Two Boos Who Eat: Pushing through mental blocks

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pushing through mental blocks

Hi everyone! I need your help. I have a 5k planned for this Sunday. This one specifically if you're interested in stalking me.

Anyway, I am struggling with mental blocks. I can't seem to run a full 3.1 miles. I always have to give myself time for "walking breaks." I don't understand myself. I can run relatively quickly for a quarter mile but then have to start walking. I'd love to run an entire race at a 12 min pace but my body does not seem to agree. It wants to run an 8 min pace for 30 seconds, walk for 1 minute, run again, walk, rinse, repeat. It's totally a mental thing. I struggle to push through and just run!

I burn a decent amount of calories while running. I assume this has to do with my weight. I'm about 5'6 and 30 pounds over my "ideal" weight. It sucks. I work out 5-6 times a week, eat decently (but no where near perfect) and I sleep 8 hours a night. I know all of you new mothers want to slap me. I don't understand why I'm not losing weight. Running definitely hasn't helped me in that department. This is why I decided to try out Body for Life. I'm hoping the extra protein and HIIT workouts will help.

I'm just wondering if burning 500-800 calories during a fairly short run (3-5 miles) is normal at all. I'm beginning to wonder if my heart rate monitor is crazy. How many calories would I burn if I just ran the entire time without any walking breaks?

So I'm going to try to run today without stopping to walk. I have to go on the treadmill since it's rainy and wet out. Wish me luck!

And please give me some advice if you have struggled with this before!

Labels: 5k, couch to 5k, feeling crappy, mental blocks, running, walking breaks, weight loss

20 Comments:

At April 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM , Anonymous said...: Goodluck Amanda! Maybe in your training runs you can try running for one minute then walking for one minute...kind of push yourself slowly but keep adding on time to your runs until you reach your goal. I can understand your frustration - the mental blocks will go away as soon as you see what you are capable of. Soon enough 30 seconds will turn into a minute will turn into a whole 5k. You can do it! :)
At April 20, 2010 at 2:36 PM , Sarah @ See Sarah Eat said...: Oh man, I am the queen of mental blocks! I went an entire summer thinking I was no longer "meant" to run long distances. I guess just make it a goal to prove yourself wrong! Don't worry about pace or calories and just focus on running without walking. About calories, that does seem high but I'm no expert. Running also makes some people gain weight too. And stress is evil! Just do what is fun and healthy for YOU :)
At April 20, 2010 at 2:38 PM , Elisabeth @ joggerslife.com said...: IMHO, there's nothing wrong with walking! I've been known to wog my way through races every now and again. If you continue to increase your overall distance, your running intervals will become naturally longer. It's really a matter of having patience with your body. That said, you will probably need to MAKE yourself slow down at first so that you are able to run for longer. The #1 rule in running is not to start too quickly...you can blow an entire race by pacing too fast at the start!
At April 20, 2010 at 2:44 PM , Tamara said...: Well, first of all, don't be afraid to walk! I know you're eager to run non-stop for a longer period of time, but it's just something you can't rush through.

As for your speed, perhaps lay off of super-fast sprints and just focus on going slower (somewhere between 5 and 6 mph?) because you'll be able to run at the level a heck of lot longer than 8 mph!

Just try to aim for longer running intervals and not necessarily speed. I'm no expert, but it took me over a year and a half of playing around with running/walking intervals before my body was ready to run about a 10-minute mile for 20, 30, 40 minutes at a time.

And based on your stats, I think your calorie burn is about right. It's been a while since I've ran with my heart rate monitor, but when I was about 10 pounds overweight, I was burning about 300-400 during a steady 30 minute run.

As for why you're not losing weight... Well... Not sure I can help with that one, since it sounds like you're doing all of the right things! I totally understand how much of a pain in the ass it is to count calories, but maybe try it for a few days, just to make sure food isn't the culprit? Hope that helps! Try not to get discouraged, hon- you've been working hard. Just be patient with yourself.
At April 20, 2010 at 3:48 PM , Mama Pea said...: I think it may just be mental. Have you tried the HIIT workouts yet? They are great for breaking past those barriers of what you think you can do. Do you listen to music at all while you run? If I don't pay attention to speed, time, etc. and just focus on the music, I can usually push through. You can do this! And if you have to walk for a minute, who cares?
At April 20, 2010 at 4:39 PM , homecookedem said...: Oh girl, you know I share your same weight struggles. It is so frustrating, especially when you know you're doing everything right. My biggest advice to you on the running issue would be to not worry about running the whole thing. You may not be ready for it still and that is OK. It might take you a little longer to build up to running the entire time, but you aren't in any rush. BFL suggest HIIT workouts and so I think that if you alternate between running/walking then that is PERFECT! Interval training is the way to go!!!!! You're doing great!! :)
At April 20, 2010 at 6:40 PM , ashleigh said...: I've been running since Sept 09 and I can barely run 3 miles. I ran 4 once, but ever since I think the longest I've done is 2. I'm also 30 pounds from where I want to be, so maybe it's that?? Running can be SOOO frustrating. One day its great the next it sucks so much. I dont run as much as I used to bc I was sick of being disappointed. I would suggest doing other things with running like you already do with workout tapes and put less pressure on running... running 3 miles with walking breaks is still an awesome workout! I burn about 150 calories per mile so I think your HRM is right.
At April 20, 2010 at 8:03 PM , sophia said...: Amanda, try not to get caught up with the heart monitor and the calorie burning...otherwise, running will become mentally stressful.

Also, walking, running...they all burn about the same calories measured by distance.

One more thing: sometimes, I can't run as much, either. I realized that when running a LOT of things play into factor: the weather, my mood, my body condition, my lack of sleep, my lack of stored energy etc...so have you thought abt what you've been doing differently lately?

Best of luck!
At April 20, 2010 at 10:29 PM , Yelena said...: Good luck on your run! I am a horrible runner so I get tons of mental blocks- I break down shortly after 3. You'll do a fabulous job when it comes down to it!

I have lost and gained weight several times and I'm not an expert, so can't help there. I think just being extra vigilant in ADDING veggies and fruits is the only thing that has helped. It has displaced quite a bit of the fun foods- just what worked for me, not anyone else!
At April 21, 2010 at 4:13 AM , Ca88andra said...: I won't even attempt to answer given I can't even run to the end of the street! But I will wish you good luck!!!
At April 21, 2010 at 5:44 AM , brandi said...: Don't feel bad about having to take walking breaks! That's a method of learning how to run for longer distances, so maybe that's just what you need?

Either way, just be proud of being out there and running!
At April 21, 2010 at 6:40 AM , Bitty Babushka said...: GOOD LUCK! I'm just now starting to slowly add running (if you can call it that) into my workouts. I'm struggling to say the least. I'm what you call a heavy runner. I land hard and it does not feel comfortable. I will keep at it though and see what happens. :)
At April 21, 2010 at 7:17 AM , Andrea (Off Her Cork) said...: You've added everything in your HRM right, like your age and weight? And when you run you have it set to "hard"?

Perhaps you need a pacer to run with you for a bit. Someone who can and will run a 12 min mile and make you run that the entire time so that you don't stop.
At April 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM , Mo Diva said...: as someone who is still struggling to lose more than 20 lbs (and than gain it back) I have need to be scoping out the tips you get.
it seems like you have plateaued. Its a good time to change your workout becuase your routine is no longer challenging. but what the hell do i know! i need to get over my 20 lb hump
At April 21, 2010 at 12:37 PM , Notes from the Fatty File said...: A few thoughts:

1) You're moving. That is awesome! Running/walking is better than sitting on the couch.

2) I am a sloooow runner. I'm mostly a 12 minute mile kinda gal. It took me a long time to build up to consistently running 30-35 minutes and I did it through Couch to 5k. I somehow find it easier to run 20-25 minutes straight than to do 8 or 10 minute bursts because when I'm doing intervals, I'm always looking at the clock, waiting for the "hard" part to be over. Can you load your ipod with interesting podcasts or books on tape? Music makes me think too much of "ooh, this song is 3 minutes long, I will be out of my interval in 3 minutes" so I either run with nothing or have podcasts/books on tape.

3) Have you taken your measurements? It completely sucks with the scale doesn't move, but exercise still changes your body. When the scale doesn't motivate me, the measuring tape does!
At April 21, 2010 at 12:53 PM , Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) said...: While I'm not a runner, I don't think you should feel at all bad about having to walk for a few minutes at a time! The fact that you are getting out there and doing it is impressive enough! :) As for losing weight, do you know how many calories you are eating a day? I would maybe try counting for a few days just to make sure you aren't underestimating because that is VERY common. Also mixing up workouts may help get through a plateau...
At April 21, 2010 at 12:56 PM , Kara @ Kara's Marathon said...: I'm a big fan of run/walk intervals -- 5 minutes jogging, 1 minute walking -- and I find my average mile times go way down that way, even though I'm walking!

How do you feel when you're running at the 12:00/mile pace? Are you breathing heavily and sweating a ton? Your body might want you to move a little slower...
At April 22, 2010 at 12:37 PM , Mari said...: WOW I feel like a crappy friend! I am so sorry that I missed this post!!!! I suck!

I have been wondering the same thing about my HR monitor because Gina keeps telling me that is way too high but I don't want to believe that lol...I keep telling her "I believe in Santa" aka my watch hahaha

We are both in the same boat! Like I said on the phone the other day, hopefully May 1st is kinder to us!

Love ya chica!!!! AND CALL ME WHEN YOU ARE STRESSED! that's why I am your bicoastal workout buddy! =)
At April 23, 2010 at 7:39 AM , Sarah said...: so I feel the need to post this, but just b/c the SCALE "says" you are 30lbs overweight doesn't mean you actually are - some of that could be muscle. The reason I say this is from experience......

my scale says 154. the highest i've been in a while - its been saying that goddamn number all week despite my hard lifting, my HIIT, my steady state cardio and my tracking of calories.

Last month, the dress I"m wearing currently did not exactly fit this comfortably - it was TOO TIGHT! I think I weighed either the same or LESS than I do now!

But after 4 weeks of dedicated gym going and calorie counting my dress slides on much easier than it did last month. still haven't got the guts to do measurements but just based on that alone - I've clearly lost some inches, even though i'm weighing much higher on the scale than I would prefer. that number can suck it. lol.

i clearly have much more muscle than i did in college, so I should probably get go of the expectation that I can get back down to my 125lb college weight.

I'm size 8 now, would like to be size 6 so thats probably more like 135-140lbs I would think?

so yeah its all relative. the scale can suck it
At April 23, 2010 at 7:50 AM , Sarah said...: i forgot to add that up until 4 weeks ago, i was a solid runner, training for a 10mile race in april that I never ran - I burned out on the running, I lost muscle, i wasn't strength training and my body started suffering.

i think my body looks better when I run less, lift heavy more and do more HIIT - goodluck!

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pushing through mental blocks

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