out my calendar and gym schedule to tweak my training a bit. I have also decided to make some changes to my eating. I don’t want to do anything too strict but I will be:
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Keeping an eye on calories – not counting obsessively, but trying to keep it in a healthy range
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Eating at more regular intervals
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Cutting back on sugar
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Upping my protein
I was super inspired by Janetha’s recent interview with the Body For Life winner, Emily Alvers . And although I am not very interested in strength training, I am interested in cleaning up the eats. Alvers did 30 days of a vegetarian BFL challenge – that’s not exactly cake since it’s a high protein plan, so I feel compelled to use some of her eats.
Losing weight while training for a marathon is an oxymoron for most people. It is extremely difficult to cut back on food when your body is working like a machine to carry you mile and miles and miles every week. I understand that.
I also understand that running is easier if you’re lighter. I can think of 2 bloggers off the top of my head (who I’m sure you know and love) that cut drastic time off their marathon PRs after losing weight. This isn’t about the size of my jeans (because now that I love stretchy jeggings, they always fit anyways). No, this is about getting faster, avoiding injury and being kind to my knees.
I have been an advocate for intuitive eating for a long time. I still believe in IE too. However, IE while you’re training and want to lose weight is very hard and hasn’t been working for me. If I wasn’t training it would be a lot easier to listen to my body’s hunger, but long runs, traveling for races and other details make it near impossible to do that.
Moral of the story: I’m changing the way I eat to lose weight so I can run better. I think that’s fair.
On to other things…
I woke up with one thing on my mind – PANCAKES!
I didn’t want to pull out one of my recipes, so I just winged it and threw these things in a bowl. About 1/3 to 1/2 cup of each, plus baking soda, salt, stevia, pumpkin pie spice – mix and cook.
I also sliced a banana and cooked it with the pancake, but you can’t see it here. It’s on the bottom hiding.
I’m out of syrup (I know, sad sad day) so I had to use Peanut Flour mixed with almond milk, stevia and salt and Pumpkin Butter.
I may or may not have scraped the pumpkin butter jar clean. Good thing I have another one waiting in the cupboard! 
My legs are feeling pretty tired, but not sore at all. I think I’m going to do some abs, stretch out and take a walk later for some fresh air. Right now I have to get my study on – big test tomorrow.
Question: One word highlight of your weekend?
Me: Rockstars
I have the hardest time explaining to people that I didn’t loose any weight from running. I tend to lose a few when I scale back my mileage. It’s a delicate balance. I’m glad you are being honest about wanting to loose weight to get faster. I’ve been wrestling with the same thoughts lately because I always want to improve my running but have maxed out on speedwork, strength training and stretching. The only area left is the scale.
My weekend: calm!
the pancake looks yummy!
my highlight: sunshine
Congrats on your PR in the half! I am excited to follow your next training cycle. A couple of years ago, I really needed to lose weight and I did. Then I started running, which was great. Combining the two has proven quite difficult. Training for marathons and eating clean, healthy foods with the right nutrients is really hard for me. I look forward to the next phase for you.
My weekend: cupcakes.
Ok – maybe that’s the problem!
MintChocolateChipIceCreamWithKitKat – how’s that for one word.
Loveit.
Highlight of my weekend: Fabulous cooking class on Saturday!! You should put that pumpkin butter IN your pancake batter. It’s SO good!
One word weekend highlight: giggly
Back when I was running I had the hardest time losing weight when I was training. Not running I dropped 5 pounds within a month. Funny!
I too found it difficult to lose weight while training/running so I have canceled my last few races for the year and focusing on eating healthy for the next 1 1/2 months and then I will start to train again. I am planning my first 1/2 mid-May.
One word weekend highlight: Sobriety
Good luck on the 1st half!!!
Hey that’s my one word too 🙂
One (well, two) word highlight: vegan chili- if you’re looking to up you’re protein, check out my blog for my chili recipe (it has tons of protein). I love that pumpkin butter. It is amazing and I put it on anything and everything.
I’m really disappointed you won’t be continuing with Intuitive Eating. It’s the main reason I follow your blog. However, everyone has a different journey, and I wish you the best of luck. I hope you achieve your PR.
I was really reluctant to make this change for this reason, I know a lot of readers love the IE aspects of my blog. It was a hard decision for me and I know I’ll return to IE once I get past the intense months of marathon training, but for now I have to reign it in a bit to reach my goals. I hope you’ll continue reading, but understand if you don’t. Thanks.
Thanks for not judging my comments. I wanted to be honest, but realize you have to trust your own internal wisdom.
SNACKSSS!
My weekend highlight is actually 2 words, one thing: Dirty GirlScout. It’s a shot that tastes just like a thin mint cookie. A friend bought me one and I was in heaven! lol
I should have had one of those in Vegas!
Best of luck as you tackle this new marathon training plan. You have to do what is best for you body and only you know what is truly best.
One word weekend highlight: buttercream
Highlight of my weekend: sleep!
Snow.
I agree with you as far as training and losing weight goes. It worked for me up to a certain point, but the intensity required of running makes for a very very very hungry athlete.
I’m still looking to drop weight for the same reasons. My next 1/2 is at the end of March so I am spending the next few weeks eating super clean and cross-training before I go into full training mode again.
Can’t wait to watch you succeed!
Congratulations on your fabulous race yesterday–that is so awesome! And I commend you for wanting to be the healthiest you that you can be. Having lost 60 pounds myself, I definitely think that running is easier on your body when you’re carrying less “extra baggage.” But I also ended up losing too much weight and found that my “happy running place” was not when I was at my thinnest weight–it was my lowest weight plus about five pounds of muscle. I think each person definitely has to find what works best for her body, and I wish you lots of luck on that journey!