1) Not going is NOT an option. Everytime that little voice inside my head starts complaining that it’s too dark or too cold or I’m too tired, I envision a STOP sign. I don’t allow myself to think about other options (i.e. going home and watching TV). It’s kind of like tough love – “you’re going running, so stop whining!”

2) The buddy system. One of the best things about running with other people is the accountability facotr. I make it a point of promising my running friends that I’ll be at our weekly Thursday practice (or will meet them for an early a.m. run). I want to be seen as reliable, so keeping my word usually motivates me to get out the door.

3) Reward yourself. If I have to get up for an early morning race, I’ll sometimes promise myself a trip to Starbucks afterward. Or if it’s an evening workout I have to get through, I’ll think about the sweatpants, hot tea, and Gossip Girl episodes I can indulge in afterwards.

4) Make compromises. Sometimes I’m not feeling 100% and it’s hard to tell whether it’s physical fatigue or just the mental blahs. In these instances, I’ll plan on just doing half the workout (or a shorter run). However, more often than not, I end up feeling good enough to finish the whole thing!

After employing some of these tips, I motivated myself enough to go to practice last night. And like I expected, I’m so glad I went! Although the intensity of the pace wasn’t super tough, the volume of miles left me feeling wiped out by the end.

The workout consisted of:

• 1.5 mile warm-up
• 5K at half-marathon pace in the Harlem Hills in 23:09 (~7:28 pace)
• .8 mile recovery
• Another 5K around the reservoir (actual distance 3.14) in 23:37 (~7:31 pace)
• 1 mile cool-down
• Total: 9.5 miles

  We were supposed to run the 1st 5K at half-marathon pace and the 2nd 5K a little faster. My second 5K actually ended up being a little slower, BUT I did negative split it – running 12:07 (7:43 pace) for the first loop of the reservoir and 11:30 (7:19 pace) for the second loop.

Pheww. By the time I got home it was 9pm and I needed some to re-fuel ASAP. I’ve been dealing with a bit of a queasy stomach this week, so I focused on bland, yet energy-dense foods.

I brewed a cup of tea to warm me up and then mixed 2 Tbs peanut butter into 8oz. of plain greek yogurt and added sliced banana and a serving of Nature’s Path peanut butter granola. This meal may not have been very voluminous, but it packed in nearly 700 calories and plenty of fiber, calcium, potassium, and B vitamins.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us! What’s your favorite (healthy?) game-day dish?