Fat. Girl. Runs.

in my spiral ring notebook: Why I run

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:13:15 -0400

I haven’t posted in a while..

Good news: I’ve been running steadily 3 times a week. Could be better, but life is busy (new job, new boyfriend, classes, moving) and homegirl would like to sleep at some point.

Also, I am linking you all to the beautiful words of my college-friend, Katie, a greater writer, spirit, and runner than I could ever hope to be. After the tragic events in Boston yesterday, I think we all need to read this.

Love to you all.

Post-run lunch of spinach salad with raspberries, ham, cucumber...

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:22:54 -0400

Post-run lunch of spinach salad with raspberries, ham, cucumber and homemade balsamic/mustard dressing, followed up with orange peppers and hummus.

Fuel your body!

I had an awesome run today! That is all.

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:12:22 -0400

I had an awesome run today!

That is all.

Back to basics. Kashi Go-Lean Crisp and berries.

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:37:28 -0500

Back to basics.

Kashi Go-Lean Crisp and berries.

All aboard HMS Fail Boat

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:50:00 -0500

I haven’t been blogging for about a month (maybe more?) which also means I haven’t been running. I could go through the list of excuses I’d made for myself, from bad weather to a busy schedule. The truth is.. I don’t know what happened.

Oddly enough, I’m somewhat of a perfectionist. I try to do things as completely and as well as possible. But when there’s a snag in the fabric, the entire weave just unravels and I completely fall apart. I missed a day of running. One day turned into two and the next thing I know, I hadn’t donned my trainers in over three weeks. With the 5k coming up, I just accepted a big fat ’maybe next year’ as my destiny.

And then last night happened.

My brother was visiting and somehow we got on the topic of my weight. He knows a thing or two about getting fit. This time two years ago, he was teetering on the 300lb mark and was well on his way down the path of heart disease, diabetes - much like our father - and any other number of complications. But through a strict plan and lots of hard work, he’s looking and feeling great and is in the best shape he’s probably ever been in. So I listened to what he had to say. It was hard, answering his questions. I’ve never told anyone in my family my weight. But he said something very poignant to me.

“If you can’t be honest and open about that number, you’ll never really be open to changing it.”

After a very honest and terrifying hour, we had a game plan. It will be difficult and I will get discouraged, as always is the case. But this time I don’t feel like I am alone. I have the support of someone who not only believes I will succeed, but expects me to. Sometimes, that’s all the difference.

What the hell is a burpee?

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:14:07 -0500

What the hell is a burpee?

cold weather running

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:45:32 -0500

Me again. Naseem! Please, please, please have no fear of cold running! I ran in Manitoba, Canada, that’s north of Minnesota and am still here. Contrary to what clothing manufacturers want you to believe, you don’t need much specialized clothing either. Cold will not hurt your lungs. Trust me, I ran in Canada for 30 yrs, loooong distances, marathon training. Here’s what you need: wear lots of layers, they keep you warmer than one thick layer. Start with your sports bra, then a cotton or cotton blend turtleneck or just a plain old long sleeve T-shirt will do, then a T-shirt (yes, short sleeves OVER long sleeves) and then a windbreaker if you have one or a fleece jacket or a thick hoodie. If you are too cold in a hoodie, add another thin layes, like a long sleeve T-shirt. Wear a hat or at least a headband. It’s good to have a headband and a hoodie, so that if you get too hot you can slide your hood off. Wear loose track pants, not those tight fitting running pants. The looseness of the fabric around your leg will trap warm air between your skin and the pant and will keep you warmer than those silly tights/yoga pants things. Loose and baggy T-shirts and hoodies do the same thing. Finally, if you are worried about our lungs, wrap a scarf around your face and chin, BUT… the mistake people make is wrapping it tight around their mouth. This is no good, it does not warm you and restricts your breathing. Wrap it loosely, forming a bit of a pocket in front of your mouth, like a little pouch. Again, the air will warm in this little pouch from your breath before you breathe it in and the condensation and cold temperature will harden it so it will stay upright. Play with it, you will figure it out. The main thing to do is remember that cold weather does not like tight clothes, think loose! I never wore specialty clothing. In fact, I reserved my oldest, stainiest clothes for running. Outside of a good windbreaker and good shoes, running is the cheapest sport! I have honestly had some of my best runs in cold weather! I wish I could go out for a run now!

Photo

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:33:30 -0500

Off my game.

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:06:18 -0500

This weather is killing me! It’s been hovering around 3°F for the past week and I have NO IDEA how to run in those temperatures. I don’t have the proper gear and am really too broke to buy anything Under Armor, or whatever. I hate making excuses, but I’m honestly quite scared to run in this cold. If not for the cramping, but because my lungs will suffer. I’m just not that brave.

Should I just suck it up and try treadmill running? Am I really going to need a gym membership for days like this? Ugghhhhh This 5K feels impossible!

This was originally a vegan quinoa salad I made for my birthday...

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:24:10 -0500

This was originally a vegan quinoa salad I made for my birthday party.

Quinoa, shredded beets, carrot, raisins, cilantro, cumin, salt. This morning, I made it not-vegan by adding feta cheese.

Dinner. Persian cooking is traditionally pretty healthy (aside...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:54:08 -0500

Dinner. Persian cooking is traditionally pretty healthy (aside from all that white rice nonsense) and tonight is no exception.

Shooli. It’s a soup made with beets, lentils, kidney beans, spinach, and vinegar. That’s how I make it anyway. It’s sweet and sour and full of great nutrition. Yum!!

My legs are DYING. Help!

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:26:00 -0500

Ok runner/fitness types: How the HELL do I beat these shin splints? It’s like my legs are sand bags on fire. I never had this before. What am I doing wrong? Or, be honest, is it the consequence of being a beginner of my size?

Other than the searing pain during the last half of my training, today was probably the best day all week. My pace feels less sluggish already and I’m focusing more on my form and not on whether or not I‘m going to collapse. Improvements, yes?

Late lunch: half a pita with salmon, sprouts, tomato, avocado...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:50:12 -0500

Late lunch: half a pita with salmon, sprouts, tomato, avocado and a touch of low-fat dressing. An orange and water to boot.

Also, I’m thinking of going paleo. Not sure though.

Even Marathon Runners Hate Running

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:02:04 -0500

Even Marathon Runners Hate Running:

My friend thedookness sent this to me as encouragement for when I have off runs. Thanks Alyssa!

I overslept and skipped breakfast today (bad Naseem) so I made a...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:50:00 -0500

I overslept and skipped breakfast today (bad Naseem) so I made a pretty hearty brunch for myself after my run.

Brunch included a hash consisting of chick peas, half a potato (I know, I know), grape tomatoes, and 2 eggs, topped off with low fat/sodium cottage cheese, avocado, and Siracha. And, of course, several glasses of water. It’s not the worst thing I could have done to myself.. Right?

The run today, if I’m going to be honest, was rough. I can’t seem to beat these shin splints. Am I not stretching enough? Is it the cold? Do I just have too much weight for my bones to carry? It’s so hard to see myself cross that finish line when it’s so very discouraging right now.

On the upside, I do think back to the days when I was running consistently every day in Portland. So I know it isn’t impossible. I did it once, I can do it again. I just have to push and clear my mind of doubt.

Oh that pesky doubt…

Me, after my less-than-awesome run this morning. More on that...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:55:59 -0500

Me, after my less-than-awesome run this morning. More on that later.

Dear Brain, I know you’ve had an exciting day, but you need to calm down. You have to support...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:48:00 -0500

Dear Brain,

I know you’ve had an exciting day, but you need to calm down. You have to support your organs and muscles during a run in 5 hours. Just chill and stop thinking so much.

Much love,

Naseem

I realized that I haven’t been posting any of my meals. While I...

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:24:00 -0500

I realized that I haven’t been posting any of my meals. While I can’t guarantee I’ll share everything, I figured I’d tell you about today’s breakfast.

Rolled oats, nonfat vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cup o’ joe. I’m training myself to drink coffee black.. It’s not going so well.

starting to think I was smarter and more motivated when I was younger:

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:02:01 -0500

motherfuckerofbabylon:

another excerpt:

I will no longer live to suit the expectations of others. It’s OK for me to be a feminist. It’s also OK for me to love men. It’s OK that I’m a liberal feminist bisexual who also happens to love pin-ups and corsets. It’s OK that I like the way womyn looks spelled with a y and that I think that patriarchy exists and that I get fucking frustrated. It’s also OK that I think feminism can go too far, that often feminists are so busy oppressing each other and dictating what our behavior “should” be that we don’t actually accomplish shit.

I can love women and love men and want change without wanting to turn the patriarchy into a matriarchy.

It’s OK that I probably won’t marry a nice man and have that big white wedding and make babies. It’s OK if I end up marrying a nice man and having that big white wedding and making babies. It’s also just as OK if I end up marrying a nice woman and having a big dyke wedding and living with a bunch of cats. It’s also just as OK if I feel no need to commit to anyone.

I don’t have to decide my entire future right now.

Read More

I love me some Lenya like whoa.

Photo

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:17:28 -0500